Apple iOS 5 launch close

iPhone 4The new and updated version of software for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad is set to released later today (Wednesday the 12th of October 2011), just two days ahead of the launch of the new iPhone 4S.

The new mobile phone operating platform, iOS 5 , is set to include over 200 changes, adding extra functionality and improving the user experience. Here are some of the headlines:

  • Wireless sync with iTunes
  • A new Notification Centre
  • iMessages (free messaging between other iOS devices)
  • Improved reminders
  • Integration with social media service Twitter
  • The ability to take a photo from the standby screen
  • Support for formatting (bold, italics, etc) in email
  • Photo editing and red-eye reduction
  • Support for iCloud (storage)

Ahead of the roll-out of Apple’s latest mobile OS, a new release of iTunes has been made today. iTunes 10.5 is now available to download. It stores your music and TV purchases in iCloud, to makes them available on your iOS devices over-the-air. It also supports Automatic Downloads, plus the new wireless-sync feature in iOS 5. Thankfully, the latest version of iTunes 10.5 no longer mandates an install of the multimedia application  QuickTime.

The last major software release for the iPhone and iPod Touch was iOS 4, back in June 2010. We think it’ll be interesting to see whether the enhancements that users will see in iOS 5 will prevent hardcore iPhone lovers from feeling the need to get hold of the new iPhone 4S this week, with many feeling that the improved camera, processor and the Siri ‘virtual assistant’ isn’t enough of a revolution to warrant an upgrade.

Tickets On Sale For Gadget Show Live 2012

Gadget Show Live 2012 LogoTickets for the gadget event of 2012 have just gone on sale.

Next year’s Gadget Show Live takes place at the NEC in Birmingham from the 11th to the 15th of April and will see over 280 companies show off some of the latest technology to hit the market. Exhibitors already confirmed for the event include: Samsung, JVC, Sennheiser, Kenwood, Packard Bell & Acer.

Our podcast team were on-site last year, reporting from the show, and getting hands-0n with some great gadgets. If you’re interested in hearing what we got up to, go to http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/gsl

As well as touring the stands, visitors to the show can attend the Super Theatre, where you get to see a live Gadget Show starring channel 5 presenters Suzi, Jason, Jon, Pollyanna and Ortis.

Presenters of Channel 5's Gadget Show

Presenters of Channel 5's Gadget Show

Here’s a quote from Matt Hodgins, the Gadget Show Live Event Director: “We have been overwhelmed by the demand for tickets, year-on-year. The show once again promises to be a fun-filled, interactive and exciting day out for gadget fans of all ages, with lots of new content for 2012. Whilst we have done our best to accommodate as many visitors as we can, the phenomenal demand we have already seen for tickets suggests we are on course for another sell-out event in 2012. ”

Tickets for this year’s show in April sold out weeks before the event, so if you’re set on going to the 2012 event, it pays to book early. Over 100,000 people attended this year’s show, and for the 2012 show, an additional 10,000 tickets have been released.

If you want to reserve your place, go to http://www.gadgetshowlive.net/