It wasn't that long ago when iOS users only really needed to worry about backing up their device contacts if their device of choice was an iPhone, but with the introduction of iMessage and the subsequent ability to send messages across iPhones, iPads and iPod touches, it is now more important than ever to ensure that all contact information is backed up securely. Having the information backed up ensures that changing devices will never cause a contact information based issue, with all of that data being immediately available at your finger tips regardless of the type of iOS device you own.
Prior to iOS 5, it's fair to say that the system of notifications within Apple's mobile and desktop software left quite some to be a desired. Users of the Cupertino's mobile operating system had perhaps suffered slightly worse, but the infrastructure in which users were notified of new e-mails, messages, and other such tidbits, has been crying out for some sort of discipline and stability. The Notification Center, which has since trickled out to Mac thanks to the divisive - but ongoing - iOS-ification of OS X, has certainly done that, but to many, it's still a long way from the level it should be at.
Apple has, save a few well-documented howlers along the way, steadily improved iOS through generations. With that said, there's certainly scope for much improvement, and TheVerge user brentcas has had a pop at suggesting some amendments to one key area in particular need of updating and improving - the lock screen.
Although Facebook currently holds the title as the world's largest social network with over one billion active monthly members, it doesn't mean that success is guaranteed. The face of companies such as Facebook and Twitter are constantly evolving to meet the demands of their user base, so it stands to reason that Facebook will be continuously trying to innovate and add new technologies and services to their social experience, one of which is the Photo Syncing feature we reported on last week. Although Photo Syncing was initially in a private beta stage with a select few iOS users, Facebook have now rolled the service out on a large scale to all compatible iOS and Android devices using the official Facebook app.
Apple's iPhone always manages to sell in high numbers when the holiday season approaches, and history has repeated itself once again this year. Thanks to strong sales of the brand new iPhone 5, iOS has peaked at the top of the smartphone market share in the United States, according to data collated by research outfit Kantar Worldpanel Comtech.
With so many photo-centric apps on the App Store, it's becoming increasingly hard for developers to bring something fresh to the table. But it's not impossible, and if you're looking for a new way to have fun with your photos, you may want check out Trevi for iPhone.
The patent wars that Apple have found themselves in over the last eighteen months are extremely well documented and have been covered all over the world as the Cupertino based company carries on the fight to protect what they believe is their registered property. The ongoing issues with Samsung and Motorola Mobility may not show any signs of coming to an immediate end but it looks like Apple may have one less thing to worry about after coming to a legal agreement with Taiwan based HTC regarding patents.
The latest game from Rovio, Angry Birds Star Wars, has proven to be a real hit with iOS gamers, as the new release reached the top of the App Store charts in less than three hours, setting a new record in the process.
It should be common news by now that Apple has taken the decision to have an executive shake-up in Cupertino, with a number of notable faces set to leave the company in 2013. One of the most well-known casualties of the internal restructure is Scott Forstall who has held the role of Senior Vice President of iOS over the last few years. Forstall has been in charge of developing and handling the direction of iOS and has reportedly been shown the door due to his inability to play nice with other executives, as well as the publicly perceived shortcomings in the new Apple mapping system and the Siri digital assistant.
Apple has obviously designed iOS to run perfectly on their iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices. Google build and engineer Android with smartphones and tablet devices in mind and Microsoft has built Windows 8 to work on an array of different devices, but it's unlikely that Google, Apple or Microsoft envisaged their software running on a DSLR camera when crafting the operating systems.

