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iOS 6: A Preview
iOS 6 was introduced a few weeks ago, and Apple is building the anticipation for the new mobile operating system. For the official Apple page, click here.
  1. So, first off, the new Maps app. The built in GPS and Google Maps app is permanent, and has some new features kind of like Google Earth. Remember how the app used to jerk you around and make it hard to use? They made it buffer ahead of time, so its much easier and smoother to use now. Also, you never have to look at your phone for GPS instructions, because it will tell it to you over audio.

  2. SIRI is now available for every device! Well, any device that has iOS 6 anyway. They have upgraded its smartness so now you can ask it to 'open Twitter' or 'Book me a taxi' or 'Open Temple Run'. It uses your voice, then runs it through your app library for matches. The closest match will open. This always bugged me when I had Siri, it seems like you should be able to open apps for me, right? Well, now you can. In addition, some car companies to integrate it your car with your iPhone and, of course, its now available in more languages. I have to admit--I'm a little disappointed because I don't get to hack my siri. Its less special if just anyone can have it ;)

  3. Remember Twitter integration? Well, now its Facebook integration too. Ask Siri to post something, change a status update, and share a link pretty much from anywhere. Its not a huge thing--basically a permanent Remember Me kind of thing.

  4. Shared Photo Streams. To me, this is a big one. I always loved being able to edit my photos that I took over wireless in iPhoto and Aperture, but I hated how 'low tech' everyone else had to be to get their photos on my computer. I mean--a cord?! Come on, guys. Anyway, now you can have a photo stream with pretty much whoever you please.

  5. If you travel a lot, you'll love this one. Passbook, another app, allows you to easily save all your boarding passes, coupons, gift cards, etc in one place. And, use them in one place. Its not just an organizer, its a way to use them efficiently and save paper. Its also a lot harder to forget your iPhone then forget some random piece of paper by the door.

  6. Facetime over WiFi was stupid. I mean, that was the #3 reason for jailbreaking in 2011! Now, finally, its OFFICIALLY available over cellular networks. Not a big one, because everyone had it already.

  7. This one might not have been necessary but sure, its kinda cool. If your in a meeting or just don't feel like picking up the phone, you can have it Remind you Later to call back. Or, just reply with a message. Really easy, and you don't have to get tied up when you don't want to.

  8. Priority Inbox comes to iPhone!! This is huge. Of course, this is my phrase for it--from Gmail. Officially, its called the VIP system, but its virtually the same thing. That was one thing I hated about Mail. All my filters, all my junk mail, spam--all my lovely settings were just gone. Now, I can have them back.

  9. Another neat but not really important feature: iCloud browsing. If your browsing on your Mac, and you need to go to work, just use your iPhone to continue where you left off. Now you don't have to email yourself links anymore, because they're already there.

  10. Lastly, these last small updates aren't big enough to warrant a whole new tab. Find My iPhone now has a call option for iPhones, where you can send a contact number. I found it kind of funny that you find someones iPhone, but they locked it and told you to call them. This way, anyone can pick it up and call you from your phone. Sure, it uses your data, but its probably worth it--right? Its a number you recognize, and it makes your iPhone get back to you safe and sound. (Of course, it depends on the nice people to call it--they're working on an app for that). Next, Find My Friends can set certain notification locations, where you can see when your kids get home from school or track your enemy and get notified when he reaches his safehouse. The changed around the format of the App store, iTunes, and iBooks. Chinese people get some new features in their language too.


Alright, so iOS 6 is compatible with iPhones 3GS, 4, and 4S, the latest (4th gen) iPod Touch, and the iPads 2 and 3. Thanks for reading and have a nice day!



By Calvin Spangler Young
Apple Geek/fan, iKnow it all, homeschooled nerd, and guru for any thing with the prefix of a lowercase i.
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