As the subject line says, the first public beta releases are now available.
A reminder to those considering taking the plunge... early beta releases can be a painful experience. Think long and hard before hitting the download button if you don't have a dedicated device for testing and you don't want to risk your device falling over at a critical time.
If you do install the beta, then make sure to file reports with Apple for each and every bug that you encounter and suggestions for anything that you think could be improved for VoiceOver, Braille, or low vision users.
The earlier a report is filed, the more likely the bug is to be fixed before the public releases later this year.
Have fun!
Comments
Downloaded
I'm living dangerously. I downloaded and installed the Mac OS 13 public beta onto a secondary partition on my production machine. Why? Well because I'm fueled by distilled frustration and a violent urge to report every accessibility bug I can. Thank Puro for time machine and Dropbox.
I look forward to taking this through its paces and intentionally trying to break it. I could end this with something snarky, but instead I'll just say that I'm happy to be making Mac better. My emotions are simply a means to an end in this situation.
Apple won't know if you do not test
Having said that, do remember if you have an issue with testing on your everyday device, don't do it. However, bugs are not found by waiting to see what works and does not work.
Here is a spreadsheet that lists apps people have added that work with iOS 16 and does not work with iOS 16.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13vj6qbjStncR0q83Fgp5DhdxQDnjd8M6EV17JsLvVSw/edit#gid=1927743562
Yes. Test and report
I'm using the feedback assistant as has been reiterated here and I'm planning on jamming my inbox full of bug reports. I've already submitted one today about the force-quit system dialogue.
I would advise anybody without a secondary device against doing what I did unless you're very comfortable moving between system partitions and have a robust, multi-layered backup solution to quickly recover from any unwanted catastrophes. Beta software is not release software. Think of yourself as a sapient guinea pig rather than an end user.
I run the iOS developer beta on my primary device with no issues
Hi all,
I am a member of the Apple Developer program, just to beta test really buggy software and of course report bugs I find. I cannot test Ventura , as my Mac is too old. I am running the iOS developer beta on my only iPhone. for me, I don't care if something really goes wrong, 'cause I know how to fix it if needed. these are my feelings, and everybody is different.
So am I
So am I. I'm also running the developer beta of iOS 16 on my primary device which is an iPhone 11, and so far, no issues. remember, the more feedback you report to Apple, the better it gets resolved in future betas.
beta
Thinking to do so in my iPad 9 gen. Link please.
You can join the public beta…
You can join the public beta program at beta.apple.com.
Hello. I have personally…
Hello. I have personally beta tested IOS public betas ever since we were allowed to do so. I have always done it on my main device, because I've never owned a back-up IOS device to mess with. I think it is well worth the risk. Just to see if I can find any bugs or issues that may have been overlooked. Plus I just love trying new software.
it's too early to try
I think it is too early to try it.
I should wait untill it is more reliable and more better
voice over only reads numbers for emojis.
has any one else noticed this?
I'm in!
I've already submitted quite a handful of reports (iPhone 13 Mini with Eloquence). Yes, I am also seeing the bug with emojis presenting as numbers. Hoping they'll squash these bugs/actually pay attention to feedback. So far so good! Only thing I noticed that's truly problematic is that my phone wouldn't charge using the apple USBC cable and charger; I had to switch to a lower wat, 3rd party charger for it to charge last night. The percentage was consistently at 15%, would drop, move back up, drop further down, etc. Quite frustrating.
does eloquence work in low lower generation of IPhone
does eloquence still usable in IPhone 12, 10 or 8?
For international users
... I have to say: Be careful. The higher quality voices are always removed after locking the screen. And using the Eloquence voices at least the German one does not read ANY Emojis. The first thing I have noticed is that parts of the UI are not translated to German yet. Which is od, cause the parts that arn't translated are no different from the ones in iOS 15.5. Don't really get why certain objects are in english now.
Overall the UX with VO is rather lagy when using anything other than Eloquence. No dealbrekaers for me so far but lots to do until the final version. Thats for sure.
I was thinking about getting it.
After hearing your feed-back, I will rather wait for the IOS16 on the September.
