On Wednesday last week, Apple released a new mobile OS for users to download. 

The iOS 5 is free and compatible with iPhone 3GS, 4 and 4S, 3rd- and 4th-generation iPods, iPad and iPad 2. 

But what hidden or novel features are there to the new OS? Here, we explore seven additions for iPhone and iPad interfaces: 

User-Defined Keyboard Shortcuts  

 

This feature enables the phone to auto-correct an abbreviation to a phrase you customize it to. 
For example, when you type “fwiw”, the iOS will correct it to the full phrase “for what it’s worth” 

Go to Settings > General > Keyboard. 
Scroll to the bottom, where you will find a prompt to add a new shortcut. 

Custom Vibrations for Call Alerts  

 

This feature allows users to create and assign unique vibration sequences for specific contacts. 

Go to Contacts > choose a contact > tap Edit > (scroll down) Vibrate > Create New Vibration. 
Tap out the new vibration rhythm, and save it. 

Create LED Flashes for Visual Alerts  

 

This feature lets your iPhone alert you of messages or emails with its camera’s LED flash, when the phone is set to silent mode. 

Go to Settings > General > Switch ‘on’ LED Flash For Alerts. 

Instant Definitions  

 

When you select and hold down a word, this feature: Defines—gives you the dictionary entry of the word, which include the definition, usage example, and other information such as its origin/derivative; Suggests—suggests a list of other words that you may prefer to type; Quotes—increases or decreases the vertical lines before the text. 

Privacy and Pretending Not to Read iMessages  

 

The new OS allows you to: privately browse on Safari, not notify your friends that you’ve read their messages on iMessages, and disable previews of your texts and emails so others can’t see them. 

Go to Settings > Safari > Switch ‘on’ Private Browsing. 
Go to Settings >Messages > Switch ‘off’ Send Read Receipts. 
Go to Settings >Notifications > Switch ‘off’ Show Preview for both Messages and Mail. 
Check App Usage  

 

This feature allows you to check what apps are taking up the most of your device’s storage capacity. 

Go to Settings > General > Usage. 

Alternate Routes in Map  

 

iOS 5 allows users to search for alternate routes on their mobile devices. 
After defining your location and destination, Maps lets you view the different routes, by tapping ‘Route 1’, ‘Route 2’, ‘Route 3’, etc, on the map itself.