On Tuesday, Apple provided developers with access to the release candidates of iOS 17.1 and macOS 14.1, marking the final testing phase before the public release. This also extended to iPadOS 17.1 and watchOS 10.1.
Release candidates, previously known as golden masters, allow third-party software developers and other beta testers to examine the final versions of operating systems before they become available to regular users.
One advantage of release candidates is that they offer a preview of the release notes, providing insights into the key features Apple considers most significant. For iOS 17.1, the release notes reveal:
“This update introduces the ability for AirDrop transfers to continue over the internet when you step out of AirDrop range. This release also includes enhancements to StandBy and Apple Music, as well as other features, bug fixes, and security updates for your iPhone.”
Apple has highlighted a couple of significant changes in iOS 17.1. One of the key updates is the ability to support AirDrop file transfers over the internet. Additionally, in this upcoming version, adjustments have been made to the iPhone 15 Pro’s Action button behavior to prevent unintentional presses.
For iPad users, the release notes for iPadOS 17.1 are worth noting, and they mention:
“This update introduces the ability for AirDrop transfers to continue over the internet when you step out of AirDrop range. This release also includes enhancements to Apple Music, adds support for Apple Pencil (USB-C), as well as other features, bug fixes, and security updates for your iPad.”
