iOS 8 is coming that much closer to fruition, but may be a bit behind schedule.
Per Boy Genius Report and AppleInsider, a new rumor has the third beta of Apple’s iOS 8 operating system as scheduled for release to the developer community on Tuesday, July 8th.
The report cites “trusted sources”, while the publication itself has been accurate as to this kind of story in the past.
If true, the release date would be later than expected, as Apple traditionally issues new beta builds to developers on a two week schedule. The second beta of iOS 8 was release on June 17, just over two weeks after the launch of beta 1.
In 2013, iOS 7 Beta 3 was released on Monday, July 8. But Apple’s 2013 Worldwide Developers Conference, where iOS 7 was officially announced, was also held a week later than this year, and Apple maintained the two-week release schedule.
The second beta of iOS 8 released earlier this month made Apple’s Podcasts application a native, built-in app for iPhone users. It also marked the iPad debut of the new QuickType keyboard, which suggests words as users type.
Scheduled to launch this fall, iOS 8 features support for third-party keyboards and Siri-based controls of smart home appliances. It will also include a new Health application that will collect users’ health and fitness data, while the Touch ID fingerprint sensor on the iPhone 5s will become accessible for third-party developers to tap into.