‘Apple wants to adjust Notification Center in iOS 8 and remove Game Center’

Apple would consider simplifying the display of notifications in the Notification Center in iOS 8, as well as the Messages app. The iOS developers are also looking at eliminating the little-used Game Center app.

Apple’s plans to modify existing iOS apps are reported by 9to5mac. The website states that the information comes from anonymous sources and that no final decisions have been made by Apple. One of the considerations would be to customize the message center. For example, only two views should be available: ‘today’ and ‘notifications’. In iOS 7 there is also a view with ‘all notifications’ present.

The Messages app should also be simplified by adding an option to automatically delete older threads, for example after a month or a year. This optional cleaning option could reduce the use of storage capacity on a smartphone. In the app for creating voice memos, the control elements are further brought to the fore.

Apple would consider banning the Game Center app in iOS 8. The game application, which can also be found in OS X, would be used too little while game developers can integrate the functionality directly into games.

Possibly new in iOS 8 will be an api that allows applications to exchange data. For example, an app with which images can be edited could from now on forward these images directly to a social networking site via the API by offering the image to the relevant app. This functionality was already planned for iOS 7 but did not make it for unknown reasons.

Apple would also see in iOS 8 whether the CarPlay can function wirelessly. The recently announced version still requires a connection via a Lightning cable, but in iOS 8, CarPlay must also function via WiFi.

Earlier this week, some images of iOS 8 already surfaced. They contain a number of new apps, including the health-focused Healthbook and the TextEdit and Preview apps. Apple will probably be working on iOS 8 for at least a few more months.