Apple servers were pushed to the limit Wednesday as iPhone and iPad users scrambled to download and install the newest incarnation of mobile software, iOS 7. The update coincided with the release of Apple’s latest mobile hardware, the high-end iPhone 5S and the more affordable 5C. The software, available for iPhone models 4 and later, boasts an entirely revamped design and plenty of new features to quench any Apple fan’s thirst for innovation.
While iOS 7 immediately reveals itself as a completely new version of Apple mobile software, it still boasts some valuable and useful features not entirely evident at first glance.
1. The new software allows you to block unwanted contacts from attempting to reach you—just go into settings, click on the phone button and go to blocked. From here you can add many contacts and rest peacefully knowing you won’t be hearing from those people.
2.You can now have your apps update automatically without having to actually enter the App Store. Go into iTunes and App Store settings and scroll down to Automatic Downloads. Then click on the updates switch to avoid those annoying red numbers from popping up on your home screen.
3. Get precise timestamps on messages by swiping to the left—they’ll appear to the right of the text.
4. Close your apps running in the background by double-clicking the home button and swiping up on the app screen. You can even close more than one by using multiple fingers.
5. The updated camera app has a setting specifically designed for Instagram posting—scroll over to the square setting and pick from a myriad of filters by pressing on the three circles on the bottom-right of the screen.
How To Save Battery
If you’re worried that the new, more powerful operating system is running down that battery faster than before, here’s some tips to keep that power out of the red zone for as long as possible.
1. Turn off background app refresh in general settings for the applications you couldn’t care less about in general settings.
2. Turn off AirDrop and Bluetooth when you’re not using them—they’re located in the control center, which can be accessed by swiping up from the bottom of the screen.
3. Turn off notifications for the apps you don’t need instant updates for in Notification Settings.
Jordan Walsh can be reached at jordan.walsh@theminaretonline.com