iOS 6 finally unveiled: Siri update, Facebook integration, 3D maps, and more!

According to Apple, March 30 saw the sale of 365 Million iOS devices, 80% of which now run iOS 5. Apple have also seen massive success with notification center, iMessage and Twitter integration. But that was iOS 5. The WWDC keynote speech has come to an end, and it would’t be complete without a new version of iOS.

iOS 6 has over 200 new features, first up, Siri.

It looks like good news for all our sports fans – Siri now has access to sports scores and statistics. In the keynote we saw Siri give the Giants score from yesterday, Buster Posey’s batting average, Lebron James’ height, the National League standings, and the date for the 49ers – Packers game. Siri will also sort restaurant results by rating, and a partnership with OpenTable means you can now book a table directly from the search results.Siri has also become something of a film buff. In the demo she was asked to display movies showing at the Metreon, but you can also search for films via actor, i.e. Scarlett Johansson, Apple have also partnered with Rotten Tomatoes .

Siri now launches apps too! There’s a nifty feature called “Eyes Free.” Car manufactures like BMW and GM are going to include a button that will bring up Siri whilst in your car, so you can keep your eyes on the road. We’ve also got some new languages, Mandarin and Cantonese included. Finally, Siri is coming to the new iPad! Next up, Facebook!

Facebook has been integrated into iOS, just like Twitter was last year. You can log in from settings, share from apps like photos or Safari, and update locations from Maps. You can now also Tap to Tweet and Tap to Post to either Facebook or Twitter from the notification center! There’s also integration for the App store and the calendar, so all your Facebook events will appear in your calendar.The phone application also received an update. If you can’t answer a call directly, not only is there the option to accept or decline, but you can now also choose to reply with a message, or have the phone remind you to reply later. There are even preset messages you can select to send to the disgruntled person whose call you have just declined! There’s also a new feature called “Do not disturb”, this allows you switch off notifications and alerts.

More good news, FaceTime over 3G! With iOS 6, users can now make FaceTime calls over cellular data. Apple have also unified your phone number and Apple ID, so if someone calls you for FaceTime on your phone, you can answer it on your iPad or Mac, and the same applies to iMessage.

Next to receive an overhaul is Safari. There are now iCloud tabs, and an offline reading list, you can also upload photos from Safari to many of your favourite websites. There is also an addition of Smart App banners, which appear on websites that have a dedicated iOS app and allow you to shift seamlessly between browsing activity and App activity.

Photo Stream also boasts new features, such as sharing photos with friends, creating Apple’s own social network, much like Facebook.

In Mail, you can now list contacts as VIPs, with their own mailbox too, it’s also much easier to add photos and videos from the compose window, an essential advance.

There’s a new App called Passbook, which collects all your boarding passes, store cards,  and movie tickets in one place, organising them so you don’t have to fumble around in your pockets everytime you need to present a pass. Geolocate will even pull up the relevant card when you’re nearby a store, neat! Cards are also live, so information will update automatically, such as aeroplane tickets.

Passbook

Another new feature is Guided Access. Apple have set out to “make the most accessible devices” . There are some fantastic additions to tailor for children with Autism, a noble gesture on Apple’s part.

Of course, the new maps that everyone has been talking about made it  into iOS 6! It’s integrated with over 100 million businesses, and there is also a traffic service in development, complete with incident reports in real-time, sourced by other users. It also features built in turn-by-turn navigation, and flyovers of 3D cities (take that Google Earth)! There’s a satellite view too!

Turn-by-turn..

As if you haven’t had enough features already, there is now a “lost mode” in find my iPhone, so you can send a number to your lost phone, and a very nice person will answer and return your phone… hopefully. iOS 6 will ship this Fall, with support for the 3Gs onwards, the 2nd gen iPad onwards and the 4th Gen iPod touch onwards. Personally, I’m overwhelmed, are you? Leave your comments below!

 

 

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Dwinbush2 6 pts

To be honest, I think this update is crappy as shit. I watched the keynote and I feel like people are being robbed of features. If you don't have a iPhone 4S or iPad 3 you really don't benefit from his update. Apple is forcing customers to hurry up and go buy a new iPhone or iPad but what about the people like myself that have and iPhone 4 or iPad 2. I luckily was able to take my iPad 1 and get a refund to get the iPad 2. If it wasnt for Siri or the new camera, you can tell the difference. Then all they did was throw a 4G on at&t iPhone and now they have bragging rights to 4G! Smh.

Caleb Shifflett 6 pts

@Dwinbush2 I disagree that Apple is forcing us to update. I think a better word selection would be that Apple is strongly encourging its customers to update their devices. It has been said, truthfully as it be, that this is nothing more and nothing less than a practical Apple business approach. You can look at other technologies and see the differences between old versions and newer lineups. This is what makes those newer products sell. You have to have a selling point and it just so happens that Siri is just that. Another thing, many individuals are beating up this update to iOS when they haven't experienced iOS 6 yet. Fortunately, I have an iPhone 4 CDMA without Siri and there are wonderful features offered to me.

