Jonathan Ive

iOS 7 release date: On your iPhone next week!

iOS 7 - Design

iOS 7 – Design

Ready for iOS 7? The latest version of Apple’s smartphone software was first revealed back in June, but now at long last we have a release date for it. Read on to find out when you’ll be able to install it on your iPhone or iPad – really soon!

Apple software boss Craig Federighi has revealed live on stage that you’ll be able to download iOS 7 on 18 September for the existing iOS gizmos in your house. It’s the first version of the software to be overseen by legendary Apple hardware designer Sir Jonathan Ive, and the first major visual revamp for the hugely successful mobile operating system.

We already knew to expect a flatter design as well as a redesigned Notification Centre, and a new Command Centre that swipes up from the bottom to give you quick access to settings from anywhere, but Federighi also showed off several as yet unheard of features in iOS 7: you can now search from anywhere just by pulling down from any panel on the home screen, while Siri has also been improved and can also search through Twitter. Apple’s even added even more standard ringtones for you to choose from, while notifications and alerts have been given a complete facelift too. As we’ve seen before, the camera has also been updated with built-in filters like Instagram, while scrolling through photos has been made even easier, as they’re now sorted into “moments” and even years if you pull back far enough.

iTunes Radio, which made its debut at Apple’s last WWDC event, is also a huge part of the latest iOS update, and brings with it Pandora-like radio stations and free music streaming. It’s out 18 September, and it’s coming to iPhone 4 and later, iPad 2 and later, iPad mini, and iPod touch 5th gen.

Will you be downloading it on the day? Tell us what you think in the comments below!