I’ve now upgraded my iPhone3GS from iOS 5.1.1 to iOS 6. This has been delayed mainly due to a freelance iOS App Testing project I was working on at iOS 5.1.1 plus also partly due to waiting for some fix version releases, to address any initial problems (e.g. iOS 6.0.1)
In Part 1 of this series of blog posts, I covered the actual Upgrade process and my Initial Thoughts.
Now, in Part 2, I cover the New Features and Changes in iOS 6. This is not an exhaustive list, but those that I have noticed/found in my own use so far of iOS 6.
New Features and Changes
The Google apps – Maps and YouTube – have both been removed from the iOS 6 package, so after the upgrade to iOS 6 you no longer have access to these. Apple’s own Maps app replaces Google Maps and has had a mixed reception, though in my brief use of it so far, I haven’t noticed any problems. Below is a screenshot of the Maps app in use, on my iPhone3GS.
Facebook is now integrated into iOS, in a similar way that they integrated Twitter in a previous release.
The Share screen has been funkily re-designed and now features more options. These are: Mail, Message, Twitter, Facebook, Add to Home Screen, Print, Copy, Bookmark and Add to Reading List
The Mail app seems more or less the same as before, though there’s now a ‘pull to refresh’ facility to refresh your Inbox. Also there’s a facility to set VIP emails, so you’re less likely to miss important emails – though I haven’t set this up yet.
The Passbook is a new App, supposedly handy for storing Boarding Passes, Tickets etc, though I haven’t used it / set it up yet.
The Phone functionality has been improved, including extra options being available when you get an Incoming call. Now in addition to the usual Decline and Answer buttons, you also have the options of ‘Reply with Message’ and ‘Remind Me Later’. You can also use the new Do Not Disturb functionality, to avoid being disturbed.
Google Maps
As mentioned above, the Google Maps and YouTube apps are not included in the upgrade to iOS 6. Apple’s own Maps app replaces Google’s version and YouTube has just been left out.
By now, Google have released a version of Google Maps for iOS 6 – the release of which has apparently seen a surge in iOS 6 upgrades – and have also released a YouTube app. I’ve installed Google Maps to my iPhone3GS and it seems to operate mostly the same as before. One big plus is that the Street View feature now works really smoothly and with full screen images. Screenshots of Google Maps below.
YouTube App
I have also downloaded the You Tube app from the App Store. Initial thoughts on this are that its not very good, as they’ve either taken away or hidden commonly used features from the previous App that was included in iOS. A screenshot is shown below.
Due to the shortcomings of the official You Tube app, I searched out some more alternatives and found You Player app, which has a UI more like the original YouTube app, so easier to use. I found it performed well, although there is the odd crash.
In Part 3, I discuss the Moans and Gripes found so far in iOS 6.