Apple iOS 8.1 Released: Killer Features Include Apple Pay, iCloud Photo Library, Camera Roll, SMS Support For iPads/iMacs & More

Apple has released the first major iOS 8.1 update for iPhone 4S, iPad 2, iPad Mini and other newer devices. Readers can check out the device settings to see if a software update is ready for installation. Navigate to Settings -> General -> Software Update on the iOS device. Alternatively, iOS device users can also connect their iPhones or iPads to a computer/laptop with the latest version of Apple iTunes to avail the software update.

The iOS 8.1 update brings in support for Apple Pay service. This is Apple's brand new payment system, which works in tandem with Fingerprint scanner and NFC to enable mobile-based payments. In addition to this, the update also supports iCloud Photo Library and the much-awaited SMS support for both iPads and iMacs. If this is not interesting enough, the iOS 8.1 goes one step further and brings back the Camera Roll feature. Notably, the earlier iOS version housed a "Recently Added" feature in place of Camera Roll, according to Phone Arena.

From October 20, Apple iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users can utilise Apple Pay service from 220,000 stores in the U.S. Meaning, waving their Apple device near a compatible payment terminal would enable mobile-based payments, also known as contact-less payments. The authorisation of the purchase, on the other hand, is done by scanning the user's fingerprint with the help of Touch ID.

Some of the notable stores supporting Apple Pay service include McDonalds, Nike, Disney stores, Subway, Macy's and others. Potential Apple Pay users must register a credit or a debit card in their iPhone's Passbook app to utilise this service. Also it is worth mentioning that, the iPhone 5S will not support contact-less payment, although it comes with Apple's Touch ID. This is because the iPhone 5S smartphone does not come with the much-required NFC antenna to enable the payment system. Only the latest iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus handsets support NFC.

Come 2015, Apple iPhone 5S users can also utilise Apple Pay service. The caveat, however, is that 5S users may have to purchase Apple Watch, which comes with a NFC antenna. Notably, many third-party apps will start supporting Apple Pay system as a purchase option in the near future, taking advantage of the Touch ID scanner. Some of the examples include Uber, Target and Panera Bread, to name a few.

Furthermore, the iOS 8.1 update also brings in Apple iCloud Photo Library support, which lets the user save photos in iCloud directly. This way, the phone memory can be used to store other important and frequently used data. Plus, the iCloud Photo Library can also be accessed from other-compatible Apple devices and also from iCloud.com. As one would expect, Apple has also taken care of the synchronisation between devices. Say for example, if a user edits a photo stored in iCloud Photo Library from one Apple device, the change will reflect in other connected Apple devices immediately. Also, the Camera Roll feature can be used to browse all the stored photos, including the most recently viewed ones.

Apple iOS 8.1 has also improved the Continuity feature that allows for working together with user's iPhone, iPad and iMac. SMS messages can now be sent directly from iPads and iMacs, negating the need to work with iPhones. Moreover, the Instant Hotspot feature has the ability to make Internet tethering easier between Apple devices. Upon setting up the feature, whenever there is no Wi-Fi connectivity, the Instant Hotspot will tether iPhone, iPad or Mac in a flash. Lastly, the iOS 8.1 update also fixes some of the persisting bugs like the Wi-Fi connectivity issue.

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