virginblue4 From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2008, 836 posts, RR: 0 Posted (11 months 3 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 1769 times:
I'm surprised there hasn't already been thread on this considering it was announced over 2 weeks ago, so I thought I'd start one
There are a lot of new features in iOS 6 and I am very excited about downloading it onto my iPhone and iPad when it is released probably around October time.
Big features:
- Maps! They have finally ditched google maps and will be using their own maps from now on. This also includes turn by turn navigation with lock screen integration (only available on iPad 2 and later and iPhone 4S) and flyover (again only available on iPad 2 and iPhone 4S). Flyover looks amazing, very excited about using it! I just love the new colors on maps as well, it looks so fresh. I also like the redesigned local search window. Traffic crowd sourcing with anonymous data sent from all iPhones also adds events of traffic slow down.
- Siri is now also coming to iPad (3rd generation only). Lots of new features added from information about sports, restaurants and movies. Also can now open apps, post to Facebook and tweet all directly through Siri. Also VERY happy that Siri now supports maps and directions worldwide, not just in the US. Also available in many new languages. Siri can also now read notifications in notification center.
- Facebook integration - this feature will be used very often by me, so I am looking forward to this.
- Passbook - although it will probably be most useful in the US at first, this is a very handy app that I'm sure will be used by many. It allows you to store all of your store cards, coupons, boarding passes etc and using locate services brings the, up when you get to that place so you can scan it straight away without having to look for it.
- Do not disturb - can now block all notifications at certain times. They still come through just don't make a noise or light up the screen. Very customizable.
Other great features:
- Shared photo streams
- FaceTime now available over cellular not just wifi (will only work on cellular on iPad (3rd generation and iPhone 4S)
- If you receive a phone call while busy, you can now just swipe up and choose from options 'Remind me Later' or 'Reply with Message'.
- Mail - can now pull to refresh emails. Can now add photos and videos from within an email. Can now have different signatures for different mail accounts. VIP inboxes. Flag emails. Open password protected office documents.
- Safari - offline reading list and iCloud tabs (if you have a an open on iPhone, it will tell you this on iPad and you can then open it there). Can now also upload photos direct from Safari. Full screen landscape support on iPhone. Have up to 25 tabs open on iPad.
- Completely remodeled iTunes store and App Store (can now 'like' apps and songs)
- Can now post to Facebook or tweet direct from notification centre with new widgets
- Refresh phone dialer / weather app / music app
- When you install an app, it no longer kicks you out of the app store. Also to update apps, password in no longer required.
- New clock app on iPad and when on world clock it shows you weather for the chosen cities.
There are also many more small features as well.
So what do you all think? I know I am very excited!
P.S. this isn't an apple vs android/windows thread. It's just to discuss what you like / don't like about iOS 6.
FlyKev From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2006, 1350 posts, RR: 6 Reply 1, posted (11 months 3 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 1597 times:
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I'm looking forward to the Siri enhancements and the Facebook integration could prove to also be useful, however I am not so sure about the new Maps. I like the look and feel of Google maps now and pretty much on my computer only use google maps as the alternatives are not so great so this change will take me some time to get useful; although I am still hoping that Google will release a stand alone app.
Turn by Turn navigation is however a useful addition however.
Kev.
The white zone is for immediate loading and unloading of passengers only
gingersnap From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2010, 856 posts, RR: 5 Reply 2, posted (11 months 3 weeks 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 1533 times:
So apart from perhaps Passbook, there is nothing of actual note coming with iOS 6.
Turn by turn navigation would be good, if there weren't a bunch of apps (some of them free) that already do that (and for the majority of the line up as oppose to the 4S & iPad 3). I would wager some of them will do it better also.
Also do not disturb could be a useful feature sure if it's an quick process to enable the feature.
Other than that, nothing of note whatsoever within the entire OS. Appears to be mainly cosmetic, and most if not all of the "useful" features will be device dependent (basically to access the useful items, buy the new hardware!). I have an iPhone for the record so I'm not some "android fanboy".
AirPacific747 From Denmark, joined May 2008, 2096 posts, RR: 23 Reply 3, posted (11 months 3 weeks 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 1516 times:
Quoting virginblue4 (Thread starter):
I'm surprised there hasn't already been thread on this considering it was announced over 2 weeks ago, so I thought I'd start one
Hopefully, this means that some of the hype around Apple products has gone.
