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Apple boasts that iOS 8 is the biggest update ever but it isn't immediately obvious what has changed. While iOS 7 dealt with the major cosmetic upgrades iOS 8 is all about what goes on behind the scenes. There are loads of exciting new features to get to grips with and we've outlined some of the more obvious ones in our best new iOS 8 features round-up. If you're wondering what the differences are between iOS 7 and iOS 8 we've also got that covered.
But what about the awesome hidden new features and tips and tricks in iOS 8? This is where the update really shines, giving you more options and control over your iPhone or iPad than ever before. If you've got a shiny new iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus or upgraded your old iOS device to iOS 8 then read on for our favourite hidden new features.
Find out what's sucking up battery
Some apps and processes use more battery than others and keeping an eye on what's using up too much juice will keep your iPhone or iPad going for longer. iOS 8 has a hidden setting that can tell you exactly what's using battery so you can spot nuisance apps and shut them down. Go to Settings, General, Usage, Battery Usage and you will then see a rundown of exactly how long your iOS 8 device has been switched on and how much battery life each app has used during the last 24 hours.
Ditch Google and use DuckDuckGo for search
Fed up with Google knowing your deepest, darkest secrets? While it is easy enough to avoid using Google search on your computer, avoiding its all-seeing eye on phones and tablets is trickier. In iOS 8 you can now set your default search engine to DuckDuckGo.
Unlike other search engines DuckDuckGo doesn't profit from its users and everyone sees the same search results for any given search term. Its slogan, 'the search engine that doesn't track you', gives peace of mind and means that you stay a little bit more anonymous online when searching in iOS 8.
Find your phone even when the battery has run out
We've all done it – dropped our phone down the back of the sofa or left an iPad buried under a pile of magazines. Now a new feature for Find my iPhone and Find my iPad means you can track down your list iOS 8 device even if the battery has gone dead. Go to Settings, iCloud, Find my iPhone/iPad and select Sent Last Location. If you then lose your device and the battery runs out or it has no signal then you can quickly check to see where it is. Panic over.
Install a new keyboard
Perhaps the most requested new feature in iOS 8 the ability to add a new feature is finally here. Getting one setup is easy. There are two main ones to choose from – SwiftKey and Swype, with the former free and the latter costing 69p. Once you've downloaded your keyboard of choice enable it in iOS 8 by going to Settings, General, Keyboard, Keyboards, Add New Keyboard, tap the keyboard you want to add and then drag it to the top of the keyboard list.
Take a selfie on a timer
A simple addition but a welcome one for all good narcissists – there's now a timer for when you take selfies. Rather than have to awkwardly jab at the phone with your thumb or finger while holding it at arm's length you can set a timer to take the picture in either three or ten seconds. Open the iOS 8 Camera app, tap the clock icon in the menu and select either 3s or 10s and tap the shutter. A countdown will appear so you know exactly when the photo will be taken. No more goofy selfies.
Recover deleted photos
Privacy and security concerns around iCloud have raised the issue of just how safe photos taken on an iPhone or iPad can ever be, but a new feature in iOS 8 does at least give you control of photos you delete. When you delete a photo from the Photos app it will go into the Recently Deleted album. Open this album and each image will show how many days it has until it is permanently deleted. Once it goes from there it is technically gone forever. If you want to recover any photos before they're deleted just select them and tap on Recover.
Customise how you share
Sharing in iOS has always been a bit of a chore with Apple's total control over the operating system making it unnecessarily tiresome. In iOS 8 things are more open and developers can now add Share buttons for their apps to the iOS share pane. In any app from which you can share things, Safari is a good example, tap the Share button and options from default apps and other apps will appear. You can change the order by pressing and holding on hide unwanted apps by pressing, holding, releasing and tapping Hide. Scroll across and tap More to add more share functions.
