While we knew that Apple was looking to knock off Google as the Maps provider for iOS, we weren't exactly sure how it was going to do it. Was it building an in-house database? Using OpenStreetMaps?
Well as it turns out, neither of those answers were correct. According to the Acknowledgement page from inside the new iOS 6 Maps application, Apple is using mapping services from TomTom...
Ok, so it isn't the NCSettings or SBSettings-like feature we were hoping for. But Apple did make the Bluetooth toggle more accessible in iOS 6.
As you can see in the screenshot above, the Bluetooth option has been relocated in the Settings app. Now it takes a few less taps to access...
Those hoping that the default Mail app would get a major overhaul in iOS 6 will likely be disappointed. Despite a few new features, Mail is nearly identical to its predecessor.
But the few additions that did make the cut seem like they're going to have quite an impact. The first is a new VIP inbox feature, which allows you to customize Mail notifications...
While it isn't necessarily the complete rebuild we were hoping for, Apple announced today that mobile Safari is going to be getting some improvements and a few new features with iOS 6.
The headlining new addition is iCloud Tabs, which will sync all of your open tabs from the desktop Safari app with iOS. Don't use desktop Safari? Don't worry, there's more...
Apple has just released a new iTunes version 10.6.3 that features support for iOS 6 beta. It looks like a maintenance release aimed at only supporting the new capabilities provided by iOS 6.
It's a bit surprising that Apple decided to make iTunes 10.6.3 available to everyone as iOS 6 is in beta and normally one needs a paid developer account to download and install iOS betas...
Apple didn't have time to go into each and every new addition in iOS 6 in great detail today, so a lot of cool stuff flew under the radar. New content stores, for instance, would fall into that category.
As previously rumored, the latest iOS update features completely remodeled iTunes, iBooks and App Stores. A change, that Apple says, will give users a "new kind of shopping experience..."
Taking a cue from the jailbreak community, Apple has added the ability to update your social networking accounts from directly within iOS 6's Notification Center.
Using two new buttons in NC, users will be able to post new status updates to Facebook, and new tweets to Twitter, all without ever leaving the drop-down menu...
Though it's too early to tell if it's any good until we get our hands on it, iOS 6 was definitely the star of the show at Apple's WWDC keynote that just got wrapped up. While we're still digesting the announcements ourselves, iOS 6 definitely seems to be another worthwhile upgrade.
Granted, it's an evolution of the world's most popular mobile operating system rather than a revolution, but no one said it would be in the first place.
We also noticed that Apple really stick it to Google with the new Maps app which comes fully loaded with all the features one would expect from a mapping app.
So what about you, did you like the announcements? Please take a few second of your time to cast a vote in our poll, should be fun...
iOS 6 has a ton of new features, and like always, Apple has created a new page highlighting the upgrade's most compelling bullet points.
We've covered all of the major features here on iDB, but it's always nice to see how Apple themselves present the update.
Inside you'll find highlights for new features like updated maps, Facebook integration, new Siri features, Passbook, Shared Photo Streams, and much, much, more.
Unless you're part of the iOS developer program, you won't be able to get your hands on iOS 6 until this fall. Unfortunately, the most advanced mobile operating system in the world will not support every device.
Even though there is no official date for the release of iOS 6, we do know it will come this fall, likely with the release of the iPhone 5. When released to the public, it will support the following devices:
Can't wait to get your hands on iOS 6 and its new awesome features? The good news is that if you are a developer, it is available for download right now from the Dev Center.
Get your downloading on and let us know if you find something cool in iOS 6.
Photo Stream has always been a nice feature, but it's always felt a bit limited, because you can't currently share your Streams with other iOS users. Now all of that is about to change with iOS 6.
Shared Photo Streams will allow you to share you photos on the fly with selected iOS users. This could be a great feature to keep family and friends in touch with what's going on in your life...