iOS 8 How-to Guide: Where to Download, Storage Requirements, Continuity Features & More

Dubbed as the biggest iOS release ever, Apple has made the iOS 8 available on Wednesday for iPhone 4s and up, fifth-generation iPod Touch, and all iPads from the second-generation. The company launched the OS for everyone, with the goal of creating the "most natural" and "most useful" user experience. Apple intended the product to be "one that is pleasantly surprising at first and becomes utterly indispensable before you know it."

The iOS 8 can be downloaded right from the capable Apple device. Simply go to the device's Settings app, tap General and go to Software Update. Another option is to plug the device into iTunes. ABC News advises that the latest version of iTunes should be running. Apple provides instructions here.

To start using the iOS 8, Apple requires the device to spare at least 5.8 GB of storage. According to CNET, the iOS makes a 1.1 GB download but more space is needed for the actual installation. Syncing the device via iTunes as mentioned earlier will take up lesser space. But whichever method consumes space. Hence, clearing is highly recommended.

Here's how to clear space cap:

1.     Consider deleting heavy apps. These are apps that consume the most storage. Determine which ones are no longer relevant and get rid of them. Go to Settings > General > Usage.

2.     If all apps must be spared, look into your media storage this time. Try transferring those offline iTunes downloads, music, videos and pictures to PC. Plug the device via USB port to desktop and open the media folders.  Transfer the files by either moving or copying.

3.     Cloud technology is the alternative to save files for future use. Note that the iOS 8 has the iCloud Drive, where virtually any kind of file may be stored and accessed in any Apple device, including PC.

Apple maintains its devices to work in harmony through Continuity features. Apple Insider reported that this feature works on the following devices: iPhone 5 or later, fourth-generation iPad or later, iPad mini or fifth-generation iPod Touch.

Basically, the iOS 8 will allow a user to browse on the iPad and continue from the same link on the iPhone. It also lets users compose emails on Mac and finish them in iPhone, or vice versa. Projects may be started on the iPad or iPhone and continued on Mac.

What's the secret? Apple reveals, "It all happens automatically when your devices are signed in to the same iCloud account."

iPad and Mac can now answer calls as long as the iOS 8-enabled iPhone is on the same Wi-Fi network. SMS and MMS can be sent and received in any of the devices.

And what could be more surprising than connecting to the internet even without Wi-Fi? The Instant Hotspot enables iPad and Mac to connect to your iPhone's network as long as it's close by. Make sure to check with the carrier on hotspot availability.

Apple takes pride in the iOS 8's plethora of offerings, which probably explain why it's space-hungry. CBS News summarizes the iOS 8's features here.