Apple announces September 17th launch date for iOS 8

The details of Apple’s new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus handsets are beginning to come in, but right now, there’s definitive word about iOS 8.

Per Macworld, Apple on Tuesday announced that the next version of its mobile operating system will officially launch on Tuesday, September 17th.

Originally introduced during this year’s Worldwide Developer Conference back in June, iOS 8 offers only incremental changes over its predecessor’s design language, but introduces a slew of new technologies that are destined to have a significant impact on Apple’s mobile ecosystem, such as Handoff, which allows users to seamlessly transfer their work between all the devices they own, a one-handed mode that can help users interact with the iPhone 6 Plus’ larger screen and Extensions.

The new operating system also includes new platforms geared towards making iOS devices hubs for the digital lives of their owners, including HomeKit, which enables communication with connected-home peripherals, and HealthKit, designed to allow users to collect, monitor, and share all sort of health data about themselves.

iOS 8 will come preinstalled on all new iPhone and iPad models, will be available as a free update and require an iPhone 4s, iPad 2, iPad mini, and fifth-generation iPod touch models, or later, to install and run.