4 ms·

iOS 6 unveiled with Siri enhancements and Facebook integration

44 points by sciurus 14y ago

kennywinker 14y ago
The new maps app means the end of native street view, and probably transit route finding... bummer on that front, pretty awesome otherwise.
- pkulak 14y ago
  And what about walking and cycling directions? Walking and transit used to be on iOS, and cycling has been on Android for a while now. It's going to be a shame to lose that functionality on iOS.
  - justincormack 14y ago
    Cycling? Must be US only, as is public transport. Walking is essential though.
- hinathan 14y ago
  I noticed that too. I hope Google will release their own native apps for iOS before too long, unless Apple dings them for 'duplicating existing functionality'. I love having the transit directions in SF, it's pretty well done across Muni, BART, and CalTrain.
  - runako 14y ago
    I won't hold my breath given Google's track record shipping a useful GMail app for iOS.
- iuguy 14y ago
  Also cutting out other forms of transport (e.g. public transport and walking) makes maps pretty useless for me.
- deleted 14y ago
  [deleted]
- jsz0 14y ago
  A step backwards in functionality is never a good thing but I do like Apple's approach of saying that third party developers can do a better job for some parts of mapping. The kitchen sink approach of trying to cram everything possible into one app has its limits.
jcoder 14y ago
I didn't see any per-feature limitations for device support, only "iPhone 3GS and above." Does this mean that Siri is coming to the 3GS and 4 models?
- jasonlotito 14y ago
  Siri will be available only on iPhone 4S and iPad (3rd generation) and requires Internet access. - http://www.apple.com/ios/ios6/siri/ http://www.apple.com/ios/ios6/siri/
- smackfu 14y ago
  Oh, you didn't see the fine print. * Some features may not be available in all countries or all areas. Flyover and turn-by-turn navigation will be available only on iPhone 4S and iPad 2 or later. Cellular data charges may apply. * Siri will be available only on iPhone 4S and iPad (3rd generation) and requires Internet access. Siri may not be available in all languages or all areas, and features may vary by area. Cellular data charges may apply. * Shared Photo Streams requires iOS 6 on iPhone 4 or later or iPad 2 or later, or a Mac computer with OS X Mountain Lion. An up-to-date browser is required for accessing shared photo streams on the web. * FaceTime over a cellular network requires iPhone 4 or later, or iPad 2 or later with cellular data capability. Carrier data charges may apply. FaceTime is not available in all countries. * VIP list and VIP and Flagged smart mailboxes will be available on iPhone 4 or later and iPad 2 or later. * Offline Reading List will be available on iPhone 4 or later and iPad 2 or later.
deleted 14y ago
[deleted]
- ceejayoz 14y ago
  It won't. iPhone 4S and up. http://www.apple.com/ios/ios6/maps/ http://www.apple.com/ios/ios6/maps/
vibrunazo 14y ago
This all seem to be catching up, step by step with features that android just added in the last few months. But the timing is so close that they've probably been in development at ~about the same time. I wonder if these happen because both apple and google have a little bit of inside intel on each other. Or because these features are just obvious iterations that both came up with separately.
- betterth 14y ago
  Welcome to the new reality. The speed at which Google can release Android and the speed at which manufactorer's can implement/upgrade Android are two very, very different things. And unlike Android, Apple does not have this release/implement gap. Because less than 8% of Android users use 4.0 and Google is already about to unveil 5.0, we have to compare differently. Google may have released these features into the wild faster than Apple, but when iOS6 launches this summer and then passes the Android 4.0 install base in what, 2 weeks, there will then be more Apple users using these features than Android users. I think that will be the future going forward: Apple will take longer to release a feature, but will reach critical mass for the feature much, much faster than Google. And like Windows and it's hardware partners, I think that there is jack-diddly-squat that Google can do about it. They can whine but they have no say, as their in-house devices sell like crap compared to Samsung's flagships or Apple's phones. I think hardware will move similarly: Android manufacturer, eager for ANY advantage, will implement brand new technology on their product lines. They can also pull this off because they don't push iPhone-like quantities (minus the rare Samsung flagship launch). It's easier to put brand new tech in a device that is only selling 50,000/mo and will hit maybe 1 million total, because you don't have to have a source for 5,000,000 of that part by launch day...
  - michaelbuckbee 14y ago
    I like your analysis, but I'm curious how you would factor in Google's purchase of Motorola? An effort to decrease the release gap?
    - spiralpolitik 14y ago
joejohnson 14y ago
I hope airlines start using PassBook. This feature has a lot of potential.
- admiralwaddles 14y ago
  Airlines (you can see United as one of them in the demo) already accept digital passes. The TSA, however, requires a piece of paper so that they can mark it up and send you on your way. You still cannot get around printing a boarding pass quite yet, sadly.
  - ndubya 14y ago
    I haven't printed a boarding pass since Delta came out with their app. At least in SLC, you don't need it.
  - joejohnson 14y ago
    You do not need a paper boarding pass to go through security with TSA. They accept the QR codes via smartphone screens. There are scanners at the point where they mark paper boarding passes.
    - admiralwaddles 14y ago
      Needed them in BOS when I flew a few weeks ago. At least there was a sign that said you did--I didn't tempt it by going through with just my phone.
  - deleted 14y ago
    [deleted]
