New features announced by Apple at their developer’s conference include Facebook integration, the Maps app, an improved version of Siri, iCloud tabs and shared photo stream, all of which adds charm and magic to the manner in which the iOS functions. These features will be available to users by September or October.
The iOS 6’s highly anticipated Maps app has a vibrant design with a good interface, but functions slower than Google Maps, something which will hopefully be rectified in the coming months. The maps use Bing, TomTom and Waze to gather data, working effectively, providing right directions. Searching for locations is a fast process, with accurate suggestions popping up. By tapping the info button, users can access related photos, contact information and reviews owing to the integration of Yelp. It also enables users to check-in and add their own photos via Yelp. However, the 3D feature is a disappointment as it fails to work in popular locations inspite of being functional. Apple will hopefully work on developing it by the time the iOS is finally made available to users.
Apple also offers the Clock app, earlier available on the iPhone and iPod, on the iPad. Changes have been made in the Settings icon, with the border becoming brighter minus the metallic touch from earlier. The Safari feature, inspite of lacking a unified search bar in the new OS, is faster than ever. Tapping the share button on Safari pops up a table of icons, including all the new options, enabling users to message the link, tweet it, share it on Facebook with privacy options or add it to the Reading list. The shared photo stream feature allows only a single user to add photos and share them with friends, building a social network of sorts within the Photo app.
The iBookstore, the App Store and the iTunes Store have been redesigned well, making it easy to browse through the stores. The Do Not Disturb feature allows the users to choose whose calls will go through once the mode is enabled, or to set a command to automatically turn the mode on and off. Users can also control the personal information that apps can access via privacy settings. Users can integrate their Calendar app with information about their friends from Facebook profiles, keeping a track of birthdays and events. With all these additional features included, the iOS 6 will have a lot to offer to its customers upon release.
July 5, 2012 at 4:09 pm
Really, “inspite”? Come on.