A new version of Apple's iOS operating system is in the works and is set to launch alongside the iPhone 6 later this year. Reports suggest that while it will look a lot like iOS 7 a host of new features will bring it bang up to date. A new version of Siri, new health apps, improved Apple Maps, support for iTunes Radio in the UK, more TouchID features and much more besides are all expected for iOS 8.
We're keeping an eye on all the latest iOS 8 rumours and will be regularly updating this page.
iOS 8 features - what will iOS 8 look like?
A lot like iOS 7. Apple won't want to rock the boat too much after it made wholesale changes last time out. Expect the same icons, the same layout with most the changes being made behind the scenes or on features like Siri. Also expect some new apps from Apple – more on that later.
The most credible iOS 8 leaked image to date (not that there's much competition) is this one nabbed from Chinese social network Weibo.
It looks an awful lot like iOS7, with the same layout and the same apps and icons. Three new apps caught our attention: Healthbook, Preview, TextEdit and Tips. While we're dubious about the authenticity of this leaked image, one new feature that seems certain for iOS 8 is a big tie-in with fitness.
A mocked-up video on YouTube suggests that Apple should make notifications more interactive in iOS 8. The video shows someone receiving a text message, tapping Reply and composing a message before the notification zooms off the screen. This would certainly be an improvement on the current, somewhat clunky implementation of notifications in iOS 7.
Siri on iOS 8
Siri could see more changes than any other aspect of iOS 8. Apple has been busy acquiring speech recognition firm Novauris and it is very likely that Siri will get a major update. Novauris might not be a recognisable name, but the company was formed out of Dragon Systems and has a long history in dictation and speech recognition.
The company claims its technology "identifies complete phrases from start to finish" rather than recognising words in sequence. This reportedly makes the technology more accurate.
One of Siri's biggest failings is its lack of support for third-party apps. While it is well integrated into iOS 7 and select apps such as Facebook and Twitter, it can only work with other apps if Apple does some legwork to add support. That's a major stumbling block and something that will hopefully be fixed in iOS 8. Expect the updated version of Siri to be smarter, quicker and be able to understand a huge range of commands for just about any apps on iOS 8.
iOS 8 release date
September is the best guess, but we could get a sneak peak of iOS 8 at WWDC in June. A September release would also mean that iOS 8 will launch at the same time as the iPhone 6. This would certainly follow the trend of Apple's past iOS launches.
Will iOS 8 be available for the iPhone 5?
Yes, almost certainly. But you might not get iOS 8 if you have an iPhone 4 or 4S, or an older iPad.
When iOS 7 was released it supported the iPhone 4, iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s. It also supported the 5th generation iPod Touch and the iPad 2, 3rd generation iPad, 4th generation iPad, iPad Mini, iPad Air and iPad Mini 2. It might be the case that Apple will not release an iOS 8 update for the iPhone 4 and iPad 2 as both devices are now old and slow compared to more recently released Apple devices.
iOS 8 health and fitness apps
With the much-rumoured iWatch in the works, it is expected that iOS 8 will also have lots of health and fitness features. Samsung has already stolen a march on with the Gear 2 and Apple will be keen to catch up. Apple is reportedly working on an app called Healthbook, which will have a similar interface to its Passbook app. Healthbook will work in a similar way to a lot of other health and fitness trackers and measure steps taken, calories burned, distance travelled and weight loss.
Speculation has also suggested that the new Healthbook app will be able to track blood pressure, blood sugar, heart rate, hydration and respiratory rate. The iPhone doesn't currently have sensors that can detect this sort of information and it seems unlikely that the iPhone 6 will be able to do the job. That makes it even more likely that the iWatch will be packed with tech to track and monitor your body.
Mobile payments on iPhone 6 and iOS 8
With TouchID and Passbook already available, Apple is reportedly working hard to replace your wallet with your iPhone. Apple has reportedly met with key industry executives to discuss paying for physical goods and services using iPhones and iPads, while long-time Apple exec Jennifer Bailey has moved into a new role to build a payment system for iOS.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple has already developed and then dumped a wallet app over concerns of implementing it with retailers. Speculation is now mounting that Apple will launch such an app for iOS8 and couple it with TouchID and other authentication technology and sensors to make mobile payments for physical products more secure and widely used.
iTunes Radio finally coming to UK in iOS 8?
Apple's Spotify and Google Play Music All Access competitor is already available in the USA and it should finally be coming to the UK, possibly in iOS 8. Apple has been meeting with media agencies in the UK to arrange advertising deals to fund iTunes Radio and it surely won't be long before it launches.
Like Spotify, iTunes Radio plays music interspersed with audio and display advertising unless you pay for the 'premium' version. If iTunes Radio doesn't come to the UK in the next few months, it is a certainty for iOS 8.
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