After months of drooling over flat icons and clean lines, I've finally gotten my hands on iOS 7. Let's take a look at ten fresh features of the revamped operating system, from essential changes to the just plain neat. For instance, the new default wallpaper is an illusion. Ooooo.
1. The New Default Wallpaper Is An Illusion
Did I mention the new default wallpaper is an illusion? Are the apps moving, or the stars? I played it for ten minutes. I need a hobby.
2. Game Center Has Less Felt, More Feeling
Seriously, what was with the green felt?
3. Apps Open From Icons, And Return From Whence They Came
We'll stop noticing within a week of the iOS launching, but for now it's the best thing ever.
4. Folders Are Their Own Little World
At any given time (when I haven't recently reset my iPad to load a new OS), I have at least 50 apps loaded on my iPad. Putting them into folders was an ugly task. Now it's pretty. I still won't remember to put them into folders, but if I did, wow.
5. No More App Loading Bars
Bars are so late 2000s. They're out. Circles are the new bars.
Circles, ladies and gentlemen.
6. iPhone Photo Hoarders Have It So Much Easier Now
Not just an excuse to have a photo of my child on the internet — I need no excuse for that. This new functionality makes me want to load every photo on my PC onto my iPad, just to see them organized.
7. Multitasking Is Much More Android
Considering the number of games I play on my iPad on a weekly basis, the ability to easily close programs is pretty important. iOS 7 makes it kind of fun. Sorta.
8. The Soothing Sounds Of iTunes Radio
I am old. Keeping up with music is a chore. So is downloading any of the dozen apps that already do what iTunes radio does. Get off my lawn.
9. Death To The Search Your iDevice Screen
You're four pages into your iPhone or iPad and suddenly you have to get to the Settings menu. You rapidly swipe and end up on the damn search screen. Screw that. The search screen is dead.
10. Controller Support
You can't see it yet, but it's in there. It will be like a beautiful swan or something. Here's a picture of a swan.
These ten things are just the tip of the iOSberg. Find out for yourself when iOS 7 launches on September 18, or just cheat like I did.