Apple�s on a mission to convince buyers that it�s still relevant, still innovative, still interesting. iOS 7 is full of big, sweeping changes to that effect, and there�s real power in making something look fresh and bright, but in the end the new visuals don�t offer much change under the surface. Not yet, anyway.
There are plenty of APIs and tools in iOS 7 that might make it easier for developers to build beautiful new apps that offer remarkable functionality and tie into the interesting new parts of the OS. But Apple needs to help. The Today screen could eventually be a fantastic Google Now-like experience, with all the information you need quickly, but only if developers can access it. Siri could get better and better, and ultimately let you do everything on your phone with your voice, but only if Siri learns what Evernote is and how she can search it for me. There is finally a more robust sharing menu, but it�s woefully underpopulated. Apple needs developer support, yes, but it�ll get that; what I don�t know is whether Apple will open its doors and give developers access to its best, most integrated features, rather than deciding for its users which three places we want to search or send our photos.
There are plenty of APIs and tools in iOS 7 that might make it easier for developers to build beautiful new apps that offer remarkable functionality and tie into the interesting new parts of the OS. But Apple needs to help. The Today screen could eventually be a fantastic Google Now-like experience, with all the information you need quickly, but only if developers can access it. Siri could get better and better, and ultimately let you do everything on your phone with your voice, but only if Siri learns what Evernote is and how she can search it for me. There is finally a more robust sharing menu, but it�s woefully underpopulated. Apple needs developer support, yes, but it�ll get that; what I don�t know is whether Apple will open its doors and give developers access to its best, most integrated features, rather than deciding for its users which three places we want to search or send our photos.
[Read Full Review: iOS 7 review: a new look or a new beginning?]
Good Stuff
- Control Center is really useful
- Today makes notifications a lot better
- The photos experience is much improved
Bad Stuff
- Design is disjointed and confusing in places
- Aesthetic improvements can't mask missing functionality
- Icons everywhere are horrible
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