You can now install a beta version of the iPadOS from Apple's beta website. Photo: Apple.com
San Jose, Calif. (KTVU) - Can’t wait until fall to get the latest OS updates on your Apple device? If you don't mind living a litle dangerously, public betas of iOS 13, iPadOS and macOS Catalina, and tvOS 13 were just released on Apple’s beta website on Monday.
The new OSes boast several highly anticipated features which were shown off at WWDC, Apple’s annual developer conference earlier this month. They were only available to developers until now. The public can finally get a taste of what’s to come – all it takes is an Apple ID to sign up to the beta software program agreement.
This year’s OS updates are significant – it’s the first time that Apple has hived off a separate operating system for the iPad, which now features homescreen widgets, a files app, the ability to use it as a secondary screen with your Mac, and cool new gestures for cut copy and paste. iOS 13’s top features revamped versions of its photos, maps, reminders, health and memoji apps, and more. Both iOS 13 and iPad OS now support dark mode.
On the PC front, macOS Catalina is significant as it splits iTunes into three new apps - Music, Apple TV, and Apple Podcasts. Notes and Reminders apps have also been revamped, and there’s the Sidecar feature, which lets you use an iPad as a secondary screen.
To install the beta, you need to sign up on Apple’s beta software page, agree to participate in the beta program, and enroll your devices and download the release.
The beta release is not for everyone – keep in mind that this is pre-release software, and likely to not have the spit and polish of a commercial release. Apple recommends taking a backup before installing the new OSes, and only installing it on non-production devices.