Happy iOS 7-eve!
Since the launch
of the original iPhone in 2007 users of Apple’s famous handsets have been
running some version of the companies mobile operating system known as “iOS” (i
Operating System). Most iPhone users are currently using iOS 6, but many people
may not be able to tell much of a difference between iOS 6 and the original
version of the OS which debuted in 2007. In a little less than 24 hours that
will change. Tomorrow millions of iPhone’s around the world will be updated to
Apple’s latest and greatest version of iOS, iOS 7.
I have been
using the GM (Grand Master) version of iOS 7 since it was released last
Wednesday. Simply put, the “Grand Master” version is the final build of the OS
that Apple sends to developers ahead of it’s public launch. To say I’m
impressed with Apple’s new take on their iconic mobile OS would be the
understatement of the century.
Based on my
experience with iOS7 in the last week, I have chosen 5 new features from iOS 7
that I think people will love.
AirDrop:
In iOS 7 Apple brings
AirDrop to your iPhone. This is a handy feature that allows you to
share photos, videos or documents with anyone near you that has an iPhone and
it's done so with a single screen tap. My girlfriend and I went on a little
vacation this past weekend and we used AirDrop often to quickly send
pictures to each other. Another helpful feature is that whatever
type of file you're sending AirDrop will store it in the correct location from
the start. For example, in the past in iMessage to simply send a picture one
would have to select the picture, select the contact and then send it. If the
recipient wanted to save the picture they would have to open the picture then
click the “save camera roll” button. AirDrop allows you to send the
picture and it will import it directly in to the recipients photos. This works
likewise with video and document sharing.
Quick Controls Center: A quick control center that
is easily accessible from anywhere on your iPhone is a feature
that iOS has been lacking for quite some time. Thanks to iOS 7, this complaint
is now history. It may have been somewhat copied feature from the Android
OS, but how else would you expect Apple to do this feature? The control center
brings instant access to things like your brightness, a flashlight,
your camera and calculator as well as toggle switches for WiFi,
Bluetooth Do Not Disturb mode and others. I have been using this feature a lot
in the past few days and I must say it's wonderful to have, easy to use and
more importantly gives FAST access to these controls. This may
be my favorite feature of iOS 7 thus far.
Updates to Siri: Apple
has had Siri in Beta (development) form since they launched her on the iPhone
4s back in 2010. iOS 7 brings an end to Siri's Beta run and brings about many
welcomed changes to the popular mobile assistant. I was a fan of Siri from
the time the software was launched. I use her on a daily basis for things such
as scheduling calendar appointments, setting alarms, timers
and reminders. I'm a huge fan of the "It can wait" campaign, so
naturally I use Siri a lot when I'm in my car as well. I use her to send, read
and reply to my messages, and control my music. Adding on to
these useful features, Siri can now do things like adjust your
screens brightness, or turn on/off your Bluetooth or WiFi. She also has a new
voice that’s so lifelike, it’s borderline creepy. Some of Siri's improvements
may be a bit overdue, but I choose not to focus on that and
just appreciate that Siri is now more useful and functional than
ever.
A Redesigned Music App/iTunes Radio: The music app in iOS 7 brings a
great new look to the most popular music player in the world, as well as
many welcomed new features. To start, the app looks a lot sleeker and more
personal. Now as you’re scrolling through your library by way of the
"Artists" tab you will notice artist pictures taken from iTunes. If
you have one album from that artist, the picture may be of that album artwork,
but for artists that you have multiple albums from iTunes uses an image
of the artist of band. iOS 7 also brings iTunes Radio into the picture. iTunes
Radio is Apple's first attempt to get into the booming industry of streaming
music where Apps like Pandora and Spotify have been
very successful. Apple mostly gets iTunes radio right. The UI is easy
on the eyes and the application functions well and provides a wide library of
music. iTunes radio is free with ads and there will also be a paid version that
will be ad free and provide the user with unlimited skips. iTunes match
subscribes will receive the paid version of iTunes Radio for free.
A Functional Clock App Icon/Hiding the News Stand App: This feature may not sound like a
big deal, (and it’s really not) but I never understood why the
clock application icon in iOS 1-6 was not a functional clock.
The calendar app icon has always changed with the day, so wouldn’t it make
sense for the clock to work? In iOS 7
the clock icon is fully functional right down to a sweeping second
hand! Also, you can now hide the News Stand app!! (I’ll pause and let you
celebrate...) Okay.
These are just
five features I wanted to highlight. I am very impressed with iOS 7 and all of
the new features and improvements it brings. Apple has done something very
special with iOS 7. They have managed to design a new OS that looks and works
different than previous versions on iOS, but you still know how to use it from
the second you pick up a device running iOS 7. I’m also very excited to see
what the future of application design in iOS 7 holds. A few apps have already
been updated for iOS 7 ahead of it’s public release and they look great and
function well. On September 18th old iPhone’s will feel new to many owners and
Apple will once again give us a great mobile operating system.
