iOS 7 Release Date 2013 Rumors & Features: AirDrop Sharing, Square Camera, Siri Updates
The Apple iOS7 release date is due this fall, leaving much speculation about the different new features that will come with the upgrade.
iOS7 is expected to be easier, faster and more enjoyable for users. Apps will look different, but Apple claims they will have the same familiar feel users are accustomed to. As a result, re-learning should not be necessary in order to operate the iOS 7.
Some of iOS 7's biggest new features include AirDrop for iOS and Control Center.
With AirDrop, Apple adopts a feature of some of its competitors. AirDrop allows users to share items like videos, contacts and photos from any app with a Share button. AirDrop then sends the item via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth through a secure network.
The Control Center will give users easy access to commonly used apps and commands such as Airplane mode, brightness display and Wi-Fi control, Bluetooth, do not disturb, lock screen orientation and music control. All that is needed is a quick swipe to access tools like iOS 7's new flashlight as well as customer favorites like the calculator, camera and timer.
The Notification Center will also be upgraded. Typically, the Notification Center shows users their new mail, to-do list, missed calls and similar news. iOS 7 adds a new feature called Today. With Today, the iPhone will display all of the news of the day including weather, traffic, and birthdays. As usual, the Notification Center will be accessible from any screen by swiping down. With iOS 7, the Notification Center will also be accessible through the lock screen.
Apple has also made iOS 7 refresh popular apps according to the user's tendencies. For example, if you usually check your Facebook app at 12 p.m. daily, then your phone will refresh the app for you at that time when your phone is in a low-power mode (such as when it is on and connected to Wi-Fi.) In addition, Apple's app store will show shoppers "Apps Near Me," which are apps popular in the user's area. Downloaded apps will also update themselves automatically.
The camera is also getting a small improvement. The iOS 7 camera will shoot in its standard formats, still, video and panorama, but will now also feature square mode. There will also be new filters to change color, contrast and more.
Speaking of photos, the iOS 7 will include new ways to organize your photo collection. Photos will be sorted into new categories -- Year, Collections and Moments. Each Year folder will hold different Collections folders, which hold distinct Moments folders.
Web-browsing will be slightly more user-friendly with bigger screens in the Safari app that hide side buttons and bars until you scroll to reveal them. Users will also be able to go to back and forward in the page browsing by swiping their finger.
Everyone's favorite voice command tool, Siri gets a makeover as well. The new design features a fade view design and clearer voice. Siri will also use more sources in its research including Bing, Twitter and Wikipedia. It will also learn some new tricks including returning calls, checking voicemail, playing iTunes Radio and more.
Finally, with all these updates, iOS 7 makes sure it is safe from those who covet the latest in Apple technology. Now one must enter the proper Apple ID and password to erase or reactivate the Find My iPhone app.
With new features, Apple hopes the iOs 7 will impress customers more than the latest version of iOS 6.