The iPhone 6, Apple’s latest smartphone, comes equipped with iOS 8. This new operating system is also available for download to all iPhone, iPad, and iPod users. The new iOS boasts a lot of new features and fixes – so many, in fact, that The Wall Street Journal’s Joanna Stern claims that with all updates installed, almost any older model iPhone (4S, 5, 5C, and 5S) can feel like a brand new iPhone 6. Apple’s iOS 8 is showing itself to be a big step up from past iterations of iPhone iOS, with enhancements to basic iOS features such as the Mail App, the iPhone keyboard, and Touch ID.
Any iOS user can now easily copy and paste text between emails with the simple drag of a finger, and the Mail App can be used to gather contact information quickly by having the app scan emails for information. One of the biggest improvements comes in the form of iOS 8’s new QuickType keyboard, which is replacing autocorrect by suggesting words as you type instead of changing them automatically. iOS might also finally be catching up to Android operating systems by allowing the use of third-party keyboard apps like SwiftKey, which can now be downloaded from the App Store to replace iOS’ base keyboard app. Touch ID, which allows users to log in using their fingerprints, is also receiving a significant upgrade and can now be used with various apps instead of just being used to unlock the device or to confirm App Store purchases.
Unfortunately, the new iOS comes with a new set of challenges as well. Many users have been experiencing problems with Wi-Fi speed, and also with fast battery drain, even with minimal use of their device. Reports of these issues were more common when iOS 8 first became available, in early September. PC Pro’s Jane McCallion points out that since the initial iOS release there have already been two major updates (iOS 8.0.1 and 8.0.2), but both brought new bugs to the table. The newer update, 8.0.2, is supposed to fix the majority of these reported issues, but many users are reporting more glitches than before, including dropped calls, inability to send texts, and compatibility issues with older iPhone models. While the iOS 8 may have some nice feature upgrades, it may still be a good idea to hold off on downloading until a fair amount of these bugs have been resolved.