Today Apple enthusiasts have been busy plugging in their iPhones and iPads and updating the software and device firmware to the new iOS 5.
This new operating system upgrade was released today and brings over 200 new and exciting features like:
- Location aware reminder
- iCloud
- iMessage
- Notifications
- Newstand
- Reminders
- Camera improvements
- Wireless Sync to iTunes
So how will some of these new features benefit you?
iMessage – This new feature is in direct competition with what has kept so many people loyal to Blackberry. It is Apple’s version of BBM, giving the user unlimited text, photo, and video messaging between Apple devices running iOS5. It will work with on both a cellular network and WiFi. This is a great feature that can save you some serious roaming cash when travelling abroad.
Newstand – Will organize news and magazine subscriptions on the homepage.
Reminders – The big difference here is that all your devices will sync with iCloud and it will be able to give out location based reminders.
Photos – Camera short cut that will enable take a quick picture using the volume up button. Other focus and zoom options are also new.
Notifications – Briefly shows notifications even on a locked screen and a notification centre for everything on one place.
Email – Better formatting and flagging message tools.
Games Center – Personal photo use on game center account and tabulates your overall score against your friends.
Airplay – Airplay mirroring. This will work only on the iPhone 4 and 4s.
No more cable – Software updates will be done over the air without the need to tether or use cables.
iCloud – You will be able to move your iTunes music onto the cloud. The same can be done with photos and documents, saving on storage.
iTunes – No cables to sync new music. All synchronisation can be done over air waves.
All in all the biggest differentiator is the use wireless syncing and the end of using a cable to sync your Apple mobile devices. Another big change is the use of iCloud to store all your information from different devices. iCloud is supposed to replace the current MobileMe service which will only run through the middle of 2012. Unlike MobileMe, iCloud is free although it is limited to 5GB of memory space which you can then upgrade for a fee.
iOS 5 in combination with iCloud will prove to be a game changing introduction. Gone are the days when we had to buy devices with large memory capacity. From now on devices will be elements used for running documents, photos, videos, music and more that are stored on our cloud. As long as you have an internet connection you’ll have access to everything.