iOS 6 is an refines iOS by streamlining processes with iCloud, Maps, Siri and many other goodies. This update will be offered to iPhone 3GS, 4 and 4S along with iPad 2, the new iPad and the iPod touch 4th generation. It is really an advanced operating system that will be very hard for companies like RIM to catch up to but there are still some features I would like to see in the near future.
Siri
Siri’s development really means a great deal – especially for those who live outside the United States. This is because Siri now offers her assistant services in English (US, British and Canadian Eh), Spanish, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Cantonese and even Mandarin! Beyond the language expansion, local search is now available for over 60 countries. Siri can now give answers to scores and stats to sports and players. Moreover, Siri can now offer its services to third party apps so you can now say “Launch Angry Birds Space” and you’ll be able to “launch” birds through space!
Very soon, Apple will integrate Siri with cars to provide an Eyes Free service. Car manufacturers like BMW, Audi, Honda, Toyota and many others so that drivers can be less distracted with changing songs with one hand and driving with the other. This allows drives to drive and dictate the instructions to your humble assistant, Siri.
Maps
Turn-by-turns navigation has been a long-awaited feature to iOS and it has finally arrived. In addition, it can be voice activated with Siri. For a more fun way to browse maps, in an interactive 3D mode and a Flyover feature. The Flyover feature allows users to explore locations in cities as if they were riding a helicopter around town. When you’re looking for a new place to grab a bite, Local Search will help you achieve this task.
Passbook
This App is a fun way to collect all passes, coupons and movie tickets all in one place rather than fidgeting with a thick wallet of cards. This App is live so they keep you updated by time and location about information like coupon expiry, concert seats, account balances and gate changes for flights.
FaceTime
FaceTime has been a great way to have a video call with your friends and family but it was only available with Wi-Fi. With iOS6, you will now be able to make FaceTime calls on your iPad or your phone on your cellular network!
Facebook
Yes, it’s here. It might seem like Apple is playing the catch-up game with Facebook sharing integration but now it really seems like Apple is widening the gap for Blackberry to attempt to catch up. Not only can you share locations on maps and photos on facebook, you can brag about our high scores on Game Center and challenge your friends to beat your score. Similar to Android’s Facebook integration, your Facebook friends’ contact information, profile picture, birthdays and phone number can sync up to your Contacts.
Safari
Safari has two great new features. The first one is iCloud tabs – it allows you to open any Safari tab on your current device with another Apple device like your Macbook Air or iPad. The other exciting feature is the Offline Reading List. As the feature is named, it allows full web pages to be saved to read offline.
Phone
The Phone has three new modes: Reply, Remind and Do Not Disturb. Reply allows you to reply with preset messages when you are too busy to answer a phone call while remind sets you a reminder to call somebody back when you are not so busy. Do Not Disturb is a new feature that can decline calls on your behalf and set exceptions to people like your boss or urgent calls that are Repeated Calls within a 3 minute interval.
Features I would still like to see:
Quick Settings to toggle WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS quickly without having to exit my App to head over to Settings
Live Wallpapers - because they are beautiful
Change default apps – for more customization based on tastes
