iOS 7.1 has only just launched but currently we're itching for iOS 8 and we're not alone, as rumors of what the new version of Apple's OS may possibly contain have began circulating.
Adequate have dropped for us to commence to get an idea of what kind iOS eight may possibly take, so devoid of additional ado here's what we've heard so far.
Release date
New versions of iOS have a tendency to get announced at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) and there is been no suggestion that iOS 8 will break the trend. This year's WWDC 2014 has been confirmed as kicking off on June two, which is when we anticipate the keynote speech will be.
- Apple's WWDC logos by way of the ages: what did they tell us?
Nonetheless, although iOS eight will probably be announced then it most likely will not essentially launch until later in the year, creating its debut on the PGEgaHJlZj0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy5ob3N0aW5na2l0YS5jb20NIiB0YXJnZXQ9Il9ibGFuayIgcmVsPSJub2ZvbGxvdyI+aVBob25lIDwvYT4=6. Once again, this is all primarily based on Apple's past iOS launches.
What is it? The subsequent iteration of Apple's mobile platform
When is it out? Almost certainly sometime in September 2014
What will it price ? iOS 8 will be a absolutely free download
Healthbook
Apple, like Samsung, appears to be pushing the overall health and fitness capabilities of its products and the subsequent step of that is likely to come with iOS 8.
According to unnamed sources who spoke to 9 to 5 Mac, iOS eight will come with a new app dubbed Healthbook. Supposedly it will have a related interface to Passbook, but will track methods taken, distance travelled, calories burned and weight loss.
So in other words it really is carrying out the same job as stand alone fitness trackers like the FitBit Force, which tends to make sense because Apple already built an M7 motion co-processor into the iPhone 5S to track just these sorts of issues, so it might as effectively make the most of it.
However apparently it will also go way beyond that and track hydration levels, blood pressure, heart price, blood sugar, nutrition info and respiratory price, taking it a step beyond existing fitness trackers. 9to5mac has even recreated some pictures of how the app will supposedly appear.
Definitely no existing Apple hardware has the relevant sensors to track most of that stuff, but there's been speak lately that the iPhone six may have an array of new sensors, plus some of it may rely on Apple's unconfirmed iWatch.
Apple Maps
Apple Maps has had a bit of a hard time so far. Its launch was as far from smooth as doable and even though it is no longer putting train stations in the middle of the sea it nevertheless lags some way behind Google's offering.
That could be about to adjust though, as 9 to five Mac claims to have spoken to "sources briefed on the plans" and learned that public transport directions for trains, subways and buses will be added to Maps, initially for major US cities, with a wider roll out most likely to comply with.
The very same sources also claim that it will be more accurate than it is now and new points of interest and labels will be added for points like stations and airports.
The look of the app has apparently been improved as well, generating streets much more visible. Supposedly Apple is also functioning on an augmented reality feature, which will let you to see points of interest on your camera viewfinder, although it's believed that this feature won't make it out in time for iOS 8.
Late final year Apple patented some significant new suggestions for Maps, which would add a complete new level of interactivity beyond even what's presently rumored.
It would let users to tap a road for example and see details relevant to just that road, such as any junctions on it, or to tap a restaurant and get a menu.
This functionality might be some way off yet, if it emerges at all, but we live in hope that it might make an appearance in iOS 8.
Siri
Apple could hardly release a new version of iOS devoid of updating everyone's favourite individual assistant.
According to tech website The Info, Apple wants Siri to be able to interface with third party apps. At present it really is compatible with a number of well-known third celebration apps, but only because Apple worked straight with the developers to add the functionality.
It is rumored that Shazam may possibly be embedded appropriate into the new version of Siri, permitting you to verbally ask Siri what song is currently playing without possessing to open the Shazam app.
In future any and all app developers may well be capable to make their apps compatible with Siri without Apple's assist, which would vastly raise Siri's usefulness, allowing you for instance to use third party messaging apps and calendars to send messages and set reminders.
