Apple to Bring HD Audio Support in iOS 8, Refresh In-Ear Headphones: Report

Details of Apple's plans for iOS 8 are beginning to emerge on a daily basis. Earlier on Wednesday, a report claimed that the Cupertino-based company might add the split-screen functionality to its tablets.

Now, a new report by a Japanese blog Mac Otakara, which has been also tipping details about the next iPhone model, suggests that Apple will add high-definition audio playback in iOS 8. The report, first picked up by Macrumors, also indicates that the company will debut its next-generation in-ear headphones alongside a new Lightning connector.

It's worth noting that currently iOS 7's stock music app does not support high quality 24-bit audio files with a frequency band of 48KHz.

The report also hints that Apple will introduce new in-ear headphones, which have not been refreshed since 2008. Lastly, the report tips that an upgraded Lightning connector will be available to support playback on iPhone accessories.

Previously leaked or speculated features for iOS 8 include a standalone iTunes Radio app, a Healthbook app for tracking multiple fitness and exercise-related parameters, a music search function, improvements to Apple Maps, and minor interface changes. It is not clear which of these might be pushed back, or whether Apple will still introduce them at WWDC.

Reports had also suggested that the Apple A8 processor will be debuted, which will succeed the A7 in the next iPhone, iPad and Apple TV models. The Apple A8 is said not have any major architectural changes, but instead be far more power efficient. The next iPhone is widely expected to come with a larger screen, so increased battery drain will need to be compensated for.

Apple is expected to release an updated Apple TV which will run a derivative of iOS and be based on the new in-house processor as well.