Apple’s much-anticipated operating system, iOS 7, was finally released in full version after months of beta testing. Announced last June 10 at the World Wide Developer’s Conference in San Francisco, this colorful new way of operating iOS devices has been on every fanboy’s radar since that day.
Since its worldwide revelation, media outlets were abuzz with both criticisms and words of praise. Some, less Apple–friendly, netizens say that the iOS is a way for Apple to be able to compete with Android’s Jellybean operating system. Others on the other hand, could not keep their hands at their sides, as they are excited to get their paws on the software.
Apple has put a number of new features into the new iOS. The most visible one would be the interface change in the operating system. This goes for both the home screen and the lock screen.
The lock screen definitely changed in iOS 7 from when it was still the iOS 6.1.3 ( iPhone 4/4S, iPad and iTouch Generation 5) or 6.1.4 (iPhone 5) . From being restricted by black boxes that contain the time and the unlocking function, it now looks whole with absolutely no borders within the screen (think of it like a smaller version of Samsung’s LED TV). It has retained some of the older features such as the ability to be able to access the camera from the lock screen and of course the swipe. The ability to access the notification and command centers are new additions to this.
The home screen’s colorful new interface provides users with a new way of looking at their i-device. Many of the built-in apps (and some downloadable apps such as Facebook and Twitter have been updated by their creators to go with iOS7’s design scheme) have been updated to go with the new design, whether the change be with its appearance or with the features. The way the apps move physically into the screen is different as well, entering as if they were ships entering earth’s orbit.
One of the newest qualities the operating system has is the screen itself. Apple has changed the way its screens look, making it look minimalistic than the previous interface. This adds style to one’s apple device, especially if one of iOS7’s wide range of default wallpapers tickles one’s fancy.
Next we swipe down to Apple’s Notification Center. Apart from it’s now translucent appearance, it now becomes more comprehensive with regards to reminding and informing the user of important events, reminders and notifications. Giving a calendar with day to day updates for events, as well as of course, giving important notifications and stocks, it is a one-stop shop for your notifying needs. One drawback, however, is that iOS7 took out the ability for users to post tweets and post statuses from the center.
After the swipe down would be the swipe up and with it is the newest and exciting feature of the latest software from Apple, the Command Center. This useful new trait of the iOS puts all the essential applications and settings into one easy access panel. These include the timer, calculator, camera as well as a new flashlight app (yeah, no more bad flashlight apps and using the video option for a light). Airplane mode, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, the Do Not Disturb option as well as the Portrait orientation lock can also be accessed here. This is where one could access the shortcut to play music and also toggle the brightness setting, as well as Airdrop.
The Airdrop, originally introduced in OS X, or Lion, for Apple’s Mac and Macbook lines is also introduced for the iOS. This nifty feature allows the sending of links, pictures, videos, notes, contacts, etc. to other iOS users nearby. Just open the command center, press airdrop icon, choose who you want to discover your device and you are good to go!
What is unfortunate is that it cannot send from handheld to Mac and vice-versa. Apple should have allowed this feature to create more ease when transferring files over the air. The possibilities would be endless. Hopefully, a future update would allow this.
Up next on the list of new additions would be the iOS devices’ camera application. The camera app is now revamped into something that resembles a built–in Instagram or Camera. With filtering now possible for iOS devices, all that Apple needs to do now is create its own social networking site. Cupertino has also added a third way of capturing those precious moments, the square.
Pop Quiz: After taking the photo, where does it go? Well, to your Album of course! The new Photos app of iOS7 has some interesting stuff to offer. Aside from the new look, the app allows users to look at their Photos by time and by place; clumping them into groups for much ease.
Another improvement iOS7 brings to the table would be that of Siri. Since it’s introduction with the iPhone 4S, Siri has constantly been improving. Now, with the new iOS7, Siri has a new interface and uses more sources to answer your questions. According to Apple’s website, Siri’s voice sounds more natural in the new iOS – not too sure about that.
Other improvements include: a change in the spotlight search where it no longer has it’s own home screen but can be accessed when the home screen is pulled down, a new font, a new way of multitasking, a separate Facetime app for iPhones (it used to be integrated with the contacts option), as well as iTunes Radio (which seems to be available for selected countries) and other, more technical improvements.
All in all, Apple’s latest operating system is without a doubt a sight for sore eyes. After looking at the same interface for a number of years, the new design really pops. Truthfully speaking, iOS7, for the most part, only changed with regards to the appearance. As for the functionality, well, not so much. Hopefully, in the future, there will be a surplus more functional improvements in the updates to come along with the software’s aesthetic appeal. That is, of course, if it wants to keep competing with Android.