I have it here on my iPhone 13 Pro Max, as well as my 11 inch an
Hi,
Both of the devices mentioned in the subject line are perfectly running the developer beta of iOS 16. This update is really good. I also have the Alex voice on my Apple Watch series 7, running the watchOS 9 beta.
Eloquence
Using eloquence in my iPad 9 gen. The sound is not that great. Do not get all the happyness for it. Quality that comes from the speekers are bad. Will check Bruce.
not all it's cracked up to be.
If you're interested in getting the beta because of eloquence, don't bother. For one, the quality is terrible. Not only that, I hear some popping when eloquence reads something for a while or says certain words. I'm going to leave feedback, but I'm not holding my breath!
Grumpy Apple
Dude you posted the comment twice, probably an accident. I'm not installing the beta of any OS yet, seeing as it's the first public beta, third dev beta. I'll never use eloquence anyway so whether or not it works, has no concern to me. I'd keep flooding the hell out of Apple with reported feedback, because then they will eventually get things at least translated in German for those who are seeking it.
Eloquence is everything I…
Eloquence is everything I hoped it would be! It's interesting how much easier things are to understand reading them with Eloquence after going without it for so long. I used to think the old Macintalk Fred voice would be the closest we'd ever get to Eloquence because of its responsiveness, but I never liked how quiet those old Mac voices are. I'm blown away by how responsive Eloquence is writing with BSI or navigating by character or word.
Yes, I do notice how Eloquence crackles when reading in certain apps, but I don't know what causes it so don't know how I would report it to Apple. It does also make a weird clicking sound when it reads certain words, but Eloquence has always done that, I noticed it in JAWS years ago. I've also heard the Fred and Alex voices do it in iOS, though it's less noticeable with Alex. No idea what causes it, but it's never been a show stopper for me.
I also love the new interface for recording audio messages in iMessage, and the personalized spatial audio with AirPods Pro/Max is awesome! Although it took me a bit longer to set up than FaceID did.
Very impressed with this first public beta.
Nathon
Change voice from eloquence to Nathan. Sound is bad on E. The beta is good on my iPad 9. Faster, easy to use with the Apple Smart keyboard. No crashes so far. Music is looking good.
Throwing caution to the wind
Local backups made, potatoes prepped. Time to install the iOS beta and do some science on my iPhone. I'm already sending in macOS bug reports. Let's add to the list
about my last reply
Yes, my double post was a mistake. As for my last comment, I will most definitely submit feedback. Although not ideal, I can handle the low sample rate. It's the crackle that is a big showstopper. Also, I don't think the responsiveness has improved with eloquence.. My ipad is more sluggish overall. I'm not rolling back yet. I want to test other things first. If you want a good and responsive voice, I recommend ralph.
I ran the developer beta of…
I ran the developer beta of iOS 16 and then I switch to the public beta profile, now I don’t even see eloquence as an option. What am I missing? I saw and was using it for two beta cycles of the developer preview.
Bugs
Please share your bugs so I can check them and make a report. So far it is working well with iPad 9 gen and Apple smart keyboard. Check news is good, play song on music and is good. Close apps using keyboard and no issues.
Emojis with voiceover
Hello. I have reported this to apple feedback hub on IOS but anyone else noticed voiceover isn't reading out any emojis at all in messages? I haven't tried in other apps but whenever emojis are displayed in a message, voiceover don't see them at all. Also, when in the emoji keyboard, and even if I'm looking for an emoji by searching them or just browsing, voiceover don't read anything there either. Just wondering if anyone else is having this issue. I suspect this will be fixed soon.
edit: Seems like it may be a voice thing as when I use eloquence or one of the Siri voices, they don't read at all but Alex does just fine. Still not exactly sure though. Yet one more thing to add to my feedback message... Hehehe.
Emoji
Same here. Sent a feedback. Voiceover just gives the number.
emojis
From what i've noticed, this happens with elequence voices, when I switched to alex in the messages app, the emojis where read again. It seems to only be elequence specific maybee? I haven't tested other voices besides alex and elequence as far as emojis.
Same problem with emojis
When I use Samantha voice, emoji will be read. Alex is okay, Nathan, Evan, can read all that emojis
Emojis
Both samantha and Eloquence do not read emojis in any context and present them as numbers in the emoji keyboard. I've reported this as well.