Quoting virginblue4 (Thread starter): - Facebook integration - this feature will be used very often by me, so I am looking forward to this.
Copy paste from Windows Phone.
I am disappointed that there are no major updates to the interface which seems quite outdated now. I have an iPad 3 but looking forward to getting a Microsoft Surface tablet when it arrives instead.
darthluke12694 From United States of America, joined Jan 2009, 265 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (11 months 3 weeks 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 1511 times:
I currently have iOS 6 installed on my iPad 3. I also tried to install it on my iPhone 4s, but had to go back to iOS 5 due to my Garmin GPS app (which I need) not working.
Quoting virginblue4 (Thread starter): - Maps! They have finally ditched google maps and will be using their own maps from now on.
There is one BIG drawback from the new Maps app. No street view. I loved street view, and it helped me when I was looking for a place. Like if I was looking for a restaurant, I'd be able to do a street view and it would be so much easier when I was actually driving there to find it. But then again, not everyone uses street view, so it's really your opinion. However, I do think the Maps app looks better then the old Google maps.
Quoting FlyKev (Reply 1): Turn by Turn navigation is however a useful addition however.
There is just one problem with that. Does it use data, and how much? You can't pre-download maps from the Map app, so it will use your data as you are driving. That's why I will always use Garmin's app. It is almost as good as the stand-alone GPS units, and it has all of the maps pre-loaded and uses no data (unless if you use the google search function). But for people who are on a limited data plan, you will have to be careful. Of course one draw back of using Garmin GPS app is that it takes 2 and a half GB of space on your phone. However, there are other apps that allow you to download only the maps you'll need.
Quoting FlyKev (Reply 1): I am still hoping that Google will release a stand alone app.
Try Google Earth if you haven't already. It uses the same maps as the Google Maps app. I know the interface is different, and it is limited, but you might want to try it out.
I never used Siri, so that doesn't matter to me. Facebook integration is nice.
virginblue4 From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2008, 836 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (11 months 3 weeks 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 1483 times:
Quoting darthluke12694 (Reply 4): There is just one problem with that. Does it use data, and how much? You can't pre-download maps from the Map app, so it will use your data as you are driving. That's why I will always use Garmin's app. It is almost as good as the stand-alone GPS units, and it has all of the maps pre-loaded and uses no data (unless if you use the google search function). But for people who are on a limited data plan, you will have to be careful. Of course one draw back of using Garmin GPS app is that it takes 2 and a half GB of space on your phone. However, there are other apps that allow you to download only the maps you'll need.
One thing that I do know is that if you lose your data connection while driving, it will have already cached the route so it will continue to direct you, which is good.
And yes, it is a shame about street view, however I don't use it very often, so it won't affect me.
WestJet747 From Canada, joined Aug 2011, 1347 posts, RR: 7 Reply 6, posted (11 months 3 weeks 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 1474 times:
Quoting virginblue4 (Thread starter): Maps! They have finally ditched google maps and will be using their own maps from now on.
Are they adding an iOS Maps app, or are they outright replacing Google Maps with their own app? BlackBerries come with both BB Maps and Google Maps pre-loaded so that the user can choose whichever they prefer (I always go for Google Maps).
Quoting virginblue4 (Thread starter): If you receive a phone call while busy, you can now just swipe up and choose from options 'Remind me Later' or 'Reply with Message'.
Stabilator From United States of America, joined Nov 2010, 489 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (11 months 3 weeks 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 1473 times:
virginblue4 From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2008, 836 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (11 months 3 weeks 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 1469 times:
Quoting WestJet747 (Reply 6): Are they adding an iOS Maps app, or are they outright replacing Google Maps with their own app? BlackBerries come with both BB Maps and Google Maps pre-loaded so that the user can choose whichever they prefer (I always go for Google Maps).
Outright replacing it with their own. However, Google have said they are working on a version of Google Maps for iOS, so it will be available on the App Store.
bwest From Belgium, joined Jul 2006, 1318 posts, RR: 4 Reply 11, posted (11 months 3 weeks 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 1330 times:
Nothing I'm too overly excited about. Siri would be nice on my iPad. And even though Apple has allowed us to set our own ringtones; a bit more freedom in the choice of other tones would be very much appreciated. It's always rather disappointing when my colleague gets a notification and I take out my iPhone thinking somebody actually wants to interact with me...
