With an iOs 7 release date imminently nearing, today Apple released iOS 7 beta 4 to developers. The update comes three weeks after the preceding one instead of the regular two and is available as an over-the-air update to existing beta testers as well as through the iOS Dev Center.
The setback is likely an offshoot of the troubles Apple has been experiencing with its Developers Center as of late. Almost two weeks ago, the Dev Center experienced an outage due to a breach in security involving unknown hackers. Apple was forced to completely shut down the site but after more than a week, the site was brought back online.
Now that the Dev Center was been restored, beta testers can get their hands on the fourth beta version of the highly-anticipated iOS 7, Apple’s flagship mobile operating system. The latest beta version doesn’t have any significant overhauls in store but it does plan on remedying “bug fixes and improvements.”
As for iOS 7 itself, there’s a lot for mobile Apple users to look forward too. Surely they’ve all heard about the UI overhaul for months, as it was also detailed at the annual WWDC, but Apple has plenty more in store for its user base.
Interestingly, the entire UI of iOS 7 shifts on an axis when physically shifted by the user in order to give the best possible viewing angle. Even better is that this feature extends beyond the home screen and occurs with all apps.
The comprehensive redesign also includes the new unlock screen with rounded numerals, multiple pages for each app, cleaner typography all around, full screen edge-to-edge photos, ability to swipe between messages or apps, the notifications center available directly from lock screen, and “today view” which shows all that’s on tap for the day from all information saved in iCloud and in your calendar.
Safari for iOS 7 is multifunctional as well, allowing for more than the previous 8-tabs open at once, easily navigabale swiping cues, and improved bookmarking for easy access.
Now with iOS 7, Apple has an answer to the naysayers who thought its mobile operating system was dead in the water without NFC capability. AirDrop shows users which friends are in close proximity and makes items easy to share anything–photos, articles, documents, social media, etc.–with multiple friends at once. No need to worry about security either as AirDrop will use securely encrypted peer-to-peer Wi-Fi.
The camera feature now offers a slew of new filters for amateur photographers to salivate over, while the photo app helps to easily manage and share pics, organize photos in collections (albums), and pull out interesting and patterned images that might be of interest to the user.
Oh, and by 2014 iOS will be integrated into a bevy of cars to create a completely hands-free and eyes-free iOS 7 experience while driving safely behind the wheel.
Sound good to you? If so, and even if not, let’s hear your thoughts on Apple’s upcoming iOS 7.
[Screenshot via Mac Rumors]
