One Month Until iPhone 13... New OS Development Also in Final Stages

iOS·iPadOS 5th Public Beta Released
Some Design Changes... Weather App Icon Updated
Controversial CSAM Software Likely Excluded

iPhone 13 Rendering Image

[Asia Economy Reporter Minyoung Cha] Apple is accelerating the development of a new operating system (OS) ahead of the September launch of the new iPhone 13 series.

On the 11th (local time), Apple released the fifth public beta version of iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 to test participants. This is the same version as the fifth developer beta released by Apple on the 10th (local time).

In this beta version, Apple made some design changes throughout the OS and included a new home screen. The Weather app icon was also modified. Users of Apple's official beta testing platform, TestFlight, can view app information on the App Store.

The Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) detection software is expected to be excluded from the new OS this fall due to controversy over user privacy infringement. This software scans photos stored in iCloud Photos using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to detect child sexual abuse images and reports confirmed illegal images to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Although it is a technology to prevent child pornography, it has been criticized for excessive invasion of privacy.

AppleInsider reported, "(CSAM) will be included sometime after the new software is released in the fall," adding, "Apple did not mention when it would include the software during the beta cycle."

At the World Wide Developers Conference 2021 (WWDC21) held online in June, Apple announced that the direction of OS updates for Apple devices in the second half of the year would be tailored to the untact (contactless) era after COVID-19. The plan is to enhance video calls, sharing, multitasking functions, and expand personalized convenience features such as Focus mode.

Meanwhile, anyone can participate as a tester in Apple beta testing through the Apple website. Users can install the public beta on their devices, use the features, and send feedback via the Feedback Support app.