Apple Launches New iOS Beta Testing Program, Seeds iOS 8.3 to Testers

[MacRumors]

Apple today made a pre-release version of iOS 8.3 available to those who sign up for the company's public beta testing program, giving them early access to a new version of iOS for the first time ever. The version of iOS 8.3 being distributed to beta testers is the third iOS 8.3 beta, which was seeded to developers a few hours ago.

The launch of today's iOS beta testing program has also been accompanied by an overhaul to Apple's Appleseed Beta testing site. Previously the language on the site was heavily focused on OS X, but a site revamp gives it a more general focus to encompass both iOS and OS X testing.

iOS 8.3 was first seeded to developers on February 9, while iOS 8.2 was still in testing. iOS 8.2 is mainly focused on the Apple Watch, but thus far, iOS 8.3 has introduced several new features including support for wireless CarPlay connectivity, a new emoji picker, support for Google 2-step verification, and Apple Pay support for the China UnionPay network.

The second beta brought all new diversified emoji and skin tone modifiers, along with new emoji for country flags and updated emoji icons to represent the iPhone, iMac, and Apple Watch. Siri also gained several new languages, including Danish, Dutch, English (India), English (New Zealand), Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Swedish, Thai, and Turkish.

Apple introduced its public beta testing program with the launch of OS X Yosemite, allowing more than a million consumers to sign up for and participate in the Yosemite beta. Prior to today, public beta testing was limited to OS X, but Apple appears to be ready to expand its beta testing program to iOS.

Apple has also continued offering OS X betas, most recently seeding OS X Yosemite 10.10.3 with the Photos app to public beta testers.

Update: Apple is now sending out emails to certain members of the OS X public beta program, inviting them to also test out iOS 8.3.

Thank you for participating in the OS X Beta Program. For the first time ever, we are broadening the program to include the all-new iOS Beta. The feedback you have provided on the OS X Yosemite Beta continues to help us shape OS X, and we would like to offer you an invitation to the iOS 8.3 Beta.

The iOS 8.3 Beta is available for download from the new Apple Beta Software Program website. Try it out and submit your feedback. You can use the iOS 8.3 Beta while continuing to use the OS X Yosemite 10.10.3 Beta. And with the all-new Photos app for Mac and iCloud Photo Library, you can now access your entire library on all your devices.

Article Link: Apple Launches New iOS Beta Testing Program, Seeds iOS 8.3 to Testers

 

[musika]

In 2011, I would have been all over this. But in 2015, I just want my stuff to be reliable.

Luckily, better reliability may be a result of more beta testers. But I won't be one of them.

 

[iPhone20]

I signed up for OS X testing but i'm not seeing the beta. Where do we have to sign up?

 

[applemax]

Where's the link? There's no button on the Beta Program page for me.

 

[ryanmcv]

I signed up for OS X testing but i'm not seeing the beta. Where do we have to sign up?

Same here. I don't see any option for iOS 8.3 on the AppleSeed website.

 

[My Name is URL]

I signed up for OS X testing but i'm not seeing the beta. Where do we have to sign up?

Same here, I'm not seeing any iOS bit.

 

[Nermal]

Where's the link? There's no button on the Beta Program page for me.

https://appleseed.apple.com/sp/betaprogram/ works for me - after signing in, I got an invitation to test iOS.

 

[iPhone20]

So, i think it's invitation based? They are randomly selecting the users who signed up for OS X beta program?

 

[applemax]

So, i think it's invitation based? They are randomly selecting the users who signed up for OS X beta program?

well that sucks.

 

[billchase2]

I'm also only seeing the OS X beta: no iOS.

 

[flash84x]

This is ultimately a good thing, but should make for an interesting new dynamic for developers.

 

[unplugme71]

Only OS X here. No iOS.

 

[geekonthepc]

Same here, no iOS yet.

 

[satinsilverem2]

Ive been wanting something like this ever since the Mavericks Public Betas. I hope its open to everyone enrolled in the beta program and not a select number.

 

[patseguin]

I only see Yosemite beta, no iOS. I guess it's not really public.

 

[LordQ]

Nice! It was fun to test Windows 7 back in the day. Sign me in!

 

[kaiseryeahhh]

No iOS in web

 

[mgroot]

I've got the iOS beta link.. not sure about entering in the beta program for this though

 

[lunaoso]

Yep only Yosemite here too. I checked on my iPhone though, not sure if that would make a difference. (maybe there's a certain trigger for the iOS message mentioned by a poster above)

 

[enthusiastic]

(Note: The program is still rolling out. A link to join the iOS program may not appear immediately upon registration).

From 9 to 5 Mac

 

[hollose]

IOS Beta comes up fine her

After signing in at the AppleSeed beta site.

Have downloaded profile, rebooted the iPhone, is backing up to itunes now.

But, it starts with downloading 8.3 beta 1. Guess the beta 3 will be available OTA, when beta 1 has installed.

 

[auero]

It's propagating through Apples servers. It will take some time for everyone to see an option for iOS.

 

[Menel]

Worked fine here from the article URL.

Logged in, downloaded profile, rebooted, now this:

 

[moabal]

What is the version number? I am curious if its the same thing as the dev build 8.3 (12F5047f)?

 

[applemax]

I've got the iOS beta link.. not sure about entering in the beta program for this though

Can you put the direct link in here?