iPad 2 iOS 8.0.2
Similar problems + various irregularities....
I had 4 updates waiting.
Tapped the 'update' rectangle which started the update circle to just - circle and circle, and circle - ad infinitum - without any updating actually happening.
Sometimes the circles would get stuck/greyed out.
After 3 days of wondering I connected (USB) the iPad to my Mac (Power Mac G5 - yes) with iTunes opened up. I got the pop up window "trust or not trust' this computer. I tapped 'trust' and THAT WAS IT. I waited some 5 minutes before disconnecting. Next thing I know all things seemed normal. Updates behaved as hoped for and good speed when surfing. Perhaps the fact that the same 2 machines (G5 Mac/IPad) were used for the initial syncing helped.