Previous to iOS 8, your only real option for interacting with notifications was to “activate” them, which involved tapping to open the corresponding app. Now you have far richer options for both built-in and third-party apps.
For example:
- Reminders now lets you snooze a notification for 15 minutes or mark it as complete. I find snoozing particularly useful when I ask Siri to remind me of something when I arrive home. But by the time I park, ride the elevator, and set down my bags I’ve completely forgotten.
- Twitter allows you to retweet or favorite a post.
- Messenger allows you to respond without opening the Messenger app.
- Skype allows you to accept or decline calls and respond to messages.
There are three places that you can see notifications and each has their own way of opening the custom actions:
- Lock screen. Swipe the notification from right to left to reveal the menu. Tapping the “x” will dismiss the item.
- Notification center. Swipe the notification from right to left to reveal the menu. Tapping the “x” will dismiss the item. In case you aren’t familiar with Notification Center, swipe your finger from the earpiece down, which pulls down the window shade. Tap the Notifications tab to see your recent notifications. Push the shade up from the bottom or press the home button to hide Notification Center.
- Notification banner. Pull the banner down to reveal more options. Pushing the banner up will dismiss it.
