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| The new iOS |
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| Flyover feature - photo courtesy of businessinsider.com |
With Apple trying to completely divorce itself from Google, it has taken out the native Google Maps app from the previous OS and replace it with their own native app Maps. Here are the features of this new app:
Smooth zoom and rotation - From the demonstration, zooming in and out seemed a lot smoother and the app has the new ability to rotate 360 degrees and works in both landscape and potrait mode.
More detailed information for specific locations - Apple has collaborated with Yelp and more information will be provided which includes detailed description, more reviews and even more pictures.
Turn-by-turn 3D directions - Just think of Tom-Tom, the popular GPS guiding system. So basically a Siri-like voice telling you where to turn with the buildings in 3D view.
Flyover (Satellite View) - In Flyover mode, it allows you "fly over" the satellite (or realistic) images of the location. Probably something like Superman meets Google map Street View.
To sum it up, Maps app has managed to marry Tom-tom with Google Maps, drawing on the popular turn-by-turn directions and street view. Though all these features seemed really awesome during the demonstration, I'm still holding my praises due to some concerns.
Firstly, apple is collaborating with Yelp. And we all know how Yelp is next to useless in Singapore. So will we get another Siri-like problem with locations when searching for more information using Maps? Secondly, with our Telco cashing in on LTE and cutting our data limit, will all these additional features just put us closer to exploding our data limit? Lastly, without the A6 chip, I'm afraid the older iPhones is going to have trouble keeping up.
Notification Center
A simple addition - You are now able to Tweet or Update your Facebook Status from Notification Center.
Safari
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| iCloud Tab - photos courtesy of Apple.com |
Two additional features.
Full Screen Mode - This is one of the ideas that have migrated from the MacBook to their mobile. devices. Now you can "use every pixel" on your mobile device when browsing your favorite sites.
iCloud Tab - This ties in nicely with Apple's strategy of integrating all three devices. iCloud Tab would allow you to push the tabs that you have opened on your MacBook to your mobile devices. Simply go under a special tab named "iCloud Tab" and you can continue reading what you have left off on your laptop.
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| VIP - photos courtesy of hongkiat.com |
It will be now easier to flag your mail (direct access from your bottom toolbar) and a special folder is created just for your flagged mail.
On top of that, there is now a new VIP Section where all your contacts that is put under "VIP" will have their mail directed to this dedicated folder.
Passbook
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| photos courtesy of telegraph.co.uk |
Another new native app by Apple. This app is for you to store all your tickets (e.g concert tickets, sports tickets), boarding passes, discount coupons and loyalty cards. On top of that, it is integrated with your lock screen and alerts you whenever you are near the location to use your passes/tickets/coupons.
As with the Maps app, my main concern is that how effective will this App be in Singapore. What will the take-up rate be like for companies in Singapore? (The Starbuck Card app can't even be used inSingapore) On top of that, will this be overrun by the new NFC technology which is provided by Samsung Galaxy SIII and other mobile devices? I seriously have my doubts.
Shared Photo Stream
Fundamentally its your Instagram/Pinterest/Whatever photo sharing platform integrated into the native Photo app. You can even comment and like the photos (not sure if you can re-share though) that is being pushed to you.
Once again, another Apple's attempt to use the features of 3rd-party app and integrate it with their native app (Remember iMessage vs Whatsapp). Probably a method to get more people onto the iDevice band wagon to enjoy these "exclusivity". Oh well, I still use Whatsapp a lot more than iMessage, so I don't see how this will break my habitual platforms for photo sharing.
Siri
Well, Siri just got smarter. She can now:
Tell you more about Sports (the demo was ALL about NFL football)
Give you movie reviews & recommendations (based on Rotten Tomatoes)
Recommend you a restaurant and book a table for you (through opentable)
Seems really smart eh? But up till now, my dearest assistant is still unable to give me location-based service in Singapore. So whats the point of being smarter when you can't use it in your home country? Oh and better sports knowledge? Try asking Siri who is at the top of S-League table or how did our Young Lions did against Kelantan. I can totally imagine Siri's quizzical looks.
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| Photos courtesy of Apple.com |
Well, there you have it - some of the features highlighted in the Apple keynote event. Some of the features that have been left out or only briefly mentioned includes the ability to reply phone calls with iMessage/Message, guided access and Facetime over cellular network.
All in all, these features seemed pretty good but I'll hold any judgement till I try to use them in Singapore. Most of these new features seemed to be very US-based and I have serious doubts about it being even half as effective here. I remember how Siri was a major disappointment when she became toothless when her location-based service was disabled. I really hope Apple will do something about that and ensure that these features maintain its effectiveness even after traveling halfway around the world.
Till then, we'll just have to keep our fingers crossed and wait till 19th September 2012 before we can get our phones on the new iOS6. Stay tuned to find out how these new features actually function in Singapore.
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