Tag: RC

New round of beta versions is available for developers. Beta 3 is published for iOS/iPadOS 17.2, macOS Sonoma 14.2, watchOS 10.2 and tvOS 17.2. Xcode 15.1 beta 3 is also available with visionOS 1.0 beta 6 runtime and simulator.

Apple also readies RC for previous major releases – macOS Monterey 12.7.2 and macOS Ventura 13.6.

Beta download: Operating Systems

Release notes:

• iOS & iPadOS 17.2 Beta 3 Release Notes
• macOS Sonoma 14.2 Beta 3 Release Notes
• watchOS 10.2 Beta 2 Release Notes (release notes are not yet updated)
• tvOS 17.2 Beta 2 Release Notes (release notes are not yet updated)
• Xcode 15.1 Beta 3 Release Notes

References:

• Older macOS versions got release candidate betas on Tuesday too

Apple continues testing next update to its platforms. Second Release Candidate is available for iOS17.1. This version is only available for iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models.

Beta download: Operating Systems

No release notes available for this Release Candidate.

Apple published Release Candidates for iOS/iPadOS 17.1, macOS Sonoma 14.1, watchOS 10.1 and tvOS 17.1. Also, Release Candidate is published for iOS/iPadOS 16.7.2 with focus on security fixes.

iOS 17.1 should address ScreenTime syncing issues reported earlier. Also, it targets display retention reported on some iPhone 15 models. Significant location setting bug should be resolved too. But RC seem not to fix nighttime restart issue reported by some users.

Apple also made changes to onscreen keyboard to improve its performance (especially on older models).

HomePod software should bring enhanced dialogue feature to original HomePod and HomePod mini.

Beta download: Operating Systems

Apple did not add release notes to this Release Candidate yet.

Reference:

• iOS 17.1 Improves Screen Time Syncing Across Apple Devices
• iOS 17.1 Fixes iPhone Display Image Retention Issue
• Apple says iOS 17.1 makes keyboard snappier, fixes bug that could cause image retention on iPhone
• Upcoming 17.1 Software Brings Enhance Dialogue to Original HomePod and HomePod mini
• PSA: iOS 17.1 Doesn't Fix Nighttime iPhone Shutdown Bug
• Apple’s first iOS 17.1 RC claims to fix bug causing Significant Locations setting to reset

Apple prepares bug fix update for Xcode 15. Release Candidate is available for developers.

Beta download: Xcode 15.0.1 Release Candidate

Release notes: Xcode 15.0.1 RC Release Notes

Apple actively prepares for macOS Sonoma released publishing Release Candidate 2.

Beta download: Operating Systems

Release notes: macOS Sonoma 14 RC Release Notes (no notable updates referenced)

Apple hosted its Wonderlust special event. As expected, Apple unveiled new iPhones and Apple Watch models.

Apple Watch Series 9

New Apple Watch Series 9 gets new S9 system-on-chip with updated CPU and GPU. New screen now has brightness up to 1,000 nits. And lowest brightness is now 1 nit. S9 allows on-device Siri recognition for many use cases.

New "double tap" hand gesture (similar to previously implemented accessibility features) allows one hand responses and actions to be performed on Apple Watch.

New UWB chip will improve Apple Watch spatial awareness, allowing, for example, precise iPhone lookup with directions and distance display.

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Ultra 2 gets same S9 system-on-chip, screen is improved to have 3,000 nits maximum brightness.

iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus

iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are powered by A16 chip introduced in iPhone 14 Pro models.

iPhone 15 models now gain Dynamic Island. Charging port is now changed to USB-C with USB 2.0 data transfer speeds.

Also, iPhone 15 main camera is now similar to iPhone 14 Pro with 48MP resolution.

iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max

iPhone 15 Pro is running on A17 PRO chip. iPhone 15 Pro has titanium frame to reduce weight. Mute switch is replaced by Action button. iPhone 15 Pro Max has 5x camera with pentaprism design. USCB-C connector in iPhone 15 Pro supports USB 3.0.

