Apple delays work on next year’s iPhone, Mac software to fix bugs

In an unusual move, Apple has temporarily halted the development of new software updates for its devices, including the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The decision, made last week, is aimed at maintaining quality control by addressing a multitude of bugs found in early versions of the software. Rather than focusing on the introduction of new features, Apple's engineers have been assigned the task of rectifying these flaws and enhancing the software's performance.

Apple's software, renowned for its user-friendly interfaces, easy controls, and emphasis on privacy, is a significant selling point for the company. Therefore, maintaining its quality is crucial. However, Apple must strike a balance between the introduction of new features and ensuring the smooth operation of its operating systems. In recent years, Apple has prioritized quality, even if it means postponing the introduction of new capabilities. In 2018, Craig Federighi, the head of software engineering, delayed the release of several iPhone features until the following year due to concerns about the software's bug-ridden state.

In 2019, Federighi revamped Apple's software development process to prevent issues. Under this new approach, each feature must be manually enabled, allowing testers to assess its impact on the overall system before implementation. That year, he also introduced 'The Pact', an agreement that obliges employees to prevent 'regressions' - instances where software that previously functioned correctly ceases to do so - and to rectify errors promptly. These policies have proven beneficial, resulting in less buggy software releases and fewer delayed features in recent years. However, the latest development cycle has encountered some difficulties, with the software engineering management team discovering an excessive number of 'escapes', a term used in the industry to describe bugs overlooked during internal testing. As a result, the division decided to suspend all new feature development for a week to concentrate on bug fixes.