Apple posts iOS 5 beta 7, matching iTunes and Xcode
updated 06:55 pm EDT, Wed August 31, 2011
Beta 7 hits for OS 5 iTunes 10.5, Xcode 4.2
Apple at its Developer Center has posted iOS 5 beta 7 as well as corresponding iTunes 10.5 and Xcode 4.2 beta releases. The iOS update includes the expected bug fixes and improvements. Most of the changes aren't visible to users, although it limits how frequently an app can talk to iCloud in a short timespan.
Developers now get an important tool to validate their apps, Apple said. The iOS 5 kit can now scan to see if any private APIs (programming interfaces) are in use and might have the app rejected. Xcode support for simulating apps running on pre-iOS 4.3 devices is also being removed as a standard option and is instead being installed on demand.
The list of fixes and few remaining bugs suggests Apple is finally starting to wind down development of iOS 5 ahead of its launch. Apple often finishes an OS in time for a new iPhone and may have an October deadline that necessitates polishing the OS within the next few weeks.
Some earlier iOS 5 and iTunes betas have shown new features, and more new features might be discovered with beta 7. The frequency of these has been trailing off in later betas as the OS stabilizes and Apple is satisfied that both promised and surprise features are working reliably.
