AppAdvice iOS 5 Web resource

At the company’s recent WWDC keynote presentation, Apple unveiled the upcoming upgrade to its mobile operating system - iOS 5. The update certainly looks good, but is it what we were expecting? Read on, and find out everything you need to know about iOS 5.

Reminders

Apple has added a new built-in application in iOS 5: “Reminders.” This application is the perfect replacement for your current GTD app, allowing users to create tasks (and tag them by location), and even set alert notifications. The application displays completed reminders and current reminders - both of which are searchable. Adding new reminders is simple and easy, as is “ticking off” completed tasks. Reminders can be viewed either in a list or by date, and they can also be synced to Google Calendar or Microsoft Exchange. Support for iCal (on OS X) and Outlook (on Windows) is expected to arrive when iOS 5 launches. Here are the key features of Apple's "Reminders" app:
  1. "Reminders" app
  2. Location-based reminders
  3. Google Calendar support
  4. Microsoft Exchange support
  5. iCal and Outlook support expected

Calendar

In iOS 5, users can add, rename and delete cameras from directly within the Calendar application, on an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Additionally, attachments can be viewed from within the app, and on the iPhone, calendars can be viewed in landscape mode (as well as portrait). When in landscape mode (on an iPhone), a week-view is automatically displayed. Further features include default alert times (when adding new items in the Calendar app, users can have default alerts set). On the iPad, a year-view is now available too, which is a handy feature. Here are the key changes Apple has made to the Calendars app:
  1. Ability to add, rename and delete calendars
  2. Ability to view attachments
  3. Landscape week-view
  4. Default alert times
  5. iPad year-view

Notification Center

One of the biggest and most-praised features Apple has added in iOS 5, is a brand new notification system. In iOS 5, users can choose exactly what kind of notification is displayed for each application - with a new, banner-style notification becoming available in the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system. These notifications aren’t intrusive, and simply appear along the top of the screen. Touching the banner opens the relevant application. However, swiping a finger down (from the top of the screen) opens “Notification Center.” Here, missed notifications are displayed, along with two built-in widgets: “Weather” and “Stocks.” Other new notification features added in iOS 5 include custom vibration patterns and LED flash alerts, both of which can be activated from within the “Accessibility” section of the Settings app. Key features of Apple's improved notification system include:
  1. "Notification Center"
  2. New notification system
  3. Choose notifications for specific apps
  4. Banner-style notifications
  5. Widgets
  6. Custom vibration patterns
  7. LED flash patterns

[caption id="attachment_190759" align="aligncenter" width="364" caption="Notification Center: Widgets and missed notifications are displayed here"][/caption]

Keyboard

Apple has tweaked the keyboard in iOS 5, adding a “split keyboard” that moves around users’ thumbs, when typing. Additionally, users can easily add an Emoji keyboard in upcoming mobile operating system. Changes include:
  1. Split keyboard
  2. Emoji keyboard

Cutting the cord

A major emphasis of iOS 5, was the idea of “cutting the cord.” Essentially, Apple wants its customers to be able to use an iOS device without the need for a personal computer. This makes sense - especially if Apple is touting the iPad is a PC replacement. Features of this include Wi-Fi Sync, Automatic Downloads, the ability to use a device while it’s syncing and over-the-air software updates. These are definitely handy features - although, if you’re planning on using multiple Apple IDs with iOS 5, be sure to read this article first. Here's how Apple is cutting the cord:
  1. Wi-Fi Sync
  2. Automatic Downloads
  3. Ability to use a device while it syncs with iTunes
  4. Over-the-air software updates

iCloud

One of the biggest features Apple announced at its WWDC keynote presentation, was iCloud - the company’s cloud-based service. Features of the Cupertino, CA company’s iCloud service include the syncing of email, contacts, calendars, reminders, bookmarks, notes and even photos across users’ various iOS devices; Find My iPhone; online backup and “iTunes in the cloud” (including “iTunes Match”). Here's what you can expect from iCloud:
  1. Everything in-sync
  2. Photo Stream
  3. Find My iPhone
  4. Online backup
  5. iTunes in the cloud
  6. iTunes Match

[caption id="attachment_190760" align="aligncenter" width="364" caption="iCloud also has its own area in the Settings app"][/caption]

