Apple today released iOS 7 to the general public! iOS 7 brings a shiny new look and over 200 new features to the iPhone, iPad (Mini), and iPod Touch. Here are a few my favorites:

1. 

   Control Center in iOS 7

   Control Center – This is an entirely new way to access some of the most used toggles and settings on the iPhone, iPad (Mini), and iPod Touch. Control Center has toggles for Airplane Mode, Bluetooth, WiFi, Do Not Disturb, and Rotation Lock. In addition, you gain quick access to the Camera App, Calculator App, Timer, and Flashlight. One of the best parts about control center is that you can access it from the Lockscreen.

2. Multitasking with App Preview – iOS 7 includes a brand new way to do multi-tasking. When you double tap your home button, you are presented with the most recently used apps. Unlike previously where you just saw the app icons, now you get mini snapshots of the apps most recently displayed state. You can swipe left and right on the app previews to slowly scroll through the open apps. Or, you can swipe left and right on the app icons at the bottom for quick scrolling. To close open apps, simply swipe up on the app preview.
3. Notification Center – Notification Center has been completely redesigned as well. There are 3 tabs in Notification Center – Today, All, and Missed. You can access each of these by tapping on the tab at the top of the Notification Center screen (accessed by pulling down from the top of the screen) or swiping left and right. The Today tab includes the date, any birthdays for that day, the current and projected weather conditions, and your next calendar appointment. Scrolling down in the Today tab will reveal a day view of your calendar, current reminders (which you can mark as completed right in Notification Center), Stocks, and a quick overview of Tomorrow.
4. Automatic App Updates – If you have considered it a pain to keep updated on all your apps, you are going to love this feature. When Automatic App Updates is on, your iOS Device will automatically update all of your apps in the background for you. You can always see what apps have been updated by opening the App Store app and tapping on “Updates” in the bottom right corner.
   

   Apps can now update automatically in iOS 7

5. Spotlight Search – The search feature is now available on every home screen of your iOS Device. In iOS 6 and previous versions, you would swipe right on the first Home Screen to access the search feature. Now, whenever you are on any Home Screen, you can simply drag down and the search feature will appear. You can use this to search for and launch apps or look for any other content on your device.
6. Siri – Siri received a huge upgrade in iOS 7 and a new look and new voice too! Siri is now even more intelligent than before. You can use Siri to toggle settings, look up restaurant reviews, play voicemail (even from specific people), search tweets, and much more. In the US, you can choose between a female or male voice. Siri will also learn how to pronounce difficult names.
   

   Siri has a new look and is smarter in iOS 7

7. iTunes Radio – Now there is a built in pandora-like radio feature in the Music app. Simply type in a genre or a favorite song and iTunes Radio will compile a whole station to your preference.
8. Camera App – The Camera App has been completely redesigned and now includes built in filters.
9. Block Phone Numbers – iOS 7 now allows you to block specific phone numbers or even contacts. To block a number open the Settings App and navigate to Phone –> Blocked and then Add New.
10. Ringtones and Sounds – If you were getting tired of some of the built in ringtones and sounds in iOS 6, you are in luck. iOS 7 is packed full of new sounds and ringtones that will make you think you got a new phone.

These are just 10 of the over 200 features packed in to iOS 7. One of the most exciting aspects of iOS 7 will be to see how third party apps take advantage of the new APIs and begin to redesign their apps with a more modern and flat appearance. We’ll keep you posted on tips and tricks that we discover as we continue to explore iOS 7.