Apple introduced iOS 8 to the world and touted the fact this is the biggest release since the launch of the App Store, release that gives users access to incredible new features.

Apple also introduced iOS 8 SDK and touted the fact that this is the biggest developer release ever. The SDK comes with more than 4,000 new APIs.

The week started with Apple introducing iOS 8 to the world. The mobile operating system, touted as being the biggest release since the launch of the App Store, comes with lots of interesting changes.

iOS 8 – Main New Features

• iCloud Photo Library – access your photos and videos on all your devices.
• iCloud Drive – safely store files in the cloud, easily access files stored in the cloud.
• Messages – swipe to communicate, swipe to share videos or photos, remove contacts from group messaging, leave group conversations, new option to not be disturbed.
• Health – clear overview of your health and fitness data. Data from multiple health apps and fitness devices is gathered and clearly presented to you.
• Family Sharing – share purchases, photos and calendars within the same household. Up to 6 family members can browse and download each other’s iTunes, iBooks or App Store purchases.
• Predictive typing for Apple’s QuickType keyboard.

“iOS 8 offers simpler, faster and more intuitive ways to use your device with incredible new features like iCloud Photo Library, a new Messages app, the QuickType keyboard and an entirely new Health app,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “We’re also giving developers amazing new tools to make managing your health and your home from your devices an integrated, simple and secure experience.”

iOS 8 will be available this fall. It will be offered as a free upgrade to existing customers.
The new OS X 10.10 Yosemite will also be rolled out to the public this fall and will also be offered as a free upgrade.

Alongside iOS 8, Apple introduced iOS 8 SDK. It comes with more than 4,000 new APIs, making it the biggest developer release ever.

iOS 8 SDK – Main New Features

• Swift – a powerful new programming language for iOS and OS X.
• Healthkit – health and fitness apps can communicate with each other. Health data is combined so that the user can take better care of his health.
• HomeKit – the iPhone becomes a remote for the connected devices in the user's home.
• Metal – new graphics technology that maximizes performance on the A7 chip.
• Notification Center widgets – add your own widgets into the Notification Center.
• CloudKit – eliminates the need to write server code and maintain servers.

“With more than 800 million iOS devices sold worldwide, the opportunity for developers is huge,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “This is the biggest iOS release since the launch of the App Store. The iOS 8 SDK delivers more than 4,000 new APIs including amazing new frameworks, greater extensibility and a revolutionary new programming language.”

Members of the iOS Developer Program can get iOS 8 Beta and iOS 8 SDK right now from developer.apple.com.