14 DAY TRIAL // Despite keeping the next iOS build away from the eyes of the public, Apple has been “caught” testing a new software update internally, with apparent plans to deploy the new firmware in the near future.
Web analytics show that Apple has been ramping up testing of an unconfirmed iOS 7.1.1 software update, possibly indicating plans to launch it in the coming days. Without any major new features planned for release anytime soon, the new firmware is believed to include fixes and tweaks.
One of the most craved for changes is an update to the virtual keyboard, particularly to the Shift key, which reportedly confuses many customers.
With the release of iOS 7.1, a backlash emerged regarding the change in behavior of the Shift key, which turns to white – the same as the rest of the keyboard – causing users to forget whether or not the upper-case mode is activated.
At least one security issue is also in need of fixing. Apparently, someone with physical access to an iDevice can delete the real owner’s iCloud account without having to type the password. The bug is relatively hard to reproduce, but it can be done nevertheless.
Other glitches extend to tethering / Personal Hotspot functionality, hiding unwanted stock apps on the device, freezing, Touch ID authentication and, perhaps most importantly, battery drain.
Battery drain in particular has been a widely reported problem with iOS 7.1, and while some claim that every iOS update is riddled with potential CPU-hogging changes, the latest such update appears to affect more users than usual.
It isn’t clear why Apple refrained from seeding iOS 7.1.1 betas to its sea of developers. The Cupertino giant usually offers incremental test builds so that developers can test their own software against the mobile OS and provide their invaluable feedback to the mothership for further parsing.
There’s no doubt that such widespread testing can only help iron out any issues that may have slipped through the cracks, so Apple’s decision to keep testing private seems odd, to say the least.
In less than two months from now the California-based computer giant will have prepared the next-generation iOS for unveiling at its Worldwide Developers Conference hosted in San Francisco between June 2-6.
Packing at least one new major addition to the lineup of built-in apps, iOS 8 is said to introduce health-monitoring software that may extend to the upcoming iWatch.