Updated: About Apple's Release Of iOS 7 Beta 4
July 29, 2013
Update:
Indeed, the update is now out!
With the Apple Developer site shutdown in the rearview mirror, attention now turns to when Apple will post the next developer release of iOS 7.
Long expected to launch last week, iOS 7 beta 4 could arrive as early as today, July 29 at 1 p.m. EDT. This assumes that Apple continues with its unofficial schedule of releasing new updates on Mondays.
Apple’s last iOS 7 beta update was released on July 8. Unlike the previous two versions, iOS 7 beta 3 it was mostly filled with bug fixes and other minor tweaks.
As Brent Dirks first noted, the version included new app download animation, a keyboard change in mobile Safari, and the elimination of battery charging animation. The iOS 7 beta 3 also included the current time while music is playing on the lock screen, Calendar and Accessibility changes, and a new animation for the pull-to-refresh gesture in Mail.
Finally, iOS 7 beta 3 included bolder text, and a larger search box.
As we first noted on July 19, we don’t expect to see any major changes in iOS 7 beta 4.
However, it would be nice were Apple to begin releasing iOS 7 beta versions of non-native apps such as iBooks, iMovie, and GarageBand. For now, even for developers, these apps remain stuck in Scott Forstall’s skeuomorphic world, which includes wood-paneled shelves, and flashing marquees.
We’ll let you know the moment that Apple releases iOS 7 beta 4.
Until then, see: Ahead Of iOS 7's Launch, Apple Gives Free iBooks To Its Employees, Tim Cook Notes That For Apple, iOS In The Car Is One 'Key Focus', and Apple Is Forming Its Own Speech Technology Team With Former Nuance Employees.