Despite an earlier rumor that it would release on July 8, the beta 3 iteration of iOS 8 has become available for download Monday, BGR reports.
The update reportedly comes with several bug fixes, which is certainly good news for those using the iOS 8 beta on their personal devices. Beta 3 can be installed as over-the-air download and through Apple's developer portal for compatible iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices.
In case you aren't sure if your device is compatible, the only device that didn't make the final list for iOS 8 compatibility is the iPhone 4, as the update is available for download on the iPhone 5S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5C, iPhone 4S, iPod touch fifth-gen, iPad 2, iPad Air, iPad mini with Retina Display, iPad mini, iPad 4, and iPad 3. As Gotta Be Mobile notes, the iPad 2's inclusion on the list was a mild surprise given Apple's history of leaving devices off of the list after three major updates. It was pretty much a given that the iPhone 4 would not make the final cut, as the smartphone is no longer available in stores and has already received the three updates.
We'll be updating this post once the official release notes are made available by Apple.
The iOS 8 update is highly-anticipated for a variety of reasons, but one of the most important factors in grading its success with users will lie with how it improves the everyday use of compatible devices. One of those updates consumers can look forward to is with the new mobile OS iteration's boost to the iPhone's photo-taking experience.
AnandTech reports that iOS 8 will integrate manual controls that will improve the ability to take great photos with the Apple smartphone:
"To be clear, iOS 8 will expose just about every manual camera control possible," the publication reports. "This means that ISO, shutter speed, focus, white balance, and exposure bias can be manually set within a custom camera application. Outside of these manual controls, Apple has also added gray card functionality to bypass the auto white balance mechanism and both EV bracketing and shutter speed/ISO bracketing."
"It's been said that Apple is one of the few OEMs that take camera seriously, and these new controls can only cement that position." AnandTech adds.
While BGR notes Apple has already introduced timers and exposure settings, this update will completely open things up for users.
