Apple today released a fourth beta of the forthcoming macOS High Sierra 10.13 software update to its registered developers and members of the Apple Developer Program.
macOS High Sierra 10.13 developer beta 4 rolling out on Mac App Store
Developers
Fourth developer beta of iOS 11 launches
Apple today released a fourth beta of iOS 11 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch to its registered developers and members of the Apple Developer Program.
Apple seeds watchOS 4 beta 3 to developers
Apple today released a third beta of watchOS 4 (build number 15R5321h) for all Apple Watch models. The update is available to Apple's registered developers and members of the Apple Developer Program.
The software update can be deployed on your Apple Watch used for development via the Software Update mechanism in the companion Watch app. The paired iPhone running the Watch app must be on iOS 11 beta 3 or the update won't show up.
Your Apple Watch must be connected to your iPhone, have at least 50 percent power and be placed on its magnetic charging disk in order for the update to download and install.
The full watchOS 4 beta 3 installer can be downloaded from Apple's Dev Center portal. Once installed, subsequent watchOS 4 betas will be available through the Software Update mechanism in the Watch app.
Apple currently does not provide watchOS 4 betas via its Public Beta Software Program. A developer-only preview of watchOS 4 was released at WWDC on June 5. watchOS 4 beta 2 was seeded to developers on June 21.
Here's Andrew's hands-on walkthrough of the changes in the previous watchOS beta.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNDJL6Ju2Qc
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watchOS 4 brings more intelligence and fitness features to Apple Watch.
The software update includes three new watch faces, including a new Toy Story face, a dedicated Siri face that displays dynamic information based on your habits and other data and the Now Playing and Apple News complications.
The Workout app now has built-in music playback controls and supports High Intensity Interval Training. Thanks to Apple's partnership with leading gym equipment makers, Apple Watch will interface with dedicated gym equipment to share data like your heart rate while using equipment data like steps taken to more accurately calculate calories burned and more.
In the Activity app, users will be able to access new monthly challenges and take advantage of intelligent coaching and tailored workout encouragement.
watchOS 4 will release for public consumption this fall for all Apple Watch models.
If you find new features and important changes in watchOS 4 beta 3, be sure to reach out to us via Twitter or drop us a message at tips@iDownloadBlog.com and we'll update the article.
macOS High Sierra 10.13 developer beta 3 rolling out on Mac App Store
Apple today released a third beta of macOS High Sierra 10.13 for Mac systems. macOS High Sierra 10.13 beta 3 (build number 17A306f) is now available to Apple's registered developers and members of the Apple Developer Program on any supported Mac via the Mac App Store's Updates tab.
The full macOS High Sierra 10.13 beta 3 installer can be downloaded from Apple's Dev Center portal. Once installed, subsequent betas will be available through the Software Update mechanism in Mac App Store.
A developer-only preview of High Sierra was released at WWDC in June, followed by a second beta on June 21 and the public beta on June 29. The first public beta of High Sierra has the same features as developer-only macOS High Sierra beta 2.
macOS High Sierra includes Apple's File System, official support for High Efficiency Video Codec (HEVC), also known as H.265, an updated version of Metal with support for VR applications and external GPU enclosures, Safari 11 with new anti-tracking features, support for flight status information in Spotlight, more natural voices for Siri and more.
Stock apps including FaceTime, Messages and Notes have received a few refinements, too.
High Sierra also introduces new core storage, video, and graphics technology, as well as an enhanced Photos app with a new sidebar, curve-based editing and support for third-party apps like Pixelmator and Photoshop.
TUTORIAL: How to unenroll from Apple's Beta Software Program
macOS High Sierra will release for public consumption this fall across supported Mac models.
If you have managed to spot new user features in macOS High Sierra beta 3, tell us on Twitter or via email at tips@iDownloadBlog.com. You can also post your findings in the comments section and we’ll make sure to update the article with new information as it becomes available.
iOS 11 beta 3 seeded to developers
Apple today seeded a third beta of iOS 11 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch to its registered developers and members of the Apple Developer Program. To deploy iOS 11 beta 3 (build number 15A5318g), use the Software Update mechanism in the Settings app on your device with an appropriate configuration profile installed, which can be obtained from Dev Center.
iOS 11 was originally released as a developer-only preview at WWDC in June, followed by iOS 11 beta 2 on June 21 and the iOS 11 public beta on June 26. The first public beta of iOS 11 has the same features as developer-only iOS 11 beta 2.