Klaus From Germany, joined Jul 2001, 20900 posts, RR: 55 Reply 12, posted (11 months 3 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 1303 times:
Quoting virginblue4 (Thread starter): Maps! They have finally ditched google maps and will be using their own maps from now on.
Which will probably mean that it could be a somewhat bumpy transition, at least for a while. I can see several points in this from their perspective, but it is a very complex resource with lots of potential for all kinds of glitches.
I have little doubt that they will throw as many resources at it as it takes, but we'll have to see how well it's going to work.
Google Earth is already in the App Store as a backup access path to Google's maps, and a Google Maps app is likely to come as well.
It will remain interesting.
Quoting darthluke12694 (Reply 4): I think the main thing about iOS 6 is the new Maps app and Facebook integration. Other then that, it's all cosmetic changes.
I don't see many (if any) actual cosmetic changes among them. Almost all of them are functional updates.
That they've made no fundamental changes is nothing new – all previous upgrades consisted mainly of polishing existing functionalities, with the occasional closing of remaining major gaps. But which major functional gaps do you see at this point? The list is shrinking.
Quoting gingersnap (Reply 2): So apart from perhaps Passbook, there is nothing of actual note coming with iOS 6.
Depends on what one might take note of. I'll notice and use most of the new features.
Quoting AirPacific747 (Reply 3): I am disappointed that there are no major updates to the interface which seems quite outdated now.
Seems more like consistent and functional to me. Toppling established UIs just out of sheer boredom is dangerous and rarely a good idea, unless it had been really bad to begin with. But that is not the case here.
darthluke12694 From United States of America, joined Jan 2009, 265 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (11 months 3 weeks 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 1281 times:
Quoting Klaus (Reply 12): I don't see many (if any) actual cosmetic changes among them. Almost all of them are functional updates.
On the iPhone there are some cosmetic changes. Apple changed the color of the time bar (whatever you call it) a bit to a bluish color, along with a couple of other things. You would know it if you saw it. On the iPad, I haven't seen any cosmetic changes. But that's pretty much it. I guess I consider cosmetic changes some of the little updates like the new do not disturb feature and bug fixes, and general improvements. But you're correct, there are barely any cosmetic changes.
And I understand why people are disappointed when there isn't much new, or not enough features or no major improvements. People think that Apple is an innovative company (and it is), but sometimes we expect too much from them, like every time a new iOS comes out people want a bunch of new features and a UI, but it simply isn't possible. I think people now expect apple to create something innovative everytime they release a product or software, but its not always possible. There is only so much they can do.
KBNA - "To most people, the sky is the limit. To those who love aviation, the sky is home."
AirPacific747 From Denmark, joined May 2008, 2096 posts, RR: 23 Reply 14, posted (11 months 3 weeks 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 1248 times:
Quoting Klaus (Reply 12): Seems more like consistent and functional to me. Toppling established UIs just out of sheer boredom is dangerous and rarely a good idea, unless it had been really bad to begin with. But that is not the case here.
Dangerous?
It's also dangerous then, to stop being innovative.. MS seems much more innovative with a beautiful and OS that is even more userfriendly than iOS/OSX.
Klaus From Germany, joined Jul 2001, 20900 posts, RR: 55 Reply 15, posted (11 months 3 weeks 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 1225 times:
Quoting darthluke12694 (Reply 13): I guess I consider cosmetic changes some of the little updates like the new do not disturb feature and bug fixes, and general improvements.
Though that's still a misnomer: Cosmetic really just means purely superficial changes, not functional ones, as minor as those may still be.
There's a bunch of changes that have not been explicitly publicized by Apple, by the way, but which are still present, and quite a few neat ones at that.
Quoting darthluke12694 (Reply 13): People think that Apple is an innovative company (and it is), but sometimes we expect too much from them, like every time a new iOS comes out people want a bunch of new features and a UI, but it simply isn't possible.
I can't fault anyone for expecting too much. But in the end consistent refinement is even more important than tacking on ever more new features without ever really finishing any of them.
