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iOS 8.1 Release Date: What to Expect

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With iPhone and iPad users struggling with iOS 8 problems, many are looking for an iOS 8.1 release for help. And with an iOS 8.1 release date on the horizon, we want to take a look at what we expect from Apple’s update that’s currently in beta form but could make its way to iPhone and iPad users sometime later on this fall.

Last month, Apple rolled out its brand new iOS 8 update, an update that delivered a number of brand new features to iPhone and iPad users around the world. In addition to these positive gains, the update delivered iOS 8 problems, problems that have plagued iPhone and iPad users for a number of weeks and continue to plague users after two iOS 8 bug fix updates.

In response to iOS 8 problems, Apple rolled out two new iOS 8 updates. The first, iOS 8.0.1, delivered a number of bug fixes but it also delivered a number of new problems to iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users including Touch ID problems and cellular reception issues that wiped out cell service for many iPhone 6 users around the world.

Speck CandyShell iPhone 6 Review - 3-X3

The second, iOS 8.0.2, tackled a number of iOS 8 issues including the problems that were introduced by the company’s iOS 8.0.1 update. As we’ve pointed out though, iOS 8.0.2 problems are still prevalent and they continue to mount in the minutes, hours and days after the iOS 8.0.2 release. And those problems have left iOS 8 users looking for answers.

A short time ago, Apple released the iOS 8.1 beta 1 update to developers ahead of the iOS 8.1 release to the public. Last week, Apple pushed out another iOS 8.1 beta update in the form of iOS 8.1 beta 2, a sign that the update is making progress behind the scenes. And while a release date remains out of sight, iPhone and iPad users are hopeful that the iOS 8.1 release is on the horizon.

With iOS 8.1 release rumors swirling and iOS 8 problems frustrating iPhone and iPad users, we want to take a look at what we expect from Apple’s iOS 8.1 release date and its overall release for iPhone and iPad.

iOS 8.1 Release Details Soon

While the iOS 8.1 update was confirmed with the release of the iOS 8.1 beta, Apple did not attach a specific time frame or release date to its upcoming update. And if you’re familiar with Apple’s beta process, you’d know that beta software will often reside in the beta program for several months before its released to the public.

At this point, given its early release (iOS 7.1 wasn’t released until November last year), the features it has on board, and the rumors regarding iOS 8.2 and iOS 8.3, we expect to hear about the iOS 8.1 release sooner rather than later. Apple promised an update to iOS 8 users in October and iOS 8.1, at least at this point, fits the bill.

iPhone 6

If iOS 8.1 is close, and we think that it is, we would not be surprised if Apple announced its plans at its October 16th media event. There, the company is expected to announce at least one new iPad, new iMacs, and perhaps, new MacBooks as well. It’s as good of a place as any for its October iOS release date announcement which means that it could serve as the iOS 8.1 update’s launch pad.

Even if that doesn’t happen, we expect to hear a lot more about the iOS 8.1 release. Whether that’s a new iOS 8.1 beta, a GM, or a rumors, expect to hear more about Apple’s next big update in the near future.

iOS 8.1 Release Date in October/November

iOS 8.1 release rumors have singled out October 20th as a potential release date for the iOS 8.1 update. That date is unconfirmed and there’s no way to verify the information without Apple’s help. That being said, we fully expect Apple to release iOS 8.1 to the public sometime in October or November with a release that coincides with the arrival of Apple Pay, SMS Continuity for iPhone, and the iPad Air 2.

iphone-5s-1

We’re not the only ones who think that iOS 8.1 will arrive this month either. Look for Apple to detail the precise release date on stage on October 16th alongside its new products and look for that release date to land in either October or early November after the release of an iOS 8.1 GM to developers ahead the public release.

Fixes for iOS 8 Problems

The iOS 8.1 beta 1 change log is chock full of bug fixes for iOS 8 problems. The iOS 8.1 beta 2’s change log isn’t any different. And while fixes and features often get stripped out of public releases, we fully expect iOS 8.1 to deliver fixes for iOS 8 problems.

Does that mean that the iOS 8.1 update is going to be a cure all for iOS 8 issues plaguing iPhone and iPad users? No. In fact, it could deliver some problems of its own. However, we do expect it to tackle a number of issues with a change log that’s much larger than the two iOS 8 updates (iOS 8.0.2, iOS 8.0.1) that arrived in September.

LG G3 vs iPhone 5s Display Comparison

Last year’s iOS 7.1 update worked wonders for owners of older devices like the iPhone 4s and iPhone 5 and we are expecting something similar here with iOS 8.1. It won’t fix everything but we expect solid results from Apple’s next big iOS 8 upgrade.

Apple Pay & Other Features

iOS x.1 updates typically are in possession of new features. We expect the same from iOS 8.1. Apple Pay looks like it will be the biggest feature on board the iOS 8.1 update for iPhone and iPad. Apple Pay is Apple’s commerce feature that allows iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 users to use their device like a mobile wallet. A stripped down version of the feature will be available to iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s, neither of which is in possession of an NFC chip.

We’re also expecting the SMS Continuity feature to be on board and we also now expect it to help deliver Touch ID to the iPad. The iPad Air 2 is rumored to have Touch ID fingerprint technology on board.

iPhone 6 Plus vs LG G3 - 6

For the most part, we expect iOS 8.1 to be a bug fixer aimed at alleviating iOS 8 problems but you should expect a healthy dose of new iOS 8 features with Apple Pay being the biggest.

