Here Comes iOS 9 Public Beta 3

Apple has just released iOS 9 Public Beta 3, and this marks the first time that the iPhone maker has permitted the general public to take part in the beta testing of the upcoming latest version of iOS 9, the company’s new mobile operating system. iOS 9 Public Beta 3’s release only comes a few weeks after the Public Beta 2 build was rolled out by Apple. While Public Beta 2 mainly consisted of fixes for bugs and improvements on processing speed, Public Beta 3 will offer beta testers significantly more.

Indeed, those who participate in the beta testing of iOS 9 Public Beta 3 can expect new features such as Wi-Fi calling support for AT&T, enhancements on CarPlay, new exciting wallpaper designs, keyboard improvements, and Wi-Fi Assist, among many others. Wi-Fi Assist may sound familiar -- that is because this feature recently made its debut on the iOS 9 Developer’s Beta 5, which is virtually identical with the code being made available to public beta testers. This feature gives iPhones the ability to switch automatically to cellular connections when it detects that the Wi-Fi connection being used is not good. This should come in handy for users who often get frustrated with weak Wi-Fi signals, forcing them to manually deactivate their Wi-Fi and switch to cellular. Wi-Fi Assist does this without prompting.

The other intriguing new feature that comes with the release of iOS 9 Public Beta 3 is Wi-Fi calling support for AT&T. This wireless carrier now joins T-Mobile among service providers that let mobile users make calls over Wi-Fi. But wait -- even though this feature is already activated in iOS 9, AT&T has not quite gotten there yet (when users turn on the feature, they will be directed to a web page that states Wi-Fi Calling is not yet available in their areas. However, as soon as iOS 9 is officially launched, this feature should be up and running later this year.

As for the new wallpaper designs, users will be treated to a diverse set that includes planets, shapes on black backdrops, colorful abstract photographs, detailed close-ups of objections, bursts of colors, and many more. Also, the iOS 9 Public Beta 3 will also feature bigger artwork for CarPlay, as well as support for liking songs with the use of the heart button. 

There are also adjustments to Handoff, which now only recommends mobile apps that users have already installed; a new Shuffle All option for Music; a splash screen for Calendar; an enhanced keyboard that now includes Delete, Shift, and Dictation keys; a new look for the Activity mobile app; and a tweak to Siri recommendations that eliminates labels for call, message, and FaceTime buttons (9to5Mac has some images). 

The deployment of iOS 9 Public Beta 3 is currently ongoing, so many testers have only been pinged now, or will be notified soon.