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iOS 7 Release Date and What to Expect from iOS 7

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iOS 7 is the newest version of Apple’s mobile operating system. The iOS 7 update will bring a completely new experience to users of the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch with a new look, new features and new Siri options.

Apple announced iOS 7 this summer and for the past several months members of the Gotta Be Mobile team used the software on their iPhones and iPads. Apple confirmed a fall iOS 7 release date when they announced the new software and now that the fall iPhone event is confirmed we can start talking about a specific iOS 7 release date.

Update: iOS 7 Release Date for iPhone & iPad Confirmed

Update 2: iPhone 5S Release Date Confirmed

iOS 7 delivers a new look that replaces the real world imagery in many of the stock apps and delivers a new look across the whole user experience with more gestures, new icons and much more. Apple also enhances Do Not Disturb, changes the lock screen and Notification Center and adds a new Control Center with fast access to common settings and controls from anywhere on the iPhone or iPad.

Read: iPhone 5C & iPhone 5S Release Date Confirmed for Sept 20 in U.S.

Users who aren’t planning to buy the iPhone 5S on release day should plan to install iOS 7 for a completely new experience that will give new life to the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPhone 5. The iPhone 3GS is not compatible with iOS 7 and older models won’t get every feature, but it is still an exciting upgrade for iPhone and iPad owners.

After spending months using iOS 7 on the iPhone 5 and iPad we are excited to see all of the new iOS 7 features come to the general public.

iOS 7 Release Date

While there is no confirmed iOS 7 release date, the invitation for Apple’s iPhone 5S event on September 10th is all we need to make an educated guess about when you will be able to download the IOS 7 update.

ioS 7 release dateThe iPhone 5S event is September 10th, and from that it looks like iPhone 5S pre-orders will start on September 13th with an iPhone 5S release date on September 20th. This reflects Apple’s normal timeline and various leaks about Apple’s plans.

With all of this in mind the iOS 7 release date is most likely scheduled for September 18th, two days before the iPhone 5S release date. Apple used the same timing since the iPhone 3GS and iOS 3.

  • iOS 3 release two days before the iPhone 3GS
  • iOS 4 release three days before the iPhone 4
  • iOS 5 release two days before the iPhone 4S
  • iOS 6 release two days before the iPhone 5

It is all but confirmed that Apple is planning an iOS 7 release date for September 18th or September 17th. It would be a major shock to see it arrive on the iPhone event day, and it would not make sense for an iOS 7 release after the iPhone 5S release date.

The iOS 7 iPad update could see a small delay until Apple announces the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2, according to some reports.

Users on iOS 6 should be able to update to iOS 7 without any issues thanks to Apple’s over the air updates which lets users update without plugging in to a computer. Users will likely see an update notification at 10 AM Pacific 1 PM Eastern on the release day.

23 Exciting iOS 7 Features

Apple didn’t announce an official number of new iOS 7 features on stage at WWDC 2013, but we did find at least 50 iOS 7 features you’ll actually use. In addition to a completely new look and small changes to almost every part of the iPhone experience there are 10 to 12 new iOS 7 features that will make a big difference to your daily use.

This iOS 7 video highlights the new features in iOS 7 that users will find most beneficial this fall. Below we go into the new iOS 7 features in more detail.

New Look

Apple completely changed the look of iOS 7, so users may be surprised when they turn the phone back on after the iOS 7 update installs. From a new lock screen, new icons and new looks for almost all of the included Apple apps there is a lot of new features and small changes.

The overall look of iOS 7 is completely new. This will be a surprise to some users, and could cause some confusion.

The overall look of iOS 7 is completely new. This will be a surprise to some users, and could cause some confusion.

AT&T is training reps to help customers deal with any confusion from iOS 7 changes and Apple is reportedly limiting vacation time for AppleCare staff in order to deliver speedy responses to users who call or chat with questions about where something is in iOS 7.

Users may notice that the iOS 7 design looks a bit simpler thanks to textures being replaced by single colors and button borders fading into nothing ness. In iOS 7, users will often just see text where they need to tap, not an outline of a button. There are many other small changes in Apple’s apps. Notes for instance no longer features a yellow legal pad look and Reminders is cleaner looking as well. Game Center kicked the felt covered table to the corner in favor of bright colors and cleaner designs.

In iOS 7 Apple's apps come with a new look.

In iOS 7 Apple’s apps come with a new look.

In short, be prepared for a new look that could be a bit confusing or the first day or so, but many users will settle in to the iOS 7 update’s new looks easily with a little exploration and the Gotta Be Mobile team will also help with a guide for iOS 7.

