Apple announced their latest update to their mobile operating system this month with news of iOS 6, which is slated for an autumn release (probably with the new iPhone). Whilst the update might not have as many improvements as iOS 5, but there are some real big hitters in there. The update couldn’t have come at a better time for Apple as Microsoft announced their first dip into the tablet market, and Android released their updated OS to their customers. The changes in the new iOS are mostly common across all three platforms (iPod, iPhone and iPad), however some are platform specific. Whatever your platform, there is something there for everyone and as a massive Apple fan myself, I’m delighted with some of these new features. So without further ado, here are the top features of the soon to be released iOS 6:
Facebook integration
When Apple announced its integration with Twitter on iOS 5, it was heralded as a brilliant idea. As a Twitter user, I find the integration very helpful as I only have to log into my Twitter accounts once and they are accessible by most apps. Now Apple have teamed up with the worlds largest social media network, Facebook, and deeply integrated their features into the new iOS. You can now post pictures and links directly to Facebook, integrate your Facebook event notifications with your calendar, post your location directly from the Maps app, share your high score from Game Centre on your timeline, like apps and songs from your phone and even get Siri to do all of these things for you. Maybe the most useful automation is the link between your friends list and your contacts. So if your friends update their Facebook information, like email address, it’s automatically updated in your contacts. Brilliant, unless you don’t have a Facebook account that is.
New, improved Siri
iOS 6 will feature a new and improved virtual assistant, Siri, with its native features. Siri is now able to post to Facebook or tweet on Twitter for you, all without touching the screen. Very useful if you have no fingers or are in the middle of something. Siri is also close to becoming the perfect partner for the singles out there. Want to watch a film or eat out ladies? Siri will help you pick a film, cinema and restaurant. Gents, want to know how your sports team has fared? Siri will bring up the latest results for you in a flash, and will probably discuss the offside rule with you! (probably not). My pick of the features though is the app launcher, as Siri will route through all your folders and launch your app for you upon request. The perfect feature for someone who is a bit app addicted such as myself. If only I wasn’t already married…
Goodbye Google maps, hello Apple Maps
In what I’d consider Apple’s biggest risk is the doing away with the tried and trusted Google maps system and implementing their own maps into their Maps app. Feature-wise, the Apple maps look amazing. The actual maps look a lot more crisp than the Google counterparts, especially when zooming in/out or panning around. They have also included a 3D direction system similar to what you would expect in a Sat Nav system, rather than the basic 2D one available with previous versions. Included in this is love traffic updates, which keep you informed of any delays on the route and asks if you would like to take a detour. Obviously its all integrated with Siri to make it easier, but the most impressive feature, without a doubt, is the flyover feature, which allows you to view major cities from above in a spectacular flyover. A typical, dazzling Apple feature that adds to a very good, new feature.
3G Facetime
You can now use the facetime feature over your mobile network, rather than only over WiFi, which is a vast improvement. Now you can facetime your friends or family whilst they are out and about. No more sneaking off to the pub for a cheeky pint after work, or doing a spot of secret shopping whilst waiting for your train home, because now with mobile facetime you can’t lie as easily.
New in-call features
Apple have even been generous enough to include some new, snazzy features for the thing that started it all, your phone app. The main feature is the ability to send someone a text message when you decline a call, or set a reminder to call them back when its more appropriate. So if you are in a meeting and your mum rings about going round for tea, you can send her to voicemail and text her explaining that she’s just embarrassed you in front of your regional directors. Handy….
So as you can see from the list above, iOS 6 threatens to be the most ground-breaking, earth-shattering, rump-shaking update since iOS5. But the best feature, which I purposely left for last as it’s a bug-bear of mine, is that when you update your apps through the app store, the new iOS will no longer kick you out. You can update whilst browsing. Amazeballs!