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Apple releases third watchOS 3.1.1 beta to developers with minor revisions

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Apple on Tuesday pushed out the latest build of its upcoming watchOS 3.1.1 operating system to developers for testing, with the new seed containing minor improvements over the version issued last week.

The new watchOS 3.1.1 beta, dubbed build 14S5875b, appears to include only minor maintenance and performance revisions, as no new user-facing features are mentioned in today's release notes.

The latest beta comes one week after Apple issued the second watchOS 3.1.1 beta, which contained similar unspecified bug fixes and performance improvements. A public beta version is expected to drop in the near future.

Apple's forthcoming watchOS point update builds on the third major revision to its wearable operating system. Released in September, watchOS 3 introduced a variety of new features, first-party apps and redesigned controls to better take advantage of second-generation Apple Watch hardware.

For example, the side button was remapped to invoke a dedicated app dock, while onscreen controls were modified to include gestures for quick access to Control Center. The update also brought new complications, watch faces and fitness options.

Apple's watchOS 3.1.1 beta is an over-the-air download accessible via the Settings menu on Apple Watch.



15 Comments

mtbnut 199 comments · 8 Years

Oh, cool. Will this once again, for what seems like the tenth time, cure the "Loading..." indicators that nearly all of my Watch apps have been displaying, even after updating to 3.0? 

I've given up launching and using Strava from my Watch (starting a Strava activity from the Watch automatically uses the Watch's heart rate sensor). New day, same old shit. I start an activity, the three little dots keep moving...and moving. Meanwhile, the app is indeed running on my iPhone, but the Watch never displays my current bike ride/run stats. Just...the...three...loading...dots. 

Well, done. Maybe 4.0 is the one that does it? 

sockrolid 2789 comments · 14 Years

mtbnut said:
Oh, cool. Will this once again, for what seems like the tenth time, cure the "Loading..." indicators that nearly all of my Watch apps have been displaying, even after updating to 3.0? 

I've given up launching and using Strava from my Watch (starting a Strava activity from the Watch automatically uses the Watch's heart rate sensor). New day, same old shit. I start an activity, the three little dots keep moving...and moving. Meanwhile, the app is indeed running on my iPhone, but the Watch never displays my current bike ride/run stats. Just...the...three...loading...dots. 

Well, done. Maybe 4.0 is the one that does it? 

You using an original or Series 1  Watch?
I hear the Series 2 are much faster.
(I'm still on an original Sport, but will be upgrading to a Series 2 Space Black some time after Black Friday.)

douglas bailey 306 comments · 15 Years

Hopefully it will reduce occurrences of (ApplePay message): "card unavailable...try again in a few moments". 

supadav03 503 comments · 10 Years

mtbnut said:
Oh, cool. Will this once again, for what seems like the tenth time, cure the "Loading..." indicators that nearly all of my Watch apps have been displaying, even after updating to 3.0? 

I've given up launching and using Strava from my Watch (starting a Strava activity from the Watch automatically uses the Watch's heart rate sensor). New day, same old shit. I start an activity, the three little dots keep moving...and moving. Meanwhile, the app is indeed running on my iPhone, but the Watch never displays my current bike ride/run stats. Just...the...three...loading...dots. 

Well, done. Maybe 4.0 is the one that does it? 

You must be using the OG Apple Watch. I, like most people, had this issue as well. About 2 weeks ago I sold my original Apple Watch on eBay and bought the  Series 2. The app load speeds are sooo much faster. It's incredible. They have series 1 (upgrades internals only) on sale for as little as $200 on Black Friday. Definitely worth selling/trading in the original for a series 1 or 2. The new processor makes all the difference in the world. 

eriamjh 1770 comments · 17 Years

Ugh.  I am a Watch Series Zero owner whose watch was turned into a piece of junk by WatchOS 3.0 and later.  It was working great under 2.0.  Now I'm plagued with poor battery life, workouts that stall and stop counting calories or distance, poor heart rate measurements or none at all, watch resets and crashes, messages saying they're not sent when they were, lags when the phone rings and answers, and the list goes on and on...

I hate my watch now.  I don't want to upgrade.  Apple broke it and I want my old watch back!