iOS 5 Announced – 200 New Features Coming This Fall

Apple announced iOS 5 today at the WWDC 2011.
iOS 5 promises to bring 200 new features to iOS devices and iOS Tips will bring you tips about those new features just as soon as we get our hands on it.
For the moment, here’s a run down of the highlights:

• Improvements to
  • Notifications system – alerts are now tightly integrated into the screen and don’t stop your current activity with an intrusive pop up like on iOS 4.  Also has a new notifications center where you can view new messages, mail, upcoming calendar entries, etc in a single view.  Lock screen has also being enhanced with a summary of your latest notifications.
  • Camera App – integrated into the lock screen for quick access.  Volume up button now doubles as the shutter click button.
  • Photos App – integrated editing now included.  Sync to new iCloud service for sharing.
  • Calendar – New views and drag n’ drop entries.
  • Mail – Rich text editing (bold, italic, underline), create folders, drag n’ drop.  Sync to iCloud.
  • Safari – Reader and Reading List for enhanced user experience reading articles on the web.  Tabbed browsing for iPad.  iCloud integration for reading list (saved articles).
  • Game Center – enhanced profiles, buy games from inside Game Center.
• New Features
  • iMessage – SMS without the carrier charges.  Text message any of your friends who also have an iOS device (iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch)
  • Newsstand – iBooks for Magazines.
  • Reminders App – A nice task management app with a host of features including location-based reminders such as setting a reminder for when you arrive at a particular place.  Also syncs with iCloud & iCal.
  • Twitter – tightly integrated into Photos, YouTube, Maps & Safari. Will also be available for developers to integrate into their Apps.
  • PC Free – You no longer need to connect your iOS devices to a PC or Mac ever.  Software updates will be over the air and backup will be to iCloud.
  • Wireless Sync – USB to PC or Mac is no longer required for syncing to iTunes.  Simply plug your iOS device into a charger while connected to your wireless network and your device will start syncing with iTunes over the wi-fi network.
  • Multitasking Gestures – touch screen gestures now requires more fingers.  You can now use 4 or 5 fingers to unlock new shortcuts such as the multitasking bar, switching apps, etc
  • iPad Mirroring over AirPlay – grrr just after I coughed up $29 for the HDMI mirroring cable Apple went and made the feature standard over AirPlay.  You can now mirror your iPad’s screen to show video, pictures or anything really to your Apple TV.

I’m sure if we dig deep enough we’ll find the 200 new features and tips to go with them.

Posted in: iPad,iPhone,iPod