Apple reportedly prepping iOS public beta program

February 22, 2015

It's being rumored today that Apple will be duplicating their OS X public beta program with iOS 8.3 this spring and iOS 9 this summer. The hope, reportedly, is that a wider beta, beyond just the traditional developer program, will help improve software stability. From 9to5Mac:

Apple intends to release the upcoming iOS 8.3 as a public beta via the company's existing AppleSeed program in mid-March, according to the sources. This release will match the third iOS 8.3 beta for developers, which is planned for release the same week. Apple then expects to debut iOS 9 at its June Worldwide Developer Conference, with a public beta release during the summer, and final release in the fall…

It's said the public betas will include the bug reporting app that shipped with early versions of the first iOS 8 beta. That app reportedly led to screeners being flooded by over a hundred thousand bug reports being sent to Apple during the first weekend, some of which contained no useful information.

If Apple does go ahead with a public beta, it'll be interesting to see how they balance resources and ensure the quality of feedback.

Either way, if Apple offered it, would you want to be part of a public beta?