A Look at iOS 8 on iPad Air

Holding the iOS 8 iPad Air, it seems impossible at first that a product so light could do such powerful things. Breezing through content and quickly displaying multimedia, however, users will quickly be surprised and impressed with the capabilities of the device. An iOS 8 iPad Air is certain to please users, but it might also cause a disappointment or two.

Touch Rejection
Users can love the ability of iOS 8 on iPad Air to detect when a thumb is inadvertently and innocently resting on the display, versus when a user is using a thumb to manipulate the screen in some way. This makes it easier to hold the device comfortably and begin exploring the features included in the new operating system. The product also manages this without sacrificing the power and functionality of the multi-touch screen. It allows users to maximize what is seen on the screen, thanks to the smaller bezels on the side of the iPad Air, without accidentally triggering undesired actions on the device.

A7 Chip
The API that Apple calls Metal is what allows devices with iOS 8 to really make the most of the A7 chip in Apple products that have it. The image processor included in the chip makes for stunning graphics on the iPad Air. The technology also makes brilliant visuals possible within games and apps. All of the functions seem to go lightning fast with iOS 8 making the most of the chip. Other devices have experienced some sluggishness with the new iOS, but the iPad Air is performing well and with great speed.

Apps
Buggy apps have been a known challenge with other iPad and iPhone devices using iOS 8, but the iPad Air seems to have been spared the bulk of those problems. Google Chrome, for example, has been said to be an issue on other devices with iOS 8, but it has been operating smoothly thus far with iOS 8 the iPad Air. Popular apps including Spotify, Pandora, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram have also been performing well on the iPad Air.

Issues
One downside of the iOS 8 iPad Air is battery drain. This hitch is unexpected, and it might present more of a difficulty for some users than others. The good news is that iOS 8 on iPad Air has a setting that allows users to determine which apps are using more of the battery on the device. In the Settings, go to General, then Usage, and then look at Battery Usage. That screen includes a handy list of the battery usage for the apps over the last 24 hours. This should help users to minimize problems with battery life while Apple configures updates that will address the issue.

Due to an incompatibility, Dropbox does not yet work with iOS 8 on iPad Air or with other devices using the new operating system. A fix is likely forthcoming, and users who rely on Dropbox might want to watch for it and adjust their usage habits accordingly. Another glitch worth noting is the occasional dropped connection to WiFi. Overall, the iOS 8 iPad Air wrinkles are minimal, leaving lots of room for fun and productivity.

Originally posted 2014-10-07 15:05:02.