[fb-exchange] iOS 8: Everything you need to know - Features, release date, compatibility

  • From: "Dominique Farrell" <hollyandopal@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <"Undisclosed-Recipient:;"@freelists.org>
  • Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 18:00:51 +0100

Apple's iOS 8 will be available to download in the UK from around 6pm today 
(September 17), ahead of the launch of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus on 
Friday. 
The software has been in the hands of developers since June, so we're already 
familiar with many of its features. Here's what you need to know about the 
forthcoming update.


Camera

The iPhone camera in iOS 8 will benefit from a new Time Lapse feature, adding 
to the existing panoramic and HDR functionality. Although the specifics are 
unknown, reports say time lapse photos will end up in their own specific photo 
album. So if you've ever wanted to capture a flower going from seed to flower, 
you may be in luck. In addition, Apple is letting developers have greater 
access to the camera hardware, which could mean improved functionality in other 
forms.


Photos app

Editing photos can be done with the new Photos app from Apple. The idea is to 
make it easy to improve your snaps with very little effort and expertise. Apple 
is also choosing to store all photos in the cloud, not locally on your device. 
You get 5GB of storage free. Larger storage options will start from US$1 a 
month.

Health and Healthkit

Healthkit is an API developers can use to keep track of any personal health 
history you have. The API will also make it possible for medical databases to 
communicate with your iPhone so, for instance, you can get a notification your 
blood test results have arrived.

This will tie in with the new Health app, which gives users an easy‑to‑read 
dashboard of their health and fitness data.


Handoff

This is useful if you regularly jump between an iPad, iPhone and Mac. Jump from 
one device to another and Handoff will remember what you were doing, letting 
you continue writing that email. All you have to do is press a small icon in 
the bottom corner of an iOS device and you can resume the task.

iPhone to Mac messaging

Ever wanted to send a text message to your Mac? In iOS 8 you will have the 
option, even if the phone you use is a non-iOS device.

Airdrop

Not a button that has a platoon of Apple employees parachuting down to your 
home. Airdrop allows you to drop a file into a certain folder and it will 
appear on all your iOS devices connected to a WiFi network.

Email

Deleting an email flag you have set can be done by swiping to the left, while a 
harder swipe can delete a message.


Notifications

Notifications now allow you to take action without leaving the current app you 
are using. Instead, you will be able to reply to, say, a text message directly 
from the notification. It even works under the lock screen.

Mac phone calls

In addition to sending text messages to a desktop computer, iOS 8 will allow 
you to use your iPhone to relay calls to a Mac. Your Mac automatically acts as 
a microphone and speaker while your iPhone provides the caller ID.


Spotlight

Spotlight is Apple's notification centre you can access from swiping downwards 
from the top of the screen. In iOS 8 you will see suggestions for apps and 
notifications you are currently missing out on. For instance, nearby places, 
latest news headlines and cinema opening times.

Extensions

Another developer-focused addition that could benefit everyone significantly. 
Apple has allowed extensions, which basically means developers can use the 
functionality or services of other apps. One demonstration of this involved an 
iPhone using Bing to translate text within the iOS browser.

iMessages

The latest iOS version will let you mute a conversation, in case you are 
getting bored of your present company. In addition, iOS 8 lets you share where 
you are with who you are conversing with, making it easier to find where your 
friends are. SnapChat-esque functionality lets you add a timer to a message so 
they disappear into the ether after a certain time.

WiFi phone calls

It looks as if iOS 8 opens the door to making calls over WiFi, like you can 
with Facetime. This would save you using up minutes. It could, however, depend 
on the networks whether it's implemented or not.

Braille keyboard

Apparently iOS 8 will have a Braille keyboard that works with a "direct six dot 
input". If true, this could make life a lot easier for blind iOS users.


Smarter keyboard

Keyboards that learn your writing style are nothing new. But a keyboard that 
learns how you write to different people is. Always more formal with your boss? 
The Apple keyboard will adjust the predictive words you can choose from 
accordingly. It even learns the nature of a message so it can learn the 
language you use when arranging a dinner date.

Siri

Siri is somewhat limited in its use because you need to activate it using your 
hand. In iOS 8 Siri is always listening so you can activate it by saying "Hey 
Siri" instead of pressing the home button. A useful feature if you spend a lot 
of time driving.

Metal 3D engine

Apple's iOS 8 adds a new 3D graphics engine that is meant to be far superior to 
the last. It's supposedly ten times time better, in fact, although how this 
translates to real-world performance is unknown. All you need to know is games 
could have the potential to look even better.


Touch ID for apps

Touch ID lets you access your iPhone using your finger but little else. In iOS 
8 it will give you the chance to unlock apps in the same manner, whether that's 
accessing Facebook or using a banking app.

iCloud Drive

iCloud Drive, an extension of Apple's cloud storage platform, enables users to 
work on any type of document on the device of their choosing (providing its an 
iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or PC).

So, editing your presentations, spreadsheets, PDFs, or images on one device 
will see the changes automatically appear across the board.

Apple Pay

Mobile wallet service Apple Pay is among the centrepieces of iOS, but this 
technology will be limited to the forthcoming iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

Making use of the new handsets' NFC capabilities, the service enables users to 
carry out one-touch payments on the high street. It will be available in the US 
at launch, but reports suggest that it will not be coming to the UK until next 
year.

Release date?

UK users will be able to download iOS 8 from 6pm on Wednesday, September 17 for 
the iPhone 4S, 5, 5S, 5C, iPod Touch fifth generation, iPad 2, iPad with Retina 
Display, iPad Air, iPad Mini and iPad Mini with Retina Display. 


=========================================================== 
The fb-exchange mailing list 
Manage account or unsubscribe: //www.freelists.org/list/fb-exchange
 Archives: //www.freelists.org/archives/fb-exchange 
Administrative contact: insight@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

=========================================================== 

Other related posts: