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Be wary of Apple's betas

Be wary of Apple's betas

We have sage advice you'll likely ignore.

Leander Kahney
July 13, 2023

Every year, I swear to myself that I won’t install Apple’s latest OS betas as soon as they are released.

But the minute they drop, I install them. It’s almost always a bad idea.

I’ve been severely burned in the past: The betas are often unstable and full of bugs. They drain batteries and sometimes fail at the most basic tasks.

My Apple Watch, for example, currently running the new watchOS 10 beta, randomly quits workouts and fails to unlock after typing in my code. It’s almost unusable!

But the new OS is just too exciting! All those great new features!

So if you’re tempted by the new public betas, please first read our post about being cautious, and then cavalierly ignore it!

Also in today’s newsletter:

Most Cult of Mac readers ignored the disgusting shopping orgy that is Amazon Prime Day (see yesterday’s poll results below), but a few of you bought some very cool stuff: See the Top 5 Prime Day purchases by our readers. Oh, and a few deals are still alive.
Big news! Your iCloud password keychain may soon be coming to third-party browsers, not just Safari — this is a big change and can’t come soon enough.
Apple’s got a bizarre patent trying to turn any household object into a TV remote.
Users rave about Setapp, an app subscription service that offers hundreds of great apps for a low annual price.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Think twice before installing iOS 17 public beta

Apple just gave the general public access to the latest iOS 17 beta, but before you put it on your iPhone, we have some warnings.

Top 5 Prime Day deals Cult of Mac readers snatched up

What did our favorite people in the whole wide world spring for on Prime Day 2023? Lots of discounted Apple gear and accessories.

Debugged iOS and macOS Rapid Security Response patches are ready for installation

Apple’s on-again, off-again security patches for iOS 16.5.1, macOS Ventura 13.4.1 and iPadOS 16.5.1 are once again available.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Store}

Last chance: Get 30% off all SwitchEasy iPad cases

Through the end of the day, you can slash 30% off a fantastic variety of iPad cases in the Cult of Mac Store. That's some real savings.

macOS Sonoma brings iCloud Passwords to Google Chrome and other browsers

Soon Apple's standalone password manager will work with Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and other Chromium browsers on Mac.

Apple wants to make anything into a TV remote. Anything.

The simple but somewhat ridiculous idea behind a patent Apple applied for is that users could adjust their TV with any nearby object.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

Setapp gives you more than 240 Mac apps for just $84.99 per year

Gain access to more than 240 great Mac apps, with no ads or in-app purchases, with this discounted Setapp subscription.

Sweet deals on Mac, iPad and Apple accessories linger on after Prime Day

Although Amazon’s big sale is over, you have not missed your chance to save money on iPad, MacBook or AirPods.

How to get the latest iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 public betas

Want to try the changes out for yourself? We’ll show you how.

How to install the new iOS and macOS Rapid Security Response [Update]

Apple just launched a Rapid Security Response to fix urgent security problems in iOS, macOS and iPadOS. Here's how to install it.

‘Platonic’ season finale takes path of least persistence [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★½☆

Apple TV+ comedy "Platonic" comes to a sentimental, completely reasonable and slightly undramatic ending.

Today in Apple history: Nike+iPod Sport Kit puts fitness tracking in your pocket

On July 13, 2006, Apple released the Nike+iPod Sport Kit, combining a portable music player and activity tracker for the first time.

Tweetz o’ the day

@chrisbweaver@twelvesouth AirFly works GREAT with old-school iPods - making your favorite music device fully Bluetooth headphone compatible. AirPods & iPods - courtesy of AirFly - one of my favorite life hacks 😊 http
— Andrew Green (@andrewbg)
12:14 PM • Jul 13, 2023

The public beta for iOS 17 is out, which means a whole new set of actions for Shortcuts 📲
Here’s the full list – plus my first collection of beta shortcuts:
— Matthew Cassinelli (@mattcassinelli)
7:14 PM • Jul 12, 2023

One more thing ...

❝

I’m about fifty-fifty on believing in God. For most of my life, I’ve felt that there must be more to our existence than meets the eye…. I like to think that something survives after you die. It’s strange to think that you accumulate all this experience, and maybe a little wisdom, and it just goes away. So I really want to believe that something survives, that maybe your consciousness endures. But on the other hand, perhaps it’s like an on-off switch. Click! And you’re gone. Maybe that’s why I never liked to put on-off switches on Apple devices.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

Do you immediately install Apple’s betas on your main devices?

Results from yesterday’s poll: Did you buy anything on Prime Day?

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