Apple used the latest Worldwide Developers Conference to announce its upcoming iOS7 mobile operating system. The OS will replace iOS6 and give users access to an all-new interface, a notification centre that groups application alerts and messages, and a mobile file transfer feature that submits information across Wi-Fi networks.
Over the last four years, Apple has faced increased competition from mobile phone companies building their devices around Google’s Android platform. The latest iOS release appears to be a ‘best of the best’ type of operating system, drawing features and design ideas from Google Android and Windows 8, amongst other sources.
The Cupertino-based technology firm’s latest operating system displays icons on a single ‘flat’ surface, removing the three-dimensional look of iOS6. Despite the style used to display the icons, the operating system’s design couldn’t be more layered or dynamic when it comes to actual usage.
One of the most interesting new features in Apple’s operating system is AirDrop – a file transfer application that allows iPhone and iPad users to connect to nearby iOS devices and share files over Wi-Fi. The system is designed to eliminate the need for mobile users to transfer files as email attachments or using instant messengers.
Other developments to come out of the conference include the company’s new Mac Pro – a cylindrical desktop computer that resembles a work of modern art. Built for a corporate audience and a favourite of designers, the Mac Pro was formerly a bulky metallic tower reminiscent of the large desktop computers of yesteryear.
The cylindrical computer uses a ‘unified thermal core’ to evenly distribute heat and avoid overworking any of its processors. The design is a risky one, departing from the brushed aluminium look that Apple is known for in favour of a remarkable new look that’s reminiscent of the company’s early-2000s desktop PCs.
