Summary: While iOS 7 undoubtedly has potential, in many ways it feels like an iTunes software update. Things have been moved and a whole lotta stuff looks different, but overall it doesn't feel much better.
The latest incarnation of Apple's mobile operating system, iOS 7, is out andwaiting to be downloaded and installed onto hundreds of millions of iPhones, iPads and iPod touches. But is it any good?
Let's find out.
A few points I want to make right before we start on this journey of exploration.
[h=3]What's Hot on ZDNet[/h]
First, this is a first impressions piece. The final software has been available for download for only a few hours (and it takes days, if not weeks, to get a full picture of an operating system), far too short a time for a full review. And since I wanted the full end user experience, I didn't make use iOS downloads aimed at developers that was available ahead of the official rekease because this isn't how evryone else gets iOS 7.
Secondly, I've been using iOS for long time. I owned a first-gen iPod touch and since then have owned several iPhones and iPads, so I have a long history with the platform.
Finally, I'm testing iOS 7 on flagship hardware – the iPhone 5 and iPad 4 – and haven't yet tried it on older hardware.
[h=3]What's right with iOS 7?[/h]
The latest incarnation of Apple's mobile operating system, iOS 7, is out andwaiting to be downloaded and installed onto hundreds of millions of iPhones, iPads and iPod touches. But is it any good?
Let's find out.
A few points I want to make right before we start on this journey of exploration.
[h=3]What's Hot on ZDNet[/h]
- Apple releases iOS 7 for existing iPhone, iPad upgrades
- Microsoft ups the ante on its iPhone, iPad trade-in promotion
- The coming XPocalypse and five things Microsoft can do to prevent it
- Six reasons why you should not immediately upgrade to iOS 7
First, this is a first impressions piece. The final software has been available for download for only a few hours (and it takes days, if not weeks, to get a full picture of an operating system), far too short a time for a full review. And since I wanted the full end user experience, I didn't make use iOS downloads aimed at developers that was available ahead of the official rekease because this isn't how evryone else gets iOS 7.
Secondly, I've been using iOS for long time. I owned a first-gen iPod touch and since then have owned several iPhones and iPads, so I have a long history with the platform.
Finally, I'm testing iOS 7 on flagship hardware – the iPhone 5 and iPad 4 – and haven't yet tried it on older hardware.
[h=3]What's right with iOS 7?[/h]
- It works – No small achievement for a modern operating system.
- Robust – I've thrown at lot at both the iPhone and iPad and both seem rock solid under pressure.
- Folders now hold more icons – Now I don't need to have multiple folders called "Games," (but there is a catch, see below).
- Easier to close running apps – The new behavior feels more like how Android works, which feels nicer and is a lot easier to carry out.
- Edge-to-edge design – iOS 7 makes great use of the available screen real estate, and makes Android seem utterly wasteful.
- Auto app updating – A real timesaver (but see below for some drawbacks).
- Improved Mail app – The new gesture controls are nice and give users more control over the scourge that is email.
- Better security – iDevices are now more securely bound to Apple IDs, and wiping a device doesn't nuke its link to an to the Apple ID. This means that hardware should be less attractive to thieves.
- Maps are better – Quite a lot better, as a matter of fact.
- AirDrop for iOS is a killer feature – But there's a catch (see below).
- Lots of little refinements – Such as being able to see timestamps in Message (swipe to the left), send and receive files using AirDrop, smoother Mail app, better Photos app, and being able to block people from getting in touch.