When I said goodbye to the iOS 14.7 beta last night, I had no idea how final of a goodbye it would actually be. The expectation was that Apple would roll out the second developer beta of iOS 15, then later this month, when developer beta 3 was released, the Public Beta would begin.
Apple apparently has great confidence in this build, however, as iOS 15 Public Beta 2 is now available for anyone who registers their iOS device for the Apple Beta Program.
So Long iOS 14
Once you’ve enrolled your device, you’ll see the new profile in the Settings app of your device. There, you’ll have to make your first big decision as a public beta tester. While iOS 14 introduced the ability to install a stable public build or the current beta build, they have to be from the same base. Meaning that, in order to participate in the iOS 15 beta, you’ll need to delete the iOS 14 beta profile from your phone.
Keep in mind this is beta software. Especially when it’s only the second release, things will go wrong. Features won’t work. Apps won’t work. Things might just break without reason. If you install this on your main device, be ready with a reliable backup in case things fall apart during testing.
What’s New?
With the PSA dispatched, let’s take a closer look at all the features you get to play with in iOS 15 Public Beta 2! Despite this being an “iterative” development year instead of a “sweeping changes” kind of year, there’s still plenty that beta testers will have to play with. You can check out my full list here.
Specifically for Public Beta 2, Apple’s VPN feature, iCloud Private Relay, is now available.
What’s Broken?
Remember when I mentioned that some things will be broken in this early beta? Here they are! And this is just the stuff that Apple knows about. It’s up to you to report any bugs you find via the Feedback app.
Finder might become unresponsive when installing iOS 15
The beta isn’t currently available for the 9.7-inch iPad Pro
Live text in photos may or may not be available
Taking panorama shots in low power mode might produce unexpected results
Carplay might fail if you’re screen sharing when you connect to your vehicle
Files might quit unexpectedly if you choose Open in New Window for a file
Duplicating files on certain USB drives might fail, incorrectly alerting there isn’t enough free space available
For Find My: Notify When Left Behind isn’t supported for Intel-based Mac computers or Apple Watch, also text indicating the Find My network is active when your iOS device needs to be charged will only display if the device language is set to English.
Some text may be illegible in PDF documents
Focus is…a little too focused. You can only switch to Do Not Disturb using Siri. Focus Autoreply for Messages isn’t working yet either.
You can only share Health data with and receive Health data from three people.
You can’t pair a Matter device with a third-party hub at this time
You can’t pair Matter accessories that use Thread and for those that don’t, they still may become unresponsive after pairing, requiring a re-pair.
Thread devices might not connect until you toggle them a few times near your hub.
You can only pair five Matter devices…Matter devices can only be paired by owners…Thread devices might decide to use Bluetooth instead. Basically, just pair your device with Bluetooth for now.
Widgets continue to be beta bug fodder! The widget gallery might display the wrong widget category after selecting a category from the side bar, the Home Screen might quit unexpectedly when dragging a widget from the widget gallery, Large pinned favorite widgets in iPadOS 14 don’t migrate correctly to iPadOS 15 beta, After canceling a search in the widget gallery, the cancel button remains visible which might blank out the widget gallery
iCloud Private Relay may provide an inaccurate geographical location and it may fall back to a public connection if it can’t maintain the private relay.
Keyboards for some languages may display unlocalized text
Scrolling the reports view in Maps might produce unexpected results
Previously known WiFi networks might be lost during setup
SharePlay may or may not be available, requiring a sign out to fix. That might be a good thing, since SharePlay has a host of issues ranging from high media volume just not working at all.
On-device (i.e. offline) Siri speech recognition is available for only these languages at this time: Chinese (Mandarin – China mainland), English (Australia), English (Canada), English (United Kingdom), and English (US)
If you have under 500MB of space on your device you might not be able to update iOS
What’s Fixed?
So while that’s a pretty substantial list above, it doesn’t mean Apple hasn’t already crushed a bunch of bugs from developer beta 1. Here are the issues that’ve been resolved.
Carplay
Mute and Route Overview buttons now appear in all vehicles
Siri won’t disappear if you invoke it after an announcement completes, but before the banner dismisses
Announcement requests will no longer quit unexpectedly (but leave their banners on screen)
Images and thumbnails won’t display a black and white grid overlay
Facetime
Spatial panning of audio in Group FaceTime calls now initiates when starting a call
The zoom level indicator reflects the actual zoom level when using the rear camera
Tapping the Portrait effect button during a Group FaceTime call no longer zooms unexpectedly
No longer becomes unresponsive when starting a FaceTime call with a contact name that contains non-roman characters
You can create multiple HomePod alarms in your home.
The entire App Library is no longer dismissed when swiping up in App Library search or an expanded category
Home Screen pages now appear in the unexpected order after moving a page to become the last page while a Focus was active
All devices on your iCloud account don’t have to be upgraded to iOS 15 to set up a Private Relay recovery contact
Mail
The document scanner works as expected
Swiping down on the title bar of an email to save a draft locally syncs it with other devices
Attachments are added to new messages when you choose to reply or compose a new message with an attachment you opened in Quick Look.
Sharing Notes to Messages via Quick Notes works as expected
Shared with You will no longer appear in Photos when the Automatic Sharing feature is turned off and sharing is now available in Memories
Safari no longer quits unexpectedly when tapping the search bar it will load all websites even if Hide IP address from trackers is turned on
Documents open as expected in Schoolwork
Drag-and-drop in the Shortcuts editor works as expected
Your Apple Watch won’t enter Sleep Lock until Bedtime
It’s no longer raining even when it’s not – this build fixes precipitation notifications in Weather
What’s Next
This unexpected public beta in June is quite the gift to Public Beta testers that didn’t expect to see the new version of iOS on their phones until much later in July.
Beta testing has gone at a steady pace so far, with just a few weeks between the initial release and the second. Now with the influx of public testers, Apple will likely keep development slow for a bit as they get a glut of bug and Feedback reports to sift through.
That said, I’d expect to see a third beta build sometime mid-month (when I initially thought we’d see public testing begin). But with a beta this early, all bets are off. If there’s a big enough bug, Apple will push things out early to fix it.
Keep a stable iOS 14 build to go back to and have fun testing!
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.