Apple iOS 8.2 Release Date, Features & Beta Download: iOS 8.1.3 to Arrive Before Next Major Update?

Apple might be taking baby steps to ensure the success of its iOS 8 -- hence the existence of minor updates. In fact, the public may not be jumping straight to a major upgrade yet, thanks to the claimed iOS 8.1.3 ahead of iOS 8.2, said MacRumors.

According to the outlet, there has been an increasing number of devices within Apple's network which are running on iOS 8.1.3. As usual, the update seems to be another patch that fixes bugs and brings minor changes. The source noted that the first signs of the update appeared on Dec. 8, just before the iOS 8.1.2 was released for general use. Soon enough, Apple seeded the second iOS 8.2 beta among developers.

However, the official release date and inclusions of iOS 8.1.3 are uncertain, so users may have to wait for more news in the meantime. Unless Tim Cook and company terribly needed to fix an issue, MacRumors predicted that the update won't launch until next year.

Meanwhile, Design & Trend reported that iOS 8.1.2 brought a number of bug fixes, one of which addressed the removal of purchased ringtones from iTunes accounts.

The source revealed that owners of the following devices can download the update: iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5C, iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPod Touch 5G, iPad 2, iPad with Retina Display, iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad Mini, iPad Mini with Retina Display and iPad Mini 3.

Apple's second beta version of the iOS 8.2 is known to include support for the Apple WatchKit, wrote TechnoBuffalo. This will be essential for the Apple Watch's launch next year. Additionally, the update brought "bug fixes and improvements." 

As written on Apple's "iOS SDK Release Notes for iOS 8.2 Beta 2," the update is only intended for devices registered under the Apple Developer Program. Forced installation among unauthorized devices can put the units in an "unusable" state.

Here are some cited issues on Apple's note:

1. The status bar is hidden following the rotation of the document picker to landscape.

2. When the document picker is brought in landscape, the containing view may be shifted beneath the navigation bar.

3. Mail handoff and AirDrop may stop working after changing iCloud passwords at appleid.apple.com.

4. An iDevice may respond slowly after tapping into Messages conversations.

5. Upgrading from previous iOS 8 betas to the iOS 8.2 beta may have some apps crashing out of provisioning profile issues.

On a lighter note, Apple announced that Siri support for Singapore English has been fixed in the beta update.

TechnoBuffalo noted that the public version of iOS 8.2 may come available early in 2015, just around the launch of the Apple Watch. They might also be released along with the iPhone 6S and iPod touch 6G, as we have previously reported.

Watch adrianisen's review of the iPhone 6 running iOS 8.2 beta 2 below.