Apple preps three major follow-up versions to iOS 8 ahead of major product launches

“Starting with iOS 5 in 2011, Apple has released a major new iOS version each fall and a notable follow-up update early in the following year. For example, iOS 6 launched in September 2012 and was updated to iOS 6.1 in January, and iOS 7, which was launched in September 2013, was updated to iOS 7.1 with CarPlay and interface improvements in March 2014,” Mark Gurman reports for 9to5Mac. “But starting with the recently released iOS 8, it appears that Apple has a different development schedule for 2015 and perhaps beyond. According to sources, Apple is already hard at work on three major follow-up versions to iOS 8: iOS 8.1, iOS 8.2, and iOS 8.3.”

“We’ve confirmed that these major new versions are in development via two means. First, a developer of a major hardware-connected iOS application has shared with us their analytics, and this data indicates that all three versions are in testing by Apple employees in or around Cupertino, California,” Gurman reports. “Second, and much closer to home, our own Google Analytics for 9to5Mac.com show that iOS users are visiting our website via iOS 8.1, iOS 8.2, and iOS 8.3 devices.”

Read more in the full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: We just checked our analytics log and can confirm: iOS 8.1 visits to MacDailyNews.com began on September 11th, iOS 8.2 visits began on September 15th, and iOS 8.3 on September 18th.

[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Brawndo Drinker” and “Dan K.” for the heads up.]

11 Comments

    1. You’re right; wi-fi issues now big time reset network settings, restored phone and this is odd because I immediately posted after the update I had no issues. I went from 8.0 directly to 8.2. Perhaps I should have waited. I still haven’t updated the iPads as they’re still on 7.1 or whatever. I’m losing track of these numbered updates. I can imagine what people at Apple must be feeling:)

  1. What’s potentially special here:

    NEW FEATURES being added to iOS 8 that are directly applicable to NEW PRODUCTS in the works.

    Not wanting to give the leak mongers any fodder, Apple is holding back specific features until their related products are announced. Or so I imagine! This could be further fun for 2014.

    1. That was my first thought too.

      The simplest explanation of why Apple needs to be currently working on several increments of IOS is so that they can enable unannounced hardware or services to work. If Apple rolled those enhancements into the current version of IOS, somebody would spot resources relating too the new hardware or service.

      IOS 8.2 is the result of Apple doubling down on secrecy and of course IOS 3.3 is the result of tripling down on secrecy.

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