Rumor: iOS 8.2 release is imminent from Apple, iOS 8.3 to follow closely behind

iOS 8.2 could be released to the public as soon as next week, while the release of iOS 8.3 may not be far behind, setting the stage for the launch of the Apple Watch in April, according to a new report.

Details on the anticipated releases of Apple's two iOS 8 updates were revealed on Friday by BGR, which said iOS 8.2 could become available as soon as Monday. However, the report did qualify that "last minute problems" could delay the release until the following week.

A total of five betas of iOS 8.2 have been provided to developers, though the most recent one was a month ago.

Unsurprisingly, not far behind iOS 8.2 will be iOS 8.3, as Apple has already provided developers with two betas of that release even before 8.2 becomes public. Sources reportedly said that Apple plans to have "as many as four" beta versions of iOS 8.3 before it is released to the masses.

Betas of iOS 8.2 supplied to developers gave them the first opportunity to toy with the WatchKit tools intended for the forthcoming Apple Watch. Presumably iPhone users will need to have iOS 8.2, or perhaps iOS 8.3, installed on their handset in order to connect to the Apple Watch once it is released.

As for Apple's March 9 event, the company is expected to give final details on the Apple Watch before it goes on sale in April. The highly anticipated wrist-worn device will carry a starting price of $349.

Apple is expected to open up iOS betas for public testing in mid-March, potentially starting with iOS 8.3. That would mark the first time Apple has made advance versions of iOS available to non-developers.

62 Comments

canukstorm 2740 comments · 11 Years

About 9 years ago

My guess is, is that iOS 8.2 will go public on March 9th. iOS 8.3 goes public April 6th (or same week), and Apple Watch goes on sale April 10th.

lkrupp 10521 comments · 19 Years

I’m not having any problems with 8.1.3 and will be welcoming 8.2 with open arms. Each iteration gets better no natter what the League of the Perpetually Dissatisfied says.

eightzero 3145 comments · 14 Years

I think there has to be some iTunes and App Store additions coming soon too. Apple might not roll those out until the actual shipping day though. IIRC, there are going to be third party apps available on launch day (an important difference from iPhone's launch.)

Do we think 8.2, 8.3 are iPhone only? Can you connect Apple Watch to an iPad - aside from the fact that I'm not sure why anyone would want to? (Yet.)

thewhitefalcon 4444 comments · 10 Years

[quote name="lkrupp" url="/t/184982/rumor-ios-8-2-release-is-imminent-from-apple-ios-8-3-to-follow-closely-behind#post_2682729"]I’m not having any problems with 8.1.3 and will be welcoming 8.2 with open arms. Each iteration gets better no natter what the League of the Perpetually Dissatisfied says. [/quote] I don't think anyone denies that each update to iOS 8 improves things. That doesn't mean there aren't bugs to still be squashed.