Apple delivers bug fixes for desktop and mobile users

Nov 17, 2014 19:21 GMT  ·  By

Today, Apple released updates for its new desktop and mobile operating systems, delivering fixes and improvements across the board. The Cupertino company lists far fewer fixes than expected for each release in particular.

iOS 8.1.1 and OS X 10.10.1 were rolled out in tandem minutes ago and can be downloaded for free by all owners of an iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, as well as all Mac users respectively.

What’s new in iOS 8.1.1

The release notes accompanying iOS 8.1.1 are somewhat surprising as they don’t include any specifics regarding the most widely publicized issues, such as battery drainage, or Wi-Fi connectivity issues, suggesting that these reports are isolated cases.

According to the documentation, iOS 8.1.1 includes “bug fixes, increased stability and performance improvements for iPad 2 and iPhone 4s.” In other words, Apple has been working to increase the level of compatibility between the latest firmware and the oldest devices that can support it.

As usual, the release notes mention security fixes that may, or may not be present in today’s update. Apple includes the usual “security” link that normally takes customers to the latest advisory. However, because of DCN problems that have been plaguing Apple for years, the security content of iOS 8.1.1 isn’t immediately available. The advisory may be available later, but there’s no guarantee.

iOS 8.1.1 targets iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad second generation, iPad third generation, iPad fourth generation, iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad mini, iPad mini 2, and iPad mini 3. iPod touch fifth generation is also compatible with this release.

The download is free and weighs in at around 65MB, give or take a few bytes depending on the device model.

What’s new in OS X 10.10.1

On the desktop front, Yosemite users have been greeted by OS X 10.10.1, the first maintenance update for this particular version of the Mac OS. According to the California tech giant, “The OS X Yosemite 10.10.1 update is recommended for all Yosemite users. It improves the stability and compatibility of your Mac.”

Specifically, the update improves Wi-Fi connections, reliability when connecting to a Microsoft Exchange server, mail fetching and delivery when using certain email service providers, and offers reliability when connecting to remote computers using Back to My Mac.

OS X 10.10.1 is exclusively targeted at OS X Yosemite customers. Like the aforementioned iOS release, the update is free to download and install.

iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite images (10 Images)

iOS 8.1.1 available for download OTA
OS X 10.10.1iOS 8 compatible devices
+7more