Six Reasons to Get iOS 6 Today
With the over 2 million iPhone 5s sold in the first 24 hours of pre-orders, there’s a huge pent-up demand for the newest iPhone features. Yet if you’re an iPhone user who’s not eligible to upgrade because of a locked two-year contract, you can get immediate access to over 200 new features – for free – by upgrading to iOS 6 today. While you won’t have the speed or size of the iPhone 5, you'll have the look and feel of a new iPhone and be able to use the $200 you saved for the innovative EarPods and other new accessories. Here are the top six new features:
- 3D Maps – With over 130 million smartphone owners using turn-by-turn navigation apps, personal navigation devices are on the path to extinction – especially with Apple’s re-imagined, vector-based features. With turn-by-turn spoken directions, realistic flyovers, real-time traffic info with auto-rerouting and interactive 3D views, Apple Maps will make the journey fun again without the worries of getting lost. This iOS version officially removes Google Maps from the home screen.
- More Siri with Social Media: Since the first release of Siri was a beta version, the intelligent assistant is now official and knows more answers to many more of your questions. With expanded intelligence to provide news/sports updates, recommendations for movies and restaurants, Siri can also make Facebook posts or Tweet for you with one-stop social media integration. You can also launch apps with Siri.
- Phone Features: iOS 6 allows you to answer a call or slide up to reply with a text message and then remind you to call back. A flexible Do-Not-Disturb prevents calls and notifications from waking you at night (or during important meetings), yet would still allow calls from your loved ones or whomever else you deem as a "can’t miss" contact.
- Passbook: Although Apple did not include NFC in its iPhone 5, it has moved one step closer to the digital wallet. With Passbook, you can use your iPhone as a loyalty card, boarding pass, movie ticket, or any other way that requires a 2D or 3D photo scan for a card, ticket or coupon. There may also be a side benefit of avoiding the George Costanza wallet syndrome (see video).
- Camera Panorama: Although the iPhone is the most popular camera in the world (see Infographic), Apple relies on innovation to retain its leadership. The new panorama feature enables one smooth motion to take a high-resolution photo with an impressive 240 degrees landscape – horizontally or vertically. Other enhancements include better performance and results for HDR photo taking and improved stability for video recording.
- Better Stores: All of the Apple online stores – iTunes Store, App Store and the iBookstore have been refreshed with the Coverflow UI. Scrolling vertically within the App Store enables you to find categories and scrolling horizontally shows multiple apps within each category. Apple has also removed the need to re-enter your password for apps you’ve previously purchased while downloading updates. Apple has sought to improve simplicity for finding the best of what’s new in music, movies, TV shows, apps and books while being able to shop and buy without leaving the app you’re using.
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