iOS 6 experiences

[Ben]

Has anyone started using the developer version of iOS 6 yet?

Some of the features sound compelling; like a worthy update indeed. When I read that things like the metallic sliders actually change as if they're catching the light as you move the phone I realised the level of detail Apple have packed into this release. I just hope it's as detailed under the hood as it is on the surface.

Maps is going to be the big win or lose. Are iOS users going to be stuck with a second-rate mapping application? It's such a non-core activity for Apple I'm just not sure if it'll receive the necessary level of Apple treatment to be 'insanely great'.

[ferret1979_1]

I think it depends on where you read.

A lot of people I follow on twitter with iPhones/iPads, have installed beta1 and says its good, but not that much of a step up from iOS5.

Over on MR there seems to be a big thread on niggles/things that don't work, but thats what you expect for a beta.

I normally install the beta iOS' on a second device, but this year I don't have one, and I'm still in two mind whether to put it on my main device.

I know a lot of people have, but what if my phone needs servicing from Apple? What if a future update renders the phone unusable?

I know in previous years, one of the betas made the phone very hard to use.

[Hands0n]

The mapping is supplied by TomTom - Apple are not attempting the roll your own approach. That would be absolutely nuts of them to even try.

[Ben]

I think they specifically purchased a mapping company, didn't they? Was that the provider of TomTom? Still, it's Apple Maps now, and Apple Maps have to be a bucket load better than TomTom maps.

ferret1979_1 - I think you should avoid it at all costs to be honest. Sure, it's fine to mess around on a secondary device, but this is a development build and putting it on a main device is just asking for trouble.

As much as I'm looking forward to iOS 6, it's the new iPhone I'm really looking forward to. Unfortunately it looks like we're in for a tweaked form-factor rather than a redesign, but I can't imagine Apple putting anything less than 100% into their new flagship computing device.

[ferret1979_1]

We've had 2 models out of the current design, as did the previous design (3G & 3GS).

I would've thought the next iPhone would be a redesign going on previous models.

[Ben]

We've had 2 models out of the current design, as did the previous design (3G & 3GS).

I would've thought the next iPhone would be a redesign going on previous models.

I was basing my comment on these supposedly leaked parts: http://www.macrumors.com/2012/05/29/...cetime-camera/

Something more radical would be preferable.

[The Mullet of G]

I'm a sucker for beta software especially OS's but I just can't find any compelling reasons to update to iOS6 beta. Usually after a Keynote anouncing an iOS update I'm secretly excited about it and looking forward to a few killer features, the last few have added noteable features like multitasking, notifications and iCloud but this time we get maps and not a lot else, there is literally nothing to get excited about.


On the map front, Googles latest update to Google Maps looks to be a move to counter Apple, but has gone spectacularly wrong since the app is awful. Having used a lot of mapping software on iOS my go to navigation app is TomTom, throw in the Darth Vader voice navigation and its pure win, it also hasn't steered me wrong yet.

[Ben]

Well, Beta 4 is now out, and I'm getting rather excited!

The hateful YouTube app is gone, apparently Google are developing their own for the App Store. There's an interesting settings tweak that permits applications that experience difficulties connecting over an available WiFi AP to instead route their traffic over the mobile network, which is a step in the right direction for seamless networking in the world's bizarre mixture of WLAN environments.

Of course the most exciting thing about iOS 6 is still the iPhone 5. Though there's now talk that Apple will refresh the entire iOS device lineup at the same time in order to roll out the brand-spanking-new Dock Connector, which begs the question of what other little tweaks will creep in at the same time. The iPad is begging for a little refresh to slim it down and add world wide LTE support IMHO.

But yes. Beta 4. Apple event just a month away. Everybody knows it's time for Apple's 'tock', and that there's everything to play for. Expectations will be higher than ever.

[Hands0n]

I skipped the iPhone 4S, save for a few weeks before I was relieved of one that I bought second hand (in immaculate condition from one very careful owner - you know who you are ). It was an interesting experience and in hindsight I probably should have bought in at the beginning. But the iPhone 5 is what I am waiting out for. It will, however, be irritating in the extreme of the iPad is "refreshed" again only a few months since the "new iPad" arrived.

[Wilt]

I am getting ready to be completely underwhelmed again...

[Ben]

...and you'll probably be pleasantly surprised. I, on the other hand, am getting so amped about the prospect of new software and hardware in my serene little Apple ecosystem that I'll probably wind up underwhelmed.

[gorilla]

I'm not getting excited by iOS 6 now at all. I don't get excited by new Android releases either any more. iOS 6 will be better than 5, but will I notice? I'm running Android 4.1 on my Nexus 7 and my Galaxy SII but is it really that much better than Android 4 or even 2.3? Probably, but I don't notice that much of a difference.

My point is that the software is already very mature, stable and above all, decent. Yes, I love new features as much as the next guy, but generally speaking, I get my features from Apps.

I've been toying with the idea of getting the new iPhone, but I'm now starting to believe the rumours that it will be 'average' and not necessarily the market leader. Of course, no one really knows and it could be the best phone ever!
If it's lighter than the 4S and has a screen size of between 4" and 4.3" I'll buy one. If the screen is less than 4" I just couldn't use it as my phone and if it's more than 4.5" I'd be in a similar position.

I must confess that the thought of keeping the SII for another few months has crossed my mind. It's a great phone than works really well for me. So the next iPhone will need to be great for me to actually buy one. (Skip forward a month or so and I bet I'll be craving one!)

[Wilt]

...and you'll probably be pleasantly surprised. I, on the other hand, am getting so amped about the prospect of new software and hardware in my serene little Apple ecosystem that I'll probably wind up underwhelmed.

Hopefully I will, can't say I've seen anything that has caught my eye in iOS 6 though, maybe they'll pull something decent out in the hardware.

[ferret1979_1]

The facility I'm looking forward to most in iOS 6, is the Do Not Disturb facility.

It has to be the closest thing to profiles Apple has come to.

I used to turn notifications off at night, as they disturbed me, and I need to keep the phone on, as its my primary means of contact, but now you can't turn notifications off, without going into each one, which is a right pain.

Oh and also the ability to add a photo from within the email app. Not earth shattering differences, but very welcome ones to me.

[Craig]

I am really looking forward to IOS 6, It looks like it is going to have some really cool features.

Of course it will look even better along with my Iphone 5 (Or whatever they are going to call it).

Although in saying that I kinda hope that the leaked back panel is an old design or something as I am really not sold on the two tone finish.

In saying that I wont see the back as it will be in a case :P

[Ben]

Re: iPhone 5 and the two-tone exterior - the current rumour consensus is that it's actually a unibody iPhone, where the metal part of the back case and the sides are one piece of milled aluminium. The end result should be a much thinner iPhone, strong to boot. I think the resulting profile, different from the notable protrusion of glass on the front and rear of the iPhone 4/4S, will actually make the new design extremely desirable, and it should feel wonderful in the hand. Not to mention a squillion times more luxurious than the plastic competition. Of course, the reality is that it could all be fakes and misdirection thus far

[Craig]

Yes I like the sound of a unibody iphone

And any apple follower will know what happened with all the rumours last year.

Just a waiting game. Looking forward to Sept 12th

[Gadgetguruu]

It is faster and I find I get better battery life too. I loved it.But couldnt be more happy with the new maps and functionality of iOS 6.