With the new iOS ready for download on most devices, we want to see how much of an upgrade iOS 6 really is compared to its predecessors. The iOS has always been a very solid OS, and represented a huge jump in the quality of the touch screen experience offered on a device. The Apple App Store and Safari were both pioneers in innovation, and it took competitors around 4 years to catch up. But has Apple continued to maintain that streak of innovation with their latest upgrade?
User Interface:
Apple has introduced a few new features in this department, and maintained the clean, precise and friendly menu and navigation screen. However, one minor point of disappointment is that there is no major overhaul in the UI. Apple hasn’t really revamped its UI since the release of the first iOS, and some claim that Apple could, atleast through third parties, provide a semblance of quicker information on its home screen, via some live icons. Otherwise iOS 6 looks almost the same, but we’re not really complaining.
Features:
Apple has its own Maps feature, which offers free 3D maps and turn-by-turn navigation. Yelp makes the data comprehensive and the voice directions are handled now by Siri. Apple has also recreated some of the major cities in the world in 3D, and with their Flyover feature provides a great 3D Maps experience. Talking about Siri, Apple has really advanced the voice recognition software, which can now do anything from getting actor bios to booking tables( via OpenTable integration) to get scores. Whatever be your question, Siri would be able to get you a good answer.
Apple has also included Facebook integration, with a share option with Facebook functionality. You can update your status from the notifications bar, much like with Twitter. iOS includes some other neat tiny additions, such as the ability to respond to a call by sending a pre-defined SMS, generate a call reminder, and a new “Do Not Disturb” feature, which will block calls from people who are not on the “Favourites” list. These features improve the overall iOS experience.
Besides, Apple has also redesigned the App Store, iTunes and the iBookstore, giving them a fresh new look. On the whole, the entire iOS experience has been enhanced with some pretty feel-good features. Apple has obviously decided not to go in for a complete makeover, but it may choose to do so with their next upgrade, given the stiff competition from Android and Windows Phone. But whether Apple will remains to be seen.
