As the seventh major release of the iOS mobile operating system designed by Apple Inc, and successor to iOS6, this amazing software can work wonders in many fields. Apart from numerous functionality changes, as compared to its earlier versions, it introduces a redesigned user interface that gives new meaning to human-machine interaction. Incidentally, the most recent update, 7.1 was released on March 10, 2014.

Design

Denominated as the “biggest change to iOS since the introduction of the iPhone”, it has brought an order to complexity, at the same time emphasizing on features that include refined typography, novel icons, translucency and layering, to name a few. However, it also incorporates certain subtle changes to the user interface that include parallax effect in animations that gives the illusion that the home screen is multi-layered, with the applications and background wallpaper, each on their own planes. Setting the device at an angle brings the feature to life, using the iPhone’s gyroscope and accelerometer to change the level of certain planes. However, you can also disable it if you want to save your battery life.There has also been noticeable departure from skeumorphic elements that include green felt in Game Center, wood in Newsstand and leather in Calendar, in favor of flat graphic design with multi-plane 2.5D structure.

Incidentally, according to a veteran user, the color scheme of iOS7 looks as if it was designed to appeal young girls and so will not be much appreciated by professionals while others differ greatly. For instance, one user feels that “the colors are more vibrant in the new design, see the notes and messages for example. There is more contrast between all the shapes. Some of the new icons look bad, such as Reminders, Game Center and Settings but overall, it’s a fresh design and very modern”.

Features

iOS7 gives you many great features, while it also makes the things you do everyday easier, faster and more enjoyable. However, here are some of iOS7’s remarkable features.

Control Center

Offers you rapid access to the controls and apps that you need fast. You can swipe up from any screen (including the Lock screen) to do things such as switching to Airplane mode, turning WI-Fi on/off, adjusting the brightness of the display, to name a few. Why, you can even shine a light on things with a new torch.

Notification Center

Informs you about new email, missed calls, to-dos that need doing, while Today provides you with a short account of the day’s important issues. For instance, a glance at your iPhone will let you know that today is someone’s birthday. Notification Center can be accessed from any screen, including the Lock screen.

Multitasking

Though has always been a smart method of switching apps, but with iOS7, it has become smarter. As it seems to know when you would like to use your apps, it can update your content even before you launch them. For example, if you are used to checking your favorite social app at 9.30 every morning, your feed will ready right at 9.30 am. This amazing iOS7 feature literally knows what you wish to do beforehand.

Camera

in iOS7 has got all your shooting formats that include still, video, panorama and now, square – front and center. With a single sweep you can capture whatever you want and the way you want while new filters help you with crispy images. Go wild with colors or catch sharp contrast with black and white images.

Airdrop

iOS7 integrates Apple’s wireless sharing feature AirDrop for the iPhone 5 and onward, iPod Touch (5^th generation) and onward, iPad (4h generation) and onward as well as iPad Mini 1^st generation and onward.

Music and iTunes Radio

Side by side with user interface changes, the Music app integrates Apple’s iTunes Radio service, too, which of course is a free ad-supported service that is available to iTune users, featuring Siri integration on iOS. However, users can customize stations, skip tracks as well as buy the songs from the iTune Store. Presently, iTunes Radio is available only in the U.S. and Australia but the service will be extended to other countries shortly. Nevertheless, the service is available only for iTunes, iOS and Apple TV platforms.

App Store

The App Store provides more search options while introducing a novel section called Near Me, that permits the user to figure out which apps are popular in their locality. The App Store also supports automatic app updates, which was not possible with iOS6. In fact, the user had to initiate the update process earlier.

Postscript [Jailbreaking]

To tell you frankly, the jailbreak community and Apple have weird relationship. While the former is busy finding out exploits to Jailbreak their devices so that they can become more useful, Apple is all out to ensure that those exploits are not used by delinquents for nefarious purposes . Earlier hardware versions enjoy the benefit of being around for sometime for permanent exploits to be discovered, exploits that are pricier for Apple to fix as there are very few people that use such hardware everyday. As a result, irrespective of whatever software version is running on something with an A4 processor, there will be an already existing exploit available to jailbreak that device.