Apple iOS 5: Three new features you will love

Were you clued in to the technology sphere last night and more notably the WWDC? Well then you’ll know that amongst other services Apple unveiled their latest version of the iOS software which will hit iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch users in the face very soon. But what exactly is new, and in real terms what do you need to know? Well deciphering the 200 new features Apple has brought to the table that’s what we’re here to find out.

Notification Center

Updated notifications have been a long time coming from Apple and we finally have them.  In the notifications you’ll have new email, texts, friend requests, reminders and missed calls all available by swiping down on the home screen (yes exactly like Android). Appearance wise when swiped down the notification center has precisely the same background as your current multitasking bar, and your notifications when in game will no longer interupt what you are doing. The notification center itself isn’t as basic as it sounds though, because you’ll be able to see the weather and view your stocks from the top of the center and when your phone is locked, all recent notifications show up on your lock screen.

Apple is pushing the notification center as ‘all your alerts. All in one place’ and everybody will undoubtedly love this new feature.

iMessage

True to keeping the ‘i’ suffix before practically everything a new feature just brought out by Apple in iOS 5 is iMessage, a BBM (Blackberry Messenger) competitor, keeping all iOS users together. iMessage allows iOS users to send an unlimited amount of messages over WIFI or 3G to other iOS users completely free. Integration wise iMessage is built in to the current messages app as to not make stuff too complicated, which has allowed Apple to add a partner to their messaging app just like Facetime did to their call app.

In iMessage you can send video, contacts, text and locations to other iOS users. This feature isn’t exactly amazing however it does allow for an internal type of social networking between iOS users.

Camera Update

How anoying is it when theres an unexpected moment that simply needs capturing and you have to swipe your iPhone’s unlock page, enter your passcode and then open the camera app which takes (sometimes) far too long to load? Well it is very annoying, which is why Apple has included a short cut key on your lock screen beside your scroller. In iOS 5, iPhone and iPad users can also use the + button as a hardware key to snap images quickly and easily, a key feature which I have been personally ranting over for years.

You’ll now be able to take pictures properly without having to touch your screen to snap a photo thanks to a dedicated hardware button ( the + volume button).