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Apple begins testing over-the-air updates with iOS 5.0 beta 4

Apple on Friday afternoon released iOS 5.0 beta 4 to developers via the software's new over-the-air (OTA) Software Updater, marking the first time it's tested the functionality externally.

Previously, developers and users would first have to download iOS updates via iTunes or Apple's web-based developer portal, then tether their iOS device to a computer running iTunes in order to apply the update.

Although developers are able to begin downloading the update over a WiFi or 3G connection with low battery life, installation of OTA updates are prohibited unless an iOS device is plugged into a power source or has at least 50% of its battery life remaining — the installation button is simply grayed out (as can be seen below).

Friday's OTA beta is a delta update weighing just 133MB, which saves users from having to download an additional 730.8MB of redundant data that was distributed as part of the previous iPhone 4 GSM release, which weighed in at 863.8MB.

In a set of release notes reportedly accompanying the latest beta, Apple noted that developers using the OTA software update from beta 3 to beta 4 will need to re-sync their photos with iTunes.

ioS 5.0 OTA

The Cupertino-based company also noted that with iOS 5.0 beta 4, wireless syncing is now available on Windows as well as the Mac and file names in iCloud are case sensitive.

For those developers testing their applications with AirPlay and Apple TV, Apple also reportedly noted that there is no new build for AppleTV for beta 4 of iOS 5 and recommended that developers continue using beta 3 of the Apple TV update.

People familiar with the beta have also noted that some portions of iCloud data syncing are now active. Documents from recent Mac versions of iWork, for example, can now reportedly be synced through the service.

iOS 5 beta iCloud

Additional discoveries in the new beta will be reported when and if they become available.

26 Comments

tallest skil 15 Years · 43086 comments

iTunes beta 4 brought back iTunesHelper for whatever reason.

Shame. I liked not having it.

ghostface147 17 Years · 1628 comments

The OTA update went flawlessly for me. However I did have to resync my photos.

jonamac 15 Years · 388 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil

iTunes beta 4 brought back iTunesHelper for whatever reason.

Shame. I liked not having it.

iTunes beta 4?

vadania 14 Years · 425 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil

iTunes beta 4 brought back iTunesHelper for whatever reason.

Shame. I liked not having it.

I'm still on Beta 3, and iTunesHelper is in my Activity Monitor...

llama 17 Years · 105 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vadania

I'm still on Beta 3, and iTunesHelper is in my Activity Monitor...

Weird, I am on b3 and do not. I am running Lion GM.