Here's Andrew's hands-on walkthrough of the changes in the previous beta.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ5pwZMPRxI
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iOS 11 sports a redesigned App Store, new iPad multitasking features with the Dock and drag and drop, a Files app, AirPlay 2 with multi-room audio, new Siri capabilities, visual refinements, a customizable Control Center, a redesigned app drawer in Messages and much, much more.
TUTORIAL: How to switch from iOS 11 beta to official iOS release
iOS 11 will release for public consumption this fall across supported iOS device models.
If you have identified new outward-facing user features in iOS 11 beta 3, ping us on Twitter, shoot us an email at tips@iDownloadBlog.com or post your findings in the comments section and we’ll make sure to update the article with new information as it becomes available.
Apple seeds tvOS 10.2.2 beta 5 to developers
Apple on Thursday seeded the fifth beta of tvOS 10.2.2 to developers. The update comes just a little over two weeks after beta 4, and registered developers with the appropriate profile installed on their fourth-gen Apple TV can apply it via the over-the air mechanism.
From what we've seen in the betas thus far, tvOS 10.2.2 doesn't include many significant user-facing changes. Instead, as with iOS 10.3.3 and macOS Sierra 10.12.6, the update appears to be more focused on under-the-hood performance improvements and bug fixes.
tvOS 10.2.2 is expected to be released to the public within the next few weeks, and it should be one of the final tvOS 10.x.x releases as Apple has already begun seeing betas of tvOS 11, the next major revision of its set-top box operating system.
macOS Sierra 10.12.6 beta 6 now available for developer testing
Aside from releasing a sixth developer beta of iOS 10.3.3 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, Apple today seeded a sixth beta of the forthcoming macOS Sierra 10.12.6 software update.
macOS Sierra 10.12.6 beta 6 has a build number 16G24b.
It can be downloaded and installed on a compatible Mac using the Software Update mechanism through the Mac App Store's Updates tab. Only Apple's registered developers and members of the paid Apple Developer Program are allowed to beta-test macOS Sierra 10.12.6.
The new beta arrived nearly ten days following macOS Sierra 10.12.6 beta 5.
Like with iOS 10.3.3, users won't see any important outward-facing changes in macOS Sierra 10.12.6 when it releases for public consumption. This is a point release that will fix bugs and improve the security and performance of your Mac.
Apple is currently testing macOS High Sierra with its developers ahead of its release in the fall.
Apple issues sixth beta of iOS 10.3.3 to developers
Apple on Wednesday seeded iOS 10.3.3 beta 6 to its registered developers and members of the paid Apple Developer Program. The new update has a build number of 14G57 or 14G58, depending on the device. It can be deployed to any compatible iPhone, iPad or iPod touch via the Software Update mechanism in the Settings app.
Your device must have an appropriate configuration profile installed, which can be downloaded from Dev Center. The latest beta arrives following iOS 10.3.3 beta 5, which was seeded to developers on June 28 (the first beta dropped on May 16).
Some of the fixes in iOS 10.3.3 are mentioned in Andrew’s walkthrough video of the first beta.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvh5kOofWW0
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As mentioned, iOS 10.3.3 is a bug-fix release which enhances the security and performance of your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. This is most likely that last point update to iOS 10 as Apple continues to beta-test the major iOS 11 software update ahead of its public release in the fall.
Apple also released macOS Sierra 10.12.6 beta 6 for developer testing today.
New ARKit demos: Tesla Model 3, food ordering & inter-dimensional portal
With the new ARKit framework for building augmented reality (AR) apps, Apple is turning existing iOS devices into the largest AR platform in the world.
We previously shared a bunch of interesting ARKit demos showcasing the possibilities of the framework, including an upcoming furniture-ordering app from Ikea, a measuring tape, an ARKit-powered VR mode in Maps and more.
Today, we're highlight three more examples of ARKit-driven apps: a Tesla Model 3 app by an impatient fan, an example of an inter-dimensional portal in the middle of the street and an app that promises to change how we order food.
First up, a demo app by an impatient Tesla fan who couldn't wait for his ordered Model 3 so he made this ARKit-powered app that lets him drive around a virtual Model 3 in his real world, activate the headlights and so forth.
@elonmusk Couldn't wait 4 my #Model3, so made this AR app, what do you think? #ARkit pic.twitter.com/lIRLTZox7N
— Jelmer Verhoog (@JelmerVerhoog) July 1, 2017
Food ordering will never be the same, says developer Alper Guler who created an ARKit-driven app which renders various foods on your table that you can pan around, zoom in and out, rotate and more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFdgVNg4ryM
And last but not least, we have French consulting agency Nedd which came up with a great example of AR+VR, via iPhoneAddict.fr.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIPfpGCxONQ
Before signing off, here's a quick volumetric capture example with ARKit.
hint pic.twitter.com/WOuqVer1Ph
— Made With ARKit (@madewithARKit) June 27, 2017
Very impressive so far, don't you think?
