iOS 5 - Everything You Need To Know

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