The Apple ‘fan boys’ and the rest of us alike will be keen to see the up and coming new features for iOS6 due to land this coming Fall.
In this blog post we shall take a brief look at some of the highlights from the new features which are to be added to many Apple devices in the upcoming update. iOS 6 will be a free upgrade to all customers and marks a shift in feature set for some key aspects of the software.
To check if your iOS device will run iOS 6 see this link.
Maps
Since the introduction of iPhone in 2007 mapping has been at the centre as one of the key features. (Think for example about how many times you’ve visited the Apple store and the very first port of call on the latest device has been the Maps App?) All previous incarnations of iOS have come with Google Maps installed. Apple will shift to the new deal with GPS Manufacturer Tom Tom for the upcoming maps.
This is for two reasons –
1st Google would never provide the same experience on iOS as it provides for its own Android customer base;
2nd Android maps are currently a lot better than Maps on iOS, including the option to rotate maps ‘on the fly’ and the syncing of favourite places across desktop and smart phone.
Sadly Street View will not be included in the update coming to iOS this Fall – this could be a complete deal breaker for some. Perhaps we should wait and see for how long it should take for a 3rd party App for street view for iPhone, whilst the new maps will have cool fly-by views to tide us all over in some cities only.
Siri Integration
Siri has been well accepted (if a touch of a novelty?) however the addition of your personal assistant for iPad will be a welcome addition note Siri will only appear on the New iPad, this blog feels that potentially Siri will have a better home on the rumoured iPad Mini. Really can you see yourself speaking into your iPad!?
Facebook Integration
Up to now Facebook has provided what may only be described as a weak performance when it came to mobile, (iPad App crash at launch anyone?). Reports have shown that Facebook is to focus on revenue streams from mobile more in the future (more here), it therefore comes as no surprise that Apple are to integrate Facebook into iPad and allow Siri to update Status, whilst contacts will sync from Facebook which lets admit is copied right out of the Android OS.
Car Integration
Many of the world’s largest car manufacturers have realised that they can build customer base by partnering with Apple and so there is to be a dedicated button (yes a button!) in upcoming vehicles to allow for no look interaction with iOS 6 / Siri
If you are not in the market for a new car with that ‘button’ aftermarket kits will certainly emerge, now if only they could build in a heads up display….
For a full list of the new add-ons for iOS 6 check out this post at techradar.