There is also speak that Siri might be able to contextually launch certain apps in future, so for example if you start jogging it might automatically launch RunKeeper, rather than you obtaining to ask it to.
iTunes Radio and HD audio
Apple looks to be putting much more weight behind iTunes Radio, if sources speaking to 9 to five Mac are to be believed. The sources claim that it will be provided a separate app for iOS eight, as currently it is portion of the Music app.
Supposedly other than becoming its personal app it's going to remain precisely as it is now, which isn't so surprising as it only launched last year, but by providing iTunes Radio its own app it will be far more noticeable to customers and much better positioned to take on other streaming solutions like Spotify.
Alongside that it's seeking like we might get HD audio, with rumors swirling that Apple is preparing the function for iOS eight. If true it would mean new headphones and lightning cables would be essential to make use of it. We can't assist but wonder if this ties into the Beats buyout Apple may be working on.
Preview and Text Edit
We lately got our very first glimpse of what may be iOS 8. Based on the image it unsurprisingly appears a lot like iOS 7, albeit with a few new apps on board.
There's an icon for the aforementioned Healthbook and one particular for Recommendations, which is probably a user guide, but there are also Preview and Text Edit icons.
If these names sound familiar it is due to the fact they are existing pieces of software program for OS X, but now seemingly iOS is acquiring its personal versions.
However while the Mac versions are applied to edit PDF's, pictures and text files, the iOS versions are apparently optimized to simply let you view any such documents that you have stored in iCloud.
It is questionable how genuine this screenshot even is, 9to5Mac claims to have confirmed its veracity with a number of sources, however it would be easy to fake, particularly as the Text Edit and Preview icons are identical to their Mac counterparts.
iWatch connection?
There are still a multitude of rumors performing the rounds concerning the Apple iWatch, and with iOS eight we could see functionality for a smartwatch constructed into the ecosystem.
A screenshot appeared on a Chinese social network allegedly displaying the iOS 8 interface and a new app referred to as "Watch Utility."
Even though we're not convinced of the screenshot's authenticity, it surely does provide food for thought as the wearable market continues to create and companies such as Samsung and Sony appear to contain such devices in their mobile operating systems.
The Watch Utility app has also appeared in a series of leaked images from Phone Arena, claiming to show iOS eight operating on an iPhone 5S.
As effectively as the Watch Utility app, the leak also shows Healthbook, iTunes Radio and other mooted applications such as Preview, TextEdit and Guidelines.
App updates
There are whispers of several minor updates to a number of apps. According to an unnamed source the Notification Center is acquiring streamlined for iOS eight. The update fully removes the "Missed" tab, so every thing can be discovered on either " Currently " or "All".
The Messages app is apparently possessing a new solution added, to permit you to automatically delete threads immediately after a particular period of time and Voice Memos may well be acquiring a new button arrangement.
Apple is also supposedly removing the requirement for a Lightning cord when working with CarPlay, enabling it to operate wirelessly as an alternative.
Apps may possibly also be in a position to greater communicate thanks to a new developer API which is rumored to be in testing. Known as an "XPC" service, the API would allow apps to share information, which among other points would hopefully make it easy to hold files synced up across distinct apps.
Split-screen apps
One iPad precise iOS eight update that we've now got wind of is the ability to have two apps operating side by side, split-screen on Apple's tablet. The screen is absolutely large enough so it really is a function that makes sense, specifically as Microsoft's Surface currently has that ability.
Like so many other iOS 8 rumors this one comes from sources speaking to 9to5Mac and they go a single additional by claiming that the apps could be able to interact with one another. So for example you might be able to drag an image from one app to an additional, which would definitely make it much more viable as a productivity focussed device.
Apparently the split-screen function will only perform in landscape mode and it is not clear no matter if it will be readily available on the iPad mini range or just the complete sized models.
Goodbye Game Center
Although there are a lot of new items rumored for iOS 8 we may possibly also be losing some things. Apple's Game Center app is rumoured to be for the chopping block according to 9to5Mac, with the functionality being moved straight into games themselves.
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