Apple Seeds is the first public beta of macOS Big Sur 11.3

Apple today released the first public beta of an upcoming macOS Big Sur 11.3 update to its public beta testing group, with the new software two days after the beta version was provided to developers.

Public beta testers can download OSmacOS Big Sur‌‌ 11.2 from the Software Update section of the System Preferences application after installing the appropriate profile from Apple’s beta software website.

AcMacOS Big Sur‌ 11.3 introduces more customization options for Safari, adding a way to reorder different sections of the home page, such as Favorites, Playlist, Siri Tips, Privacy Report, and more. Developers also have access to a new integration to develop features for the home page.

The update includes optimizations for using iOS apps on Macs M1. When running iPhone and iPad apps on Mac ‌M1‌, there is an Alternative Touch preferences panel that allows users to configure keyboard commands for touch input alternatives, in addition to iPadOS applications that start with a larger window if the Mac screen allows it. Click the application name in the menu bar, then select the Preferences option. You can enable Touch Alternatives for iPhone or iPad applications. Tap Alternatives to customize touches, swipe, and drag.

AcMacOS Big Sur‌ 11.3 also adds support for the latest PlayStation 5 DualSense and Xbox Series X / S drivers for use with macOS games.

In the Reminders app, reminder lists can be sorted by due date, creation date, priority, or title, and there is an option to print lists by going to File> Print. Reminders can also be manually moved through lists with drag and drop, which was not possible before.

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

There are new sorting options in the Reminders app, along with printable 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’s a redesigned ‌Apple News‌ + tab with a dedicated “For You” section and a new Browse tab that makes it easy to browse available content. The new For You section is designed to help “Apple News” users find their favorite magazines and newspapers much faster, as well as add new tools to manage downloaded issues.

9to5Mac discovered that ‌macOS Big Sur‌ 11.3 includes an updated “support” interface when accessing “About this Mac”. The new design includes warranty details and allows you to start a repair 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 coverage. This updated support menu is not visible in the first beta version of ‌macOS Big Sur‌ 11.3, but may arrive later. There are also indications that Apple may be planning to bring a support app to the Mac.

‌MacOS Big Sur‌ 11.3 adds compatibility for HomePod Stereo pairs, allowing you to set a set of paired HomePods as the default sound output option, with the two HomePods as a single selectable speaker instead of separating as in previous versions of macOS.