Apple has been busy with the latest release of its mobile operating system, iOS 8.2, but with a jailbreak not yet on the table, and rumors of what iOS 8.3 could offer, some fans are treading lightly.
Launched just last week, iOS 8.2 was released to address several bugs that have occurred since iOS 8 and iOS 8.1.3 were launched, including frequent freezing, app lag, iMessage and FaceTime not working, sounds issues, and more. But, as often happens with any software upgrade, iOS 8.2 has a few issues of its own.
First off, the latest update has not addressed a severe problem with wi-fi that users have been complaining about since iOS 8 launched last year. Codenamed "WiFried," the iOS 8 bug caused some users to experience dropped or complete refused connections on wi-fi networks, and a rapid battery drain of 4-6 hours. While iOS 8.2 hasn't addressed these problems, it's believed that Apple is aware and will be making the fix in iOS 8.3
In addition, iOS 8.2 introduces a new app (and an upgrade to HealthKit) specifically made for the Apple Watch, which is a problem if you don't plan to buy the extra wearable device when it launches in April. But if you do plan to buy the Apple Watch, then iOS 8.2 will have your mobile devices all set to play nice with it.
As for the availability of jailbreaking the new operating system upgrade, some experts believe that we won't see a jailbreak until after the 2015 Mobile Security Summit on March 27. That's less than two weeks away, so the wait isn't too bad.
But for all the big jailbreakers, it's rumored that many may be waiting to spend their time and energy on jailbreaking iOS 8.3 and skipping 8.2 altogether. If that's the case, you'll have a bit longer to wait, but iOS 8.3 is expected around the launch of the Apple Watch, if not sooner.
"In the run-up to iOS 8.2, TaiG did suggest that it had the exploits in place to roll out an immediate jailbreak once the software was officially seeded to the end user, but Apple appeared to throw a curve-ball by patching it before an iOS 8.2 jailbreak could occur," reports WCCF Tech. "We're still patiently awaiting an update, and are keeping the faith in TaiG et al that an iOS 8.2 / 8.3 jailbreak does appear on the 27th or otherwise, but as mentioned earlier, sticking with pre-iOS 8.1.3 or iOS 8.2 beta 1 / 2 is the best way to go for the time being."
As for iOS 8.3, the next patch is currently in a wide beta test that is available to any Apple user for the first time ever. This test has so far revealed that iOS 8.3 will introduce new emoji, improved login for Google services, more CarPlay features, and a fix for the on-screen keyboard layout that will prevent unnecessary periods to be thrown in everywhere.
Many experts believe that iOS 8.3 will be the last tweak of iOS 8 before iOS 9 releases later this year. If that's the case, Apple may be hoping to finally put the iOS 8 launch behind it and focus on extending the functionality of the Apple Watch with other mobile devices.
