Are you debating whether or not to upgrade to iOS 8? Software launches can be buggy, but iOS 8 can do a bunch of cool things iOS 7 can’t – especially when it comes to texting and typing. The best new addition to iOS 8 may be the option to install a third-party keyboard. That means you can pick up keyboards like Swype, Fleksy or SwiftKey and start typing as quickly as your Android friends. iOS 8 also give you the ability to leave group chats. Can’t be bothered at work while your friends make plans? Don’t care about your fantasy football league as much as everyone else? A few taps and you’re out of the conversation. Speaking of messages, iOS 8 lets you send voice messages instead of text. Press and hold the record button in the bottom right corner, then send it off with a single tap. And if you get a text, you can now reply to it directly from the pull-down menu without having to leave the app you’re in.
About Shelly Palmer
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with technology, media and marketing. Named LinkedIn’s “Top Voice in Technology,” he covers tech and business for Good Day New York, is a regular commentator on CNN and writes a popular daily business blog. He's a bestselling author, and the creator of the popular, free online course, Generative AI for Execs. Follow @shellypalmer or visit shellypalmer.com.