Major updates for all Apple operating systems just reached users on Monday, but Apple is already looking ahead to the next versions. The initial betas of iOS 16.2, macOS 13.1 Ventura, iPadOS 16.2 and watchOS 9.2 were all seeded to developers the next day.
These will bring new features and changes to the various Apple devices. Many iPad users will be especially pleased by full support for external displays. And Apple’s Freeform app is coming, too.
Apple is always beta testing
A 24-hour turnaround between the full releases of one operating system version and the start of beta testing on the next one is par for the course for Apple. It has upcoming operating system updates in testing almost continuously.
The first round of iOS 16.2, macOS 13.1, etc. betas just seeded to developers all have build numbers that end in “e” in a countdown to “a.” This gives Apple room to seed several more betas before reaching the final release.
At this point, the betas are so new there’s been no time to see all the changes they bring. But Cult of Mac can confirm that iPadOS 16.2 will include full support for external displays after it was removed from version 16.1.
Also, the betas bring support for Freeform, Apple’s cross-platform collaboration app that will let iPhone, iPad and Mac users work together in a shared digital space. Freeform was announced at WWDC 2022.
The full launch for all the operating systems is likely to come in November. The next Macs are expected that month, and they’ll almost certainly debut running macOS 13.1 Ventura. Because Apple’s operating systems work together so closely, it’s better if all the new versions launch at once, so iPhone and iPad are likely to get their OS updates at the same time.
iOS 16.2 etc. are for devs only
Currently, Apple iOS 16.2, macOS 13.1 Ventura, iPadOS 16.2 and watchOS 9.2 betas are only for those who pay to be in Apple’s developer program. But public betas should be available soon.
