Aside from gearing up new devices to roll out during its September 12 event, Apple Inc. is also working hard to finalize its major firmware updates. However, the Cupertino based tech company is launching the iOS 11 beta 9 ahead of the official announcement of its iPhone 8.

Apple seeded the ninth beta of its mobile operating system to developers as well as to public beta testers. The iOS 11 beta 9 rolled out just three days after the company launched the iOS 11 beta 8, and more than two months after the company announced the mobile operating system during the WWDC 2017 event, according to MacRumors.

iOS 11 beta 9 features

The latest beta version comes along with a build number 15A5370a. However, the iOS 11 is expected to arrive with new design tweaks for the Lock screen as well as the Control Center. The Lock screen is anticipated to merge with the Notification Center, while the Control Center is said to be able to be modified to suit a particular task.

The tech company designed the iOS 11 to improve the voice of its Siri as well as refinements for the intelligent personal assistant. The mobile operating system will also enhance the Photo services and Apple Pay, Apple Insider reported. Another notable feature that the operating system will bring is the Do Not Disturb While Driving feature.

However, developers can download the beta 9 through over-the-air programming (OTA) or from the Apple Developer Center. Public testers will have to check the software update manually through their device’s Settings menu - General and then Software Update.

iPhone 8

Meanwhile, Apple’s upcoming iPhone 8 is expected to arrive with the iOS 11.

The tech company will likely announce the smartphone at the Steve Jobs Theater. The mobile device is highly anticipated to sport an edge-to-edge OLED display. Apple’s 10th anniversary iPhone will be available with a True Tone feature and an embedded Touch ID.

The iPhone 8 is expected to come along with a vertical dual camera setup.

The company’s HomePod software suggested that the camera of the handset will be able to record 4K videos at 60fps. The software also seems to reveal that the smartphone will feature a 3D face unlocking capability.

Apple fans are expecting the latest handset to feature an AR capability. Nonetheless, KGI Securities analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, predicted that the company will release the smartphone in limited quantities. Kuo also claimed that the iPhone 8 will be available in three color options - Gold, Black, and Silver.