Apple Silicon Mac, iOS 14, macOS Big Sur, and why you shouldn't install betas on the AppleInsider podcast

Many newly uncovered features of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, suggestions for those wanting to install the developer betas on their devices, the Apple Silicon revolution, and more from WWDC on the AppleInsider Podcast.

Since the release of iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and macOS developer betas, we've discovered lots of new features that weren't mentioned during the WWDC keynote. We discuss our experience with widgets on the home screen, Shortcuts, privacy controls, watch OS 7, and Apple's new Scribble feature on the iPad Pro.

While macOS Big Sur received a significant design update, more details have now been uncovered on how it will work on the Apple Silicon based Macs coming later this year, including startup key command changes and the end of Boot Camp.

After briefly discussing HomePod, AirPods Pro and tvOS updates, your hosts compare their software wish lists and what was rumored but didn't come at this year's WWDC, like Apple "AirTags". Finally, we offer recommendations for those wanting to install the developer betas on their Apple devices.

If you have questions you'd like answered on the show, tweet at Stephen Robles and William Gallagher, or email us here. Find us in your favorite podcast player by searching for "AppleInsider" and support the show by leaving a 5-Star rating and comment in Apple Podcasts here.

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7 Comments

xgman 159 comments · 17 Years

About 4 years ago

I find the ios betas a lot easier to live with than the OSX ones. OSX has too many incompatibilities and stability issues. IOS is pretty straight forward and seems generally fine to me to use.

jeromec 210 comments · 11 Years

Except that you can easily keep your current macOS install and install the beta on a separate APFS volume. You can't install a beta iOS, iPadOS or tvOS and keep the current non beta version.

Even worse, for tvOS on Apple TV 4K and watchOS, you can't go back to the non beta version.

stephenrobles 91 comments · 10 Years

xgman said:

I find the ios betas a lot easier to live with than the OSX ones. OSX has too many incompatibilities and stability issues. IOS is pretty straight forward and seems generally fine to me to use.

iOS 14 was surprisingly stable on my iPad too. Depends on the year, but I agree, MacOS beta can cause more compatibility issues overall.

Mike Wuerthele 6901 comments · 8 Years

jeromec said:

Except that you can easily keep your current macOS install and install the beta on a separate APFS volume. You can't install a beta iOS, iPadOS or tvOS and keep the current non beta version.
Even worse, for tvOS on Apple TV 4K and watchOS, you can't go back to the non beta version.

As long as that APFS volume is in a different CONTAINER, like an external drive and don't link it to your iCloud account, okay. Regarding the container, at least the first beta of macOS 11 in the same container prevents OS software upgrades in the older OS.

And, it isn't guaranteed that stability will increase at the betas progress. They can get less stable before release, and notably have for the last four years of summer betas.