Apple supplies first beta of iOS 8.3 to developers, issues 'noteworthy' update to Swift
Before the public release of iOS 8.2, Apple on Monday already provided its development community with a beta build of iOS 8.3, along with a new version of its Swift programming language with "noteworthy" changes.
The pre-release version of iOS 8.3 is identified as build 12F5027d. Apple has warned developers that devices updated to the iOS 8.3 beta cannot be restored to earlier versions of iOS.
Exactly what changes are included in iOS 8.3 are unknown. But the fact that it's a point-one release would suggest that Apple has added new features, or plans to before the software becomes public.
In addition, developers were also supplied with Xcode 6.3 beta with Swift 1.2 on Monday. Apple's release notes state that the Swift update contains a number of "noteworthy" changes.
Accordingly, Xcode 6.3 beta includes a new "Swift Migrator" tool that allows developers to move from Swift 1.1 to Swift 1.2.
The release comes one week after Apple provided a fifth beta of iOS 8.2. The iOS 8.2 beta allows developers to begin building applications for the forthcoming Apple Watch.
The pre-release version of iOS 8.3 is identified as build 12F5027d. Apple has warned developers that devices updated to the iOS 8.3 beta cannot be restored to earlier versions of iOS.
Exactly what changes are included in iOS 8.3 are unknown. But the fact that it's a point-one release would suggest that Apple has added new features, or plans to before the software becomes public.
In addition, developers were also supplied with Xcode 6.3 beta with Swift 1.2 on Monday. Apple's release notes state that the Swift update contains a number of "noteworthy" changes.
Accordingly, Xcode 6.3 beta includes a new "Swift Migrator" tool that allows developers to move from Swift 1.1 to Swift 1.2.
The release comes one week after Apple provided a fifth beta of iOS 8.2. The iOS 8.2 beta allows developers to begin building applications for the forthcoming Apple Watch.
Comments
I wonder why they're not allowing anyone to downgrade back? So what happens if you try to Restore? Technically iOS 8.1.3 is still signed, so I dont know how they would be stopping you from downgrading. That's really weird. It must be some notable changes here too if they're not letting anyone downgrade.
I could do without new features for now. How about fixing the current ones?
Current bugs/issues:
[LIST]
[*] Too many to list
[/LIST]
Seriously Apple, fix the current bugs. If you're just going to introduce new features that are broken, and then never fix them, then what's the point? Oh yea, because simpletons will gloat about all the new features, without ever realizing that they don't actually work. WkWebView anyone?
I guess you didn't read the 9to5Mac article that said iOS 9 is supposed to be all about optimization and bug fixes.
New versions contain bug fixes. Maybe not the bug fixes everyone is looking for but it's fallacious to infer that "new features" and "bug fixes" are mutually exclusive.
Swift 1.2 and Xcode 6.3 beta
Compiler improvements
The Swift 1.2 compiler was engineered to be more stable and to improve performance in every way. These changes also provide a better experience when working with Swift in Xcode.
Better compiler diagnostics — Clearer error and warning messages, along with new Fix-its, make it easier to write proper Swift 1.2 code.
Stability improvements — The most common compiler crashes have been fixed. You should also see fewer SourceKit warnings within the Xcode editor.
New language features
In Swift 1.2, the language has been further refined to ensure safe, predictable behavior. We also continue to improve the interaction between Swift and Objective-C.
Conclusion
We appreciate all of the bugs you have filed, and expect that many of the most common issues have been fixed in this beta. Swift 1.2 is a major step forward for both the language and the tools.[/QUOTE]
Perhaps try it first ...
Seriously Apple, fix the current bugs. If you're just going to introduce new features that are broken, and then never fix them, then what's the point? Oh yea, because simpletons will gloat about all the new features, without ever realizing that they don't actually work. WkWebView anyone?
So was this comment posted AFTER you've thoroughly tested Swift 1.2 and determined that they didn't fix any of the current bugs? If not, then what the hell was the point of your comment besides trolling?
So...shouldn't they release 8.2 before working on 8.3? Or is this Pink and Blue all over again?
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Its great that they are responding so fast and that Chris is in the dev forums. However it just shows how inaccurate a recent AI piece was.
8.2 is just watch kit.
iOS upgrades are one-way, with a bridge returning you to past versions being burned behind it.
As well they should be. Fragmentation is not good for developers or users. In the more than 25 years I’ve been using Macs not once have I had a legitimate reason to downgrade. Of course research about software compatibility and hardware requirements helps a lot. So many just take a flying leap and then are outraged when they get bitten. They don’t have backups so downgrading becomes an impenetrable wall that increases the frustration. Same goes for iOS.
As well they should be. Fragmentation is not good for developers or users. In the more than 25 years I’ve been using Macs not once have I had a legitimate reason to downgrade. Of course research about software compatibility and hardware requirements helps a lot. So many just take a flying leap and then are outraged when they get bitten. They don’t have backups so downgrading becomes an impenetrable wall that increases the frustration. Same goes for iOS.
It might be nice if Apple had a compatibility verification tool like Microsoft does with Windows, where they tell you the devices and software that's going to have issues.
No. People using 8.2 have said they notice performance improvements over the current version. So it's not just about the Watch.