10 hidden tools and features in iOS 8

Every time a new operating system is launched by Apple, it brings along a variety of wonderful features which are usually not revealed initially. iOS 8 is no different. It definitely incorporates amazing features, like better photo editing, convenient voice messaging and easier keyboard typing. However, this is not all, as there are many useful, but hidden features, which users are not aware of. Here is the list of ten such hidden tools and features which can make user's experience of iOS 8 even more incredible.

It is not uncommon for people to take photos at parties and vacations or any personal photos which they wish they could keep to themselves. Well, now it is possible as iOS 8 offers the option of hiding the photos that users do not want to expose to others, without requiring them to go for the delete option. This can be done by tapping and holding any photo that the user wants to hide and selecting Hide Photo from the pop-up notice. This will make the photo disappear. Although the photo will still be preset in the Album, it will be no longer visible in Years, Collections or Moments.

Besides sending and receiving messages, there are plenty of other things that can be done with texts using the iOS 8. To start with, users can delete individual texts and for doing this they need to tap on more option, which pops up when any text message is highlighted. This allows users to erase messages one by one or forward these along to others. Editing the texts is also possible in Notes, an app which allows users to personalize the message, either a single phase or entire paragraph, anyway they want by applying bold, italics and underline.

Typing in the credit card number manually is a lot of hassle, which can be avoided with the option of credit card scanning provided in iOS 8. For those who do not want to type in their credit card details again and again when making a purchase online, they can get their card scanned by taking a photo of their credit card. Similarly, the option of taking a picture of the photo of the credit card is also available when using the Safari browser for shopping. This option appears automatically on top of the keyboard. While doing this the credit card should be held within the frame so that the information can be captured securely.

People find it very frustrating when they have to stop midway while doing something important to respond to an email, text or message. The solution to this problem is available in iOS 8 with the option of interactive notifications. Whenever an email, message or calendar invite comes, the users have the option to respond by pulling down a notification banner that appears on the top of the screen. Another useful feature is the option to disable useless notification received for certain apps. By turning off the Allow Notifications option for a particular app, users can get rid of this hassle altogether.

Taking selfies has become an art which is not easy to master. The camera in iOS 8 comes with a timer, making it highly convenient and easy for users to take timed selfies. To enable this feature, one needs to tap the Camera app. By sliding to the Photo mode, they will get a clock like an icon, after tapping which three options will appear, allowing users to delay the time for taking photos from three to ten seconds. It means users do not even need to use their hands to take the picture anymore. If not required then this feature can be turned off. Moreover, multiple photos can be taken by using the Burst Mode.

Accidentally deleting photos and then searching the entire phone or iPad in the hope of getting them back is something that has happen to almost everyone. That is why iOS 8 comes with this amazing feature which allows users to recover photos they might have deleted accidently. In the Photos app, there is a Recently Deleted album, which contains all the photos deleted recently. Photos once deleted are saved in this album for the duration of thirty days, after which these are deleted permanently. So there is enough time for users to get the deleted photos back effortlessly.

If the battery of your iPhone or iPod drains fast, then it is crucial to check the apps which are using the maximum amount of battery. This can be done easily now, as iOS 8 comes equipped with a feature which offers percentage breakdown of the apps which are affecting the battery usage most. This option can be accessed through General, tap on Usage and then Battery Usage. Analyzing this data can help to save a considerable amount of battery life.

When in the middle of an email conversation having to go back to inbox to read a new message can prove very inconvenient. In order to avoid going back to inbox, while reading an email, users can drag the message displayed on top down. This can be done using multiple drafts as well. The drafts are minimized at the bottom, which the users can access by double tapping. Once the drafts open, users have the option of opening or deleting them by using tap or swipe.

Interacting with Siri is nothing new for iPhone users; however, the newly launched iOS 8 comes with an additional feature, which enables users to interact with Siri without having to touch the device by saying "Hey Siri" out loud. Although this might not seem like a breakthrough invention, but this option proves very convenient when the phone is being charged. Moreover, having this option makes it easier for users to give command while driving as well. In order to enable this feature, users need to visit Setting, select General, tap the SIRI app and turn on the option, named Allow "Hello Siri".

IOS 8 comes with the Health app incorporated with a Medical ID which can be accessed through a locked screen as well. The real use of this feature can be seen in case of emergencies, as it is possible for anyone to access the media ID and emergency contact information of a person without unlocking the phone first or having to know the pass code of the phone. This feature can be activated through Health app and tapping the Media ID icon present at the bottom right corner. This opens the Create option where users can enter important information, such as their medical condition, kinds of medications they are using, blood type, weight, height, emergency contact and as well as any specific allergies or reactions.

Loaded with unique features and enhanced functionality, iOS 8 is designed to suit the needs of every user. There might be a few flaws and setbacks initially, however the benefits and favorable qualities easily tops over the downsides.