iOS 8.2 to Launch Next Week as Final Beta Seeded to Employees and Carrier Partners

After initially reporting that iOS 8.2 would be released to the public this week, BGR now claims that the upcoming software update will arrive next week as Apple decided to seed one last beta to employees and carrier partners for testing. The final GM carries a build number of 12D508 and includes Health app improvements, stability enhancements and bug fixes.

While the initial report was incorrect, this new timeframe appears more plausible given Apple's upcoming "Spring Forward" media event for the Apple Watch on March 9. Apple also promised that a fix would be prepared by next week for the recently discovered "FREAK" security vulnerability affecting devices such as the iPhone, iPad and Mac. The security flaw was disclosed to Apple well in advance of the public.

The release notes for iOS 8.2 outline several improvements to Apple's stock Health app, including the ability to select units of measurement for body temperature, weight, height, distance and blood glucose. The software update also delivers stability enhancements for Mail, Flyover in Maps, Music, VoiceOver and Made for iPhone hearing aids.

Health App improvements

Adds the ability to select the unit of measurement for body temperature, weight, height, distance, and blood glucose

Improves stability when dealing with large amounts of data

Includes the ability to add and visualise 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 changes data source order

Fixes an issue where some graphics showed no data values

Adds a privacy setting that enables turning off tracking of steps, distance, and flights climbed

A number of bug fixes have been made in iOS 8.2, including a long-awaited fix for the so-called "GMT bug" causing calendar syncing issues for several iPhone and iPad users. Google quietly fixed the GMT bug on their backend early last month, but Microsoft Exchange calendar users have still been experiencing syncing issues. Other bug fixes are outlined in the full release notes shared in the MacRumors discussion forums.

iOS 8.2 will also include support for the Apple Watch ahead of its launch in April.