The latest iteration of Apple‘s mobile operating system, iOS 6, dropped Wednesday just before the upcoming release of the iPhone 5. The new OS had its share of teething troubles, most notably a Wi-Fi login bug that Apple quickly and mysteriously resolved. Other users saw ongoing problems with accessing music on their iPhones. The new iOS received less-than-universal praise, but hosts a slew of new and updated features for iPhone owners to play with, including an all-new Apple maps app, a social Photo Stream and a smarter Siri.
We’ve got some larger iOS 6 stories in the works where we’ll go in-depth with some of the new features like Passbook and some of the new camera settings but for now, we wanted to give a brief overview of some of the newest features and changes.
So here is the best 10 features of iOS 6:
Siri has been the maven of answering questions via voice-command for about a year now, but she just got a whole lot smarter. From providing movie and restaurant recommendations and revealing professional sports scores to even sending tweets and Facebook updates, action-commands are much easier with Siri on iOS 6.
Passbook may not be a digital wallet, but it's certainly warming the public up to what could be the next big wave in mobile payments. It allows you to store anything from movie tickets to gift cards and boarding passes for flights.
So here is the best 10 features of iOS 6:
1. Smarter Siri
Siri has been the maven of answering questions via voice-command for about a year now, but she just got a whole lot smarter. From providing movie and restaurant recommendations and revealing professional sports scores to even sending tweets and Facebook updates, action-commands are much easier with Siri on iOS 6.
2. Passbook
Passbook may not be a digital wallet, but it's certainly warming the public up to what could be the next big wave in mobile payments. It allows you to store anything from movie tickets to gift cards and boarding passes for flights.
3. VIP Email
Inundated by junk email and miss the important ones? Set up a VIP list, so you’ll never miss emails from your boss, best friend or loved one.
Although the new Maps app doesn't include routing and transit directions -- which is perhaps the biggest overall gripe among iOS 6 users so far -- it still touts some impressive features.
4. 3G FaceTime
FaceTime has long been a great way to video chat with friends and family, but both parties needed to be on a Wi-Fi network in order for it to work. Now, FaceTime works over cellular and you can even take calls on your iPad using your phone number.
5. Maps App
Although the new Maps app doesn't include routing and transit directions -- which is perhaps the biggest overall gripe among iOS 6 users so far -- it still touts some impressive features.
FaceTime has long been a great way to video chat with friends and family, but both parties needed to be on a Wi-Fi network in order for it to work. Now, FaceTime works over cellular and you can even take calls on your iPad using your phone number.
6. Facebook Integration
Apple has opened up social integration to Facebook, allowing users to share pictures and post status updates without having to log into the app. You can also merge your Facebook contacts and calendar with your iOS calendar, so you no longer have an excuse if you forget a friend's birthday.
7. A Social Photo Stream
Apple has introduced photo-sharing capabilities in its Photo Stream that allows users send a picture from their stream to a person or group of people for comments. Similar to Facebook or Instagram, people invited to the group can Like images and write comments.
8. Panorama
Want to capture that big redwood tree or the entire Golden Gate bridge? Now you can with the new panorama feature for the iPhone and iPod touch. It allows you to shoot up to 240 degrees, even vertically.
Do Not Disturb allows you to set up a time for incoming calls to be silenced. But you can also create a list of people that can get through to you at any time, such as a family member calling in the middle of the night.
9. Do Not Disturb
Do Not Disturb allows you to set up a time for incoming calls to be silenced. But you can also create a list of people that can get through to you at any time, such as a family member calling in the middle of the night.
10. Message Reply
When you decline an incoming call, you can instantly reply with a text message, set a callback reminder or even create a pre-set message to let the caller know you are driving.
