AppleInsider Staff
In preparation of Wednesday's iOS 8 release, AppleInsider dug in and compiled a set of tips and tricks to help iPhone and iPad owners take full advantage of all the new features and functions baked in to Apple's latest mobile OS.
One of the most anticipated features rolling out in iOS 8 was actually introduced with the iPhone 5s, but has only now been opened to developers. With the latest iOS, Apple is granting access to Touch ID, meaning third-party apps like 1Password can finally take advantage of the fingerprint reading hardware.
Also a first is the ability to swap out keyboards for third-party solutions. Previously, Apple restricted users to the main iOS soft keyboard due to security concerns, but with iOS 8, users are able to download and try out custom solutions like Fleksy and SwiftKey.
On the app side, Apple's first-party titles get new features like quick image, audio and video sharing in Messages and deep email management in Mail.
Apple also added a slew of new Camera features to keep the world's most popular shooter up-to-date, including time lapse functionality, shutter timers and advanced exposure controls.
iOS-only features like Siri have also been drastically improved, with the virtual assistant now supporting "Hey Siri" hands free operation when plugged in to a power source. Voice responses have also been tweaked to sound more natural, while the backend has been enhanced with HomeKit integration for controlling smart home products.
In addition to Siri, users can now customize Notification Center with widgets created by third-party app developers. Powered by a corresponding app, widgets allow for bite-sized bits of information to be display in Notification Center, including the lock screen, meaning anything from sports scores to surf reports are only a thumb swipe away.
When OS X 10.10 is released this fall, iOS 8 will be able to integrate seamlessly through "Continuity" features like answering phone calls on your Mac, continuing text conversations and opening Web pages and documents through Handoff.
Apple's iOS 8 is available now as a free over-the-air Software Update.
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30 Comments
Has anyone reached out to Apple for comment on why iCloud Photo Library has been randomly disabled for non dev users?
Today I was at Costco and noticed that when I turned on the phone a Costco icon showed up at the bottom left of the screen, opposite of the camera unlock. Swiping it took me directly to the Costco app. I had never seen this before iOS 8.
I don't understand why iOS 8's new predictive text in the messages app suggests misspelled words. I've been using it for a couple of hours and noticed it suggested a misspelling of the word tomorrow and a few others. And they're not colloquialisms or slang - just misspellings.
I don't understand why iOS 8's new predictive text in the messages app suggests misspelled words. I've been using it for a couple of hours and noticed it suggested a misspelling of the word tomorrow and a few others. And they're not colloquialisms or slang - just misspellings.
Spell correct is one of the greatest adventures of the modern age. There is no telling what the heck they are going to come up with or why they do.
Today I was at Costco and noticed that when I turned on the phone a Costco icon showed up at the bottom left of the screen, opposite of the camera unlock. Swiping it took me directly to the Costco app. I had never seen this before iOS 8.
That's right this is how iBeacons display on iOS8 (and also how handoff works). If you didn't have the CostCo app installed the icon is then replaced with the App Store icon, where swiping will take you to the CostCo app in the app store.
Your iOS device intelligently uses a combination of location and available iBeacons to ensure that the correct icon is displayed for your current location. (E.g. if two neighbouring stores are both using iBeacons, your iOS device will be able to determine which one is more relevant to you right now.)