Apple Unveils iOS 5

OTA updates, notification management, and more added.

Today at WWDC 2011, Apple introduced iOS 5, the latest version of their mobile operating system, iOS, which powers the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.

iOS 5 will feature a variety of new features, including long-awaited additions like over-the-air updates, which allow you to update your iOS device without connection to your PC, and a new notifications manager called Notifications Center.



Notifications Center allows users to organize all new app notifications in one consolidated panel, which can be accessed by simply swiping your finger downward from the top of the screen.

Additionally, Apple brought Twitter integration to a variety of core iOS apps, allowing users to seamlessly tweet photos from the camera app or tweet links via the Safari browser.

The iOS keyboard has also been revamped to include a new split keyboard design, allowing users to draft quick text when holding a device in the portrait position. Photo taking has been improved by allowing users to launch the camera app right from the lock screen, and new tweaks to the app will allow users to edit photos on the fly, such as cropping, rotating, and red-eye reduction.

In terms of communication, iOS 5 will bring a new messaging service called iMessage, which allows users to contact other iOS users directly, similar to RIM's BlackBerry Messenger. iMessage will include the ability to send media and contacts to other users, as well as engage in group conversations.

By enabling over-the-air updating, iOS users looking to upgrade will be able to download and install iOS 5 without connecting their iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to their PC or Mac.

iOS 5 will be available for iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPad and iPad 2, and third and fourth generation iPod touch this fall.