The estimated reading time for this post is 9 minutes
This week Apple is holding its World Wide Developers Conference, WWDC, where the company announces updates to its hardware and software. In the Keynote address, Apple made lots of announcements about what’s coming in the fall, making Apple fans wish the summer away and anticipate autumn eagerly.
iOS 7
If you have an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, they’re going to look a lot different soon. Apple has been working hard transforming its iOS operating system to look more modern. iOS 7 will add new features and appearance to these devices, using a new font and new pallet of bright colors to make iDevices look more modern. Displays are translucent, layered over other displays. More information will be animated and 3D effects will be used.
Swiping becomes more important in iOS 7, perhaps to make up for the lack of a Back button on iDevices. You can swipe controls to close apps, delete emails, close open pages in Safari and much more. You just can’t swipe to type, much to the disappointment of many who were looking for the Swype app method of typing as part of the update.
Note that iOS 7 will only be available for the iPhone 4 and later models, the iPod Touch, the iPad 2 and later models and the iPad Mini. If you have an iPhone 3GS, you won’t be able to upgrade to iOS 7.
You can check out the new features in videos available at Apple’s iOS 7 website.
Design
The current iOS design uses icons that resemble actual physical objects, such as the stitched leather on Find My Friends or the felt on Game Center. This trick of the eye, known as skeumorphism, is now considered dated in the tech world. If you haven’t already added the word skeumorphism to your vocabulary, well don’t bother.
The new icons are brighter, flatter and more transparent than the old ones. Some may look familiar, others are completely redesigned.
Features
Safari
Safari will have both new features and a new look in iOS 7. You can have unlimited tabs open that appear in vertical layers you scroll through to view and swipe to close. You can also drag and drop tabs to rearrange them.
Share Links will let you see the URL’s posted by people you follow on Twitter so you can see the sites and the tweets on one screen. You can also access your bookmarks and reading list more easily on Safari.
iCloud Keychain
Safari will be able to remember all of your account names, passwords and credit card numbers on your Mac running OSX Mavericks (see below) and your iDevices running iOS 7. Safari will also be able to generate unique passwords for you and remember them across your Apple devices.
Apps
You’ll be able to organize and update your apps more easily in iOS 7. You’ll be able to add an unlimited amount of apps to a folder so you can have one Games or Utilities folder and put all of those apps into that folder.
Apps will automatically update so you don’t have to worry about the number in the red circle growing as your list of apps needing updates expands.
Apps Near Me can show you a list of popular apps near your location. You can also find a Kids category in the iTunes App Store with age appropriate apps.
Siri
Siri will be updated in iOS 7 with a new look, new voices and new sources information. Instead of a rotating purple circle, Siri will display sound waves to show you when it’s at work. Siri also will be able to access Bing, Twitter and Wikipedia to bring you answers to your queries.
Control Center
Apple is going to make it easier for you to access frequently used controls on your iDevice. Instead of opening Settings and hunting for the controls, you’ll be able to swipe up from the bottom of the screen to reveal Control Center.
Control Center is a semi-transparent display that covers about 3/4 of your screen, revealing controls for important settings such as
- Sound Volume
- Music Controls
- Flashlight
- Camera
- Timer
- Airplane Mode
- Brightness
- Bluetooth
- Do Not Disturb
- Calculator
- and other controls
Notification Center
Notification Center has been updated to help you find the information that’s most important to you. Notifications are now arranged into three tabs: Today, All and Missed. In Today you can see what information you need for the day such as weather and calendar. Missed shows you the notifications that happened while you were away from your phone, such as phone calls, text messages and other alerts.
New to iOS 7 is the ability to access Notifications from the Lock Screen so you can see them without the need to enter your password first.
Multitasking
In Close Your Apps! I discussed the perils of multitasking, keeping apps open and running in the background. iOS 7 addresses some of these issues with updated multitasking. iOS 7 learns your preferences and updates apps even before you open them, called “intelligent scheduling”. For example, if you check Facebook every morning at 7 am, your iPhone will automatically update your Facebook app in the morning so your Facebook stream is ready for you when you open the app, without you having to wait for it to update.
iOS 7 also schedules updates according to when your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi so you aren’t depleting your monthly data allotment. Updates will also occur when a push notification is sent from an app so you will be able to access the new information as soon as you open the app.
