Posted on 10/12/2011 12:42:56 PM PDT by TruthHound
After 128 days, 7 Beta releases, and 1 gold master, it’s finally arrived. iOS 5 has just been released to everyone (or at least, everyone with a compatible iOS device).
For those who hadn’t finagled their way into the developer Beta’s: 1) you’re a more patient human than I could ever hope to be, and 2) you’re in for a treat. This is the biggest update iOS has seen since the addition of the App Store, and it’s jam-packed full of good stuff.
The iOS 5 update is compatible with the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 (GSM and CDMA), iPod touch 3rd/4th generation, and the iPad/iPad 2. It’ll also come preloaded on the 4S, of course, when that device launches later this week.
It’s been a while since iOS 5 was announced to the world, so here’s a quick recap of some of the biggest features:
iCloud: Apple’s cloud-based content/data syncing service. Backs up your content, photos, etc. in the cloud for safe keeping, provides one-click access to redownloading all the apps you’ve ever purchased, etc.
iMessage: Apple’s free iOS-to-iOS messaging solution. SMS dies today. Notification Center: Apple has completely overhauled their old, antiquated alerts system. You now drag down from the top of the screen to see a drawer with all notifications.
Newstand: Bundles all of your e-magazine/newspaper subscriptions into one smart folder
Reminders: a new to-do/reminder system, complete with location-based alerts
Twitter Integration
Much improved Camera UX (You can access the camera with a double tap of the home button on the homescreen, and use the volume up key to take a photo)
Crazy simple photo editing (Cropping, rotating, red-eye reduction) within the Photo app
Over-the-air updates and PC-less device activation
Downloading the update is pretty simple: just plug in, pop into iTunes, tap on your device’s name in the left-hand navigation, and click the “Update” button found on the page that pops up. If you’re not seeing the update, give it a few minutes — the servers are getting hammered pretty hard right now.
Looks like I know what I’ll be doing tonight.
Downloaded it to my iPAD with no problems this morning...
Updates today also to OS X lion (10.7.2), iPhoto (9.2), and AppleTV (4.4) for iCloud integration as well.
Throw in all of the apps with their iOS 5 compatibility/feature updates, and the servers are gonna be VERY busy for the next couple of days.
Does the new “to do list” feature synchronize with MS exchange tasks? (like the e-mail and calendar do)?
Installed it on my iPad about an hour ago, and using it now.
I’ve downloaded the update for my iPhone, and will be applying it soon.
How long did it take to dl and install. at 3:45 its showing 3 hours...guess I will wait until I get home
FYI This is quite a time-consuming process. You have to update iTunes before you can update your iPhone.
I was performing the iPhone update while I generated the original post and after about 10 minutes of thermometers, I got an error. “The iPhone “TruthHound’s iPhone” could not be restored. An internal error occurred.”
2nd attempt has also failed.
Phone is in same condition as when I started. Going through troubleshooting now.
ping
is it ever going to let you use your own ringtones for text messages/ email notifications, or are we still stuck with the crappy ones that come with it?
Excellent question that I’d love to be able to answer yes to.
Looks as though the install is working this time, but still not done. 4th time’s the charm *knock on silicone*.
Ping
Not till’ there’s a jailbreak!
Awesome!
I always get excited when I hear of a newly released update for my iPad. Seems with every update, you get something that increases functionality in a meaningful way, along with any bug or security fixes.
I updated iTunes, then tried to update my iPod. The iPod got wiped, then didn't get updated properly. After that, the update process was stuck, and I couldn't get it to initialize.
I tried a number of things, including uninstalling iTunes and reinstalling to no avail. I examined all the iTunes drivers before and after, and it looked like the iTunes driver had reverted to a 2007 version. I had to reinstall my Windows 7 operating system and iTunes to finally rescue the iPod.
Anecdotal, but a word of caution. Good luck.
Okay, as far as I can tell, I still don’t have access to my own custom ringtones tor those alerts. They did add more to their provided sounds and allow you to buy more. Friggin Capitalists!
FWIW servers are currently overloaded. Been bumped twice. I’ll try once tomorrow then wait ‘till next week. Enjoy the new OS!
darn!
even my old palm could use custom ringtones.
altho, if you can buy them now, there’s gotta be a way to hack it.
Same error message here on Verizon g4 nothing fixed. Updating to 10.7.2 to try again... Not apples best effort....
I love how you’re standing somewhere and hear “Ding Ding” and 5 people reach for their iPhones.
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