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Advanced integration of new iCloud features with Apple products make iOS 8 a preferred operating system over its predecessor, says Shruti Puri
Photograph: Apple.com
Apple announced iOS 8 back in June 2014 at Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) and called it one of the biggest updates by the company ever. It hit the market September 17, 2014 and the best thing is that the new releases of Apple -- iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus -- run on this updated mobile operating system. We try to find out how better is iOS 8 compared to iOS 7? What are the differences between the two operating systems?
Here's an analysis of the different features and specs:
Continuity and HandsOff
One of the major features of the iOS 8 is the Continuity and HandsOff feature. Provided you have a Mac that runs on OS X Yosemite, you can start writing an email on Mac and finish the same from iPhone 6, without having to start afresh from the changed device.
Some of the apps with which HandsOff feature works are Reminders, Messages, Maps and Pages. Moreover, HandsOff can be used by the developers in their own applications too.
With the help of Continuity feature, though not present in HandsOff, a user can answer a call or send a message from Mac, provided the Wi-Fi network remains the same.
Instant HotSpot feature can be used for connecting Mac to iPhone in case a user is outside the range of a router. These features are absent in iOS 7. So, that's a great upgrade for Apple lovers, especially who use multiple Apple products.
Health
One of the major updates in iOS 8 over iOS 7 is the availability of the new health application.
From now on, heart rate monitor and activity tracker can talk to each other seamlessly on iOS driven products.
In a single dashboard, you will be able to check out your fitness as well as health data, including sleep statistics. HealthKit developer tool is also available that enables third party applications such as FitBit, Nike Fuelband, and MyFitnessPal share their data with the Health application.
Family sharing
Photograph: Apple.com
While using iOS 7, users were able to install purchased applications on multiple devices. However, with iOS 8, users will get Family Sharing account that helps them use 6 devices for sharing apps, books, movies, music, etc. Whenever, a person purchases something for one device, the same is amde available for other Apple devices too.
You will get shared family photo stream with Family Sharing feature. Here, videos and photos get added to family album, which is again created automatically.
Some other pre-existing features, such as Find my Friend and Find My iPhone, are also integrated into Family Sharing. Shared family calendar is also there. In case, a user wants to set a family event, s/he can do that by setting it to 'Appear on all' devices.
If you have kids in your house who uses your iPad, you can now set parental control. 'Head' of the family can now set limits in the devices for kids to make purchases. If a kid wants to buy an app, a permission request will first be sent to the 'head' who will then be required to either decline or accept the request.
If there is content on Apple devices that is not suitable for kids, you can restrict kids' access to such content.
Apple Pay
iOS 7 came with Passbook that helped in storing loyalty cards, tickets and vouchers.
With iOS 8, Apple users can now use Passbook with Apple Pay too. This is a system for the secure storing of cards in digital wallet, which uses contactless payments and NFC to pay for goods.
Authentication is done through fingerprint and TouchID, which makes the system convenient as well as highly secure. Currently, this feature is available only in the US. They are expected to be available to UK users in near future. But their availability in India has not been disclosed yet.
Smarter Keyboard
iOS 8 comes with keyboards having QuickType predictions. Whether you are writing an email or messaging a friend, you will get suggestion of different words while typing. Third Party typing apps will also be supported on iOS 8. These facilities of typing were not present in iOS 7 or in any other previous OS versions.
Wi-Fi calling and messaging
In iOS 7, users were able to send iMessages only with the help of Wi-Fi network. But now with iOS 8, users can not only send iMessages but can also make calls over Wi-Fi.
Messages
WhatsApp-like messaging facility will be available in iOS 8 run Apple devices. From now on, users can record an audio clip quickly and with a simple swipe in iOS 8 they can send the audio clip too. The recipient can listen to the same. Similarly, videos can be recorded and sent through messages. Here, you simply need to tap the red button for sending the videos. In iOS 7 platform, this facility was missing.
One of the greatest advantages of iOS 8 over iOS 7 is in the mail section. In iOS 8, users could compose mails while flipping through their previous mails. Gmail-style swiping system is also available that enables users to delete messages quickly. Inbox can now be cleared quickly by simply using a long swipe.
What's the verdict?
iOS 8 gets an emphatic 'BETTER' over iOS 7 and is definitely a step forward than the older operating system. iOS 8 is not only slicker and more modern but also comes with a wide array of helpful and innovative features, which stretch the boundary. Advanced integration of new iCloud features with Apple products make iOS 8 a preferred operating system over its predecessor.
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