The Apple iOS 8 beta, designed for developers and app creators only, has been released despite the full version not set for release for several months.

Just this past Sunday, Apple released the iOS 8 Beta 2, which is designed to fix some of the bugs in the first beta release. By releasing a beta version, Apple is encouraging developers and app creators to use the new operating system and see how their apps interact with it. With iOS 8 scheduled for a fall release, they're giving developers several months to test it out.

Most of the new features included in the iOS 8 beta are set to be released in the full version as well.

New features on the iOS 8 beta include the following:

Touch ID

Touch ID is great for app developers. It eliminates most log-in screens and requires less need for difficult encryption. Now, instead of having to type in your user name and password to access an app, you'll be prompted to swipe your fingerprint.

PhotoKit

PhotoKit will allow photo-editing right in the camera roll section of the iOS device. No importing and waiting until you have synced your device with iTunes. 

Manual Camera Controls

App developers will be happy when their apps interact with the camera on iOS devices. More controls and features will make high-quality in-app pictures. This feature will be welcomed for photo apps, like Instagram or Facebook's photo sharing. Independent photo app creators that struggled with poor photo quality in the past will also appreciate this change.

HealthKit

With tons of fitness apps and body-monitoring featured apps, iOS 8's HealthKit will give app developers even more power. Users' health stats will be stored in a centralized location, and apps will be able to access those stats for seemless importing. 

HomeKit

HomeKit is an exciting new feature that will interact with devices already in your home. Some devices and appliances will be able to be controlled by your iOS device. Imagine being able to check to see if you closed the garage or not, turn off the lights from your office and more. App developers will partner with appliance manufacturers and electronics makers to create apps that will make living at home even more convenient.

HandOff

HandOff will allow multiple users to work on the same document or activity on different devices. If one user begins typing a proposal, they can use HandOff to let a colleague finish or contribute to it. Productivity apps like Google Docs will benefit from this feature.

Although iOS 8 Beta is available to developers only, some casual users are still downloading it. Apple warns that non-developers installing the Beta can cause the device to work improperly.

What do you think about the new features on iOS 8? Do you think apps will improve in the future now that they have more capabilities? Leave a comment below!