Apple iOS 6 launched With Revamped Maps, Siri on iPad
Big news today apple launched new IOS 6 with Revamped Maps, Siri on iPad and more.the next version of its mobile operating system, iOS 6, which Scott Forstall, senior vice president of iOS Software at Apple, said includes more than 200 new features.
That includes a revamped Maps app, Siri on the iPad, as well as Facebook integration, and FaceTime video chat over cellular networks.
A beta version of iOS 6 was released to developers today, and the full version will be available for everyone else in the fall. It will work on the iPhone 3GS and above, the iPad 2 and up, and fourth-generation iPod touch and beyond.
Siri Gets Boost
"We're taking Siri beyond the iPhone 4S, and we're bringing it to the new iPad," Forstall said today at Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC).
Among the improvements to Siri, the voice-activated personal assistant currently available on the iPhone 4S, is enhanced sports knowledge. Ask for the latest stats or individual player data, he said. (Sample questions: "Who's taller? LeBron or Kobe?" or "When is the first 49ers game of the season?").
Siri also now includes improved restaurant recommendations, which pull up Yelp reviews and the option for OpenTable reservations, as well as movie data, aided by Rotten Tomato stats. Perhaps more importantly, however, Siri will now open apps. "Siri, play Temple Run," you could say, and the addictive game will open automatically.
Getting Social With Twitter, Facebook
Have an inspiring, 140-character thought? You can also tweet right from Siri, including a hands-free integration with your car.
Siri Gets Boost
"We're taking Siri beyond the iPhone 4S, and we're bringing it to the new iPad," Forstall said today at Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC).
Farewell, Google Maps
As expected, Apple also showed off a revamped mapping solution that ditches Google Maps and includes turn-by-turn navigation, improved traffic, and Yelp integration, among other things.
FaceTime Over 3G, VIP Access, More
What else? For video chat fans, Apple is finally bringing its FaceTime video chat feature to cellular networks. Until now, it only worked when both users were connected to Wi-Fi. Now, it will function as long as you have a data connection, Forstall said. FaceTime will also work with iCloud, so if you get a call on your phone, you can answer it on your Mac or iPad.
