Apple is all geared up to roll out iOS 8.1 on Monday. The release is no bigger than iOS 8, but iPhone and iPad owners looking to upgrade their mobile platform should expect bigger changes the the previous bug fixes (and problems) brought about by iOS 8.0.1 and 8.0.2.
The new release is expected to provide fixes for these problems, such as a problem that prevents iOS 8 users from connecting their iPhones with other Apple devices such as Bluetooth. However, considering Apple's recent history of iOS 8 updates, it is likely best to wait for a day or two to make sure the coast is clear of more bugs and problems than the previous updates. After all, iOS 8.1 won't be going away, and it is better for users, especially those who use their devices for work and those traveling without easy access to a computer, to round up the reviews on the latest update before installing it on their iPhones and iPads.
iOS 8.1, as Apple has already confirmed, will finally come with support for Apple Pay, Apple's new mobile payment system that allows iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users and new iPad owners when the new tablets start shipping next month, to pay for digital and physical goods at the App Store and retail outlets simply by touching the tip of their devices to the store's point-of-sale terminal and confirming the payment using Touch ID.
Also to be expected is support for a number of Continuity features, such as SMS Relay and Instant Hotspot. With SMS Relay, users can send and receive SMS messages and iMessages on iPads and Macs that are connected to their iPhones. Apple says this new feature will allow users to start SMS-based conversations on their computers and continue them on other devices.
Instant Hotspot, a feature that allows a Mac to turn an iPhone's Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities when it detects that the two devices are near each other, even when the user does not take out the phone from his bag or pocket.
Apple will also be releasing several minor changes, such as the return of the beloved Camera Roll and the launch of the iCloud Photo Library, Apple's replacement to Photo Stream which will provide users cloud-based storage for their pictures and videos taken with their Apple devices.
Apple did not specify a time when the over-the-air update will become available, but its history shows Apple traditionally releases updates at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.
