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iOS 8 vs iOS 7: This is how your favorite mobile platform changed overnight

Published Sep 18th, 2014 11:36AM EDT
iOS 8 vs iOS 7: Feature Updates
Image: Apple Inc.

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Apple’s recently released iOS 8 is very similar to iOS 7, at least when looking at it from a distance. But the new mobile operating system has a bunch of significant new features ready to be used right away, or arriving at some point next month following a software update. In fact, even though iOS 8 appears to be identical to iOS 7, there are many UI tweaks that make it even more user-friendly than its predecessor, one site put together a detailed guide, complete with images showing some of the critical differences between the two iOS versions that’ll completely change the way you interact with your iOS devices.

FROM EARLIER: The funniest thing you’ll see today: Tweets composed entirely with iOS 8 autopredict

Phone Arena has looked at the way various features and apps work in iOS 7, and at how they work in iOS 8, revealing both subtle or major differences between operating systems.

For instance, search in iOS 8 has been significantly improved to offer users access to website results, App Store apps, Wikipedia entries and local content. More importantly, the app delivers instant results, as the user is typing a query. Spotlight search has been similarly improved in Safari, and the mobile browser can now offer users access to a site’s desktop version rather than the mobile-optimized one.

iOS 8 also brings actionable notifications, which means users can respond to messages without entering the app, or deal with other notifications on the spot. In fact, users can deal with messages right from the lock screen.

Other neat tricks in the iOS 8 update include group chats changes (leaving a group and muting conversations is possible), sharing location in chats, a customizable sharing menu for apps that include shareable content, more camera tools and quick access to favorite contacts.

Some images showing various differences between iOS 8 and iOS 7 follow below, with many more available at the source link. Be sure to check out our iOS 8 Hub for a detailed coverage of Apple’s latest iOS update.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.