JoeyHurwitz 5 pts

does anyone know in iOS 6 will we be able to download apps and games without leaving the app store? they did talk of a re-design of the app store so i am just wondering it really sucks to have to leave the store front to go to my home screen every time i wanna download a game so if they changed this i would be so happy .

Caleb Shifflett 6 pts

 JoeyHurwitz I do not believe that iOS 6 includes a feature that stops the App Store from closing onto the Home Screen every time you download something. The only updates that I'm aware of are the social networking features. You'll now be able to see content from your friends. This means that any application your friend on Facebook has downloaded, used, and rated will be present in your App Store. This allows you to see what your friends are using and better help you navigate through the hundreds of thousands of applications the App Store offers. 

I would look forward to having the App Store not close every time I purchase or download something. I'll have to check with the iOS 6 beta and see if this is the case. 

Caleb Shifflett 6 pts

@JoeyHurwitz iOS 6 in fact does allow you to download applications in the background. Your iPhone will no longer close out to the SpringBoard. The App Store in itself has been completely overhauled. If you are familiar with the fluidity and navigation of the iPad App Store, the new design reflects this.

RaduTanasescu 32 pts

"Flyover and turn-by-turn navigation will be available only on iPhone 4S and iPad 2 or later."

 

Enough said.

 

This update is crap, why aren't the iPhone 4 and 3GS (or even older) capable of turn by turn navigation? I had that on my Nokia 5230 and it was a way slower, cheaper phone then my iPhone 4. And the 5230 came with free offline maps too.

 

"FaceTime over a cellular network requires iPhone 4 or later, or iPad 2 or later with cellular data capability. Carrier data charges may apply. FaceTime is not available in all countries."

 

What do you mean "FaceTime is not available in all countries."? So I have an unlimited data plan that runs faster then the broadband connections in most countries (practically the only limit to speed is the iPhones modem) and Apple is telling me facetime over 3g might not be available in my country?! I fail to understand why it wasn't always available, since in adition to my unlimited data plan I also pay for a VOIP plan, which is specifically created to allow smooth voice and video calls over 3G.

 

Grate news! IOS 6 is really cool, but not for your iPhone, and not for your country, buy an iPhone 4S! And move to America!

 

Apple can bite me. (I had much harsher words in mind)

 

I live in Romania by the way, and even though we're renowned for Dracula and poverty we happen to have the 4th world wide fastest Internet connections, after Japan, South Corea and Beijing. Apple seams to not know this.

 

Caleb Shifflett 6 pts

 RaduTanasescu You represent the many thoughts and responses from the iPhone 4 consumer base regarding iOS 6. I too was excited for the turn-by-turn navigation announcement until I found out that Siri was going to be integrated into it.  Many had thought and still think Apple played it off like "And yes, even Siri has the functionality to work turn-by-turn navigation" insinuating that Siri wasn't the voice powering the directions but could be used to announce them for those with the iPhone 4S. In actuality, there would not be a "turn-by-turn" if there wasn't a Siri.This is why I was disappointed.  I knew instantly that the iPhone 4 would not be able to boast these features due to its lack of the Siri Virtual/Voice Assistant. Siri is a huge focal point for the iPhone 4S and let's be honest, the only reason why the iPhone 4S is selling is because of Siri. If Apple had openly updated every iOS device to include Siri, the iPhone 4S would lose its branding. It is a disadvantage to those with the iPhone 4 but that is how life operates when there is such a high demand for a newer product. Although in my gloom, despair, and agony, I still look forward to the release of the new iPhone whenever Apple decides to release it (September is my prediction). iOS 6 still has many features available for us iPhone 4 users and those features is what brings you and I back to Apple every time. 

Dwinbush2 6 pts

@Caleb Shifflett @RaduTanasescu I agree. It applies to people who have the iPhone 3GS. Soon it will be no longer to update like the iPad 1.

RaduTanasescu 32 pts

 Dwinbush2  Caleb  RaduTanasescu  To be fully honest at least my iPhone 4 is working just as good as it did when I bought it, and it does have a few extra features...

 

And I didn't have to hard reset it (format) a single time. It's been working grate without any kind of maintenance.

 

But still, they could have included navigation :) you don't need siri for "in 100 meters turn right".

Tonybabo 26 pts

I think it looks really good!!! I'm excited to use maps. The turn by turn navigation was probably the biggest need since onset of phone. So now we get ready for iPhone 5. The time is coming quick. Good looking updates for sure.

