Apple is preparing to drop the next major update for its iOS 8 operating system sometime in March, according to reports on Tuesday.
9to5Mac sources are corroborating reports from BGR which earlier claimed the next release is scheduled to drop next month.
The iOS 8.2 release is notable as it will bring support for the Apple Watch, which goes on sale in the United States in April ahead of a larger roll out.
Last month, it was reported Apple will include an Apple Watch Companion app within the settings, allowing users to customise the device and control notifications.
According to those reports, Apple Watch owners will be able to organise app icons on a virtual home screen on their iPhone’s display. Users will also be able to create a monogram of their initials to use as the clock face, screenshots from a recent iOS 8.2 beta revealed.
Elsewhere, owners of the advanced wearable can use the app to enable a red dot to alert them to notifications while in clock mode. Users will also be able to customise whether they can reply to messages with their voice, send Read Receipts or set custom texts for replying.
Users can enable ‘Stand Reminders’ when they’ve been seated too long and turn on notifications for progress towards, and achievement of, movement goals. They’ll also decide whether the heart rate monitor is used to calculate the amount of calories they are burning.
Of course, Accessibility and Passcode settings can also be tailored using the Companion app.
Read more: iOS 8 vs iOS 7: What’s new?
Beyond the consumer-facing stuff, iOS 8.2 will also include the WatchKit platform that’ll allow the iPhone and its apps to connect to the Watch in the first place.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