Notification Center

The Notification Center is not new in iOS 7, but Apple improved the design with a new look and three tabs to separate the information you need to know right now, all notifications and missed notifications.

The iOS 7 Notification Center features three tabs.

The iOS 7 Notification Center features three tabs.

The Today tab shows the current date and weather and also the time to a location that makers sense, such as work in the morning, your favorite coffeeshop at three in the afternoon and home in the evening. iOS 7 automatically determines the locations. It’s not as smart as Google Now on Android, but a nice touch. This tab also shows reminders, calendar info and stocks.

Spotlight

Spotlight search is the easiest way to search the entire iPhone, and on iOS 7 it is completely redesigned. Instead of pressing the home button twice or swiping to the left most screen like on iOS 6 and earlier, users will need to swipe down.

Spotlight is new on iOS 7, accessed with a pull down from any app screen.

Spotlight is new on iOS 7, accessed with a pull down from any app screen.

Users can swipe down from any home screen by pulling down from anywhere on the app icon area to access spotlight. It is a small change that will save users a lot of time over the long run.

New Siri Options & Features

Siri is updated for iOS 7 with new voice options and more realistic sounding voices. Users can now pick between a male and female voice option without switching languages.

iOS 7 brings new Siri features and enhancements.

iOS 7 brings new Siri features and enhancements.

Siri can also show more on the Siri screen than in iOS 6, making the service more useful. Sadly there is still no way to buy a custom Siri voice, like Mr. T or other novelty voices.

Folder Improvements

iOS 7 makes folders more appealing by removing the small limit from iOS 6 so users can put over a hundred apps in a single folder.

In iOS 7 users can put more than a hundred apps in a folder with pages of apps.

In iOS 7 users can put more than a hundred apps in a folder with pages of apps.

This is possible thanks to pages of apps within a folder. Users can now organize almost all of their games or favorites into a single folder with pages of organized apps inside. Users cannot name pages or put folders within folders, but it is still a welcome upgrade.

iOS 7 iPhone & iPad Controllers

The iPhone and iPad gaming scene could get a big boost in iOS 7 thanks to controller support. There are already a number of iPhone and iPad controllers, but they only work with specific games.

Possible look for an iOS 7 controller for the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S.

Possible look for an iOS 7 controller for the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S.

With iOS 7 Apple is making controller support official so games can tie into one set of controls that makes it easier for developers to make games that work with controllers and for manufacturers to make controllers for the iPhone and iPad.

Live Wallpapers & Panoramas

Users can now customize the look of the iPhone and iPad with live wallpapers, which Apple calls dynamic wallpapers. These wallpapers move as users turn and move the iPhone. At this point there are several included with the iOS 7 update, but we could see Apple let developers sell more like Android does.

Pick a live wallpaper or a panoramic wallpaper on iOS 7.

Pick a live wallpaper or a panoramic wallpaper on iOS 7.

Users can also use a panorama as a wallpaper or lock screen wallpaper on iOS 7. When moving the iPhone or iPad, the panorama will move in the background.

New Camera App With Filters

Apple isn’t adding as many options as Samsung includes on the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3, but they are refreshing the iOS 7 camera app.

Here is the new iOS 7 camera app with live filters and a new square option.

Here is the new iOS 7 camera app with live filters and a new square option.

Users will see a new layout which lets user swipe between video, photo and a new square photo mode. The app also includes live filters that let users add Instagram like looks to their photos.

iCloud Keychain

The iPhone, iPad and Mac can now remember all of your passwords and credit card information with iCloud Keychain.

iCloud Keychain in iOS 7 syncs your passwords and credit card info between devices.

iCloud Keychain in iOS 7 syncs your passwords and credit card info between devices.

This new service will sync your passwords between the iOS 7 devices and OS X Mavericks which should arrive by late October.

iTunes Radio

Apple now offers a free Pandora and Spotify competitor that allows users to listen to radio stations customized from artists, genre and album.

iTunes Radio is a huge new iOS 7 feature that should appeal to music lovers.

iTunes Radio is a huge new iOS 7 feature that should appeal to music lovers.

iTunes Radio is a free service that will play ads, but users with iTunes Match will hear no ads. The service allows users to control iTunes Radio with Siri, including creating new stations by voice or calling up a previous station with Siri, something Spotify and Pandora can’t offer.

Background Refresh

If you hate opening up Facebook or Twitter and seeing old content, iOS 7 could deliver a much improved experience. iOS 7 brings background refresh, a smarter way for apps to update without draining your battery.

