One of the major developments to come out of Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference today was the announcement of an upcoming iOS redesign, which CEO Tim Cook called the “biggest change to iOS since the introduction of the iPhone.”  The software that runs the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch will be available to customers this coming fall.

During the conference, Apple showed a 10-minute presentation of iOS 7, featuring new typography, grids and icons, as well as a redesigned home screen, which will allow users to jump straight to system settings, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, without swiping to another screen. The Control Center will also allow users to access volume, flashlight and airplane mode from any screen. The iPhone camera will also take on new options, allowing users to shoot photos in square of panorama orientations, as well as offering Instagram-like filters.

iOS 7 will also introduce Airdrop, a feature that allows users to send photos directly to one another without opening the text or email apps.

“The new iOS will be like getting an entirely new phone, but one you already know how to use,” said Apple senior vice-president Craig Federighi.

The update is offered in Beta to developers beginning today. It is compatible with the iPhone 4 or later and the iPad 2 and later.

The other major announcement at the WWDC was the unveiling of iTunes Radio, Apple’s answer to highly-successful apps such as Slacker and Pandora. Available later this year, the ad-supported program will offer hundreds of pre-programmed radio stations to iTunes. Listeners will be able to create stations based on their favorite musicians.

Apple also announced new versions of its MacBook Air. According to Cupertino, the ultra-thin laptops, which went on sale today, feature improved battery life, including 9 hours for the $999 11-inch model and a full 12 hours for the $1,099 13-inch version. Both models cost $100 less than the previous versions. The Mac Pro will be assembled in the United States.

Other highlights of the WWDC included:

• Siri will get a new voice, available in both male and female characters. He or she will be featured in iOS in the car, which will allow drivers to access their mobile devices “eyes-free.”
• iCloud is now integrated with iWork. iCloud can also edit Microsoft Office documents, and it can now be accessed in Windows.
• Changing from its long-time cats theme to what will become a string of California-related names, Apple announced its new version of OS X, Mavericks. The update will integrate organizational tools such as tags and tabs into its finder. The system is available for developers to preview beginning today.
• Activation Lock will allow users to remotely deactivate lost or stolen phones, preventing thieves from using them.
• Apple unveiled its updated desktop system, the Mac Pro, a cylindrical model just one-eighth of the volume of the current version.  “Can’t innovate any more my ass,” Apple’s Phil Schiller said of the update.
• A new version of Safari will feature a sidebar displaying a more prominent display for reading lists, as well as shared links from Twitter and LinkedIn friends.