The biggest news of this week so far is Apple’s absurd iPhone 5 numbers — five million in one weekend — and the fact that iOS 6 is on more than 100 million devices worldwide.
Speaking of iOS 6, here’s my review!
Every year, Apple decides to tweak its mobile operating system. This year’s update, iOS 6, has more than 200 new features according to Apple, but most of them are under-the-hood changes.
The upgrade is free, but is it worth a download? Read my review to find out.
Siri
Though still technically in beta, Siri receives a welcome upgrade with iOS 6. The suave virtual assistant can now pull sports data, make restaurant reservations, buy movie tickets, post to Twitter and Facebook and launch applications. It’s also finally available on the new iPad.
It’s a welcome update and Siri works better than ever, though not without the usual kinks.
Twitter got the iOS treatment with iOS 5, but the world’s largest social network gets integrated this time around.
It works largely in the same way — log into Facebook through the Settings menu, download the revamped app and share away.
Most native apps like Pictures have the new “share sheet” option, with Facebook, Twitter, e-mail and others as selectable options. It’s not only prettier than the dull grey menu from before, it’s more useful when the phone is in landscape orientation.
Shared Photo Streams
Another sharing feature, Shared Photo Streams is exactly what it sounds like. If you’re going somewhere and want to update others on your adventures through photos, you can share a stream with them, and they’ll get a peek at all your pictures.
Just make sure to remember when you’re sharing and when you’re not. Family members don’t want to see the scandalous pictures meant for your girlfriend.
Maps
The first part of Apple’s “de-Googling” of the iPhone comes in the form of the new Maps application. That’s right, Google Maps is not only not preinstalled upon upgrading, it isn’t a download option either, though Google is supposedly working on an app.
Maps brings some long craved features to iOS —like turn-by-turn navigation — but the change from Google’s product is annoying.
Google has developed, polished and perfected Google Maps for years now. Apple’s version has only been in development for five years, which isn’t long enough to contain the same level of detail as the alternative.
It’s not that Apple Maps is as awful as the blogosphere says it is. It just isn’t as good as Google Maps, and there was no real reason for switching over unless it was.
Apple didn’t make this decision to benefit the consumer, it made it because it feels threatened by Google.
Maps could be great in the future. But right now, it isn’t, and without a downloadable equivalent on the App Store, consumers lose.
Passbook
Apple isn’t an early adopter of technology, which makes the inclusion of a mobile payments app odd.
Passbook gathers coupons, tickets, gift cards or boarding passes from other apps and puts them in one place.
It’s an interesting feature, but it’s not widely supported at this time. The potential is there, but unless mobile payments catch on, I can’t see Passbook being used much.
FaceTime over cellular
Exactly how it sounds. You’ll have to have a shared data plan to use the feature on AT&T, but it works without any hassle on other networks.
Phone enhancements
The revamped phone app can now set reminders for missed calls or respond with a text message directly from the app.
Personally, it’s my favorite feature. Get a call during class? A simple button press lets the caller know that.
Accessibility enhancements
Apple’s commitment to accessibility on their devices cannot be understated. With iOS 6, the home button and sections of the screen can be disabled to prevent unintended actions.
Panorama
Another self-descriptive feature — the camera can now take panoramic shots up to 24 megapixels in size.
Apple hasn’t redefined, reshaped, or revolutionized anything with iOS 6.
And that’s okay — it didn’t need to. iOS is the simplest and easiest to use mobile OS available, so there’s no reason to try and change the game.
But iOS’ age is showing. While Android has undergone redesign upon redesign, iOS has the same app drawer design from five years ago.
I’m not saying Apple should ditch that style, it’s clearly worked for them. But they need to change something, and they need to do it soon.
You don’t make progress by standing still.
That being said, iOS 6 is a good update that everyone should download.
