Apple has recently announced iOS 5 at WWDC 2011 which is rumoured to be released this coming September. Rumour is that it would be released to coincide with the launch of the next generation iPhone – Iphone 5! According to CNET UK, iPhone 5 release date is likely to be September 7th 2011. I am not getting up to do the hula-dance this time on hearing the news as iP5 was not factored into my budget; not this year at least *smile. I am saving and holding my breath for iPad 3 J - so share with me, be it rumour or otherwise, any news on iPad 3!
Since iPhone 5 is not going to be one of my prized possessions this year, I will now look into how some of the new cool features of iOS5 may enhance the functions of my current iPhone 4 – pathetic, I know :J. There are over 200 features to the iOS 5 but please note that not all features are available to iPhone (specially iPhone 3Gs) or iPod. Many are for iPads only.
Some of the new features which may interest and benefit me as an iPhone 4 user are as follows:-
1) Camera
Instant camera access and use from lock screen! Yay! How often do we find ourselves losing precious time fumbling to unlock our iPhones with our passcode (for that very reason, I don’t activate password lock on mine) and then waiting for the Camera app to load (which normally takes ages) At least now, we don’t miss D – moments as we can just press the volume-up button to snap our photos in the nick of time! ). It is the added convenience that comes from being able to access the camera application from the iPhone’s lock screen. Apple has also added grid lines to help frame photos and also photo editor which allows cropping, rotating, auto enhance features and etc. Photo editor is actually nothing new as we have these features through 3rd party applications. The editing features will be a welcome addition for iPhone users who don’t have or normally use third party editing apps.
2) iMessage
It’s a new data-based pushed notification which rivals Blackberry Messaging system. One can send text messages either via Wi-Fi or 3G. For those who have Whatsapp application on their BB or Iphone, iMessage works almost similarly, where you can send text, photos, videos, locations, contacts and group message. The difference is that iMessage would come free with the operating system and works with any iOS 5 users. I don’t reckon this message will cause bring about a significant change to my to my messaging patterns.
3) Reminders
I was going to dismiss this supposedly new feature as nothing new until I read the word ‘location based’ reminders. Interesting. We use to key in our appointments and set the alarm to go off at a particular time, sometimes an hour or two before the appointed time or even a day before or even on repeated mode, just to remind and organize ourselves. With this feature, we can key in our appointments complete with due dates and times to alert us but at same time we can also tie these appointments and/or our to dos to locations. Reminders will then determine our current location and sound out an alert. Say we need to buy a pack of batteries during our next grocery trip. Because Reminders can be location based, we will get an alert as soon as we pull into the supermarket parking basement. I don’t often use Reminders on iCal simply because keying those data in itself is a task for me. Apple should come up with a ‘Getting Things Done’ application but with this added feature, I may give it a try once I have my OS updated.
4) Cordless Syncing
Remember those days when we have to hook up our devices and use iTunes as the required middleman? Whether for activation, updates or even syncing and backing up files in our devices. Sayonora to those days, now Out of the box, an iOS 5 device can be activated or even updated wirelessly. Apple is cutting the cord. This is good news to people like my sister who don’t bother and/or want to depend on a computer to update her device. Now, iOS 5 will allow syncing with iTunes content, such as movies, music, and more, via WiFi.
5) Notification Centre
We get notifications every now and then, some welcome, some not so; CNN Breaking News, BBC Breaking News, Facebook updates; Whatsapp notification and etc. These notifications very often pops up at the wrong time, either when we are browsing something or trying to make a call, and it forces us to either view the message or close the notification. With the Notification Centre, these notifications are channeled to one main platform and the list includes our text messages, email messages, missed calls, facebook updates, whatsapp messages and any other push notifications. These past few weeks I find push notifications a nuisance, especially when I am harvesting my crops in Smurf Village. The whatsapp messages and/or sms which comes through often cause a lag in my game and that irks me really. But with this new added feature, if we are playing a game and when a push notification comes through, we get a little notification across the top and we can go back to it later.
For now, the abovementioned features are what interest me. However for a more complete list of the new features of iOS 5, you can access the same by clicking here!
