iOS 5.0 - 5.1.1

The iOS 5.0 was introduced with the iPhone 4S.

What's new:

• Revamped notifications - real time on-screen notifications, lockscreen notifications and pull-down Notification Center.
• iMessage service in the Messaging app enabling instant messages to other iOS users.
• Reminders - including location-aware options.
• Customizable notification sounds - email, voicemail and calendar alerts.
• Twitter integration.
• iCloud service integration – wireless backup and restore, app and content syncing.
• Enhanced Camera app - viewfinder grid, can use a volume button as a shutter key.
• Integrated photo editing - crop, auto enhance, rotate and red-eye fix.
• Updated Safari browser - tabbed browsing (on iPad), private browsing mode, integrated Reader, Reading list and optimized performance.
• Dictionary lookup throughout the interface.
• Computer free operation - independent activation, OTA updates, iCloud backup and restore.
• Wi-Fi synchronization with iTunes with automatic operation.
• New features in the Mail app - Bold, Italic, Underline and Quote options, extended Search, mass Mark as Read/Unread and Flag setting, Add/Delete mailbox folders.
• Updated Calendar (new weekly view) and Game Center apps.
• Newsstand app combining all of your magazine subscriptions.
• Music player now called Music instead of iPod, has a new icon.
• Separate Video player app on the iPhone.
• AppStore purchase history.
• New Storage management options (list of and info about all installed apps).
• AirPlay screen mirroring for the iPad and iPhone 4S (requires an Apple TV).
• New accessibility options involving the LED flash, custom vibrations and Assistive Touch.
• Maps app gets the option to print maps, to find alternate routes and there is also traffic information in supported regions.
• Introduces a built-in basic photo editing: crop, red-eye, auto-enhance and rotate photos.
• Ability to create keyboard shortcuts to replace custom phrases. By default includes “omw” which expands to “On my way!”.
• Spotlight search now includes Reminders and searches through Messages.
• Adds a new weather forecast tab for the user's current location.
• Week view in landscape orientation of the Calendar.
• Siri voice control (iPhone 4S only and available only in English, French and German). Retains beta status throughout the lifetime of iOS 5.x. Allows speaker independent commands in natural language, voice dictation and Text-to-Speech functionality.
• iPad only - Allows a split keyboard: swipe up or pull apart to split keyboard in half.
• iPad only - Adds an undock keyboard option: keyboard can now be moved up and down the screen.
• iPad only - Introduces tabbed browsing.
• iPad 2 only - Adds multitasking gestures with 4 or 5 fingers.

The iOS 5.0.1 brings the following changes (list not exhaustive):

• Adds multitasking gestures with 4 or 5 fingers to the original iPad.
• Adds a new camera button to the lockscreen - visible only after a double click of the Home button.

The iOS 5.1 was introduced along with the iPad 3 and it brings the following changes (list not exhaustive):

• Redesigned Camera app (for iPad).
• Camera shortcut on lock screen is now always visible and activates the camera with a slide-up gesture.
• Improved face detection and video stabilization (iPhone 4S & iPad 3 only).
• Siri receives improved dictation skills and Japanese language support.

Related Terms:

OS (Operating System)

Apple iOS

Apple iOS 1

Apple iOS 2

Apple iOS 3

Apple iOS 3.2 (iPad Only)

Apple iOS 4

Apple iOS 6

Apple iOS 7

Apple iOS 8

Apple iOS 9

Apple iOS 10

Apple iOS 11

Apple iOS 12