The new iPhone 5C runs on the slick new iOS 7 software, which owners of iPhones released since 2010 can download. DAVID PAUL MORRIS / Bloomberg
CUPERTINO, Calif. - One of the best things about Apple's latest iPhones is the slick new iOS 7 software that runs the devices. But that souped-up operating system could end up hurting sales because the free software upgrade will also work on iPhones released since 2010, giving owners of the older models less incentive to buy Apple's newest products.
Perhaps unwittingly, even Apple's software boss Craig Federighi alluded to this potential problem while he was bragging about iOS 7 at the company's unveiling of its new phones last week. He predicted that anyone who elects to install the software will feel "like they're getting an all-new device."
I understood what Federighi meant once I was able to see the iOS 7's improvements in action on Apple's two new iPhones, the 5C and the 5S.
Although the iPhone 5C is less expensive than its predecessor, the iPhone 5, iOS 7 almost made it look fancier than previous generations. As an iPhone 5 owner, I was feeling a bit envious until I remembered that I'll be able to spiff up my device, too, when the software is released Wednesday. The operating system will work on the iPhone 4 and later models, iPad 2s and subsequent versions, and the iPod Touch that came out late last year.
Apple's iOS 7 looks much different than previous versions of the operating system because it no longer displays iPhone apps as three-dimensional, embossed objects meant to mirror their real-world counterparts. The icons instead are flatter and more colorful.
I am fairly certain most people who download iOS 7 are going to be pleased. The software makes it easier to navigate around an iPhone and adds some compelling new features.
The additions include the ability to stream music through an advertising-supported service called iTunes Radio and five free apps that used to cost consumers anywhere from 99 cents to $4.99 apiece. The free apps are Apple's photo-editing tool, iPhoto, and video-editing program, iMovie, as well as work-oriented apps called Pages, Numbers and Keynote.
Apple doesn't appear to be removing any popular apps built into the operating system, as best as I could tell. The company did that last year when it replaced Google's mapping app with its own navigation system only to be ridiculed for misguiding users with shoddy directions. Apple isn't bringing back Google Maps with iOS 7, but it is promising that its alternative is getting better.
The software upgrade also will make it easier to take better pictures on the iPhone and automatically sort photos into different categories to denote particular events. I particularly liked a feature that lets you control how the camera operates by toggling between options at the bottom of the screen with the swipe of a finger. Once the camera is open in iOS 7, the choices include taking a square, panoramic or standard photo. The bottom-of-the screen controls also include an option to switch to video mode.
When taking a picture in iOS 7, photographers can also choose a filter to use as they snap the photo rather than waiting to touch up the shot later. When shooting video, shots can be zoomed in while recording.
The new system also makes it easier to see and scroll through apps more quickly by clicking twice on the home button. When this action is performed in iOS 6, the iPhone apps are spread across a horizontal row at the bottom of the screen. Do the same thing in iOS 7, and the apps are transformed into large tiles displayed horizontally across the center of the screen in an effort to help users do more multitasking on the iPhone.
Apple is also making it easier to access frequently used controls such as brightness and airplane mode by enabling users to pull up the panel from the bottom of the display screen instead of finding and pressing a settings option.
Other than the new software, the iPhone 5C isn't anything special, as one might expect from a cheaper phone.
The only thing that really distinguishes the 5C from the iPhone 5 is that it's housed in plastic instead of aluminum. Some consumers will no doubt like the plastic alternative because it comes in five colors: green, blue, yellow, pink and white. The price also may be more appealing, with the 5C starting at $99 with a two-year wireless contract, a $100 discount from iPhone models released in previous years.
A higher-end iPhone dubbed the 5S boasts several advantages that aren't available on any other model. The coolest innovation allows you to use your fingerprint to unlock the iPhone 5S instead of relying on a four-digit code that has to be repeatedly typed in. The fingerprint reader can also be used to access Apple's apps and iTunes store instead of a password.
Apple CEO Tim Cook thinks the fingerprint scanner will revolutionize technology security. "There is going to be a whole new generation of kids who grow up not knowing what a password is," he said.
I found the fingerprint scanner, called "Touch ID," simple to use. Once my prints were in the phone's memory bank, all I had to do was lightly press on the home button when the 5S was locked in sleep mode and it quickly opened.
The 5S also contains a faster processor and technological wizardry designed to take sharper pictures and even record slow-motion video.
5S sales will be in-store only, so get in line soon
Ah, the magic of Internet pre-orders. Just fill out a form, and instead of standing in line overnight you can get the hot new device mailed to you.
Well, forget all that for the iPhone 5S. Even though you could pre-order the 5C, there's no pre-order option for the 5S even though both will be released on the same day. Is Apple trying to conduct a massive psychological experiment to see how much effort people will go to for a phone?
If a report from blog GottaBeMobile is accurate, it's because supplies will be tight. They talked to some carrier locations and heard that supplies will be limited.
On top of that, the new gold iPhone may cause some selection wrinkles. Past iPhones launched in six varieties - two colors with three memory sizes - but the iPhone 5S' three colors will give it nine varieties. So even if a location gets exactly as many 5S phones Friday as they did during the 5's launch day, there will be a few less of each variety. Keep that in mind if, say, you want a gold 64GB version.
What's happening? Jefferies & Company analyst Peter Misek said the manufacturing process for the new fingerprint sensor has been "terrible," and they haven't been able to make enough to keep up with demand.
So, iPhone die-hards, grab your lawn chairs and snacks, because you'll likely have to park yourself in line for quite a while if you've got to have the latest model Friday.
Original Print Headline: Apple impresses with iOS 7
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