Apple's iOS is a powerful mobile operating system, but many of its most productive features are hidden or simply not well known. With this iOS Quick Tip, AppleInsider shows off two of the least-appreciated features of the Messages app.
Show Timestamps
In iOS 7, each message in a conversation -- whether it's an SMS, MMS, or an iMessage -- now comes with a timestamp showing the time the message was sent or received.
How to activate it: Swipe from right to left on the messages window. Any sent messages will slide over to reveal the timestamp for each entry, and they will bounce back and hide the timestamp when you let go.
Start a phone call
Users can start a new voice call or FaceTime session with another person without leaving the Messages app.
How to activate it: Tapping the "Contact" text in the upper-right hand corner of a message window will reveal extra options below. The phone icon starts a new call, the camera icon begins a FaceTime session, and the information icon lets users edit that person's contact entry. Tapping "Done" will hide the controls.