You’ll also be able to see full screens of open apps as you scroll through them.
Apple also is trying to eliminate the confusion between closing an app and deleting it from your phone. To close an app in iOS 7, you swipe the icon up and out of the bottom dock.
Camera
Apple will be giving you more editorial control over your photos in iOS 7. In addition to the still, video and panoramic images you can take now, you will be able to take square photos, so your image is cropped when you press the shutter button.
iOS 7 also includes filters for the camera app you can add even before you take the picture to see what the image would look like. This feature will only be available for iPhone 5 and iPod Touch 5th generation.
Photos
If your Photo Stream looks like a mass of unorganized pictures, you’ll probably appreciate the automatic organization that the new Photos app will bring. Every photo you’ve ever taken with your iPhone has been tagged with the place and date it was taken. Apple is using that data to organize your photos automatically.
With iOS 7, you’ll be able to sort your photos into Collections, by places and dates. Apple figures that if you took a lot of photos at a certain place in a short time period, chances are you’ll want to have those photos grouped together in a Collection. Makes sense.
You can sort through Collections by place and date. You can also see all of your photos taken during a calendar year grouped together.
The Photos App will also have filters available in iOS 7.
You’ll be able to share your photos with others using iCloud, via a shared photo stream. Shared photos will automatically appear on the others’ iDevices (so be careful not to overshare).
AirDrop
Perhaps in an effort to put Bump out of business, or assuage those who may be complaining about the lack of NFC in the next iPhone, Apple has added AirDrop to iOS 7. AirDrop allows you to share files such as photos, videos, documents, contacts with other iDevice users via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. File transfers are encrypted for added security.
You can use Control Center to adjust the visibility of your device to others using AirDrop to no one, your contacts only or everyone.
Apple will be allowing app developers to offer AirDrop as a sharing option in third party apps.
AirDrop will only be available on the latest model of iDevices using iOS 7. So if your iDevice has a Lightning connector (as opposed to a 30-pin connector), you’ll be able to use AirDrop.
Find My iPhone
If your iPhone is gone for good, you’ll be able to wipe it permanently using Find My iPhone. You can reactivate it using your Apple ID and password, but thieves won’t be able to reactive it without that information.
iOS in the Car
You’ll be able to use your iDevice in the car, using iOS in the Car. Siri, iTunes Radio, Apple Maps, and iMessage can be displayed on the dashboard in compatible vehicles. Look for iOS in the Car beginning with certain 2014 models of Acura, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Opel, and Volvo.
iTunes Radio
Apple will be starting a streaming radio service in the fall, iTunes Radio. Similar to Pandora, iTunes Radio will create custom radio stations based on a song, artist, or genre you like. If you’re playing a song from your iTunes Library, you can turn that into a station.
You can also listen to 200 different pre-programmed stations based on music genres and access your history of songs you’ve heard on iTunes Radio.
Like Pandora, you can teach iTunes Radio what you like and don’t like so it learns your music taste. You can adjust the mix of hits versus new songs.
You’ll be able to control iTunes Radio using Siri and ask Siri to identify the song that’s playing on iTunes Radio.
If you enjoy a song you’re listening to on iTunes Radio, you can add it to your Wish List, either manually or with Siri, to purchase it for your iTunes Library.
iTunes Radio will be available on iDevices, Mac and PC computers and Apple TV. Your music will sync between devices so you can stop listening to a song on one device and pick up where you left off on another.
iTunes Radio will be launched in the fall and will be free. If you want your iTunes Radio experience to be ad-free, purchase iTunes Match for $24.95/year and your wish will be granted.
Android Fans — Been There Done That
After the Keynote was over but before the venue had emptied of attendees, Android fans began comparing iOS 7 innovations with features that have been available on Android for a while. For a comparison of iOS 7 vs. Android, from an Android fan, check out iOS 7 vs. Android – A Quick Feature Comparison After the WWDC Keynote.
