I like software. I like all the new features that come with new versions of software. Most of my career was writing software applications, installing packaged software, integrating software application and designing software solution.

I like computers and all the hardware that comes along with computers. Everything it takes to implement software solutions.

Perhaps I’m a bit of a geek.

Most of the career was using IBM hardware and software and then there was the 11 years working for IBM. All that IBM stuff ended when I retired and I went over to the dark side, Apple.

Right after retirement there was the purchase of the MacBook Pro, then an iPad mini, then a MacBook for Shirley, and of course iPhones for both of us and lots of upgrades there to the latest and greatest. An Apple TV for the basement TV and another one for the living room TV. Shirley gave me an Apple Watch as a birthday present and AirPod pros. An iPad Pro replaced the mini and a newer MacBook Pro joined the team when the original one could no longer be updated with the current operating systems.

Apple lost out on the smart speaker category and we went with Google and then Sonos products.

So, what’s all this beta, beta stuff. Well, beta software is the latest version but not fully finished and tested for public consumption. Using beta software is fun because you get all the new features but also a little dangerous in that it may not work. In fact in “may not work” to the extent that your computer or iPhone stops working all together and it can be quite difficult to revert to the previous working version.

Recently, on June 5, 2023, Apple announced new hardware and software at their World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC). Typically, new operating system software is announced and the developer beta is available immediately, and the public beta lags about one month. Developer beta is a little risky but public beta is typically more stable and less risky to use.

I didn’t watch the WWDC until today but I saw some info on the iPhone iOS17.0 and it had some interesting features I wanted to try so I upgraded my iPhone 14 Pro to the public beta of iOS17.0. So far, after a couple of days, no problem. Beta #1.

Emboldened by the success of my Beta #1 upgrade it was on to the iPad and iPadOS 17.0. The iPhone update took a while on the slow wifi in my room so I went down to the main floor hospital lobby, sat in a nice comfy club chair where the wifi was much faster. The iPad updated fairly quickly while I was writing another post. Again, no problems so far. Beta #2 completed.

I only have one more Apple device with me so it’s on to upgrading the watch. I wasn’t in a hurry and heading off to bed seemed like a good idea. Again, slow wifi made this a good over night project.

Again, Beta #3 was a success. What is the 4th beta? Well, it’s the one I’m most conservative about, the MacBook Pro which is currently at home and I think it will stay there. I really can’t afford to have that computer out of service.

Over the next few days I’ll explore all the new capabilities of the iPhone, iPad and Watch on the latest operating systems.