  - jrockway 14y ago
    Completely false. I've flown with electronic boarding passes out of ORD, LGA, SFO, and a few other airports on both United and AA. The TSA is 100% fine with mobile boarding passes. Their readers often work better than the airlines', actually.
- ma2xd 14y ago
lawdawg 14y ago
Just saw this: "Flyover and turn-by-turn navigation will be available only on iPhone 4S and iPad 2 or later" Pretty disappointing. http://www.apple.com/ios/ios6/maps/ http://www.apple.com/ios/ios6/maps/
- ceejayoz 14y ago
  I'd imagine the 3D stuff involved in those two features is pretty hefty on the system.
  - eco 14y ago
    Flyby I can see limiting to the devices with the nicer GPU but the lack of turn-by-turn on older devices seems odd. My Droid had 3D turn-by-turn navigation when it was released and that was in October of 2009. I suspect Apple just didn't want to compromise on how detailed the 3D was so they left older devices out.
    - bethling 14y ago
      The turn by turn could heavily integrated with the Siri functionality, which is only on the 4S. Total guess but it seems to make some sense.
  - smackfu 14y ago
    The GPS app I bought does offline turn-by-turn just fine on my iPhone 4. Apple can't pull off the same?
  - ajross 14y ago
    Turn-by-turn navigation requires 3D hardware?
    - ceejayoz 14y ago
      When it looks like this, yes: http://images.apple.com/ios/ios6/images/maps_gallery_turnbyturn_2.jpg http://images.apple.com/ios/ios6/images/maps_gallery_turnbyt...
suninwinter 14y ago
Wild speculation: PassBook heralds NFC in the new iPhone, but since Apple doesn't want to reveal anything about new hardware at WWDC, they left out anything that would give that away.
breckinloggins 14y ago
My thoughts: - Passport looks really cool. I also can't help but think this app is a further hint to an iPhone 5 "NFC" feature - Really impressed by maps. I hope it works as good as it looks. I'm currently using MotionX GPS Drive for turn by turn directions and I can't wait to get rid of it - Do Not Disturb: THANK YOU. Turning on Airplane mode at night was a bad substitute for this much-needed feature - Siri enhancements are nice, but would have loved to see API integration. I understand why they aren't doing this (yet), though. iOS would need, at the very least, some kind of Andriod-like "intents" system to make it work. Even better would be a standardized way to "teach" Siri about things (think RDF). This seems like one of those things they won't release until they really make sure it's done correctly, as otherwise the disparity between how Siri works natively and what it understands via API integration would be laughable. - Also with respect to Siri, I'd like to see Apple improve the voice synthesis. Don't get me wrong, it's pretty good, but it also isn't state of the art. The voice could be made smoother and better able to communicate Siri's "mood" (if and when Siri is synthesized to have one). Even without a "mood", her voice could stand to be less monotone. I would also like to be able to purchase different voices. - Guided Access (specifically the "one app mode") is going to be huge for enterprise as well as education. I've been on more than a few iPhone "enterprise feasibility" projects where the fatal bullet was lack of the company's ability to lock out the home screen - Facebook integration is nice (and predictable). I really look forward to the contacts and calendar integration more than anything - I thought they might announce third party apps for Apple TV, but I bet they're going to wait until the new TV product announcement for that And if anyone at Apple is reading, here's my obligatory wish-list: - Siri API integration and expandability (duh) - A "guest code" if you have a password lock. I shouldn't be worried about prying eyes if someone borrows my phone. I should just tell them to enter "1234" on the lock screen and it should open up to some kind of "guest account" with none of my personal data, push notifications, browser history, emails, etc. - Better support for external displays in the iTunes and Maps apps. If I am driving, I'd like my car's display to show me the artist and song information at minimum. I won't switch to Map's turn by turn unless it integrates with my external display. If it does, I'd like it to overlay new artist and song information briefly when I change tracks
- cleo_ 14y ago
spiralpolitik 14y ago
Most interesting part that iOS 6 will support the iPhone 3GS which is now almost 3 years old. How many Android Phones from July 2009 will support Android 4.0 ? I think that says a lot.
- eavc 14y ago
  It says mostly that iOS hasn't changed much in 3 years.
- smackfu 14y ago
  The reason iOS 6 supports 3GS isn't for the people who bought one in July 2009. The reason iOS 6 supports 3GS is for the people who bought one today for $0.99.
  - taligent 14y ago
    That's ridiculous. Apple clearly states 3GS here: http://www.apple.com/ios/ios6/ http://www.apple.com/ios/ios6/
    - deleted 14y ago
      [deleted]
- myko 14y ago
  Yes but major features like Siri and turn by turn wont work on the 3GS (or 4), which I think says a lot as well. Check smackfu's comment for device feature support breakdowns: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4096633 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4096633
- sandipc 14y ago
  That may also be because the 3GS is still on sale now. Not many Android phones from 2009 are still available for purchase.
- ConstantineXVI 14y ago
  Also worth noting that the identically-spec'd (sans phone bits) 3rd gen iPod touch will not be supported. Unless every single iOS 6 feature was phone and camera related, I can't see any good reason that one should get it and the other won't.
timjahn 14y ago
I hope the maps don't change for the user. Frankly, I don't care about Apple and Google's map bickering. If the new Apple Maps app is now a crippled maps app for my iPhone compared to the existing Google Maps iPhone app, that's a big problem.

