iOS 8 is expected to launch at Apple’s annual WWDC 2014, which is taking place from 2-6 June in San Francisco. While not many design changes are expected, we are anticipating a handful of new features, as well as improvement on existing ones. Here we take a look at the iOS 8 release date, rumoured features and specs.
iOS 8 release date
iOS8 is likely to be released in autumn this year after being revealed at WWDC 2014. However, it is possible a preview of the mobile OS may be available earlier in the year.
As with previous iOS and OS X updates, iOS 8 is likely to be made available in all regions and countries simultaneously.
iOS 8 release date: Healthbook
iOS 8 is expected to have a major focus on health when it launches, with a new app called Healthbook being bundled in with the mobile OS.
Screenshots of Healthbook appeared on Chinese microblogging site Weibo, which were reportedly confirmed by 9to5mac.
There have been a lot of rumours swirling about Apple’s new focus on health – the iWatch, which is expected to launch later in the year, will reportedly have a number of health features, including the ability to predict heart attacks.
Another peripheral pointing at this possible capability is a set of rumoured new EarPods that can monitor the wearer’s heart rate and blood pressure.
According to 9to5mac Healthbook may also be able to monitor blood oxygen saturation, blood sugar levels, hydration, and respiratory rate, as well as featuring sleep tracking.
The publication also says it may feature an Emergency Card similar to bracelet or necklace medical tags worn by people with allergies or chronic medical conditions, but also featuring information on whether or not the person is an organ donor, their eye colour, any medication they are on, weight and other related data.
iOS 8 release date: iWatch integration
There are suggestions that as iOS 8 allegedly has such a big focus on health that the iWatch may appear at the same event, due to its apparent turnkey role in monitoring things like monitoring movement during sleep and pulse rate.
However, we at PC Pro think this is unlikely as the focus of the WWDC keynote is only ever on software, particularly operating systems, not hardware.
Nevertheless, an iWatch could appear later in the year.
iOS 8 release date: Split-screen
Apple is thought to be introducing split-screen functionality in iOS8 when it is released.
This would see it go toe-to-toe with its old rival Microsoft when it comes to multitasking on a mobile device. The Microsoft Surface has had a similar feature for years, however iOS8’s USP in this area will apparently be the ability for apps not just to appear on screen simultaneously, but also interact with each other more easily.
This could include dragging and dropping content from one app to the other, for example.
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