iOS 8.1 available to download now: What's new?

Developers got their hands on the first beta of iOS 8.1 at the end of last month, with the code containing information about the firm's Apple Pay system and also suggesting the fingerprint scanner is coming to the iPad.

iOS 8.1 contains a brand new settings panel, showing options related to credit and debit cards, according to MacRumours. There are also default card/billing address/email/phone options, along with a disclaimer from the company concerning privacy of the feature.

Apple Pay, the payment system being introduced with iOS 8, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, is the company's first foray into offering NFC technology to its users.

The new feature means that users can either use the payment information they have already used on iTunes or upload a photo of their card to Passbook and use their device to make purchases thereafter.

There are also reportedly signs of Touch ID being introduced for the iPad, which ties in with the imminent introduction of Apple Pay for the iPhone and Apple Watch.

With Touch ID on the next generation iPad, users would not need to manually input payment data and information when making purchases in relevant apps, though it is unclear whether Apple Pay will become available for the devices or be limited to the iPhone and Apple Watch for the foreseeable future.

The company previously revealed that Apple Pay would be launching at some point in October, and is expected to be a part of the upcoming iOS 8.1 update.