There has been a buzz of activity over the upcoming release of iOS 7 to the public.
Brands are scrambling to make sure that their apps will be compliant with Apple’s latest operating system, but what does that mean for we regular folks, with no skin in the game?
Why do/should we care?
I mean, what is iOS 7 doing for me?
Well, that’s a good question.
And the answer is: a lot.
For one, if you own an iPhone 4, 4S or 5, upgrading to iOS 7 is free.
But that’s not all.
Apple’s latest OS comes chock full of UI/UX changes that will make your iPhone look sleeker and run better.
You don’t have to take my word for it (although you should), as I’ve compiled a rundown of the cooler iOS 7 upgrades to be on the lookout for, in a short list I like to call:
iOS 7 for Dummies.
And since this is iOS 7, I thought it apropros to focus on seven features.
1. New icons. The tech sphere is all agog over the new “flatter” icons being used by Apple. Jony Ives really dug deep for this. Not.
2. New phone. Gone is the two tone dialer keypad. Gone are the square buttons. In their stead is a clean white background with blue circular buttons. So purty.
3. New control center. No more looking for that gear icon to get at your most-used functions. By simply swiping up from the bottom of your screen, you can access the control center. Handy, huh?
4. New keyboard and search. Swipe your finger down the screen and voila! you’ve opened up Search. And they’ve put one more icon in the bottom row, so that instead of mistakenly opening Siri, you can mistakenly open the Internet. What will they think of next?
To open search, simply drag your finger down the middle of the screen.
5. New browser. If you’re not fond of being unable to see all your open browser tabs/windows, then this is your lucky day. With the new tab display, you can simply scroll through your browser tabs like index cards. Can you say “Android”?
Thumbing through open browser windows seems very…Android-like. Hmmm…
6. New notification center. Notifications on iOS 6 is cute, but on iOS 7, its received a complete overhaul. Add the ability to categorize your notifications and you’ve got alerts on steroids.
7. New multi-tasking mode access. Double-clicking the home button will not longer simply expose apps running in the background. It will show you the screens themselves, which you can swipe up to close.
Double-clicking exposes both the icon for apps running in the background and the screen.
Now this is really just a short list of all the aesthetic changes you’re going to see when iOS 7 formally rolls out.
Apple has changed virtually everything: maps, mail, calendar, iTunes, the camera, weather, the App Store, search, Siri, the settings menu…everything.
They’ve even made it easier to upload pictures and video, by adding Flickr and Vimeo integration.
I could go on and on, but I’ll spare you my loquacity and send you to the definitive source for your iOS 7, BusinessInsider.com, which does a great job breaking it down.
I’m sure you’ve been waiting with bated breath for the release.
But now, you’re at least prepared for what Apple’s going to come with.
Don’t you feel less dumb better?
CD, you’re welcome.
Stephen Chukumba 
While OSX is a cool operation system for most tasks, iOS seems to be a downgraded, oversimplified version for superdummies. While Apple must have had the original intention of simplifying usage, what it really does to me is make me pull my hairs, get me into a cold sweat and make me start saying really bad words.
iOS is for babies – waaaahhhhhhhh!
http://apple-critic.com/2015/05/19/ios-is-for-babies-waaaahhhhhhhh/
Published 19th of May 2015 2 PM
by
Apple Critic
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Not quite sure how I missed this one in my inbox.
As you said, this list is mostly focused on the UX/UI side of things. It should be worth noting that behind the scenes there is PLENTY more to be thrilled about. In terms of development libraries, underlying operating system, quicker response, more control, better UI objects, and the list goes on.
I have to admit that the icons look just plain fugly. I’m a believer in open source software AND hardware so I’m one of the few that walk that fine line of grey area jailbreaking and am often sneered at for it.
Snobbies: “Oh, you’re one of those jailbreaker kinda peoples.”
Me: “Uhh, yes. I jailbreak but do you even really know what that means?”
Snobbies: “Yes, you get free apps and music and stuff.”
Me: “Well, technically yes, but that’s not what I use it for. In fact, that’s pirating which I’m often against unless the software or games are outdated or open source.”
What jailbreaking offers me is the ability to completely control everything. Down to the *nix/mac/iOS OS, to the themes and graphics, and open source software. Oh, how about the ability to compile something directly on the device with as much control as you could want?
So, more back to the topic at hand.. The features you’ve listed here aren’t anything special that I haven’t had on my iPhone for as long as I can remember. In fact, the toolbox (IE; screen 5 – control center) has been available to me since iPhone 3G.
Screens 6 & 7 are pretty neat features however.
6: It’s about time we get some organization going on here. My notifications are out of control. When I think of this, I’d like some way to sort my notifications by social networking, games, news, work, etc. Perhaps to extend this even further, notification based times. Like only being able to receive notifications from certain groups at certain times. This way, you could have something similar to the “Do Not Disturb” me mode, with the exception of still getting emergency notifications.
7: I have an app that gets rid of the max safari pages. Which sometimes with work, I have about 15 to 20 tabs open (and no, it doesn’t effect the performance of my device). As far as I know, the pages are stored in a cache somewhere on the device and don’t use any processing power. The window preview would be handy for something like this.
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Thank you, SC… You’re the best!
Sincerely,
CD
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