Top 10 Features of Apple iOS 5 Explained

Have you missed the Keynote by Steve Jobs just now? Here is the 10 top features of iOS 5 that was mentioned. Actually, it is more of a summary from Engadget’s awesome live coverage.

Basically, the picture above speaks all. Here are the ten features: –

  1. Notifications
  2. Newsstand
  3. Twitter
  4. Safari
  5. Reminders
  6. Camera updates
  7. Mail
  8. PC Free
  9. Game Center
  10. iMessage

1. Notifications

Now, there will be no more popping out of notification when you are playing a game, or doing something important.

Instead, you will have Notification Center.

Now, Apple seems to be following the path of Google (Android) with a page dedicated to notifications.

So, when you are playing game, it will show up in top bar and not disturbing you right in the track.

2. Newsstand

So, instead of multiple apps selling subscription based newspaper or magazine, Apple has consolidated them into Newsstand.

Apple has shown a page of partners. I saw one familiar one (for Singapore). Can you spot it?

3. Twitter

Twitter will become part of iOS 5. Once you sign in, you can use this single credentials on any apps that required it. I am not sure how it will be done if you have multiple accounts.

4. Safari

Based on mobile browser, Apple mentions many people are using Safari.

With iOS 5, Apple has made it simpler to read webpages. It will have a dedicated Safari Reader button on the address field. It will also have a Reading list for you to read the content later.

5. Reminders

In reminders, you can set date and even location. I think this is really great idea, especially the geo-fencing part.

“I can set a location to remind me to call my wife when I leave the convention today. It’ll set up a geofence.”

6. Camera updates

It will now incorporate a camera icon on the lock screen. By pressing it, you can access the camera immediately. However, you will not be able to see other pictures (security).

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And Apple has dedicated the Volume up as the shutter trigger.

You can now perform Pinch to Zoom on the camera app and it will optimize the exposure correctly based on the zoom portion. You can also perform basic editing on your picture too.

 

7. Mail

Some new features of Mail

And for corporate users, there will be S/MIME for enhance security.

Plus dictionary is incorporated into the mail. In fact, no just mail. All apps from the App Store can use it.


And also an introduction of a new keyboard that spilt into two halfs. It is great for iPad users.

8. PC Free

Finally, I think this feature is the most anticipated one. iOS 5 will be PC free.

That means it will have Over the Air (OTA) updating of software and etc.

On top of that, it will have delta updates. That means the update will only includes part that are changed and NOT the entire OS. This will be great on Data usage and time consumed to download the big files.

BTW, with the new iOS 5, you will not need a computer to tether to perform the initial setup. You will just need to Slide to setup. Easy.

9. Game Center

Game Center has also been enhanced. You can now discovery friends or friends of friends.

You can now also play Turn-based games inside Game Center.

10. iMessage

Finally, Apple introduces iMessage. I guess they must have seen so many people using WhatsApp and happy about it. Now, Apple finally comes up with its own messaging app. However, it is Apple, means only Apple devices, period.

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It will work seamlessly between iPhone, iPad  over 3G or WiFi.

That’s it. All 10 features out of the 200 features. Some other features worth highlighting are AirPlay mirroring and etc.

Developers can get the SDK of iOS 5 today.

The rest of the Apple users can get it in Fall this year.

And they are available for these devices: iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 3Gs, iPhone 4, iPod Touch (3rd and 4th Generation)

Thanks to Engadget for the awesome live blogging. In my opinion, I am not really excited over the new features (at least the 10 described here). The reason is because you can find such features in many of the Android phones now. And it seems that Apple has taken some of the best apps in their Apple App Store and translated that to become part of the iOS 5.

What do you think?

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