Ahead of its earnings release that is due after the closing bell today, Apple has released two updates for its most prominent operating system. The mobile-centric iOS has been updated to 8.1.3, while the desktop/laptop-centered OS X Yosemite gets an upgrade to 10.10.2.
The biggest addition with iOS 8.1.3 is a reduction in the amount of storage space required to install iOS updates. Previous iOS 8 updates have required users to set aside nearly 6GB of free space in order to install. For users stuck with 16GB iPhones and iPads (we still have no clue as to why Apple continues to string users along with such low amounts of onboard storage with no option for external storage), this has hampered their ability to update. This is also a factor in why the adoption rate of iOS 8 has lagged behind its predecessor, iOS 7.
Here’s the full change list with iOS 8.1.3.
Reduces the amount of storage required to perform a software update
Fixes an issue that prevented some users from entering their Apple ID password for Messages and FaceTime
Addresses an issue that caused Spotlight to stop displaying app results
Fixes an issue which prevented multitasking gestures from working on iPad
Adds new configuration options for education standardized testing
On the PC front, OS X Yosemite 10.10.2 brings with its a number of bug fixes and security updates. Apple has supposedly fixed numerous lingering issues with Wi-Fi connectivity in Yosemite along with privacy issues related to Spotlight search. Apple has even provided fixes to the vulnerabilities pointed out via Google’s Project Zero program.
The full change list for OS X Yosemite 10.10.2 is as follows:
Resolves an issue that may cause Wi-Fi to disconnect
Resolves an issue that may cause web pages to load slowly
Fixes an issue that caused Spotlight to load remote email content when the preference was disabled in Mail
Improves audio and video sync when using Bluetooth headphones
Adds the ability to browse iCloud Drive in Time Machine
Improves VoiceOver speech performance
Resolves an issue that causes VoiceOver to echo characters when entering text on a web page
Addresses an issue that may cause the input method to switch languages unexpectedly
Improves stability and security in Safari
iOS 8.1.3 can be downloaded directly on your iOS device by going to Settings —> General —> Software Update. OS X Yosemite 10.10.2 can be downloaded by opening the App Store app on your Mac.
