Nintendo has opened applications for its Nintendo Switch Online playtest program, which runs from July 28 to August 10, requiring an Online + Expansion Pack membership. The program allows users to test upcoming software, despite previous leaks and datamining revealing details about it.
Apple has released second developer betas for its upcoming iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS, and Apple TV updates, which are more stable than initial builds but still intended for testing on secondary devices. These betas introduce Liquid Glass effects on newer hardware and are recommended for experienced users with backup plans, as early versions can have significant bugs and performance issues.
Samsung's upcoming One UI 6.1.1 update, expected to launch with the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6, will bring significant camera improvements to the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The update is currently in early testing stages and will undergo extensive testing before release to ensure a bug-free experience.
Apple has reportedly begun distributing an internal build of iOS 18, known as "VendorUI," to factories and vendors for quality control testing. This version contains a pre-production iOS user interface and may reveal new features and settings. The distribution of VendorUI suggests that more iOS 18 features may start to leak. Additionally, rumors about iOS 18 include a focus on AI, new Accessibility features, and potential hardware information.
NASA's Psyche mission, the first spacecraft designed to study a metallic asteroid, is set to launch in October after a delay caused by software testing issues. The spacecraft will embark on a 280 million-mile journey and reach the asteroid, also named Psyche, in August 2029, and orbit it for 26 months. The asteroid is so metal-rich that some scientists believe it's the exposed core of a planetesimal, or a planet in the making that separated into layers.