Apple confirmed on Tuesday that the release date for iOS 8 is next Wednesday, September 17 for compatible iPhone, iPad and iPod touch models. The software update will be available as a free download for supported iOS devices, and the new version will come pre-installed on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus when they are released two days later. 

The full list of compatible iOS 8 devices is as follows: iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad 2, iPad 3rd generation, iPad 4th generation, iPad Air, iPad mini, iPad mini with Retina display and the fifth-generation iPod touch. If you have an older device, you are unfortunately limited to iOS 7 or older software versions.

Ahead of the public release, Apple this afternoon seeded the final iOS 8 beta GM — or Golden Master — to developers for testing. This version of pre-release software is usually identical to the one that is seeded to the public as a software update for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, meaning that all bugs have likely been ironed out at this point.

iOS 8 has several new features, including Continuity, Handoff, Notification Center widgets, QuickType and third-party keyboard support, iCloud Drive, Health, Family Sharing and more. The software update makes iOS a lot more open than it has ever been before, with third-party keyboard and widgets normally limited to platforms like Android.

Will you be updating to iOS 8 when it is released?