Apple Inc. made headlines Tuesday when it announced the launch dates for its new flagship smartphone the iPhone 5S and the new low-cost iPhone 5C. However, the biggest news for many iPhone users isn't the announcement of new smartphone, but rather the release date of the new iOS 7, the design that will completely revolutionize and change the way Apple users interface with their mobile devices. The look will be totally different and full of exciting new features to tap and play with, here is a list to get users started when they finally download iOS 7 on Sept. 18.
New Ringtones: With iOS 7 comes an entirely new slew of ringtones and text notification tones that will replace the old ones that have come standard with the iPhone since its inception. This isn't to say that those old tones are being retired. They will still be available in a "Classic" tones section. Apple has even gone as far to replace the default ringtone with one called "Opening." All of the ringtones can be heart in a videos, via 9To5Mac, below.
Control Panel: Apple has decided that "some things should only be a swipe away." In that spirit, the company has developed a new Control Panel into iOS 7. The Control Panel takes all of the most-used settings options and puts them in a pull up menu for users to access directly from the home screen. Simply swipe your finger from the bottom of the phone off screen up and a list of settings like Airplane mode, WiFi, Bluetooth, music settings, brightness and a quickly accessible flashlight will all be right there at your fingertip.
iTunes Radio: The late Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc. believe people inherently wanted to own their music. In that spirit, he helped launch iTunes, a place for people to go an legally purchase music by song and create a library of the tunes that speak to them individually. However, people also need a way to discover new music. In that spirit, Apple will launch iTunes Radio along with iOS 7. The service acts similar to Pandora in that it will aggregate an individual person's music tastes and creates a radio station based on them. Now, hearing a song you like and having it in your collection can all be done from within iTunes.
AirDrop: Sending a text or an e-mail is one of the simplest things smartphones allow people to do. However, when someone is standing right in the room with you, an e-mail and text suddenly seems too impersonal and difficult. Awkwardly bumping your iPhones together is similarly uncomfortable, albeit from the other side of the social spectrum. Now, via WiFi and Bluetooth, users can simply set their availability and pass photos, documents or videos between contacts. Users can now make sure the best pictures from the party are in everyone's pocket, not just the best photographer's.
New Camera and Photo App: Photos will now be arranged into moments based on time and location. This provides a fun new way to track your adventures with your iPhone. In addition, for those who enjoy playing with filters but don't want to have to open Instagram or Twitter every time they do can now edit photos directly from the app.
Apple's iOS 7 comes out on Sept. 18. It should be available as a download via the current "Settings" menu. Pass this handy guide along to friends to get them excited about the upcoming revolutionary switch to all iPhones 4 and above, iPads 2 and above, the iPad mini and all fifth-generation iPod Touches.
