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8 Reasons to Update on iOS 8 Release Day

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The iOS 8 release date is confirmed for tomorrow just two days ahead of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus release date. And with the iOS 8 release date at hand, we want to take a look at some reasons why iPhone and iPad owners might want to think about installing the company’s new update on the iOS 8 release day itself.

Earlier this month, Apple confirmed a number of new products for arrival including a new Apple Watch, two new iPhones in the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, and the iOS 8 update for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. iOS 8 was originally confirmed at WWDC 2014 though at the time, Apple declined to get into specifics about its release date. Instead, it plopped it into its beta program and announced that it would release it to the public this fall.

As expected, those details were confirmed at the company’s annual iPhone launch event. The iOS 8 update will land for iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5, iPhone 4s, iPad Air, iPad mini with Retina Display, iPad 4, iPad 3, iPad 2, iPad mini, and iPod touch fifth-gen users on September 17th and just a couple of days before the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus release date that’s set for Friday.

Tomorrow, those that haven’t used the iOS 8 beta or the newly released iOS 8 beta will find themselves staring into the face of a brand new iOS update that delivers design tweaks, enhancements to older iOS apps and brand new features that are exclusive to iOS 8. It’s not as big as iOS 7 but it’s an important update nonetheless. It’s also an update that you might want to think about installing when it arrives.

There’s reason to be excited about the iOS 8 update and with that in mind, we take a look at some reasons why you iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users might want to think about installing the update on the iOS 8 release date itself.

You’re Running iOS 8 GM or iOS 8 Beta

If you are running iOS 8 beta or the iOS 8 GM, we highly recommend moving up to the public release of the software, if only to get the upgrade out of the way.

Those of you lingering on an older version of the iOS 8 beta would be wise to move to the public release tomorrow. It should bring added stability to your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. As for those running the iOS 8 GM, you’re going to want to move to the public version at some point so you may as well get it out of the way tomorrow.

You’re Dealing With iOS 7.1.2 Problems

If you’re dealing with iOS 7.1.2 problems, there’s good reason to install the iOS 8 update. In addition to new features, tweaks and enhancements, it should also bring some bug fixes for iOS 7 users. While we still don’t have the entire change log for the public iOS 8 release, major iOS updates almost always have a number of bug fixes on board.

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There’s always a chance that the iOS 8 update will fix issues that it doesn’t list in its change log as well so if you’re experiencing problems with iOS 7.1.2 and can’t find a temporary or permanent fix to your solution, it’s probably worth giving iOS 8 a shot in an effort to try and solve what’s hampering your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

Think of it as a last ditch resort.

Bugs But Nothing Insane

Software updates for mobile devices typically have bugs on board. It’s a part of the game and has been for quite some time. Apple though does an especially good job of ironing out major issues ahead of its iOS release date. That’s what the iOS 8 beta was for.

We don’t expect there to be any catastrophic bugs on board when the software arrives. In other words, bugs that completely ruin the experience across all devices. Yes, there will be issues, but many owners will likely be issue free. Apple also typically provides a bug fix update or two in the weeks after the initial release to crush these issues.

While some might be apprehensive about updating, we think that the software will be pretty solid, even on day one. If you think the new iOS 8 features outweigh the initial cobwebs, go ahead and update tomorrow.

If You’re Concerned About iPhone Battery Life

If you’ve run into iPhone battery life issues in the past, you’ve probably spent time hunting down temporary battery life fixes. You’re also probably a bit concerned about the impact iOS 8 might have on your iPhone. Well, while we can’t speak for any abnormal battery drain until the update is out, we can tell you that iOS 8 comes with a feature that will help you monitor battery life on your device.

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There is a battery usage tool that’s located in the Usage part of iOS 8’s Settings. This tool is useful because it will tell you which services are causing the most battery drain on your device. In other words, if Facebook is killing your battery, you’ll know. This is an extremely useful tool and to us, it’s one good reason to get the iOS 8 update as soon as it comes out.

If You Own the iPhone 5s, iPad Air, or iPad mini with Retina

If you own one of Apple’s devices from the past year (iPhone 5s, iPad Air or iPad mini with Retina Display), you shouldn’t be too worried about installing the iOS 8 update tomorrow. Typically, newer devices deliver the best performance of the bunch and given that these devices are equipped with solid hardware including an A7 64-bit processor, we should see them deliver fantastic performance. After all, iOS 7 performed beautifully on all three.

iPad Air

Yes, you could see some initial bugs and issues but we expect overall performance including speed and fluidity of the operating system to be solid. Those three should be in the clear though we wouldn’t be surprised if the iPhone 5 and iPad 4 produced high quality performance as well.

If You Own an iPhone & iPad

There are a ton of new features coming with tomorrow’s iOS 8 update but we’ll focus in on three features that we think make iOS 8 worth installing on its first day of availability.

The first is a feature called Continuity. Continuity is actually a collection of features that will tightly connect Apple’s mobile products with the Mac. For instance, Handoff allows users to start an email on the iPhone and finish it on the Mac. It also works for an assortment of Apple apps including Safari, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Maps, Messages and more. Apple’s also opened it up to third-party app developers.

Continuity, one of iOS 8's most exciting features, will skip some devices.

Continuity, one of iOS 8’s most exciting features, will skip some devices.

With Continuity, iPhone users will be able to answer calls on the iPad or the Mac, send texts from any device, or connect the Mac or iPad to the iPhone’s personal hotspot for quick and easy access to the internet.

While you will need to wait for OS X Yosemite to use the Mac functionality, tomorrow’s iOS 8 update will allow those who own both an iPhone and an iPad to take advantage.

iMessage Changes

Some of the biggest changes are coming to Apple’s Messages application also known as iMessage.

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With iOS 8, you’ll now be able to name your group chats, remove yourself from group chats, quickly capture a quick audio clip or a video to send a friend, easily share your location so that your poor friends don’t get lost trying to find you, and easily view all attachments in a conversation. You can now send multiple videos and photos at once and set individual threads on Do Not Disturb.

If you use Messages a lot, and if you own an iPhone you’re probably on it all the time, then these are some very good reasons to install the iOS 8 update tomorrow. These changes have been a long time coming and thanks to the iOS 8 beta, we know that Apple has implemented them well.

If You Use FaceTime Audio All the Time

If you find yourself using the FaceTime Audio feature, and you should start using it because phone calls sound 100 times better, then you probably should think about installing the iOS 8 update tomorrow.

Apple’s tacked on a call waiting feature to FaceTime that allows you to do the same things you can do with regular call waiting. It’s a feature that isn’t baked into iOS 7 and it’s a feature that we’ve grown to love over the course of the iOS 8 Beta.

These are just a few of the key iOS 8 features that will arrive tomorrow. iOS 8 will deliver well over 100 new features in all though you’ll only use some of them on a daily basis. These are three such features.

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Mukesh Sharma

    09/17/2014 at 8:02 am

    Befor updating ios 8 there are Five things necessary to do before installing iOS 8www.iapplehow.com/five-things-necessary-to-do-before-installing-ios-8.html

    Thanks for sharing….

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