If there is one good thing about the iOS 7 refresh it’s that app developers must update their software to match the new OS, unless they want their app(s) to stick out like a Smart Car parked in a Bentley dealership. Here are some apps on my iPhone that I think pull off the transition best.
Twitter & Facebook
Yes, I chose twitter! It’s one app that would make any smartphone incomplete, especially an iPhone. Even though I would classify this app as spray painted or tweaked to match the new look, it does everything you expect from it and looks great in iOS 7.
Facebook is a mostly rebuilt app that doesn’t only blend with the new system, but rearranges key functions. It’s the app that is on most people’s phones, yet it’s one app that goes through constant changes. Most of the key functions of the app are now in a toolbar at the bottom of the screen, which will take some getting used to for longtime users. I personally don’t fancy most of the functional changes made, but I must admit it does fit in nicely with the new system visually.
Pivvot
Pivvot is one unique game that gives the impression that it was made for an iPhone! With its flat vector style graphics, dynamic soundtrack and smooth gameplay, Pivvot is an awesome puzzler. This game reminds me of the games that were shipped with classic iPods… Yeah, the old ones with the click wheel.
Cal vs. Calendar
The new Calendar in iOS 7 is starkly different from past versions, fully conforming to the new visual language with zooming animations (when going into year, month, or week views), and a redone layout with orange text. In fact it’s so different one must relearn how to use it!
If you want a calendar app that works more like the older version without losing the iOS 7 theme, Cal comes to the rescue. Browsing daily events is just a swipe left or right away, and if you need to see the monthly calendar, just swipe down on the event list. One nice touch is that you can see a picture behind the list with a double tab on the image. It’s my main calendar app and find it superior to the built in app, especially when creating events quickly.
Sleipnir: The Browser for the Tab Mister!
Safari in iOS 7 has been transformed into a powerhouse browser. You are now able to use more than nine tabs, which was a built in limitation in past versions. Even without this limitation it can be tedious searching for a page buried in the tab switcher. Sleipnir is the browser made for people that not only use tons of tabs, it’s made for those that want to group tabs together based on what they’re browsing. It has features that make it unique among mobile browsers, and has just been updated to version 3, specific to iOS 7.
Unique Features
Tabs are thumbnails at the bottom of the screen above the toolbar, for quickly glancing at your visited pages. Tab Groups are accessed by pressing its icon on the bottom right, organized in six colour bars for grouping related tabs. For example, you can have a shopping group in the green bar, or a tab group with your favourite web sites in orange. Switching tabs is done through the tab bar or by using the ton of gestures that come with the browser via “TouchPaging”. Opening pages in new tab is easy by holding on a link and a new tab opens in the background beside the active one!
Sleipnir also has features that are most common in desktop browsers like an ad blocker, download manager, and advanced syncing options for desktop (PC and Mac) and mobile (Android, Windows Phone, iOS) versions of the browser. Even though this browser is slightly slower than Safari, the additional features and options make up for the speed penalty.
This is my favourite browser on my iPhone because it doesn’t feel like a mobile browser, it’s just great!
