Apple users will soon receive operating system updates for phones and tablets, Macs and set-top boxes. Developers today received new beta versions for all these platforms
Anyone from the public who wants to beta test preview versions of iOS 11.3, macOS 10.13.4 or tvOS 11.3 can do so by signing up on Apple’s website. The newest developer versions should be available to public beta testers in a day or so.
iOS 11.3: battery health, animojis
A few minor “bug fix” revisions for Apple’s tablets and phones have been released in recent weeks, but Apple has been hard at work all this time on iOS 11.3, which will be a more significant update. The company is past building new features into developer beta 5, and is now concentrating on removing bugs.
Apple also apparently removed some planned features and revisions. The iBooks app, temporarily renamed simply Books, reverted back with its original name in iOS 11.3 beta 4.
iOS 11.3 will include a battery health monitor to show users how much their battery has degraded through regular use. Users can then, if desired, turn off the performance throttling iOS does to older devices. Other new features include new Animoji for iPhone X users and the ability to store iMessages in iCloud.
macOS 10.13.4: privacy warning, 32-bit apps
The just-released fifth developer preview of macOS 10.13.4 also concentrates on fixing problems rather than introducing new features.
When released to laptops and desktops everywhere, this macOS High Sierra update will include a warning that the software they’re opening stores their personal information. Another warning will show up when opening 32-bit applications, as Apple phases out support for them.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
In addition, Mac users will be able to store and access iMessages stored in iCloud. Plus, the nifty Ink Cloud wallpaper for iMac Pro will become accessible on all Macs.
tvOS 11.3: Match Content, frame-rate switching
Apple is also on the fifth beta of its next operating system for Apple TV. tvOS 11.3 will bring improvements to the Match Content feature, as well as automatic frame-rate switching on supported set-top boxes.
