On Monday, Apple CEO Tim Cook took the stage in San Francisco for the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference to unveil new Apple features.
One of the focal points was the new features of iOS 8, which Cook said will be able to be downloaded sometime this upcoming fall.
For iPhone users that get annoyed by not being able to excuse themselves from group messages, they will finally be able to do so politely with a “do not disturb” feature in these messages.
The new operating system will also include new software called “HomeKit” and “HealthKit” which are exactly like they sound.
By syncing their iPhone to household items, “HomeKit” will allow people to control household objects and appliances–such as lights and doors from their phones.
“HealthKit” is a new feature that brings together lifestyle tracking apps into one. The new feature will allow users to have their blood pressure, temperature and pulse monitored by their iPhone and the results could be sent to their general practitioner.
The “HealthKit” will rely on additional equipment, like a wrist-wrap that wirelessly connect to the iPhone.
Other features of iOS 8 are:
- Siri will be able to identify songs heard on the radio when requested and users can wake up Siri without having to touch their iPhone when plugged in.
- Quicktype will presumably make sending messages quicker with advanced predictive text features.
- Interactive notifications will allow users to respond to texts, Facebook messages, etc. without exiting the app they are currently using.
