iOS 8

iOS 8 is the eighth major version of Apple's mobile operating system, iOS. It was announced at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 2, 2014.[1][2] It contains several new features, such as an app named Health, and a framework called HealthKit.[3][4]Siri is able to be activated hands-free when it is plugged into power and can also tell users what song is playing using Shazam integration.[5]

iOS 8
Part of the iOS family
IOS 8 logo.svg
IOS 7 Lockscreen.png
Developer
Apple Inc.
Websitewww.apple.com/ios/ios8/
Releases
Initial releaseSeptember 17, 2014 [info]
Stable releaseAll models: iOS 8.3 (12F69) (April 8, 2015; 9 years ago (2015-04-08))
Source modelClosed, with open-source components
LicenseProprietary EULA except for open-source components
Kernel typeHybrid (XNU)
Platform supportiPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5C, iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPod Touch (5th generation), iPad 2, iPad (3rd generation), iPad (4th generation), iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad Mini (1st generation), iPad Mini (2nd generation), iPad Mini (3rd generation)
Preceded byiOS 7
Succeeded byiOS 9

The Golden Master of iOS 8 was released to developers on September 9, 2014, and the final release of iOS 8 was released to the public on September 17, 2014.

New features

Photos and Camera

The Photos app now has more options to edit the user's pictures. The cropping feature now allows the user to turn the image clockwise and counter-clockwise. The user can also set the brightness and colors you want for the user's pictures. The Camera app now has a shot timer that can be set for 3 or 10 seconds.[6]

Messages

Users can send audio and video messages by holding down the record button.[7][8]

Design

The design of iOS 8 is the same as iOS 7 or iOS 7.1. There are some small changes such as added transparency and faster animation effects. The multitasking screen now shows a list of contacts that the user has talked with recently, as well as the user's favorite contacts.[9]

Keyboards

iOS 8 also includes a new predictive typing feature called QuickType. It displays word selections above the keyboard as the user types. The feature can be turned off in Settings, or hidden using a swipe gesture. In addition, iOS 8 will allow users to install third-party keyboards.[10][11][12]

Family Sharing

In iOS 8, a user can add six other people as family members. Family members can share purchased apps, music, and books using the same credit card. iOS 8 can also set up photo streams for every family member. The calendar can also sync between all family members.[13]

iCloud Drive

iCloud Drive allows users to save photos, videos, documents, music, and other data on iCloud. A user can start their work on one device and continue their work on another device. Users will get 5 GB of storage for free, but they can buy more storage.

HealthKit

HealthKit is a service that allows developers to make software that will be included in the new Health app. This app tracks user's steps, oxygen, sleep and other data. Users can also make an emergency card to help them in case of an emergency. HealthKit is only on iOS 8.4 or later/Higher.[4]

Continuity

Continuity allows users to share e-mails and websites over Wi-Fi. It also allows users to answer phone calls and respond to text messages on their Mac or iPad. This feature works on devices that have OS X Yosemite or iOS 8.

Spotlight

Spotlight now gives the user suggestions from Wikipedia entries, places nearby, trending news, and more. It’s even smart enough to recognize context and location to offer users the most relevant information.[14]

Wi-Fi Calling

In iOS 8, Apple integrated Wi-Fi calling. This service allows mobile phone calls over Wi-Fi. It is planned to be available for customers of T-Mobile in the US.[15] Apple developers have removed many errors in IOS 8 Beta 5 like Wi-Fi sync but many other problems are still there[16]

Problems

A study by Crittercism found that the rate at which applications crashed in their tests was 3.56% on iOS 8, higher than the 2% found on iOS 7.1.[17]

Although the update is officially available for the iPhone 4S, it is recommended that users of the iPhone 4S do not upgrade, due to problems such as the battery draining quickly and the phone hanging up whenever a user makes a call.[18]

On September 24, 2014, the iOS 8.0.1 release caused problems for iPhone 6 devices by turning off Touch ID and not allowing the phone to make calls.[19] The update was released at 12:00 PM EST, and at around 2:00 PM EST, Apple removed the update due to these problems, as well as other small problems. A day later, Apple released iOS 8.0.2 which has all the fixes included with iOS 8.0.1 and also fixes the problems that iOS 8.0.1 brought.[20]

