iOS 8.3 and iOS 9 release dates: March, June roll out as public betas lined up

The official versions of iOS 8.3 and iOS 9 will be rolled out soon as the public betas of the two iOS are lined up for release to iPhone and iPad users.

Since its official release late last year, iOS 8 brought bugs and issues along with it that required Apple to fix it by releasing new updates. The company recently released the official version of iOS 8.1.3, but the beta versions of iOS 8.2 and 8.3 were already seeded to developers for the first phase of testing and scrutiny.

Apple usually previews its new operating systems at its Worldwide Developers' Conference, which is set for June this year. iOS 9 is codenamed Monarch and its public beta is scheduled to be available in the summer before its official roll out in the fall to iPhone and iPad users.

It is unusual for the Cupertino-based company, but it started to include its users in developing the iOS by soliciting input. This has become a part of Apple's strategy to ensure that the forthcoming iOS updates will be bug-free ahead of its general release - to make the beta version of the operating system available to the public to comb out the bugs.

Currently, the third beta iOS 8.3 was seeded to developers with Wireless Carplay Support, new emoji picker and other improvements. The public beta will be available in mid-March. The new iOS will follow the public beta program of last year's OS X Yosemite through the AppleSeed program, according to people familiar with Apple's plans. Thus, people will be able to test the operating system first. The OS X Yosemite public beta was seeded to one million beta testers; however, reports said that the upcoming iOS public betas will be available to 100,000 people for testing.

People who have signed up for the public beta will be able to report any bugs or issues they encountered with the beta thru a specific app. However, there is no confirmation from Apple as to its plans for the iOS yet.