The eagerly awaited iOS 7 update will be officially rolled out ahead of the iPhone 5S release next week, with an iOS 7 release date having been confirmed as September 18.
The most comprehensive overhaul of the iOS operating system since its introduction in the original iPhone, iOS 7 aims to create a flatter, more refined experience for the user.
See also: iPhone 5S vs Samsung Galaxy S4 and iPhone 5S vs iPhone 5C
Launching as the native iOS on the new iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C, iOS 7 is also available on existing products.
iPhone 5, iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 smartphones will be compatible with iOS 7, as will the 5th generation iPod Touch. On the tablet side of things, the iPad 2, iPad 3 and iPad 4 will get the update as well as the 7.9-inch iPad mini.
“iOS 7 is the most significant update since the original iPhone,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering when launching iOS 7. “To create it, we brought together a team with a broad range of expertise from design to engineering. With that we’ve been able to achieve together, we see iOS 7 as an exciting new beginning.”
Packed with a host of new features, refreshing pastel colour scheme and a strong focus on multitasking, iOS 7 has done away with the heavy skeuomorphic icons and interface in favour of something a little more clean and user friendly.
“We wanted to take an experience that people know very well and add to it,” said Apple at the WWDC 2013 iOS 7 launch.
In fact, Apple may be attempting to appeal to Android users too with the new iOS 7 features, especially from our time with the iOS 7 beta.
“True simplicity is derived from so much more than just the absence of clutter and ornamentation. It’s about bringing order to complexity. iOS 7 is a clear representation of these goals,” added Jony Ive, the brain behind the new iOS.
Next, read our iOS 7 tips and tricks.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
