Apple has just seeded iTunes 10.5 Beta 4 to its developers. The new version of iTunes is required for the just-released iOS 5 Beta 4, which was released alongside the new version of iTunes. Although no specific enhancements are known as of yet, several are expected as the final release draws closer.
It is absolutely necessary to download iTunes 10.5 beta 4 before you update your iPhone to iOS 5 Beta 4, especially if you’re planning to perform the update locally (since over-the-air is now an option for the iOS update). In addition, the new Beta is expected to include several speed enhancements many developers have been eager for.
It’s important to keep in mind that devices running iOS 5 Beta 2 or earlier will not work with iTunes 10.5 Beta 4. In order to be able to sync the device, users will have to upgrade their headsets to iOS 5 Beta 4 (or Beta 3), which is available today. There’s absolutely no reason not to stay on an old version of iOS 5 anyway, only if you enjoy unstable software! In addition, users might need to perform a small workaround in order to get the upgrades up and running, according to Apple’s release notes:
- The version of iTunes that comes with beta 4 cannot sync devices that have the beta 2 software installed. To avoid this problem, do the following:
- Sync any devices that have beta 3 installed to the version of iTunes that came with beta 4.
- Upgrade iTunes to the version that comes with beta 4.
- Connect the device and install the beta 4 software. (Understand that you might see a failure to sync error when you first connect the device.)
- After installing the beta 4 software, restore from your the backup you made in step 1.
- Videos purchased from the iTunes Store do not play on a 2nd generation AppleTV over AirPlay with iTunes 10.5.
iOS 5 was first announced at WWDC 2011, Apple’s annual developer-oriented conference, and the initial beta build was seeded to developers on the same day. The new version of iOS includes several signature enhancements and new built-in apps, such as a new to-do system known as Reminders, enhancements to Mobile Safari, especially on the iPad, and a revamped notifications system known as Notification Center.
iOS 5 Beta 4, along with the corresponding version of iTunes, are available from Apple’s developer site. Access to this site requires an Apple developer account, which anyone can get for $99 per year. If you’re an iOS enthusiast, these will likely be the best $99 you’ll ever spend.
Update 1: iTunes 10.5 Beta 4 is now available for Windows (32 & 64 Bit) as well.
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