Apple Releases Public Beta of iOS 14 - Here’s What You Need To Know
The public betas for iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 have rolled out on Thursday, 9th July and there are a bunch of new features that come with the new OS version. Some of the changes are minor while there are major changes to the iOS homescreen.
In this article, we will take a look at these changes and give a quick guide on how to install the beta OS if you are interested. Keep in mind that this is not the final version of the OS, so expect bugs and glitches and avoid installing it on your main device if you don’t want to risk anything.
It would be the first chance for those who haven't participated previously in Apple's developer program to test out the latest operating systems which we plan to see at the end of this summer in their final form.
What’s new in iOS 14 beta?
What you'll actually note first is that Apple has revamped the home screen for iOS: in addition to games, you can also install and configure different "widgets," plus there's a fresh "App Library" layout that conveniently organizes the applications into groups and lists — it's a similar idea to the app drawer in Android that we have seen over the years.
Siri has received a remodel for both iOS and iPadOS; it has a new icon that will show at the bottom of the iOS interface (instead of overtaking the whole screen) and it will deliver audio messages (instead of only programmed text messages).
There are a range of changes that make the platform better for impaired people, including a revolutionary sound-recognition function that helps you that tell the phone to listen for various noises (sirens, doorbells, etc.) and to alert you if it detects them.
Apple elsewhere is adding picture-in-picture functionality across the system to iOS videos and FaceTime calls. There is a new "App Clip" feature that will allow you to install an app's snippet version if you need only access some of its functions (for example, a store rewards program).
Third-party email services and browsers can finally be configured as default choices. There is a new Translate app similar to Google Translate, and there are some new features in Messages including Memojis with face masks and support for group chat in threaded format.
Maps for electric vehicles are getting dedicated cycling directions and routing features. The Home app now supports facial recognition for Homekit-enabled security cameras and smart bulbs with adaptive lighting. Safari is getting a version of the password alert functionality for Chrome.
Seriously, there's just a bunch of different things and what's most important to you will vary depending on how you're using your phone.
Meanwhile, iPadOS has not undergone a lot of drastic changes; it relies primarily on improving the user interface and optimizing large-screen app design. Some applications like Photos and Music have new sidebars while at the top of the device, Calendar has more buttons.
Apple has now introduced a revamped search tool called Universal Search to dig up applications, addresses, or documents; and a feature dubbed Scribble will turn handwriting performed using the Apple Pencil into text typing.
iPadOS also borrows some of the functionality that comes to iOS 14, including automatic third-party applications, iMessage classes, and spatial spinning. You'll even be able to configure defaults from third parties on an iPad.
How to install the iOS 14 public beta on your iPhone
Here’s a quick step-by-step process to install iOS 14 beta:
- Visit this link. It will take you to the Apple Beta Software Program page.
- Click on ‘“Sign up“
- Enter your Apple account email and password
- Accept the agreement terms and conditions
- Click on iOS 14 option
- Choose “enroll your device”
- Install the beta profile
- Open the settings on your phone. Then choose general and then software update
- Your phone will now download and install iOS 14
Voila! Now you have iOS 14 on your device and you can experience all the new features provided by Apple. Or you can wait till the final version rolls out this fall. The choice is yours.