iOS 5 vs iOS 5.1 | Performance and Features Reviewed | New Features and Improvements Compared
The mobile operating system by Apple Inc was called iOS 5 when released for the 5th iteration. The second update to the platform is 5.1. The first update was 5.0.1. Following is an analysis of the differences between the two versions of iOS.
iOS 5
The mobile operating system by Apple Inc, (known for its amazing finish) has been released for the 5th iteration. Released in October 2011, iOS 5 meant for all versions of iPad, 3rd and 4th generations of the iPod touch and iPhone 4S, 4 and 3S.
Though many expected significant UI changes to iOS 5, it remains more or less similar to the previous version in terms of the overall look and feel.
However, the notifications have been improved, and an all new “Notifications Centre” has been introduced. Users can either ignore or respond to notifications. Users can browse through the list of notifications by up and down swiping. If the user decides to interact, he will be taken to the relevant application. This implementation of ‘Notifications’ has a big resemblance to how ‘Notifications are implemented in Android. A useful widget included in the Notifications section is the weather widget, which is location aware and will update the user on current weather update. The new notifications appear in a non obtrusive manner. These notifications will appear briefly at the top of the screen. The lock screen will also display notifications and users can act on them by simply unlocking the screen.
The iMessage available in iOS 5 enables users to reduce messaging costs. It allows users to send text messages between iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices via Wi-Fi and 3G. Since iMessage is built into messaging it allows users to send text, images, video, as well as locations. Group messaging is also enabled with iMessage and users can relax about security of the content that they share since these messages are encrypted. If the intended recipient supports iMessage, the contact will be coloured in blue; if not, the contact will be coloured in green. This enables users to know if the phone is using data package or their phone connection to send the message.
Siri ; the voice assistant made available in iOS 5 along with iPhone 4S is the biggest innovative feature of the platform. ‘Siri’ is an interactive assistant capable of doing many tasks for the phone user. The uniqueness of ‘Siri’ is the ability to behave based on context and appears less robotic than other assistants in the market. The downside of this amazing feature on iOS 5 is that it’s only supported by iPhone 4S. Read more on Siri at our review here.
iCloud is another innovative feature of the iOS 5. iCloud is a cloud based service which enables users to sync content between many Apple devices without effort. Contents are synchronised between many devices almost instantaneously. In combination with iCloud, iOS 5 enables users to install updates and software without the help of the desk top. iOS 5 devices can now sync over Wi-Fi if iTunes is open in the desktop.
The camera application also has received few upgrades with iOS 5 release. The camera app can be opened from the lock screen. The application provides many features such as grid lines, pinch-to-zoom, and tap focus to compose a quality snap shot. Photos can be taken by pressing the volume up button (Hardware Button) in the device. Improved enhancements to photo s are also available with iOS 5.Users can edit, crop, auto enhance and remove red eye of the photos taken, as iCloud will send a copy of the photo to iPad as soon as the photo is taken.
The browsing experience on iOS 5 is another area improved by this iteration of iOS. Tabbed browsing is available for iPad users for the first time. Users can open a total of 9 tabs at one time. Reading list is another feature available with iOS 5 which enable users to keep track of what they are reading.
In addition to the main feature upgrades mentioned above, iOS 5 has introduced a new multi tasking gestures to the platform. ‘Air play’ mirroring, reminders App, Newsstand and Twitter integration are other areas of improvement on iOS 5. iOS 5 appears more polished and refined with a new bundle of enhancements. This version of the OS seems stable in many previous versions of Apple hardware it is intended for, as well.
iOS 5.1
This second update to iOS 5 was released on March 2012. This update is compatible with a range of Apple hardware including iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad 2, iPad, iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (3rd generation).
This enhancement includes bug fixes and many improvements to features.
Japanese language support has been introduced to Siri. With this new update, Siri is now supporting 4 different languages including English, French and German. However, in English Siri supports Australian, British and American dialects.
Photos uploaded to photo stream can now be deleted. In the previous version (iOS 5), when a photo was added to “Photo Stream” it could not be deleted. The current upgrade to iOS allows deleting images that was added.
