iOS 8.0.2 was released this passed week to the public. Mark Gurman from 9to5Mac reports that not one, not two, but three major iOS 8 releases are slated for early 2015. This means iOS 8.1, iOS 8.2, and iOS 8.3 should be expected.
This would break Apple’s typical release cycle. With a major update in the fall, alongside new hardware, followed by a substantial upgrade early in the following year.
“A developer of a major hardware-connected iOS application” has confirmed that these updates will be coming in the following year, according to Gurman. The developer has spotted early versions of iOS 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3 in Google Analytics on 9to5Mac.
Typically, Apple begins working on the next iteration of its OS when the major version goes public.
For example, when the iOS 8 GM was pushed to developers, Apple began working on the next version of iOS 8, iOS 8.0.1/iOS 8.0.2. This GM is then pre-loaded onto the new iPhones. iOS 8.1 and iOS 9 would be developed in unison.
The three significant updates in iOS 8’s release cycle indicates the company “is moving away from annual iOS releases in the fall that are tied to hardware,” Gurman said. Which should help fix major issues with newer hardware. In this case, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.
These updates could point towards some software releases that were slated to come in iOS 8, but has been delayed due to some issues. Features such as Maps with transit directions, a standalone iTunes Radio app, TextEdit and Preview apps, and more.
With iOS 7, which was released in the fall of last year, iOS 7.1 came along in March of this year with support for CarPlay. Apple’s take on your car’s dashboard.
Nonetheless, Apple is possibly working on multiple major updates throughout 2015, and iOS 9 should be coming in the Fall of 2015.
[…] are rumors going around that Apple may finally be decoupling new software and new hardware releases. This — in theory — should help with software bugs when updating to major software […]