It’s only been a couple of days since the roll-out of iOS 15 and the other full-version software updates for Apple’s iPad, Apple TV and Apple Watch. But the company is already pressing ahead with the next round of updates.
Last night, Apple sent out the first beta versions of iOS 15.1, iPadOS 15.1, tvOS 15.1 and watchOS 8.1 to registered developers and other beta testers.
These X.1 updates will enable Apple to add some of the previously announced features that didn’t make it into the X.0 versions of iOS 15, iPadOS 15 and tvOS 15. For a few examples, read Eight iOS 15 features that will be missing at launch.
One of the most famous of these is SharePlay, which lets users watch videos or listen to music in sync with others on a FaceTime call. It’s important to point out, however, that even though SharePlay makes the cut in the beta of iOS 15.1, it isn’t guaranteed to appear in the public version, and may be pushed back again.
iOS 15.1 also adds COVID-19 vaccination records in Wallet.
In addition, we can expect the usual bug and security fixes; the first version of a major software update is often buggy and unreliable. In yesterday’s Different Think, indeed, we advised readers to wait for the X.0.1 version before updating for precisely this reason.
If you’d like to join in with the testing, read our guide showing how to join an Apple beta programme. As usual, however, be sure to back up your devices before installing the new beta versions; that way you won’t have to risk losing your files.
Final versions of the operating systems are likely to be shipped to the public in October.
This article originally appeared on Macworld Sweden. Translation (using DeepL) and additional reporting by David Price.
