diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 9b4a17a..9b1d76b 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -1570,7 +1570,7 @@ checksum = "13dc2df351e3202783a1fe0d44375f7295ffb4049267b0f3018346dc122a1d94"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "loupe"
-version = "49.0.0-alpha"
+version = "49.0.0-beta"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "arc-swap",
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 9333a99..3a4d38b 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "loupe"
-version = "49.0.0-alpha"
+version = "49.0.0-beta"
 edition = "2021"
 rust-version = "1.81"
 license = "GPL-3.0-or-later"
diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index f757a4e..191aaf7 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -1,3 +1,9 @@
+## 49.beta (2025-08-01)
+
+### Changed
+
+- Updated dependencies
+
 ## 49.alpha (2025-07-02)
 
 ### Changed
diff --git a/data/org.gnome.Loupe.metainfo.xml.in.in b/data/org.gnome.Loupe.metainfo.xml.in.in
index 1702e5b..8d7d8c4 100644
--- a/data/org.gnome.Loupe.metainfo.xml.in.in
+++ b/data/org.gnome.Loupe.metainfo.xml.in.in
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@
   </categories>
 
   <releases>
-    <release version="49.alpha" date="2025-07-02">
+    <release version="49.beta" date="2025-08-01">
       <description>
         <p>Update to better image loaders.</p>
       </description>
diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 0685f77..39bf9b4 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 project(
   'loupe',
   'rust',
-  version: '49.alpha',
+  version: '49.beta',
   meson_version: '>= 0.59.0',
   default_options: [
     'warning_level=2',
diff --git a/news.d/49.beta/changed-update-deps b/news.d/49.beta/changed-update-deps
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..579c251
--- /dev/null
+++ b/news.d/49.beta/changed-update-deps
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Updated dependencies
diff --git a/news.d/49.beta/released b/news.d/49.beta/released
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1c034e7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/news.d/49.beta/released
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+2025-08-01