For the first time since 2007 and the first release of the iPhone, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has made sweeping changes to its iOS and few are complaining. Gone are the bulky fonts and app icons in lieu of a dynamic color scheme, flatter look and dynamic typography. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) pulled out all the stops including the re-enlistment of its former lead designer Jony Ive and engineering head Craig Federighi.
While those in attendance were immediately wowed by the design and appearance overhaul, iOS will also be bringing a number of new features to the iPhone.
“iOS 7: The biggest change to iOS since the iPhone,” Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) Chief Executive Tim Cook declared.
Not one app was spared in the redesign, and users will notice that their wallpaper changes as the phone is moved allowing them to essentially see behind the icons on the home screen.
Apple Audience Reacts With Audible Approval
The much maligned Game Center app appearance was mentioned specifically by Craig Federighi, “Game Center: We just completely ran out of green felt,” Federighi joked. “And wood as well. This has got to be good for the environment.”
“It’s a comprehensive, end-to-end redesign of the complete user experience,” Federighi said.
When the new weather application was shown, there was audible approval from the audience as the background showed a moving representation of current conditions.
The notification screen was given a transparent look, and for the first time will be available from the lock screen.
Apple Supercharges and Streamlines iOS7 User Experience
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) also promised better battery life and multitasking has been been supercharged “for all apps with great battery life,” Federighi said.
One of the biggest additions to iOS is Control Center, which allows quick access to settings like Airplane Mode, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, brightness, and even a built-in flashlight. Control Center is available from anywhere, including the lock screen. Control Center was certainly designed in response to user complaints about the ridiculous scrolling necessary in the present settings application.
Safari will also see major improvements when iOS is released in the fall. Users will no longer be limited to eight tabs and a smart search function will allow users to easily access the sites they visit frequently.
For users with an iPhone 5 or later, AirDrop has been added to increase sharing with friends nearby with peer-to-peer WiFi. “No need to wander around the room bumping your phone with others,” Federighi joked.
The internet, and the voice it gives to anyone with a blog, will certainly see criticism in the coming hours, but you can ignore it…iOS 7 looks amazing while supplying much needed new features.
