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.
The iPhone is possibly the most popular camera of any kind in the world, and Apple has made a number of improvements to iOS's built-in camera app that give mobile photographers even more control. AppleInsider took a look at how users can take advantage of the new features.
Following the public release of iOS 8 on Wednesday, Apple has published its official iPhone User Guide for the new mobile OS on iBooks, making the digital document available on both desktop and portable devices.
With iOS 8 now available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, users can for the first time ever install third-party keyboards that can be utilized system-wide for new ways of inputting text and other characters.
Apple iOS devices weren't the only products to receive updates Wednesday, as the company also rolled out new software for the Apple TV that brings a flatter user interface, a new Beats Music app, and support for Family Sharing.
With the iOS 8 Mail app, Apple introduces new gestures for easier one-handed navigation and control, fresh message management options and deeper integration with Notification Center.
Apple's new iOS 8 mobile operating system gives users the ability to add third-party widgets to Notification Center for the first time since the feature's introduction. AppleInsider took a look at what developers can do with the new functionality and how users can take advantage of it.
In sync with the public rollout of its next-generation mobile operating system, Apple on Wednesday released updates for each of its first-party iOS apps that bring minor tweaks and fixes for compatibility with iOS 8.
One of the more robust additions to Apple's iOS 8 is the Messages app, which gets a bevy of new functions including inline audio and video messaging, group chats and advanced image sharing.
Once updated to iOS 8, recent iPhones and iPads will play nicely with each other, allowing users to do new functions like answering a phone call or sending an SMS message via their iPhone without having to put down their iPad, or start an email on one device before finishing it on the other.
Apple's hotly anticipated free iOS 8 update for iPhone and iPad is now available to download, giving users access to a wide range of new features including third-party keyboard support, Notification Center widgets, extensions, Hey Siri hands-free voice activation, and much more.
With the public release of iOS 8 looming, Apple has begun removing apps that take advantage of the new HealthKit API from the App Store, a move that is said to have been prompted by ongoing problems with new health data tracking system.
Apple's voice-controlled personal assistant Siri becomes even more powerful with iOS 8, including an entirely hands-free mode that allows users to ask questions and accomplish tasks by simply first saying the words "Hey, Siri."
iPhone security and convenience have both been greatly enhanced by Apple's iOS 8, giving third-party developers the ability for the first time to utilize the secure Touch ID fingerprint sensor.
Apple's new HealthKit tools in iOS 8 are the centerpiece of two separate medical trials about to kick off at prominent U.S. hospitals, aiming to help in treatment of diabetes, cancer and heart disease.
Over the past few years, Apple has released a series of OS technologies that connect devices using Bluetooth, WiFi or a combination of the two wireless technologies. Here's how the new Apple Watch—as well as AirDrop, iBeacon and the new Continuity features of iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite—work to deliver simple, efficient and fast wireless connectivity, in marked contrast to Google's rival efforts for Android.
The first-ever Lightning-connected headphones for iOS devices are coming from Philips, offering 24-bit digital to analog conversion thanks to the use of Apple's proprietary connector.
iOS 8 will become available to the public on Sept. 17, and developers will have one last chance to test out their apps before its launch with the golden master supplied on Tuesday.
Apple on Tuesday announced the official release date for its next-generation iOS 8 mobile operating system, with user able to update on Sept. 17.
Just in time for what is shaping up to be Apple's biggest keynote in years, AppleInsider introduces a major revamp to its mobile website, bringing fast HTML5 support, new content sections and a powerful redesign inspired by the latest version of Apple's iOS.
{{ summary }}
AppleInsider Staff
Neil Hughes
Mikey Campbell
Daniel Eran Dilger
