Apple has delayed the release of its watchOS 2 software update for the Apple Watch just hours before it was due for global release with reports of a software bug killing the watch’s battery life. The company was due to release this major update for the Apple Watch as part of iOS9, the mobile operating system that is being rolled out around the world today.
But just hours before the iOS9 update went live, Apple pulled the watch software update. The last-minute decision followed reports from app developers testing almost-finished released versions of the software that the operating system update was causing dramatic battery drain.
Nevertheless, iOS 9, Apple’s next-generation software update for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, is still on track to be released today.
I knew WatchOS2.0 was beta software and buggy. Didn’t expect it to be this bad. This is just after lunch to… – http://t.co/JwQMuvPHJf
— Boris VvZ (@Boris) August 30, 2015
“We have discovered a bug in development of watchOS 2 that is taking a bit longer to fix than we expected,” an Apple spokesperson said. “We will not release watchOS 2 today but will shortly.”
Despite confirming the delay, the iPhone 6S maker has failed to confirm when exactly we can now expect the first major Apple Watch software update to land.
The new operating system adds a handful of new features, but most importantly gives developers building apps the ability to directly access its sensors and stream data more efficiently between the iPhone and the watch. Other marquee features of watchOS 2 include expanded Siri support, transit directions, photo watch faces, the ability to travel through a timeline to check weather and appointments and expanded WiFi support when out of range of an iPhone.
Apple announced the release of the new operating system back at its WWDC conference in June. The update also featured prominently in the “monster” Apple event of last week in which the Cupertino-based technology giant announced two new iPhones, a new giant iPad and a revamped iPad Pro.
The iOS 9 update is still scheduled to begin its widespread introduction at 6pm BST this evening.
