For months we've been getting rumors about iPhone 6, and now we're starting to get some rumors about iOS 8. It's fun to see what's coming down the pike. 9To5Mac has posted screenshots of iOS 8 that reveal the icons for several new apps from Apple that will be part of this new version of iOS, expected to be available along with the new iPhone, likely in September. The apps appear to confirm earlier rumors that iOS 8 will have a greater focus on health monitoring and will include a new Healthbook app. In addition, there are icons for a Preview app, which has long been a Macintosh app for viewing and editing image files, and TextEdit, which has long been a Macintosh app used as a simple text editor. 9To5Mac says that it has confirmed that the leaked screenshots are legitimate.
You can read more about the Healthbook app in a previous post. You'll be able to use it to monitor a range of physiological measures, such as blood pressure and heart rate. Plus, a job posting by Apple has given insight into the sorts of experts they're hiring in the area of health monitoring and what that suggests about the functionality of the Healthbook app.
According to a separate post on 9To5Mac, the purpose of Preview and TextEdit in iOS 8 isn't to edit image or pdf or text files but simply to be able to view Preview and TextEdit files stored in iCloud. For editing these file types, Apple apparently feels that a better choice is the iBooks and Pages apps. 9To5Mac says that these new apps are yet another step by Apple toward getting rid of the traditional file system and migrating file management to iCloud.
According to yet another post by 9To5Mac, one of the biggest changes in iOS 8 will be a greatly improved Maps app. Apple has purchased a number of companies with technologies that will help make this new version stand out. 9To5Mac says the new version will have improved data and will also feature public transit directions. In addition to train, subway, and bus information, the app will include improved directions to major airports. You can read more detail about the implementation of transit directions in the post on 9To5Mac.
And finally, 9To5Mac has also reported that iTunes Radio may see changes in iOS 8. Apple is said to be considering making it a standalone app that will have functionality similar to iTunes Radio in the current Music app.