This update contains bug fixes including:

• Fixes an issue where some users could not complete setup assistant after updating
• Fixes an issue where sometimes alarms and timers could fail to play
• Fixes an issue in Safari and Photos where pausing video could cause the paused frame to appear distorted
• Fixes an issue where some users with a custom APN setup via a profile would lose cellular data

For information on the security content of this update, please visit this website:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

• https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1842?locale=en_US

iOS 9 has arrived – and before we forget what improvements have been made to the previous version, here’s the text from the Upgrade Dialogue – straight from your iOS device:

With this update your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch become more intelligent and proactive with powerful search and improved Siri features. New multitasking features for iPad allow you to work with two apps simultaneously, side-by-side or with the new Picture-in-Picture feature. And, built-in apps become more powerful with detailed transit information in Maps, a redesigned Notes app, and an all-new News app. And improvements at the foundation of the operating system enhance performance, improve security and give you up to an hour of extra battery life. Continue reading →

This release introduces support for Apple Watch, and also includes improvements to the Health app, increased stability and bug fixes.

Apple Watch support

• New Apple Watch app to pair and sync with iPhone, and to customize watch settings
• New Activity app for viewing fitness data and achievements from Apple Watch; appears when Apple Watch is paired
• Available on iPhone 5 and later

Health app improvements

• Adds the ability to select the unit of measurement for distance, body temperature, height, weight and blood glucose
• Improves stability when dealing with large amounts of data
• Includes the ability to add and visualize workout sessions from 3rd-party apps
• Addresses an issue that may have prevented users from adding a photo in Medical ID
• Fixes units for vitamins and minerals
• Fixes an issue where Health data wouldn’t refresh after changing data source order
• Fixes an issue where some graphs showed no data values
• Adds a privacy setting that enables turning off tracking of steps, distance and flights climbed

Stability enhancements

• Increases stability of Mail
• Improves stability of Flyover in Maps
• Improves stability of Music
• Improves VoiceOver reliability
• Improves connectivity with Made for iPhone Hearing Aids

Bug fixes

• Fixes an issue in Maps that prevented navigating to some favorite locations
• Addresses an issue where the last word in a quick reply message wasn’t autocorrected
• Fixes an issue where duplicate iTunes purchased content could prevent iCloud restore from completing
• Resolves an issue where some music or playlists didn’t sync from iTunes to the Music app
• Fixes an issue where deleted audiobooks sometimes remained on device
• Resolves an issue that could prevent call audio from routing to car speakers while using Siri Eyes Free
• Fixes a Bluetooth calling issue where no audio is heard until the call is answered
• Fixes a timezone issue where Calendar events appear in GMT
• Addresses an issue that caused certain events in a custom recurring meeting to drop from an Exchange calendar
• Fixes a certificate error that prevented configuring an Exchange account behind a third-party gateway
• Fixes an issue that could cause an organizer’s Exchange meeting notes to be overwritten
• Resolves an issue that prevented some Calendar events from automatically showing as ‘Busy’ after accepting an invite

For information on the security content of this update, please visit this website:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

This release includes bug fixes, increased stability and performance improvements, including:

• 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

For information on the security content of this update, please visit this website:

• http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

It is with the greatest pleasure that I’ve installed iOS 8.1.1 on my iPad 3. It’s literally breathed new life into by beloved certainly not yet ready for retirement pad.

Ever since I’ve installed the first iOS 8 beta in June, my iPad 3 was lagging like there was no tomorrow. I’ve experienced this before with beta versions, and it’s just something you live with. But when the iOS 8 general release came out, this behaviour hasn’t change.

At first I felt that with the arrival of faster processors, Apple had deliberately neutered yesterday’s tech treasures so that users would get fed up and simply buy new equipment. After all, they’re in the business of selling technology, not saturating the market with everlasting lightbulbs.

iOS 8.1 came out and did not resolve my iPad 3 issues, such as:

• characters appear several seconds after they are typed
• animations stutter as if in the silent movie era

However, iOS 8.1.1 is a blessing for me. We’ve held off on upgrading every device (such as our iPad 2 and iPhone 4s devices) because if it ain’t broken, let’s not try to fix it. Besides, it’s good to have older versions of iOS for testing.

Not everyone’s as happy as I am: website GottaBeMobile reports problems for users who had a good experience in iOS 8.1, who’s performances have suffered with the latest upgrade – in particular with the iPhone 5.

It’s a shame that ultimately we have to sweat every time that upgrade icon comes up: will it make our lives really better, or will an update make it worse? Ever since iOS 6 it’s been like that, and it looks like this trend is not going to stop anytime soon.

For now I’m enjoying my iPad 3 again. I haven’t had that pleasure in a while!

• http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1758
• https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/releasenotes/General/WhatsNewIniOS/Introduction/Introduction.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40008246
• https://developer.apple.com/library/IOs/releasenotes/Miscellaneous/RN-iOSSDK-8.1/index.html
• http://www.gottabemobile.com/2014/11/24/best-best-buy-black-friday-2014-deals/