Apple Releases iOS 8.1, which Enabled Apple Pay, SMS Relay, Camera Roll, and More

Apple today released iOS 8.1 to the public, which is the first major update to iOS 8, the update has come after two beta versions seeded to developers, the first beta was at the end of September.

iOS 8.1 includes quite a few significant features, in addition to improvements and bug fixes. iOS 8.1, build 12B410, is available immediately as an over-the-air download. This update as is well known will activate Apple Pay, Apple's new payment service, so the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus owners can use their devices to make payments in both retail stores that support NFC and participating apps.

iOS 8.1 enables Yosemite users to access Continuity features such as SMS relay and Instant Hotspot - that letting Mac users remotely activate the Personal Hotspot capabilities of an iPhone when two devices are near each other -, iCloud Photo Library, and restores the Camera, the list below shows all these changes and fixes, as per the release notes: 

Apple Pay support for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus (U.S. only)

Photos include new features, improvements, and fixes
-Adds iCloud Photo Library as a beta service
- Adds Camera Roll album in Photos app and My Photo Stream album when iCloud Photo Library is not enabled
- Provides alerts when running low on space before capturing Time Lapse videos

Messages includes new features, improvements and fixes
- Adds the ability for iPhone users to send and receive SMS and MMS text messages on from their iPad and Mac
- Resolves an issue where search would sometimes not display results
- Fixes a bug that caused read messages not to be marked as read
- Fixes issues with group messaging

Resolves issues with Wi-Fi performance that could occur when connected to some base stations
Fixes an issue that could prevent connections to Bluetooth hands-free devices
Fixes bugs that could cause screen rotation to stop working
Fixes an issue in Safari where videos would sometimes not play
Adds an option to select between 2G, 3G, or LTE networks for cellular data
Fixes an issue in Safari where videos would sometimes not play
Adds AirDrop support for Passbook passes
Adds an option to enable Dictation in Settings for Keyboards, Separate from SiriEnables HealthKit apps to access data in the background

Accessibility improvements and fixes
- Fixes an issue that prevented Guided Access from working properly
- Fixes a bug where VoiceOver would not work with 3rd party keyboards
- Improves stability and audio quality when using MFi Hearing Aids with iPhone 6 and 6 Plus
- Fixes an issue with VoiceOver where tone dialing would get stuck on tone until dialing another number
- Improves reliability when using handwriting, Bluetooth keyboards, and Braille displays with VoiceOver

Fixes an issue that was preventing the use of OS X Caching Server for iOS updates

You can download the iOS 8.1 update via the "Software Update" tool from Settings > General > Software Update. You can also do that through iTunes, after the connecting your iPhone to your computer, selecting it from iTunes, then click “Check for Update” or “Update” button. Apple has also released Apple TV software 7.0.1.

The direct download links for iOS 8.1:

iPad:

-iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi
-iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular
-iPad mini 3 (Model A1599)
-iPad mini 3 (Model A1600)
-iPad mini 3 (Model A1601)
-iPad Air (Model A1474)
-iPad Air (Model A1475)
-iPad Air (Model A1476)
-iPad mini 2 (Model A1489)
-iPad mini 2 (Model A1490)
-iPad mini 2 (Model A1491)
-iPad (4th generation Model A1458)
-iPad (4th generation Model A1459)
-iPad (4th generation Model A1460)
-iPad mini (Model A1432)
-iPad mini (Model A1454)
-iPad mini (Model A1455)
-iPad Wi-Fi 3rd generation
-iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (model for ATT)
-iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (model for Verizon)
-iPad 2 Wi-Fi
-iPad 2 Wi-Fi (Rev A)
-iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G (GSM)
-iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G (CDMA)

iPhone:
-iPhone 6
-iPhone 6 Plus
-iPhone 5s (Model A1453, A1533)
-iPhone 5s (Model A1457, A1518, A1528, A1530)
-iPhone 5c (Model A1456, A1532)
-iPhone 5c (Model A1507, A1516, A1526, A1529)
-iPhone 5 (Model A1428)
-iPhone 5 (Model A1429)
-iPhone 4s

iPod touch:
-iPod touch (5th generation)

Read also:

• A Comprehensive List of iOS 8 Hidden Features and Changes and how Can Be Accessed

• Take a Look of New Features in New Apple Products; iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, Apple Pay, and Apple Watch

• Photos App in iOS 8