After releasing the developer beta versions of iOS 9.3 and OS X 10.11.4 on Monday, Apple has now made these software updates available to public testers.
If you want to test-drive these pre-releases, you can join the Apple Beta Software Program. Being a part of the public beta program will give you access to pre-relase versions of both of Apple’s platforms, iOS and OS X. Here’s how to go back to the shipping version of the software if you want to un-enroll from the Apple Beta Software Program.
iOS 9.3 public beta
Perhaps the signature feature of iOS 9.3 is the all-new, system-wide Night Shift mode. With iOS 9.3’s Night Shift, your iPhone and iPad screen will automatically adjust the display colors “to the warmer end of the spectrum” starting at sunset and revert back to normal in the morning. The main reason is get rid of the stark bright blue light that makes it difficult to go sleep at night.
Other features in iOS 9.3 include setting a password or TouchID to open the Notes app, landscape support in the News app, HealthKit-enabled app suggestions in the Health app, as well as a few CarPlay and Education features. Here’s the full scoop on everything iOS 9.3 has to offer.
OS X 10.11.4 public beta
This beta version of OS X El Capitan comes with support of Live Photos, the moving images that can be taken with the new iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. Before, you could only view Live Photos on the Mac via the Photos app, and sharing was limited to iCloud Photo Sharing. In OS X 10.11.14 beta, you can now view and send Live Photos via the Messages app on your Mac.
Just like in iOS 9.3, OS X 10.11.4 also brings support for making the Notes app password-protected. Other updates include bug fixes, security enhancements, and performance optimizations.
Author: Oscar Raymundo, Staff Writer
Oscar writes about iOS, mobile culture and digital music. He also hosts 'The iPhone Show' from Macworld's San Francisco HQ.