Michal Ždanský Apple released the first beta version of iOS 8.3 today. Yes, you read that right. While beta iOS 8.2 far from being available to the public, and Apple probably won't release it this month either, another decimal version is available for testing by registered developers. In addition, the company also released an updated Xcode 6.3 developer studio. It includes Swift 1.2, which brings some major news and improvements.
iOS 8.3 contains several new features. First and foremost is wireless CarPlay support. Until now, the functionality of the user interface for cars was only available through connection via the Lightning connector, now it will be possible to achieve a connection with the car also using Bluetooth. For the manufacturer, this probably means just a software update, as they counted on this function when implementing CarPlay. This also gave iOS an edge over Android, whose Auto function still requires a connector connection.
Another novelty is the redesigned Emoji keyboard, which offers a new layout with a scrolling menu instead of the previous pagination, and a new design. Its components include some new emoticons previously introduced in the official specification. Finally, in iOS 8.3 there is new support for two-step verification for Google accounts, which Apple previously introduced in OS X 10.10.3.
As for Xcode and Swift, Apple follows here official blog improved the Compiler for Swift, adding the ability to step compile code builds, better diagnostics, faster function execution, and better stability. The behavior of Swift code should also be more predictable. In general, there should be better interaction between Swift and Objective-C in Xcode. The new changes will require developers to change chunks of Swift code for compatibility, but the new version of Xcode at least includes a migration tool to simplify the process.
I tried something in Swift last year during the holidays. Unfortunately, a lot of things didn't work there yet, so I went back to Objective C for now, waiting for things to be fine-tuned. So I hope that everything will be ok this year and I'll change seats ;)
You can work in Swift for some time now, and 1.2 brought a lot of changes for the better + fixes, I recommend switching ;) (I'm a bit annoyed that the new XCode is still beta)
And what about version 8.4 :D
http://9to5mac.com/2015/02/09/apple-working-on-ios-8-4-update-may-include-new-music-service/