Also iPhone 15 Pro could record spatial videos that will provide depth when viewing in Apple Vision Pro.

iPhone 15 Pro Max now has base model with 256GB of storage.

iCloud Storage Tiers

Apple introduces new iCloud storage tiers – 6TB and 12TB available for purchase later priced $30 and $60 respectively.

FineWoven

Apple now replaces leather accessories with new FineWoven material. This includes Apple Watch bands as well as iPhone cases.

OS Updates

Release Candidates are now available for iOS/iPadOS 17, macOS 14 Sonoma, watchOS 10 and tvOS 17. As well as iOS and iPadOS 16.7. Xcode 15 is also available as Release Candidate.

iOS/iPadOS 17, watchOS 10 and tvOS 17 are to be released on September 18. macOS 14 Sonoma will be released on September 26.

You could watch event replay on YouTube.

Apple Newsroom:

• Apple advances supplier clean energy commitments
• Apple introduces the advanced new Apple Watch Series 9
• Apple announces new Apple Watch Ultra 2
• Apple unveils iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
• Apple unveils Apple Watch Ultra 2
• Apple unveils its first carbon neutral products
• Apple upgrades AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with USB‐C charging
• Apple debuts iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus

Release notes:

• iOS & iPadOS 17 RC Release Notes
• macOS Sonoma 14 RC Release Notes
• watchOS 10 RC Release Notes
• tvOS 17 RC Release Notes
• Xcode 15 RC Release Notes

References:

• Apple Watch Series 9 Unveiled With S9 Chip, 'Double Tap' Gesture, and More
• Apple Unveils Apple Watch Ultra 2 Featuring Faster S9 Chip, New Ultra Wideband Chip, and Apple's Brightest Ever Display
• Apple will no longer use leather accessories, instead opting for FineWoven
• Apple Announces 'FineWoven' Material, Will No Longer Make Leather Accessories
• Apple announces iPhone 15: USB-C port, 48-megapixel camera, Dynamic Island, new colors
• Apple Announces iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus With USB-C Port, Dynamic Island, and More
• iPhone 15 replaces Lightning port with USB-C
• AirPods Pro 2 now available with new USB-C charging case
• Apple Introduces New AirPods Pro Charging Case and EarPods With USB-C
• Apple announces iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max with titanium case, USB-C, Action button, A17
• Apple Announces iPhone 15 Pro With Titanium Design, Action Button, A17 Pro Chip, and More
• iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 to be released for iPhone and iPad on September 18
• Apple’s September 2023 Wonderlust Event: Replay Today’s Keynote and Product Videos
• Apple Announces Availability Dates for New iPhones and Apple Watches

Apple publishes RC for iOS/iPadOS 16.6, macOS Ventura 13.5, watchOS 9.6 and tvOS 16.6.

Also, RC for iOS/iPadOS 15.7.8 is published too. No updates for Xcode are planned with this release.

Beta download: Operating Systems

Release notes are not updated for RC at the time of writing.

This Release Candidate seems to be bug fixing related. No significant new features are reported for this version.

Xcode 14.3.1 RC includes Swift 5.8.1 and SDKs for iOS 16.4, iPadOS 16.4, tvOS 16.4, watchOS 9.4, and macOS Ventura 13.3. The Xcode 14.3.1 RC release supports on-device debugging in iOS 11 and later, tvOS 11 and later, and watchOS 4 and later. Xcode 14.3.1 RC requires a Mac running macOS Ventura 13.0 or later.

Release notes

Beta download: Applications

Release notes: Xcode 14.3.1 RC Release Notes

Apple prepares its next round of updates. Following macOS 13.4 RC 2 and iOS 16.5 RC 2 Apple now publishes Release Candidate 3 for macOS 13.4 Ventura.

Beta download: Operating Systems

Release notes: macOS Ventura 13.4 RC Release Notes

Following RC 2 for macOS 13.4 Ventura Apple now publishes RC 2 for iOS and iPadOS 16.5.

No information on contents of the update yet, assuming this RC is only fixing issues found in previous RC.

Beta download: Operating Systems

Release notes: iOS & iPadOS 16.5 RC Release Notes