Apple releasing iOS 7: Top 10 things you need to know about the new iPhone and iPad operating system

 

17 Sep 2013 16:21

In the biggest change to Apple's smartphones and tablets, the system has been rebuilt with a totally different design, created by Brit Sir Jonathan Ive and his team

 

iPad iOS 7

Apple's iOS 7 operating software for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch becomes available to download tomorrow - bringing a whole new look to the company's mobile devices. 

In the biggest change to Apple's smartphones and tablets, the system has been rebuilt with a totally different design, created by Brit Sir Jonathan Ive and his team. 

Likely to be launched in the UK towards the end of Wednesday, once Apple's US audience is awake, it will come preloaded on the new iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C models that go on sale this Friday. 

Anyone else can download iOS 7 to their device, but before you do, here are 10 things you need to know about iOS 7. 

Apple Launch

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1. iOS 7 is FREE. You don't need to pay a penny to get it but you may find you need to wait a while in a download queue if you try to access it as soon as it goes live, along with a few million others desperately doing the same.

You can update it directly from your device, there's no need to connect it to a computer.

But it won't work on some older Apple products such as an iPhone 3G, 3GS or the original iPad and it is only compatible with the fifth generation of iPod touch devices onwards. 

 

People walk under an iOS7 sign at the 2013 Apple WWDC at the Moscone Center

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2. The design and layout of iOS 7 is a dramatic departure from what Apple fans have been used to.

It uses a new colour palette, has a flatter look and different fonts, which are meant to give it a 'cleaner' look.

There are also lots of translucent effects and on the 5C, the colour of the device you buy will dictate the colour of the wallpaper and icons.

Jony Ive, says of his creation: "True simplicity is derived from so much more than just the absence of clutter and ornamentation - it's about bringing order to complexity." 

New Apple iOS 7 features are displayed on screen during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference

Reuters

             

3. The new iOS system has been created to take advantage of the 64-bit processor in the latest iPhone 5S.

This provides more power for applications and games. But some older apps may not be able to match up to this and also some older devices may not work so well with any updated apps.

To counter this, it's been reported that Apple is to introduce a pop-up pointing users to older versions of apps that would work better with their specific device. 

Apple Launch

             

4. Not updating to iOS 7 right now though, could be a good move.

As well as saving yourself time waiting in a download queue, you could prevent issues with security, compatibility with apps and features not working.

As with previous releases of iOS and any other new software, there can be problems on day one. These are then solved with an update a couple of weeks later.

Often it pays not to jump in with two feet to be among the first who has it, and to wait until the first updated release has ironed out all the issues.

Or until at least wait until you know whether there are problems and what they may be. 

Apple Launch

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5. iOS 7 is offering 200+ changes to the operating system according to Apple but while many of these will just be minor tweaks, some are much more major and noticeable.

For a start Notification Center can now be accessed with a swipe down even when the phone is locked.

The Control Center can also be opened with a swipe up from the bottom of the screen and contains icons for some of the most-used features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, display brightness, calculator, camera and even a torch.

There is also a new Today feature showing a summary of items such as weather, traffic, meetings and events 

Apple.com

             

6. In a bid to prevent iPhones and iPads being stolen, Apple has introduced an extra security feature alongside the new fingerprint reader in the iPhone 5S.

While not everyone will have the luxury of that, they will be able to prevent muggers from turning off the Find My iPhone feature.

In iOS 7 it comes with an Activation Lock, requiring your Apple ID and password before you can turn it off, erase data or re-activate a device after it has been remotely erased. 

CEO Tim Cook speaks during an Apple event in San Francisco

Reuters

             

7. If you've not yet been sold on Siri then iOS 7 at least gives you a few more reasons to try out the virtual personal assistant hiding inside your device.

For a start it comes with new softer voices - both male and female - and allows you to use your voice to look through Twitter, Wikipedia and the Bing search engine. 

Eddy Cue, Apple senior vice president of internet software and services, displays the new iTunes interface

Reuters

8. Additions to the camera in iOS 7 do not include the Burst and Slo Mo modes, which are only found on the iPhone 5S for now.

