After months of media hype, iOS 7 has finally come out. Now with completely different looks and features, the new Apple software update has gotten mixed reviews from both users and tech-gurus alike.
As for me, I downloaded the new software Sept. 18, the night after it came out. And so far, I have to agree with the mixed reviews it has been getting.
New features, such as a different screen when the user double-clicks and a round, more spread out passcode page certainly makes the phone more aesthetically pleasing. But for someone like myself, who is used to the older software, maneuvering the new layout has proved to be a challenge.
According to the Apple website, the new streamlined features reflect “simplicity.” However, whereas Apple uses words such as “unobtrusive” and “clarity,” I would use “too small” and “confusing.” The new, thinner font used for the clock and app-names makes reading them on anything but a black background fairly difficult.
Another small, but nonetheless irritating feature is the new moving apps feature on the phone. The apps seem to zoom onto your screen from space, as opposed to simply popping up when clicked on. The first time I opened my phone with iOS 7—after I deleted a fair amount of photos, music and apps and waited the five hours it took to download—I was excited by the refreshing, futuristic appearance. But I quickly got bored with it.
Perhaps one of the most irritating features is how apps take that much longer to load. Granted, it’s only an additional second. But when I need to quickly Google a random fact to prove my friends wrong, that precious second means everything.
I must admit, though, there still are several new additions on the new software that are extremely helpful. For instance, the ability to see multiple apps open at once by simply double clicking the screen, makes multi-tasking easier.
I also love the ability to see when texts were sent and received by swiping my conversation to the left. This allows me to judge just HOW mad I should get at my friend for not responding in enough time.
The new software will definitely take some getting used to, and some people probably wish they could downgrade to iOS 6 again (you can’t, by the way). But I definitely think that iOS 7 is a step in the right direction for Apple. While change is not always received well at first, it can often lead to good outcomes. I just hope I won’t have to suffer until iOS 8 comes out.
