Apple Releases iOS 7.1 with CarPlay, Siri Improvements and more

Apple has released iOS 7.1, a major update to its mobile platform.

The update is said to improve Touch ID fingerprint recognition for iPhone 5s users and also includes a new setting for Siri, allowing users to hold the home button on their device and let go when they are done, unlike the older version where Siri automatically detect when a user has finished speaking.

iOS 7.1, also includes the newly announced CarPlay compatibility.

Below are the release notes of the update which state that it includes “improvements and bug fixes.”

CarPlay
1. iOS experience designed for the car
2. Simply connect your iPhone to a CarPlay enabled vehicle
3. Supports Phone, Music, Maps, Messages, and 3rd-party audio apps
4. Control with Siri and the car’s touchscreen, knobs, and buttons

Siri
1. Manually control when Siri listens by holding down the home button while you speak and releasing it when you’re done as an alternative to letting Siri automatically notice when you stop talking
2. New, more natural sounding male and female voices for Mandarin Chinese, UK English, Australian English, and Japanese

iTunes Radio
- Search field above Featured Stations to easily create stations based on your favorite artist or song
- Buy albums with the tap of a button from Now Playing
- Subscribe to iTunes Match on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to enjoy iTunes Radio ad-free

Calendar
- Option to display events in month view
  Country specific holidays automatically added for many countries

Accessibility
1. Bold font option now includes the keyboard, calculator, and many icon glyphs
2. Reduce Motion option now includes Weather, Messages, and multitasking UI animations
3. New options to display button shapes, darken app colors, and reduce white point