Apple Releases iOS 8.3
After a beta test, Apple has released iOS 8.3 to the public today. Some of the most anticipated features in iOS 8.3 are the new racially diverse emojis, wireless CarPlay support and Messages app improvements. Apple said that it has improved the performance for app launch, app responsiveness, Messages, WiFi, Control Center, Safari tabs, third-party keyboards, keyboard shortcuts and the simplified Chinese keyboard.
Here is a breakdown of some fixes that have been addressed in iOS 8.3:
- The update fixes the issue where you are continuously asked to input your login credentials. It also addresses the issue where some devices disconnect intermittently from Wi-Fi networks. An issue that causes hands-free phone calls to become disconnected has been fixed. And the issue where audio playback could stop working with some Bluetooth speakers has been fixed.
- The update addresses an issue that prevents the screen from rotating back to portrait after rotating to landscape. The update also fixes an issue where the device orientation appears upside down after pulling the iPhone 6 Plus from your pocket. And the issue of apps rotating incorrectly after switching in the multitasking mode has been fixed.
- iOS 8.3 fixes an issue that causes group messages to split sometimes. It fixes an issue that sometimes removes the ability to forward or delete individual messages. iOS 8.3 has added the ability to report junk messages from the Messages app directly. And you can filter out iMessages that are not sent by your contacts too.
- iOS 8.3 fixes a bug where certain apps would not launch or update on your family members’ devices. It also fixes a bug that prevents family members from being able to download certain apps for free. In the iOS 8.3 changelog, Apple said that it increased the reliability for “Ask to Buy” notifications.
- Apple has fixed CarPlay issues where Maps would come up as a black screen or rotates incorrectly. There is also an issue that has been fixed where the keyboard could appear on the screen when it is not supposed to.
- The time zone of the Calendar events created in IBM Notes have been fixed. iOS 8.3 fixes a problem that causes web clip icons to become generic after restarting. An issue that causes the unreliability of saved passwords for web proxies has been fixed. Apple iOS 8.3 adds the ability to edit Exchange out-of-office messages separately for external replies. In terms of Accessibility settings, Apple fixes issues that caused Speak Screen, VoiceOver and the Braille Screen Input to become unreliable under certain circumstances. The iPhone 6 Plus now has italic and underline format options in the landscape keyboard. And now you can remove shipping and billing addresses used with Apple Pay.
- Siri now has additional language and country support.
- A redesigned Emoji keyboard. You can now select from over 300 new characters with many new skin tone options. Apple also added many more relationship- and gadget-related Emojis.
Apple also announced a software update for its Mac line.
The OS X 10.10.3 bring the new iPhoto-replacing Photos app to Mac, and the new multi-ethnic emojis for iMessage to all of its mobile devices and computers.
The Photos app for OS X brings Mac laptops and desktops picture editing and cloud storing software that falls more in line with the look and feel of Apple’s latest iOS apps.