Other Announcements
Apple also made other announcements, such as an updated operating system for Macs, called 10.8, a/k/a Mavericks, a new Mac Pro, and an update to the MacBook Air line of computers.
No updates to the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch were announced, look for those in the fall as well.
Your Thoughts
Are you excited about the release of iOS 7 in the fall? Will you be tuning into iTunes Radio? Which new features of iOS 7 do you like best? Which innovations would you like to have seen? Let us know in the Comments section below!
Hey Carolyn
I’m very excited about iOS7. It seems much more of a change this time than when I moved to iOS6.
The new look really makes it more vibrant and I love the Notification Center now so if it’s going to be better then I think that will be the best thing for me.
I also like the Control Center feature. I think that will be very useful.
I’m due an upgrade on 27 August but I’ll probably wait until Apple bring out the next iPhone before I upgrade.
I’m excited already!
Hi Tim, I’m so glad you like what you see in iOS 7. Your iPhone will definitely have a different look and many improvements to its features. You’re right, Notification Center will be more useful because the notifications will be better organized.
Control Center looks very handy too. I like the easy access to the Settings I use most.
Definitely wait to upgrade your iPhone until Apple announces the new iPhone, most likely in September.
I`m kinda of disappointed that there won`t be a native swype typing. Looking forward to the other changes though.
Hi Marco, Me too. I really want Apple to improve its keyboard and auto-correct features. Swype or SwiftKey X keyboards would be a massive improvement.
Wow, thats quite a detailed report. Thanks!
I watched the keynote live webcast. Good updates overall. However,
– I am not sure what to make out of the new design patterns. Now everything is flat. Very un-Apple. The same guys who gave a embossed, elevated look to everything, now suddenly changed side. Its little strange, and for app devs, also little cumbersome. Now we may have to redesign some of our elements keeping the new design pattern in mind. (On another note, it looks so windowish!!)
– The famous aqua interface is also been replaced by a flat blue patch. The little bubbly background that appears in iChat, is so cool looking, it was copied all over. Now thats gone too.
– There was little mention of iPad in the keynote, which I found little strange.
I still haven’t tried iOS7, but hope to get there soon.
Hi iRewardChart, Thank you for bringing us the developer’s perspective on iOS 7. I wondered whether developers would have to redesign their apps to purge the skeumorphic elements. I enjoy skeumorphism, but I have to admit the iOS 7 design looks fresh and modern.
You’re right, the flat design reminds me of Windows Phone and Windows 8. Who knows, maybe Microsoft will adopt skeumorphism?
I look forward to learning your impressions after you give iOS 7 a whirl!
I am really excited for this update. I do prefer the Android-esque flat appearance, and I am so glad those odd textures will be replaced with something more clean. (If you don’t know what I am referring to, think about the faux green felt background in the games app or the wood grain of the iBooks shelf). iTunes radio will be a great feature as well, especially for those of us who use Pandora so much that we hit the monthly limit 🙁
Hi Jenny, You bring up an excellent point. I wonder whether iTunes Radio will have monthly limits as Pandora does. If they don’t perhaps it’s because iTunes Radio will have more ads than Pandora? Time will tell.
Yes, Bookshelf looks very different, not as much like a real life bookshelf. Will that be more appealing to iPhone users? Should Apple have focused on bringing more features rather than on a redesign? Time will tell!
I think apple should have included the intelligent scheduling feature in their earlier versions of IOS …Most people would be interested in Apple devices powered by IOS7 because of its Control Center and the Updated Safari browser …If i were given an option for choosing the one out of IOS7 and Android’s JellyBean …i would go with Android O.S .Anyways thanks for this news
Regards,
Pramod
Hi Pramod, Yes, Apple’s iOS operating system has come a long way over the years. In the beginning people wanted “cut and paste” on the iPhonebut it was a while before that was introduced.
