Start your updating because Apple has finally released iOS 7.1. While this point-release offers a handful of tweaks and bug fixes, the biggest news is undoubtedly CarPlay support. The phone, music, maps, and messages apps are all accessible through CarPlay, and even third-party audio apps like Downcast or Pandora can benefit from this system going forward. The update itself weighs in at a hefty 214MB, so you’ll definitely want to wait until you’re near a wall outlet before you tap “Update.”
Right out of the gate, you’ll find that a number of basic UI elements have been noticeably tweaked for this release. The keyboard has been refreshed, numerous buttons have been redesigned for Apple’s core apps, and everything seems a little bit more responsive. From performance improvements on the iPhone 4 to refined fingerprint recognition on theiPhone 5S, it seems that this update is a no-brainer for anyone already running iOS 7.
iOS 7.1 is the first public release that natively supports Apple’s brand-new CarPlay initiative. While compatible automobiles aren’t available to the masses just yet, this will be a major feature going forward. Ferrari, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo will all have CarPlay-compatible vehicles on the market this year, and more than a dozen more automakers have signed on for future support. This initial release is simply laying the groundwork, but CarPlay will likely serve a huge role in Apple‘s future plans for world domination.
That’s not all Cupertino has up its sleeves, mind you. If you load-up the iOS 7.1 release notes, you’ll see that a few interesting tidbits made their way into this latest release as well. The Calendar and Music apps have received a number of usability modifications, but Siri is the real star of 7.1. Previously, Siri insisted on guessing when you were finished speaking commands — if you stopped to think while dictating a text message, Siri would assume that you’ve finished, and stop listening completely. Now, Siri’s listening mode can be manually controlled by holding down the button, and releasing it when you’re finished. If you need time to think before you finish your thought, this update will make your life a little bit easier. Siri has also been given more natural-sounding voices when speaking in Mandarin Chinese, UK English, Australian English, and Japanese.
Also worth noting, Apple has significantly improved a number of accessibility features in iOS 7.1. In the Settings app, users can now turn on bold fonts to ensure that UI text is easier to read. The “Reduce Motion” feature now applies to animations for Weather, Messages, and multitasking. Even better, users can now toggle button shapes, reduce the white point, and darken application colors across the entire OS. Even if you’re not impressed by the flashier features, these accessibility enhancements are an important step forward in usability for the visually impaired.
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