Just wondering if any of you guys watched the Apple Keynote earlier, where amongst other things iOS 7 was announced.
iOS 7 will see the biggest change in iOS since iOS/iPhone was released.
Major changes are:
Design
iOS 7 features an entirely new color scheme, with translucency, to "create a sense of depth and vitality." The design is significantly different from before, with all new multitasking screens and a totally redesigned interface. The icons are "flat," as expected, with bright new colors. Apps like Game Center have been entirely overhauled, with the removal of the felt and wood elements in favor of a design that relies heavily on black and white with colored accents.
iOS 7 incorporates new motion tracking capabilities. As the device is moved in the hand, it actually tracks motion and the screen moves, which carries over across the system.
On the stage, Craig Federighi demoed the new dynamic weather app, which incorporates some live weather elements. For example, if it is raining outside, the app will show rain. The weather app uses an all new font. Like the Weather app, the Calendar also features a minimalist new design.
Messages has seen a major overhaul, with a blue and white interface that's removed the gloss from the chat bubbles. Swiping on the screen in messages allows users to go from individual messages to a messages overview. Mail has the same no-frills interface, focusing on text and photos. It incorporates full screen photos.
Notification Center
Notification Center looks entirely different as well, with new daily overviews that let users know about new mail, missed calls, to-dos, and more. Notification Center can be accessed from any screen, including the Lock Screen, with a downwards swipe. Notifications also now synch between devices, so clearing a notification on an iPhone will also clear it from a paired iPad or Mac, for example.
Control Center
Control Center offers new preference controls. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (including the lockscreen) to find quick access to preferences. It has switches that allow users to access Wi-Fi, turn on Airplane Mode, toggle Do Not Disturb, adjust brightness, and control music, among other things. The Control Center also offers an all new flashlight functionality.
Multitasking
iOS 7 offers up a smarter way to multitask. When users tap the home button twice, it will display preview screens of apps that are open. Unlike before, the screens are previews of actual apps rather than just a small app icon. iOS 7 incorporates a learning algorithm that takes note of when users utilize certain apps and keeps those up to date with new content before they are launched. So, for example, if someone wakes up and checks Facebook, iOS 7 will learn that behaviour and have Facebook updates ready to go in the background before the app is opened. The new mobile OS also uses intelligently scheduled updates and will update during power efficient times. For example, when the device is connected to WiFi. It's also able to respond to push notifications, updating apps that send out notifications.
Safari
Safari will get a number of improvements in iOS 7, including a new full screen look and a smart search field. With this field, there's one tap access to favorites, and it also has a new tabbed interface along with parental controls and iCloud keychain integration. The new Safari eliminates the eight browser tab limit and tabs can now be closed with a quick sideways swipe. Safari also has a new view that displays URLs from a user's Twitter timeline and Reading List has received some performance enhancements. Safari incorporates the new iCloud Keychain functionality, remembering account names, passwords, and credit card numbers, as well as generating unique, hard-to-guess passwords.
AirDrop
AirDrop will be included with iOS 7, making it easier for users to share photos, videos, contacts, and other content with other iPhone owners. This is system wide and can be used with any app that supports the API. Simply tapping the new "Share" will allow users to connect via WiFi or Bluetooth. Recipients can choose to save what is sent, and saved items will be saved in appropriate locations. For example, a shared contact ends up in the Contacts app, while a shared photo ends up in the Photos app. Sadly it will only be available on Apple's newest devices, including the iPhone 5 and the fourth generation iPad, as well as the iPad mini. The reason been is because AirDrop relies on newer wifi hardware that is only available on the above mentioned devices.
iOS 7 on Apple's website:
http://www.apple.com/ios/ios7/
