Apple Announces iOS 6 with Siri Improvements, Facebook Integration, New Maps App, Passbook for Fall Release

[SprSynJn]

At least with Android and Google, when you do get a version of the OS, you get the same thing as everyone else that has that version. With iOS, Apple claims all devices run "iOS X", yet depending on the device, a lot of the software functionality just isn't there.

Since when? You do know that certain device manufacturers have the ability to not add certain features of Android in their products, right? Not all Android phones have that NFC function. Not all are going to have Samsung's voice recognition feature either. When you get an iPhone 4S, you get all that it's advertised to have. The only thing you aren't getting with a 3GS or 4 is Siri. If the newest iPhone has the NFC, all of them will have it. The Market has the ability to lock out applications depending on the carrier, the App Store does not. I can download an application from the latter from a carrier I don't use, for example. My friend cannot even download the Hulu application from the Market because it's not supported on his phone and/or carrier.

I think you may be confused as to which side you're arguing for.

 

[Bezetos]

Since when?

Since Android's launch. Yes, there is a huge fragmentation problem, but no Android features are being artificially limited from phones using the same version of the OS (unlike iOS & Siri).

Not all Android phones have that NFC function. Not all are going to have Samsung's voice recognition feature either.

You're mentioning a hardware feature and a custom OS (software) feature created by Samsung.

(...)
If the newest iPhone has the NFC, all of them will have it. (...)

What? If iPhone 5 has NFC then all other iPhones will have it? You know that NFC requires certain hardware, right?

(...)When you get an iPhone 4S, you get all that it's advertised to have.

Yeah, you get that with every other smartphone mate... Are you trying to say if I buy a Galaxy Nexus I don't get all that's advertised there? Wouldn't that be fraud? (*cough cough* Apple's iPad 4G court case in Australia *cough*)

(...)The Market has the ability to lock out applications depending on the carrier, the App Store does not. (...) My friend cannot even download the Hulu application from the Market because it's not supported on his phone and/or carrier.

I can't use Hulu because I live in the UK. Apple Store locks out software depending on region. Apple had a history of blocking features based on your carrier (e.g. tethering).

 

[rkahl]

I have an HTC Evo smartphone. It is much nicer than any mobile Apple devices I have had, or used. In the mean time though, while I await my new Asus Transformer, I still have my ****** iPad 1. I was hoping that perhaps the update would make it a little more bearable, but alas no.


At least on my old LG, that capability was even in Android 2.2 from several years ago.

Oh yeah, you are the guy who was abusing AT&T's data plan by tethering with the unlimited plan and throwing a fit when caught. Shocking that now you are throwing a fit about your old iPad not working with the newest update. Not to mention your embarrasing thread last month that you had to have deleted because you got called out by everyone on here.

 

[BR485]

I was really looking forward to a new desktop that unfortunately, there is nothing new with.

As a video editor and digital media associate, the lack of a new iMac is pushing me strongly towards an HP Z1. Yes, I said it....screw Apple.

Since I am working with Adobe Premiere Pro CS6 a lot, one of the huge advantages is that it works equally well with Mac and PC and after talking to several of my friends up in high places, I am considering HP option as numero uno.

Also, not to mention that after two years of waiting the MacBook got a very minor update; a speed bump and increases in RAM. Woopty Freagin Doo!

The storage and video specs as well are nicer, but still the new Macbook "Pro" still will use USB 2.0 ports instead of USB 3.0, or Thun*der*bolt.

OOOooooh and a new Safari that syncs all your Apple devices.

I get that with Google Chrome and/or Firefox, thank you very much.

Any thoughts on this, or am I the only one who finds the newest Apple updates boring!

Apple doesn't really care about "pro" Mac users. They're more concerned with hoovering money out of iOS customers and iOSifying OS X. It's all about the money. iOS devices are Apple's cash cows and while Macs still bring in a lot of money...not nearly as much as iOS gadgets.

I've been a Mac user since I was a kid but Apple is no longer the innovative and, dare I say it, revolutionary company it once was. Success has made them lazy and complacent and just a little arrogant. No USB 3.0 ports on the new "Pro" line MacBooks? What possible reason does Apple have for not upgrading to 3.0?

I'm still using a Core2Duo iMac running 10.5.8 because it runs much to hot under Snow Leopard, and Lion frankly doesn't appeal to me. This is the last new Mac I buy if Apple doesn't get their **** together before this machine is retired. I'd consider a used MBP or iMac but not a new Apple machine when I can get a very good new HP or Sony notebook with better specs for a lot less. Windows is no longer the subpar nightmare it once was and in many ways it is eclispsing OS X.

