Appledystopia: Independent Technology News

iOS 8.3: Worth Upgrading?

iOS 8.3 Worth Upgrading?

published by Chand Bellur
April 12, 2015 at 6:07 p.m. PST

Hot on the heels of 8.2, Apple has just released iOS 8.3. The update fixes numerous bugs and improves performance, but also introduces some new defects.

Installing iOS 8.3

iOS 8.3 is a somewhat large update, coming in at just under 200 MB. The size of the update depends on your device and whether you have been updating it regularly. If the Internet is not congested, the entire process should take about an hour. Remember to turn off Bluetooth after the update, if you normally leave it off. You will also need to connect your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to your computer with a USB cable in order to re-activate iTunes WiFi sync.

iOS 8.3 is an Overall Improvement

Two steps forward and one step back seems to be the rule with iOS releases. iOS 8.3 is definitely worth installing and fixes some serious issues. It also improves performance. I installed it on my four-year-old iPad 2, and it is noticeably faster. Safari also has a new animated effect. Web pages now zoom in from the corner, similar to other iOS animation effects.

Bholenath Ultra Strength Hemp Oil

Other enhancements include a fix for a notorious WiFi bug that affected some users. WiFi connectivity would drop intermittently. I never personally experienced this issue, but a few users were affected. Apple also fixed issues with Bluetooth connectivity, orientation lock defects, Family Sharing, CarPlay and many other features. iOS 8.3 seems to be a heartfelt apology for the substandard quality of iOS 8.

Apple also added some new features to iOS 8.3. There is a new, improved Emoji keyboard that is much easier to use and offers hundreds of new Emojis. Siri has been improved and works with many new languages. The iCloud Photo Library is now a final release and has been integrated into the Photos app. For more information on fixed defects and new features in iOS 8.3, check out Apple’s website.

iOS 8.3 Security Fixes

As with all iOS releases, Apple has patched security flaws in the iOS 8.3 release. It’s amazing that the blogosphere doesn’t make a huge deal out of these flaws. Some of them are quite serious. One never knows what will create the next Apple-gate.

The backup system in iOS has been patched to fix a security flaw. Prior to iOS 8.3, it was possible for an attacker to access restricted files using the backup system. Another issue with cookies being accessible by other domains has also been fixed. The notorious lock screen vulnerabilities, which seem to exist in almost every iOS release for the past few years, have been fixed in 8.3. Indeed, the list of security fixes is quite long. This is, by far, the most security patches I have seen in any iOS release. It’s worth upgrading to iOS 8.3 just for the improved security. Visit Apple’s website for a complete list of security fixes.

iOS 8.3 Introduces Some Regressive Bugs

Unfortunately, within a few minutes of installing the release, I noticed an obnoxious bug. I could no longer change my lists in Reminders. I finally figured out that I had to tap on the actual text (the list name) instead of in the surrounding rectangle. Even then, it is slow to respond. This isn’t a huge problem, now that I found an acceptable workaround. I think it is evidence that Apple is using automated testing to do some of their regression tests. Normally, this is a smart move, as long as the author of the test scripts models user behavior accurately. In the case of Reminders, this was not accomplished.

Restore iTunes WiFi Sync after upgrading to iOS 8.3

After doing some research, I found some users reporting serious issues after upgrading to iOS 8.3. A few users are not able to use TouchID in the App Store. Some have had their device end up in limbo, with the update being stuck. They have had to fix their device by connecting it to a computer and using recovery mode to restore their device.

Some users are still complaining about WiFi issues. It may be that Apple did not fully fix the issue, however, it has solved the problem for many users. It is possible that some people may have faulty WiFi routers, which causes the problem. It is also conceivable that Apple hasn’t fully fixed the issue. In either event, if your WiFi is malfunctioning, it’s worth upgrading to iOS 8.3. It will probably fix the issue. If not, at least you will obtain the other benefits from upgrading to the new release.

iOS 8.3 Does Not Decrease Battery Life

Reports of diminished battery life are rare, but some are experiencing rapid draining. This is not uncommon with major iOS releases, as they often run an optimization process in the background. It is also possible that they are syncing photos to iCloud, which depletes the battery. After these processes have run their course, normal battery life will be restored.

You also have to take these supposed problems with the knowledge that some people hate Apple enough to lie. It’s quite typical for Apple-haters to make up problems with a device they don’t even own. I just experienced this in social media, were someone who doesn’t own a single Apple product claimed that HBO NOW only offered 2% of HBO’s library. When Maps was released with iOS 6, Apple’s support site was flooded with phony users claiming all sorts of fictitious problems. The Internet is full of liars. Some people feel that Apple is the new evil empire and must be stopped at any cost. Unfortunately for us, it makes it harder to discern fact from fiction.

Lvetek 5-Outlet Surge Protector Wall Charger with 4 USB Ports at Amazon

I have not found iOS 8.3 to introduce any battery life issues. In fact, I am writing this article on my four-year-old iPad 2 with iOS 8.3. I started with 100% battery life and after 90 minutes of continuous use, it is now at 94%. If anything, Apple’s latest update has improved battery life, most likely by improving performance. Optimizing code for efficiency will usually improve both performance and battery life.

iOS 8.3 is Worth Upgrading

I have used iOS 8.3 for a few days now, and find it to be a huge improvement. My iPad 2 is faster and more responsive. It has better battery life. Apple’s new update isn’t perfect, but overall, it is worth installing. The few regressive defects do not detract from the numerous bug fixes and new features. I recommend installing the new release as soon as possible.

© 2024 Appledystopia | Privacy & Cookie Policy | Terms of Service