14 DAY TRIAL // Sources with knowledge of Apple’s internal iOS development schedule have leaked an interesting tidbit of information today, revealing that the Cupertino giant plans to offer iOS 8.3 to the public in the form of a beta at first.
The effort is reportedly geared towards ironing out bugs before the software can make a widespread debut. The number of testing slots is limited, according to 9to5mac.
Available as beta through AppleSeed in March
Mark Gurman’s sources, notoriously reliable, say Apple is going the extra mile this year to eliminate bugs from upcoming iOS updates ahead of their launch. The first-ever beta will be handed in March in the form of iOS 8.3 (codenamed Stowe).
According to several people briefed on the plans, “Apple intends to release the upcoming iOS 8.3 as a public beta via the company’s existing AppleSeed program in mid-March.”
Apple pulled a similar move last year when it offered OS X Yosemite as a beta to one million random customers - basically the first to apply for a slot. With iOS 8.3, the number of testers is much lower, but still generous: 100,000.
It isn’t clear how testers will be selected, but considering the relatively low number of slots compared to the vast user base, Apple may well instate a lottery system requiring customers to sign up for the beta and wait for further notice.
What’s new in iOS 8.3
Apple has already seeded iOS 8.3 to developers, adding wireless support for CarPlay, an enhanced Siri with a less robotic voice, a new Emoji layout, more security for Google logins, and other things.
iOS 8.4, codenamed Copper, is also planned for release this year. The most notable addition in this update will be an all-new music service, presumably a rebranded Beats.
Finally, iOS 9 is said to focus on improving the quality of Apple’s mobile operating system, rather than flood users with new features, in an effort similar to the release of OS X Snow Leopard in 2009.