iPhone, iPad to Celebrate Independence Day This Fall

Although we’d have normally filed this one under iOS 5 features to arrive this fall, the PC-free and WiFi-sync functions touted by Apple during the WWDC 2011 keynote can spawn a much more attractive headline on the 4th of July.

Described by Apple itself as "Independence for all iOS devices," the PC Free feature confirmed as present in iOS 5 is not even a function per say.

Rather, it’s just what the logo shows - the elimination of a much-hated hassle of having to constantly tether and untether the iPhone or iPad with wires whenever you need to activate your hardware, update your software, perform synchronization sessions, and so on.

“With iOS 5, you no longer need a computer to own an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch,” Apple explains. “Activate and set up your device wirelessly, right out of the box.”

“Download free iOS software updates directly on your device. Do more with your apps — like editing your photos or adding new email folders — on your device, without the need for a Mac or PC,” says the company run by Steve Jobs.

Thanks to the PC-free nature of iOS 5, users will also be able to wirelessly back up and restore their device automatically using iCloud.

And since we’re on the wireless topic, iOS 5 doesn’t stop here when it comes to cutting the wires.

In addition to the much-touted PC free ability, Apple also threw in WiFi Sync.


When iOS 5 ships this autumn, users will be able to wirelessly sync their iPhone or iPad to their Mac or PC over a shared Wi-Fi connection.

And when the user connects their iOS device to a power source, it will automatically sync and back up any new content to iTunes.

“So you always have your movies, TV shows, home videos, and photo albums everywhere you want them,” according to Apple.