Apple Seeds First Public Beta of macOS Big Sur 11.3

[Populus]

I don't understand what problem you have with hoping that Apple eventually fixes a bug that's been around for a long time but seems to have got worse in Big Sur.

Where did I say I have a problem with Apple fixing bugs like the mail one?

Actually I do the same, I report bugs to Apple and hope for them to read the report and fix the bug. In my last message I -purposely- said that I wish the bug gets fixed, and I did it partially because I suspected where this conversation was going.

The only thing I said in the beginning was “don’t have many hopes if they didn’t fix this in X years”, a reasonable thought in my opinion. Now you say it has been fixed and broken across the years? Well then, hopefully they fix it again.

I don’t have much more to say because I’m on your side and you make it look like I have something against you, when that’s not true. As I said, hope that bug (and many others) get finally fixed.

For everyone else wondering what this conversation is about, please go back to my first reply on this thread.

TL;DR: I was just being pessimistic, nothing against you or the mail issues being fixed. I wasn’t questioning the problem in the first place. Like I said in my first reply, my question was mere curiosity.

 

[cougarmeat]

Any idea when an Update will allow SuperDuper Backup to work again - or HP printers for that matter? Note that I can work around the printer issue, but pre-BigSur I could just print without doing some dance.

Apple today seeded the first public beta of an upcoming macOS Big Sur 11.3 update to its public beta testing group, with the new software coming two days after the beta was provided to developers.

Public beta testers can download ‌macOS Big Sur‌ 11.2 from the Software Update section of the System Preferences app after installing the proper profile from Apple's beta software website.

macOS Big Sur 11.3 introduces more customization options for Safari, adding a way to rearrange the different sections on the Start Page like Favorites, Reading List, Siri Suggestions, Privacy Report, and more. Developers also have access for a new integration to develop features for the Start Page.

The update includes optimizations for using iOS apps on M1 Macs. When running iPhone and iPad apps on M1 Macs, there's a Touch Alternatives preference pane that allows users to set keyboard commands for touch input alternatives, plus iPadOS apps launch with a larger window if the Mac's display allows it. Touch Alternatives can be enabled for iPhone or iPad apps by clicking on the app's name in the menu bar and then selecting the Preferences option. Touch Alternatives let you customize taps, swipes, and drags.

macOS Big Sur 11.3 also adds support for the latest PlayStation 5 DualSense and Xbox Series X/S controllers for use with macOS games.

In the Reminders app, reminder lists can be sorted by Due Date, Creation Date, Priority, or Title, and there is an option to print lists by going to File > Print. Reminders can also be moved manually across lists with drag and drop, something that wasn't possible before.

Apple is adding a new "Made For You" library shortcut in Apple Music for finding personal mixes and Replay playlists, and the Listen Now section has been updated with support for highlighting live events.

There are new sorting options in the Reminders app along with options to print, and Apple Music has been updated with a Made for You shortcut and a live events option in the Listen Now section.

In the Apple News app, there's a redesigned Apple News+ tab with a dedicated "For You" section and a new Browse tab that makes it easier to browse through available content. The new For You section is designed to help Apple News+ users find favorite magazines and newspapers much faster, plus it adds new tools for managing downloaded issues.

9to5Mac discovered that macOS Big Sur 11.3 includes an updated "Support" interface when accessing "About This Mac." The new design includes details on your warranty and it allows for starting a repair right from the Mac interface.

The tab will work similarly to the AppleCare coverage menu in the iOS Settings app, which lets users request repairs, buy an AppleCare plan, and check their coverage. This updated support menu is not visible in the first beta of macOS Big Sur 11.3, but it could come at a later date. There are also signs that Apple may be planning to bring a support app to the Mac.

macOS Big Sur 11.3 adds support for HomePod Stereo pairs, allowing a set of paired HomePods to be set as the default sound output option, with the two HomePods showing up as a single selectable speaker rather than separate as in prior versions of macOS.

Article Link: Apple Seeds First Public Beta of macOS Big Sur 11.3

 

[BSben]

I’m confused, I’ve had stereo pairs of original HomePods since way back when. Is this just about bringing it to HomePod minis?

You could always use them(stereo pair) as the primary output for the Music app, but not for general sound output. Really annoying was that you had to change the output to HomePods (stereo pair) after each episode on the TV app, and you couldn't use a stereo pair for Netflix etc.

 

[thegluefactory]

Er, well. The 11.3 Beta has killed sound. Yes, sound.

