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After initially reporting that iOS 8.2 would be released to the public this week, BGR now claims that the upcoming software update will arrive next week as Apple decided to seed one last beta to employees and carrier partners for testing. The final GM carries a build number of 12D508 and includes Health app improvements, stability enhancements and bug fixes.
While the initial report was incorrect, this new timeframe appears more plausible given Apple's upcoming "Spring Forward" media event for the Apple Watch on March 9. Apple also promised that a fix would be prepared by next week for the recently discovered "FREAK" security vulnerability affecting devices such as the iPhone, iPad and Mac. The security flaw was disclosed to Apple well in advance of the public.
The release notes for iOS 8.2 outline several improvements to Apple's stock Health app, including the ability to select units of measurement for body temperature, weight, height, distance and blood glucose. The software update also delivers stability enhancements for Mail, Flyover in Maps, Music, VoiceOver and Made for iPhone hearing aids.
Health App improvements
Adds the ability to select the unit of measurement for body temperature, weight, height, distance, and blood glucose
Improves stability when dealing with large amounts of data
Includes the ability to add and visualise workout sessions from 3rd-party apps
Addresses an issue that may have prevented users from adding a photo in Medical ID
Fixes units for vitamins and minerals
Fixes an issue where Health data wouldn’t refresh after changes data source order
Fixes an issue where some graphics showed no data values
Adds a privacy setting that enables turning off tracking of steps, distance, and flights climbed
A number of bug fixes have been made in iOS 8.2, including a long-awaited fix for the so-called "GMT bug" causing calendar syncing issues for several iPhone and iPad users. Google quietly fixed the GMT bug on their backend early last month, but Microsoft Exchange calendar users have still been experiencing syncing issues. Other bug fixes are outlined in the full release notes shared in the MacRumors discussion forums.
iOS 8.2 will also include support for the Apple Watch ahead of its launch in April.
Top Rated Comments
Give us 8.3 already, that one has the noticeable performance improvements.
I've all but stopped using the keyboards I downloaded. It's frustrating when I try to perform routine searches or send messages and no keyboard comes up.
I've all but stopped using the keyboards I downloaded. It's frustrating when I try to perform routine searches or send messages and no keyboard comes up.
Health App improvements
* Fixes an issue where the whole Health app is a major disappointment that looks like it was written by an intern in about 10 minutes and only seems to sync data when it feels like it and even then seems to get it wrong half the time
I'm waiting for iOS 8.3 to be released, so I'm eager for them to clear 8.2 out of the pipeline.
What makes 8.3 such a better release than 8.2? For developers: Swift 1.2. In my opinion, it is only now that Swift is actually becoming usable. Unfortunately we'll need to wait for 8.3 to go final before we can deploy Apps using it to the AppStore (even though they will be compatible down to 7.0).