Tech Speak: iOS 5 New Features

During Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2011), Steve Jobs announced a bunch of new features for the upcoming iOS 5. I think Apple is definitely headed in the right direction with stuff like notification system (ripped off from Android) and iMessages (ripped off from Blackberry Messenger). Although Android is still hands down the most feature rich phone, but the learning curve is steep and many things, just like the old iPhones, requires apps to do these things. iOS 5 integrates these new features and make them easy to manage. With luck, Apple might just get a whole lot more Android and Blackberry users on their wagon. Apple already has an amazing number of user base. It is no doubt that these new features will attract more people. Here's some of the most prominent features.

1) Notification System.

The iOS used to be intrusive and forces you to read your mails, messages, whatsapp immediately no matter what you are doing. No longer will that be the case. You can simply swipe down the top of the screen to reveal the notifications and I heard it's easy to remove them as well. A tap on the notification will bring you to the correct app. These notifications appear on the lock screen as well. Nifty.



2) Reminders

This isn't a simple reminder app (built in of course). Aside from time requirements, you can also input location requirements. So say you need to buy milk from NTUC. Key that right in and if you pass by an NTUC (I believe you can only key in one NTUC), it will remind you that you need to get milk. You can set it such that it reminds you when you enter an area or leave an area. Sounds convenient but I wonder about the battery life.

3) OTA (Over the air updates)

One irritating part about iPhones is that you always have to link it up to your PC/Mac to synchronise stuff or update your phone. There are apps which allow you to sync stuff like music wirelessly but this doesn't apply to phone software updates. Now you no longer need to connect to your computer for the first boot up activation and for minor updates (but you'll still need to for major updates). If only they allow app synchronisation over the air just like Android. Oh and music too.

4) iMessages

This inter-iOS messaging tool is compared to BBM (Blackberry Messenger). The idea is basically the same. Messaging made easy for all iPhone users (and iPads I believe). I don't foresee it overthrowing Whatsapp and the likes anytime soon though. It's free and works on wifi and 3G.

5) Twitter integration

Depending on whether the built in twitter app is good or not, this may not be as much of a big deal. I believe it will though unless other 3rd party apps do not get the built in twitter notification. I don't think that many people use Twitter for iPhones since most of my friends use 3rd party apps.

6) A better Safari with Reader integration

This makes web browsing and viewing of RSS feeds much easier. There's now tabbed browsing. Not sure how effective this is as tabbed browsing on my Dolphin Browser HD on Android sucked.

7) iCloud http://pocketnow.com/iphone/apple-introduces-free-icloud-service-with-no-ads-yanks-mobileme

Finally some cloud love from Apple. This is one of strongest point Android had over Apple. iCloud syncs most of your stuff, like documents, files, mails, texts, ringtones, photos, videos, books on the cloud. It's mainly a sync and backup too. Most wonderfully it's gonna be ad free and free of charge. I don't think I saw music though.

8) A better camera

You can now use your volume button as a shutter button. Convenient and less shaky movements. There's also some simple additions like built in red eye reduction, ability to zoom and crop etc.

9) Game Centre, News Stand, Better Mail Client, and a few more

A central game centre will allow you to compare scores with your friends better. News stand includes news from most publishers. A better mail client allows you to send emails much more easily (I'll admit that Android's mail client suck to the core, thank goodness for Gmail app).

You can read up more at http://pocketnow.com/iphone/apple-introduces-ios-5-developing or go to the Apple website to watch the keynote. Now if Apple integrates widgets like Android, we might just have a winner here. Hopefully this goes to iPhone 3GS as well. I really don't think it will go to iPhone 3G though.