I like iOS but only jailbroken. iOS 6 is more marketing hype than anything. The new feautures are underwhelming and boring. Apple's Map app has a few neat bells and whistles but is inferior to the Google product, IMO. If I can't get Street View on iOS 6...5.1.1 will likely be the last version of the OS I use. Thing is, I don't particlularly like Android but the more Apple screw up with iOS the more appealing the competition looks.

Apple need to step up their game in a big way. Relying on marketing hype and hoping enough suckers continue buying their pretty but overpriced hardware and increasingly (in the case of OS X) locked down OS could very well end up backfiring on them. I'm not going to stick around if I have to jailbreak what is supposed to be a full service "pro" desktop operating system.

It'll be a sad day for me if I have to leave Apple behind as their products were once very well built and designed and worth the extra cash, and their OS was robust, powerful and a joy to use. But marketing and share price are what guide them now that they are not forced to innovate to make a good profit.

Apple's post-1980s heyday was from 1998 to about 2009. I hope they'll pleasantly surprise me and again become the innovating and exciting company I once knew but for some reason I doubt it. We'll see...

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The point is Apple should have done this years ago. Your holding back not jailbreaking. People have had this stuff for a long time so don't be surprised when we find it underwhelming.

Very true. I couldn't deal with a non-jailbroken version of iOS. Short on features and long on restrictions. Non-jailbroken users don't know what they're missing.

 

[KnightWRX]

Since when? You do know that certain device manufacturers have the ability to not add certain features of Android in their products, right? Not all Android phones have that NFC function. Not all are going to have Samsung's voice recognition feature either.

Neither of those are OS features. They are handset features (those that have NFC communication hardware) or vendor functionality.

Again, when you get 2.3.4 of Android, you get 2.3.4 features. Manufacturers can build on top of what is there.

When you get an iPhone 4S, you get all that it's advertised to have.

Same as when you get a Galaxy S III or a Galaxy Nexus, you get all that it's advertised to have.

The difference is Apple announces "iOS 4 for iPhone 3G!" or "iOS 6 for iPhone 3GS/4!", touts it's "unfragmented" ecosystem and then you find out that iOS 6's feature set is crippled on the iPhone 3GS or iOS 4's on the iPhone 3G. No, multi-tasking and desktop backgrounds are not handset features. Neither is turn-by-turn navigation in the maps app.

The fragmentation is there on both sides, Apple just makes a case against Android with it, and then silently introduces the same kind in their software. Let's not deny facts here.

 

[bjones521]

Why do you feel its important to change the look of the OS? Its familiar and rock solid.

People always think the grass is greener on the otherside. I like the way Apple is enhancing the OS and not changing it. Its how it should be.

Thats what RIM said

 

[nickn]

Oh yeah, you are the guy who was abusing AT&T's data plan by tethering with the unlimited plan and throwing a fit when caught. Shocking that now you are throwing a fit about your old iPad not working with the newest update. Not to mention your embarrasing thread last month that you had to have deleted because you got called out by everyone on here.

What are you talking about? Get your facts straight before you go accusing people. I have never had, nor will I ever use ATT service. I have avoided them from day one. As for the iPad, that was sent to the wasteland as it got off topic. I tried to keep it going, but most could not be serious about anything. Also, I fail to see how I am throwing a fit, as you say... I am disappointed at really everything Apple has done lately, but I most certainly have not thrown a fit.

 

[iCody]

Apple is starting to alienate it's buyers.

Apple is beginning to anger it's customer base by expecting people to spend $500+ every other year (or every year between iPhone AND iPad). I don't spend that much on ANYTHING else. Why continue to throw money in the trash knowing it has a 2 yr expiration date??

They REALLY ought to stand by their products longer than just 2 short years. I'm afraid this business model, of not supporting iDevices past 2 years, will start sending people to the competition out of spite.

As far as iOS6...THAT'S ALL?? I do NOT want FB creeping around my iOS! I LIKE Google Maps!! I ALREADY share photos using iCloud, etc. I was holding out for iPhone 5, but from the looks of things, I may just skip it and give jailbreaking a try.

Disappointed.

 

[SprSynJn]

Since Android's launch. Yes, there is a huge fragmentation problem, but no Android features are being artificially limited from phones using the same version of the OS (unlike iOS & Siri).

