{"id":10635,"date":"2011-10-14T21:02:10","date_gmt":"2011-10-14T13:02:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/?p=10635"},"modified":"2023-09-12T02:19:52","modified_gmt":"2023-09-11T18:19:52","slug":"more-ios5-features","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/more-ios5-features\/","title":{"rendered":"iOS 5: Unveiling 10 Lesser-Known Features"},"content":{"rendered":"

Originally Published: October 14, 2011<\/p>\n

At last, the wait is over. Unveiled by Apple\u2019s late CEO Steve Jobs<\/a> in his final keynote, iOS 5 is the most recent operating system for Apple devices like iPhones and iPads. It comes packed with a plethora of new features and enhancements. By connecting your compatible device to the latest version of iTunes<\/a>, you can now upgrade to iOS 5.<\/p>\n

But iOS 5 is more than just a run-of-the-mill update. According to its feature page, it boasts over 200 features aimed at enhancing the user interface, fixing user experience issues, and introducing innovative functionalities like the Notification Center, iMessage, Newsstand, and Reminders.<\/p>\n

So, as you eagerly await the completion of your update, let\u2019s delve into some lesser-known but equally amazing features that iOS 5 has to offer. Your Apple device is about to get a significant upgrade!<\/p>\n

1. Tailoring Your Notification Center<\/h2>\n

The Notification Center is one of iOS 5\u2019s standout features. It\u2019s a redesigned push notification system aimed at consolidating all your alerts in one place, making your device usage more seamless.<\/p>\n

\"Customizing<\/figure>\n

But there\u2019s more to it than meets the eye. By navigating to Settings > Notifications > (Application), you can personalize the Notification Center to suit your preferences. You can disable it, set the number of displayed items, choose from three alert styles, and even adjust the frequency of alerts.<\/p>\n

2. Safeguard Your Online Privacy<\/h2>\n

We all have things we\u2019d rather keep private, whether it\u2019s confidential work data or a blog you still follow. iOS 5\u2019s Private Browsing feature in Safari ensures your online activities stay your own.<\/p>\n

\"Using<\/figure>\n

To activate Private Browsing, go to Settings > Safari. Once activated, the interface color of Safari changes to dark grey, indicating that you\u2019re in Private Browsing mode.<\/p>\n

If you find it cumbersome to toggle Private Browsing on and off, iOS 5 also allows you to selectively remove website data. Simply go to Safari > Advanced > Website Data to do so.<\/p>\n

3. Enhanced Camera Features<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re an iPhone photography enthusiast<\/a>, you\u2019ll love this feature. In the past, toggling between the Camera app and Camera Roll was a bit cumbersome. Now, you can effortlessly switch to your Camera Roll directly from the Camera app. Simply slide to the right on the Camera app\u2019s interface.<\/p>\n

\"Switching<\/figure>\n

Photos in the Camera Roll are displayed one by one. You can continue to slide right to view more. To return to the Camera app, just slide left. It\u2019s a brilliantly simple solution.<\/p>\n

4. Universal Delete Button<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s a small tweak, but it adds a lot of flexibility to iOS 5. Now, a red delete button is hidden in various apps like Notes, Music, and even Settings.<\/p>\n

\"Universal<\/figure>\n

Simply swipe right on an item to reveal the delete option. This works for songs in the Music app, notes, and even application data in the Usage settings. It\u2019s a convenient way to manage your content without needing iTunes.<\/p>\n

5. The Emoji Experience<\/h2>\n

Emoji, a fun and universal language of emoticons, has been added to iOS 5. To enable it, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > International Keyboards > Add New Keyboard > Emoji.<\/p>\n

\"Enabling<\/figure>\n

With Emoji, you can express yourself using a variety of 33 emoticons. But that\u2019s not all; Emoji offers a wide range of icons grouped into six categories.<\/p>\n

\"Emoji<\/figure>\n

From sunshine and animals to tech gadgets, these icons add a fun element to your conversations on iDevices.<\/p>\n

6. Customizable Keyboard Shortcuts<\/h2>\n

Typing long, repetitive phrases is a thing of the past with iOS 5\u2019s keyboard shortcuts. For example, typing \u2018OMW\u2019 will automatically expand to \u2018On My Way\u2019. To set this up, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Add New Shortcut.<\/p>\n

\"Setting<\/figure>\n

Creating a shortcut is incredibly easy. Just enter the shortcut and the phrase it should expand to. This feature is compatible with multiple languages, making it a versatile tool for users worldwide. It\u2019s especially useful for coders who can set shortcuts for frequently used code snippets.<\/p>\n

7. Personalized Vibration Patterns<\/h2>\n

Exclusive to iPhones, the Custom Vibration feature was initially designed for individuals with disabilities. However, it\u2019s a fun and useful feature for all users. To set up your own vibration patterns for incoming calls, navigate to Settings > General > Accessibility > Custom Vibration.<\/p>\n

\"Setting<\/figure>\n

While there are default patterns like \u2018Heartbeat\u2019 and \u2018S.O.S,\u2019 you can also create your own by selecting \u2018Create New Vibration\u2019 at the bottom of the options list. You can even assign these custom vibrations to specific contacts, so you\u2019ll know who\u2019s calling just by the vibration pattern. Ingenious, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n

8. AssistiveTouch and Customized Gestures<\/h2>\n

AssistiveTouch is another feature aimed at making iOS 5 accessible to everyone, including those with physical disabilities. However, it\u2019s also a handy tool for the average user. To enable it, go to Settings > General > Accessibility > AssistiveTouch.<\/p>\n

\"Enabling<\/figure>\n

A semi-transparent button will appear on your screen, providing quick access to actions like \u2018Shake,\u2019 \u2018Pinch,\u2019 \u2018Lock Screen,\u2019 and \u2018Rotate Screen.\u2019<\/p>\n

\"Creating<\/figure>\n

To create your own gestures, navigate to Settings > General > Accessibility > AssistiveTouch > Custom Gesture. These gestures will be saved in the \u2018Favorites\u2019 section of AssistiveTouch and can serve as macro shortcuts for specific tasks.<\/p>\n

9. Manage Device Usage<\/h2>\n

Apple aims to make iDevices independent of PCs, and the \u2018Usage\u2019 option is a step in that direction. To access it, go to Settings > General > Usage.<\/p>\n

\"Managing<\/figure>\n

Here, you can view available storage space and how much each app is using. If an app is taking up too much space, you can delete it directly from this menu. Additionally, you can manage your iCloud storage without needing any external apps like iTunes.<\/p>\n

10. A Plethora of Additional Features<\/h2>\n

iOS 5 is packed with minor tweaks that significantly enhance your user experience. In this final section, let\u2019s delve into some of these smaller yet impactful features that have been long-awaited since iOS 4.<\/p>\n

One major time-saver is the ability to use your iOS device while it\u2019s syncing. Additionally, the introduction of Delta Software Updates means that only specific files are updated, eliminating the need to download the entire operating system. These updates are also available On-The-Air (OTA), allowing you to update your device via Wi-Fi or 3G.<\/p>\n

\"Purchased<\/figure>\n

Another convenience is the \u2018Purchased\u2019 section in the App Store, where you can easily track both iPad-specific and iPhone-specific apps you\u2019ve bought and installed. Other noteworthy features include the ability to create and manage albums, open iTunes and Safari links in the background, and easily switch between mailboxes in the Mail app. iOS 5 is truly feature-rich!<\/p>\n

References<\/h2>\n