By which I mean sound, full stop. There are no audio devices visible in the menu bar (no USB DAC, no headphones, no external speaker).

Sound Preferences won't open (spinning beach ball).

Safe Mode does sweet FA.

Anytime something makes a sound (youtube, music etc.) it just goes spinning beach balls.

I've an M1 MacMini 16GB and have to say it's the worst Apple purchase I've made (and experience on the whole). It is not ready for primetime (plus, turns out Google Filestream isn't going to be supported for another two months, WTF Google?)

From the get go, DisplayPort issues and regular kernel panics (several times a day, no one single identifiable app or behaviour), and only the most basic "have you tried reinstalling the OS" advice from Apple Support.

I'd signed up to the Beta hoping it'd address the kernel panics but alas no, it just created new, unexpected problems!

Gah, sorry about the rant. I realise it is on me for installing a Beta but honestly this is my worst Apple experience and I've been a solid fanboy for a long time. Was using a 2012 Retina and while it's long in tooth it never gave me any BS like this!

Rant over... 😂

 

[RandomDSdevel]

System Preferences (which should be called Settings...

-----It'd be more consistent with Apple's other OSes this way, but I prefer macOS's name for it on that. It just has a nice ring to it. It also makes sense because the app doesn't really have preference panes for things that aren't part of system functionality, have to do with just one other app in particular, or aren't front-ends for purely background services with no stand-alone app.

 

[CMMChris]

@thegluefactory You should try getting it replaced. Kernel panics are not normal. My M1 MBP is running rock solid and so is the M1 Mini of a colleague. For me not a single panic so far and I got it by the end of November, using it intensely and did a lot of tinkering and experimenting with it. It just runs rock solid and super stable. So your issue is very likely some hardware problem.

 

[Quu]

Can you use more than two for surround?

Nah just two.

 

[thegluefactory]

@thegluefactory You should try getting it replaced. Kernel panics are not normal. My M1 MBP is running rock solid and so is the M1 Mini of a colleague. For me not a single panic so far and I got it by the end of November, using it intensely and did a lot of tinkering and experimenting with it. It just runs rock solid and super stable. So your issue is very likely some hardware problem.

Hey @CMMChris thanks for the advice, I get the feeling that is where I'm headed. Maybe it's partly the pandemic's fault but I'd much rather make the effort of seeing someone face to face and not feel bumped around by online Apple support. I'm reasonably tech savvy and reckon there's an underlying issue. I'd seen comments that it might be down to a USB Hub (Mine is USBA 3.0 hub) causing it, but frankly I'm not convinced and event then I've used it for years with intel Macs with zero issues.

At the moment I feel stuck just accepting these issues because I don't have time to test out safe mode (which hasn't made a difference). It's also the same offset error in the error report and I'd think they could have figured it out by now. From memory it's happening outside of the hub and safe mode.

@CMMChris what sort of thing do you use with your mac? Any hubs or tablets or such? I'm using a lot of Adobe CC for work.

 

[CMMChris]

Just a cheap USB-C hub with four USB-A and HDMI and another one with five USB-A and Ethernet. I plan getting a Thunderbolt dock later on. Using it on the desktop with a 1440p monitor in clamshell mode where it replaced my Hackintosh. USB devices attached during desktop use are one mic, three 1TB SSDs, one RAID system, Logitech unifying receiver for Craft and MX 2S as well as an SD card reader. Productive use case is blogging (which goes along heavy web browsing and picture editing with Affinity Photo) as well as video editing with Final Cut for my YouTube channel.

Aside from that, lot's of tinkering just out of curiosity what the M1 is capable of. That includes some gaming, running emulators (mostly Dolphin), testing apps running via Rosetta, running Windows 10 in Parallels, running Linux natively and so on and so forth.

 

[GuyDucharme]

Nothing to fix the external display issue? Please, everybody, report this big bug to Apple: https://www.apple.com/feedback/macos.html

What about the Display issues many of us are having. Apple needs to respond to this as its been a long time and people are very frustrated. Not need to mention the issues with running apps that are from 3 party vendors for schools, corporate offices and Dj's.

Please, report this issue to Apple: https://www.apple.com/feedback/macos.html

 

[amateur12]

List members: Since updating to the Big Sur 11.3 public beta, wifi works only in Safe Mode. Wifi works fine on four other household devices. I’m on a 2018 iMac. Have reported this issue to Apple. Would greatly appreciate any thoughts, thank you in advance.

