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Apple’s Surprise Move: iOS 17 Developer Beta Now Open to All Users at No Charge
Apple has made a surprising move by making the iOS 17 developer beta and other betas available for free to all registered developers. This decision marks a departure from the previous practice of requiring a $99/year developer account to access these beta builds.
Users first became aware of the change when they noticed the availability of the iOS 17 developer beta for installation, even in the absence of a developer account. Initially believed to be a bug, it has now been confirmed by Apple as an intentional shift in their approach.
The announcement was made on Apple’s Developer website, where they outlined the new free and paid membership options. While the betas are now free to access without the $99 fee, individuals are still required to sign up and register as developers.
To install the iOS 17 beta, users are advised to follow a few steps. Firstly, it is recommended to create a fresh backup of their iPhone or iPad in case they decide to downgrade to iOS 16.4. Then, by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update, they can select the Beta Updates button and choose the Developer Beta option. If needed, users can also change their Apple ID associated with the beta. The iOS 17 Developer Beta will appear for download and installation.
However, some users might not immediately see the option to enable beta updates or the iOS 17 beta itself. In such cases, Apple suggests quitting and relaunching the Settings app and ensuring that the device is running at least iOS 16.4. If these steps do not work, signing in with the Apple ID at developer.apple.com and retrying the process is recommended.
The iOS 17 developer beta is approximately 3 GB in size and comes with certain device compatibility changes. Apple has dropped support for specific devices with this release.
iOS 17 brings various new features and improvements, including updates for Messages, FaceTime, Phone, a new landscape “StandBy” always-on feature, and more. It is important to note that the developer beta may contain bugs and performance issues, so it is advised not to install it on primary devices.
While Apple has not revealed the reason behind this sudden decision to offer the developer beta for free, it is likely to encourage more developers to explore and provide feedback on the upcoming iOS version. The move is expected to foster a larger and more diverse developer community, ultimately leading to enhanced software quality and user experiences. The first iOS 17 public beta is scheduled for release in July, following the initial availability of the developer beta.
Overall, this shift in policy by Apple has been met with excitement from developers and users alike, who can now explore the latest iOS features and contribute to the development process without any financial barrier.
How to Install iOS 17 Developer Beta
To install the iOS 17 developer beta, you can follow these steps:
- Make sure to create a fresh backup of your iPhone or iPad before proceeding. This is important in case you want to revert back to iOS 16 or encounter any issues.
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad that is running at least iOS 16.4.
- Scroll down and tap on “General.”
- In the General settings, select “Software Update.”
- On the Software Update page, you should see a new option called “Beta Updates.” Tap on it. Note that it may take a moment for this option to appear.
- Now, choose “Developer Beta” from the available options.
- If you need to change the Apple ID associated with the beta, you can tap on it at the bottom of the screen and make the necessary adjustments.
- Once you have selected the Developer Beta option, tap on “Back” to return to the Software Update page.
- Look for the iOS 17 Developer Beta update, which should now appear. Tap on “Download and Install” to begin the installation process.
If you are unable to see the option to turn on beta updates or the iOS 17 update doesn’t appear:
- Try quitting the Settings app completely and relaunching it.
- Double-check that your device is running at least iOS 16.4. If not, you’ll need to update to that version before you can access the beta option within the Settings.
- If the issue persists, sign in with your Apple ID at developer.apple.com for free. Once signed in, try the steps mentioned above again.
Please note that installing the developer beta comes with certain risks, such as bugs and performance issues. It is recommended to install the beta on a secondary device and not on your primary device, as it may impact the overall functionality of your device.
Android Continue On Feature Brings Better Cross-Device Integration
Android Continue On Feature is Google’s latest step toward creating a more connected ecosystem experience across Android devices. According to details shared by Google for developers, the feature is designed to help users seamlessly continue tasks between smartphones, tablets, Chromebooks, Android TVs, and even cars without interruptions.
For years, Apple has dominated the ecosystem experience with features like Handoff and Continuity. However, Google now appears focused on delivering a similar experience for Android users with improved multi-device support and smarter transitions.
The new system could significantly improve how users interact with apps and services across multiple screens.
What Is Android Continue On?
Google’s Continue On experience allows users to move activities from one Android device to another more smoothly. Developers can integrate this capability into their apps so users can continue reading, watching content, browsing, or completing tasks on another compatible device.
For example, a user may start watching a video on their smartphone and instantly continue it on a tablet or Chromebook. Similarly, navigation started on a phone could continue inside an Android-powered car system.
The goal is to reduce interruptions and make Android devices feel more connected as part of one unified ecosystem.
