The first beta in a new development cycle

Sep 30, 2014 07:58 GMT  ·  By

Developers today are being greeted by a new iOS beta that they can freely download and test against their apps. Labeled build 12B401, this first beta of iOS 8.1 contains minor changes and fixes.

iOS 8.1 is offered as numerous separate IPSW files that go onto various iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad models. The release primarily targets testing on iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus.

What’s new

As per Apple’s Dev portal, “This is a pre-release version of iOS 8.1 beta for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.” The Cupertino giant asks users to note that “Devices updated to iOS 8.1 beta can not be restored to earlier versions of iOS.”

According to developer reports, notable changes (at first glance) include bigger icons in Notification Center’s widget list, the “Recently Added” album has been reverted back to its original designation (Camera Roll), dictation can be detached from Siri in the settings and is now optional, and more.

A great deal of fixes and tweaks are listed in the official release notes, though most of the changes noted there target developers and have very little impact on the way iOS 8 looks and feels.

When should we expect it?

Since it’s the first beta in a new development cycle and since Apple keeps incrementing iOS 8 with small, double-point updates, it’s fair to assume that iOS 8.1 will spend at least a month or two in development.

Following the debut of iOS 8 on September 17, small but urgent fixes that required Apple’s immediate intervention came in the form of iOS 8.0.1 and iOS 8.0.2. The former was a poorly-tested release that actually crippled some users’ iPhones.

It could fix problems brought by iOS 8.0.1 and 8.0.2

Build 8.0.1 was meant as a maintenance update that fixed a bug so that HealthKit apps could be made available on the App Store. This, and other stuff. Sadly, it ended up ruining cellular reception for many iPhone 6 owners.

Apple then quickly iterated its intentions and rolled out iOS 8.0.2, a similar patch that included the same fixes, plus a couple of extra ones for cellular reception and Touch ID woes.

iOS 8.0.2 did the trick for most users, but in some areas of the world, customers continued to report issues even after applying this improved update. Apple could well release a new (iOS 8.0.3) update before launching the more important iOS 8.1.

Developers looking to test the new software are invited to access the iOS Dev Center with their credentials and download the bits today.