Newsletter
After launching iOS and iPad OS 16.5.1 earlier today, we thought the updates were over for the day. Nope. Apple just released the second beta for iOS 17 and iPad OS 17. Which is honestly the update that most people were looking for.
The update is fairly large, coming in at around 1.46GB in size. But that’s expected with a beta update. As there’s a lot of things changing here, and potentially new features being added.
Additionally, this new beta has a new update screen too. Now, at the bottom of the screen, you’ll see a blue “Update Now” button, as well as an “Update Tonight” button below it. So you can choose to have it update tonight while it’s charging, or to do it right away.
What’s new in iOS 17
Despite iOS 17 being rumored as a pretty small update, and one that is focusing mostly on bug fixes, there are quite a few quality of life improvements here. That includes new call screens for when you call people. This also includes a pretty large revamp for the iMessage app. Which now gives you an app drawer for all of your iMessage apps. Among a few other things.
Now with Beta 2, Apple is not releasing any major changelog here. Which is not a surprise, since this is a beta.
However, many are hoping that Apple has improved battery life and fixed a few bugs like the keyboard. Battery life has been pretty horrendous on iOS 17 Beta 1, where many of us are charging twice a day now. And the keyboard is probably the worse bug on iOS 17 right now. Basically, it will disappear when you need it, or stick around when you don’t. It also becomes transparent (sort of) over spotlight search results. Making it pretty tough to read.
Obviously, this is a beta, so things are going to change. But hopefully this second beta is a bit better. The Public Beta will be launching next month.