44 points by sciurus 14y ago

The new maps app means the end of native street view, and probably transit route finding... bummer on that front, pretty awesome otherwise.

pkulak 14y ago
And what about walking and cycling directions? Walking and transit used to be on iOS, and cycling has been on Android for a while now. It's going to be a shame to lose that functionality on iOS.
- justincormack 14y ago
  Cycling? Must be US only, as is public transport. Walking is essential though.
hinathan 14y ago
I noticed that too. I hope Google will release their own native apps for iOS before too long, unless Apple dings them for 'duplicating existing functionality'. I love having the transit directions in SF, it's pretty well done across Muni, BART, and CalTrain.
- runako 14y ago
  I won't hold my breath given Google's track record shipping a useful GMail app for iOS.
iuguy 14y ago
Also cutting out other forms of transport (e.g. public transport and walking) makes maps pretty useless for me.
deleted 14y ago
[deleted]
jsz0 14y ago
A step backwards in functionality is never a good thing but I do like Apple's approach of saying that third party developers can do a better job for some parts of mapping. The kitchen sink approach of trying to cram everything possible into one app has its limits.

jcoder 14y ago

I didn't see any per-feature limitations for device support, only "iPhone 3GS and above." Does this mean that Siri is coming to the 3GS and 4 models?

jasonlotito 14y ago
Siri will be available only on iPhone 4S and iPad (3rd generation) and requires Internet access. - http://www.apple.com/ios/ios6/siri/ http://www.apple.com/ios/ios6/siri/
smackfu 14y ago
Oh, you didn't see the fine print. * Some features may not be available in all countries or all areas. Flyover and turn-by-turn navigation will be available only on iPhone 4S and iPad 2 or later. Cellular data charges may apply. * Siri will be available only on iPhone 4S and iPad (3rd generation) and requires Internet access. Siri may not be available in all languages or all areas, and features may vary by area. Cellular data charges may apply. * Shared Photo Streams requires iOS 6 on iPhone 4 or later or iPad 2 or later, or a Mac computer with OS X Mountain Lion. An up-to-date browser is required for accessing shared photo streams on the web. * FaceTime over a cellular network requires iPhone 4 or later, or iPad 2 or later with cellular data capability. Carrier data charges may apply. FaceTime is not available in all countries. * VIP list and VIP and Flagged smart mailboxes will be available on iPhone 4 or later and iPad 2 or later. * Offline Reading List will be available on iPhone 4 or later and iPad 2 or later.

