Apple iOS 8.1 beta 2 released to developers

Apple has released its second beta of iOS 8.1 to developers, just a week after the first beta was released for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Apple's iOS 8.1 beta 2,has the 12B407 build number, contains bug fixes and improvements according to the release notes. However the 56.8MB size of the OTA update indicates that the update may include a little more than Apple is willing to reveal at this time.

With the release of iOS 8.1, the Apple Pay feature should be ready for primetime use. This means users will compatible devices will be able to make contactless payments without the need of credit or debit cards. With Apple's adoption of NFC payments, we may finally see the technology gain some momentum.

Installing the update should be easy, as long as you are a registered iOS developer. If you have beta 1 installed, you can install the beta 2 update OTA by heading to Settings > General > Software Update.

[UPDATE 1]

With the release of iOS 8.1 beta 2, developers have been busy digging into the update, trying to discover some titbits on what Apple has planned with this release. One developer has discovered that Apple Pay is nearing readiness with the new release, as configuration screens for not just the initial setup of an iPhone but also via the Passbook app have been included in the update.

Interestingly, there also appears to be a config option on the iPad, indicating that a new generation of iPads with integrated Touch IDs maybe around the corner. While these iPads may not feature NFC chips, the Touch ID will allow owners to make online purchases.

The setup screens themselves offer basic information about what Apple Pay is as well as giving the opportunity for users to add payment details to the service by either entering them manually or taking a photo of their card and letting Apple do the rest.

Apple’s iOS 8.1 is expected later this month, likely following Apple's special event next week, where the company is expected to unveil its new iPads. Leave us a comment and let us know what you think about Apple's new Apple Pay service and if it has influenced your purchase of the new iPhones.

[UPDATE 2]

The same developer who unveiled the Apple Pay features on the iOS 8.1 beta 2 has come across yet another interesting fact nestled within the software release. While looking through the assets for the stock iOS Clock app, Sood appears to have stumbled across what appear to be images designed for a new, high resolution iPad with the designation of ’3x~ipad.’ To put that into some sort of context, assets images already exist with the 1x and 2x designation for the current Retina and non-Retina models, so the addition of new 3x images could be in reference to a new Retina HD display.

The Retina HD displays were first introduced with the Apple iPhone 6 and the Apple iPhone 6 Plus which were introduced just last month. The new iPhone 6 Plus also uses the new 3x images for its 1080p screen, with the larger assets used and then down-scaled to fit the screen’s real resolution. This move away from 1:1 pixel mapping has caused Apple to come in for some criticism amongst designers and developers, but it appears that Apple’s new iPads are set to follow suit regardless.

source - Apple | Hamza Sood (Twitter)