Apple Seeds The first public beta of macOS Big Sur 11.3

Apple today released the first public beta version of the upcoming MacOS Big Sur 11.3 update in its public beta test group, with the new software set to be delivered two days after the beta was released to developers.

Public beta testers can download ‌‌macOS Big Sur‌‌ 11.2 from the Software Updates section of the System Preferences application after installing the appropriate profile on the Apple beta software website.

AcMacOS Big Sur‌ 11.3 introduces several customization options for Safari, adding a way to rearrange the various sections on the home page, such as Favorites, Readlist, Siri Suggestions, Privacy Report, and more. Developers also have access to a new integration to develop homepage features.

The update includes optimizations for using iOS apps on M1 Macs. When running iPhone and iPad apps on ‌M1‌ Macs, there is a Touch Alternatives preferences panel that allows users to set keyboard commands for touch input alternatives, plus iPadOS apps launch with a larger window if the Mac screen allows this. Touch Alternatives can be enabled for ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌ applications by clicking on the application name in the menu bar and then selecting the Preferences option. Touch Alternatives lets you customize touches, swipes, and swipes.

OSmacOS Big Sur‌ 11.3 also adds support for the latest PlayStation 5 DualSense and Xbox Series X / S controllers for use with MacOS games.

In the Reminders application, reminder lists can be sorted by Maturity Date, Creation Date, Priority, or Title, and there is an option to print the lists by going to File> Print. Reminders can also be moved manually to drag and drop lists, which was not possible before.

Apple is adding a new “Made For You” library shortcut to Apple Music for personal mixes and Replay playlists, and the Listen Now section has been updated with support for live events.

There are new sorting options in the Reminders app, along with printing options, and “Apple Music” has been updated with a Made for You shortcut and a live event option in the Listen Now section.

In the Apple News app, there is an ‌Apple News‌ + tab redesigned with a dedicated “For You” section and a new Browse tab, which makes it easy to navigate through available content. The new For You section is designed to help ‌Apple News‌ + users find their favorite magazines and newspapers much faster, plus add new tools for managing downloaded issues.

9to5Mac I found that ‌macOS Big Sur‌ 11.3 includes an updated “Support” interface when accessing “About this Mac”. The new design includes details about your warranty and allows you to start a repair right from the Mac interface.

The tab will work similarly to the AppleCare coverage menu in the iOS Settings app, which allows users to request repairs, purchase an ‌AppleCare‌ plan, and check their coverage. This updated support menu is not visible in the first beta of ‌macOS Big Sur‌ 11.3, but may come later. There are also signs that Apple may be planning to bring a support app to the Mac.

AcMacOS Big Sur‌ 11.3 adds support for HomePod stereo pairs, allowing the pair of HomePods to be paired as the default sound output option, with the two HomePods displayed as a single selectable speaker, rather than separately as in previous versions of macOS.