In a strategic move to bolster software reliability, Apple Inc. has temporarily halted the development of its upcoming operating systems, including iOS 18, macOS 15, watchOS 11, and tvOS 18. This decision, initially reported by Bloomberg, stems from the discovery of significant vulnerabilities within these systems.
Apple logo at its flagship store in Paris, France-Source: Reuters
Sources close to Apple’s software development team, led by Craig Federighi, revealed an unexpected number of bugs in the forthcoming OS versions, which eluded the internal testing team. The temporary suspension, announced internally last week, is a step towards maintaining Apple’s commitment to quality control, following the surfacing of glitches in earlier versions.
Apple recently took an unusual step by temporarily pausing the development of its upcoming software updates like #iOS18. This decision is aimed to address a growing number of glitches in early versions, prioritizing quality control.
Instead of introducing new features, Apple’s… pic.twitter.com/289li3GCot
— Apple Node (@AppleNode) November 8, 2023
Instead of adding new features, Apple engineers are now focused on rectifying these flaws and enhancing system performance. Federighi’s team, known for prioritizing software stability and performance over new features, is working diligently to address these issues.
Despite the pause, Apple anticipates no delay in the release schedule of its operating systems. The company traditionally unveils new software versions in June at its WWDC 2024, with public releases following in September and October, as per Bloomberg’s report.
Furthermore, Apple has postponed the launch of its “M 2” program and the “Monstone” internal project for watchOS 11, along with the current iOS 17 update, slated for release in March. The delay also impacts the future releases of “visionOS” for Apple’s “Vision Pro” headset, scheduled for early next year.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | Apple Inc. |
| Development Halted | iOS 18, macOS 15, watchOS 11, tvOS 18 |
| Reason | Identification of significant bugs and vulnerabilities |
| Leadership | Craig Federighi |
| Focus | Fixing bugs, enhancing performance over adding new features |
| Expected Release Schedule | No anticipated delay; Releases expected in September/October |
| Additional Delays | “M 2” program, “Monstone” project, iOS 17 update, “visionOS” |
| Consumer Impact | Minimal; Development resumption expected within the week |
However, this temporary halt is unlikely to affect the actual consumer releases. Apple is expected to resume normal development operations within the week.
