Recent web traffic shows Apple may be stepping up its iOS 8 update schedule, as 9to5Mac reports seeing visitors running iOS 8.1, iOS 8.2, and iOS 8.3 in their web analytics logs.
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. iOS 8.1 hits to 9to5Mac.com started appearing even months before iOS 8.0 launched, but 8.2 and 8.3 visits only started picking up following iOS 8’s release in mid-September.
The publication also notes analytics from “a developer of a major hardware-connected iOS application” indicates that all three versions are being tested by Apple employees in or around the Cupertino, California area.
Apple could be working on the various version in preparation for such upcoming launches as Apple Pay (sure to be a major update), The upcoming Apple Watch (again, a major event), and the much-rumored 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
Other possibilities is Apple is simply speeding up its OS development. Or the company could be moving away from hardware related updates completely.
iOS 8 stumbled at the starting line, with HealthKit related bugs that held up the release of HealthKit-enabled apps in the App Store. iOS 8.0.1, which was designed to fix the HealthKit bugs, had the unwanted side effect of disabling cellular connections and the Touch ID sensor on the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus handsets. iOS 8.0.2 fixed all of the above issues, however users still report various issues such as shortened battery life, and Wi-Fi connection issues.