Very Few Surprises

We expect there to be very few iOS 8.1 surprises. In other words, we expect the iOS 8.1 update to be released during the working week, sometime between Monday morning and Friday morning. We expect Apple to release it, on its release date, in and around 10AM PST. And we expect it to deliver the update to all devices running iOS 8.

iPhone-6-pair

Incremental updates sometimes roll out to select iPhones or iPads. iOS x.1 updates are not your typical update and they typically emerge for all of Apple’s devices. What this means is that we expect it to land for:

  • iPhone 6
  • iPhone 6 Plus
  • iPhone 5s
  • iPhone 5
  • iPhone 5c
  • iPhone 4s
  • iPad Air
  • iPad 4
  • iPad 3
  • iPad 2
  • iPad mini with Retina
  • iPad mini
  • iPod touch fifth-gen
17 Comments

17 Comments

  1. Larry

    10/12/2014 at 2:30 pm

    Hurry up 8.1 this new iPhone sucks!!!!! My first and last!!! Can’t wait for Samsung note 4!! Android is better gave apple a try and is a FAILURE!!!! All hype n looks screw that!!!

  2. Cyril

    10/12/2014 at 10:36 pm

    Take it easy Larry , we “apple users” comunity do bot need fags like u between us . Go back to your android shit and leave ur idevice for someone worth it . Regards

    • broblk

      10/13/2014 at 6:45 am

      capture–bonding, is a psychological phenomenon in which owners ( especially Apple ) express empathy and sympathy and have extreme positive feelings toward their products always to the point of defending them ad nauseum

  3. Puna

    10/13/2014 at 3:07 am

    I have an ipad 2 on which I unfortunately loaded 8.0.2. My concern is 8.1 will fix some of the issues for the older devices but add features that could further deteriorate the performance.
    It would be preferable Apple provide fixes for the bugs separately or allow the older devices to revert to iOS 7. In this manner they could show they really are customer focussed past and future.

  4. David B

    10/13/2014 at 5:20 am

    Wouldn’t waste my time with Sansung and Android products, if you feel Apple is bad then Android is 100% worse constantly crashes battery life is dismal and batteries have a happy knack of going bang!! Only fit for a door stop

  5. Larry

    10/13/2014 at 7:45 am

    @cyril what kind of gay name is that??? Yo mama do the mailman?? Or was it the milkman?? Gee I bet she likes the gizzzzzz if she’s hot I got some for YO MAMA!!!!

  6. Larry

    10/13/2014 at 7:49 am

    @cyril ya at least android we don’t have to camp out like all you apple fanboy faggots!! Ya I’m a fanbot, Samsung Galaxy note 4 will blow your iPhone away only good thing I sold my iPhone 6 plus 128 gb on eBay for 1400 bucks!! Ahhhh nice day at the office!!

  7. lonny

    10/13/2014 at 9:00 am

    don’t really care what they did, just fix iOS 8. both my ipad and iphone have tons of issues. I am even having problems updating apps on the ipad. just wants to clock but not download the update. the iphone 5 I am using no longer works reliably with my car systems. music control seems to be the biggest issue. I will continue to use the i5 but will be reluctant to update to future iOSs after 8 is fixed. if I could go back to iOS 7, I would in a heartbeat.

    • sam

      10/13/2014 at 11:04 am

      True! Can’t understand we are all stock on IOS 8.0.2. They could at least let us downgrade to IOS7 latest version until we have good reviews about the IOS 8.1.

  8. Lee

    10/13/2014 at 1:40 pm

    To David who clearly knows what he is talking about im not going to argue that point but my view as a iphone owner for 5 years never owned another smart phone i ditched my ip5 last month because of the SHIT battery life on the iphones this samsung lasts 3 times as long …. so as a new user to android i like it but i like ios aswell … there both good and this argument will never get settled and @cyril be quiet u silly person.. get her told larry :D

  9. Larry

    10/13/2014 at 2:43 pm

    Thanks lee oh I did get her good!!! Cyril cried like a bitch!!! Damn mamas boy,

  10. Jenny

    10/13/2014 at 3:04 pm

    Your article said the same thing five times and took five times as long as needed to tell us Apple MIGHT release some fixes for ios 8 this month. We need the specific problems fixed one by one, and fast. Why doesn’t Apple just do this? i dont want most of the new things in IOS 8 anyway. emojis? For heaven’s sake! Give us function before toys….

  11. William J.

    10/13/2014 at 4:34 pm

    Honestly, one of the worst release anticipation articles I’ve ever read. How many times and in how many ways is it possible to say, “we expect iOS 8.1 to be released…” Geez GMB, doe anyone at your organization have nothing better to do that write such drivel?

  12. Rahul

    10/14/2014 at 7:37 am

    I am using I phone 5 with version 8.0.2 . My phone shuts down often at 30% and below …
    Wat should be done for this ???

  13. Rahul

    10/14/2014 at 7:43 am

    Hello sir I am using I phone 5 with version 8.0.2 . My phone shuts down often wen it reaches at 30% battery and below .
    What is the reason beyond it ?

  14. Ed Wentz

    10/15/2014 at 1:53 pm

    What a worthless blog. You said nothing about what fixes we can expect, while I sit here with an iPad2 that has no cell service because of 8.0 and 8.0.2

  15. Jan Whitebear

    10/16/2014 at 3:31 pm

    I just wish Apple would come up with an alternative to Paypal that we small online sellers could use! eBay is getting WAY out of line anymore with all their latest changes to their rules and regulations governing Paypal. It would be wonderful to use Apple instead of Paypal to accept payments for online sales!

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