Apple CEO Tim Cook and other executives introduced a slew of updates at the WWDC 2014 keynote on Monday.Among the standouts were iOS 8, OS X 10.10 Yosemite, HealthKit and a new programming language called Swift.
“iOS 8 offers simpler, faster and more intuitive ways to use your device with incredible new features like iCloud Photo Library, a new Messages app, the QuickType keyboard and an entirely new Health app,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “We’re also giving developers amazing new tools to make managing your health and your home from your devices an integrated, simple and secure experience.”
iOS 8 looks almost like iOS 7, but the starker visual elements have been slightly toned down. The iOS 8 doesn’t appear to be a radical aesthetic change like the iOS 7; it comes filled with new features to the gills. Here’s all you need to know about iOS 8.
Healthkit:
Healthkit takes in data from third party apps and accessories and bundles it all under one dashboard
Apple’s iOS 8 has big emphasis on Health and Family. What we thought would be called Healthbook is actually Apple’s new HealthKit, a comprehensive health-tracking app that can pull in data from third-party apps and accessories. It can be accessed by healthcare professionals as well, in what is most definitely the biggest health bet any technology company has made.
The new Health app gathers the information you choose from your various health apps and fitness devices, and provides you with a clear and current overview in one place. iOS 8 offers developers the ability for health and fitness apps to communicate with each other. With your permission, each app can use specific information from other apps to provide a more comprehensive way to manage your health and fitness. For example, the Nike+ apps using NikeFuel will be able to pull in other key HealthKit metrics such as sleep and nutrition to build a custom user profile and improve athletic performance.
Family Sharing:
The Family Sharing part of iOS 8 involves greater parental control, stronger privacy, and more fun for big groups. iTunes purchases can now be shared with your family, along with calendars, group messages, and more. If you are a parent worried about your kid overspending through in-app purchases, Apple has you covered with its new alert system, that lets parents know when their kids are about to spend. You can even remotely block purchases.
Up to six members can participate, each with their own Apple ID. Parents can create Apple IDs for children, which includes Ask to Buy, requiring parental permission for purchases. Family Sharing automatically keeps everyone connected by creating a shared family photo stream, shared calendar and provides an option for locating family members and their devices.
Continuity:
Apple has introduced enhanced compatibility between desktop and mobile platform – Continuity. The feature is also very crucial to Mac OS X Yosemite. A feature called Handoff, lets you work on multiple devices provided they are signed into the same iCloud account and are in the same network. You can use Handoff with apps such as Mail, Safari, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Maps, Messages, Reminders, Calendar, and Contacts. Developers can build Handoff into their apps now, too. Continuity also lets you answer iPhone calls on your Mac, or even continue iPad messages on Mac.
iCloud Drive
iCloud Drive is Apple’s new cloud storage service that is believed to come with cross-platform functionality. It is also said to support apps, allowing you to make changes in apps like Sketchbook, and the file will be saved in the cloud. iCloud Drive will make it possible to access all the content from Mac and Windows. iCloud Drive brings a whole new level of collaboration between apps, providing seamless access and the ability to work on the same file across multiple apps.
Keyboard and Switcher menu
Apple’s stock keyboard will now predict what word you will type next; that’s a feature ripped off directly from SwiftKey, which happens to have an iOS app too.In the task switcher menu, Apple has added recent contacts, while Spotlight search will help you find pretty much anything and not just the stuff on the iPhone or iPad.
New predictive typing for Apple’s QuickType keyboard is smarter and more personalized, and intelligently takes context into account, such as who the recipient is and in which app you’re typing. QuickType understands the way you communicate, suggesting favorite phrases, so you can write entire sentences with just a few taps. What the keyboard learns is encrypted on your device and never sent to the cloud.
Siri
Siri updates mean you can get the virtual assistant going with just a “hey Siri.” a la OK Google. Following Google’s lead, Apple has opened up a public beta program for developers, which allows app makers to ship out early releases to advanced or enthusiastic users.
Notifications:
Notifications have seen a big change. Like Android, users can reply to messages straight from the notification area, and this works on the lock screen too. Other apps can also tap into this functionality, such as accepting event invites, liking Facebook posts and such.
Messages
Messages is the most-used app on iOS, Apple claims and as a result, they have focussed heavily on new features. Users can now name message threads and exit or enter a thread as they wish. Audio and video messages can also be added, and they have Snapchat-like self-destruct function.
The iOS 8 beta software and SDK are available immediately for iOS Developer Program members at developer.apple.com. iOS 8 will be available this fall as a free software update for iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPod touch® 5th generation, iPad 2, iPad with Retina® display, iPad Air™, iPad mini™ and iPad mini with Retina display. iCloud Photo Library and iCloud Drive use your iCloud storage with the first 5GB free. Features are subject to change. Some features may not be available in all regions or all languages.
iOS 8 Whats New for Developers.
Credit to Apple for the source of Images & features.
