Much of the hype about any Apple launch is bound to surround the new hardware, and the introduction of iPhone 6 and giant-size 6 Plus was no different. However, it’s the rollout of iOS 8 that will affect most people. There’s no great revolution with this free update, but the way it allows third-party software to integrate with the built-in apps is a big improvement. Swiftkey (iOS, free)has long been an Android favourite, but now arrives on Apple devices, allowing typing in multiple languages as it learns your style – and most importantly allows swipe-typing – so that you need never lift your finger from the screen.
The improvement to the camera is noticeable especially in the Plus, and Apple has done a good job of improving on-the-fly editing, but the integration of apps such as Litely (iOS, free), which provides subtle and effective photo editing, is welcome. Halftone 2 (Juicy Bits, iOS, £1.49) allows you to turn photos into comic books with ease.
The other great step forward is the way apps can appear as widgets in the notification centre. Transit (Tapone, iOS, free) offers nearest stations and due time for transport – as well as helping with directions in the main app – while the ever-reliable Yahoo Weather (iOS, free) is allowed to sit front and centre. And that’s the great step forward – the tools you want made more accessible than ever.
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