Apple announced iOS 7 on Tuesday. The new operating system will be a delight for enterprises.
iOS 7 has new features, including Control Center, Notification Center, improved Multitasking, AirDrop, enhanced Photos, Safari, Siri and introduces iTunes Radio, a free Internet radio service based on the music you listen to on iTunes.
“iOS 7 is completely redesigned with an entirely new user interface and over 200 new features, so it’s like getting a brand new device, but one that will still be instantly familiar to our users,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering.
Next month Apple will be shipping its 700 millionth iOS device.
All the built-in apps have been re-engineered for 64-bit, and iOS 7 provides a seamless developer transition with Xcode support and the ability to run both 32-bit and 64-bit apps.
“Moving to a 64-bit architecture means Apple can genuinely claim to have brought something new to the smartphone party. It should certainly help the company further cement its lead as a mobile gaming platform and will give the Android fraternity something to think about in a space whose significance is sometimes downplayed beyond the gaming world,” said Tony Cripps, principal analyst, Devices and Platforms, Telecoms at Ovum.
iOS 7 also provides integration with the new Touch ID sensor and takes full advantage of the new iSight camera sensor to enable new features like automatic image stabilization, Burst Mode and Slo-Mo video with 120 fps.
“The icing on the cake this year was the Touch sensor ID, which brings users an extremely practical functionality and a huge business opportunity for potential partners and developers of apps. Looking at the advance of the iPhone in the corporate segment, Touch the ID and the various new features of the new iOS will be new weapons for Mace enter even greater force in this market,” said Fernando Belfort, leader of the Technology division of Frost & Sullivan Latin America.
Additional new iOS 7 features include a new Find My iPhone Activation Lock, that requires your Apple ID and password before you can turn off Find My iPhone, erase data or re-activate a device after it’s been remotely erased; FaceTime audio for high quality calls over a data network; and new ringtones, alarms, alerts and system sounds.
iOS 7 will be available as a free software update starting on Wednesday, September 18 for iPhone 4 and later, iPad 2 and later, iPad mini and iPod touch (fifth generation).
Ovum says Apple’s move to connect with the burgeoning community of health and fitness application developers with new sensors is also a good move by Apple at a time when consumer and professional interest in those categories are booming.
While Apple did not address the low end of the market with its announcement today, the 5c represents a major departure from its previous product strategy, which could improve the company’s competitiveness.
These new models and the improvements in the iOS7 software are critical for Apple because the iPhone is facing increased competition with Samsung, Sony, HTC and LG, which are all releasing strong smartphone flagships in 2013. Notably, Apple’s portfolio lacks large-screen smartphone models with 5-inch 1080p displays.
The new security measures Apple is adding into iOS7 and the 5s will make the iPhone an even better platform for monetization. The fingerprint sensor on the new 5s helps make the iPhone a safer device for users to entrust with financial details as well as helping users to safely buy App Store apps.
“Apple is also making it harder for thieves to bypass Find my iPhone and Remote wipe because users now need an Apple ID and password to turn them off,” said Francis Sideco, director for consumer electronics and communications technologies at IHS.
Alongside new iPhone models, Apple is also reimagining the experience for existing iPhone owners with iOS7.
The new iPhone operating system significantly strengthens the appeal of the iPhone with many new features alongside the visual transformation. Most notable is improved location support with better local recommendations and a new highly organized notifications tray, better background app multitasking and sophisticated photo functionality. Importantly, iOS 7’s new variable font size setting prepares the ground for future larger-screen iPhone models.
Ads such as battery with greater autonomy, more advanced processor and camera were expected by the market. It’s complicated because customers often do not understand the challenge of bringing advances in processors, camera and battery annually.
Baburajan K
editor@infotechlead.com
