Apple has previewed iOS 5, the next version of its operating system for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
The most notable addition is the removal of a feature: the need to sync an iOS device using a cable. There’s no need to activate an iOS device by connecting it to a computer anymore. And iOS updates can be downloaded directly to the device. Most importantly, you can now sync with iTunes over Wi-fi.
Apple said that it looked at all the reasons users might need to connect an iOS device to a computer and removed them. So, for example, Calendars can now be added and deleted from the Calendar app. And mailboxes can be created and deleted from within iOS.
The new messaging system, iMessage allows messages between iOS users to be pushed to all their devices. It includes the ability to communicate with text and images, along with group messaging, delivery receipts and a typing indication.
Also significant is an improved notifications system. The new Notifications Center is a centralised depository for all notifications. It can be activated at anytime with a swipe across the top of the iPhone’s screen. A drop-down display shows all notifications. Tapping on a notification takes you to the relevant app, and clicking on an ‘x’ clears the alert.
Also demonstrated was Newsstand, a kind of iBooks for newspapers and magazines. If you subscribe to a publication, new issues are automatically downloaded.
A new central sign-on feature allows you to sign on to all your accounts for different apps from one place. And Twitter is now integrated with the Camera and Photos apps. Take a photo, or select one, and you can tweet it from within the app.
There’s an iOS version of Safari Reader which allows you to pull the content of an article onto one page and email it. Reading List allows you to store an article for later, to read on any iOS device or Safari on a Mac or Windows PC. Safari also gets tabbed browsing.
Reminders allows you to keep multiple to-do lists with dates and locations. It can remind you when you arrive somewhere and when you leave what tasks you have to complete.
The Camera app has been improved in iOS 5. Double-clicking the Home button now brings up the app. And the volume button can be used to take pictures. Auto-exposure and auto-focus can be locked on part of a scene by holding your finger over it and a grid, overlaid on-screen, helps with composition. Photos can now also be edited within the app.
Mail in iOS 5 gets rich text formatting, the ability to control indentation, and drag and drop addresses. Messages can now also be flagged.
The keyboard in iOS 5 has new features too. It can now be split and the parts dragged anywhere on the screen.
Game Center, Apple’s online gaming service will also be beefed up. Games can now be bought from within Game Center and support for turn-based games like Scrabble is now built-in.
iOS 5 will be available in the Autumn and will support iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPad, iPad 2, and the third and fourth-generation iPod touch.
