Photos: A look at some of the new features in iOS 8
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Access apps from the lock screen in iOS 8
Access apps from the lock screen in iOS 8
In iOS 7, apps like the official Starbucks app could putrnnotifications on the lock screen to prompt user activity. In Starbucks’ case,rnwhen users were located near a Starbucks, they could get single-swipe access tornthe coffee chain’s digital payment system. Now, instead of a large notification,rniOS 8 puts a small logo in the bottom left corner that can be swiped upwards tornaccess certain features.
In this image, the Starbucks and Apple Store apps canrnbe accessed right from the lock screen when users are in those establishments.
Responding to a notification in iOS 8
Responding to a notification in iOS 8
In iOS 8, when users receive a notification that could requirernsome action, such as a text message or a comment on Facebook, users can respondrndirectly from the notification without leaving the app they were in.
In thernimage above, the user can respond to a text message with Siri or via a typedrnmessage. In the WWDC 2014 keynote, Apple executives showed how Facebook could add arnu201cLikeu201d button to a notification.
Battery Usage indicator in iOS 8
Battery Usage indicator in iOS 8
Keeping an eye on battery status is a fact of life for mobilerndevice owners. In the past, it would sometimes be difficult to determine whenrnan app was misbehaving and taking more battery life than it should. Now, withrniOS 8, users can see what apps are using the most power and make adjustmentsrnaccordingly.
Family Share in iOS 8
Family Share in iOS 8
A useful new feature for families is Apple’s Family Share.rnWith it, families can share music, movie, book, and app purchases across as manyrnas six individual accounts with one credit card. Family Share even allowsrnchildren to request permission to purchase apps, with a notification sent tornparents to approve or deny.
Audio messages in iOS 8
Audio messages in iOS 8
Users can now send brief audio messages within iMessage,rnu201cborrowingu201d a feature from other popular chat programs like WhatsApp. Users canrnpress and hold the microphone button to record a message, then swipe up tornsend it. The recordings will automatically delete themselves to avoid fillingrnup a device with unneeded messages, though users can manually decide whichrnmessages to keep.
Apple's new Health app in iOS 8
Apple's new Health app in iOS 8
Apple’s new Health app was the topic of a lot of discussionrnahead of the keynote. In the end, Apple didn’t seem to spend much time on thernapp, but it certainly holds a lot of potential.
At the moment, the Health app acts as arnrepository for health data sent by other apps, including calories burned, hoursrnof sleep, heart rate, blood pressure, weight, and more. It acts as a unifying force for health-related data that was previously spread across a multitude of different apps.
Many analysts expect thernapp’s functionality to be expanded with the release of the rumored iWatch thisrnfall.
Siri improvements in iOS 8
Siri improvements in iOS 8
Apple has made improvements to Siri as well. Sherncan now listen to songs and tell you what’s playing via new integration withrnShazam, and when the phone or iPad is plugged into a power source (say, in the car),rnyou can say u201cHey, Siriu201d and then begin dictating normally.
This is truly hands-free,rneven if it also was u201cborrowedu201d from Android.
