For many tech fans, there’s something exciting about taking new versions of an operating system for a test drive — especially if we get to do it before an official release. For Apple aficionados looking to freshen up their old devices, it’s a great time to join the free Apple Beta Software Program and download a copy of the just-released betas of iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, and even macOS Sonoma.

The new iOS 17 includes a host of updates, from a fresh new design to practical improvements. Here are a few of the highlights:

• Users can customize what people see when called — whether that’s a cute emoji or a photo.
• Calls sent to voicemail can be viewed as live transcriptions across the screen.
• Video or audio messages can be sent to people who don’t pick up a FaceTime call.
• Your voice can be muted and unmuted right from your AirPods.
• More accurate autocorrect and sentence predictions will improve text inputs.

Additional features include the ability to automatically check in to let friends know you’ve arrived home safely and a way to locate car charging stations in real-time within Maps routes.

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Much like previous updates, iPadOS 17 seems to be playing catch up yet again. The latest version adds custom lock screens, the health app, and interactive widgets. Meanwhile, WatchOS 10 is a more substantial revamp for Apple Watch fans, overhauling major apps and improving several fitness features. For desktop users, MacOS Sonoma brings iOS-style widgets, upgrades the Safari browser with multiple user profiles, and adds polish to video calls.

Official versions of Apple’s various operating symptoms will most likely drop in early Q4 of 2023, but you can sign up for Apple’s Beta Software Program if you want to try the beta versions now.