macOS 14 Sonoma, iOS/iPadOS 17 and watchOS 10 betas are free to download for first time

WWDC23 may have left many consumers hardly able to wait to try the new stackable UI, dedicated cycling workout mode and mental health-tracking Mindfulness app on their Apple Watches, not to mention everything else new presented during the launch of iPadOS 17, iOS 17 and macOS 14 Sonoma. However, without a paid Apple Developer Program subscription, they would miss out on any kind of advance preview in the form of beta versions of any of this software - until now, that is.

The OEM has announced that "it’s never been easier to develop for Apple platforms" with the new Free tier of its Developer Program. It gives the average Apple ID user a whole new reason to download Xcode from the App Store, as they might need it "to get started with app development for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS".

To this end, the new Free tier's benefits also includes access to all Apple platform betas. Then again, should one of its subscribers want to actually distribute any new apps they might make as a result of their new Developer Program membership, they will still have to upgrade to the paid version.

This new, more democratic access to Apple betas may enhance interest in and enthusiasm for hardware such as Macs, iPhones or iPads - which may make it all the more a shame that it may comprise a new sign that the Cupertino behemoth intends to drive them to extinction in favor of visionOS devices instead.

Grab a MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2) on Amazon to get developing today!