deleted 14y ago

[deleted]

ceejayoz 14y ago
It won't. iPhone 4S and up. http://www.apple.com/ios/ios6/maps/ http://www.apple.com/ios/ios6/maps/

vibrunazo 14y ago

This all seem to be catching up, step by step with features that android just added in the last few months. But the timing is so close that they've probably been in development at ~about the same time. I wonder if these happen because both apple and google have a little bit of inside intel on each other. Or because these features are just obvious iterations that both came up with separately.

betterth 14y ago
Welcome to the new reality. The speed at which Google can release Android and the speed at which manufactorer's can implement/upgrade Android are two very, very different things. And unlike Android, Apple does not have this release/implement gap. Because less than 8% of Android users use 4.0 and Google is already about to unveil 5.0, we have to compare differently. Google may have released these features into the wild faster than Apple, but when iOS6 launches this summer and then passes the Android 4.0 install base in what, 2 weeks, there will then be more Apple users using these features than Android users. I think that will be the future going forward: Apple will take longer to release a feature, but will reach critical mass for the feature much, much faster than Google. And like Windows and it's hardware partners, I think that there is jack-diddly-squat that Google can do about it. They can whine but they have no say, as their in-house devices sell like crap compared to Samsung's flagships or Apple's phones. I think hardware will move similarly: Android manufacturer, eager for ANY advantage, will implement brand new technology on their product lines. They can also pull this off because they don't push iPhone-like quantities (minus the rare Samsung flagship launch). It's easier to put brand new tech in a device that is only selling 50,000/mo and will hit maybe 1 million total, because you don't have to have a source for 5,000,000 of that part by launch day...
- michaelbuckbee 14y ago
  I like your analysis, but I'm curious how you would factor in Google's purchase of Motorola? An effort to decrease the release gap?
  - spiralpolitik 14y ago

joejohnson 14y ago

I hope airlines start using PassBook. This feature has a lot of potential.

admiralwaddles 14y ago
Airlines (you can see United as one of them in the demo) already accept digital passes. The TSA, however, requires a piece of paper so that they can mark it up and send you on your way. You still cannot get around printing a boarding pass quite yet, sadly.
- ndubya 14y ago
  I haven't printed a boarding pass since Delta came out with their app. At least in SLC, you don't need it.
- joejohnson 14y ago
  You do not need a paper boarding pass to go through security with TSA. They accept the QR codes via smartphone screens. There are scanners at the point where they mark paper boarding passes.
  - admiralwaddles 14y ago
    Needed them in BOS when I flew a few weeks ago. At least there was a sign that said you did--I didn't tempt it by going through with just my phone.
- deleted 14y ago
  [deleted]
- jrockway 14y ago
  Completely false. I've flown with electronic boarding passes out of ORD, LGA, SFO, and a few other airports on both United and AA. The TSA is 100% fine with mobile boarding passes. Their readers often work better than the airlines', actually.
ma2xd 14y ago

lawdawg 14y ago

Just saw this: "Flyover and turn-by-turn navigation will be available only on iPhone 4S and iPad 2 or later" Pretty disappointing. http://www.apple.com/ios/ios6/maps/ http://www.apple.com/ios/ios6/maps/

ceejayoz 14y ago
I'd imagine the 3D stuff involved in those two features is pretty hefty on the system.
- eco 14y ago
  Flyby I can see limiting to the devices with the nicer GPU but the lack of turn-by-turn on older devices seems odd. My Droid had 3D turn-by-turn navigation when it was released and that was in October of 2009. I suspect Apple just didn't want to compromise on how detailed the 3D was so they left older devices out.
  - bethling 14y ago
    The turn by turn could heavily integrated with the Siri functionality, which is only on the 4S. Total guess but it seems to make some sense.
- smackfu 14y ago
  The GPS app I bought does offline turn-by-turn just fine on my iPhone 4. Apple can't pull off the same?
- ajross 14y ago
  Turn-by-turn navigation requires 3D hardware?
  - ceejayoz 14y ago
    When it looks like this, yes: http://images.apple.com/ios/ios6/images/maps_gallery_turnbyturn_2.jpg http://images.apple.com/ios/ios6/images/maps_gallery_turnbyt...

