iOS 7 Review: Love It or Not?
by Esther P., Pad & Quill Techster
The new iOS 7 is almost here, and there's been plenty of talk from those who love it and those who don't. If you were hoping for a major overhaul to the functionality of Apple's iOS system, prepare to be disappointed. If you were hoping for a fresh design, new functionality, and an intuitive platform, get ready to party.
Design Facelift
Although the new iOS 7 looks significantly different from Apple's older operating systems, how it operates is largely the same. With the new iOS, you'll feel like you have a brand new phone, yet at the same time, it should feel intuitively familiar—like meeting a stranger who reminds you of a long-lost friend.
Probably the first thing you'll notice about iOS 7 is the flat design. Unlike the skeumorphic design Apple held on to for so long, the new iOS 7 is sleek, modern, and flat. The translucent layering of apps and the parallax effect are the most noticeable upgrades in the design department.
What's New? What's Not?
The familiar apps on the home screen, folders, and dock with shortcuts are still there, although now you can swipe anywhere on the screen to unlock the device. One of the new features you'll notice on the home screen is the Control Center. Swipe from the bottom of the screen, and you'll get options for Airplane mode, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, volume control, AirDrop, and other shortcuts. Although you can't customize the Control Center for now, at least it's easily accessible and includes most of the shortcuts you need.
While some features simply got a new redesign (like Messages and Mail), with others you'll notice improvements that go further. The revamped Photos app makes it easier to edit, organize, and share photos. Photo filters are now available, along with multiple ways to organize photos and built-in sharing functionality with AirDrop.
iTunes Radio
iTunes Radio is new for the iOS 7 music player. It's Apple's new streaming music service that makes it easy to buy songs you love in iTunes with one click. If you're using iTunes Match, you can listen without any ad interruptions. Otherwise, expect a quick ad commercial every 7 to 10 songs.
iOS in the Car
One more thing to look forward to? Starting in 2014, iOS in the car will be available for select vehicles. That means you'll be able to connect your iPhone to the car display so that you can view and navigate your iPhone right from the car controls. Siri will integrate with your car's audio system, along with navigation, text messaging, phone calls, music, iTunes radio, and more.
The Missing Elements
So what's not to love? The lack of an open file system, for one. And if you're a social networking addict, the limited 3rd party social media integration is a bummer. But for the most part, we'd say the iOS 7 is a big step in the right direction, with the opportunity for even more revolution in future iOS versions.
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Photo Credit: www.GSMArena.com
