During today’s WWDC keynote Apple unveiled iOS 8, with tons of new features and developers tools. iOS 8 delivers a simpler and more intuitive user experience, including iCloud Photo Library, allowing users to enjoy their photos and videos more easily across their devices; new Messages features to easily share voice, video or photos; and an entirely new Health app that gives users an overview of their health and fitness data all in one place.
iOS 8 also includes predictive typing for Apple’s QuickType keyboard, Family Sharing to share purchases, photos and calendars within the same household, and iCloud Drive, so users can store files and access them from anywhere.
In iOS 8, the Photos app can automatically straighten horizons and with smart editing tools, users can quickly adjust light and color or access individual tools for deeper fine-tuning. With iCloud Photo Library, every adjustment and effect is automatically updated across user’s devices.
The new Health app gathers the information users choose from various health apps and fitness devices, and provides users 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 user’s permission, each app can use specific information from other apps to provide a more comprehensive way to manage user’s health and fitness.
iOS 8 introduces Family Sharing, making it easier to communicate and share purchases, photos and calendars within the same household. Family members can browse and download each other’s iTunes, iBooks or App Store 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.
With iCloud Drive, documents of any type can be stored, accessed and edited across your devices. When a user makes edits on one device, the most up-to-date version of the documents will be available across all devices, whether an iOS device, Mac, Windows PC or on www.icloud.com. iCloud Drive provides seamless access and the ability to work on the same file across multiple apps.
Additional iOS 8 features include:
• design enhancements that build off the stunning interface of iOS 7, bringing interactive notifications, quick access to key contacts, the ability to quickly switch back and forth between the inbox and drafts in Mail, as well as intelligent suggestions;
• extended Spotlight® capabilities that give you results beyond what’s on your device, including articles from Wikipedia, findings from the news and results from places nearby; and
• greater continuity between iPhone®, iPad® and Mac, including Handoff to start an activity on one device and finish on another, along with Instant Hotspot and the ability to make and receive calls and send SMS and MMS messages from your Mac or iPad.
The iOS 8 beta software and SDK are available immediately for iOS Developer Program members. 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.
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