This past Monday, Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, announced and gave a preview of iOS 5, the latest version of Apple’s operating system from the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. The latest version of iOS includes a variety of new features, including built-in iCloud and Twitter integration.

Notification Center

One new feature included in iOS 5 is the “Notification Center”, which is a one-stop place to go for all of your notifications, including those for new e-mails, text messages, friend requests, calendar appointments, reminders, as well as other things, which can be customized by users.

In addition, when a user receives a new notification, it will appear at the top of the screen and will quickly disappear, and will not interrupt what a user was doing at the time of the notification’s appearance.

The “Notification Center” can also display weather and stock information, and the “Notification Center” can be revealed simply by swiping down with a finger. The lock screen also displays notifications, allowing users to see what is happening, even if they’re not currently using their device.

iMessage

Another new feature included in iOS 5 is “iMessage”, which is a new messaging service, designed specifically for iOS users. With “iMessage”, users can send an unlimited amount of text messages from their iOS enabled device, such as their iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad, over Wi-Fi or 3G to other people who are using an iOS enabled device.

Since “iMessage” is built into the “Messages” application, users can send text messages, photos, videos, contacts, and even locations to other users, provided they are using an iOS enabled device. Users can also track their messages, using delivery and read receipts, and can even see when another “iMessages” user is typing, as an ellipsis will be displayed.

Another feature of “iMessages” is that users can begin a conversation on one iOS device and pick up where they left off on another iOS enabled device.

Newsstand

“Newsstand” is another new feature included in iOS 5, which organizes all of a user’s magazine and newspaper subscriptions into one folder, where they can be accessed quickly and easily.

In addition, there is a new feature on the App Store, where users can purchase and configure their newspaper and magazine subscriptions, with new purchases going straight to the “Newsstand” folder.

Reminders

“Reminders” is another new feature included in iOS 5, which enables users to create and manage to-do lists, which even allow users to set due-dates and locations.

Since reminders are location based, a user can create a reminder to pick up some milk at the grocery store and when they arrive at the store, they will be alerted, as the iOS device will “know” the user’s location. In addition, “Reminders” can be used with Apple’s iCal, iCloud, as well as Microsoft Outlook, so all changes are synced between the appropriate devices and programs.

Twitter Integration

Perhaps one of the more interesting features of iOS 5 is built-in Twitter integration, allowing users to sign into their Twitter accounts in iOS’s settings. After doing this, users can easily tweet from right from Safari, Photos, Camera, YouTube, and even the “Maps” application.

Also, a location can be appended to a tweet, regardless of which application is being used to send the tweet.

PC Free Setup

Previously, when a user purchased an iOS enabled device, such as a iPhone, iPod Touch, or an iPad, they had to connect it to a computer to configure it.

However, this is a thing of the past, as new iOS device owners can simply configure their new device wirelessly, without having to connect it to a computer. Also, users can download any new iOS updates straight to their device and can also backup their device using Apple’s new iCloud service.

More Great Features

In addition to these great new features, Apple’s iOS 5 includes a variety of different updates to preexisting applications, such as Safari, which now includes a new “Safari Reader” mode, which eliminates clutter from webpages, as well as updates other apps, such as the Camera and Photos applications.

For more information about Apple’s latest version of their mobile operating system, iOS 5, you should check out the official Apple website’s iOS 5 features page.

What do you think about the new features included in Apple’s iOS 5? Please feel free to post your questions, comments, or opinions below!