iOS 8 Beta Released with New Features; Jailbreak Arriving Soon?

With the beta version of Apple's iOS 8 recently upgraded, anticipation is high that a jailbreak for the previous iteration of iOS could be developed soon.

Christian Today notes that no jailbreak thus far has been created for iOS 7.1.1, owing to the best security yet for the operating system.

Previously, a jailbreak for iOS 6 was able to be developed by Evad3rs. An untethered jailbreak for iOS 7.1.1 for older models of the iPad and iPhones running on the A4 processor was produced by jailbreaker Wincom. That, however, does not apply to newer handset models such as the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C.

Previously unveiled at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers' Conference this past June 2 along with OS X Yosemite, iOS 8 will officially be released in September. The reasoning behind a beta version is to allow developers to tweak their apps and games, and ensure proper functionality once the full version of the OS is released. Beta versions also often include updates and bug fixes found in previous versions.

A report on Tech Times states that the new Health app on iOS 8 will be able to measure lung function by keeping track of the amount and speed of air when a person inhales and exhales. This looks to be particularly beneficial for people who might be asthmatic and who are about to have an attack.

In addition, the app will also have new icons while also being able to export health data and displaying Medical ID on a locked screen through the "Show When Logged" option. The new icons will be seen for Keychain, Backup, iCloud Drive, iCloud Family Sharing, and iCloud. The Health app will also have a heart monitor and help manage health information such as Body Mass Index (BMI) while tracking medication.

Updates to the photos, iMessage, and keyboard applications are some of the software features that will be part of iOS 8. Improvements to search, Spotlight, and iCloud are also expected.

By introducing a health-focused app, there is rising sentiment that Apple is aiming to integrate more serious health devices with its own HealthKit and moving from casual fitness and health devices. The long-rumored "iWatch" was supposedly one of the endgoals Apple had in mind in developing apps that will measure items such as calories burned, heart rate, sleep quality, and others. Other health-related updates for iOS beta 5 include the HKWorkout API as well as new icons for Data Exporting and Body Data.

Whether or not a jailbreak is developed for iOS 8 in the near future owing to improved security remains a puzzle for the jailbreak community.