A useful feature added to iOS 5 was the short cut available in lock screen to take photos. This allowed users to take instant photographs without needing to unlock the phone. A problem that existed with iOS 5 was that the short cut was not always visible on the lock screen. With iOS 5.1, that issue has been resolved, and the camera shortcut is now always visible. According to Apple the enhancement is consistent on iPhone 4S, iPhone 3Gs and iPod Touch (4th Generation).
Another enhancement on iOS 5.1 is the camera application. It now can highlight all detected faces. While the accuracy of face detection is questionable, there is no doubt that the enhancement to camera application is useful. The camera application is redesigned for iPad, as well.
Few enhancements are focused on improving the multimedia experience on iOS 5.1. Genius Playlists and Genius suggestions have revisited iOS. This enhancement is significant to users who have subscribed to iTunes Match. Improved audio and video is available for iPad users. Apple has decided to make the enhancement where most necessary, as TV shows and video are mostly watched on iPad screen. The iPad gets another useful enhancement on Podcasts. New controls are available for changing Podcast speeds on iPad. A 30 second rewind speed is also available for Podcasts on iPad.
For those who have iPhone 4S on AT & T, a network indicator is available. A 4G icon will appear when connecting to HSDPA network.
As for the bug fixes, issues affecting the battery performance have been fixed. As a result, users can expect their phones performing better in terms of battery life after the upgrade. On iOS 5, an issue was identified on outgoing calls. The audio occasionally dropped. This also has been fixed with the latest release of iOS 5.1.
What is the difference between iO5S and iOS 5.1?
Siri ; the voice assistant made available in iOS 5 long with iPhone 4S is the biggest innovative feature of iOS 5. ‘Siri’ is an interactive assistant capable of doing many tasks for the phone user. With the new enhancement to iOS 5.1, Siri is available in Japanese, as well. The Japanese support was not available in iOS 5.In previous version (iOS 5), when a photo was added to “Photo Stream” it could not be deleted. The current upgrade to iOS allows deleting images that was added. The camera application also received useful upgrades with iOS 5 release. The camera app could be opened from the lock screen. A problem that existed with iOS 5 was that the short cut was not always visible on the lock screen. With iOS 5.1, that issue has been resolved, and the camera shortcut is now always visible. According to Apple the enhancement is consistent on iPhone 4S, iPhone 3Gs and iPod Touch (4th Generation). Photo application on iOS 5 did not have highlighting detected faces feature. With iOS 5.1, the camera application can now highlight all detected faces. A redesigned camera application is also available on iPad for iOS 5.1. Among the multimedia enhancements to iOS 5.1 Genius Playlists and Genius suggestions to iTunes Match subscribers and Improved audio & video is available for IPad users is prominent. These were not available in iOS 5 release. However, the reviews suggest that the audio & video enhancements are not very significant. New controls are available for changing Podcast speeds on iPad on iOS 5.1. A 30 second rewind speed is also available for Podcasts on iPad with the iOS 5.1 upgrade. For those who have iPhone 4S on AT & T, a network indicator is available with iOS 5.1. A 4G icon will appear when connecting to HSDPA network. This feature was not available with iOS 5. Battery performance issues and issues related to audio drop on outgoing calls on iOS 5 was fixed in iOS 5.1.
Comparison Between iOS 5 and iOS 5.1 • With the new enhancement to iOS 5.1, Siri is available in Japanese, as well. The Japanese support was not available in iOS 5. • In iOS 5, a photo was added to “Photo Stream” it could not be deleted. The current upgrade to iOS allows deleting images that was added • A problem that existed with iOS 5 was that the camera short cut was not always visible on the lock screen. With iOS 5.1, that issue has been resolved, and the camera shortcut is now always visible for instant image capture • Photo application on iOS 5 did not highlight detected faces. With iOS 5.1, the camera application can now highlight all detected faces. • Genius Playlists and Genius suggestions to iTunes Match subscribers are available only in iOS 5.1 • The redesigned camera application for iPad is available only with iOS 5.1 • Improved audio & video is available for IPad is also available with iOS 5.1 • New controls are available for changing Podcast speeds on iPad on iOS 5.1 • A 30 second rewind speed is also available for Podcasts on iPad with the iOS 5.1 upgrade • For those who have iPhone 4S on AT & T, a network indicator is available with iOS 5.1 • Battery performance issues and issues related to audio drop on outgoing calls on iOS 5 were fixed in iOS 5.1.
