news update: Why get a new iPhone when you can download most of the new software ...

Why get a new iPhone when you can download most of the new software ...

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The Sydney Morning Herald

Digital Life

Digital Life News Technology News Tablets Mobiles Date September 13, 2013

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Ben Grubb

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The iOS 7 Control Centre makes it easy to turn Wi-Fi, Blueetooth and Airplane mode on and off.

You don't need to buy the iPhone 5S to experience some of its new features. From next Thursday, Apple's latest operating system, iOS 7, will be available as a free download.

Some have predicted the new system could hurt sales of new iPhones because the free upgrade gives owners of models released since 2010 (4,4S and 5) a chance to try some of the latest features without having to upgrade their hardware.

In a media statement, the senior vice-president of software engineering, Craig Federighi, said: ''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.''

AirDrop in iOS 7.

Some of the features that will be available next week are:

A new way to switch between and close apps

In iOS 6 and below, users will be familiar with double-tapping the ''home'' button and then a row of apps appearing at the bottom, which also allows for them to be closed. In iOS 7 when you double tap the home button, it shows a list of all open apps as large windows which can then be closed by swiping them upwards. Windows Phone displays apps in a similar way, though this was pioneered by Palm with webOS.

How Safari displays browser tabs in iOS 7.

Audio-only FaceTime

One of the most interesting features is the audio-only option being added to FaceTime. This will decrease the phone's dependence on mobile networks, allowing for iPhone users to talk to other iPhone users via Wi-Fi or mobile data. FaceTime over a cellular (mobile) data connection is available on the iPhone 4S or later and is supported on iPad 2 or later, iPad mini, iPod touch (4th generation) or later, and many Macs. Before this, users could press the home button while they talked for the video to disappear to save on bandwidth costs. The new method makes this easier.

Control Centre

The iOS 7 Camera app applies filters to photos in real-time through the viewfinder.

One of the most common complaints with the current iOS is that you can't easily turn on or off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Airplane mode, or adjust the brightness of the screen. With Control Centre, this is much easier. Swipe upwards on any screen, even from the locked screen, to control these settings. Before iOS 7, users needed to navigate to settings first. Such a control centre has been available on Android for years.Â

Tabs in Safari

Browser tabs in the Safari browser now look like Cover Flow in the music app, but vertical. This lets you see what's open in all browser tabs. Closing browser tabs is also simpler. To close a tab, swipe it to the left or tap on the x button. You can close only one tab at a time, and there is no option to close all tabs. Tabs can also be reordered by tapping, holding and moving.

FaceTime in iOS 7 now has an audio-only option.

Camera optionsÂ

If you've used Instagram you're aware of how different a photo can look with a filter. In iOS 7 filters take centre stage. Rather than applying a filter in post-production, these are applied in real time, and you can look through the viewfinder in that filter before taking a shot. Apple says the iPhone 5 or later and iPod touch (5th generation) will be compatible with real-time filters. Filters applied to photos afterwards are available on the iPhone 4 or later, iPad (3rd generation or later), iPad mini and iPod touch (5th generation).

Photos can also be organised in new ways, allowing them to be grouped by date, location and collections.Â

When double tapping home to view apps that are open you can now swipe them upwards to close them. Swiping left or right allows you to toggle through them and open them.

Another new camera option is the ability to focus using the volume down button. Pressing the up volume button lets you take a picture. Previously you needed to tap the screen to focus.

Siri gets betterÂ

Many iPhone users love Siri. In iOS 7 it is much improved and draws information from Twitter and Wikipedia, among other things, and comes in male and female voices that sound more human than before. Those who can already access Siri will be able to access the new version in iOS 7.

Siri on iOS 7 is smarter, according to Apple. The voices uses are also more human-like.

Slide to unlock anywhere

No longer will you have to navigate to the bottom of the screen to move an on-screen tab from left to right. In iOS 7 you can slide anywhere on the screen to unlock it.