suninwinter 14y ago

Wild speculation: PassBook heralds NFC in the new iPhone, but since Apple doesn't want to reveal anything about new hardware at WWDC, they left out anything that would give that away.

breckinloggins 14y ago

My thoughts: - Passport looks really cool. I also can't help but think this app is a further hint to an iPhone 5 "NFC" feature - Really impressed by maps. I hope it works as good as it looks. I'm currently using MotionX GPS Drive for turn by turn directions and I can't wait to get rid of it - Do Not Disturb: THANK YOU. Turning on Airplane mode at night was a bad substitute for this much-needed feature - Siri enhancements are nice, but would have loved to see API integration. I understand why they aren't doing this (yet), though. iOS would need, at the very least, some kind of Andriod-like "intents" system to make it work. Even better would be a standardized way to "teach" Siri about things (think RDF). This seems like one of those things they won't release until they really make sure it's done correctly, as otherwise the disparity between how Siri works natively and what it understands via API integration would be laughable. - Also with respect to Siri, I'd like to see Apple improve the voice synthesis. Don't get me wrong, it's pretty good, but it also isn't state of the art. The voice could be made smoother and better able to communicate Siri's "mood" (if and when Siri is synthesized to have one). Even without a "mood", her voice could stand to be less monotone. I would also like to be able to purchase different voices. - Guided Access (specifically the "one app mode") is going to be huge for enterprise as well as education. I've been on more than a few iPhone "enterprise feasibility" projects where the fatal bullet was lack of the company's ability to lock out the home screen - Facebook integration is nice (and predictable). I really look forward to the contacts and calendar integration more than anything - I thought they might announce third party apps for Apple TV, but I bet they're going to wait until the new TV product announcement for that And if anyone at Apple is reading, here's my obligatory wish-list: - Siri API integration and expandability (duh) - A "guest code" if you have a password lock. I shouldn't be worried about prying eyes if someone borrows my phone. I should just tell them to enter "1234" on the lock screen and it should open up to some kind of "guest account" with none of my personal data, push notifications, browser history, emails, etc. - Better support for external displays in the iTunes and Maps apps. If I am driving, I'd like my car's display to show me the artist and song information at minimum. I won't switch to Map's turn by turn unless it integrates with my external display. If it does, I'd like it to overlay new artist and song information briefly when I change tracks

cleo_ 14y ago

spiralpolitik 14y ago

Most interesting part that iOS 6 will support the iPhone 3GS which is now almost 3 years old. How many Android Phones from July 2009 will support Android 4.0 ? I think that says a lot.

eavc 14y ago
It says mostly that iOS hasn't changed much in 3 years.
smackfu 14y ago
The reason iOS 6 supports 3GS isn't for the people who bought one in July 2009. The reason iOS 6 supports 3GS is for the people who bought one today for $0.99.
- taligent 14y ago
  That's ridiculous. Apple clearly states 3GS here: http://www.apple.com/ios/ios6/ http://www.apple.com/ios/ios6/
  - deleted 14y ago
    [deleted]
myko 14y ago
Yes but major features like Siri and turn by turn wont work on the 3GS (or 4), which I think says a lot as well. Check smackfu's comment for device feature support breakdowns: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4096633 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4096633
sandipc 14y ago
That may also be because the 3GS is still on sale now. Not many Android phones from 2009 are still available for purchase.
ConstantineXVI 14y ago
Also worth noting that the identically-spec'd (sans phone bits) 3rd gen iPod touch will not be supported. Unless every single iOS 6 feature was phone and camera related, I can't see any good reason that one should get it and the other won't.

timjahn 14y ago

I hope the maps don't change for the user. Frankly, I don't care about Apple and Google's map bickering. If the new Apple Maps app is now a crippled maps app for my iPhone compared to the existing Google Maps iPhone app, that's a big problem.