Apps can refresh in the background with iOS 7, so you won't need to wait for updates after opening an app.

Apps can refresh in the background with iOS 7, so you won’t need to wait for updates after opening an app.

Once app developers add support for background refresh, users will start to see apps that are up to date when they open them and apps that update when users need them to, in the background, without draining battery life.

New Photos App and Videos on Photo Stream

The iOS 7 Photos app is completely new with a new collections view that shows photos by date and location in a easy to navigate view that will let users find photos from vacation or from a kid’s first game in seconds.

The iOS 7 Photos app is completely new.

The iOS 7 Photos app is completely new.

The new iOS 7 Photos app also lets users share a moment on Photo Stream without selecting each photo individually. And, in iOS 7 users can share videos on Photo Stream.

Connect to Flickr & Vimeo

Users that want to share photos and videos quickly, but aren’t fans of YouTube and Facebook can now link up to Flickr and Vimeo.

Connect the iPhone and iPad to Flickr or Vimeo in iOS 7.

Connect the iPhone and iPad to Flickr or Vimeo in iOS 7.

Users will link to these accounts just like Twitter and Facebook, and the option will then show up in the share menu in iOS 7.

New iOS 7 Safari Features

Apple updates Safari for iOS 7 with a new look that makes the built-in browser easier to use and could sway a few Chrome users back to Apple’s camp.

Safari is new in iOS 7 with a new look and better tab support.

Safari is new in iOS 7 with a new look and better tab support.

Safari now features a single tab to enter a URL and a revamped bottom bar that quickly hides to deliver more room on screen. There is also a new tab layout that lets users scroll through a rolodex like layout of tabs and users are no longer limited to just eight tabs.

Automatic App Updates

With iOS 7 you won’t see a growing badge icon for app updates shaming you into updating apps by the dozens. Instead users can turn on auto app updates and Apple will push new versions automatically.

Apps will automatically update on iOS 7.

Apps will automatically update on iOS 7.

Users can turn this off and limit to WiFi, but for most apps this is a great idea as it will bring new features faster without the need for a user to tap on update all.

New Do Not Disturb Option

Apple introduced Do Not Disturb in iOS 6 as a great way avoid being woken up or bothered by alerts and notifications. While Do Not Disturb is nice, it is not perfect in iOS 6.

Do Not Disturb gains a new option in iOS 7.

Do Not Disturb gains a new option in iOS 7.

Users can now pick to hear alerts when the phone is unlocked. Users can now choose to keep the iPhone silent at all times, or just when the phone is locked.

New Lock Screen

The iOS 7 lock screen is also new with the ability to open the Control Center, Notification Center and access to the camera just as on previous versions of iOS.

The lock screen is new in iOS 7.

The lock screen is new in iOS 7.

Users can also swipe on any spot of the screen to unlock, instead of looking for a small bar at the bottom of the screen.

Air Drop Sharing

Apple now lets users share photos and more with nearby users with Air Drop. Air Drop is similar to the NFC equipped S Beam sharing used on Samsung devices, but relies on Bluetooth.

Share files wirelessly with iOS 7's Air Drop features.

Share files wirelessly with iOS 7’s Air Drop features.

Air Drop will only work on the iPhone 5, iPad 4, iPad mini and iPod touch 5th generation, so some options are limited.

Security Options

The new security features in iOS 7 will help users keep their phone safe and could help dissuade thieves from stealing an iPhone or iPad.

iTunes will not reset an iPhone on iOS 7 if Find My iPhone is still active.

iTunes will not reset an iPhone on iOS 7 if Find My iPhone is still active.

When Find My iPhone is on, the iPhone cannot be reset to factory settings without an Apple ID and password, which is separate of the PIN that some users have in place to secure the iPhone.

Individual App Data Usage

Users can now see which apps are using the most data on cellular networks to help keep app data usage in check.

See individual app data usage in iOS 7.

See individual app data usage in iOS 7.

With iOS 7, users can now see the data used and turn off data on a per app basis which is something users have been asking for from Apple for a long time.

New iOS 7 Multitasking

Multitasking in iOS 7 is revamped to deliver better access to apps and a more visual experience. Instead of app icons at the bottom of the screen, users now see cards that are big enough to show what an app is and what the user was last doing in it.

Multitasking works in landscape on iOS 7.

Multitasking works in landscape on iOS 7.

The new iOS 7 multitasking experience works in landscape as well, something iOS 6 multitasking lacks.

Control Center

Control Center is one of the biggest new iOS 7 features, similar to Notification Center from iOS 6. This new pull up menu is accessible within any app or screen on the iPhone or iPad, offering fast access to commonly used features and settings.

