Apple iOS 5 mobile operating system review
What's new in Apple's new mobile OS - and is it worth the upgrade?
Review date: 17 October, 2011. Review by: Rob Beattie
iOS 5, the latest version of Apple's mobile operating system for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch includes over 200 enhancements that encompass almost every aspect of those products, and although many of the headline features - like iCloud - are primarily designed to integrate Apple's various devices with each other, there are plenty of improvements that those with for example, an iPhone and a Windows PC will appreciate.
Installation
Like most Apple OS upgrades, installing iOS 5 is long-winded rather than complicated, mainly because everything has to be done via iTunes. This is the last time you'll have to jump through these particular hoops, however - and you can almost hear the cheering. From now on, it'll
be possible to update the operating system wirelessly, without the need for a PC. Patience is a virtue when upgrading your device, and depending on how it's configured this may take the best part of an hour; iOS 5 works on all iPads and iPod Touches, but only on the iPhone 3GS and above.
What's new?
Initially there's not much to see in iOS 5 that's new, apart from some new icons - the iPod app has been replaced by separate Music and Video apps; there's a new Reminders app which synchronises with iCal and Outlook; and Newsstand, which is like iBooks but for magazine and newspaper subscriptions. However, spend a bit of time exploring Settings and you'll realise there's plenty going on.
The excellent new Notification Centre pushes alerts to the lock screen as they arrive and displays individual messages, reminders, emails, tweets and Facebook updates at the top of the screen; alternatively, you can pull the centre down from the top of any screen with your finger like a window blind - much in the manner of the Notifications bar of Android devices.
Twitter integration
Twitter's been integrated into the OS so that you can share photos or web links a Google Map location or YouTube video without leaving the app; Safari too gets a revamp with tabbed browsing on the iPad and a new 'Reader' feature on all devices that strips out everything from a web page except the text to make it easier to read - Reader items can also be saved for later.
Free text messages via iMessage
Elsewhere there's a new free text message-style app called iMessage which works with other iOS 5 devices over wireless and 3G, the iPhone/Touch calendar gets a pseudo-week view, Mail gets formatting and the ability to manage mailboxes from within the app, while the iPad gets better multi-gesture support and a new split keyboard so you can type with your thumbs.
Company: Apple
Website: http://www.apple.com/uk
