Senior VP of iOS, Scott Forstall, has now introduced iOS 6 at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). The new operating system has more than 200 new features to offer.
The newest features include an amazing update to Siri that makes the voice-recognition program more sports-friendly, movie-friendly, Twitter-friendly, iPad-friendly, and car-friendly (note that nine automakers will be integrating it within the year).
“With iOS 6, Siri understands more languages, works in more countries, and is available on the new iPad. So you can get more things done in more places around the world. Want to know the latest scores and stats for your favorite teams and players? Thanks to iOS 6, Siri knows the answers,” says the Apple official page. “Or maybe it’s movie night. Siri can show you the latest reviews and showtimes. Find the best restaurants in town and make reservations. Even open your apps for you — no tapping required.”
The iOS 6 phone app will also include smart new auto responses and a 'do-not-disturb' function that keeps the phone dark and quiet at night, yet makes an exception for emergencies.
Apple has also constricted the functionality of apps that work across iOS and OS X devices. Facetime will now unite phone numbers and Apple IDs that will allow users to answer on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac (it will also work over cellular, which is a massive challenge for traditional calling plans).
The Safari will now sync tabs for all devices using iCloud. Apple’s cloud service will now support photo streams also so that you can share albums within your groups of friends (just like on Facebook).
And talking about Facebook, there’s a lot to expect with the social network that's now being carefully integrated into iOS 6. According to Apple, “Share a photo to Facebook right from Camera or Photos. Post your location right from Maps. Brag about a high score right from Game Center. If you have your hands full, just ask Siri to post for you. You need to sign in to Facebook only once, and you’ll be off and sharing. Never miss another birthday or get-together, since Facebook events are integrated into Calendar.”
“Your Facebook friends’ profile information is integrated into Contacts, so when they update an email address or phone number you automatically stay up to date,” it adds.
However, according to a Popular Mechanics report, the biggest and most talked-about addition to iOS 6 is Apple’s new maps app. The mew app is vector-based rather than bitmap and, as expected, should render results much faster than Google Maps. There will also be built-in business cards for all listed locations, and a cool 3D flyover view.
According to Apple, “Maps will change the way you see the world. Map elements are vector based, so graphics and text are incredibly detailed — even when you zoom all the way in — and panning is smooth. Tilt and rotate to view an area, and Maps keeps the names of streets and places where they belong. Get visual and spoken turn-by-turn navigation and real-time traffic updates. Even soar over cityscapes to see the sights from the air in amazing, high-resolution quality.”
iOS 6 is set to arrive this fall and will be compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod Touch (4th generation), iPad 2 and the new iPad.