Why This Feature Matters
The Android ecosystem has often been criticized for lacking deep integration between devices from different brands. While companies like Samsung and OnePlus offer their own ecosystem tools, Google’s Continue On framework could create a broader and more standardized experience for Android users.
This feature may also encourage developers to optimize apps for multiple device categories, including foldables, tablets, TVs, and cars. As Android devices continue expanding into different form factors, seamless continuity could become an important feature for productivity and entertainment.
Android Ecosystem Could Become More Competitive
Google’s latest move clearly signals its intention to strengthen the Android ecosystem experience. Features like synced notifications, shared app experiences, and task continuity are becoming increasingly important for users who own multiple devices.
If widely adopted, Android Continue On could help Android compete more directly with Apple’s tightly integrated ecosystem. It may also improve the overall user experience for brands operating within the Android platform.
Although the feature is still developer-focused for now, it gives an early look at where Android’s ecosystem strategy is heading in the future.
Conclusion
Android Continue On Feature has the potential to become one of the most important additions to the Android ecosystem in the coming years. By enabling seamless transitions between phones, tablets, Chromebooks, TVs, and cars, Google is working toward a more unified cross-device experience.
As more developers adopt the framework and more devices gain support, Android users could finally see a smoother and more connected ecosystem experience across all their devices.
Also Read: Android 17 Beta 3 on OnePlus 15: New Features, UI Changes, and Early Impressions
OxygenOS 17 Features Overview
OxygenOS 17 features are finally starting to surface, bringing a mix of powerful customization tools and some disappointing changes for users in India. This upcoming update from OnePlus focuses heavily on UI personalization, smoother performance, and a refined user experience.
Major OxygenOS 17 Features Coming Soon
One of the biggest OxygenOS 17 features is a new deep customization suite, similar to Samsung Good Lock.
Key OxygenOS 17 features include:
- Advanced lock screen customization
- Always-On Display personalization
- Custom icon packs and themes
- Status bar and control center tweaks
- Improved animations and gesture control
These OxygenOS 17 features aim to give users more control than ever before. OPPO is also expected to enhance this ecosystem further.
OxygenOS 17 Features Bring a Major Drawback
Despite the exciting upgrades, OxygenOS 17 features come with one major downside. OnePlus is reportedly limiting beta testing to China.
This means:
- No early access to OxygenOS 17 features in India
- No open or closed beta builds globally
- Slower feedback cycle for improvements
For enthusiasts, this reduces the chance to experience OxygenOS 17 features before the stable rollout.
OxygenOS 16.1 Before OxygenOS 17 Features Rollout
Before OxygenOS 17 features arrive, users will get OxygenOS 16.1 with improvements like:
- Redesigned camera interface
- Layered notification system
- New lock screen UI with interactive controls
- Smoother animations
- Enhanced tablet multitasking
These updates prepare devices for upcoming OxygenOS 17 features.
Final Thoughts on OxygenOS 17 Features
Overall, OxygenOS 17 features focus on customization and smoother UI performance. While the lack of beta testing in India is disappointing, the final stable update could still deliver a polished experience for most users.
Also Read: Apple 200MP pApple 200MP Periscope Camera Leak Signals Massive iPhone Upgrade
Apple 200MP periscope camera development is reportedly underway, suggesting a major shift in how future iPhones will handle zoom photography. A recent leak indicates that Apple is testing a high-resolution 200-megapixel periscope telephoto sensor, which could significantly improve long-range image quality and detail.
Apple 200MP Periscope Camera Could Redefine iPhone Zoom
The Apple 200MP periscope camera is expected to be a major leap from the current 48MP sensors used in iPhones. Periscope lenses use a folded optical design that allows higher optical zoom without increasing the thickness of the device.
With a 200MP sensor, users could see sharper zoomed images, better cropping flexibility, and improved low-light performance. Apple is likely to combine this hardware with its strong computational photography to maintain consistent color accuracy and detail.
How Apple Plans to Compete with Android Flagships
Android smartphone brands have already introduced 200MP sensors in recent flagship models. However, Apple typically focuses on real-world performance rather than just specifications.
If Apple moves forward with this upgrade, it would not only match competitors in megapixel count but also potentially outperform them in processing and optimization. The Apple 200MP periscope camera could bring a balanced combination of hardware and software.
Expected Launch Timeline
The leak suggests that this technology is still in testing and may not arrive before 2027. Apple usually takes extra time to refine new hardware, so the final product could differ from early reports.
Still, this development highlights Apple’s long-term vision for iPhone cameras and its intent to push boundaries in mobile photography.
Source: weibo
Also Read: OxygenOS 17 Eligible Devices List Revealed: Check If Your OnePlus Gets the Big Android 17 Update