Apple on Thursday released a macOS Big Sur 11.1 Release Candidate to developers. This is great news for those who hold off on upgrading their Mac to every major new macOS release until it receives its first major revision.
macOS Big Sur 11.1 is very close
Now that third-party software developers have access to the Release Candidate for the next macOS version, they can do some last-minute bug hunting in code and also check whether their own apps are compatible with the new features.
Apple hasn't said much about the new features coming in version 11.1, either. It's likely the only tweaks will be support for AirPods Max and Apple Fitness+. But Big Sur is a very significant update, offering the biggest design overhaul to the Mac user interface in two decades
And exactly when macOS Big Sur 11.1 will be released is unknown. But it will definitely be soon. As Apple says, “The term ‘Release Candidate’ (RC) replaces ‘GM seed’ and indicates that this version is nearing final.”
Apple released iOS 14.3 RC and iPadOS 14.3 RC on Tuesday, and today it replaced them with updated versions. This is an unusual step. The most likely explanation is a serious bug that appeared at the last minute.
The new iOS update will bring ProRAW support to the iPhone 12 Pro models. In addition, it and the corresponding iPad will give everyone more information about the privacy practices of the apps they use. And iOS 14.3 and/or iPadOS are required to use AirPods Max and Apple Fitness+. The fitness service launches on December 14, so those versions should be out soon.
But for now, they're only for developers. Those participating in Apple's Developer Program can download iOS 14.3 RC2 and iPadOS 14.3 RC2 today, along with the macOS Big Sur 11.1 Release Candidate.
