Apple iOS 8 Coming September 17, New Features and Compatibility
Apple's recently concluded press conference has revealed a lot of details about upcoming releases – the iPhone 6, the iWatch, and the iOS 8. According to the press conference, the iOS will be making its release on Sept. 17.
The design of the iOS 8 will be similar to the iOS 7 in the sense that Apple did not opt for a total overhaul of the iOS 7 and instead put all the features of the next operating system into the design of the old one.
According to TechRadar, the iOS 8 features tighter Mac OS X Yosemite integration while loosening up the restrictions of the TouchID fingerprint sensor. This loosening up will go some ways into the Passbook-integrated Apple Pay system.
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As for compatibility, the iOS 8 will be rolling out on the iPhone 4 and above, the iPod Touch 5th generation, the iPad 2, the iPad with Retina Display, the iPad Air, and all the iPad Minis.
The TouchID fingerprint scanner was only used as a securty bypass and for buying content on iTunes but with the iOS 8, it could be given a number of new uses. Apps may now opt to use the fingerprint scanner for a variety of things.
Right now, a banking service called Mint.com will be using the TouchID scanner as a means of authorization. Transactions done online can now be completed with a simple touch of the home screen button.
Group messages for the iOS 8 will also be enhanced with the ability to add more people to the group, as well as being able to silence notification sounds from specific groups. Friends would also be able to broadcast their locations through the group. This will be useful for big group outings especially when meeting at one place.