Control Center is a flagship new iOS 7 feature.

Control Center is a flagship new iOS 7 feature.

Turn Airplane mode, WiFi, Bluetooth, Do Not Disturb and Orientation lock on and off on this menu as well as control brightness and music. Users can also toggle Air Drop and Air Play. The bottom row of icons let users launch a flashlight, clock, calculator and the camera.

Block Calls and Texts

Users have longed for a way of blocking unwanted calls and messages on the iPhone without installing third party apps or using limited carrier blocking tools.

iOS 7 lets users block calls, texts and FaceTime calls.

iOS 7 lets users block calls, texts and FaceTime calls.

Users can block contacts right from iOS 7 which includes calls, texts and FaceTime calls.

Which iPhones, iPads and iPods will run iOS 7?

Apple is offering the iOS 7 update for many iPad models, but is stingier with the iPhone and iPod touch, and many of the older devices will not gain all of the iOS 7 features, which could prompt some users to upgrade. The following Apple devices will get the free iOS 7 upgrade later this month.

  • iPhone 5
  • iPhone 4S
  • iPhone 4
  • iPad 2
  • iPad 3
  • iPad 4
  • iPad mini
  • iPod Touch 5th generation

Here is a short video showing iOS 7 on the iPhone 4 on an iOS 7 beta.

46 Comments

46 Comments

  1. peter

    09/09/2013 at 11:47 am

    No easy bluetooth switch?

    • likwyd

      09/09/2013 at 12:16 pm

      Yes, in the control center when you slide up from the bottom of the screen.

  2. Kamal

    09/09/2013 at 2:45 pm

    Nothing new,we already have experienced these features on cydia..

    • Austin

      09/09/2013 at 3:34 pm

      Ya but cydis makes phone slow and voids warranty. This however does not

      • Abba almustapha

        09/09/2013 at 3:50 pm

        There are 5 apps that, if can get them without jailbreak I’m not gonna jailbreak my phone ’cause the Cydia makes my phone slow too

    • PeaceLoveOkie85

      09/17/2013 at 3:47 pm

      Yeah well not everyone wants to jailbreak their phones.

  3. Zara Seehra

    09/09/2013 at 3:32 pm

    Best article so far on ios7

  4. Abba almustapha

    09/09/2013 at 3:38 pm

    I intend not jailbreak my phone on iOS 7, but now I must ’cause some features were omitted on iPhone 4.

    But thank you for providing us briefings

    • Jony Ive

      09/09/2013 at 4:28 pm

      Good luck. It’ll take years for greenp0ison, jailbreak.me, redsn0w, ect to create a jailbreak for iOS 7. This operating system will be way too advanced for most jailbreakers. Now I’m not saying it won’t be possible, but it’ll be awhile before someone cracks it. I am an OS development manager, so I’ve been working with iOS 7 since December of 2012.

      • GrandMasterBash

        09/10/2013 at 12:17 am

        Lol, that means it’ll be done in a week :-)

      • Jason Harding

        09/10/2013 at 6:33 am

        one of the most ridiculous statements I’ve ever read…they’re already getting close to a jailbreak for iOS 7 (its been pushed to developers for months now)…I’d be willing to bet it would be less than 2 months before a jailbreak is out there. LOL…”way too advanced for most jailbreakers”…hahahaha.

      • Derek

        09/11/2013 at 12:30 am

        Dreadful use of English for an OS development manager.

      • Jared

        09/17/2013 at 12:06 pm

        Stupid! It’s etc. not ect!
        It is Latin for et cetera! (Means “and other things”). OS Development Manager my ass!

      • Adam

        09/17/2013 at 2:09 pm

        What time does it come out in victria

  5. Eddie Keyton

    09/09/2013 at 3:57 pm

  6. Abba almustapha

    09/09/2013 at 4:03 pm

    I will buy 5c if only case differs from 5s

  7. pat

    09/09/2013 at 6:41 pm

    wow impressive……ios7 now offers almost the same options as my 2 year old Galaxy Nexus phone came with.

    None of this is new, my Nexus does all of this the same or better, the only thing I can see that ios7 does better is Siri.

    • Lu

      09/10/2013 at 12:25 am

      Nobody cares.

      • Susan Wright

        09/10/2013 at 4:44 am

        LOL for real !

  8. Dragos

    09/10/2013 at 2:04 am

    when it will be relased?

