Key Improvements for Educational Use:

Siri: Described as "an intelligent assistant that helps you get things done just by asking". You can ask about the weather, time, stock market, restaurants in an area, directions and traffic, currency exchange rates, set an alarm, reply to a text message, schedule or check an event, set reminders, set a timer, create a note, search the internet, seek a definition, play a song, and many other things. You can talk to Siri in your own words as it identifies words and their meanings. You can essentially ask for the same thing in however way you desire. Although still a beta feature, the amount of different things you can ask Siri is endless even in its early developmental stage.

• Siri has endless implications for increased productivity as faster communication means everything when you want to get things done. Here are some examples:
• Professors will be able to dictate replies to students' emails while walking or driving during the day.
• Students will be able to communicate faster amongst each other through dictated text messages or emails.
• Students will never forget an idea for a class assignment because they didn't have time to write it down.
• A definition for an unfamiliar term can be looked up instantly to save time during a meeting.
• A change in time or location of a meeting can be easily dictated for a calendar adjustment.

Watch this video to get a clearer understanding of how great this new feature is!

iOS 5 : The new mobile operating system will add over 200 new features. Here are a couple of them:

• Notification center: Centralization of different apps so that all notifications can be seen on one screen.
• This features makes it hard for professors and students to miss an email or text message as they only have to look for them in one place. This means faster replies and getting things done on time.

• Twitter Integration: Tweet directly from Safari, photos, Camera, YouTube, and maps.
• Twitter users who tweet information to members of a UNC organization or class will have more access to Twitter so that subscribers are kept up-to-date with news. Relevant pictures taken, articles seen on Safari, videos discovered on YouTube, or directions found on Google Maps will be a click away from being tweeted.
• The new 8-megapixel camera on the iPhone 4S has editing features that will allow tweeters to upload their content exactly how they want it.

• Reminders: Create a list of things-to-due or add due dates.
• This application will be useful for everyone on campus to stay better organized and makes sure every task is taken care of and not forgotten.

• Newsstand: Organize all your magazine and newspaper apps in one place.
• There is potential for everyone at UNC to stay more in tune with educational journals and articles that they might have an interest in. Instead of opening a game while waiting for the bus, you can check out recent news all in one place that you could perhaps share in class. This application saves time and adds accessibility.

For more information on the iPhone 4S visit apple.com