iOS6: A review of the latest iOS for Apple OS devices

After three days of renovations, my room is finally ready for me to work in (which explains my absence for the early part of the week). However, I won't be blogging about that now because I'll have to wait till the entire room is completely done (sometime next week).

Photos courtesy of Mac Rumors

While a beeline of people are queueing for the iPhone 5 (I'm still on the fence as to whether to buy the phone), I have decided to download the latest iOS 6 and see how it pans out in the Singapore context.

Here's a lowdown of the newest updates:

Maps

As mentioned in my previous post, the new native Maps app has replaced the usual Google Maps as the main navigation app in the new iOS. Besides the typical mapping devices, it features the new turn-by-turn (aided by Tom-Tom) with Fly-over Function.

Let's start with the Pros:

Firstly, the free rotation and smoother zoom interface really makes life easier. This is especially so if you are one that needs to rotate your map to the orientation you are comfortable with.

Secondly, the Turn-by-turn feature works seamlessly and would save a lot of money from downloading the Tom-tom app.

Other than these two features, the app generally gives more information both within the map and in-location. This would be really helpful. However, for places in Singapore, the information available is still considerably limited.

Now with the Cons:

Most importantly, there is NO transit direction function in the new native app.  Apple has decided not to add in transit directions, instead they have suggested (in-app) a list of 3rd party apps that would do the trick. Unfortunately, gothere.sg or street directory is not in that list (so you'll most likely get an error instead of a suggestion).

As expected, the Fly-by function doesn't work for most places in Singapore. All you get is the default 3-D satellite imaging.

To me, this new app is really disappointing. For someone who doesn't own a car, but instead relies on public transport, the lack of transit directions is really a deal breaker. Although there are good 3rd party apps that will do the job, this would greatly handicap the reliability for the new Map App. Interestingly, this new feature is the feature that has taken the most flak from reviewers around the world.

Mail

Apple has certainly delivered on this one. The additional VIP function allows for automated sorting for important recipients (not that I have any now). The improved Flag function makes sorting of mail easier and ensures that you don't miss out on important messages.

Passbook

This app is basically useless for now. Most of the companies that jumped on the passbook bandwagon are US-based. So unless I want to buy a ticket to Los Angeles or New York, passbook is next to useless in Singapore.

If you want to play with Passbook, you can go to http://www.passsource.com.

Siri

Siri really DID get smarter. In fact, I'm actually impressed.

As promised, Siri was able to tell me about the English Premier League scores, standings and help me look for nearby food and amenities. Also, (if opentable allows) Siri can make reservations. Siri gave me quite a bit on what movies to watch too.

However, don't expect too much. As for sports, Siri doesn't know anything about Champions League and I'm not too sure about the other leagues (pretty sure nothing will come up for Malaysian cup or S League). The food and amenities information is still very limited, so don't expect to be able to find your favorite Laksa or Char kuay teow. Hungry.sg might be a better app for that.

Safari

The iCloud Tab is pretty awesome in integrating all my iDevices together. It is a really good move to make, allowing me to seamlessly switch between the devices. For me, this is easy to use and I'm pretty sure it will be helpful for most people.

Other Additions

Other addition includes the Facebook/Twitter Integration, Reply with message, Facetime over cellular, Privacy Settings and Photo Stream. Except for the Facebook/Twitter integration, I didn't really get to try out the other new features as I wasn't able to get hold of another person to test it with at 3 am in the morning. For Facebook/Twitter, it works perfectly so for those social media junkies, updating is just as easy as it can ever get.

All in all, this new iOS system isn't the big jump that I have expected (as seen from previous iOS jumps). I would agree that the integration of the different iDevices and with Social Media is the right way to go, but the major changes made to the iOS has served to do more bad than good.

The Passbook app is touted to be Apple's answer to the growing NFC technology. However, in Singapore, does that really hold up? The banks are coming up with NFC enabled credit cards and many other companies are following suit. I'm still unsure as to whether passbook will be more prominent than NFC in Singapore in a few months time.

The deal breaker for me is the native Map app. With the transit directions gone and the highly anticipated fly-over function crippled, this new app seems to have taken a step back. Personally, I can't wrap my head around the new changes and am uncomfortable having to use TWO apps just to obain directions (or simply just get rid of the new Map app). I admit that I am too reliable on the Google Map but like a common saying, "why fix the wheel when it is not spoilt".

For me, the lack of transit directions has led me to uninstall the iOS 6 and switched back to the iOS 5.1.1 (which explains the lack in screenshots). For now, I'll accustom myself (to see if I can really live without my precious google map) to using 3rd party apps for directions first before switching over to iOS 6. When I do switch over (probably in a week or so), I'll re-review the new OS and post it here. Hopefully, I was too quick to judge and the new iOS will prove me wrong.

New iOS 6 - The new program to complement the iPhone 5

With a new hardware comes a new software to complement it. Right after the introduction of the iPhone 5, Apple wasted no time in presenting the new features of the latest iOS 6. Here are the features that was mentioned at a glance:

The new iOS

Maps

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

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.

Mail

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

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.

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.