Yes, Android Jelly Bean has a lot of features that haven’t made it to the iPhone yet, but we may learn about more features when iOS 7 is launched in the fall.
Hi Carolyn,
Nice post for Apple new updates. Of course, I would say, Apple need this revisit and fine tune effect since the pressure is building every day.
I like Swype, SwiftKey X keyboards features and looks impressive. AirDrop NFC also looks cool and need to see how it’s going to perform at real-time. 🙂
Due to official busy schedule couldn’t visit often and missed couple of your posts as well.
Thanks for the updates Carolyn. 🙂
Hi Manickam, So glad to see you back here at The Wonder of Tech! Yes, this has been a very busy week for me too, sorry I didn’t get to your post earlier.
I have to agree with you. Although these features announced by Apple for iOS 7 are exciting, I wanted to see some other innovations such as an improved keyboard and autocorrect. Perhaps the fall announcements will be more impressive?
Hi Carol,
It looks like there are some exciting changes coming. We have to buy a new car so that is an option that I would love to consider. Thank you for letting us know which cars will have the Iphone option.
Hi Cynthia, I’m with you! I definitely think tech is a huge factor when I’m looking at cars. From the announcement, it seemed that Apple was going to launch this feature in 2014, but perhaps they meant in 2014 models. Make sure that you are getting the feature in the car before you buy it.
I think I’ll take one for a test drive when it comes out. Enjoy your new car!
The event was awesome and it really brought to us many new features of IOS and other products. You have given a detailed overview in this post which is really great effort for understanding the event outcome.
Hi Muzammil, You’re right, there were many interesting announcements at WWDC. When these features are released in the fall we will finally get to try them out for real, which will be fun!
I really like Siri! When I drive home, I do not want to call my wife by touching my device. I just use Siri to text her that I’m coming home. And viola! Message sent!
Hi Manny, Sounds as if you’re making good use of Siri. Apple is bringing new voices and features to Siri so you may like it even better come fall! 🙂
I can hardly wait to start using iOS 7. It looks awesome. I was watching it live on my Apple TV , and I was waiting to see if they would present any news about the iPad. They didn’t launch anything, so I ended up buying an iPad mini the day after 🙂
Hi Jens, Congratulations on your new iPad Mini! I bet you’ll find that very handy. My daughter takes hers wherever she goes.
You could get early access to iOS 7 if you wanted to register as a developer, but be prepared for lots of bugs. After all, it’s a beta developer version. Whatever you do, be sure not to load it on your new iPad Mini. Best to try it on a device you’re not using on a daily basis, if you really can’t wait until the public version is released in the fall.
Enjoy your Mini, Jens!
Carolyn, great overview. Love the look of the Safari tabs and the new icon designs.
Hi Frank, Yes, the new look of iOS 7 is bright and modern. The updates include both form and function, which makes the wait till fall seem long somehow.
Apple is all set to put the stage on fire this fall. I have to admit that the new features are amazing and will create a buzz among the masses. Lets see what has Apple thought about the pocket pinch, maybe I will buy it(if it suits my budget). Thanks for sharing the post Carolyn.
Excellent point, Jack. The announcements are all about the software for the iPhone. Announcements about the new iPhone itself will be even more interesting.
WWDC was pretty good, but it was a shame to not see any mention of any products other than the Mac product line.
iOS 7 is pretty good. I’ve tried it out, but it just seems as though all the new features Apple has added to iOS 7 are basically just things we’ve seen in Android for years.
I also believe that unless Apple makes more of a range of devices, or doesn’t make an iPhone with a large screen in the next year, that their mobile business is going to die. I spend a lot of time reading technology news and also writing about it, and also have a lot of friends in the technology area and a lot of them are considering jumping ship, because they want a much bigger screen.
Hi Luke, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I agree with you, I preferred when the launch of the new iPhones was in the Spring/Summer rather than the Fall. After testing so many phones with larger screens, I have come to realize how small the iPhone screen is now.
You’re spot on with your reactions. It will be interesting to see what Apple announces for its mobile hardware in the Fall.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your insights with us, Luke!