Apple plans to launch its first-ever public beta program for its updated iOS. The company will release iOS 8.3, code-named Stowe, as a public beta via Apple’s existing AppleSeed program in mid-March, followed by iOS 9, code-named Monarch, either by June or July.
According to a 9to5mac report, the public beta program for iOS will apparently be limited to 100,000 people to maintain a higher level of exclusivity. The company has plans to begin this with iOS 8.3, a build which has already been seeded out to developers since early February. As of now, the iOS 8.3 beta available for developers adds features like wireless CarPlay support, Siri improvements and an updated Emoji keyboard. iOS 8.2 on the other hand, will not enter the public beta.
The iOS 8.4, codenamed Copper, will include Apple’s new streaming music service whereas iOS 9 will focus on stability, optimisations and not just feature additions.
The report added that the main goal of the iOS beta program is to test the OS better by the time of the wider consumer launch. This is after the company had faced fire for lack of quality control in iOS 8. The move proves beneficial for consumers as it will help find more bugs and speed up the improvement process.
The iOS 9 is scheduled to be released during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June (WWDC).
Along with iOS 9, the company is also going strong to release the Apple Watch this year — for which it has already started training retail employees. The training doesn’t reveal any news details, but hints that Watch is coming to stores sooner rather than later. Apple is also believed to use traditional jewelry store tactics for its gold variant of the watch.
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