Apple CEO Tim Cook Introduces IOS 8
Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the IOS 8 operating system during his keynote address at the Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, California Reuters/Robert Galbraith

The iPhone 6 release date, as well as that of the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3, is loaded with killer features, clues of them are provided in the initial beta build of iOS 8, according to new reports.

Split-screen for iOS multitasking

The ability to pull up two application windows at the same time and work on them could finally arrive in the revised iOS sphere, MacRumors said in a new report. Steven Troughton-Smith was credited by the same report for spotting the iOS codes that will lead to split-screen rendition on the 2014 iOS device line up.

The feature will reportedly permit the sharing of links, text, images and clips between two active apps on the screen but orientation of the two windows will only be in landscape mode.

MacRumors added that split screen is initially designed for the iPad Air 2 but iOS 8 for the iPhone 6 and iPad Mini 3 will be eventually adjusted at a later date to accommodate the same feature that is already a mainstay in devices powered by Android and Windows 8.

New Apple Maps

There was no mention of Apple Maps when iOS 8 was revealed during the 2014 WWDC last week but according to Business Insider, the iOS navigational tool will be deployed once the application has been perfected or at least free of the glitches that marred the iPhone 5 debut.

The new Maps is rumoured to deliver indoor site location in public places and real-time public transit guide, which Business Insider said is likely to go live with the first iOS 8 update - the version that likely iron out all the kinks and bugs on the application.

That would be in the first quarter of 2015 or March at the earliest, which is around the same time that Apple issued iOS 7.1 earlier this year.

iOS 8 widgets

Directly from Apple, the next iPhone will support the creation of widgets that will sit on the device's Notification Centre. This feature will be embedded with the iOS 8, the tech giant said, and one of the first to confirm that eventuality is Philips.

In a report, Business Insider said that Philips tweeted out a concept of its upcoming widget that will control the application for its Hue Smart light bulbs. With the render already available, it is safe to say that Philips will be among the first widget providers at the App Store once the iOS 8-powered iPhone 6 hits the market.

Personalised Control Centre

Even the iOS Control Centre is poised to get a major makeover as BGR reported that iOS 8 codes seem to suggest that customisation aspect is coming soon to this aspect of the iPhone, iPad and iPod.

If an iDownloadBlog.com claim will turn out as true, iPhone and iPad users will need to jailbreak their devices in order to enjoy quick access to Control Centre functions such as toggling on and off specific device features, said the same report from BGR.

Release date of the iPhone 6 is pegged for middle of September while the 2014 iPads are not expected until November of the same year.