You're mentioning a hardware feature and a custom OS (software) feature created by Samsung.


What? If iPhone 5 has NFC then all other iPhones will have it? You know that NFC requires certain hardware, right?

Yeah, you get that with every other smartphone mate... Are you trying to say if I buy a Galaxy Nexus I don't get all that's advertised there? Wouldn't that be fraud? (*cough cough* Apple's iPad 4G court case in Australia *cough*)

I can't use Hulu because I live in the UK. Apple Store locks out software depending on region. Apple had a history of blocking features based on your carrier (e.g. tethering).

Maybe it's just me, but you just backtracked on your own statement there. You said that Siri is being limited from older versions of iOS, yet Samsung's software of the same nature is not.....yet it's only available on their phone. One phone mind you, the newest Galaxy. How is that different?

When I said "all", I meant all of the newest iPhone models, but something tells me you knew what I meant. On the topic of Australia, isn't that problem just a problem with that country's network? The iPad has 4G, but no company offers a compatible system to use it yet. The device still has the ability, so it's not limited.

I think you're confused as to who blocks what as well. I can use Hulu on my iPad here in Japan no problem. Anyone can that has an iOS device. Anyone who wishes to use Hulu on my carrier utilizing an Android can as well. My friend, who uses yet a different carrier, cannot download Hulu at all from the same Android Market. We are not sure if his carrier has blocked access, or his phone is not compatible. He simply cannot find it. Also, I think tethering is blocked by carrier, not by Apple. People in the states can tether just fine using an iOS device. My friend from Taiwan can also do the same. People here in Japan cannot, on any carrier. I don't see why Apple would block access to certain countries if they allow it in others.

The difference is Apple announces "iOS 4 for iPhone 3G!" or "iOS 6 for iPhone 3GS/4!", touts it's "unfragmented" ecosystem and then you find out that iOS 6's feature set is crippled on the iPhone 3GS or iOS 4's on the iPhone 3G. No, multi-tasking and desktop backgrounds are not handset features. Neither is turn-by-turn navigation in the maps app.

The fragmentation is there on both sides, Apple just makes a case against Android with it, and then silently introduces the same kind in their software. Let's not deny facts here.

You are absolutely right, and I cannot argue. I'm beginning to see Apple's problem with hypocritical statements. They really should stop.

 

[kjs862]

I was really surprised to see that Apple did not update their YouTube application. It would've been nice to have functionality over my television that has YouTube application. You could use YouTube's web app and get the remote control feature

 

[mosx]

While I don't deny profit is at least a small factor, Apple currently sells the 3GS new, while they only sell the 1st gen iPad as refurbished.

Doesn't matter. It's only been a little over a year since it was sold new. It is still being sold. It cost as much as $829 as recently as March 2011, you know, slightly over a year ago. Think of the people who got one for Christmas not even a year and a half ago and now that device that cost more than a more capable PC is no longer supported. That device that is still under warranty through AppleCare will no longer receive updates.

This move proves that Apple puts profit first and everything else second. There is literally no excuse for Apple to not to continue to support the original iPad, especially when they're supporting older slower hardware in the iPhone 3GS, and weaker hardware in the form of the iPod touch 4G.

The worst part is that the original iPad got seriously screwed over in other ways. It didn't have "FaceTime" even though Jobs and company knew it was coming in the iPhone 4 a full year (according to WWDC keynote in 2010) before the iPad unveiling. It shipped with only 256MB of RAM, despite the fact that logic would suggest that sort of device requires 512MB or more, and the iPhone 4, being in development a full year before the iPad unveiling, shipped with 512MB of RAM.

Us early adopters got royally screwed. We went out and bought the product and made it an absolute success. How do we get repaid? By being told that our money and support means nothing.

 

[Bezetos]

Maybe it's just me, but you just backtracked on your own statement there. You said that Siri is being limited from older versions of iOS, yet Samsung's software of the same nature is not.....yet it's only available on their phone. One phone mind you, the newest Galaxy. How is that different?

It's different because that's a custom piece of software created for this particular phone by Samsung, not an Android OS feature. And we're talking about OS features here. (There is actually a way of downloading S Voice on other Android devices)

When I said "all", I meant all of the newest iPhone models, but something tells me you knew what I meant.

