iOS 7 starts appearing on web servers

[Simon]

The next version of the iPhone/iPad operating system - iOS 7 - appears to be edging closer to launch, with the OS beginning to show up in website visitor logs.

Apple may unveil iOS 7 - possibly alongside the next-generation iPhone - at next's month Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC).

Judging by web server stats, it seems there are plenty of Apple employees already running the next-generation OS. One mobile site specialist, Onswipe, claimed that it's seen a big spike in iOS 7 users in the vicinity of Apple's Cupertino headquarters, according to TechCrunch.

iOS 7 is expected to deliver a massive visual overhaul of Apple's OS. With Jonathan Ive now in charge of software design, the OS is likely to drop its familiar skeuomorphic design in favour of a much flatter, understated appearance. Ive is also reported to be working on improving iOS's notifications and messaging alerts.

Even if iOS 7 is unveiled at next month's WWDC, it's unlikely to appear on handsets before the autumn.

Read more: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/381718/ios-7-starts-appearing-on-web-servers#ixzz2T4VIreA1

[Lance]

It amazes me how stuff like this is news. Surely the news would be if ios 7 hadn't started appearing by now! In recent years, they've always revealed the next ios at WWDC with the release coming later in the year.

[Gary]

I must admit all the hype just bores me now, smartphones are poor at being actual phones with decent battery life. They don't change your life and there is not much at this time that makes any one phone stick out from another. I find it ironic that will all the flashy bits and bloat Samsung put on their phones now makes a 16GB phone actually a 9GB phone, and since you cant put apps etc on a extenal card thats a bit naff really. I miss my old Nokia 8210 it was small the battery lasted a good long while and it always had good reception and never needed updating. Best of all I didn't care if I dropped it.

[zappaDPJ]

Best of all I didn't care if I dropped it.

I certainly agree with that part but if I'm honest my iPhone has actually had quite an impact on my life. Prior to buying one which was completely unintended, (I bought one for my daughter and got a free one) I had a phone that cost tuppence and got dropped and replaced quite regularly. It did nothing more than make calls and send texts and it suited me very well.

My iPhone however is used regularly as a satnav, emergency camera, iPod, Internet browser, email checker, games console to pass the time, appointment/MOT/insurance/birthday reminder and hallelujah, it even reminded me of our wedding anniversary last year I also use push notification all day long to keep abreast of my on-line empire from which I earn the majority of my living. I use it instead of a watch, it replaced my alarm clock and I often use it to get a price check before making a purchase in a shop. I occasionally even use it to make a phone call

I am actually a little bothered that this new interface is going to prove as useful as the updated Apple map app. I really, really like my iPhone just the way it is which I'd describe as perfection on a stick. They had better not bugger it up or I'll be rather cross.

[Simon]

I use mine in much the same way, Zap, but I did have to look up skeuomorphic!

One thing I would like is an Answer / Decline option for calls when they come in while the phone is 'sleeping', like it does when it's in use.  I'd also like to see more robust switching between 2G and 3G.  I am right on the edge of a 3G area, and calls always seem to drop when the phone switches between signals. 

[zappaDPJ]

I'll wait until I see it before I criticise it but I am intrigued why they feel the need to go for a flatter looking UI. It's not served Microsoft at all well (Windows 8) which is starting to look like their biggest O.S. failure to date.

[Lance]

Simon, to decline the call if the phone has woken from sleep and is locked you just swipe up in a similar way to how you quick access the camera.

[Simon]

Oh, really?  Didn't know that, Lance.  Will try next time. 

[Steve]

I thought you double clicked the sleep wake (top) button to reject a call, pressing it once or one of the volume buttons silences the call.

[Simon]

Yes, you can do that, or press either of the volume buttons which will silence the call.  It's just that it seems odd that you don't get the Decline / Answer screen when in sleep mode. 

[Gary]

I certainly agree with that part but if I'm honest my iPhone has actually had quite an impact on my life. Prior to buying one which was completely unintended, (I bought one for my daughter and got a free one) I had a phone that cost tuppence and got dropped and replaced quite regularly. It did nothing more than make calls and send texts and it suited me very well.

My iPhone however is used regularly as a satnav, emergency camera, iPod, Internet browser, email checker, games console to pass the time, appointment/MOT/insurance/birthday reminder and hallelujah,

I think once I got the iPad I realised how little I use my iPhone although I dont take my iPAd out with me. Before the advent of all this tech I never longed for these abilities in a phone, its just marketing, its a case of 'look you need this' then we all forgot what we did without one. I have satnav built in the car but planning a route was not hard before you left home, yes I can use it as an ipod but that's not changed my life, I used to have that as a separate unit for country walks or bike rides when I could get out on my own. I always carry my camera with me, because although pretty good these days the smartphone camera lacks optical zoom and a host of features a real camera has and you never know what you may see when out you want to snap  and wish you had a proper camera on you. As for the rest hell my brain used to do those things with the help of a calender and I see no reason to need to access email on the move for myself as a must have feature, we got by before without that feature why cant we wait till we get home, surely nothing is that important we need 24 connection to the web if truth be told.

When it comes to making calls smartphones never have as good a signal as the older phones. I used know my phone would last a week on one charge, and those were the things that were important to me, calls texts and not much else. I have bought so many phones and now its looks like a a sea of plastic and metal out there that all does pretty much the same and any phone is out of date as soon as you buy it. The ad men then get us prepared for the next update which as a features slow down you end up with gimmicks instead that you may use possibly but the chances are you won't.

  Until the next big tech change each new smartphone is a just the same as any other, dull and repetitive and jostling for our attention never the less. Saying that since I have a smartphone Apple better overhaul iOS and dump the skeuomorphism and make those boring little app icons into something that's useful, like Windows and Android phones do.

[zappaDPJ]

It sounds like Nokia agree with you Gary, at least in terms of battery life. The Asha 501 has a rather impressive 17 hours of talk-time and 48 days standby.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/nokia-asha-501-handson-a-compact-phone-that-packs-a-punch-at-a-tidy-price-8612423.html

[Simon]

It does look a little like something from Toys 'R' Us, but certainly, the extended battery life would be an advantage.

[Steve]

I've got quite used to charging mine every 48 hours any longer and I'd forget.

[Simon]

Blimey, I can barely get 12 hours out of mine!

[Steve]

I tend to alternate days with the iPad