High Sierra will be last macOS release to support 32-bit apps “without compromise”, says Apple
We know that iOS 11 marks the end of the road for legacy 32-bit apps and now we're learning about Apple's new 64-bit requirement for Mac apps.
In an advisory on Dev Center yesterday, the Cupertino giant announced that macOS High Sierra will be the last macOS release to support 32-bit apps “without compromise.”
Apple originally said at the Worldwide Developers Conference that macOS apps submitted to Mac App Store must support 64-bit computing starting January 2018. The new advisory states that Mac app updates and existing apps must support 64-bit starting June 2018.
“If you distribute your apps outside Mac App Store, we highly recommend distributing 64-bit binaries to make sure your users can continue to run your apps on future versions of macOS,” reads Apple's note to developers.
In a separate notice, the company reminded developers to submit updates to their 32-bit apps because iOS 11 is 64-bit only. ”Support for 32-bit apps is not available in iOS 11 and all 32-bit apps previously installed on a user’s device will not launch,” reads the note.
Two days ago, Apple asked developers to update their product pages for iOS 11’s redesigned App Store.
Apple (again) reminds developers that iOS 11 won’t run 32-bit apps
Following the iOS 11 public beta release, Apple has reminded developers that iOS 11 will be 64-bit only. The notice posted yesterday on Apple's Dev Center cautions that all 32-bit apps previously installed on users’ devices will not launch after they upgrade to iOS 11.
“As a reminder, new iOS apps and updates submitted to the App Store must support 64-bit,” reads the notice. Apple recommends that developers who haven’t updated their apps to support 64-bit submit an update “so your users can continue to run your apps on iOS 11”.
TUTORIAL: How to identify 32-bit apps installed on your iPhone and iPad
Because iOS 11 is 64-bit only and doesn't support legacy 32-bit apps, users should experience a bit faster performance and fewer crashes. That's because iOS 11 will never need to load 32-bit frameworks, libraries and the kernel alongside their 64-bit counterparts needed to support legacy apps, which effectively strains the RAM and other resources.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hoPcMPvL88
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Apple’s Clips app already requires a 64-bit iOS device and iOS 11's new Files app is optimized for 64-bit computing, too. Starting with iOS 10.3, Apple began naming and shaming legacy apps via a new App Compatibility section in Settings → General → About → Applications.
The new advisory regarding 32-bit apps was posted just a day after the company invited developers to update their product pages on App Store for iOS 11's much-improved, thoroughly redesigned App Store.
iOS 11 will be in the hands of “hundreds of millions of customers” this fall.
Apple asks developers to update their pages for iOS 11’s all-new App Store
Apple on Tuesday invited its registered developers and members of the Apple Developer Program to update their product pages for iOS 11's much redesigned App Store.
Specifically, developers can showcase their content with subtitles, promotional text, additional app previews that they can localize and up to 20 promoted In-App Purchases that users can buy on App Store, even if they haven't downloaded an app that offers them.
A dedicated section on Apple's portal for developers offers useful resources for making the most of the new product pages. Like before, new metadata is entered in iTunes Connect.
“Metadata you provide in iTunes Connect is shared across App Store on iOS 11 and iOS 10.3 and earlier, so you only need one version of product page elements, such as app name, icon, screenshots and keywords,” notes Apple.
iOS 11's App Store features competently revamped product pages while providing dedicated Apps and Games tabs along with a new Today tab with original stories, editorial, tips, how-tos, interviews and more, updated daily, in a blog-like format.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hoPcMPvL88
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The App Store redesign lets developers spotlight apps with more engaging content, putting the most important information front and center for the customer making a download decision.
Developers can now submit up to three video app previews and five screenshots, which can now be localized so a user in any country can have a customized version of the video.
Accolades including Editors’ Choice and chart position are now highlighted by App Store, as are In-App Purchases and customer ratings and reviews.
The new App Store is now available as a preview to users of the iOS 11 public beta. Once iOS 11 launches for public consumption this fall, the redesigned App Store will be in the hands of hundreds of millions of users around the world.
App Store customers have now downloaded more than 180 billion apps and Apple has paid out over $70 billion to developers since the store launched in 2008, making it the most vibrant software marketplace in the world, according to the Cupertino giant.