The Apple iOS 8 release date has been set to September 17 and it will be available for free.

The slated Apple iOS 8 release date comes in two days earlier than the official retail release of the newly launched iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus.

According to TechRadar, instead of a major interface overhaul, which the company rolled out with the iOS 7, the update will "round it out."

The software which was initially announced at WWDC, Apple's developer conference in San Francisco in June will reportedly contain updgrades in functionality instead of design.

According to Cnet, among the many features to be rolled out with the software are a better messaging system, and "Handoff," which reportedly allows users start a task and finish it on their other Apple devices such as iPad or Mac. The software will also reportedly offer the seamless connectivity of iOS 8 to OSX with Continuity.

The update will also include a new Safari browser, the new iCloud Drive and the HealthKit app. The software will also allow users to install TouchID fingerprint scanning that works with third-party apps. The keyboard will also get a fresh look as the software rolls out QuickType.

Along with the announcement of the Apple iOS release date is the list of devices that qualify for the update. The devices are the iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5C, iPod Touch 5th-gen, iPad 2, iPad with Retina Display, iPad Air, Original iPad Mini, and iPad Mini with Retina Display.

Meanwhile, Apple iOS 8 Gold Master for developers has been released ahead of the consumer version even before the launch of the new products. A developers' version of the new Apple TV software and Xcode 6 has reportedly been released as well.

The Apple iOS 8 release date was announced during Apple CEO Tim Cook's keynote and launch of the new iPhones, the long-time-rumored smartwatch and the mobile payment service Apple Pay.