UPDATED — Apple's iOS 8 available today for iPhones, iPads — new operating system includes updated keyboard, camera

UPDATED — Apple’s iOS 8 available today for iPhones, iPads — new operating system includes updated keyboard, camera

YOU DON’T NEED to order an iPhone 6 to feel like you’ve gotten a brand new gadget.

Apple’s much-anticipated operating system update, iOS 8, will be available for download after 10 a.m. PDT today (Wednesday).

(But be patient! You’re just one of millions of people trying to tap Apple’s servers at the same time. So if you can wait, wait. And you may not want to upgrade immediately — see ZDNET story link, below.)

IOS 8 will let apps display useful information in the “Today” screen, including sports scores and weather updates. You can answer phone calls on a Mac, install a third-party keyboard on your iPhone and ask Siri to identify what song is playing on the radio. You can even share iTunes purchases with your family.

With iOS 8, photographers will be able to straighten photos and adjust the exposure, color and contrast of their images. Apple is also adding a slew of new Instagram-like filters to its camera application.

The update will be available to iPhone 4S, 5, 5C and 5S owners. All iPads except for the first-generation model are eligible for iOS 8. And only the latest iPod Touch users can upgrade to iOS 8.

First announced in June, the software upgrade will overhaul the function and feel of many Apple devices.

You’ll be able to install the update on the iPhone 4S, 5, 5C, or 5S; the iPad 2, the iPad Air, the iPad mini and both retina-display iPads; and the iPod touch 5th generation.

The new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus come preloaded with iOS 8. The new devices begin shipping Friday, and some of them have already started making the trek from China, MacRumors reports.

Left out in the system reboot: the iPhone 4, the original iPad and any older model of iPod Touch.

READ MORE: “Apple’s iOS 8 available Wednesday; new operating system includes updated keyboard, camera” — http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/apple-ios-8-wednesday-article-1.1941523

AND . . .

“Six reasons why you should NOT immediately upgrade to iOS 8” — http://www.zdnet.com/six-reasons-why-you-should-not-immediately-upgrade-to-ios-8-7000033596/

AND:

“How to download iOS 8” — http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/talkingtech/2014/09/16/how-to-download-ios8/15678775/

“How to get ready for an iOS 8 upgrade the right way” — http://www.cultofmac.com/296046/get-ready-ios-8-right-way/

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