TheOneandOnlyAnonymouse 36 pts

 Tonybabo Tony, lets be honest. Were trying to find a reason to be happy about the update. When iPhone was released people had a reason to be happy. They had a reason to say why the enjoyed the phone. Now apple is just playing catch-up to what android, windows, palm, and so many others like the defunct Webos even had last year and years before then. iOS 6 is the technological equivalent of a 2008 smartphone. Not what should be out in 2012. I seriously cant believe it took them a year to come up with "Facebook integration" and "Sports in Siri"

RaduTanasescu 32 pts

 TheOneandOnlyAnonymouse Only that everything on IOS actually works right... I used Android for a while, I'd say it's still back in 2005 when it comes to performance and reliability.Actually, my Treo 750 never failed to show me my contacts, Android failed at simple operations regularly.And the performance... I had phones that had a 166mhz CPU that took less to scroll down a contacts list.

 

Stop being a Troll, IOS has issues, Apples upgrade policy is even worst when it comes to which phones get which features. But Android is lacking too, as a matter of fact I's choose webOS or Windows Phone 7 over Android any day.It's all about what you personally value in a smartphone.

Tonybabo 26 pts

@TheOneandOnlyAnonymouse I see lots of reason to be excited. Maps look great, Siri is finally doing more. Facebook who cares I don't use it. If its a phone stuck in 2008 then what does that say about android phones that come out over last four years? iPhone has held its ground pretty well. Apple is competing with a new phone every month so when they come out with a phone in October by February there is a android phone that has something the iPhone didn't. That's going to happen. You know you android users are not convincing people to use one of your phones your making me begin to hate android past the dissapointments I had several years ago with it. Speaking of sports, since you mentioned siri and sports. Android users are like that cry baby wideout, who has to talk himself up everytime he catches the ball never shutting up. He may be pretty good but nobody wants him cause he is a cry baby. iOS users are like that wideout who runs perfect routes every time, catches the ball over and over again cause its his job. While the baby wideout is saying I'm better then him the good wideout just keeps playing doing his job and he is well liked. That's the difference between android users And apple users. I don't care about android at all. There is a fundamental reason why I don't care, why I won't use android. That's because I love my iPhone.

randomprice 13 pts

 TheOneandOnlyAnonymouse  Tonybabo Do you go around the street telling everyone which clothes they should wear? STOP IT. We chose iOS, you chose Android. DEAL WITH IT.

Is google paying you to tell us all what we should buy? Wouldn't be surprised.

Juancho92 6 pts

I think iOS is a little behind with the 3D maps idea, it already exists on Android so it really isnt a "big" update in my opinion. Something big would be when Siri came out everybody was like WOOOW! iOS hasnt bought anything big to the table! Its also true what you said about iOS taking its time to update unlike Andoid. But how long are you willing to wait for something that is already available on another platform? By the time iOS makes another "BIG" update Android is going to be miles ahead!!

TheOneandOnlyAnonymouse 36 pts

 Juancho92 Dont look now, but Android, and Blackberry, and Windows are already miles ahead. 

Caleb Shifflett 6 pts

  Juancho92  I'm very pleased with the way Apple updates its software as well as its hardware. I'm content with being patient with Apple. After all, its not about how fast an update or feature is released. Personally, I'd rather have the best engineers working on perfecting something that is widely known to the marketplace. By recreating something that the media and consumers have already been informed about, Apple allows the technology community to observe the ingenuity that its competitors lack. Apple rebuilds the thesis of a feature, upgrade, or idea and makes it its own and earns money doing it. 

TheOneandOnlyAnonymouse 36 pts

 BillThomas Good, now go update your 500 dollar device to the same software features a free android phone from 2010 had lol. 

Tonybabo 26 pts

@TheOneandOnlyAnonymouse @BillThomas Dude WTF serious a guy says he likes what he sees and you have to make a smug comment back. Apple users are not the snobby ones you guys are. All tge guy says is it looked good to him. You have to comment back. This is how I know android Isnt all that good. People like you are so envious of iPhone success. Who cares that he is going to like it? Serious you need to chill. If android was so "Great" you would not feel the need to spout off anytime a person on a IPhone site no less makes a comment.

jennifer beese 40 pts

I'm really looking forward to the incoming call controls/do not disturb feature. Although I must say that the Siri updates are pretty cool - for the first time I wish I had a 4S :)

Why didn't apple make notification center available to developers:(

Caleb Shifflett 6 pts

This is probably the most sought after argument from those who despise Apple due to the fact that Android offers some customization to its handsets while Apple continues to keep its devices low-key. However, this is what makes Apple, Apple. This company is not only known for its sleek and eye-catching hardware but also for its fluid operating system and mobile software.

