Without any warning Apple AAPL -0.5% has today released iOS 8.1.2 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users running iOS 8. But it isn’t the long awaited raft of bug fixes needed for users affected by the ongoing problems with iOS 8.
Instead the release “addresses a problem where ringtones purchases through the iTunes Store may have been removed from your device.” Apple notes a dedicated url – itunes.com/restore-tones – has been setup for recovering those ringtones.
Apple does also state that iOS 8.1.2 has “bug fixes” but the URL it provides has no information on the release at the time of writing and Apple always calls out more significant bug fixes in its main release notes. Furthermore iOS 8.1.2 comes in at a paltry 28.2MB (this may differ slightly from device-to-device) making it a minor point release.
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As such iOS 8.1.2 isn’t the major fix users still plagued by ongoing iOS 8 problems have been hoping for. iOS 8.1.1 released in November fixed bugs for many users, but swathes of users remain affected by issues ranging from crippled WiFi (a main support thread for this is now over 93 pages long), Bluetooth bugs stopping connection to headsets and car kits and chronic battery drain. In this context Apple’s decision to address a ringtones bug first will no doubt cause anger, regardless of whether it is low hanging fruit.
iOS 8.2 To The Rescue, Eventually
Hopes were raised when Apple seeded ‘iOS 8.2 (Beta 1)’ in the iOS Dev Center at the same time that it releases iOS 8.1.1. The main new feature listed for this is the addition of the ‘WatchKit’ API for the Apple Watch, but the more significant version number suggests it should be a more wide-ranging update. The problem is iOS 8.2 is not expected to be released before spring 2015.

iOS 8 vs Android 5.0 Lollipop

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Gordon Kelly

Android 5.0 Lollipop brings welcome guest and multi-user modes

iOS 8 has had a troubled start to life with undoubted highs and lows (including pulling the iOS 8.0.1 update completely), but there is no doubt that once Apple eventually eliminates the core bugs it is the most exciting and open version of iOS to date with the launch of Apple Pay, HealthKit, far better integration between apps and the introduction of third party keyboards.
Read more – iOS 8: The Best Keyboard Replacements
That said the common complaint across Apple Support Forums is far more basic. It comes from affected users who want better communication from Apple about how and when the current bugs in iOS 8 will be addressed. The company’s silence prior to surprise release of iOS 8.1.2 and the fact is focuses on a ringtone glitch when some are struggling with the core usability of their devices is only likely to stoke this frustration.
As always my advice to affected users is to download the update and share their experiences, but for those currently without problems I’d suggest holding fire until the wider reaction is known.
Users will be prompted to update to iOS 8.1.2 automatically over the next 24/48 hours, but if you would like to manually check for the update go to: Settings>General>Software Update. As always, you must have at least 50% battery capacity before it will install.