Apple drops third betas of iOS 9.3, watchOS 2.2, and tvOS 9.2 [u]

Apple on Tuesday provided developers with new pre-release versions of the software that runs the company's mobile ecosystem, releasing iOS 9.3 beta 3, watchOS 2.2 beta 3, and tvOS 9.2 beta 3.

Tuesday's updates come approximately two weeks after the second beta versions were released. There is no word yet on what — if any — external changes the new betas bring, though they do herald the arrival of some larger alterations.

iOS 9.3 brings with it a number of new features, notably the sleep-enhancing Night Shift mode. The iPad gains multi-user login for educational customers, while Music, CarPlay, and Health have also received some attention.

watchOS 2.2 — when used in conjunction with iOS 9.3 — will allow owners to pair multiple Apple Watches to a single iPhone, and brings a new look the Maps app.

On the Apple TV, users finally gain support for Bluetooth keyboards and the ability to group home screen apps into folders. The App Switcher is also improved, and support for iCloud Photo Library has been added along with MapKit availability for developers.

Developers can download iOS 9.3 beta 3, watchOS 2.2 beta 3, and tvOS 9.2 beta through the Apple Developer Center or the various over-the-air update channels. Apple Configurator 2.2 beta 3 is also available.

New additions: iOS 9.3 received support for Verizon Wi-Fi calling in today's update, while dictation has been incorporated into the latest tvOS build.

21 Comments

mac_128 3452 comments · 12 Years

About 8 years ago

The more I see the TV OS moving toward iOS, the more I wonder if it's such a good idea. Certainly the ability to organize all the stuff is welcome, but it doesn't strike me as a particularly intuitive way to organize stuff for TV viewing. I was watching the TV commercial this weekend where they proclaim it to be the future of television, but with the clunky interface, and non specific uses, I found that a difficult claim to stomach. It just seems layering what works in iOS over the TV OS when there's no direct touch interface seems like a poor way to "re-invent" the TV, and is hardly the solution I was expecting when Steve Jobs proclaimed he had "cracked" it. I feel like my DirectTV UI is far more efficient despite the extra buttons on the remote. But then maybe I am just used to it after over 20 years of using it. Still there are horrible TV UIs out there, and so far, I'm not seeing Apple really improving navigation with theirs.

dick applebaum 12525 comments · 17 Years

About 8 years ago

mac_128 said:

The more I see the TV OS moving toward iOS, the more I wonder if it's such a good idea. Certainly the ability to organize all the stuff is welcome, but it doesn't strike me as a particularly intuitive way to organize stuff for TV viewing. I was watching the TV commercial this weekend where they proclaim it to be the future of television, but with the clunky interface, and non specific uses, I found that a difficult claim to stomach. It just seems layering what works in iOS over the TV OS when there's no direct touch interface seems like a poor way to "re-invent" the TV, and is hardly the solution I was expecting when Steve Jobs proclaimed he had "cracked" it. I feel like my DirectTV UI is far more efficient despite the extra buttons on the remote. But then maybe I am just used to it after over 20 years of using it. Still there are horrible TV UIs out there, and so far, I'm not seeing Apple really improving navigation with theirs.

Do you have the latest AppleTV using the remote with Siri and Touch?

mnbob1 269 comments · 10 Years

About 8 years ago

mac_128 said:

The more I see the TV OS moving toward iOS, the more I wonder if it's such a good idea. Certainly the ability to organize all the stuff is welcome, but it doesn't strike me as a particularly intuitive way to organize stuff for TV viewing. I was watching the TV commercial this weekend where they proclaim it to be the future of television, but with the clunky interface, and non specific uses, I found that a difficult claim to stomach. It just seems layering what works in iOS over the TV OS when there's no direct touch interface seems like a poor way to "re-invent" the TV, and is hardly the solution I was expecting when Steve Jobs proclaimed he had "cracked" it. I feel like my DirectTV UI is far more efficient despite the extra buttons on the remote. But then maybe I am just used to it after over 20 years of using it. Still there are horrible TV UIs out there, and so far, I'm not seeing Apple really improving navigation with theirs.

Comfort with an existing system makes it hard for a user to change. Like Windows 8 for example. You have to go outside of your comfort zone and "Think Differently". Times have changed, media has changed, streaming is the new entertainment media. The look and feel of iOS is not a bad thing and the software and interface will change and evolve as the entertainment industry catches up to the delivery through direct to consumer. The on-demand delivery of what the consumer is looking for. Apple is working hard to make that easy to use. The SIRI search capability allows you to search for what you want on all channels of the Apple TV. The view of the interface is only a list of what you want as far as channels. Searching through them all simultaneously is the future. Also, Siri search doesn't have to be voice. That's only one way to access it.

thrang 1033 comments · 17 Years

About 8 years ago

Any developer here know if these updates are addressing the poor workout active calorie calculations? When you use a chest strap and pair it with the Watch, instead of the built in HR sensors, it is much more accurate based on a variety of cross check methodologies...

supadav03 503 comments · 10 Years

About 8 years ago

Apparently text entry via dictation has been turned on in the latest TVos beta. You can use it for entering passwords and such. Another huge feature, which i cant believe this article skipped, is the ability for Siri to search the App Store now!