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Apple releases the first beta of iOS 8.3 to developers

Updated Feb 9th, 2015 1:44PM EST
Apple iOS 8.3 Beta 1

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Here’s something just about no one was expecting: Apple has just released its first beta for iOS 8.3 before it’s even officially released the final version of iOS 8.2. As 9to5Mac astutely notes, Apple seeded iOS 8.3 beta 1 to developers on Monday alongside its Xcode 6.3 beta with Swift 1.2. We’re not even expecting iOS 8.2 to finally drop until sometime in March, which makes it a little surprising that Apple is already moving on to 8.3. All the same, the company may be rushing a bit to get all these key updates for iOS 8 out the door before it focuses all its energy on iOS 9.

RELATED: Has Apple’s software quality taken a ‘nosedive’ lately?

Earlier on Monday, 9to5Mac also had a huge scoop that Apple will be concentrating on making sure iOS 9 will be significantly more stable than some of its other recent software releases since it’s received complaints from longtime users about major bugs in iOS 8.

“For 2015, iOS 9 is going to include a collection of under-the-hood improvements,” 9to5Mac’s Mark Gurman wrote in his earlier report. “Sources tell us that iOS 9 engineers are putting a “huge” focus on fixing bugs, maintaining stability, and boosting performance for the new operating system, rather than solely focusing on delivering major new feature additions.”

Brad Reed
Brad Reed Staff Writer

Brad Reed has written about technology for over eight years at BGR.com and Network World. Prior to that, he wrote freelance stories for political publications such as AlterNet and the American Prospect. He has a Master's Degree in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University.