Apple Releases iOS 8.1.3 With Bug Fixes and Reduced Storage Requirements

Today Apple sent out the newest version of iOS to all devices capable of running versions of iOS 8. This update brings iOS to version 8.1.3, and like the 8.1.2 patch before it, this update is aimed at squashing bugs that still remain after the major iOS 8.0 and 8.1 updates from last year. Apple’s changelog for the update is below, although there are often small bug fixes that don’t get put on the list of changes.

• 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
• Fixed an issue which prevented multitasking gestures from working on iPad
• Adds new configuation options for education standardized testing

As you can see, the number of changes isn’t massive. However, users with 8GB and 16GB devices will definitely appreciate the reduced storage requirements for updating to iOS 8. The OTA version of the update had previously required users to have 5GB free on their devices, which was almost impossible for users with 8GB devices to accomplish. Apple has not quantified how much they have reduced these requirements, so we’ll have to wait for reports from users who are still on iOS 7 before we know how much Apple was able to reduce the storage required. The fix for multitasking gestures on the iPad is long overdue, and it’s something I’ve been experiencing on my iPad since iOS 8 launched. One fix that doesn’t seem to be included is one for the audio drop outs that some Apple users are still experiencing with Bluetooth headphones and speakers.

In addition to bug fixes, iOS 8.1.3 includes a number of security improvements which can be viewed in detail on Apple’s security page for the update.

The update weighs in at around 250MB and it’s rolling out now. As stated earlier, it’s available on any Apple device that can run iOS 8, which includes any device with an A5 processor or newer. 

Microsoft VP Details Windows 10 Update for Windows Phone Users

Microsoft used its Lumia Conversations blog today to give some of the details for the upcoming software update for Windows Phone, which will be moved to Windows 10. Chris Weber, Corporate Vice President of Sales for the Microsoft Mobile group address …

Dropbox Releases App for Windows Phone

Late last year Dropbox announced that they had entered into a partnership with Microsoft. When this partnership was announced, the first benefit that it brought to consumers was Dropbox integration in Microsoft Office. This allowed users to choose between using Dropbox or Skydrive as a medium for storing all of their documents in the cloud.

Today Dropbox announced the next step in this partnership with the launch of an official Dropbox application for Windows Phone. This completes support for Dropbox on devices in the Microsoft ecosystem, with a Modern UI application for Windows PCs and tablets having been available since the beginning of 2013. It has definitely taken a while for it to move to mobile, but it’s good to see another developer making apps for Windows Phone. The app is available for any users running Windows Phone 8.0 and above, and includes all the features you’d expect from Dropbox, as well as some Windows specific abilities like pinning Dropbox folders as Start Screen tiles.