7 Incredibly Convenient Things You'll Be Able to Do with the iPhone 8
It's been 10 years (!!!) since the iPhone first became an extension of our hands, and with each new iteration, the device keeps getting better. On Tuesday, Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, and senior vice president of worldwide marketing, Philip Schiller, introduced the brand's fastest and most expensive models to date: the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus (available for preorder now or in stores Sept. 22; $699 and $799, respectively). Both operate on iOS 11.
These phones look quite like the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus-they're the same size, available in virtually the same colors, and have the same shared power cord and headphone jack-but that's where the similarities seem to end. The 8 and 8 Plus are made out of what Apple calls "the most durable glass ever," are water and dust resistant, and run on a new chip (the A11Bionic chip) that's even faster than its older siblings.
Wondering if the steep price is worth it? Keep reading to learn seven of the most useful things these phones can do-then you can decide if you're ready for a total life upgrade.
1. Eliminate the urge to text and drive
The iPhone 8 senses when its user is driving (when it connects to the car via bluetooth, or feels the acceleration of a vehicle, for example) and will turn on the "do not disturb" feature. This way you won't be distracted by calls, texts, or other notifications while you're behind the wheel (even if you're at a red light.) If someone messages you, your phone will automatically alert them that you're driving. Even more reassuring is the peace of mind you'll have if your teen's the one behind the wheel.
2. See how furniture will look in your living room
With cameras calibrated for augmented reality (AR), a couch on your phone screen can look surprisingly realistic. AR takes an image on the screen and integrates it into your surroundings using your camera to grab the image. And with Ikea launching Ikea Place, a free AR app, you can see 3-D images of a couch, table, or desk you've been eyeing exactly to scale as it would be in your room. Simply hold your phone as if you're taking a picture of the space where you want the couch to be, and the couch appears. You can swap colors and models with a swipe of your finger and get a close up look at the fabric. Say goodbye to ordering furniture that's not quite what you expected!
3. Take better photos
The iPhone 8's camera is faster and has better color capture than any iPhone before it. You can even shoot video in 4K (picture HD, but even clearer), and take professional grade portraits with the new portrait lighting. Apple says this means your phone will recognize depth and separate your subject from its background, adding lighting to contour faces. Those pictures of your kids smiling on the soccer field are about to get so much better.
4. Pay friends through text message
They finally connected Apple Pay to the messages app! You no longer will need to upload your bank account to a third-party app so you can pay your friends back for dinner. If you open a text message and mention a cash amount, Apple pay will pop up to let you send or request the money. Then that money lives in your Apple wallet until you transfer it to your bank (or spend it, of course).
5. Navigate inside airports or malls
We've all gotten lost looking for our gate at the airport or the Starbucks kiosk in the mall. But that will never happen again: Maps has added indoor guidance of major airports and shopping centers around the world. Now you can find out which floor the food court's on, without looking for a directory.
6. Scan documents
You can scan documents straight into the Notes app with iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. When you have the app open and hover a document on your desk, the phone takes a picture of the paper, then crops the edges, removes any tilts, shadows, or glare, and makes it look like a perfect scan. You can even type in information or sign it right on your screen. Then save it to your files or send it in an email.
7. Charge wirelessly
The iPhone 8 has a similar battery life to the 7, but when it's time to charge you don't need to unravel cords at the bottom of your bag, or even unplug your headphones. The glass back on these phones has wireless charging capabilities. When you place the phone on a wireless charging mat like Apple's new AirPower, Mophie's wireless charging cases, or Belkin's wireless charging pad, your phone will immediately start to charge.
Follow Woman's Day on Instagram.
You Might Also Like
