Apple to Launch Public Beta Testing Programs for iOS 8.3 and iOS 9 [Updated]

[kazmac]

There was a time I'd happily do this, but after iOS 8.1.2 and 8.1.3, naaah. I'll gladly wait.

 

[Traverse]

I could see them doing it through TestFlight.

That's an interesting idea. Has TestFlight been widely used since iOS 8's release?

 

[jonnyb098]

You sound like the perfect candidate for the beta!

I've already been in contact with them numerous times for silly issues. Like the multitasking gestures on iPad that finally got fixed. That was me on the phone with Apple 4 times and after two videos showing how to produce the issue. That was a line item on the 8.1.3. I've also made plenty of other bug issues over the phone with things that are so blatantly obviously not working its a joke. Like on iPad not being able to use the swipe to go back gesture on the music app now playing screen that works on iPhone.

It's clear they don't give much of a crap about optimizing nor making things actually work on iPad that work on the iPhone just fine.

 

[smallscratch]

please fix AirPrint!

i still don't get why airprint works perfectly fine with 7.1.2 but sucks with 8.x

 

[entropi]

Yosemite turned out to be so <sarcasm> wonderful and perfect </sarcasm> ?

Exactly, it didn't really do wonders for Yosemite...

 

[BlendedFrog]

Dear Mr. Cook,

I'd like to test iOS 9 on my iPhone 3GS.

Thank you.

Unfortunately the 3GS won't work. iOS8 required at least the 4S. Time for you to upgrade.

 

[bushido]

Unfortunately the 3GS won't work. iOS8 required at least the 4S. Time for you to upgrade.

I think that was sarcasm

 

[SMIDG3T]

This is great, the more people testing, hopefully, the more bugs will be fixed!!

 

[iSee]

This is a good thing.

This will definitely help Apple release more solid OS updates.

Just remember: when you install a beta, you can expect to have to deal with some bugs -- that's the whole point, after all. But don't let that stop you!

 

[Jessica Lares]

That's an interesting idea. Has TestFlight been widely used since iOS 8's release?

Seems like it. I really like the app vs the website. Just so much more useful for reading the notes developers add.

 

[rwilliams]

You just know people are gonna do this with their primary or only iPhone, have all kinds of bugs and apps not working, and then the Apple Store employees are gonna have to deal with it.

 

[Woodcrest64]

I am more interested with OS 10.11 in terms of improving stability and performance.

 

[nikicampos]

The only thing that can happen with an iOS public beta is a better iOS, I think it's the right move.

Even though people that don't know what a beta is for will complain.

 

[Keirasplace]

You just know people are gonna do this with their primary or only iPhone, have all kinds of bugs and apps not working, and then the Apple Store employees are gonna have to deal with it.

They'll just restore it to the non beta software and send them on their way....

 

[AppleP59]

I'm one of the few people who avoid the IOS beta since I need my phone for work

You are one of the few people that needs your phone for work, really..?

 

[ThisIsNotMe]

This is very, very bad. The public cannot handle betas. And now it will affect their phones.

You realize that 'the public' is going to be going around installing this. The public generally doesn't know what is going on until they have that little update badge the morning GM is released.

This is targeted at the 'enthusiast' crowd who can handle betas.

 

[RedOrchestra]

What are the chances that that "optimization" will finally come to iPad, and finally take advantage of ALL that real estate?

 

[salimnice]

If this works anything like the public beta of OS X then any public beta release will be much closer to a Golden Master version. As a public beta tested for OS X I have not had access to many private developer beta versions. I think this is a great idea that will lead to improved stability of the first public release. This is only going to improve things for the general public because people will put this on their primary device and I think that's the point. Store employees, I believe, were already added to the beta program in a similar fashion. If you consider the increase number of sensors in the current devices real world testing is the only way to improve public release quality.

 

[sualpine]

You just know people are gonna do this with their primary or only iPhone, have all kinds of bugs and apps not working, and then the Apple Store employees are gonna have to deal with it.

AND not have a backup. Data loss, crying, yelling. Le sigh.

 

[mrbrown]

And even if MacRumors designates forums for beta testers there will still be people who insist on posting in every thread that "it's a beta" and that somehow discussing bugs is "complaining." Can't wait.

And the "it's for developers. Are you a developer?" entitlement nonsense.

 

[LordQ]

I can't wait to test! ...Wait, I have a 4S ):

 

[940272]

I wonder if iOS 9 will support A5 devices

 

[nooaah]

I must admit, I never thought they'd do this for iOS, but I'm glad to hear it!

I unfortunately don't have time to test unreliable beta software anymore (though I always enjoyed it), but it makes me excited to think about the bugs that will get ironed out before the official release. Especially the little ones like the menu bar sticking to the top of the photos app, or iPads getting suck in one orientation, or UI lag on new devices.

I'm on 8.3 and I'm pretty sure it's more stable than 8.1.3. Which says a lot about the current public builds. They dropped the ball into a black hole with iOS 8...

 

[teslo]

Exactly, it didn't really do wonders for Yosemite...

for a select few of you, sure. for most of us, yes, it did do wonders. Apple would be TV network headline news every night if the percentage of people believed to suffer the grievances reported so often here actually did. no one would get any work done. millions of people would be without Netflix and porn. there would be a mass panic.

fortunately, that panic is usually reserved for sensational posts on discussion threads.

 

[mariusignorello]

I have that concern as well. An everyday user will sign up for the beta not completely grasping what they're getting into and then will get mad at Apple for "crappy software," which could potentially hurt their reputation.

I suppose they can try to avoid this by forcing to user to acknowledge (multiple times) that this is test software that will contain issues, but some/many people just tap "okay".

Perhaps they could require the install via iTunes, that would weed out many non-techy people since many of them probably just use OTA updates.

I think they should make it challenging, like ask questions to check eligibility or scare the crap out of incompetent users.