Apple has just announced the new iOS 6 for their iOS Devices, and incase you have any doubts we have a compiled list of what device gets what features from iOS 6: here. The new iOS 6 has 200 new features. Some are minor, like Mail VIP inbox, and some are intense and exciting, like a brand new Maps app complete with 3D rendering. Now, Apple only showed off ten of the new features and we are taking about the top 6 of those features.
1.Phone
The biggest new improvement to the iOS has to be the Phone app, if you swipe up during an incoming call (much like the Camera shortcut), two small banners will appear at the bottom of the screen right above the Answer and Ignore buttons. These banners will allow you to either remind yourself to call said person back, or text message them.
With options for reminders like, when i leave (current location) or when i reach home, etc. Making the phone a completely different device all together. There are also text replies, which Nokia devices have had forever now, there are a couple quick replies like “I’ll call you later” or “What’s up?” which can be sent with the press of a button.
Apple has also added a Do Not Disturb mode, Users will be able to block out all incoming calls and messages. The messages and notifications will come but the screen will not light up. Also banners, alerts, noises, flashing LED lights will not be a bother. ‘
2. Maps
After acquiring three mapping companies over the past few years, Apple has finally released their own Mapping solution for their iOS devices, and bid Google a fair goodbye. This couldn’t have happened sooner, considering the non-reliable Google Maps especially in countries like India.
Apple designed the whole system themselves, including the cartography, which is why you may notice a differently colored icon for Maps come iOS 6 update time. The app will offer turn-by-turn navigation and, most notably, a 3D “Flyover”, You’ll be able to pan, tilt, zoom, and rotate inside Flyover mode.
Turn by Turn directions are said to be made available globally, hopefully in India as-well. They a spoken aloud in the familiar voice of Siri, the maps will be available to be viewed in 3D mode, and will offer different routes should traffic conditions change up the ETA. Traffic conditions will be monitored by crowd sourced updates, (it is known that these updates are powered by Waze, Getchee, Localeze, Urban Mapping, DMTI, MapData Sciences and, of course, TomTom.)
The Maps will be available full-fledged for the whole world and according to Apple have listings for over 100 million small businesses, with Yelp listings integrated.
3. Facebook Integration
Although it was already known that Apple was going to implement this add-on in iOS, but the sheer method and deep integration has left us in awe of the OS. After signing in once with your username and password, you’ll be able to post instantly to Facebook from anywhere in the new mobile operating system. In fact, if your hands are busy , Siri can do it for you.
Photos, links, locations, Game Center content, “and more” can all be posted straight to the Social Network, and you are now able to “Like” different apps and songs in iTunes and App Store. Apple also opened up a public Facebook iOS 6 API, for developers to include integration in their apps.
All your event and Birthdays from your Facebook are seamlessly synchronized with the calendar app to give you updates and reminders in real time on your personal iOS device.
4. Passbook
Imagine a world where you didn’t have a huge stack of promotional membership cards, discount cards, access cards, tickets etc, Just one simple consolidated pass. That may actually come true with Passbook, Apples new app that allows you to store movie tickets, boarding passes, coupons, and retail loyalty cards in one place. You can scan your iPhone to check in for a flight, get in to a movie, or redeem a coupon.
The App also has geolocations, so the minute you walk into your favorite coffee shop, (example used Starbucks) the card will pop up as a notification, it will display the balance and can be scanned to be redeemed while ordering. Similarly, you arrive at the airport, your boarding pass will appear as a notification on the home screen for easy access.
The Passbook app can even check to see if your flight is delayed or if your gate has changed, and alerts you immediately. If the Gate number is changed it automatically updates on your Passbook.
This service will kick off in the US , but we are pretty sure globally it will become a hit, especially with retailers looking to cut costs. Starbucks, Fandango, Target, Amtrak, United, the Apple Store, MLB.com, and W Hotels are already on board, but none of those are a part of the Indian Businesses list.
We are Hopeful that passbook catches on really fast in India. So all your movie tickets show up in your iOS device.
5. Siri
Siri comes to the world fully, with local searches and total availability. But, thats not the big news. The big news according to Apple is that Siri can now open apps, so if you are like us and have a ton of Apps on the iOS device. Then you will constantly find yourself searching for the App in spotlight, iOS 6 eliminates that by allowing Siri to open these Apps. Now all you need to do is say ” open Temple Run” and the game starts playing. But , do we really need that?
Siri advancements include access to sports, restaurant, and movie information, with the ability to look up Yelp reviews, ratings and prices along with making reservation on Open Table. Now again most of these features remain US centric, but hopefully they come our side soon. You could then probably look Up IPL rankings by just asking Siri.
The most interesting reveal was possibly the “Eyes Free” link. This will allow car manufacturers to integrate Siri into their Cars system, by a simple button on the cars steering wheel, which would call up Siri but not light up the display of the phone. Then you can make calls send messages all without taking your eyes off of the road, or hands off of the wheel.
The other important fact is that Siri will come to the newest gen iPad (launched this year).
6. Safari
The major chunk of the mobile internet access comes from iOS devices every year, it was only fair that Apple upgrade their browser, to become even better. iCloud Tabs keeps track of which pages you have open on your devices, so you can start browsing on one device and pick up right where you left off on whatever device is handy.
Safari now saves web pages, not just links, in your Reading List, so you can catch up on your reading even when you can’t connect to the Internet. The best addition according to us is the ability for the browser to upload images from the photo gallery, when you want to create a listing on Ebay etc, or wanna share a photo on Facebook from the browser.
You can take photos and video, or choose from your Camera Roll, without leaving Safari. When you really want to see the whole picture, turn your iPhone or iPod touch to landscape and tap the full-screen icon to view web pages without distractions.
iOS 6 was released as a beta yesterday, but the final version will ship “This Fall”. iOS 6 will also allow FaceTime calls over cellular (Read – 3G – 4G) and new accessibility features, that will allow you to lo
