Advertisement

Article

Apple’s iOS 5 arrives with a bundle of new features

Amber Sass

Amber Sass

  • Updated:

The fifth version of Apple’s popular operating system for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad became available on Wednesday. Just last week, Chris expressed disappointment that many of the features rolling out with this new iOS release were already available to users via third party apps. While it’s certainly true that many app savvy users have already managed to create the effect of integration by installing third party apps, now this integrated experience is available to anyone who wants it through the free install of iOS 5.

Installation and set-up

Installation itself requires users to have iTunes 10.5. If you have an older version of iTunes, you’ll be prompted to install that update before you can install iOS 5 on any of your devices.

Once the iTunes update is installed, you can begin the process of updating your device to iOS 5. It’s never a bad idea to back-up your iTunes library and the other files on your device before moving forward. While there are messages assuring you that a back-up will be performed automatically, it’s better to be on the safe side in case an unexpected error occurs (which I actually experienced the first time I tried to install the new operating system on my iPad).

Once properly installed, iOS 5 set-up is a snap. You’ll be guided through a series of prompts as to whether you’d like to use iCloud, sign in with an Apple ID and even activate the Find My iPad service that helps locate your iPad in the event that you misplace it. After you answer those basic questions, you’re done and iOS 5 is yours to explore.

Notable new features

PC Free

Never get stuck tethered to a computer in order to get your device activated or updated again. This feature might not be noticeable from an initial standpoint, but many people will be rejoicing when all they have to do is tap a few options to get software updates in the future. You can also sync with iTunes on your computer now without the need for a USB. You just need to make sure every device you want to sync is on the same wireless network as your computer, as well as plugged into a charger of some sort. Then just go to your device’s settings under the “general” tab and choose the iTunes Wi-Fi Sync option. Everything, including pictures, calendars and your songs, will be added to iTunes as a back-up.

Works like a charm.

iCloud

By and far the most talked about feature, iCloud launched around the same time as iOS 5. It’s a way to both sync and make the content you have on various iOS device available online and wirelessly as well. In that way, it’s similar to MobileMe, except iCloud syncs even more types of data, including images.

To access your device’s data from the web, you’ll need to open a web browser and input your Apple ID and password. You can also choose an avatar. Apart from that, all of your device’s data should sync instantly so you have access to it online (as I was delighted to see mine did upon a test run of the service). It’s actually quite a handy feature for people who have multiple devices, or who might want a larger screen to view certain files with online.

While iCloud doesn’t have the capabilities of streaming music via a web browser currently, it will sync almost any content you’ve purchased in the iTunes store from one device to another. You’ll never have to worry about making sure your entire iTunes library is coming with you again, no matter what iOS 5 device you want to listen to it on.

iCloud offers 5GB of storage space for free, with paid annual plans for users wanting 10GB of space or more.

Notifications

Android users have become accustomed to seeing a notification bar appear at the top of their screens whenever they receive a new email, text message, missed call or one of their apps has an update waiting to be installed. Now iOS 5 users will be caught up to speed in that regard.

Notifications appear in the top of your device’s screen as a little icon that denotes what the notification is for. If you want more information, simply swipe down on the top navigation bar with a finger. You’ll be able to see the notification in more detail.

Although some might view this feature as Apple as simply playing catch-up with what Android users have already had for quite some time, the notifications bar beats annoying push notifications any day of the week. No more getting interrupted in the middle of something you’re doing. The notifications are there for you to check on your own time.

iMessage

If you’re a frequent texter, you’re going to love this new feature. This instant messaging app works on any device that has iOS 5, with 3G or wifi, and offers free, unlimited text messaging. In addition to simple text messages, you can also send video and pictures to anyone who has this new update.

There’s also the ability to turn iMessage into something akin to a chatroom, as it offers group messaging and also ellipses to indicate when someone is typing back to you.

iMessage is simple to use and offers delivery confirmation messages so you know your message has gone through. It’s a vast improvement and is similar in nature to the widely popular Blackberry Messenger (BBM)

Other new and improved apps

Camera: Avid photographers have likely been using a third party app like Instagram or Streamzoo. This update won’t give them much reason to change that. At the same time, iOS 5 has added some useful features to the camera app. It is now easier to access the camera since there’s a shortcut on the initial locked screen. Just double click on the home button and you’ll be able to access both the camera and your music controls. The camera also provides a grid to those who need it and a few basic editing features like the ability to crop and rotate the image, reduce red-eye and correct color imperfections. It’s nothing drastic or spectacular, but it’s a step in the right direction.

Reminders: Create multiple to do lists with due dates and times. Even organize each task by your GPS location. You have the option to make reminders pop up as a push notification with a short alarm. This app is really a great feature for those who need constant nudges to remember when to do certain things, and where. You can also sync your to do lists with other apps like iCal. While there are paid third party apps that have more features, this app comes free with your iOS update, so it’s hard to complain.

Twitter: While this new feature doesn’t let you browse your Twitter feed, it does offer full integration with apps you have on your iOS device. Now you can post a photo directly to Twitter without ever having to leave your device’s image gallery. The same goes for tweeting from YouTube, Safari and other apps directly.

Safari: Three big improvements here. First, we’ve got tabbed browsing for the iPad. This is incredibly convenient for people who use their iPads more like a traditional computer. In addition, there’s a Reader feature that eliminates ads while keeping photos from articles you’re reading. For articles that are more than one page, it also streamlines them into a format akin to an RSS feed and allows you to email the whole text to anyone of your choosing. Lastly, if you’re on the go Safari now has a Reading List where you can save a website page for future viewing.

Newsstand: Voracious readers will like this one. Now your magazine subscriptions will automatically be delivered every time they’re published. They’ll download in the background and you’ll be able to access them on an app that looks like a fancy bookshelf. While iPhone and iPod users might find reading content on their smaller devices a bit irksome, iPad owners will no doubt love this new app for its added convenience and aesthetic appeal. You can even access the App Store directly from within the app to purchase more magazine subscriptions (or take advantage of free ones).

Game Center: Say hello to profile pictures, games and friends recommendations, achievement comparisons and direct game purchases in this new update. Now all Apple needs to do is add more profile page customization (I personally wouldn’t mind the option to change the background color and even the page layout a bit) and it might just have a winner.

Conclusion

Overall, while Chris was right in that the majority of the new features in iOS 5 have already been available for quite some time to users via third party apps, they are now much better integrated. iCloud shows a lot of promise, and perhaps the most exciting new feature for people who dislike having to tether their devices to their computer for long periods of time is the PC Free option that provides over-the-air updates and new device activations. I also particularly liked iMessage (free text, image and video messaging is never a bad thing in my book!), as well as the Notifications bar that is already so familiar to me as an Android smartphone user.

iOS 5 is compatible with the iPhone 4S, 4 and 3GS, the 3rd and 4th generation iPod Touch and both generations of iPad.

Ultimately, the update and the apps that come included are free. As long as you make sure to back-up your device before installing, you’ve got nothing to lose and a lot of new integrated features to gain.

Amber Sass

Amber Sass

Latest from Amber Sass

Editorial Guidelines