As predicted, Apple has announced some new features to their range of integrated apps with some software updates that are set to rival Dropbox and WhatsApp.
News of the upgrades has come from Apple’s annual conference for software developers in San Francisco. It looks as if Apple’s goal is to try and get its customers to keep using Apple products and services across all devices, hence the introduction of iCloud, an online storage facility similar to Dropbox.
Apple have also tweaked their iMessage app, giving it extra features that will enable users to create and modify group messages, send voice clips and create and exchange short video clips. Apple is also introducing the ability to send text messages from all its devices.
The news prompted a sarcastic tweet from WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum, who wrote: “Very flattering to see Apple “borrow” numerous WhatsApp features into iMessage in iOS 8 #innovation”.
Apple’s new storage system iCloud comes after Apple’s late CEO Steve Jobs failed to buy Dropbox, repeatedly warning its founders that he planned to go after the same market when they refused.
iCloud offers users free storage of any type of file up to five gigabytes, which users can then access via an iOS device, Mac computer or Windows PC.
Apple also introduced HealthKit, software that works with wearable health devices, and a parallel app called Health. This measures users personalised health statistics, and will even contact a hospital directly if it notices irregularities.
No new devices have been announced so far, as Apple CEO Tim Cook is promising news on that front later in the year.
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