So the long wait is finally over as Apple Inc takes the wraps off its next mobile operating system – iOS 8 – during the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) at the Moscone West Center in Los Angeles.
The Cupertino company has, no doubt, put a lot of thinking and hard work into the new iOS iteration. However, there are lot many features that do not seem to be for someone who has been keeping eyes on other mobile operating software such as Android and Windows Phone.
Apple has always been behind Google’s Android and Samsung accusing them of copying its features and designs. But when the features of the new iOS 8 were being shown, many in the tech world were of the view that the world’s costliest company has run out of new ideas.
We are going to talk about some of the features, which were very much desired by iOS users, but at the same time are inspired by other services.
Extensibility: Let’s begin with something what iOS users wanted for a very long time. So far, multitasking between apps running on iOS wasn’t a simple task as user had to jump from app to app to perform different task. But now with ‘Extensibility’ things are going to be pretty smooth within the apps.
The new feature is nothing but an inter-app communication system that allows apps to use extensions of other apps to perform certain tasks. For example a Pinterest app can be used inside Safari to share something over the Internet.
App developers will now be able to enable ‘extensions’ in their software so these extensions can be used in other applications.
This function seems to be very exciting and very unique for iOS users but Android has been using this feature for a very long time under the term ‘intents’ that allows app interchange data with each other with ease.
Siri: Now you can summon your personal voice assistant sitting right into your iPhone or iPad by calling ‘Hey Siri’. The call activates the Siri to get ready to assist you in your tasks of finding out location for you or making a call. The feature looks completely like Andorid’s command ‘Ok Google’ to bring up Google Now into service.
Third-party Keyboards: iOS users had been longing for more user-friendly keyboards as their Android and Windows Phone counterparts were enjoying swipe typing and predictive text features for very long. However, with the Apple developers going liberal with the third-party keyboard apps, iOS 8 user will be able to enjoy swipe typing with Swype without tapping their fingers for every word. The iOS 8 is also coming with QuickType, a predictive typing feature.
Interactive Notifications: iPhone, iPad and iPod users will now be able to quickly respond to messages, ‘Like’ Facebook posts or accept calendar appointments without having to go into the respective apps and perform the action. All this will happen as the Notifications in the iOS 8 are going to be interactive. Although the feature will make the daily routine of iOS users hassle free, Android users are enjoying this kind of features since 2012.