THE NEWS WRAP: Apple unveils iOS 8

Apple has unveiled iOS 8 in what it says is its biggest release since the launch of the app store.

Some of the main features include:

• Interactive notifications which gives users the ability to respond to notifications within the notification pane, without having to switch apps.
• An improved mailbox with Mailbox-style actions enables users to easily tag or dismiss emails without needing to open them.
• Spotlight now lets you search for apps you haven’t installed yet, along with songs in the iTunes store, movie location times and more.
• HealthKit, which is a one-stop shop for all the health tracking apps on your phone.

No Microsoft Start Menu until 2015

Microsoft won’t be delivering a new Start Menu for Windows 8 with its coming Windows 8.1 Update 2, sources told Zdnet.

Microsoft’s operating systems group has decided to hold off on delivering a Microsoft-developed Start Menu until Threshold, the next major release for Windows, expected to be released in April next year.

Google scraps Zavers

The tech giant has decided to discontinue Zavers, a service that lets shoppers clip coupons online and get those savings when they purchase products in the stores of retailers.

The service had been running for 17 months, launching in January of last year following Google’s acquisition of a startup called Zave Networks.

Overnight

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 26.46 to 16,743.63. The Australian Dollar is currently trading at US92 cents.