  9. damie

    09/10/2013 at 2:18 am

    Do you want to have iOS 7 right now? Just visit this website and enjoy your new soft!
    appleios7download.blogspot.com

  10. Brad

    09/10/2013 at 2:36 am

    nice hands :)

  11. John

    09/10/2013 at 2:36 am

    So will ios 7 be available on 10th of september on ipod touch 4g ??

  12. Batman

    09/10/2013 at 2:39 am

    Now Apple stole some of the standard features from Samsungs Phone. Apple you suk danke balls!

    • Robin

      09/10/2013 at 2:42 am

      Its spelled: Suck donkey balls
      And Phone.
      Your getting old Batman.
      Love from Robin <3

      • The Joker

        09/10/2013 at 6:34 am

        You’re*

    • batmans dark knight

      09/10/2013 at 6:05 am

      you dummy apple is the best was the best and will be the best tell me one thing we can also say ios 7 features is from jailbreak tweak by the way when u see the i phone 5s fingerprint tech you wil for get your stupid nexus we can get all your features from jailbreak dummy

      • batmans dark knight

        09/10/2013 at 6:09 am

        and samsung dosent create their own software but apple does samsung suks they dont know how to make their own software and if apple shakes hands with microsoft one your samsung will completely die if steve jobbs was here he would make the best iphone

      • Derek

        09/11/2013 at 12:40 am

        One feature I read in all the posts on this US-based-language site is the complete disregard of the use of English. If contributors want to sound-off effectively just pause while writing and ask: would what I have written make my high school English teacher proud of me. If you cannot answer honestly do not contribute.

  13. Meena

    09/10/2013 at 3:26 am

    iOS 7 Latest Images Updated. Its really superb…
    https://www.timesofbook.com/2013/09/apple-ios-7-image-gallery.html

  14. irfan

    09/10/2013 at 4:15 am

    good articale & Nice updates in io7 specialy calls and sms blocking

  15. jo

    09/10/2013 at 5:01 am

    did not get it

  16. amir khan

    09/10/2013 at 5:22 am

    When is the iOS 7 going to release actually?

    • batmans dark knight

      09/10/2013 at 6:11 am

      i wish to day for us it would be in 7 or 8 o clock pls apple i have been waiting for two months

  17. hats for sail

    09/10/2013 at 6:33 am

    lol you waited 2 months i waited like 6

  18. Chris Bloubum

    09/10/2013 at 7:53 am

    How many year where smart phones out and not put to real use till apple made them usable. Stop blabbing about Samsung or droid or anything. These guys just took the hard work that apple developed and attached a few things on it. It takes allot more work to build a building then it does to go in upgrade the doors to that building. For years I was using Microsoft smartphones and blackberries and only using minimal of its functions since it was so inaccessible. How easy is it when apple spent so much time and energy to develop something totally new and then take a rest and these other companies do not develop rather copy it and then maybe refine it a little more. That is so easy and nothing. If it wasn’t for apple everybody would still be using dumb phones. So learn some history and shut up.

    • Face Hole

      09/10/2013 at 9:08 am

      This hurts my face to read. L2English.

    • Rick Hern

      09/17/2013 at 11:01 am

      Steve Jobs is famous for quoting Picasso when he said “Good artists copy, but great artists steal”. Apple was no saint, especially in the early days, when it came to “copying other products” and making them better. They took the graphic user-interface from Xerox and made it what it is today. And thank god they did because it changed the way we interact with computers. But don’t go around touting apple as the ultimate innovator or as making things that are “totally new”. Even though they may be better at creating an enjoyable user experience and changing things up, they steal just like the rest of them.

      • Chris Bloubum

        09/23/2013 at 7:31 am

        I was referring to IOS devices in this case. In the case of the Ipad I think apple got lazy and made a bigger yet less functional device.

    • Zim

      09/17/2013 at 11:40 pm

      You have my respect sir. That all I want to tell everyone out there who try in vain of comparing Apple with others. Such a lame.

  19. ratherannoyed..

    09/10/2013 at 8:42 am

    well since my ipod touch 4th generation wont support the newest update.. I guess ill just have to jailbreak. well done apple. forcing me to do what you dont want people to do.

  20. gg

    09/10/2013 at 9:12 am

    They want you to (jail) break it so you buy a new one!

  21. james vasanth

    09/10/2013 at 9:56 pm

  22. Micah T

    09/11/2013 at 9:20 am

    Just to set this straight, panoramic wallpapers were pulled from ios 7 on beta 6.

  23. Swag

    09/11/2013 at 9:09 pm

    No it wasn’t dumbass.

  24. iOS 7 download links

    10/08/2013 at 2:22 am

    Yeah, it would be great if we know earlier about the exact launch date of iOS 7 download.

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