iOS 5 unveiled at last week’s WWDC 2011 Keynote address includes more than 200 new features. Some of the major features include iMessage, revamped notification system, PC Free, Wi-Fi Sync etc.
Last year, features such as Folders, Multitasking introduced in iOS 4 were inspired by the jailbreak apps such as Categories, ProSwitcher etc. and not surprisingly, some of the new iOS 5 features seem to be also inspired by jailbreak apps or tweaks.
Here’s a list of features that are already available to users who have jailbroken their iOS devices:
Revamped Notification System:
The revamped notification system in iOS 5 seems to be inspired by MobileNotifier, which in turn was inspired by Android, while . Interestingly, Apple has hired the developer of MobileNotifier – Peter Hajas. He is working now in the iOS apps and framework team.
Wi-Fi Sync:
Jailbreak app – Wi-Fi Sync already allow users to wirelessly sync their jailbroken iOS device with iTunes over a Wi-Fi network.
The similarities between iOS 5’s Wi-Fi Sync feature and the jailbreak app has raised some eyebrows.
Volume button to take Photos:
Jailbreak tweaks such as FastSnap, SnapTap already allow jailbroken iOS device users to use volume buttons to take photos.
FaceTime over 3G:
It looks like Apple will enable FaceTime video calls over 3G in iOS 5, which is currently restricted only over Wi-Fi.
Jailbreak tweaks like My3G already allow iPhone 4 users to make FaceTime video calls over 3G.
Delete Individual Calls:
iOS 5 will finally allow users to delete individual calls, which is currently possible using a jailbreak tweak called Call Delete.
We’re still in the process of discovering the 200+ new features in iOS 5, so we won’t be surprised if more features are added to this list.
Though some are accusing Apple of stealing these ideas from jailbreak developers, it can be debated that these features are evolutionary and frequently requested by users.
At the end of the day, it’s good to see these features make it to the official iOS 5 feature list, so that users who are not technically inclined to hack their iOS device can also enjoy them and kudos to the jailbreak community for bringing them to us before Apple.
What do you think? Please share your views in the comments section.
