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Apple releases major iOS 7.1 update for iPhone and iPad

ios7hidden7Apple has released a major iOS update with version 7.1 now available to download and install for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.

The update offers improvements for Siri, iTunes Radio, the Calendar and a few cosmetic design changes when making calls and turning off the device.

Also included in the iOS 7.1 updated is the CarPlay feature that will replicate iOS and some of the most popular apps in some new cars.

To access the update on your iOS device go to Settings > General > Software Update and there should be a notification that iOS 7.1 is available to update and install.

SIRI

The iOS 7.1 update lets you manually control Siri by holding down the home button and releasing it when you’re done instead of Siri automatically noticing when you’ve stopped talking.

There also more naturally sounding Siri languages including new male and female Australian voices.

The iOS 7.1 update can be accessed from settings - General > Software Update

iTUNES RADIO

iTunes Radio is already popular here in Australia and the new update adds some new features including the ability to make it easier to create stations based on an artist or song.

Listeners now also have the option to buy entire albums instead of just the song they are listening to and users also have a shortcut to subscribe to iTunes Match to replicate your collection in iCloud and eliminate the ads that pop up between songs.

PHONE

There are a few design changes to the call screen with a circular phone button replacing the previous square button. The screen to answer has also changed with smaller symbols and circular answer button.

The call screen has also been redesigned with the iOS 7.1 update

The “slide to power off” screen has also been redesigned with a power button symbol clearly indicating the direction to slide to power off the device.

CALENDAR

There has been a List View button added to the Calendar with the iOS 7.1 update and country specific holidays have also been included.

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