Apple Announces iOS 5; iCloud - Huge New Features
Rather than just go down the feature list, we're going to post some thoughts on the new features and point you to places you can see full details on the new stuff.
First, we just posted about what is one of the largest features mentioned, that got very little attention. Apple is now firmly in the game console business by allowing iOS 5 games to be displayed, wirelessly from your device to your TV via the Apple TV. It will be huge.
iOS 5 New Features Look Familar...
The biggest new features shown of iOS 5 all looked more than a little familiar. There were many features in the new Camera app that looked like they could have been borrowed from Camera+. There's a new todo application called Reminders that could be any number of todo apps in the store. The updates to the Message app, now called iMessage, match the features of the Blackberry Messenger app (BBM), that we're shocked. Even the method for pulling down the notifications list comes straight from Android.
Now to be fair, these other platforms have "borrowed" from iOS as well. So all's fair I guess. And I'm still looking forward to the new features, they look fantastic. And will be nice to have some of the baked into the OS.
200 New Features in iOS 5
Some of the new features that stick out in my head most include photo editing features, Twitter integration (single sign on built into the OS), greatly improved notifications / widgets available anywhere, great new mail features, PC-free setup, and apparently 200 more.
For a full list of new features, check out the official list at Apple. It's got a good roundup and includes a lot of screens and details not mentioned in the keynote.
iOS 5 should be available for all devices in beta, for developers today. It will ship to consumers in the fall.
Video!
Apple has posted a slickly produced video highlighting some of the new features of iOS 5. Or, you can watch the recorded version of the keynote right on the Apple site.
Oh yeah, and there's iCloud. This turned out to be a much greater solution than we were originally expecting to see. Full wireless syncing of your app data, calendar, contacts, email, todos. Even music, photos, and we assume videos (which weren't mentioned) as well. And even bigger, apps! Download a new app on your iPad and, if you turn the feature on, it will also be downloaded to your iPhone.
Besides data syncing for built-in iOS apps, what this means is that, once fully developed and supported by developers, you'll be able to sync data between devices for apps as well. Finish a level on Angry Birds on your iPhone at lunch, that level status will be synced to Angry Birds on your iPad when you get home.
There's a lot more to this than we can cover in this wrap up. Apple has posted a few more details on iCloud on their site.
iCloud will be free for up to 5 GB of data. We assume there will be a way to pay for more storage, but this wasn't announced.
iTunes in the Cloud
The iCloud music features, labeled iTunes in the Cloud, let you sync you iTunes purchases on up to 10 devices. Apple also made available a paid service, iTunes Match, for $24.99 per year. This service will match songs you have ripped from other sources like CDs, Amazon.com, etc. and enjoy them in iTunes and it's 18 million downloadable tracks. All upgraded to 256k AAC. Very nice, and a great deal for $24.99 per year.
Summary
There was a ton announced today. An amazing number of new features for iOS, Lion, and iCloud. So many that they are still digesting. I can't wait to get my hands on these features.