iOS 5, the newest mobile operating system from Apple, was released yesterday. It comes with a whooping 200 new features for your iPad and iPhone. We have not been able to stop using the devices since we upgraded! Here is a look at a few of the new features that have us truly excited.
Notification Center
Email, texts, friend requests, calendar events, etc. etc. There are so many notifications that you receive on your iPad and iPhone throughout a day, it can be tough to keep track of them all. The Notification Center allows you to keep track of all your notifications in one convenient location. You just simply swipe a finger down from the top of any screen to enter the Notification Center.
You are able to customize which notifications you wish to see by going into your Settings and selecting Notifications. The notifications that you have chosen to see will briefly appear at the top of your screen, without interrupting what you are doing. Also, the Lock screen will display notifications so you can act on them with just a swipe. The Notification Center is the best way to stay on top of your life’s breaking news.
iMessage
All iOS5 users have a new messaging service called iMessage. With iMessage, you can send unlimited text messages via Wi-Fi or 3G from your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch to anyone with one of those devices. The great thing about iMessage is it is built into the Messages app, so you are able to send text, photos, videos, locations, and contacts easily.
You can track your messages with delivery receipts and optional read receipts, see when someone is typing you a message, and enjoy secure encryption for text messages. You are even able to start a conversation on one iOS device and pick up where you left off on another. The thing we are most excited about is the ability to keep everyone in the loop with group messaging!
Reminders
Ever think to yourself, “Don’t forget to…,” but you end up forgetting anyway? Remove the possibility of forgetting by pulling out your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and entering the information into Reminders. Reminders allows you to organize your life in to-do lists – complete with due dates and locations.
Lets say you need to remember to pick up milk after work when you go to the supermarket. Since Reminders can be location based, you can receive an alert when you leave work and another alert when you pull into the supermarket parking lot!
Safari
iOS 5 brings even more web-browsing features to iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Safari Reader displays web articles sans ads or clutter so you can read without distractions. Reading List allows you to save interesting articles to peruse later, while iCloud keeps your list updated across all of your devices. On iPad, tabbed browsing helps you keep track of multiple web pages and switch between them with ease.
PC Free
Probably the best new feature of all is you no longer need a computer to own an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. Activate and set up your device wirelessly, right out of the box. Download free iOS software updates directly on your device. And back up and restore your device automatically using iCloud.
You are also able to wirelessly sync your iOS device to your Mac or PC over a shared Wi-Fi connection. Every time you connect your iOS device to a power source (say, overnight for charging), it automatically syncs and backs up any new content to iTunes.
These are just a few of the more than 200 new features that are available with iOS 5. Update your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch today and begin enjoying all the benefits of iOS 5!