AirDrop comes to iPhone

Until now, sharing files to other iPhones has required third-party apps or sending them via email or SMS if the files are photo or video. iOS 7 makes that much easier using Wi-Fi. An AirDrop feature, already available on Macs, allows for content sharing with other users nearby. Inexplicably, AirDrop will only be available for the iPhone 5 and above or for fourth generation iPads.

Built-in torch

Apple now has a built-in torch, removing the need to install torch apps.

Spirit level

The Compass app, found in the utilities folder in iOS 6, includes a spirit level in iOS 7. So if you have a picture in your house that needs straightening, stick your iPhone on it and adjust.

with Mashable and AP

30 comments

Apple always make iOS upgrades available for (most, if not all) older iphones, which hasn't seemed to hurt their sales in the past. For example, I was able to run iOS 6 on my old iphone 4. How is this different?
Commenter veracity Location Date and time September 13, 2013, 5:20PM
- I run iOS 6 on my 3GS! It's actually way faster on it than iOS 5 was. I'm going to have to upgrade to run iOS 7 though...
  Commenter YMM Location Sydney Date and time September 13, 2013, 7:28PM
Who even uses Siri?
As for the torch app, what is the point? I already have it.
I think this new operating system is just a rearranged way of doing the same thing. Rather pointless if you ask me - and I own an iPhone 5 [my first iPhone after waiting so many years for them to stop the carousel of upgrading].
Commenter AM Location sydney Date and time September 13, 2013, 5:33PM
- I use Siri every day. I use Siri to set timers, reminders and send text messages. The Siri AI is integrated in such a way that one day she will be able to form a conduit to the merging of information between apps, all through natural voice. Because there is no underlying file system all iOS data has a specific context. Apple has a track record of training developers to present their data in a consistent manner. In my opinion no-one is better positioned to leverage this.
  Commenter watwoodino Location Date and time September 13, 2013, 6:07PM
- Well, I do - actually all the time. She not always understands me, but then I am a fairly enigmatic person anyway. Still, she tries and that means a lot to me. Sometimes she does what I want, and sometimes she does give me what I then find out I want but didn't ask for....
  Commenter Gerwin Location Date and time September 13, 2013, 6:19PM
- Exactly what is your point? Should phone manufacturers stop improving their products and adding new features? You don't even have to pay for this upgrade, It is free. so there is nothing to complain about. you don't have to upgrade. its your choice.
  Commenter IvanH Location Date and time September 13, 2013, 6:37PM
- I don't believe you have an iPone 5 AM. Either that or if you have one you haven't got a clue how to use it. Siri is one of it's greatest features. Whats wrong with having a built in torch?
  I suggest you go and buy an Apple TV and watch the "Apple Event" in full. You will see for yourself how iOS 7 will make the iPone 5 and a whole lot of other devises even better than they were before.
  I have a iPhone 5 and for sure I will be upgrading to the 5s just as soon as I can.
  Commenter Capjak Location Wandi Date and time September 13, 2013, 7:48PM
- SIRI - I use it often, and since installing iOS 7 GM (I'm a part time developer), I'm happy to say that SIRI is now VERY fast, and MUCH MORE reliable. Great when getting directions, reading text messages (both when you're at traffic lights), defining words, spelling (ask her how to spell supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and I reckon you'll be impressed with her speed and accuracy), setting calendar appointments, and even getting info on someone or something.
  SIRI under iOS 7 is really very good. Recommend you give her another go.
  Commenter Jason Location Melbourne Date and time September 13, 2013, 7:50PM
- These incremental releases aren't worth the trouble anymore.
  Tim cook, forget the incremental focus on the game changer - channel the spirit of Jobs -make markets don't be a has been and follower - set the trend
  Commenter iOS fanperson reconsidering Date and time September 13, 2013, 8:01PM
- Faster access to the torch is the point. Why argue with that?
  Free update gives you easier use of a feature and you complain?
  As for the 'inexplicable' reason for AirDrop being only on 5 and above - it uses a WiFi mode only on the newer chipsets.
  Commenter richardw Location Date and time September 13, 2013, 9:56PM