Wi-Fi Sync
It’s here, at long last! As part of Apple’s new cord-cutting “PC Free” initiative with its iOS devices, you’ll finally be able to wirelessly sync your device with iTunes whenever your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad is connected to a power device (ironic, we know). You won’t even have to hit the Sync button to make the magic happen -- unless you want to. We know you’re sentimental that way.

Multitasking Gestures for iPad
This one was teased awhile back in a developer preview, but it’s finally going to be part of the official mix in iOS 5. Using four or five fingers, swipe left or right and move between apps (it feels like real multitasking!), swipe up to reveal the multitasking bar or pinch to get back to the Home screen, just like magic. Oh sweet gestures, where have you been all our lives…?

AirPlay Mirroring (iPad 2 only)
While we’re cutting cords for Wi-Fi sync, why not do the same with the HDMI connection between our iPad 2 and HDTV? Thanks to AirPlay and your second-generation Apple TV, you’ll now be able to wirelessly mirror whatever is on your iPad 2 screen, right to your television. The screen will even pop into portrait or landscape based on how you hold the tablet.

Accessibility
iOS 5 continues Apple’s initiative to make advances in the field of accessibility features for those suffering from mobility, hearing, vision or cognitive disabilities. With the latest iOS, you’ll be able to use the LED flash and custom vibration settings to allow you to see and feel when someone is calling, along with improvements to VoiceOver such as custom element labeling.

Alternate Routes in Maps
Life teaches us that there’s always more than one way through a problem, and now the iOS Maps apps can do the same by offering alternate routes. The shortest and best way is always presented as Route 1, but you’ll can easily tap on any alternates that Google finds to switch gears. It’s like a small adventure, except you know exactly where you’ll wind up in the end.

New iPad Music App
Apple didn’t really talk about it at WWDC 2011, but the old iPod app on the iPad and iPod touch is history with iOS 5, replaced by a revamped Music app -- even the iPhone will now have separate apps for Music and Videos. While we don’t really need one more icon on our home screen, we welcome being able to find what we’re looking for that much easier.

Smart Playlist Sync from iTunes
Eagle-eyed keynote viewers may have spotted the words “Smart Playlist Sync from iTunes” on that iOS 5 slide showing a bunch of new features that weren’t announced. Since you can currently sync Smart Playlists from iTunes to your iOS device, we’re not quite sure what Apple has in store for us here -- although we can tell you that Smart Playlists are now denoted by the familiar little gear icon next to their name.

Hourly Weather Forecasts
Another peek at unannounced features shows hourly weather forecasts for the existing Weather app, which sadly still doesn’t seem to be coming to the iPad. Apple hasn’t shown their hand here yet, but we’re guessing it’s exactly what it sounds like.

Improved FaceTime Video Quality
FaceTime still won’t work over 3G with iOS 5, but Apple is promising that you’ll get improved video quality with the calls you make from now on. Improved is always better, so we’ll take it. Will it be as clear as the image here? Call us this fall and we'll both find out.

iTunes Tone Store
Last but not least, iOS 5 will allow you to set your own tones for voicemail as well as Mail and Calendar alerts, and they’ll be launching the iTunes Tone Store in an effort to sell you some cool sounds to use with this new feature. Whether or not you’ll be able to roll your own in way you currently can with ringtones remains to be seen.