Apple released iOS 8 very recently timed to coincide with
the imminent retail availability of the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Here
are the main features of the new release that you need to know about.
The New Programming
Language Called Swift
The iOS 8 launches a new programming language called Swift
which helps developers to write safer and more reliable code by eliminating
entire categories of common programming errors.
Introducing Cloud
Service
The newly introduced CloudKit is a simple back-end cloud
service for developers with upto a petabyte of free storage and transfer while
the Apple itself takes responsibility for the server-side rather than worrying
about managing servers.
Direct Access to the
Graphics Hardware
iOS 8 introduces Metal- a new graphics technology that
provides direct access to the graphics hardware on Apple's A7 processors. This
will enable leading game providers for the first time to bring console-class 3D
games to mobile devices. Potentially offering a tenfold boost this will be of
particular interest to anyone working in iOS game development.
Beta Testing Tools
Apple has integrated TestFlight, into its main testing
tools that let seamless, free beta testing of applications.
Customisation
Services
iOS 8 app developers have new opportunities to customise
the user experience via extensions. Plus, the third-party apps can add widgets
into the 'Today' view of Notification Center.
Sharing Data between
Apps
Traditionally iOS applications don’t comprise the concept
of sharing of data. With iOS8, third-party apps will be able to share data with
one another via new Extensibility tools. Say for instance, a blood pressure app
could share its data with a physician app to get high-quality guidance and care.
Access to Touch ID
Introduced in the Apple 5s, The Touch ID fingerprint
recognition enable you to securely authenticate users within apps, protect
logins and user data.
To sum up, iOS 8 provides users and third-party developers
a quantum leap beyond what existed before with a new level of openness and
inter-app communication. Isn’t that cool?













