Apple posts new ‘Designed Together’ ad showcasing iOS 7, iPhone 5c

Following the release of iOS 7 this morning, Apple has posted a new advertisement showcasing the redesigned software alongside the all-new iPhone 5c.

The ad is entitled 'Designed Together,' and similar to Apple's recent 'Plastic Perfected' commercial, there's no voiceover or dialogue. Instead, all you hear is catchy background music as various elements of iOS 7 and the iPhone 5c are displayed across the screen...

Direct download links for iOS 7

Apple's just let iOS 7 out of the cage (what, you haven't heard?). Although the firm initially released the software as an over-the-air update weighing in at 1+ gigabyte, some folks like yours truly prefer starting afresh with each major new iOS release.

There are plenty of reasons to do that, from getting rid of the junk amassed from previous updates for maximum speed to rethinking which apps to install and how you want your devices set up. If you're going to do a clean install, you're going to need direct download links for iOS 7 that I've included for your pleasure right after the break...

A running list of major iOS 7 app updates

With Apple releasing iOS 7 today, a number of popular apps have posted updates in order to make sure they work properly with the new firmware. Some are just minor compatibility updates, and others are complete redesigns.

Instead of trying to do individual posts about each of these updates, we've decided to keep a running list of all of them so that you can get an idea of which applications have been updated and what the new versions look like...

A comprehensive list of iOS 7 features

Since it was unveiled on June 10, 2013, iOS 7 has seen six beta and one final GM releases before it was made available to the general public today. If the overall look and feel of iOS 7 hasn't changed much since Apple first demo'd it on stage during WWDC, the mobile operating system has been constantly improved on with the usual "bug fixes and stability enhancements," but most importantly with new features.

These new iOS 7 features are sometimes obvious, but often very subtle. Over the course of the last three months, we've made it our mission to build a list of features that are new to iOS 7. It is not an exhaustive list, but this is probably as comprehensive as it gets. If you want to know all iOS 7 can do for you, you've come to the right place...

iOS 7: what you need to know before updating

Today is the big day as Apple has finally unleashed iOS 7 to the public. Billed as the biggest change to iOS since the original iPhone (it really is), iOS 7 provides a distinctively new yet familiar visual feel to it while offering a host of nice enhancements that make it a worthwhile upgrade.

The mobile operating system is available as a free update to owners of supported iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices. Here's a recap of what's new in iOS 7, why it matters and some sound advice on the steps you should take prior to deploying iOS 7 on your devices...

iOS 7 is out, get downloading

Like clockwork, Apple has just released the long anticipated iOS 7 software update. Packed with innovative new features and rocking the controversial Jony Ive-approved user interface overhaul, the seventh iteration of Apple's mobile operating system for iOS devices is now available to owners of the iPhone 4 and later, iPad 2 and later, iPad mini and fifth-generation iPod touch.

Building on its predecessor, iOS 7 comes packed with new features such as Control Center, AirDrop wireless file sharing, Vimeo and Flickr integration, ad-supported iTunes Radio, FaceTime audio calls and more. It also improves upon the existing feature set with such stuff as enhanced alerts, the improved Notification Center, smoother multitasking, improvements to Siri, Safari, Photos and many other stock apps...

iTunes TOS amended with Touch ID, Popular Near Me clarification

In another sign of the imminent iOS 7 release, Apple has just released iTunes 11.1 for Mac and Windows with support for iOS 7 devices and installations, also bringing out new features like iTunes Radio, Podcast Stations and Genius Shuffle.

As part of the release - and consistent with Apple's history - the company has updated the iTunes Terms & Conditions. The document has been amended with additional information regarding authenticating your account for purchases and automatic delivery of app updates, in addition to the previously unknown tidbits about the App Store's Popular Near Me feature...

BlackBerry Messenger to reportedly hit the App Store September 21 [updated]

Folks looking forward to the release of BlackBerry's Messenger app on iOS will be happy to hear that the long wait may almost be over. A new report suggests that BBM will hit the App Store this Saturday, September 21.

BlackBerry first announced that its popular messenger app would be landing on iOS and Android back in May. And earlier this month, one of its developers confirmed on Twitter that it had been submitted to Apple for review...

iTunes 11.1 is out with iTunes Radio, Podcast Stations, Genius Shuffle

In another sign that iOS 7 release is imminent, Apple has just posted the iTunes 11.1 update which brings out not only iOS 7 compatibility, but a few new features, including the long-expected, ad-supported iTunes Radio streaming, in addition to Podcast Stations, the new Genius Shuffle capability, support for iOS 7 device sync and more.

You're going to love Genius Shuffle, "a magical new way to experience your music library" that plays songs that go great together from iCloud.

And if you're into podcasts, iTunes 11.1 lets you create automagically-updated custom stations of your favorite podcasts. I've included the full changelog right after the break...

Apple tops PC customer satisfaction for tenth year

Apple once more tops PC customer satisfaction. The Mac and iPad creator practically owns the top spot, ranking No. 1 in the American Customer Satisfaction for nearly a decade. Since 2004, Apple has scored highest in pre-sale expectations, perceived quality and value, number of complaints and customer loyalty.

The firm scored 87, 1.2 percent higher than 2012 and topping the 79 rating for average PC customer satisfaction. Where were the competitors? In the basement, or lower...

Apple posts iOS 7 user guides for the iPad and iPod touch

With each new iOS release, Apple typically makes available the accompanying user guide through the Manuals section of its website. With the advent of iBooks and the iBookstore, the company started reformatting these manuals for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices, making them available as free downloads on the iBookstore.

As we count the remaining hours until today's iOS 7 release, we've just spotted the official iOS 7 manual on the iBookstore...

iPad mini 2 back shell in space gray?

With the iPhone 5s and 5c, Apple has clearly adopted a new color scheme for this year's iPhones. On the plastic end, we have white, red, green, blue and yellow as your vivid color choices. The flagship iPhone 5s, however, has switched to three finishes: in addition to the much talked-about gold variant, there's also a silver model which closely resembles last year's white iPhone 5 and an all new space gray model, basically a subtly toned down black iPhone 5 design with a gray backplate that gives it a more metallic feel.

Which begs the question of new iPads. With these design changes in place for new iPhones, will Apple adopt a similar strategy for the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2? A new part that leaked Wednesday shows a new space gray color finish on a back shell said to belong to the forthcoming second-gen iPad mini upgrade...