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iPad Air iOS 8.2 Update: Is It Worth Installing Now?

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Its been a little over two weeks since Apple released its brand new iOS 8.2 update for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch and many users are still on the fence about whether to install it. After spending a significant amount of time with the iPad Air iOS 8.2 update in particular, we want to offer a definitive answer to the question burning in the minds of many users: Is the iPad Air iOS 8.2 release worth installing?

During its Spring Forward launch event for the Apple Watch and new MacBook, Apple quietly confirmed the release of its seventh iOS 8 update since the release of iOS 8.0 back in September. The iOS 8.2 update was released to the public a few hours after the event and over the past two weeks, we’ve been taking a close look at iOS 8.2’s performance.

The company’s latest iOS 8 update isn’t a standard incremental iOS release. While most incremental updates come with a few bug fixes and enhancements aimed at improving the software, iOS 8.2 delivered a huge change log full of feature enhancements, an Apple Watch application, and a long list of bug fixes aimed at solving some frustrating iOS 8 problems. Because the iOS 8.2 update is so big, we’ve been taking a closer look than we usually do.

In the two weeks since the iOS 8.2 update’s arrival, we’ve been taking a look at the software across several popular devices including Apple’s first-gen iPad Air. The iPad Air is now a year old though it’s still on sale and in the hands of tons of people around the world. iOS 8 problems have made many iPad users leery of incremental updates like iOS 8.2 and that’s precisely why we’ve been keeping a close eye on it since release.

We continue to get bombarded with questions from family, friends and readers about the iOS 8.2 update and the question that naturally keeps popping up is: “Is the iOS 8.2 update for iPad Air worth installing?”

Now that we’re more than two weeks removed from the iOS 8.2 release, we want to offer some definitive answers to those of you still sitting on iOS 8.1.3 and below. This iPad Air iOS 8.2 review at the two week mark will outline our current findings and hopefully help you come to a decision about whether to install now or wait for Apple’s next update which will presumably be iOS 8.3.

iPad Air iOS 8.2 Review: Two Weeks Later

Before diving into the iPad Air iOS 8.2 update at the two week mark, I should mention that mileage is going to vary from device to device. That is to say that I am just one person using one iPad Air first-gen variant. My habits are probably different than yours so you should treat this as a general guide to the quest for answers about iOS 8.2.

I encourage you to peruse feedback from other sources including your fellow iPad Air users. Many people have taken the plunge already and they’ve taken to Apple’s discussion forums and social media to relay their thoughts about Apple’s current update.

Apps

I’ve owned the iPad Air since it came out in the fall of 2013. And in the year or so that I’ve owned it, the iPad Air has been far more stable than my iPhone 6 and iPhone 5. That applies to the iOS 8.2 update as well.

App performance over the past two weeks has been excellent. My core set of applications include Google Chrome, YouTube, Slack, Asana, Google Hangouts, Twitter, Instagram, Dark Sky, ESPN, Xbox Smartglass, Spotify, SoundCloud, and Google Maps. All of those have been performing nicely after making the move from iOS 8.1.3. Google Chrome’s crashed once or twice but other than that, everything has been solid.

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The stability might have something to do with the amount of bug fixes that have been released in the past two weeks. It could also have something to do with the fact that iOS 8.2 spent several months in the beta process with developers. Either way, everything is fine on iOS 8.2.

While apps are working fine on my iPad Air right now, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll stay that way forever. Apps have a habit of acting up weeks even months after an iOS release.

If you already jumped to iOS 8.2 and you’re experiencing issues with an app on the iPad Air, you should install the latest bug fixes. If that doesn’t work, try reinstalling the application. And if that still doesn’t work, I encourage you to reach out to the developer so that they can at least look into the problems that you’re seeing.

Battery Life

After using the iPad Air every day for more than a year, I have yet to run into battery life troubles. iOS 8.0 treated the iPad Air well. Same goes for the iOS 8.2 update for iPad Air. I’ve been using this tablet every single day for more than two weeks and I haven’t noticed any struggles when it’s in use or when it’s sitting in standby mode. I don’t use my iPad Air all day so good battery life in standby mode is essential.

I continue to see complaints about iOS 8.2 battery life on the iPhone and iPad but I simply haven’t seen anything abnormal after making the jump up to iOS 8.2. I don’t think people are lying though.

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I can’t offer anyone a definitive fix for iOS 8.2 battery life issues but I can point to some resources that might help. I’ve put together a list of possible fixes for iOS 8.2 battery life issues that are worth a look. These fixes aren’t guaranteed to work for your iPad but there’s a chance that something in there will turn on a light bulb in your head or better yet, solve your issues once and for all.

Battery life issues typically aren’t caused by iOS updates. More often than not, it comes down to a rogue application, horrible habits, or unrealistic expectations about battery life.

Connectivity

I can’t speak to LTE because I own a Wi-Fi only model but what I can tell you is that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are both working normally two weeks into the iOS 8.2 update. I’ve been able to pair the device to several Bluetooth headsets and speakers and I’ve been able to connect with my regular Wi-Fi networks. No problem to report.

If you are concerned about connectivity or if you’re running into problems with LTE, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth, I suggest taking a look at our list of fixes for common iOS 8.2 problems. Connectivity issues can pop up at any time on the iPad so it’s always smart to have a list of fixes in your head just in case something does go wrong in the near or distant future.

Bugs & Issues

iPad users are complaining about iOS 8.2 problems. I know this because I know several people with the iPad Air. I also know this because Apple’s iPad discussion forums are full of complaints about issues. Personally, I haven’t run into a single problems on my iPad Air and believe me, I’ve been doing some digging.

I haven’t seen any major iOS 8.2 bugs myself and I haven’t heard about any major iOS 8.2 bugs. And that leads me to believe that iOS 8.2 is pretty stable on most iPhones and iPads. Most of the issues I’m seeing and hearing about are isolated issues impacting a small number of iPhone and iPad users. This is typical after an iOS upgrade.

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The iOS 8.2 update probably isn’t bug free but I haven’t run into anything that’s hampered my experience in these past two weeks and that’s exactly what you want from a big incremental update like iOS 8.2.

I know that there are some iPad Air users dealing with problems and my only advice is to take a look at our fixes for common iOS 8.2 problems. They could help you squash them once and for all.

Speed

The iPad Air is still very fast with iOS 8.2 on board. I haven’t run into any slowdown or choppiness and it’s the same pristine experience that it exhibited in iOS 8.1.3 and below.

Is the iPad Air iOS 8.2 Update Worth Installing Now?

After spending more than two weeks with Apple’s iOS 8.2 update for iPad Air, it’s time to make a definitive recommendation. If you are having problems on iOS 8.1.3 or below, I recommend installing the iOS 8.2 update. It comes with tons of enhancements and bug fixes. It also comes with a number of security patches that will help protect your device.

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If you’ve been on the fence, it’s time to hop over. With all of the features that iOS 8.2 brings to the stable, I think it would be wise to make the move now. It’s stable and the chances of it harming your iPad Air are slim. Ultimately, the decision is up to you but I think iOS 8.2 and its features are worthy of your attention now.

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