iOS 8 Beta, Download, Release Date 2014: Beta 5 Release Unclear; New Apps, Features Introduced in Beta 4
Internet rumors have been heating up, claiming that Apple's iOS 8 operating system will be released in September. Meanwhile, Apple maintains that the schedule is fluid.
Apple consumers, a typically demanding bunch, want to know when they can see the latest features going into the new iOS -- and they want it now.
To whet the beak of those consumers, and possibly to test the product, Apple last week unveiled iOS 8 beta 4, showing off some new features -- like real-time voice-to-text -- and took one step closer to the actual release of iOS 8.
Historically, Apple's beta 4 version of iOS has preceded one or two additional versions before the final system is released. And tech bloggers expect the 2014 version to be the same.
According to the App Advice blog, iOS 8 beta 5 could come out tomorrow or it could be longer than a month. While that's not exactly scientific, they're basing it on years past.
Apple's iOS 7 beta 5 was came out just more than a week after the beta 4 version, But in 2012, the company skipped beta 5 altogether and took 37 days to release iOS 6 gold master edition.
Three years ago, Apple took 15 days to put out iOS 5 beta 5, showing there is truly no pattern to the releases.
With its beta 4 release last week, Apple introduced new features and applications, according to Apple-centric blog The Unofficial Apple Weblog. Having these features could mean either a longer wait for beta 5 or more versions before the final release.
In addition to the voice-to-text feature, beta 4 added a Tips app and enhanced dictation.
The Apple Weblog called the new voice-to-text feature "incredible." The feature allows real-time dictation while typing messages. Previously, real-time dication was only available when using Siri, but that looks as if it will change in iOS 8.
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