 

[IAMDAVE1969]

Reverted back to Big Sur 11.2. Big Sur 11.3 Beta is a mess with Safari. Constant Beach Ball. First Beta that has been a mess for me so far.

 

[GuyDucharme]

If we want the external display issue to be taken seriously, there must be a lot of us putting the maximum pressure on Apple. So there are at least two things to do:
1- Contact customer support
2- Report the bug: https://www.apple.com/feedback/macos.html
Please, everybody, do both: call and write!

 

[thegluefactory]

Reverted back to Big Sur 11.2. Big Sur 11.3 Beta is a mess with Safari. Constant Beach Ball. First Beta that has been a mess for me so far.

Can I ask how you reverted? I've been running time machine, but the only backups it offers are all 11.3 Beta?!

I didn't think to clone the drive w/ SuperDuper etc.

A

 

[IAMDAVE1969]

Can I ask how you reverted? I've been running time machine, but the only backups it offers are all 11.3 Beta?!

I didn't think to clone the drive w/ SuperDuper etc.

A

11.2's full downloader is available through the App Store. Make Sur you have a Time Machine back-up. 11.3 has a new version of Photos and Music. If you revert back without that you will have difficulty accessing these files unless you upgrade back to 11.3.

 

[thegluefactory]

11.2's full downloader is available through the App Store. Make Sur you have a Time Machine back-up. 11.3 has a new version of Photos and Music. If you revert back without that you will have difficulty accessing these files unless you upgrade back to 11.3.

Thanks! I am dreading the whole re-install, reformat but maybe it'll fix a few other issues! 🤷

 

[JippaLippa]

It's nice to see no mention of the serious problems at all in this public beta...
For example I'm having all sortrs of problems with displays and HDR, not to mention Netflix 4K doesn't work at all despite it being fully supported by the newest Safari.
I have also been having some random restarts from time to time on my Mac Mini M1 and there are lots of little bugs here and there; instead of new features I'd really appreciate a released focused on bug fixing.

 

[CMMChris]

No issues at all here. Everything works fine on my M1 MBP.

 

[Unsupported]

"Good" to know that I'm not alone experiencing the No Notification bug in Mail...

Still no fix in macOS 11.2 for new Mail n… - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

 

[Leon88]

Can anyone confirm if installing iOS .ipa files via iMazing still works with this release? I know Apple supposedly reverted the server side block but for some reason I still can’t install .ipa apps (says “developer did not intend the app to run on this platform”)

 

[Adamthebestus]

Bluetooth issues again. AirPods cackles, pops, and disconnects within a few minutes.

Im having issues with audio crackling and poping while using YouTube or Logic Pro/Final cut: on MacBook Pro 16 speakers

 

[Brian1230]

I am not using any beta software on my 2015 MacBook Air, but I have to say I have had no problems at all with Big Sur, not even the reduction on battery life I expected since it is the original battery, and on my older Mac laptops I have had in the past, if the battery is weak, they would show a dramatic reduction in available use time. My 2015 MacBook Air shows service battery, because it has 1610 cycles, still gives me a full day of use before needing to be connected to the charger, and its performance overall is lightning fast. Although I do not need to upgrade to the M1 MacBook Air, as soon as we get the "promised" $1400 covid payment that we are owed from the government... just from reviews I have read and the fact my boyfriend decided to get a Mac laptop once he saw how much happier I am with my MacBook Air than my 2019 Dell laptop and has let me play with his m1 air, I want one. As far as I am concerned, Apple is the only computer/phone I will ever use or recommend to anyone.

 

[mourip]

Does it fix the bug where an M1 MacBook Air using AirPlay to an Airplay compatible TV results in a black screen while an Intel MBA with 11.1 works fine?

 

[tywebb13]

View attachment 1725382

12.38GB Download for public beta??

Indeed. The full installer of this beta is available to public beta testers - but not to developers!

I think the full installer should be available to developers. There are several reasons why one would want a full installer, such as:

- make a bootable usb installer
- do a clean install
- be able to downgrade to this beta when other potentially worse betas are released in the future

Of course developers could join the public beta testing too in order to get this. But the point is that they shouldn't have to.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Indeed. The full installer of this beta is available to public beta testers - but not to developers!

I think the full installer should be available to developers. There are several reasons why one would want a full installer, such as:

- make a bootable usb installer
- do a clean install
- be able to downgrade to this beta when other potentially worse betas are released in the future

Of course developers could join the public beta testing too in order to get this. But the point is that they shouldn't have to.

If you want the full installer without having to join the beta, you can get it using the MDS app.

MDS

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