 

In my experiences with Android phones, the devices end up collecting virtual trash due to the either corrupted applications or old cache which makes the device begin to deteriorate in performance. Grant it every device collects old data, I've never had the iPhone drastically change in performance due to application data. Personally, I like the fact that Apple offers a very clean product line. With iOS 6 featuring social networking integration and (those with the iPhone 4S) the option to have your phone answer your questions to a more sufficient degree as well as update your status and time-line on your behalf, I couldn't see myself needing anything more other than a ticker of these updates.

 

Remember that Apple Developers are the largest group of mobile software engineers who actually get paid for their work. Those who argue that Android's Marketplace boasts more free apps than Apple's App Store need to understand one thing: The App Store isn't just a store... its a business that has circulation of money from the consumer buying product to the supplier making capital. This is half the reason the iPhone performs in the way it does. Those who try to cheat the system by "developing" an app just to make a quick dollar get the boot very easily. It's a pristine community, that App Store and that is why the iPhone outperforms its competitors.

 

I'd rather have a reputable developer and engineer working on applications that are coherent to my needs and if you are a developer I encourage you to continue working with Apple to create more accessible, resourceful, and down right gorgeous applications!

 

randomprice 13 pts

I'm overwhelmed as well! The new maps app is my favorite :)Facebook integration is much appreciated!

TheOneandOnlyAnonymouse 36 pts

 randomprice Overwhelmed by iOS 6? You must get overwhelmed by breathing. 

Caleb Shifflett 6 pts

 TheOneandOnlyAnonymouse  We are all overwhelmed that you are still participatory on a predominately Apple involved comment board... Sheer bitterness you Android customers have. 

 

Tonybabo 26 pts

@TheOneandOnlyAnonymouse @randomprice Did you think of that as your android phone was freezing up?

randomprice 13 pts

 TheOneandOnlyAnonymouse Do me a favour and go to your android forums.

You must be underwhelmed by what android has to offer, spending so much time trolling on an apple site ;)

amdestined 22 pts

Android is everything Steve Jobs envisioned iOS to be. That's why he hated it so much lmfao. That was Apples most pathetic update yet, that shit should 5.2 not OS6.

andrewnh 8 pts

 amdestined clearly you have no idea what you just wrote because it made absolutely no sense

Tuliomesa82 23 pts

 andrewnh  amdestined i agree, IOS starts looking more and more like android every day. IMO i dont see any MAJOR changes other then maps and siri and the turn by turn guide. I mean IOS needs a better look imo

amdestined 22 pts

@andrewnh dude they did nothing. If you were on android every "update" Apple just made could literally be done by downloading an app. To make things fair, you wouldn't have to root your phone for that crap. Poor isheeple, your the blind lead by the blind

TiP_Cam 64 pts moderator

 amdestined  andrewnh Just because Google changes its mind about the way Android should look with every update, doesn't mean that Apple should. Every iOS update brings new updates, which slowly evolve the platform. We should never expect a complete overhaul. There's a reason why 80% of iPhone users are on iOS 5, and only 7% of Android users have 4.0. It provides the best environment for developers. 

amdestined 22 pts

@TiP_Cam @andrewnh iOS looks like an Atari where Android is an Xbox 360 now

TheOneandOnlyAnonymouse 36 pts

 TiP_Cam Thats the problem..."Slowly". At this rate you will have widgets by 2067

Tonybabo 26 pts

@amdestined I think ios is a much nicer looking UI then Android. Don't know what your talking about.

TheOneandOnlyAnonymouse 36 pts

 Tonybabo  amdestined Its nicer cause its simpler. Thats really it. You have your home screens and icons, and your menu. Everything else is just an app. Personally, I see the design as being boring and far outdated. However, is this what we are going to. People now claiming iOS and iPhone are better because they like the color scheme? Apple used to have some substance to its arguments. Now all they got left is aesthetics? Definitely why Android controls most of the market share lol. 

Tonybabo 26 pts

@TheOneandOnlyAnonymouse @amdestined seems to me people are happy with IOS. The reason android may control a bigger market is they have how Many hundreds of phones. I'm very happy with IOS

Tonybabo 26 pts

@amdestined Why should I have to download everything apple just did individually each time I want a similar feature? I'd rather have it built in to my non plastic phone.

JohnRobertPeters 6 pts

 TiP_Cam I will admit that android is changing it's interface too much and they are rolling out updates too much. But I'm hoping they will start to slow it down a little bit. But I really think that apple should do a little tweaking of the interface. It's about the only thing I don't like about it. It reminds me of the old touchscreen days where all the icons are bubbles because they hadn't really figured out the touchscreens yet.

JoseSalgado 5 pts

Am I crazy or does the screen look taller on the iPhone there displaying?

Andrew K 5 pts

 JoseSalgado I was just thinking the same thing. I had noticed it earlier and I came to the conclusion that they were going to announce the new iPhone, but I was wrong. That screen definitely looks bigger, maybe it's a little preview for what is coming this fall? TiP_Cam what do you think?