Apple Seeds first public beta of macOS Big Sur 11.3

Apple today seeded the first public beta of an upcoming macOS Big Sur 11.3 update to its public beta testing group, with the new software two days after the beta was released to developers.

Public beta testers can download macOS Big Sur 11.2 from the Software Update section of the System Preferences app after installing the appropriate profile from Apple’s beta software website.

MacOS Big Sur 11.3 introduces more customization options for Safari and adds a way to rearrange the different sections on the home page such as Favorites, Reading List, Siri Suggestions, Privacy Report, and more. Developers also have access to a new integration to develop home page features.

The update includes optimizations for using iOS apps on M1 Macs. When iPhone and iPad apps are running on ‌M1‌ Macs, there is a Touch Alternatives preference pane that allows users to set keyboard commands for touch input alternatives, and launch iPadOS apps with a larger window if the Mac screen allows. Touch alternatives can be enabled for iPhone or iPad apps by clicking the name of the app in the menu bar and then selecting the Preferences option. Touch Alternatives let you adjust tap, swipe, and drag.

MacOS Big Sur 11.3 also adds support for the latest PlayStation 5 DualSense and Xbox Series X / S controllers for use with macOS games.

In the Reminders app, reminder lists can be sorted by Due Date, Creation Date, Priority or Title, and there is an option to print lists by going to File> Print. Memories can also be moved manually across lists with drag and drop, something that was not possible before.

Apple is adding a new “Made For You” library shortcut in Apple Music to replay personal mixes and playlists, and the Listen Now section has been updated to support live event marking.

There are new sorting options in the Memories app, along with options for printing, and ‌Apple Music een has been updated with a Made for You shortcut and an option for live events in the Listen Now section.

In the Apple News app, there is a redesigned ‌Apple News‌ + tab with a dedicated “For You” section and a new Browse tab that makes it easier to browse available content. The new For You section is designed to help ‌Apple News‌ + users find their favorite magazines and newspapers much faster, and adds new tools for managing downloaded songs.

9to5Mac discovered that OSmacOS Big Sur‌ 11.3 includes an updated “Support” interface when opening “About This Mac”. The new design includes details about your warranty and makes it possible to initiate a repair directly from the Mac interface.

The tab works in the same way as the AppleCare coverage menu in the iOS settings app, allowing users to request repairs, purchase an AppleCare subscription and check their coverage. This updated support menu will not be visible in the first beta of ‌macOS Big Sur‌ 11.3, but it may come at a later date. There is also evidence that Apple is planning to bring a support app to the Mac.

MacOS Big Sur adds 11.3 adds support for HomePod Stereo pairs, allowing a set of paired HomePods to be set as the default audio output option, with the two HomePods appearing as a single selectable speaker rather than separately as in previous versions of macOS.