System

In iOS 5, users can activate “multitasking gestures” for their iPad 2 (and original iPad, via this hack), and even mirror their iPad’s display wirelessly, using AirPlay. Users can purchase new tones from Apple’s Tone Store, and assign individual tones to contacts. Now, the “iPod” app is called “Music,” and in it users can tab and hold on song names to view more information on the track. These details can also be sent to others via Bluetooth. Furthermore, it’s now possible to delete individual tracks in the Music application. New icons have been added for Hotmail, Google Mail and Microsoft Exchange accounts, and in the Mail app users can drag email addresses between fields. Additionally, before the Mail app sends an email, it will alert users if no “subject” has been inputted. The Notes app now displays the total number of notes, and all toggle buttons (such as those in the Settings app) are rounded. Application data can be deleted, and traffic can be hidden in the Maps app. Furthermore, users can now choose to make their Game Center private - just one of the many improvements Apple has made to its gaming network. Here's the list:
  1. Multitasking gestures
  2. AirPlay Mirroring
  3. Tone Store
  4. Tones for individual contacts
  5. "Music" app
  6. Information on tracks
  7. Send song details over Bluetooth
  8. Delete individual tracks
  9. New icons for Hotmail, Google Mail and Microsoft Exchange
  10. Enhancements to the Mail app
  11. Enhancements to the Notes app
  12. Rounded "toggle" buttons
  13. Application data can be deleted
  14. Traffic in the Maps app can be hidden
  15. Game Center improvements

Mail

Additional improvements to the Mail app include rich text formatting, and the ability to search through full email messages. Features of the Mail app include:
  1. Rich text formatting
  2. Search through entire email messages

Safari

Apple has also improved the built-in Safari app, adding the ability to browse privately and also tabbed browsing. A “read later” feature is also present in iOS 5 (which syncs with OS X Lion) and a “reader view” has also been added. Here's what Apple has changed in Safari for iOS:
  1. Private Browsing
  2. Read Later
  3. Reader View
  4. Appearance - black when in private mode

Twitter integration

One highly anticipated feature added in iOS 5 is “Twitter integration.” Now, a single sign-on feature allows users to only have to sign-in to the social network once, and users can also send a tweet from Safari or the Photos app. Features of Twitter integration include:
  1. Single sign-on
  2. Tweet from Safari
  3. Tweet from Photos

[caption id="attachment_190761" align="aligncenter" width="364" caption="Twitter also has a section of the Settings app"][/caption]

Maps

In the Maps app, alternative routes are now displayed. It’s a simple-but-handy feature. Little has changed in Maps:
  1. Alternative route

Weather

Local weather is now displayed in Apple’s built-in Weather app, and an hourly view can be accessed from within the application, too. In Notification Center, a weather widget allows users to quickly check on the forecast. Here's what's new:
  1. Local weather
  2. Hourly view
  3. Widget

Camera

A variety of changes have been made to Apple’s Camera app. First, it’s now possible to shoot an image using an iPhone’s volume-up button. Undoubtedly, this makes taking photographs on an iPhone (or iPod touch) much easier. Additionally, the Camera can be accessed from the Lock screen by double-pressing the Home button. When in the Camera application, sliding your finger up or down the screen will open your Camera Roll, and users can activate “grid lines” in the application, too. New features include:
  1. Shoot an image using the volume-up button
  2. Access from the Lock screen
  3. Slide for Camera Roll
  4. Grid lines

Game Center

In iOS 5, Apple has added profile pictures to Game Center, along with “recommendations” (either of apps or buddies). And as mentioned, profiles can now be private. Changes include:
  1. Profile pictures
  2. Recommendations
  3. Private profiles

Stocks

Apple’s Stocks app now shows “real time” stocks, and these can also be viewed in Notification Center. Here's what's new:
  1. Real time stocks
  2. Widget

iMessage

Another major feature of iOS 5 is “iMessage” - Apple’s own version of BBM, if you will. With this feature, users can send instant, SMS-like messages to one another for free on an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. You can configure iMessage to revert to SMS messages when the service isn’t available, and vice versa. A FaceTime button is also present in iMessage. Overall, is definitely a handy feature, and could only be improved via a Mac application. Features include:
  1. iMessage
  2. FaceTime button in Messages

Newsstand

Apple has added a new built-in application in iOS 5: “Newsstand.” With this app, users have a dedicated area for news publications to live, and can also download more publications via the App Store. The icon changes to reflect its contents, which is a handy feature, and downloads can take place in the background. Features of Newsstand include:
  1. Newsstand
  2. Download publications via App Store
  3. Changeable icon
  4. Background downloads

