Brandon's Lists: The Five Best iOS 5 Features

It's here! Apple announced the newest version of iOS today at WWDC

Today, Apple CEO Steve Jobs threw the tech world into a frenzy (again) by officially announcing three new software products: iOS 5, Mac OS X Lion, and iCloud.


Me being the Apple whore that I am, I was really interested in how they were going to upgrade my iPhone and iPad...and iPod touch (I bought one after my 3GS was stolen over Thanksgiving break last year) this time around. I have to say, after following the coverage from my iPhone, I was left in awe at what was coming next.

After perusing all of the features (that we know of at the moment), here are my top iOS 5 features:

1. Notifications Center - Without a doubt, the most requested feature in iOS history has been a better notifications system. Apple finally answered the call and delivered the Notifications Center, the central hub of all of those red circles you accumulate throughout the day. While it does take a bit from Android, it looks absolutely stunning, as only Apple could achieve. Also, the blue box is gone, replaced with an unobtrusive box coming from the top of the screen. The center is also home to weather and stock updates, almost like Dashboard widgets.

2. More useful lock screen - Once a pretty space of blankness, the iOS lock screen has just gotten upgraded. Notifications can now be dealt with just by swiping, like listening to a voicemail. No more clamoring to type in your passcode so you can respond to the text posthaste. Also, the lock screen also allows access to the camera, so you never miss one of those quality moments, like a celebrity sighting.

3. iMessage - The BBM killer has arrived! Apple has developed a way for all iOS devices to keep in constant conversation with iMessage, the iOS answer to the Blackberry answer. It has delivery receipts, it sends all kinds of information, and it works over Wi-Fi and 3G. For those sticking with Blackberry just because of BBM have finally found a reason to ditch the struggling Research in Motion.

4. Reminders - Apple is trying to kill RIM, so why not some of its own third-party developers? Apple just rendered all of those to-do apps irrelevant with Reminders, which creates to-do lists with alerts. The coolest bit? The alerts can be location-based, meaning it will go off to remind of what you are looking for in a store, when you arrive at the store. Evernote could never do that, huh?

5. PC FREE - The umbilical cord has been cut, people! No more do you have to sync your iDevice with that irritating, although iconic, white cable. Set-up and activation is done completely on the device, and ready for use. This is probably the most significant feature, since it officially makes the iPad more of a computer and less of a leisure item. With Wi-Fi iTunes syncing (your iDevice will sync to iTunes on your computer if you're on the same network), you may never to use the cable again (except to charge, unless you have a dock or something).

Are you excited for iOS 5? Are you slightly pissed that you have to wait until the fall to put on your iDevice (I know I am)? Is there a feature you love (or hate)? Leave a comment and let me know!


All images from Apple.com