Hoping for a whole slew of revolutionary features in iOS 9? You might be let down.
According to a new report from 9to5Mac, Apple is focusing more on improving the stability of its mobile operating system rather than adding a bunch of new features in the next big release. What you'll likely get is a mobile operating system with fewer glitches.
Kind of boring, yes, but the news should be music to the ears of anyone dealing with slow Wi-Fi and battery-drain issues that have been plaguing older iPhone and iPads since the release of iOS 8 in September. While there's no word that Apple plans to fix these specific problems, Cupertino is reportedly going on a major bug hunt for iOS 9.
"For 2015, iOS 9 is going to include a collection of under-the-hood improvements," 9to5 Mac said. "Sources tell us that iOS 9 engineers are putting a 'huge' focus on fixing bugs, maintaining stability, and boosting performance for the new operating system, rather than solely focusing on delivering major new feature additions."
With iOS 9, Apple is also reportedly planning to further reduce the amount of storage required to perform a software update. This is good news for those with 16GB devices, or anyone who has ever been forced to go on a deleting spree just to clear enough space to upgrade.
The blog suggested that Apple might limit iOS 9 support to newer devices. "If the iPhone 5c, original iPad mini, and fifth-generation iPod touch are discontinued by the end of 2015, all of Apple's 'currently available' iOS devices would be using 64-bit A7, A8, and A9 processors," 9to5Mac noted. "This could simplify iOS development for both Apple and third-party app developers."
The report comes after Apple late last month squashed a number of bugs with its latest iOS update, but ignored the major Wi-Fi, battery drain, calendar, and Bluetooth problems some users on older devices are experiencing.
For more, check out PCMag's roundup of iOS 8 tips in the slideshow above.