iOS 8.3 Beta Release Date, Download & Features: Update Out March [Rumors]

Developers may not be the only people testing things around.

If recent reports are to be believed, the general public could participate in Apple's very first iOS beta program next month. The succeeding beta for a major upgrade is expected to follow in summer.

This could be a good opportunity for testers to observe and report flaws before the rest of the world makes the same observation.

iOS 8.3

International Business Times wrote that Apple reportedly plans to seed the iOS 8.3 public beta in March. As told by the outlet, the program could enlist a limit of 100,000 members.

Apple followers would know that this number is smaller than OS X Yosemite's one million beta testers, participating prior to the operating system's launch in October.

iOS 9

The next major upgrade, the iOS 9, is believed to launch in June's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). As told by 9to5Mac, its public beta is touted for release in summer, while the final version sets in fall.

The source went on to inform that the public iOS 8.3 coincides with the third beta release for developers. Their first update has been seeded early this month, packing Wireless CarPlay support, enhanced Siri vocals and improved Emoji keyboard, among others. Public beta testers might expect the same changes.

For GSMArena, the release of two public betas in the same year is "a big shift in Apple's way of developing its mobile software." The source assumes that this could be the result of the public's reaction to the iOS 8, which was not as perfect as imagined.

With regards to the iOS 9, the outlet has heard that it's bound to concentrate on providing bug fixes and stability improvements.

Possible Devices

If rumor mills produced it right, Apple has stored a lot of interesting products for consumers this year. Speaking of devices alone, the Cupertino giant is touted to release the Apple Watch soon, along with the much-awaited sixth-generation iPod touch.

On Feb. 24, a silent unveiling of the MacBook Air refresh is speculated, while the family's 12-inch Retina version is aimed to arrive shortly thereafter in March. The 2015 MacBook Pro is allegedly hitting shelves by April.

Needless to say, the iPhone 6s and iPhone 7 are both expected to arrive before the calendar makes another turn -- only in separate dates. This is suggested by talks claiming that Apple has decided to halve its annual iPhone launch.

Speculations also have it that the iPad Pro (aka iPad Air Plus), iPad Air 3 and iPad Mini 4 could be coming in a few months.

Until Apple settles a confirmation, these devices remain mere products of speculations.

To access iOS 8.3 for developers, register here.