Apple has announced the next version of its iOS for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. iOS 5 is a major update to the mobile operating system and will be released in the Autumn.

This new version will be available for iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPad, iPad 2 and iPod Touch 3rd and 4th generation.

iOS 5 includes over 200 new features, some of which we have highlighted below, so keep reading on. The biggest features in our mind is the overhauled notifications system, iMessage and the ability to set up a and use an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch without having to have a computer.

Notifications
The overhaul to notifications has been long overdue in some peoples minds, and this new version looks to be slick, intrusive and brilliantly integrated. Now instead of receiving pop-ups when someone sends you a text message or you receive some other notification, a small information bar will flip over at the top of the screen to let you know. There is also a notifications centre which stores all the latest notifications, this can be accessed by swiping down. Notifications can also be displayed on the lock screen.

iMessage
iMessage is a new messaging system, similar to BlackBerry Messenger, and allows users to send unlimited messages be it text, photo, video, etc to other users with iMessage (on iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch) over WiFi or 3G for free. Messages can be tracked with delivery, read and writing receipts.

PC Free
With iOS 5 users no longer need to own a computer to use an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. Devices can be activated and set up straight out of the box and updates will be delivered wirelessly.

Camera
The camera app has been updated and allows you to access the camera straight from the lock screen. Also whilst using the camera, the volume up button becomes the shutter button. Grid lines can be enabled to help with composing a shot, and you can now pinch to zoom.

Photos
The photos app also has some extra features and now allows you to crop, auto-enhance and remove red-eye.

Other new features include: Newsstand for subscribing to and viewing magazines and newspapers, Reminders which is a rather intuitive to do list app, built in Twitter connectivity, Safari updates, WiFi Sync, as well as hundreds of other features and improvements.

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