X

A complete design overhaul brings iOS up-to-date (pictures)

iOS finally got a comprehensive redesign of an interface that hadn't changed much since the iPhone launch in 2007.

Jason Parker
Jason Parker has been at CNET for nearly 15 years. He is the senior editor in charge of iOS software and has become an expert reviewer of the software that runs on each new Apple device. He now spends most of his time covering Apple iOS releases and third-party apps.
Jason Parker
NEWCalendarList.png
1 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

iOS 7.1: New features and interface tweaks

iOS 7.1 was released on March 10, with some new features such as upgrades to Siri, a new auto HDR mode for iPhone 5S, and several smaller interface tweaks. This gallery is mostly focused on the changes since iOS 7, but I've added several new slides at the beginning to show some of the bigger changes in 7.1, along with side-by-side comparisons of minor interface tweaks.

To start off, a feature that was hidden in iOS 7 has been moved front and center in iOS 7.1. Now, when you open the Calendar app in month view, you can touch a button at the top to see your daily list of appointments, meetings, and birthdays without having to navigate to a different screen. It was one of the features people were most up in arms about after iOS 7 came out, so it's nice to see it's back in iOS 7.1.

NEWIncomingCall.png
2 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

iOS 7.1: Incoming call new look

Minor interface changes abound with the 7.1 update. For example, when you get an incoming call in iOS 7.1, you're presented with a cleaner look for accepting or declining the call, along with the Remind Me and Message options. Even with four buttons (as opposed to three in iOS 7), they don't take up nearly as much screen real estate.
NEWSiri.png
3 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

iOS 7.1: Siri

Siri also received a few feature enhancements that are not apparent on this screenshot, but worthy of note. You can now hold down the Home button then let go when you are done talking. Before, Siri would automatically recognize when you stopped talking, but in loud environments would sometimes pick up words you didn't want it to. This change makes your questions more precise.
NEWHDRAuto.png
4 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

iOS 7.1: HDR Auto on iPhone 5S only

You can now set your iPhone 5S for HDR auto, making sure you get the best shot possible for the circumstances. You can easily switch it off for regular shots as well.
KeyboardShading_2UP.png
5 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Side by side: Keyboard

On the left is iOS 7.0 and on the right is iOS 7.1. It's not a huge difference but a helpful one. You'll notice that the caps key is different and more readable in iOS 7.1, along with the backspace key on the right. Also, though it's hard to tell, the letters themselves are a bit bolder in iOS 7.1.
Incoming_2UP.png
6 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Side by side: Incoming call

On the left is iOS 7.0, and on the right is iOS 7.1. In iOS 7.1 the buttons are smaller and take up less space, and it also gives you the option to decline a call straight away.
NotificationDialog_2UP.png
7 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Side by side: Notification message

On the left is iOS 7.0 and on the right is iOS 7.1. Though it's not a big difference, I like that Apple tells you there are "No Missed Notifications" in iOS 7.1.
Calendar_2UP.png
8 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Side by side: Calendar list

On the left is iOS 7.0 and on the right is iOS 7.1. Here you can see the addition of today's priorities (with the new button at the top) in the month view in iOS 7.1. You'll also notice that 7.1 uses a bit more grey (in the background) to contrast with all the white.
DialPad_2UP.png
9 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Side by side: Dial pad

On the left is iOS 7.0 and on the right is iOS 7.1. The dial pad in iOS 7.1 even received some small tweaks with a slightly darker background and the smaller call icon instead of the big green "Call" button.
home_tn.jpg
10 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

The new home screen

Flattened icons and a simplified look make up iOS 7's new design.
controlcenter_tn.jpg
11 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Control Center

Swipe upward to bring up the Control Center, where you can perform a number of actions that used to require digging through settings menus.
PhotosAppYears.png
12 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

A year in photos

Look at all your photos for the year, or tap to see them divided up by date and location.
PhotoCollections.png
13 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Photo dates and locations

When you tap on the mosaic, you can see your photos divided up into dates and locations.
MessagesTimeStamp.png
14 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Messages time stamps

A great, minor new feature in the Messages app is that you can swipe to the left to bring up time stamps for every message.
SwipeMultitask.png
15 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Multitasking with previews

When you double-tap the home screen, you'll bring up the new multitasking menu from which you can swipe left and right to see open apps, or swipe upward (on the preview) to quit an app.
airdrop_tn.jpg
16 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

AirDrop

One of the best new features in iOS 7 is the option to send a file, image, or video to a nearby iOS 7 user with only the touch of a button.
calendar_tn.jpg
17 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Calendar

The redesigned Calendar app gives you a nice overlook for the year with an uncluttered interface.
calendar2_tn.jpg
18 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Month view

Tap on a month to zoom in, then tap on a day to see that day's activities and appointments.
camera_tn.jpg
19 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Camera app

The new camera app lets you swipe to switch between video, photo, square-shaped photo (for Instagram), and Panoramic shot.
camera_filters_tn.jpg
20 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Photo filters

Touch the colorful icon in the lower right of the previous slide to bring up nine filters you can apply to your photo. There are some decent selections here, but nothing as drastic as you find in third-party photo editors.
gamecenter_tn.jpg
21 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Game Center

Game Center got a new look as well, but is it really a redesign that gamers can relate to?
iTunesArtists.png
22 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Browse by artists in Music

The Music app uses a lot more white space in its design for an uncluttered look.
itunesradio2_tn.jpg
23 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

iTunes Radio

With the new iTunes Radio you can listen to Apple-curated feature stations, or create your own based on an artist, song, or genre.
maps_tn.jpg
24 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Apple Maps

There's not much new with Apple Maps beyond the redesign except you'll be able to sync up bookmarked locations across devices.
notes_tn.jpg
25 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

The Notes app

TheNotes app no longer has the yellow legal pad look, opting for a textured white background.
safari2_tn.jpg
26 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Browse open Web pages

In Safari, you can now browse open Web pages with a Cover Flow-like interface. You're also no longer limited to just eight open pages.
voicememo_tn.jpg
27 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Voice Memos

The new look for the Voice Memos app is white on a black background. Scroll downward to browse and listen to earlier voice memos.
weather_tn.jpg
28 of 28 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Check the weather app

The weather app now looks a lot like the standalone Yahoo Weather, which makes sense because Yahoo powers the weather app in iOS 7. It looks great, but you don't get as much information as you do with the standalone app.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos