10 Great iOS 8 Features
Forget the bugs. Apple's iOS 8 is full of useful improvements.
![](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt69509c9116440be8/blt4dc94266e0e2b0d6/64cb56d9edb7f91c03b1aada/familySharing.png?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
Apple calls iOS 8 the biggest iOS release ever. With that comes a large list of issues.
Some of these issues look like welcome features to Apple customers but justice-thwarting flaws in authorities' eyes. In conjunction with the launch of iOS 8, Apple elaborated on its commitment to privacy by declaring that it has never created a backdoor in its products to provide government authorities with access and by claiming it cannot decrypt data on iOS 8 devices, regardless of government demands.
That does not sit well with US Attorney General Eric Holder, who on Tuesday said, "It is worrisome to see companies thwarting our ability to [access electronic data to protect children]." FBI Director James Comey appears to share the view that companies should retain encryption keys to grant access when necessary.
Other issues look like programming errors from any perspective. Apple delayed the App Store release of apps that used iOS 8's HealthKit API because of what a company spokesperson characterized as "a bug."
Then Apple withdrew its iOS 8.01 update almost immediately after it was released because the software prevented some users from getting a cellular signal after it was installed. The release of iOS 8.02 a day later addressed these bugs and others. But there are reports of other potentially serious issues, such as a bug in iOS 8's "Erase All Settings" option that erases iWork files despite assurances to the contrary, as well as Bluetooth connectivity problems in cars.
Then there are the marquee features missing from iOS 8 because they're not ready or they depend on OS X Yosemite, slated for release later in October. These include Apple Pay, iCloud Photo Library, and Handoff.
Finally, there's an iOS 8 security feature, MAC address randomization, that turns out to be so limited it's hardly usable because you have to turn off cellular data and location sharing to activate it.
Despite the problems, there's much to appreciate. For me, the addition of Family Sharing has been a godsend. I can find my kids' phones without having them use my Apple ID, and I can share apps and files with them more easily. Family Sharing also allows my kids to send app-install requests, a far more convenient process than handing devices to me and asking me to enter my Apple ID into the App Store.
Beyond improvements in the iOS 8 Notification Center, the new Photos app, and support for custom keyboards, iOS 8 has less obvious capabilities that make iOS devices better. Here are 10 favorites.
In iOS 8 you can ask Siri what song is playing in the background, and Siri can probably come up with an answer thanks to the integration of music identification service Shazam.
Among various new features like time-lapse video, the updated camera app now includes a timer. Now you can stage your selfies.
The new version of Safari in iOS 8 offers the option to capture credit card data for web purchase forms using your device's camera. Less typing means more fun.
The iOS 8 Health app includes a Medical ID page where you can enter information you'd want medical personnel to have in the event of an emergency. The card can be accessed from the Emergency page option on the lock screen, assuming the setting that allows this hasn't been changed. That's so doctors can access the information if you're incapacitated. Unfortunately, a phone thief could do the same.
If you tap and hold a photo in an iOS 8 photo library, you're presented with the option to hide it from the Moments, Collections, and Years views, the primary viewing categories in the Photos app. The photo will not be hidden all that well -- it will be visible in the Hidden folder in the Album menu. Celebrities (or anyone) taking naked selfies should consider stronger security measures.
Google's audio prompt to turn what's said into a search string is "OK Google." Now Apple has made Siri addressable in the same way. Just say "Hey Siri" when your iOS 8 device is connected to a power source -- as it should be for in-car use -- and Siri will try to convert what's said after "Hey Siri" to text.
Sometimes talking is easier than typing. In iOS 8 you can send audio files as text messages. Just tap the microphone icon in a text message and slide your finger up to begin recording.
The problem with audio files is that they take up a lot of space. Fortunately, Apple has an answer: The Messages settings page includes an option to remove audio files attached to text messages after a set period of time.
iOS 8 makes accessing your contacts much easier. Now, when you tap twice on the Home button, your contacts appear above your list of open apps.
In Settings/General/Usage, there's a new menu: Battery usage. It allows you to see which apps have been devouring the most battery power. Chrome, you're on notice.
In Settings/General/Usage, there's a new menu: Battery usage. It allows you to see which apps have been devouring the most battery power. Chrome, you're on notice.
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