Yes, of course. That's why there is so little innovation all around, and why even just a small fraction of that ever catches on.
Changing the internal code risks instability and problems with established functionalities.
Changing the APIs risks alienating external developers.
Changing the UI risks alienating users.
That is why it is so extremely important to get it right in the beginning already. There is almost no second try. You must stick the landing right away.
This is extremely hard to achieve with a complex system and it is no wonder Apple took years to develop the devices and iOS together.
Quoting AirPacific747 (Reply 14): It's also dangerous then, to stop being innovative.
That's of course the default reaction. But the thing is that if you've got a really good base already, you should optimize and refine it, which is what Apple is in fact doing very consistently, even providing upgrades for free over multiple years.
When you've introduced a major change, you will have to carry that along for many years. Such decisions always come at a price, and should never be taken lightly.
Sometimes change is indeed a popular improvement, sometimes you've got your users at the gates with torches and pitchforks. Sometimes just nobody cares, but always it costs real money to develop, maintain and support.
Quoting AirPacific747 (Reply 14): MS seems much more innovative with a beautiful and OS that is even more userfriendly than iOS/OSX.
Good for them if you feel that way.
I from my point of view applaud them for finally becoming actually innovative on the UI front at long last, but I also see a multitude of half-baked ideas, shortsighted decisions and awful mis-decisions in their Metro approach (including the mismatched shotgun marriage with desktop Windows).
But I won't be their customer, so my opinion is less important to them than that of their actual buyers.
My opinion towards iOS (in coming back to the central topic, even though the excursion was interesting for perspective) is that it appears to be deceptively simple, but it is actually quite refined already.
There are pretty good design reasons for most of its features (and sometimes even more importantly lack of certain features). It is less flashy, but more practical and consistent than the alternatives so far. They will certainly continue to develop it, but it is important to remember a central distinction to the other systems:
iOS has always been designed to be an unobtrusive, easily flowing platform for running apps as the actual functionality of the device, not to be its primary interface. iOS is supposed to be in the background as far as possible and primarily providing the infrastructure for smooth and secure operation. Every attention is supposed to be on the apps, and Apple is grooming the ecosystem accordingly. Even most of the bundled funtionalities come in Apple-supplied apps, not ostensibly in iOS itself. The Springboard icon grid and app launcher is basically the only thing people ever see of iOS as such, even though it's just an app itself.
With the other systems I can't help but get the impression that various OS features are mainly intended to somehow paper over a lack of really compelling apps, not just in numbers, but in quality as well.
Apple is pretty unique in that they (sometimes harshly) triage functionalities between things they can do really well and things they won't have at all (at least at the time). That doesn't always sit well with everyone, but I'll rather wait a little longer and get a fully baked functionality rather than getting a half-baked one and then remaining stuck on that forever, which is the default mode with most of their competitors.
It's a matter of personal preference, up to a point. I can be patient when I'm confident that it will be worth it eventually.
In that vein I see iOS 6 as another very welcome refinement upgrade (I'm particularly relieved that account-specific mail signatures finally make their appearance and local search through Siri over here is also appreciated), as in most cases with a careful dose of major new features (such as turn-by-turn navigation).
It's quite likely that a few additonal features will be added at the presentation of the upcoming iPhone on top of that, but most of those will probably remain device-specific and not be classified as iOS features, just as Siri has been so far.
T8KE0FF From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2009, 400 posts, RR: 1 Reply 16, posted (11 months 3 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 1184 times:
Quoting virginblue4 (Thread starter): I just love the new colors on maps as well, it looks so fresh.
As a colourblind person the 'fresh' looking colours are AWFUL. Looking at the website there is no way I'll be able to use this app as the colours will just blend into one. It may be different when it's actually in my hand though so I'll have to wait and see...
Quoting FlyKev (Reply 1): I am still hoping that Google will release a stand alone app.
Quoting virginblue4 (Thread starter): New clock app on iPad and when on world clock it shows you weather for the chosen cities.
Not heard about this one, sounds pretty nice.
Quoting AirPacific747 (Reply 3): I am disappointed that there are no major updates to the interface which seems quite outdated now.
I totally agree. There's no way I'll by anything other than an iPhone, but the 'homescreen' or whatever the Android people call it on an Android device looks far more exciting than the iPhone's one.
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