iPhone OS 4.0 beta 3 is ready for your scrutiny (update: it's back!)

The last time Apple dropped a release of iPhone OS 4.0, it left more than a few downloaders in crumpled heaps on the floor, sobbing quietly to themselves as they tried desperately to come to terms with the fact that their beloved iPhones were far less usable than they had been just a few minutes prior. Well, we don't know yet if beta 3 is any better, but it's here -- and if you're a member of Apple's iPhone dev program, it's ready for you to install. So yeah -- take care, good luck, godspeed, be prepared for the worst, and hope for the best. Let us know how it goes in comments, yeah?

Update: And... it's been pulled. Good thing we just restored our phone. We'll let you know if and when it comes back.

Update 2: Turns out you can still access the firmware with a little creative URL hackery -- but you've still got to be an iPhone dev program member, naturally. Thanks, Brian!

Update 3: Reports are coming in that it's back and available without any trickery!

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Air Force One Posted May 4th 2010 6:01PM]

@albooher

sounds like Apple is really innovating with this futuristic and magical OS

[xaethyx Posted May 4th 2010 6:49PM]

for those of you who are wanting the beta 3 download, I got it from http://iphone-beta.co.cc

There's the 3G, 3GS, and 3rd Gen iPod downloads there, and if I'm correct, you can register your device there too, at least I did.

[ilovemydc2 Posted May 4th 2010 7:36PM]

If anyone wants 4.0 beta 3 email me at [e-mail] i am a developer.

[batallica Posted May 4th 2010 10:24PM]

beta URL for iphone 3G???? PLZ

[Sepirioth Posted May 4th 2010 10:56PM]

wow, why would they pull it? its briliant compared to the beta 2?!

[josephlin Posted May 5th 2010 12:59AM]

It's back on!

[arowana Posted May 6th 2010 1:51PM]

hello,

somebody has an idea, how I know it how downgrade 4.0 betas 3 3.1.3 Windows or mac 3 GS?