Malcolm Owen
Apple is now on its GM beta-testing round, with new ninth builds of iOS 14, iPadOS 14, tvOS 14, and watchOS 7 available to download.
The newest builds can be downloaded via the Apple Developer Center for those enrolled into the test program, or via an over-the-air update on devices running the beta software. Public betas typically arrive within a few days of the developer versions, via the Apple Beta Software Program website.
This is Apple's ninth round of betas for its milestone operating systems, following after round eight on September 9, and round seven on September 1.
The iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 betas updates the Home screen and app interface, refreshes Messages and Safari, makes major changes to Siri, brings new items to Maps, introduces Sound Recognition alerts, and adds CarKey support, among other changes.
The main changes to watchOS 7 centers around enhanced Sleep Tracking, but it also adds new watch faces, watch face sharing, and more workout options.
Changes to tvOS 14 introduces the Home app for managing HomeKit, as well as updates to HomeKit Secure Video and Apple Arcade.
Barring any show-stopping bugs in these final beta releases, Apple is expected to release iOS 14, iPadOS 14, tvOS 14, and watchOS 7 on Wednesday.
Find any changes in the new betas? Reach out to us on Twitter at @AppleInsider or @Andrew_OSU, or send Andrew an email at andrew@AppleInsider.com.
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
8 Comments
I have a simple question. What is a IOS Golden Master build?
Thanks,
Uno
A Golden Master is the last build before release, which theoretically has no more bugs.
I'm tempted to download the GM to my beta devices to potentially avoid the congestion that will occur with tomorrow's releases. In the past, if the GM was clean, it didn't need to download new bits to turn the GM into the Release version. Of course if there's an issue I've doubled my download burden. Rolling the dice ...
The GM used to be the release version. It is supposed to mean it’s been passed to manufacturing for loading on devices but as everything is so fast and updatable and they have probably such huge teams now, they can fix more problems after the normal 14 day escrow period. Nowadays, yes it seems like it’s actually a final beta because the release version tends to be a build or two later.