Apple has already seeded to developers the fifth beta of the iOS 9.3, its latest firmware update, and its full version promises to restore the functionality of the Apple Pencil to navigate on the iPad Pro.
When the iPad Pro made it to the retail markets in November last year, it was already running on iOS 9.0. Subsequently, Apple has made updates on its firmware and released the iOS 9.1, the iOS 9.2 and the iOS 9.2.1 almost in succession.
Last month, Apple has also started releasing the first few betas for the iOS 9.3 but, unfortunately, those trial software has come with bugs that greatly affected the functionality of the Apple Pencil particularly on the iPad Pro.
While it is an optional input device to the iPad Pro, the American tech giant simply cannot take the issue on the Apple Pencil very lightly considering that it is also their product. Thus, it spared no time in working to fix the bugs and the first step was to seed another beta of the iOS 9.3 to developers.
It is expected that the full version of the iOS 9.3 will be launched soon. However, Apple is already assuring users of Apple Pencil on the iPad Pro that by the latest beta version alone of the latest firmware update, the bugs have already been fixed and they can navigate again the giant tablet with the electronic writing input device, notes Apple Insider.
Severely limiting the Apple Pencil
The first four betas of the iOS 9.3 have severely limited the capabilities of the Apple Pencil as it removed its ability to scroll or open links or apps.
Users of the iPad Pro with the iOS 9.0, iOS 9.1, and iOS 9.2 onboard have had no problems with Apple’s official smart stylus.
Apparently, the absence of navigation support in the first four betas of iOS 9.3 has triggered speculations that the American tech giant may be planning to remove the capabilities of the Apple Pencil in an upcoming software update.
However, Apple came out with a statement and informed users that the functionality of the Apple Pencil was due to be restored. The American tech giant delivered on its promise on March 1 with the release of the fifth beta of iOS 9.3.
The Apple Pencil, which is being retailed at $99, began shipping last year. It was meant to serve as a drawing and writing tool. But it also doubles as a stylus for navigating the device, including on the home screen, in menus, within third-party apps, and when browsing the internet in Safari.
Apple stated that it temporarily removed the Pencil’s ability to act as a finger replacement as the company works on refining its functionality.
Although the Apple Pencil can now be used to scroll and open items, there are still more navigation functions that cannot be accomplished with the Apple Pencil. These functions are mostly relegated to edge-of-screen gestures such as invoking Control Center, Slide Over, and Notification Center.
Meant for enterprise device management
The upcoming changes in iOS 9.3 to enterprise device management will become more interesting. Of course, the first of the bugs that the firmware update will address is the one affecting the functionality of the Apple Pencil, and the other has something to do with date bug that bricks an iPhone if the date is set to January 1, 1970, details Forbes.
Accordingly, the iOS 9.3 shall be able to also address the Error 53 issues discovered during repairs to the hardware.
The enterprise changes that will come with the firmware update will actually make the iPhone a little bit more attractive to the IT crowd.
The iOS 9.3 shall enable the MDM to enforce home screen layouts, black and whitelist apps, and enforce notification settings.
Since Apple officially unveiled the iOS 9 in September last year, the American tech giant has come up with three updates thus far – iOS 9.1, iOS 9.2, and iOS 9.2.1.
However, iOS 9.2.1 was rather short-lived because along with its release, Apple has also seeded to developers the first beta of the iOS 9.3.
What a joke, pretending your os is somehow above the rest and impregnable. Ok Apple, chuck the ego already.
On another note..One moment the disappearing pencil navigation functionality is because of bugs, and the next minute it’s them ‘refining behavior’.. so which is it? I’ll tell you why I think the story is inconsistent. Apple didn’t want the user community figuring out they were completely wrong about a stylus being useless for things like navigation..too much bad pr for them and a boon to their competition, the surface. So they tried to drop the functionality quietly. People screamed, and then they began calling it ‘bugs’ they resolved in order to avoid egg on their face.
Anyone comfortable with a company that will go to such lengths to restrict you and fool you, all so they can keep their laptop and tablet separate in order to keep selling twice the hardware? Not me!