8 iOS 8 Features to Make your Life Easier

We might have caught a quick glimpse of Apple’s new iOS 8 back in June, but it wasn’t until the star spangled iPhone 6 launch that we really got to see what’s in store. And while the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus might have grown in size, the new iOS 8 has ballooned beyond all recognition! With tonnes of new features and apps on the new version of Apple’s operating system, it’s safe to say that these iOS 8 could revolutionise your life- well, your iPhone at the very least! Here are 8 of the best iOS 8 features which will make your everyday life easier…

1. iMessages

There’s only so much you can change on your messages app, right? Wrong! Apple has totally restructured the iPhone 6’s- and any Apple device running iOS 8- messaging feature that moulds it to the demands of your life.

You know what they say- a picture paints a thousand words, and this is exactly why Apple has made it easier to send and share your most precious photos and videos. From inside the messaging app you can not only take and record live shots ready to send to your mates, but you can even send multiple files at once, making the whole process simpler, and more importantly, faster.

With iOS 8 you can even send short audio clips- of you singing Happy Birthday, or a snippet of your favourite song- with a touch of a button. And remember if you’re sending a message from one iPhone to another, you can send free text messages thanks to Apple’s iMessage software!

Want to learn more about the  iOS 8 messages? Take a look in more detail about the messaging features on the iPhone 6’s iOS 8!

2. Continuity for iPhone

If you’re a true Apple fanatic then you’re likely to own more than just one Apple device- and whether it’s an iPad, an iPod or even an iMac, you can now start a task on one whilst finishing on another. Whether you are writing a text message or email, making a note or calendar reminder, your Apple devices will sync to one another so long as you’re on the same iCloud account.

The Continuity feature even works with phone calls: if your iPhone is on charge in one room and you’re in another, simply pick up via your iPad or iMac!

3. A New Camera Roll with the Photos App

We’ve all been in those situations- you’re frantically trying to find a photo in your photostream to prove a point to a friend- and now with the improved app on iOS 8, you can search for shots by the date they were taken, the location that you were in or even the album name where you’ve stored it.

When it comes to editing your pictures, Apple has enhanced its smart adjustment tools to enable even a complete novice to become a dab hand at photography! You can change the lighting, the colour and even add filters to your shots- right from within the photos app.

4. Time Lapse Film

With last year’s instalment of iOS 7 we got Slo Mo, but this year Apple has decided to flip the coin entirely, launching the Time Lapse video mode.

If you want to capture the bustling atmosphere of a London street, say, just select Time Lapse mode and watch as your iPhone speeds up carefully selected moments to produce artistic- or hilariously funny- videos.

5. Swipe for iPhone

It’s not just the Messages app that Apple has overhauled; the iPhone’s keyboard has also been given a makeover thanks to iOS 8. You can now type out whole essays with just a few taps with Apple’s most intuitive predictive text, or, with the swipe technology built in, you can make typing even faster by sliding your finger across the screen.

6. iOS 8 Family Sharing

If you’re a household of iPhone lovers then you’ll be pleased to hear about the new Family Sharing feature on iOS 8. After setting up the family share software, everyone under the same roof can share tracks, apps and books purchased through iTunes and the App Store- all with the help of the iCloud. You might want to keep an eye on the family credit card though!

7. iPhone Spotlight Search

Spotlight is Apple’s cleverly crafted search tool which lets you find answers, apps or messages in a jiffy. Although this is hardly a new feature, iOS 8 has really put Spotlight, well, in the spotlight.

Whatever you’re searching for, your iPhone will bring up options from Safari, Wikipedia, the iTunes store and even the App store to make it quicker than ever to find what you’re looking for.

8. iOS 8 Health App

Health and fitness apps were a big theme at this year’s launch event, and the Health app on iOS 8 has really got everyone talking.

Using the Health app dashboard, you can keep an eye on your overall well being, from your cholesterol and blood pressure to your calorie intake and heart rate- perfect for those on a health kick. And because Apple Health  has been opened up to app developers, it means that all of your favourite fitness apps will soon be working as one.

Best iOS 8 Features

Here are 8 of our favourite iOS 8 features set to make your life easier. Think you know of any more? Let us know and we’ll add them to our list!

Did you know? You will be able to download iOS 8 on the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 5s and 5c. Check out our great range of Apple pay monthly deals here.