We might only have just been treated to iOS 7.1, but Apple’s mobile operating system is due for another overhaul, with an iOS 8 release date predicted to follow the software’s widely expected WWDC 2014 unveiling.
Although iOS 8 will be a more incremental update than last year’s iOS 7 refresh – the biggest overhaul since the mobile operating system was introduced – the patch looks set to bring a range of high profile improvements, with health and fitness expected to be a core theme of the software.
Compatible with a range of Apple’s portable products, including the iPhone 5S, the more colourful iPhone 5C, the iPad Air and iPad Mini Retina, an iOS 8 update will likely precede a new range of hardware.
To ensure you are kept up to date with all the latest iOS 8 release date news and rumours about the new features, we will be updating this page as new details emerge – so bookmark it now.
iOS 8 Release Date
Given that Apple is a creature of habit, we have a strong indication as to when the iOS 8 release date will be announced, and it’s not too far off.
Despite the Cupertino company having yet to offer any formal indication as to when the software will drop, we can say with a high degree of certainty that it won't be far off from the iPhone 6 launch this autumn.
You won’t have to wait that long for your first formal glimpse of iOS 8 though. The predicted late September iOS 8 release date will likely be preceded by an official unveiling as part of the company’s annual developer’s conference, WWDC.
This year, the San Francisco-based WWDC gathering will kick off on June 2 and runs through until June 6.
With an iOS 6 update having been rolled out just days before the iPhone 5 and the iOS 7 release coinciding with the iPhone 5S, we would be highly surprised if Apple changed this routine for iOS 8.
For now though, an exact iOS 8 release date remains a mystery.
iOS 8 Features
Based on early leaks, iOS 8 looks set to be visually very similar to iOS 7, with vibrant colours and soft, translucent shapes used throughout the UI. It is function, not form, however where the big changes are to be made, with major improvements to a number of core features tipped.
First up for a refresh is Apple Maps. Arguably one of Apple's biggest gaffes in recent years, the service is expected to gain new features to better rival its formidable rival Google Maps.
According to 9to5Mac, “sources briefed on the plans” have confirmed that with iOS 8, Apple Maps will finally introduce in-app public transport directions. With Apple’s mapping software having overcome many stability issues since launch, one continued bugbear is the need to be pushed to third party apps for public transit directions.
Unfortunately it doesn’t look like Apple will have an overnight fix for its public transport shortcomings, with transit directions set to be a slow, area by area rollout.
“The functionality will exist in major cities, such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York, and will expand to other locations across the United States and potentially other countries across the world around the public launch of iOS 8,” the tipsters stated.
Siri, Apple’s voice activated personal assistant is another feature set for big improvements in iOS 8.
With Microsoft having given its Windows Phone platform its own voice assistant in Cortana, reports have suggested Apple has snapped up a number of voice and dictation specialists to give Siri a new edge over the competition.
One company reportedly acquired by Apple is Novauris, a subsidiary of Dragon Systems, with reports from The Information claiming Apple’s Siri improvements will enable the assistant to better collaborate with third-party applications. What’s more, it has been claimed that the iOS 8 Siri improvements will benefit the heavily rumoured Apple iWatch when launched.
“Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans,” the company said, remaining coy on the reasoning for the acquisition.
It is believed both Apple Maps and Siri updates will be available to both iPhone and iPad owners.
Further iOS features tipped include improvements to CarPlay compatibility, with users no longer expected to require a Lightning cable connection to make use of the in-car services.
iOS 8 Fitness
Health and fitness is set to be a key focus of iOS 8. While some will argue this is a precursor to the widely rumoured Apple iWatch, the Cupertino-based company has been laying the groundwork for a more prominent health push for years.
Having previously joined forces with Nike on a variety of projects, the iPhone 5S added the M7 chipset and accelerometer package designed specifically to track users’ movements.
Backing up these recent hardware additions, iOS 8 will see Apple adopt more software-focussed health credentials with the leaked Apple Healthbook application set to be a one-stop shop for all things fitness.
Leaking via Weibo, the Chinese micro-blogging site, a number of Apple Healthbook screenshots have already emerged, showing the software will work with a variety of third-party accessories to catalogue everything from a user’s blood pressure, calorie burn and heart rate.
Letting you more accurately track your daily life, the Healthbook centre will also reportedly offer the ability to monitor personal hydration levels, nutrition and blood sugar.
What’s more the standard activity metrics, like distance covered, time active and the like, will also be present.
Taking a number of pointers from the iOS Passbook, a means of digitising your wallet with virtual store cards and coupons, the iOS 8 Healthbook app will catalogue data metrics from a variety of sources. Although sure to feature on the iPad, given the iPhone’s improved sensor package this could have improved functionality on the smartphone.
iOS 8 Apps
As mobile and home computer systems grow ever closer, iOS 8 looks set to add a number of new services previously found on Apple’s Mac OS X system.
According to claimed iOS 8 screenshots which have already done the rounds, Apple will bring Preview and TextEdit to its portable products.
Tipped to be fully optimised for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices, the Preview and TextEdit applications will allow users to view files synced to their iCloud accounts from their OS X powered devices.
These iOS 8 rumours surfaced via Weibo, so we suggest the Preview and TextEdit leaks be taken with a pinch of salt given that the shown application icons are direct rips of the desktop editions.
On top of this, iTunes Radio looks set to jump ship to its own dedicated application, although there is still no word if this feature will be rolled out beyond the US.
With new features and services on the way in, space needs to be made with GameCentre set to be bumped off. With iOS 8 dumping the centralised gaming hub, gamers’ scores, achievements and social elements will instead feature directly within compatible app-based games.
iOS 8 Rumours
Although there's no no evidence to support the claims, recent iOS 8 rumours have suggested Apple will bring improved mobile payment services to iPhone users.
Apple have been repeatedly tipped to bring NFC to its mobile devices. It has been claimed that the company will offer increased functionality for its TouchID fingerprint sensor on the iPhone 5S.
Currently used to make digital purchases in the iTunes store, iOS 8 will reportedly introduce the option to buy physical items simply by using your phone.
Stay tuned for all the latest breaking iOS 8 news and rumours. What would you most like to see in iOS 8? Let us know in the comments below
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