Supported Devices

iPhone
^P4S  iPhone 4S
^P5  iPhone 5
^P5C  iPhone 5C
^P5S  iPhone 5S
^P6  iPhone 6
^P6P  iPhone 6 Plus

iPod Touch
^T5  iPod Touch (5th generation)

iPad
^S2  iPad 2 Wi-Fi only
^S2C  iPad 2 Wi-Fi+3G GSM
^S2D  iPad 2 Wi-Fi+3G CDMA
^S3  iPad (3rd generation) Wi-Fi only
^S3L  iPad (3rd generation) Wi-Fi+3G
^S3L  iPad (3rd generation) Wi-Fi+4G (LTE) (AT&T/global version)
^S3D  iPad (3rd generation) Wi-Fi+4G (LTE) (Verizon version)
^S4  iPad (4th generation) Wi-Fi only
^S4L  iPad (4th generation) Wi-Fi+3G
^S4L  iPad (4th generation) Wi-Fi+4G (LTE) (AT&T/global version)
^S4D  iPad (4th generation) Wi-Fi+4G (LTE) (Verizon version)
^S5  iPad Air Wi-Fi only
^S5L  iPad Air Wi-Fi+3G
^S5L  iPad Air Wi-Fi+4G (LTE) (AT&T/global version)
^S5D  iPad Air Wi-Fi+4G (LTE) (Verizon version)

iPad Mini
^M1  iPad Mini (1st generation) Wi-Fi only
^M1C  iPad Mini (1st generation) Wi-Fi+4G (LTE)
^M2  iPad Mini (2nd generation) Wi-Fi only
^M2C  iPad Mini (2nd generation) Wi-Fi+4G (LTE)

References

  1. Saif Ullah (8 August 2014). "iOS 8 Release Date Prediction From iPhone 6 Rumors". TechLeaks.us. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  2. Kahn, Jordan (June 2, 2014). "Apple officially introduces iOS 8 "HealthKit" platform & "Health" app". 9to5Mac.
  3. Kahn, Jordan (June 2, 2014). "Apple officially introduces iOS 8 "HealthKit" platform & "Health" app". 9to5Mac.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Saif Ullah (15 August 2014). "Apple iOS 8 HealthKit Features Rolled Out Ahead of iPhone 6 Launch". TechLeaks.us. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  5. Keller, Joesph (June 2, 2014). "Siri features hands-free activation, Shazam integration in iOS 8".
  6. Hammad Rafique (June 4, 2014). "iOS 8 Features' Demonstration". TechZend. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  7. Rossignol, Joe (2 June 2014). "iOS 8 improves messaging on iMessage". iDownloadBlog. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  8. Saif Ullah (24 July 2014). "iOS 8 Messages App Exciting New Features". TechLeaks.us. Archived from the original on 30 July 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  9. Samee Ijaaz (26 July 2014). "iOS 8 New Design Features". TechLeaks.us. Archived from the original on 4 August 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  10. "Apple Keyboards". For the first time, iOS 8 opens up the keyboard to developers
  11. Saif Ullah (27 July 2014). "iOS 8 QuickType More Intelligent Now". TechLeaks.us. Archived from the original on 5 August 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  12. Saif Ullah (4 August 2014). "How to Use Custom Keyboards on Apple iOS 8". TechLeaks.us. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  13. Saif Ullah (30 July 2014). "iOS 8 Family Sharing – More Powerful Now". TechLeaks.us. Archived from the original on 5 August 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  14. Saif Ullah (July 24, 2014). "iOS 8 improved Spotlight Search". TechLeaks.us. Archived from the original on July 30, 2014. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  15. Saif Ullah (July 24, 2014). "iOS 8 Wifi Calling New Feature". TechLeaks.us. Archived from the original on July 29, 2014. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  16. Warda Farooq (16 August 2014). "iOS 8 Beta 6 Release Date Rumors". TechLeaks.us. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  17. Brown, Bob (September 22, 2014). "Crashing Apple's iOS 8 party". Network World. Archived from the original on November 18, 2016. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  18. Aishwarya (September 24, 2014). "iO8 Features and Problems for iPhone 4s: Users complain about battery draining and hanging problem".
  19. Cunningham, Andrew (24 September 2014). "iOS 8.0.1 disabling cellular and TouchID on some phones [Updated]". Ars Technica.
  20. Bell, Karissa. "Apple Releases iOS 8.0.2 to Fix Earlier Epic Fail". Mashable.