Following the effects of Android devices on iPhone and iPad sales, Apple announced new software updates and security features at the Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco this month (June).
The new iOS 7 operating system has been celebrated by the company as the most sweeping updates since the iPhone’s first launch back in 2007.
The graphical quality of the iPhone and iPad devices are now cleaner and more impressive, with a simple pastel and neon colour scheme. In addition to this, a translucent impression allows background images to rest behind app icons and move independently from one another when the screen is tilted or tipped.
The icons and applications will also be redesigned to conform to the new appearance of iOS7 devices. The design was created from hardware developed over the past few years by Senior Vice President of Design at Apple, Jony Ive.
Whilst the improved appearance will allow a sharper and more improved reading experience for ebook apps, the changes are also good news for mobile gamers. The announcements signal that Apple are now thinking seriously about the mobile gaming industry that they helped to innovate.
“This new development suggests that Apple is expanding its horizon and looking into the gaming industry that has been grappling with steady slump, triggered largely by the advent of mobile gaming devices that the tech giant itself has introduced,” stated an article in the International Business Times.
“While not directly competing with console manufacturers, Apple will likely offer the iPad Mini and the iPad as alternatives not only for casual gamers, but also for those still hooked with the high-end gaming experience that stand-alone consoles offer.”
As new apps becoming cheaper and easier to produce, and online game sites such as MoneyGaming.com release dedicated mobile products for their consumers, mobile game content continues to increase. For the first time ever, traditional handheld games were outsold by mobile game products this year, according to a report by App Annie and the International Data Corporation. It is therefore wise for Apple to tap into this growing market with their latest suite of software.
New security measures were also announced as part of the iOS 7 updates. Whilst still awaiting scrutiny from New York and San Francisco officials, these changes could deter iPhone theft through the use of a “kill switch” feature, deactivating the device and rendering it useless if stolen.