Huh? So you were actually saying that if an iPhone 5 has NFC, every other iPhone 5 has NFC?? So you're basically saying "If the sky is blue, the sky is blue". What's your point? What are you trying to prove here? That's a truism, it's obvious. This is true for every other device on the planet.

I think you're confused as to who blocks what as well. I can use Hulu on my iPad here in Japan no problem. Anyone can that has an iOS device.

Eeek, wrong, I can't use Hulu on my iPhone in the UK.

Also, I think tethering is blocked by carrier, not by Apple.

That's what I said/meant. Apple allows carriers to block tethering if they want to.

People in the states can tether just fine using an iOS device. My friend from Taiwan can also do the same. People here in Japan cannot, on any carrier. I don't see why Apple would block access to certain countries if they allow it in others.

Well, AFAIK you can tether from any Android device and the carrier can't stop you (unless your contract forbids you from doing it and they detect that activity) since there isn't a software block in place (tethering is now part of the Android OS but you can still download apps that allow tethering as opposed to iOS where you simply can't download an app like that without jailbreaking your phone).

 

[MonkeySee....]

Thats what RIM said

Yeah but RIM aren't a marketing powerhouse + don't have any clue of implementing new features.

 

[macbook pro i5]

Siri only on iPhone 4S and iPad 3, therefore navigation and flyover also only on those devices, VIP mailbox only from iPhone 4 and iPad 2 onwards (?!), Shared Streams only from iPhone 4 and iPad 2 onwards, hearing aids only from 4S onwards, FaceTime over cellular from iPad 2 and iPhone 4 onwards...

See? The iPhone 3GS may be getting iOS 6, but in name only.

Meanwhile, the iPad 1, a perfectly functional device, gets relegated to the technical scrapheap. They can sum up how 'green' they are on all the new MacBooks all they want, but this planned obsolescence for the iPad more than 'makes up' for that. Very disappointing.

The first gen iPad has 256MB of RAM and a larger screen then a 3GS go figure,besides I have tried ios 5 on my friends iPad it was unbearable,the iPad 2 and above at better as it has more RAM and also has newer chip in it,it's not just greed.

----------

Doesn't matter. It's only been a little over a year since it was sold new. It is still being sold. It cost as much as $829 as recently as March 2011, you know, slightly over a year ago. Think of the people who got one for Christmas not even a year and a half ago and now that device that cost more than a more capable PC is no longer supported. That device that is still under warranty through AppleCare will no longer receive updates.

This move proves that Apple puts profit first and everything else second. There is literally no excuse for Apple to not to continue to support the original iPad, especially when they're supporting older slower hardware in the iPhone 3GS, and weaker hardware in the form of the iPod touch 4G.

The worst part is that the original iPad got seriously screwed over in other ways. It didn't have "FaceTime" even though Jobs and company knew it was coming in the iPhone 4 a full year (according to WWDC keynote in 2010) before the iPad unveiling. It shipped with only 256MB of RAM, despite the fact that logic would suggest that sort of device requires 512MB or more, and the iPhone 4, being in development a full year before the iPad unveiling, shipped with 512MB of RAM.

Us early adopters got royally screwed. We went out and bought the product and made it an absolute success. How do we get repaid? By being told that our money and support means nothing.

You hav to realize iOS 6 would be torture on the first gen iPad because it has so little RAM,it would be to slow,which is why apple thought about it,it just isn't about maximizing profits.

 

[Jam1977]

Siri on iPhone 4 (Non-S)?

With all the talk about the Siri improvements in IOS 6, they never made it clear. Will this only be on iPhone 4s and newer? Or will any IOS device able to get IOS 6 now have Siri once they update?

Anyone know?

2007 White MacBook
iPhone 4 (Verizon)

Soon to be iPad with 4G

 

[shadowhawk2020]

It's different because that's a custom piece of software created for this particular phone by Samsung, not an Android OS feature. And we're talking about OS features here. (There is actually a way of downloading S Voice on other Android devices)

Huh? So you were actually saying that if an iPhone 5 has NFC, every other iPhone 5 has NFC?? So you're basically saying "If the sky is blue, the sky is blue". What's your point? What are you trying to prove here? That's a truism, it's obvious. This is true for every other device on the planet.

Eeek, wrong, I can't use Hulu on my iPhone in the UK.

That's what I said/meant. Apple allows carriers to block tethering if they want to.

Well, AFAIK you can tether from any Android device and the carrier can't stop you (unless your contract forbids you from doing it and they detect that activity) since there isn't a software block in place (tethering is now part of the Android OS but you can still download apps that allow tethering as opposed to iOS where you simply can't download an app like that without jailbreaking your phone).