A complete list

  1. iMessage
  2. Free instant messages
  3. FaceBook button
  4. Turn on or off in Settings
  5. Read receipts
  6. Configure to use SMS when not connected to Internet
  7. Group messaging
  8. Ability to send photos and videos
  9. Blue message bubble indicate it’s an iMessage
  10. Reminders
  11. Location-based reminders
  12. Google Calendar and Microsoft Exchange integration
  13. Support for iCal and Outlook expected
  14. Newsstand
  15. Dedicated area for news publications
  16. Download more via the App Store
  17. Background downloading
  18. Changeable application icon
  19. Calendar
  20. Add, rename or delete calendars
  21. View attachments from within the app
  22. Landscape mode gives weekly view
  23. Default alert times
  24. Year view (iPad only)
  25. Switch days by swiping
  26. Japanese calendar support
  27. Buddhist calendar support
  28. Page turning
  29. Notification System
  30. Notification Center
  31. Displays “missed” notifications
  32. Touching a notification takes you to the app
  33. Clear notifications
  34. Widgets: Weather and Stocks
  35. Weather: Week view
  36. New notification system
  37. Toggle Notification Center
  38. Choose how many recent items
  39. View in lock screen
  40. Banner style notification
  41. Choose which notification for specific apps
  42. Toggle app icons on or off
  43. Custom Vibrations
  44. LED flash alerts
  45. Sort notifications “manually” or by date
  46. Enable or disable badge alerts
  47. Keyboard
  48. Split keyboard
  49. Emoji keyboard
  50. Twitter keyboard, with @ and # buttons
  51. Keyboard shortcuts
  52. “PC free”
  53. Wireless activation
  54. Wi-Fi Sync
  55. Automatic Downloads
  56. Use a device while it syncs with iTunes
  57. Over-the-air software updates
  58. iCloud
  59. Create a free @me email account
  60. Everything in-sync
  61. Photo Stream
  62. Find My iPhone
  63. Online backup
  64. iTunes in the cloud
  65. iTunes Match
  66. iCloud section of the Settings app
  67. Purchase History
  68. Buy more storage
  69. System
  70. Multitasking gestures
  71. AirPlay Mirroring
  72. Tone Store
  73. Tones for individual contacts
  74. “Music” app with new icon
  75. New “Videos” app
  76. Information on tracks
  77. Send song details over Bluetooth
  78. Delete individual tracks
  79. New icons for Hotmail, Google Mail and Microsoft Exchange
  80. Enhancements to the Mail app
  81. Enhancements to the Notes app
  82. Rounded “toggle” buttons
  83. New welcome screen
  84. Application data can be deleted
  85. Traffic in the Maps can be hidden
  86. Game Center improvements
  87. New color for SMS bubbles
  88. Ability to rename a device in the Settings app
  89. Disable Voice Control
  90. Speak selection option
  91. Assistive touch settings
  92. Custom gestures
  93. Native 1080p playback on iPad 2
  94. Set left and right audio
  95. Edit number in Settings
  96. Personal Hotspot moved to “Network” section of Settings app
  97. Remove custom website data
  98. FaceTime section in Settings app
  99. Pick message alert length
  100. Separate settings for music and video
  101. Learn More Links
  102. Configure message alert length
  103. Choose default account for Notes
  104. Turn Automatic Downloads on or off
  105. Unsecured calls warning notification
  106. Multiple Apple IDs for different services
  107. Access applications from the Lock screen
  108. Make FaceTime calls without a SIM card
  109. Define your own words in the built-in dictionary
  110. App fades when crashing
  111. Snooze alarms from the Lock screen
  112. Sort friends using “points”
  113. VoiceOver item chooser
  114. Speak selected text
  115. Multiple downloads
  116. New voice in Voice Control
  117. New maximum for downloaded emails: 1,000
  118. Double-tapping the Home button in YouTube shows author
  119. Configure AirPort
  120. Support for Arabic
  121. Native support for turn-based games
  122. Updated Lock screen
  123. Create and delete photo albums
  124. Mail
  125. Rich text formatting
  126. Search through entire mail messages
  127. Quote level control in Mail settings
  128. S/MIME support
  129. Flag emails
  130. Mark multiple emails as “read”
  131. Safari
  132. Private Browsing
  133. Read Later
  134. Reader View
  135. Open link in background
  136. Tabbed browsing (iPad only)
  137. Twitter integration
  138. Single sign-on
  139. Tweet from Safari
  140. Tweet from Photos
  141. Multiple Twitter accounts
  142. Maps
  143. Alternative route
  144. Sponsored links
  145. Contacts
  146. Social network integration
  147. Twitter
  148. Facebook
  149. Flickr
  150. LinkedIn
  151. Myspace
  152. Weather
  153. Local weather
  154. Hourly view
  155. Widget
  156. Camera
  157. Shoot using volume-up button
  158. Access from the Lock screen
  159. Slide for Camera Roll
  160. Grid lines
  161. Zoom
  162. Game Center
  163. Profile Pictures
  164. Recommendations
  165. Private profiles
  166. New friend request screen
  167. Stocks
  168. Real time stocks
  169. Widget
  170. Newsstand
  171. Dedicated area for digital publications
  172. Download publications via App Store
  173. Changeable icon
  174. Background downloads