But you do get new real-time photo effects and a square camera option to add to video, photo and panorama. It's also easier to switch between all four.

Your pictures are all displayed for more intuitively and better organised in the Photos app, showing them based on the time they were taken and the location they were taken at.

There's also a new way to share files and content between iOS 7 devices using AirDrop and a Wi-Fi network, a system already familiar to Mac owners. 

    

Apple Launch the iOS7

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9. Safari web browsing has been improved with a redesigned interfaced for full-screen surfing along with a new smart search field to better recommend options.

And in a big departure that could be one of the most popular, there are new ringtones, alarms, alerts and system sounds so you can try and separate yourself from the millions of others using the same tones. 

  

Apple Launch

Reuters

           

10. iTunes Radio is one of the biggest additions.

It's a free Internet radio service with more than 200 stations but for now will only be available in America.

Popular Apps Near Me in the App Store also now gives you the opportunity to find apps based on your location.

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"HiddenApps" app short lived.

An app that hides the standard apps on the iPhone like Stocks or Newsstand has evaded Apple's App Store approval process.

'HiddenApps', a free download on the App Store, lets users hide Apple's stock applications, disable iAds, and access the hidden Field Test mode, according to iDownloadBlog. It is likely that the app will be removed from the App Store very quickly, as other apps that have broken App Store rules have disappeared quite quickly in the past.

HiddenApps is available for all non-jailbroken iOS devices.

iTunes release notes cleverly bill it as “a simple and easy app that shows you tips and tricks about your iDevice,” but the developer, of course, mentions at his web site the iAd and app hiding features.

Hiding stock apps normally requires a jailbroken device, so this program should come in handy for all non-jailbroken people other there.

Better hurry up, though, and download HiddenApps while you can because I’d bet my shirt that it won’t be available on the App Store for much time.

HiddenApps is a free download from the App Store, while AppAdvice has an explanation of how to actually use the app. [Direct Link]

Update: Apple has removed HiddenApps from the App Store.

Galaxy S2

The Good:
The first thing you'll notice is the big, glorious screen on the Galaxy S2. This phone is clearly bigger than the iPhone's 3.5" screen by almost an inch, but its curved back and slim design feels fantastic and inviting in the hand. The Galaxy really impressed me with its power and punch, and I found surfing the web to be equal to best phones on the market.

The Bad:
This thing is HUGE!, The S2 will fit in your pocket, but you will feel it there. Also talking on the phone (who does that anymore?) feels very strange, although a blue tooth device will help.

The Verdict:
For the waaaay advanced user like a programmer or IT guy, this machine of a phone is almost dangerous. But for the average-to-advanced user; I must say (as good as the features are and some are even out-performing the leading phones on the market) the size and lack of battery life will eventually be the cause of frustration and end for this phone.

Check out the full spec's of the S2 here

-Will-i-Am

iPhone 4s

The good:
It’s fast, the antenna is rock solid, both cameras with technology are amazingly good for picture or video, and Siri just might be the next big leap forward computer interfaces.

The Bad:
It’s the same design as last year, including the glass backing, which may upset buyers who’d hoped for a change. especially if they already have the iPhone 4

Verdict:
Make no mistake the iPhone is still the best phone/operating system (OS) on the market, but the internal upgrades may not be enough. So if you have the iPhone 4 and money is an issue, your not going to miss to much by sitting this one out. However if you are new to iPhone or have a 3GS or earlier model then by all means is worth the upgrade.

For the full specs, head over to Apples site and check out the iPhone 4s

Smartphone Reviews

Hello, my name is William, I have owned just about every smart phone on the planet. I have worked for Apple, AT&T, and Best Buy. Basically, I know a little more than the average user. Over the years I have noticed that when explaining the pros and cons about a phone, I spend more time "UN-confusing" the customer on the reviews they read before they got to me. So I have created this blog to show the reviews on the latest and greatest smart phones and hopefully provide some simplified input as to if it is a worthy product or not.

-Will-i-Am