In the meantime, Filipino users of the iPhone can get a taste of what Apple has cooked up with the recent release of the iOS 8.
App developer Yves Gonzalez, one of the brains behind the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic app, listed down 10 upgrades of the operating system that Filipino users may find useful:
1) The new iOS now allows users to download a custom keyboard, which is capable of predictive text.
“So when you’re talking to someone, instead of having to type the whole word, the keyboard will actually suggest some words to you that you might be intending to type,” Gonzalez told ANC on Friday.
2) The Spotlight search function has also been improved, allowing users to search beyond their personal devices.
Aside from searching the device, Spotlight can also search the internet and the app store.
3) The widget functionality is upgraded to add more apps to the Notification Center for easier and quicker access of data.
“For example, if it’s a weather app or a news app, it can actually display data on the Notification Center such that you don’t even have to open the app to see those data that you might be interested in,” said Gonzalez.
He added that this is useful in checking, for example, a widget of a traffic app without closing the current app you’re using.
4) The new iOS also introduced Extensions, which allows apps to interact and share data with each other.
“So now apps can now talk to each other, and apps can do things from within other apps,” Gonzalez said.
5) Family sharing is another upgrade that Filipinos may find useful.
“Everyone can now use the apps that everyone has purchased, so you don’t have to keep buying apps,” said Gonzalez, adding that books, music, movies and other files can also be shared.
He also said that the new function allows users to share locations, calendar events, and even help in tracking devices using individual accounts.
6) The Messages function has also been enhanced through upgrades on voice messages, storage and iMessage groups.
7) The iOS 8 also made improvements to the camera, which now allows for more manual controls and a timelapse feature.
8) A new option in Safari enables users to view the desktop version of websites.
9) There is also a quicker way to access contacts and frequently-used apps through the Favorites feature.
The Favorites can be accessed by viewing the multitasking interface.
10) Swiping functions have also been improved and enables users to take actions on notifications without exiting apps.
Gonzalez said users, for example, can now quickly delete e-mails by doing a “super swipe” to the right.
“Most of the new functionalities are stuff that Android users have been using. It’s good that Apple has decided to adapt some of these functionalities to the iOS,” said Gonzalez.
He reminded users, however, to update via the iTunes, and always back-up files before updating to the new software.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
