Continuity
Continuity lets you easily switch between your iPhone, iPad and Mac or use them together. Continuity features include Handoff, Phone Calling, Instant Hotspot and
SMS from any device
When Apple launched OS X Mountain Lion in July 2012, it included an app called Messages. Messages is an instant messaging software app that lets users send messages to Macs, iPhones, iPads and iPhones that are compatible with iMessage. After you update to Apple iOS 8.1, you will be able to send and receive SMS/MMS text messages from your iPad or Mac. In the chat bubbles, Apple distinguishes iMessages with blue backgrounds and standard SMS messages with green backgrounds.
Instant Hotspot
Instant Hotspot will be enabled when you update to iOS 8.1. If you are not in WiFi range, your iPad or Mac can connect to the personal hotspot on your iPhone if it is close by. The name of your iPhone will appear in the list of WiFi networks in the Settings on your iPad and WiFi menu on your Mac.
iCloud Photo Library
The iCloud Photo Library allows users to save pictures and videos to their iCloud account. If you have this feature enabled, smaller versions of your photos are stored on your iOS device to save storage space. Your iCloud Photo Library will be accessible through any iOS device or through the iCloud website. Apple plans to eventually sync your iCloud Photo Library with a future version of the Photos app for Macs so you will be able to easily view your photos stored in the cloud from your computer.
Apple Pay
Apple Pay is the most anticipated feature launching with iOS 8.1. Apple Pay is a mobile payment service that will let users pay for goods at retailers and restaurants using iOS devices. Apple Pay essentially replaces traditional credit and debit cards that have magnetic stripes. Certain Apple devices will be able to wirelessly communicate with point of sale systems in stores using near field communication (NFC) technology. Transactions are authorized with the Touch ID fingerprint sensor and Passbook.
The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus -- which are NFC-enabled devices -- can be used to pay for products in stores with Apple Pay. If you have an older iOS device like the iPhone 5, iPhone 5C or iPhone 5S, then you will be able to use Apple Pay in stores only by pairing it with the NFC-enabled Apple Watch. The instructions for using Apple Pay with the upcoming Apple Watch are as follows: "You can pay with Apple Watch — just double‑click the button next to the Digital Crown and hold the face of your Apple Watch near the contactless reader. A gentle pulse and beep confirm that your payment information was sent." The iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 have the ability to pay using a single touch just within certain apps by selecting Apple Pay and placing your finger on Touch ID.
Apple said that 220,000 retail locations will support Apple Pay at launch. Stores that will support Apple Pay include Macy’s, Walgreens and Bloomingdales. The participating restaurants include
Bug Fixes And The Return Of The Camera Roll
Apple iOS 8.1 will include bug fixes and the return of the Camera Roll. One of the bug fixes will be for an issue that makes it hard for iOS 8 users to pair with Bluetooth devices.
When iOS 8 launched, Apple replaced the Camera Roll with a section called “Recently Added.” The “Recently Added” section includes photos and videos that were taken within the last month. Apple is likely bringing back the Camera Roll due to a negative response from users about the change.
It is unknown what time Apple will be releasing iOS 8.1, but I will update this post when it is officially released.
Update: 1:53PM EST - Apple iOS 8.1 is now live. Here is the changelog that Apple sent out with the update:
This release includes new features, improvements and bug fixes, including:
- Apple Pay support for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus (U.S. only)
- Photos includes new features, improvements and fixes
- Adds iCloud Photo Library as a beta service
- Adds Camera Roll album in Photos app and My Photo Stream album when iCloud Photo Library is not enabled
- Provides alerts when running low on space before capturing Time Lapse videos
- Messages includes new features, improvements and fixes
- Adds the ability for iPhone users to send and receive SMS and MMS text messages from their iPad and Mac
- Resolves an issue where search would sometimes not display results
- Fixes a bug that caused read messages to not be marked as read
- Fixes issues with group messaging
- Resolves issues with Wi-Fi performance that could occur when connected to some base stations
- Fixes an issue that could prevent connections to Bluetooth hands-free devices
- Fixes bugs that could cause screen rotation to stop working
- Adds an option to select between 2G, 3G or LTE networks for cellular data
- Fixes an issue in Safari where videos would sometimes not play
- Adds AirDrop support for Passbook passes
- Adds an option to enable Dictation in Settings for Keyboards, separate from Siri
- Enables HealthKit apps to access data in the background
- Accessibility improvements and fixes
- Fixes an issue that prevented Guided Access from working properly
- Fixes a bug where VoiceOver would not work with 3rd party keyboards
- Improves stability and audio quality when using MFi Hearing Aids with iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus
- Fixes an issue with VoiceOver where tone dialing would get stuck on a tone until dialing another number
- Improves reliability when using handwriting, Bluetooth keyboards and Braille displays with VoiceOver
- Fixes an issue that was preventing the use of OS X Caching Server for iOS updates
Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas.
For information on the security content of this update, please visit this website:
Are you looking forward to updating to Apple iOS 8.1? Let us know in the comments below!