iOS 5 has finally started to roll out to the masses, and along with itself, it brings loads of new features and changes which we’ve been hearing about for a long time.
First up, if you aren’t using iWork for iOS on your devices, now is the time to start! The iWork productivity apps for iOS include Keynote, Pages, and Numbers for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. You can use these apps to create and edit presentations, documents and spreadsheets from you iOS devices. Up until now that may not have seemed convenient, though. iWork for iOS is getting an update to include full iCloud compatibility and support. This means it will allow you store your documents from iWork on what’s called ‘The Cloud’, or iCloud and sync these documents wirelessly to all of your iOS 5 or OS X Lion devices! iCloud will also allow you to access a web version of iWork. Users can now head over to the iCloud’s website and log in. Be aware though, you must set up iCloud from an iOS 5 or OS X Lion device before using the service. The iCloud service replaces MobileMe and is free to all iOS 5 and OS X Lion users. iCloud offers 5GB of storage with the option to purchase more available.
You can download Pages, Numbers and Keynote from the iTunes App Store.
Second on the list is a new app in the App Store from Apple to manage your AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule devices straight from your iOS device. The AirPort Utility also allows you to see a graphical overview of your Wi-Fi network and devices connected to it. The AirPort Utility is advertised to work with all Apple 802.11n Wi-Fi base stations. This is a great feature for those of us who use our mobile devices connected to our wireless in our home. You can download the app from the App Store by clicking this link (requires iOS 5).
These two new features that were released today may not seem like much, been when you look at the big picture, Apple has really made life a lot easier for us all. iCloud allows us to write a document on our iMac from our office and read it on our couch in the other room from our iPad or iPhone without any need for manual intervention. No need to manually sync your device because by the time you make it to the other room and open the iWork application on your iPad or other iDevice and it will already be available. Also being able to manage your wireless network from your mobile device is a step in the same convenience direction. I would rather not go into my office or take out my laptop just to make a change to my wireless router or troubleshoot connectivity.
Way to go Apple!
Check out our iPhone Apps Gallery and iPad Apps Gallery to explore more apps for your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
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