Apple wants to ensure that the new iOS wouldn't be as "glitchful" as its predecessors, which can be the reason why the Cupertino-based smartphone manufacturer is looking to have its latest iOS beta tested by the public.
"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," 9to5Mac reports.
The public beta release should happen in the summer, while the final launch is set to happen during the fall.
The new iOS launch is scheduled to be launched in the same week as Apple's iOS beta for developers, the third iOS 8.3. The iOS 9, according to reports, is expected to be unveiled at the June Worldwide Developer Conference.
The iOS beta program should allow Apple developers to see the flaws on their latest release before it goes under public scrutiny once again for a less than perfect update. The public beta testing will also help lessen unauthorized beta downloads from developer accounts that has previously allowed several users to get their hands on the yet-to-be-released iOS, which is a part of a black market business.
It is not the first time that Apple had publicly released a beta test for its upcoming products. In 2014, beta tests were made available for the OS X Yosemite to the first one million people who have registered for it. From the looks of it, public beta testing may be something Tim Cook's team may be doing on a regular basis.
Although one million consumers were able to test the Mac OS last year, the numbers will be limited for the new iOS beta testing, with just a mere 100,000, sources say. And yes, Cupertino has already started choosing the people who will get to test the new iOS, which according to reports, will include "a select group of retail employees."
Those who would like to get their hands or at least try their luck in testing the iOS 8.3 can do so by registering their interest via the AppleSeed website.
