iOS is the best smartphone operating system by far. From the sleep design, to the features, to how it integrates into your daily life other than normal phone functions. So to make this amazing OS even better is no small accomplishment. Let's start with some standout features:
1. The Camera: To the untrained eye you may not notice a difference immediately. However there are TONS of new features. The new timer is a welcomed addition. Other 3rd party apps had this before but now that it's integrated into the OS it feels at home. There's also Time Lapse. Time Lapse is remarkably fun to use and serves it's purpose very well. Once you take a photo you can select it and bring up the new edit options. The look is clearly different with new effects and features to adjust light, color and black and white. If you tap the circle on the top left, you see an awesome new feature. The phone recognizes different editing apps on your phone, and lets you access their features from here.
2. The Notification Center: This is BIG. The ability to add widgets is a feature many have always wanted and complained about (since android has had that feature). Now iOS has it and shows how widgets should be used in a smartphone. Immediately apps emerged that let you add different widgets that do make life so much easier. In my notification center I can tap a face and send a text, i have access to a calculator, I have a countdown for New York Comic Con going. The possibilities are endless and I can't wait to see all the unique apps that will utilize this feature further.
3. The Keyboard/3rd Party Keyboards: The keyboard is much improved. Sending an audio message feels at home and I've used it a lot since the update. As well as the suggested words that comes up above the keyboard. The iPhone always had suggestions on your words but never with click-able options. The amazing part is that it's recognizes how you type and the different words you type (even if they are out of the norm) and help integrate them into your conversation. It's just getting better and better as it "gets to know me". The 3rd party keyboards are also awesome. Though the best keyboard I've found is the normal Apple one, other additions are pretty cool with cool features and it's nice to switch it up from time to time.
4. Family Sharing: This is USEFUL. I bought a TON of keyboards after iOS 8 launched. I also bought a bunch of other apps and a few songs. I activated family sharing and in my fiance's phone, are those same keyboards I bought. This just makes life so much easier instead of buying the same stuff multiple times you share purchases. The only gripe is that it doesn't include in-app purchases. For example, in one keyboard I bought I had to pay extra for additional colors. When I put the app on the other phone from the stuff I purchased, I would have to re-buy the additional features again. That's ok though since that's up to the developer. You also need not worry, because activating family sharing does nothing to your own account. You still have your own iTunes account.
Since launch apps have been coming out left and right to utilize iOS 8. But which ones are any good? Are any of them worth money? Here I'll list some must have iOS 8 apps that I found extremely useful.
1. SwiftKey (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/swiftkey-keyboard/id911813648?mt=8):
For a free keyboard this sure does take the cake. I use this keyboard the most since the feature became available. You swipe to the letters to form words. I didn't have high expectations for this because I used the feature before on a different phone and it just sucked. It works great on iOS 8. It won't really recognize those special non-normal words like the native keyboard does. It also doesn't seem to have access to emojis which is pretty sad. Other than that it's the app to get!
2. Flesky 99 cents (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fleksy-keyboard-happy-typing/id520337246?mt=8):
This is another keyboard with a beautiful design and a great "swipe left to delete" feature. The color options are great if you're willing to drop an additional dollar for them. The keyboard works great. The only issues I have or the suggested words and some bugs. After you type a word and hit space, the suggestion feature comes up. I have yet to figure out how it works, how to choose the next word or how to change the current. Also, if you switch keyboards for a bit and go back to this one it will reset to its defaults. Then you have to go back to the companion app and re-adjust it's features. However its only been out for 2 days so hopefully with enough feedback these issues can go away.
3. Camera Plus $1.99 (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/camera-plus-capture-remotely/id330803072?mt=8):
I don't usually get different cameras for my iPhone. Let alone pay for them. This was an exception. The camera is GOOD. The focus features and overall feel for this is amazing. It's standout feature however is that it can connect to another apple device and you can take photos through one device from the other. This is as fun as it is useful. You'll find many ways to utilize this feature. I would recommend this app to anyone.
4. Stocard (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stocard-rewards-cards-in-passbook/id444578884?mt=8):
This app isn't new but it has been updated for iOS 8. This app takes photo's of your store membership cards and organizes/stores them. Now with the update it's also become a widget in your notification center. You can go there anytime and tap the store your at and the card barcode will come up. It has become so much easier to use.
5. Launcher-Favorites at your Fingertips (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/launcher-favorites-at-your/id905099592?mt=8):
This app is made for your notification center. It gives you quick access to pretty much anything you want. You can put a contact there to call or text easily. It's extremely useful and free!
6. WDGTS (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id916103272?mt=8):
This is a MUST HAVE. It has a few needed widgets you will benefit from. It has a calculator for easy use, a calendar, lets you see different time zones. There are literally no negatives to having this on your phone. Get it immediately!
That covers it for now. If you haven't gotten the update yet I highly recommend that you do. If you don't have enough space on your phone, just plug it into your computers itunes and that issue is eliminated. As far as updates go, this was just amazing. Just wait until OS Yosemite comes out and reinvents your Macs. Then I'll have to do another one of these about how seamlessly the devices work together.
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