With screenshots of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iOS 8 operating system having been leaked in the last 24 hours, there was further indication today of the direction that Apple might be taking with iOS this time round. 9to5Mac, one of the most respected Apple-related sites on the Internet, has been reporting today on the latest developments related to iOS 8, with the company clearly planning to enhance the feature set of what is its flagship software product, with the possible exception of iTunes.
iOS 8 Notification Center
Firstly, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is looking to enhance the functionality and intuitiveness of its Notification Center. Firstly, the drop-down menu associated with iOS 8 will apparently be simplified, with Apple looking to reduce the number of basic options available to users in an attempt to make it more user-friendly. Apple is also working on adding additional information of relevance to Notifications Center, but with iOS 8 pretty much certain to be part of the iPhone 6, time constraints may work against them on this issue.
Inter-app communication
iOS 8 will also apparently featured improved inter-app communication. This seems to be a big part of the Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s plans for the operating system, as the company believes that it will greatly enhance the fluidity of iOS 8. To give an example of the sort of functionality this would enable, a photo sharing application within iOS 8 could have the ability to upload content to attendant Instagram or Facebook apps. Apple had held this feature back from iOS 7, but will be determined to include it with iOS 8.
Voice memos
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is also intending to upgrade the Voice Memos function within iOS 8. Users have previously grumbled about the control mechanisms for this feature, and Apple has sought to ensure that iOS 8 fixes this common complaint.
Messaging
There are also changes to messaging within iOS 8. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) intends to add the ability for messages in iOS 8 to be deleted automatically. This will be an optional feature, but is intended to ensure that iOS users no longer have storage space clogged up by ancient message threads.
Game Center
It has also been suggested that Apple will remove the Game Center application from iOS and OS X. This seems a little speculative, as Apple redesigned the Game Center app for the iOS 7 system, and furthermore the screenshots leaked by a Chinese website in the last 24 hours did display the Game Center icon. Despite the reports, it seems that the balance of probability at this point in time is for Game Center to form part of iOS 8.
CarPlay
Finally, Apple is working on a version of CarPlay which will enable iOS 8 to operate the app over WiFi within certain vehicles. This is still seemingly being tested and could yet be pushed back for iOS 9.
Operating speed
Aside from these welcome app upgrades, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is also working on ensuring that iOS 8 runs like lightning. Preliminary reports indicate that applications launch and close more quickly, and that system navigation feels considerably smoother and more stable.
All in all, iOS 8 sounds like a significant upgrade on the previous iteration and will only whet the appetite for the iPhone 6 in particular further.
