iOS 8 : Sneak Peak to New Features and Release Date

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The iOS 8, post its unveiling at WWDC, has created a phenomenal amount of hype in terms of anticipation from the user's end. The features incorporated in this new mobile operating system by Apple are believed to make the upcoming iPhone worth the additional 100$.

The unveiling of iOS 8 along with Swift and MAC OS X, by Apple Inc. in the recent WWDC, can be considered as one of this year’s major events in the tech world. While some of the iPhone fans impatiently await the iPhone 6 to be up for sale, others are looking forward to the treats that iOS 8 has to offer. The recent upgrade of iOS boasts the incorporation of various features that iPhone and iPad users have been longing for; let’s analyze these features: 

Actionable Notifications

No need to unlock the iPhone or exit any application if you wish to revert to any text or to like any Facebook post. You can reply instantly to the messages and reminders straight from the notification banner.

Camera

The iPhone’s camera is one piece of hardware that is bound to have received add-ons. The current update that iOS 8 includes is the Time Lapse feature, generally found in high end digital cameras, that helps in capturing images over a period of time. Along with Time Lapse there have been improvements in cropping options and addition of features like self timer, manual exposure and manual color options.

HealthKit

HealthKit is the most talked about new feature of iOS 8. HealthKit, designed to help users keep track of their personal health, will maintain a log carrying the data related to your fitness by monitoring your physical activities on a regular basis. It can be interlinked with other iOS applications to enhance the data precision. For example the Nike+ fitness app that links to the NikeFuel wristband will compile key HealthKit metrics like nutrition and sleep and will build a custom profile for the user in order to optimize athletic performance.

Siri

Siri has been modified to respond without the user even touching the phone in order to give a command. It has been integrated with Shazam, so now when you ask,”What song is it?” Siri won’t negate your question!

There has also been a disclosure about some interesting Siri related tools that will let iOS developers integrate the assistant with their respective apps. Think of an alluring example; when you get home tired and don’t want to take those immense strides to switch off the lights. How cool will it be when you say, “Get ready for bed” and the lights go dim by themselves? Of course this is a remote possibility at the moment, but it is something that is very much attainable in the near future.

It just got hot, for Yahoo!

While The Weather Channel was rubbing its palms in excitement, Yahoo!, on the other hand was faced with dejection when iOS 8 came to the surface earlier this June; the reason? Apple is no longer receiving weather services from Yahoo! and has switched over to The Weather Channel. Why? Well, there has not been any formal clarification, probably due to factors like price, service quality or Apple’s quest for better alternatives.

The Jailbreak Escape Phenomenon:

Till date the mobile applications tools that weren’t made available by iOS were imported by using a phenomenon called jailbreak. To jailbreak is to modify the iOS and gain root access in order to get rid of restrictions imposed by Apple.

iOS 8 seems sensitive regarding the issue and is believed to fulfill the need for such tools that will help users retain the stature of Apple’s officially legitimate handsets.

Third Party Key Boards are one of the most common features one looks for after jail breaking their iDevice. After five years, iOS 8 has finally sorted out the shortcomings in the typing experiences of the user. Apple now allows the usage of custom keyboards like Swiftkey, Swype and Fleksy in the iOS 8. Another less known keyboard is the TouchPal which has the unique property of slide input.

Numerous major iOS 8 features are rumored to be inspired from other mobile operation system like Android and Windows like:

Battery Usage:

Similar to Android, the battery usage menu lets you know about the battery usage stats. The applications consuming most of the charge can be monitored and regulated accordingly, enhancing the battery saving capabilities of the iDevice.

Split Screen:

This feature allows two apps to run simultaneously, side by-side, in multiple sizes. Developer Steven Troughton-Smith confirms that the apps in a split screen situation are size adjustable by ratios of 1/4, 1/2 or 1/3.

Release:

Reports state that Apple would be scheduling the official release of iOS 8 in fall of 2014. In the meantime, iOS 8 beta 2 version for iPhone and iPad has already been scheduled to be fished out exclusively to the iOS developers.

As for the iPhone 6, that is expected to have a phenomenal screen length of 5.5 inches, rumor has it that the latest gem from Apple will shine in the markets anytime from September onward.

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About Author
Vipin Jain

Vipin Jain

Vipin Jain is the Co-Founder and CEO at Konstant Infosolutions and is in charge of marketing, project management, administration and R&D at the company. With his marketing background, Vipin Jain has developed and honed the company’s vision, corporate structure & initiatives and its goals, and brought the company into the current era of success.

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