“With iOS
5, we have added over 200 new features” the Apple’s website read even before the update was available.
I would say iOS 5 was one of the most expected iOS updates till date, especially because of Apple pre-announcing the features that would be a part of iOS 5.
iOS 5 on the whole is compatible to be installed with devices like iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, 3rd and 4th generation iPod Touch, iPad and iPad 2.
Installing iOS 5 on the iPad features a variety of new functions, however few of them were more specific to the iPhone and aren’t available for the iPad.
Misconception
Before I review the iOS for iPad, I wish to make it clear that users may not confuse the features of iPhone 4S with the iOS 5 software update. iPhone 4S is completely a new range of product from Apple with unique features like Siri. In this review, I have mentioned features only available for the iPad or iPad 2.
iOS 5 for iPad
Notification & Reminders
Using the Notification Center you can track all your texts, emails, friend requests at one single location. You can access it from any screen, using the top-down swipe and choose the notification you want to access.
What is great about this notification is that, each new notification will linger for a few seconds atop the active screen and will disappear, if you choose to ignore it. It does not bother you as earlier. You do not have to stop what you are doing presently to close or respond to the notification.
This is a great feature on iOS 5 as it allows you to keep yourself in touch with latest news.
Reminders is the smart tool that will now let you handle your to-do list. Once, you have a task penciled in on you iPad – you can give dates, location, the tool being location-based will prompt you to complete a task as you enter that zone.
All reminders are updated across all other tools and all the devices and calendars will automatically reflect the latest update.
Text Messaging
Called the iMessage, iOS 5 offers a new texting tool. This works like an Apple intra-network allowing you to send unlimited text messages to other iDevice users. Your messages are pushed via Wi-Fi and 3G from your iPad to another iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch.
As iMessage is built-into the Messages App, you can simple drag-and-drop photos, videos, locations or contacts and text to your work-group or your friends.
The best part is that there is delivery receipt that has an optional read receipt that lets you see if the other received and is typing a response. As the whole exchange happens in an encrypted environment, your text messages are always secure.
Offering greater connectivity and ease of use is a feature, where you can start a message on one iOS device and continue to write it on another.
Magazine & News Reading
For a long time you, this was a feature waiting to be added. The newsstand allows you to catch all your magazine and newspaper content at one location. All your subscriptions can now be well organized and managed with all your new issues going directly to the Newsstand Folder. All new issues are auto-updated in the background and you even get the latest covers for these. Door-delivery personalized is what the Newsstand feature on iOS 5 offers.
Social sharing with Twitter
A single sign-in at settings will let you tweet directly from Safari, Camera, Maps of your iPad. Your Contacts list is used to auto-fill usernames and profile pics. If you want to let your location be known on your tweets, you could do that too!
Enhanced Web Browsing
Safari, the default browser on Apple’s devices is updated with the iOS 5. Web-browsing is optimized while Safari Reader brings to you, your favorite links, without distracting ads and other clutter. There is reading list to save up on articles you want to read later. The iCloud will keep all your lists updated on all the devices.
Safari is rapidly accelerated with new features of iOS 5.
Email & Calendar
Your inbox is now optimized for some excellent new functions. Fonts can now be formatted right on your iPad while you send important emails. Drag-and-drop names into address fields, mark important messages. Searching for mail can now be performed on the body of the text itself. You can add, delete mailbox folders, while on the move.
Using the iCloud’s free email account, it now easy to remain synchronized across all the devices.
The Calendar feature allows you greater control on your schedule on your iPad. You can now get a per-week view and you will only have to tap and drag an event according to time and duration. Schedule all events directly, on your iPad itself. Attach files from the Calendar app itself.
The iCloud service lets you take all your changes and edits in the calendar to all your other devices as well.
Gaming Center
The Game Center on the iOS 5 lets you have the best of the games on your iPad. Features on this are optimized for maximizing your gaming experience. You could even post your profile pic and find new friends and recommendations for the games you play. You can now find new games from the Game center itself. Before, you start your game, you can find your opponents scores and overall achievement scores too.
Video Mirroring
If there is one feature that you are going to love on your iPad is the Video mirroring effects. AirPlay is now supported and video mirroring is optimized. This means that you can now get your videos on your iPad 2 and Apple TV too through wireless sync. With this OS all your displays can be controlled from your iPad 2 itself and whether you change the orientation or zoom in the video continues to be wired.
PC Free
Probably the most liberating feature with the iOS 5 is that you can now activate and set up your iPad wirelessly. The iOS can be downloaded directly on your device. Again, the iPad is now free from being dependent on the PC as you can use apps for editing images, addition of new email folders all on the iPad itself.
The iCloud now doubles as your online storage device as well.
Data Sync & Cloud Backup
Wi-Fi Sync now allows all your iOS devices to be synchronized with your PC. Each time you connect the iOS for recharge, auto syncs with other devices and updating new content to the iTune becomes possible. This means that all data, content now has a backup on the Cloud and you are also well synchronized to use content from across all the devices.
Other UI Enhancements
Multitasking Gestures are now optimized for the iPad 2 and the iOS 5 allows you to add new moves and gesture, shortcuts to move around the iPad 2 faster. With four-five finger swipe, you can move from the multitasking bar, or pinch it to go back to the home screen. A swipe to the left or right will let you switch between apps.
Update to iOS 5 for greater ease of use on your iPad.
Tags: iPad