|
iOS 5.0.1 Release: November 2011 |
Improvements and Bug Fixes 1. Fixes for bug affecting battery life 2. Fixes bug affecting Documents in the iCloud 3. Multi-tasking gestures for iPad (1st Gen iPad) 4. Improved Voice Recognition for Australian users |
iOS 5 Release: 12 October 2011 |
New Features and Improvements 1. Notification Center – with the new Notification Centre now you can get all your alerts (including new email, texts, friend requests, etc.) in one place without any interruptions to what you are doing. The swype down notification bar appears briefly at the top of the screen for a new alert and disppears quickly. – All alerts in one place – No more interruptions – Swype down from the top of any screen to enter Notification Center – Customize to see what you want – Active lock screen – notifications display in the lock screen for easy access with one swype 2. iMessage – it is a new messaging service – Send unlimited text messages to iOS devices – Send text, photos, videos, locations and contacts to any iOS device – Send group messaging – Track messages with delivery and read (optional) receipt – See the other party typing – Encrypted text message – Switch between iOS devices while chating 3. Newsstand – read all your news and magazines from one place. Customize Newsstand with your newspaper and magazine subscriptions – Browse stores right from Newsstand – When you subscribe it appears in the newsstand – Folder for easy access to favorite publications 4. Reminders – organize yourself with to-do lists – To-do list with due date, location etc. – View list by date – Set time based or location based reminder alert – Location reminder: get alert when you near the set location – Reminders work with iCal, Outlook and iCloud, so that it auto update change to all your iDevices and callendar 5. Twitter integration – system wide integration – Single sign in – Tweet directly from browser, photo app, camera app, YouTube, Map – Reply to friend in the contact by start typing name – Share your location 6. Enhanced Camera features – Instant access to Camera app: access it right from the lock screen – Pinch to Zoom gestures – Single tap focus – Focus/Exposure locks with touch and hold – Grid lines ti help compose a shot – Volume up button to capture the photo – Photo stream via iCloud to other iDevices 7. Enhanced Photo features – on screen editing and organize in photo album from Photo apps itself – Edit / Crop photo from Photo apps – Add photos to album – iCloud automatically push photos to your other iDevices 8. Improved Safari browser (5.1) – displays only what you like to read from the web page – Removes ads and other clutters – Add to reading list – Tweet from browser – Update reading list in all your iDevices via iCloud – Tabbed browsing – Performance improvement 9. PC Free activation – no more need for PC: activate your device wirelessly and do more with your Photo and Camara apps right from the screen – OTA software upgrades – On screen camera apps – Do more on screen like on screen photo editing – Back up and restore via iCloud 10. Enhanced Game Center – more features added – Post your profile picture – New friend recommendations – Find new games right from Games Center – Get on the spot overall achievement score 11. Wi-Fi Sync – wirelessly sync your iDevice to your Mac or PC vis shared Wi-Fi connection – Auto sync and iTunes back up when connected to power source – Purchases from iTunes appear in all your iDevices 12. Enhanced mail features – Format text – Create indents in the text of your message – Drag to rearrange names in the address field – Flag important messages – Add/Delete mailbox folders on your device – Search mails – Free email account with iCloud that will be updated in all your iDevices 13. Additional Calendar features – Year/Weekly view -Tap to create new event – Drag to edit date and duration – Add/rename/delete calendars directly from your device -View attachment right from calendar app – Calendar sync/share via iCloud 14. Multitasking gestures for iPad 2 – Multi finger gestures – New moves and short cuts like swipe up for multi tasking bar 15. AirPlay Mirroring – Support for video mirroring 16. Innovative new features for differently abled people – Work with specialized hardware accessories for differently abled – LED Flash and custom vibration to indicate incoming call – Custom element labeling 17. Support iClouds – iCloud wirelessly pushes files across multiple devices managed together |
Compatible Devices: The new iPad, iPad2, iPad, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPad Touch 3rd and 4th generation
|
Leave a Reply