You can tether from Android phones using carrier installed apps, paying a carrier premium of course.

If you want to circumvent that cost there is one app you can use without root Foxfi but it isn't ideal (you have to install software on your laptop. If you want to tether without cost you generally would have to root your phone.

 

[StyxMaker]

So I dont know if someone mentioned this... When you go to look at apple.com and iOS 6 page, there are many pics. On some of those pics you can clearly see different iPhone, different from my 4, or 4s. Is it just me or they leaked images of the new iPhone?

Image

As you can see on the pic, there is camera the normal "speakerphone" and one extra on top?

Am I right? Or maybe I am imagining things?

Those pictures look exactly like my white iPhone 4S.

 

[StyxMaker]

…Doesn't matter that Apple doesn't sell the original iPad new any more. The cost of the original iPad (well, any iPad) means the device deserves to have at least a half decade of usable life…

You seem to be saying that the instant IOS 6 is released all the original iPads in the world will quit working.

 

[StyxMaker]

Because sometimes change is better and the same old design will just become stale. That's all.

It's can be good when you freshen things up a little.

I don't expect an OS or a UI to entertain me. I expect them to allow me to operate the device as efficiently as possible then stay out of the way while I use it. IOS does this well.

 

[sazivad]

1. Doesn't matter.... [The] device that is still under warranty through AppleCare will no longer receive updates.

2. This move proves that Apple puts profit first and everything else second. There is literally no excuse for Apple to not to continue to support the original iPad, especially when they're supporting older slower hardware in the iPhone 3GS, and weaker hardware in the form of the iPod touch 4G.

3. The worst part is that the original iPad got seriously screwed over in other ways. It didn't have FaceTime... [and i]t shipped with only 256MB of RAM, despite the fact that logic would suggest that sort of device requires 512MB or more, and the iPhone 4, being in development a full year before the iPad unveiling, shipped with 512MB of RAM.

1. Remember that iOS 6 actually hasn't come out yet. When it does "in the fall," the iPad 1 will be even older. Also remember that the iPad 1 is being sold as refurbished. This means that while the 3GS is being sold in the main Apple Store page, the iPad 1 is not.

2. No matter how magical Apple seems, it is a corporation, and as such, spends a lot of time thinking about how they can profit.

3. The iPad 2 didn't ship with a 5-megapixel back camera, nor did it have 4G. Apple is evil, right? Wrong, IMHO. Apple ships products with specs and hardware based on what's available to produce cheaply. Not to say they don't throw a little planned obsolescence in there too. They obviously have a product roadmap for at least 2-3 years in the future. They know when they release products that ones with better specs and such will come out in the future. If they didn't, they wouldn't have made it this far, and nor would have any other company.

 

[StyxMaker]

OK, I understand, iPad 1 is single-core, more power is needed with all the background work the OS may do...

But why to dump Siri support for iPad 2?! There's no lawyer around here to sue them? iPad 2 is fully capable to support Siri.

Sue them? Sue them for what? I purchased the iPad 2 and no where did Apple promise to make Siri available for it. In fact they did not promise to ever put any feature on it that wasn't there when I bought it.

Apple isn't 'dumping' Siri support for the iPad 2, it's never had Siri support and Apple has never made any claim that it ever would.

 

[nickn]

You hav to realize iOS 6 would be torture on the first gen iPad because it has so little RAM,it would be to slow,which is why apple thought about it,it just isn't about maximizing profits.

The iPod Touch 4th Gen has 256Mb ram and a high res 960x540 display and it is getting iOS 6....

 

[macbook pro i5]

The iPod Touch 4th Gen has 256Mb ram and a high res 960x540 display and it is getting iOS 6....

But the iPad still has more pixels and a bigger screen to push as well,so there.

 

[Ries]

But the iPad still has more pixels and a bigger screen to push as well,so there.

786k pixel vs 614k pixel, peanuts in difference. The physical screen size doesn't affect performance.

The iPad A4 runs 1000MHz, the iPod only 800Mhz.

 

[macbook pro i5]

786k pixel vs 614k pixel, peanuts in difference. The physical screen size doesn't affect performance.

The iPad A4 runs 1000MHz, the iPod only 800Mhz.

OH.MY.GOD.
THe first iPad is ram deprived,the iPod can barely run it because the screen is smaller.