Starting October 20, Apple users will have the chance to download iOS 8.1, the first major update for Apple's newest mobile operating system. The free update is set to add a couple of new features to iPhones, iPads and late iPod Touches. Here's what you can expect if you decide to upgrade when the software goes live on Monday.
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Apple Pay
Apple's cardless payment system was announced alongside the iPhone 6 back in September, and it will officially come online with the 8.1 update. With the system, users with an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus will be able to save their credit card information into their phones and lock it behind Touch ID. After setting up Apple Pay, users will be able to pay for purchases from participating retailers like Walgreens, McDonalds and Disney just by selecting a card on their phone, placing their thumb on the Touch ID button and holding the phone up to the retailer's NFC receiver.
The newly announced iPad Air 2, with the support of Touch ID functionality, will be able to utilize Apple Pay as well. Because the iPad doesn't contain an NFC chip, however, it'll only be useful for online transactions.
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Photo Upgrades
At Thursday's iPad event, where audience members were treated to a brief preview of iOS 8.1, Apple announced that the update would reinstate the Camera Roll feature that was removed from iOS 8. Apparently, that was a contentious decision. More importantly, though, iOS 8.1 will be bringing iCloud Photo Library online for iOS users. The Photo Library allows Apple users to sync their photo collections from their phone or tablet across their devices, so photos taken on a user's iPhone can be instantly viewed on that user's Mac or PC in its original file size and format. The service works for videos, too.
The Photo Library works using Apple users' existing iCloud accounts, meaning that everyone gets 5 GB of space free, with upgrades up to 1 TB available for monthly fees. Just 99 cents a month will get users an additional 15 GB of space.
Continuity Upgrades
Mac users who have already upgraded to OS X Yosemite might have already experienced the benefits of iOS 8's Continuity. It allows a user to swap devices without losing their place in whatever Apple application they were just using. It even allows a user to pick up phone calls on their Mac without touching their phone.
iOS 8.1 is set to add some more functions to Continuity, according to MacRumors. With SMS Relay, an iPhone user with a Mac running Yosemite will be able to send or receive SMS messages on their computer, leaving their phone in their pocket. Beyond that, Instant Hotspot will allow Yosemite Macs to recognize when a connected iPhone is near. It can then activate and connect to that iPhone's LTE Hotspot abilities. On the road without Wi-Fi? Turn your iPhone into an LTE Hotspot without even reaching into your bag to get it out.
iOS 8.1 will be available as a free update on Monday. Knowing Apple, it'll probably go live sometime in the early afternoon.
