Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s next generation mobile operating system iOS 8 is likely to reach consumers with the iPhone 6 later this year. We have already talked about what Apple might have in store and what improvements customers want to see in iOS 8. The iPhone maker made significant changes in the software with iOS 7. Now ZDNet has come up with features that iPhone users would love to see in the iOS 8.
1- Group video calling on FaceTime
With iOS 7, FaceTime saw massive improvements including free audio calling. But FaceTime still doesn’t offer group video chat. If Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) adds this feature to iOS 8, it will attract a large number of users from Skype. Moreover, it will improve the marketability of iPhones and iPads to casual video callers.
2- iOS 8 with Healthbook
We reported earlier this month that the iOS 8 may have a new health and fitness tracking app codenamed Healthbook. The Cupertino-headquartered tech giant has hired many health and fitness experts to work on the project. Healthbook is rumored to work in collaboration with iWatch, which will record your daily activities and provide fitness data to the app. People around the world have become more health conscious, so a health and fitness app would definitely entice them.
3- Access to more features with Touch ID
The touch ID fingerprint sensor in iPhone 5S allows users to unlock the device with a fingerprint. It also lets you download apps from the App Store without having to enter your password every time. Many users want this functionality to be expanded to other features like email and contacts, and to third-party apps.
4- An enhanced Do Not Disturb feature
The little-known Do Not Disturb feature allows users to unplug from their iDevice, while still letting in important calls from colleagues, friends and family members. But the feature is limited in its functionality. Business customers would love it if iOS 8 comes with expanded Do Not Disturb functionality.
5- An improved Apple Maps
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) disappointed and angered millions of users when it parted ways with Google Maps to make way for its own mapping app, which was a debacle. Though the company has improved its Maps significantly, it still has a long way to go to match Google Maps.
6- Granular setting in Control Center
Users can switch on Bluetooth, WiFi and other settings in Control Center at the flick of a switch. Control Center doesn’t have granular settings. Users would love it if iOS 8 allows them to choose what features they would like to activate with a swipe and a touch of a button.
7- Battery monitoring feature
Most smartphones, including iPhones, suffer from poor battery life. The battery life of iPhone is getting better with each new iteration, with the iPhone 5S offering up to 10 hours of talk time. But iOS still lacks a battery monitor that lets iPhone owners swipe away power-hungry apps. Android and Windows Phone already offer a similar functionality.
8- Immediate replies on the lock screen
Users who aren’t much concerned about security would like the ability to reply to messages from their home or lock screen. It would save time. But this feature might have security implications, so users should have the ability to switch it off.
9- Add to PDF
Very few iPhone and iPad users print from their iDevice. But many business executives who use their iPads on the go would like to see the “Print to PDF” feature in iOS 8. The feature is already available with several office suite softwares.
10- Expand iMessage
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iMessage is wildly popular. But you can’t get iMessage along with your external accounts like Yahoo and Gmail only on the Mac. Expanding iMessage to external accounts would improve the user’s productivity.
What new features do you want to see in the iOS 8? Share in the comments section below.
