The public betas for iOS 10 and macOS Sierra are in full swing as Apple slowly prepares to release both products in the coming fall.
Interestingly, while these releases would appear to be mainly focused on bug fixes at first glance, there are actually quite a few new features that have been added, which will no doubt change the way consumers use their Apple products if they make it past the beta and into the final release.
Here are some new features to keep an eye out for:
Unlocking Your Device iOS 9 Style
Once upon a time, iPhone users simply had to tap the Home button in order to use their device. However, that changed with iOS 10, when Apple tweaked that function, so that unlocking the device kept users on the lock screen, requiring them to tap the Home button once again to access their apps.
Apple made the change so that people would no longer be able to ignore the notifications that piled up on the lock screen since the last time they used their phone, but it also forced people to relearn a process they had grown accustomed to following years of repetition.
Fortunately, it looks like Apple has learned the error of its ways and has offered users a way to make Touch ID work like it did under iOS 9. Simply go to Settings > General > Accessibility > Home Button and select the Rest Finger to Open.
iCloud File Syncing
If you're the type who likes to save their documents on the desktop, Apple has something big in store for you. New in the Public Beta is the ability to automatically sync your Desktop and Documents folder using iCloud.
To turn on this feature, go to the iCloud pane in the System Preferences app and click the Options button next to iCloud Drive. Then, check the box for Desktop & Documents Folders. Just know that you'll need to pay for enough iCloud storage space to sync those files, so it likely won't work unless you're paying for additional storage space.
Unlocking Your Mac With The Apple Watch
If you're an Apple enthusiast, this will no doubt be your cup of tea. New to the latest Public Beta, Apple has added the ability to unlock your Mac using an Apple Watch running watchOS 3. Simply approach your computer while wearing the watch, and you'll find that it will automatically unlock as you near it, essentially eliminating the need to remember or enter a password (though you should probably continue using one as backup).
However, since there is no public beta of watchOS 3, you'll need to have an Apple developer account to check out this feature in full.
If you have yet to join the Apple Beta Software Program and want to get in on it, simply follow this link to enroll your device in the program.
After doing so, you can download the iOS public beta 2 to your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch by going to Settings > General > Software Updates. Meanwhile, you can get the updated macOS Sierra by going to the Updates section in the Mac App Store.
