iOS 7 to Hit General Availability on September 18
iOS 7, the mobile OS presented by Apple as the most significant iOS update since the release of the first iPhone, will be rolled out to the public on September 18. Two days later, on September 20th, apple will roll out the new iPhone 5S and the new iPhone 5C.
“iOS 7 is completely redesigned with an entirely new user interface and over 200 new features, so it’s like getting a brand new device, but one that will still be instantly familiar to our users,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “Next month we’ll be shipping our 700 millionth iOS device, and we’re excited about what our hundreds of thousands of iOS developers are doing to bring great new features to their apps.”
If you’re not familiar with the iOS 7 and its new features, here’s what you need to know.
Interface
The new UI features an elegant color palette, refined typography, functional layers to make it feel more alive, translucency and subtle motion to make performing tasks more engaging. Even though the interface was completely redesigned, iPhone users will immediately feel at home with it.
“There is a profound and enduring beauty in simplicity, in clarity, in efficiency. True simplicity is derived from so much more than just the absence of clutter and ornamentation—it’s about bringing order to complexity,” said Jony Ive, Apple’s senior vice president of Design. “iOS 7 is a clear representation of these goals. It has a whole new structure that is coherent and applied across the entire system.”
Control Center
Access to Control Center is done by swiping from the bottom of the screen. This is a central location that lets you quickly access Airplane Mode, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Do Not Disturb, screen brightness, and other controls. It also lets you access apps like Clock, Camera, or Calculator.
Notification Center
You can now access the Notification Center from the Lock Screen. Just swipe and you will have access to all your notifications.
The Notification Center also comes with a new Today Feature that gives you at-a-glance view of your day. It presents info on today’s meetings, events, weather, traffic, and so on.
Improved Multitasking
Devs can enable any app to multitask in the background and users can switch between apps in a more visual and intuitive way. The mobile operating system remembers the apps you use most often and automatically keeps your content up to date in the background.
AirDrop
It displays contacts that are close by and lets you share content with those contacts. It uses peer-to-peer to complete the transfer, meaning you can share stuff without any network or set up required. Security buffs will appreciate that the transfer is fully encrypted.
Camera and Photos
With iOS 7 the Camera app features filters (meaning you can add real-time photo effects), includes a square camera option, and lets you easily switch between video, photo, square and panorama.
The redesigned Photos app presents a new way to automatically organized photos and videos: Moments.
iCloud Photo Sharing lets you easily share photos with family and friends – and they can contribute their own photos to your shared stream.
Safari
The browser comes with a redesigned interface that lets you see more content. On top of that there’s a new view for bookmarks and tabs, new smart search field, iCloud Keychain password manager, and enhanced Parental Controls to block access to adult sites.
Siri
You can now choose how you want the personal assistant to sound. You can pick between a female and a male voice.
Another new feature Siri has to offer is Twitter integration and Wikipedia integration.
Use Siri to search the web with Bing and to change your device’s settings and play back voicemail.
iTunes Radio
This is a free internet radio service that serves music based on what you listen to on iTunes. iTunes Radio features over 200 stations and an incredible catalog of music from the iTunes Store.
“iTunes Radio is an incredible way to listen to personalized radio stations which have been created just for you,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “It’s the music you love most and the music you’re going to love, and you can easily buy it from the iTunes Store with just one click.”
Find My Phone Activation Lock
Find My Phone cannot be turned off unless the correct Apple ID and password are provided.
FaceTime Audio Calls
Make audio calls only via FAceTime – these are high quality audio calls over a data network, mind you.
New Sounds
iOS 7 will offer new ringtones, alarms, alerts and system sounds.
iOS 7 will work with the following devices: iPhone 4 and later, iPad 2 and later, 5th generation iPod touch and iPad mini.
iOS 7 will be available as a free software update.
Additional information on iOS 7 is available here.
“iOS 7 is completely redesigned with an entirely new user interface and over 200 new features, so it’s like getting a brand new device, but one that will still be instantly familiar to our users,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “Next month we’ll be shipping our 700 millionth iOS device, and we’re excited about what our hundreds of thousands of iOS developers are doing to bring great new features to their apps.”
If you’re not familiar with the iOS 7 and its new features, here’s what you need to know.
Interface
The new UI features an elegant color palette, refined typography, functional layers to make it feel more alive, translucency and subtle motion to make performing tasks more engaging. Even though the interface was completely redesigned, iPhone users will immediately feel at home with it.
“There is a profound and enduring beauty in simplicity, in clarity, in efficiency. True simplicity is derived from so much more than just the absence of clutter and ornamentation—it’s about bringing order to complexity,” said Jony Ive, Apple’s senior vice president of Design. “iOS 7 is a clear representation of these goals. It has a whole new structure that is coherent and applied across the entire system.”
Control Center
Access to Control Center is done by swiping from the bottom of the screen. This is a central location that lets you quickly access Airplane Mode, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Do Not Disturb, screen brightness, and other controls. It also lets you access apps like Clock, Camera, or Calculator.
Notification Center
You can now access the Notification Center from the Lock Screen. Just swipe and you will have access to all your notifications.
The Notification Center also comes with a new Today Feature that gives you at-a-glance view of your day. It presents info on today’s meetings, events, weather, traffic, and so on.
Improved Multitasking
Devs can enable any app to multitask in the background and users can switch between apps in a more visual and intuitive way. The mobile operating system remembers the apps you use most often and automatically keeps your content up to date in the background.
AirDrop
It displays contacts that are close by and lets you share content with those contacts. It uses peer-to-peer to complete the transfer, meaning you can share stuff without any network or set up required. Security buffs will appreciate that the transfer is fully encrypted.
Camera and Photos
With iOS 7 the Camera app features filters (meaning you can add real-time photo effects), includes a square camera option, and lets you easily switch between video, photo, square and panorama.
The redesigned Photos app presents a new way to automatically organized photos and videos: Moments.
iCloud Photo Sharing lets you easily share photos with family and friends – and they can contribute their own photos to your shared stream.
Safari
The browser comes with a redesigned interface that lets you see more content. On top of that there’s a new view for bookmarks and tabs, new smart search field, iCloud Keychain password manager, and enhanced Parental Controls to block access to adult sites.
Siri
You can now choose how you want the personal assistant to sound. You can pick between a female and a male voice.
Another new feature Siri has to offer is Twitter integration and Wikipedia integration.
Use Siri to search the web with Bing and to change your device’s settings and play back voicemail.
iTunes Radio
This is a free internet radio service that serves music based on what you listen to on iTunes. iTunes Radio features over 200 stations and an incredible catalog of music from the iTunes Store.
“iTunes Radio is an incredible way to listen to personalized radio stations which have been created just for you,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “It’s the music you love most and the music you’re going to love, and you can easily buy it from the iTunes Store with just one click.”
Find My Phone Activation Lock
Find My Phone cannot be turned off unless the correct Apple ID and password are provided.
FaceTime Audio Calls
Make audio calls only via FAceTime – these are high quality audio calls over a data network, mind you.
New Sounds
iOS 7 will offer new ringtones, alarms, alerts and system sounds.
iOS 7 will work with the following devices: iPhone 4 and later, iPad 2 and later, 5th generation iPod touch and iPad mini.
iOS 7 will be available as a free software update.
Additional information on iOS 7 is available here.
