Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming watchOS 4 update to developers for testing purposes, nearly two weeks after releasing the
first watchOS 4.1 beta and three weeks after releasing the
new watchOS 4 operating system to the public.
Once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Apple Developer Center, the new watchOS 4 beta can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General --> Software update.
To install the update, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it must be placed on the charger, and it has to be in range of the iPhone.
The watchOS 4.1 update introduces support for streaming Apple Music content directly to the Apple Watch Series 3 over LTE and it brings a new Radio app with access to Beats 1 and other Apple Music radio stations.
While the Music app on the watch looks the same, offering up access to the Music Library, recently played songs, playlists, and Apple Music mixes, but now all Apple Music content can be streamed over an LTE connection and doesn't need to be downloaded to the device.
Support for Apple Music streaming appears to be the main feature in the new watchOS 4.1 update, but Apple is also introducing new Unicode 10 emoji characters. Today's update adds a new Wi-Fi toggle for turning off Wi-Fi to force the Apple Watch Series 3 to use LTE and it displays the Wi-Fi SSID so users can see the Wi-Fi Network an Apple Watch is connected to.
watchOS 4 is a significant refresh of the watchOS operating system introducing new watch faces, including a personalized Siri face, improvements to the Workout app, support for integration with gym equipment, an Apple News app, a vertical Dock, and a new Flashlight feature in the Control Center.
For more on what's included in watchOS 4,
check out our watchOS 4 roundup.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)ESPN radio now works in radio app
Evidently Jemele Hill has been removed on this beta. Expect her to be put back in the next beta in about 2 weeks.
1.00.03 is my Modem Firmware on the current release version.
Thanks! Interesting to see it’s changed.Hopefully we will see better LTE behaviour. Not that it was bad but good to see it’s being tweakedVery cool!!! Is this a new WiFi button or does tapping the cellular icon now have toggles for both cellular and WiFi within that?
There’s a Wi-fi toggle switch in the control panel.Can someone check the modem version in setting-general-about. Interesting to see if they have new LTE radio software mine is reading 1.22.02-1
improved battery life?
YupThey didn't (Series 2 here).
Totally bummed.... :(I have been unable to get WiFi streaming on Series 2. (Using beta 2 on Series 2) I can control (e.g stop, start, skip) music that is already playing on iPhone from my Series 2 but I cannot browse my iPhone music library or Apple Music (I do subscribe to Apple Music) on Series 2 even when on WiFi.
[doublepost=1507584247][/doublepost]Downloaded Watch OS 4.1 Beta 2 to both Series 2 and Series 3. Series 2 no radio app, no playlists from iPhone. Series 3 I get both. Have Apple Music Subscription.How?
You can now turn off Wi-fi and force the watch to use LTE. Great for testing[ Read All Comments ]