Roger Fingas
Apple on Tuesday released the first public beta versions of iOS 9.3.3 and OS X 10.11.6, both maintenance updates that bring minor bug fixes and performance improvements to iOS and Mac devices.
Todays's launch follows a day after the first developer seed. To install the new code, testers must be enrolled in Apple's Beta Software Program.
Apple has yet to identify what, if any, changes are included in version 9.3.3. The beta is in fact unavailable to owners of the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, presumably because Apple pulled the official 9.3.2 release for those devices after discovering a rare compatibility issue. A number of Pro owners said iOS 9.3.2 "bricked" their hardware, forcing them to turn to Apple for troubleshooting or a replacement tablet. The finished version 9.3.3 will presumably fix this problem.
Apple also issued the first public beta of OS X 10.11.6 following a developer seed released yesterday. The Mac software update includes similarly minor changes.
It may be a few weeks before either iOS 9.3.3 or OS X 10.11.6 emerges from beta, since Apple often goes through several beta iterations before update code is finalized.
Finally, Apple pushed out firmware updates for its 802.11n and 802.11ac Wi-Fi base stations, which include the AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule. The software fixes communication problems between clients on the same network, improves extended guest network performance and addresses naming conflicts associated with the Bonjour Sleep Proxy, Apple said.
Christine McKee
Andrew Orr
Charles Martin
Marko Zivkovic
Wesley Hilliard
4 Comments
"Firmware updates" link in the last paragraph displays a page that, in 2 places, cites the update released today is version "7.6.7"; however, after updating my Time Capsule, it reports version "7.7.7". (Also, both of the links in that page are broken with the report that the server "im.corp.apple.com" can't be found.)
After updating firmware on both airport extremes with no noticeable problems last night, my iphone had "forgotten" the network this morning and I had to log into it again.