Apple Releases First Beta Of watchOS 4.2 And tvOS 11.2, As Well Introduces SiriKit With New Firmware For HomePod

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming watchOS 4.2 update to developers, while watchOS 4.1 is still in testing. Once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Apple Developer Center, the new watchOS 4.1 beta can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General -> Software update.

It's not clear what new features watchOS 4.2 will introduce, but it could bring support for Apple Pay Cash, Apple's new peer-to-peer payments feature. Aside from releasing watchOS 4.2, Apple also seed the first tvOS 11.2 beta, the beta is available through the Software Update mechanism on an Apple TV with an appropriate configuration profile installed.

As for new changes in the beta, according to release notes accompanying the download, the tvOS 11.2 now restores the Unwatched category in the Home Sharing feature for Movies, TV Shows and Home Video. It also enables automatic frame rate and dynamic range switching on Apple TV 4K (Via iDB).

Apple today also released new firmware for the HomePod ahead of its December launch. The firmware isn't available through the Developer portal, but it will downloadable by testers who have a HomePod and it is listed on third-party iOS software sites, which making it available for download by the public. HomePod devices to becomes available for purchase later this year.

 

Lastly, according to Apple Developer Center, iOS 11.2 that was released this morning, introduces SiriKit support for the HomePod. Third-party apps that use SiriKit Messaging, Lists, and Notes are compatible with the HomePod. Siri will recognize voice requests given to the HomePod, with those requests carried out on a linked iOS device.

Via MacRumors, Image Credit OS X Daily And MR