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iOS 8 Rumors

iOS 8

iOS 8 is on the horizon, and with its impending release, rumors are accumulating rapidly. Let’s take a look at new features that will most likely be available in iOS 8.

Health and Fitness

There are well-substantiated rumors that Apple is taking health and fitness seriously. Many of these surround the iWatch, but Apple products function in an ecosystem. Health and fitness features are likely to appear on all Apple products — even Apple TV. iOS 8 is no exception, and will feature built-in apps to manage health care and fitness.

Healthbook is the supposed code name of Apple’s new health and fitness product. At this point, it’s not clear if this will be an app, a suite of apps, or something more like iTunes, which has a presence across multiple platforms. Rumored features include the ability to monitor blood pressure, heart rate and hydration. Additionally, the technology may collect fitness data such as the number of steps taken and calories burned. Medication reminders are another rumored feature.

Obviously, your iPhone won’t be able to monitor your pulse and blood pressure. These rumors point to some impressive functionality that may be available in the iWatch. The iPhone’s M7 motion co-processor can detect motion and provide accurate pedometer data. Some health and fitness features will likely require an iWatch, coaxing users to buy the new device.

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These rumors are substantiated by some solid evidence. Apple has been meeting with the Food and Drug Administration. They have also hired high level employees from the medical industry. Also, when Apple introduced the M7 motion coprocessor, they mentioned that it would enable new capabilities for health and fitness apps. Of course, they may expect other developers to make these apps. Apple has a track record of developing underwhelming stock apps. That said, when Apple takes something seriously, they do it well. Apps such as GarageBand and iMovie are peerless in quality and innovation.

Multiple Accounts

Multiple accounts were never a priority with iOS devices, as they tend to be used by one person. It’s not about capabilities, but priorities. Apple TV makes it easy to use multiple accounts. For a device that’s used by multiple people, it makes sense. Mac OS X has supported for multiple accounts for several years.

Tech writers are speculating that iOS 8 will bring multiple accounts to the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. It could be that Apple has found the time to implement this low priority feature. Some families do share an iPad. Apple already requires authentication for every iTunes and App Store purchase, making it safe to share your device. In-app purchases can be disabled and restrictions can be placed on certain content. Nonetheless, the ability to run an iOS device in guest mode or login with different accounts could be useful. I still don’t see it as a top priority, given the other safeguards that already exist.

Mobile Payments

At their last earnings call, Tim Cook mentioned that Apple is looking into mobile payments. Specifically, they would be using Touch ID to enable purchases at points of sale. This makes sense because iOS users spend more money than users of any competing mobile operating system.

Touch ID based mobile payments would also provide a better and more secure user experience than NFC (near field communications). NFC has caught on as a payment system in many parts of the world. Users tap a smart card or device on a POS terminal (or other device) to authenticate payments. Touch ID would offer more convenience and better security. You could pay for your purchase without having to be near a payment terminal. Fingerprint authentication would ensure that only the authorized user can complete the transaction. In the wake of serious breaches of security at Target and other retailers, Touch ID based mobile payments make a lot of sense. If Apple can get a cut of the transaction, it could boost profits substantially.

Siri

Siri will be improved in iOS 8. Apple’s digital personal assistant gets a makeover with every release of iOS. In addition to new voices and languages, Siri will be enabled with new functionality. Given the health and fitness focus of iOS 8, I expect Siri to offer complimentary functionality.

I also expect Siri to work with Apple TV. Apple TV will undergo a major refresh in 2014. I would even go so far as to say Siri will be included in the new Apple TV. The new model will likely have an A7 processor, which is capable of running Siri. Users would speak to Siri using a redesigned remote control, which might also function as a gaming controller. If Siri isn’t included directly in Apple TV, it is likely that your iOS device will support Siri commands for controlling the set-top box.

Multitasking

Some tech experts expect that multitasking will be improved in iOS 8. Specifically, they feel that there will be split screen capabilities. I don’t expect this to happen. Split screen multitasking on an iPhone is just too cumbersome for Apple. It could possibly be a feature unique to the iPad, but I doubt it.

multitasking on iPad

I don’t expect radical changes from iOS 7. iOS 7 was a huge change. The difference between iOS 7 and iOS 8 will be more like the difference between iOS 5 and iOS 6. The look and feel will be similar. There will be enhancements, but don’t expect radical changes like split screen multitasking. Running two apps simultaneously wouldn’t even work on anything but the newest iOS devices. Even with the best iOS device, it’s still not feasible to have two resource-intensive apps running side-by-side. For example, think of GarageBand running in one pane and Infinity Blade 3 running in the other. This could only work with a few apps. iOS multitasking allows background processes to run, but don’t expect to be able to run two apps simultaneously.

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Control Center

iOS 8 may see some flexibility added to Control Center. Some speculate that it will act as a launcher, enabling easy access to apps. It’s more likely that iOS 8 will offer APIs and interfaces to expose an app’s features to Control Center. For example, if you are using a different music app, Control Center could offer different custom controls. You can already use Control Center to operate other music and video players. The problem is that the controls are fixed.

iOS 8 could allow third-party apps to place specific UI elements on Control Center. This would be especially useful with home automation apps. Imagine if you could turn off the lights or lock your doors with Control Center. There’s no solid evidence this will happen. Given Apple’s desire to control the user experience, they may prove reluctant to allow third-party UI elements on Control Center.

No New Look

Fantasy Apple designers have already come up with mock-ups for iOS 8. I wouldn’t expect to see many UI changes in Apple’s new mobile operating system. iOS 7 was a radical change. iOS 8 will look much the same, with a few changes. iOS 7.1 does have some new UI changes, such as round buttons for powering down the device and operating the phone app. iOS 8 will surely have some UI changes, but the look will not be radically different from iOS 7.

Compatibility

Many tech reporters have written off the iPhone 4 and iPad 2 as being ineligible for the iOS 8 update. This is unlikely. Apple still sells the iPhone 4 and iPad 2. They don’t have a history of short-changing users on iOS updates, especially when they are still selling the devices.

iOS is a flexible operating system. It provides advanced features for high performance hardware, while older devices get a simplified version. For example, iOS 7 works well on an iPhone 4, however, it does not support features like animated wallpaper, the parallax effect and Siri. iOS 8 will not be radically different from iOS 7. I expect Apple’s new mobile operating system to support the iPhone 4 and iPad 2. After all, they’re still selling these devices.

Release Date

iOS 8 will most likely be released in the fall of 2014. I expect it to be released mid-September. Apple will unveil the new operating system at their World Wide Developer Conference in June. If you can’t make it to the WWDC, you can watch the keynote podcast on your Apple TV, iOS device or computer.

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