iOS 5 Vs. iOS 6: Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Update
Apple rolled out its latest mobile operating system, the iOS 6, Sept. 19. Along with the iPhone 5 users, owners of the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad 2, new iPad 3 and the fourth-generation iPod touch are eligible for the update, the company announced.
Apple's previous iOS 5 introduced significant updates including Twitter integration, wireless syncing over Wi-Fi, alternate routes in the Maps app and revamped iMessages to the iPhone and other iDevices. But in the new iOS 6, Apple has introduced a host of features that iDevice users had been clamoring for till today.
The company has already received its reward for the new refurbished iOS. According to a Techcrunch report, even after increasing reports of iOS "Maps" glitches, 61 percent of iPhone users and 41 percent of iPad users have upgraded to the new operating system within the first week of its release. In case you are still debating whether to upgrade your iDevice from iOS 5 to the latest iOS6, here are the top 5 improvements the new OS has in offer for you:
3G FaceTime
Although it was first introduced with the iOS 5, the FaceTime app has received a major overhaul in the latest iOS 6. In iOS 5, users were allowed to make video calls over Wi-Fi, but with the iOS 6, users now no longer need Wi-Fi and can use the FaceTime app over cellular service. Users can even take calls on their iPads using their phone numbers.
Passbook
iOS 6 has introduced a brand new app called Passbook. The app will allow the user to track and store all important documents like movie tickets, loyalty cards, admission passes, airline boarding passes, tickets and so on. In the iOS 5, such coupon and ticket-tracking processes were only limited to third-party apps but now with the iOS 6 Passbook, the iPhone will now automatically display relevant passes on the lock screen without even unlocking the phone. Starbucks, Walgreens, Fandango and various airlines have already signed up to support Passbook functionality.
Siri
With iOS 6, Apple's personal voice assistant Siri has finally received the much-needed improvement in terms of its IQ. The new smarter Siri will now let users give voice commands in a more personal manner and this time around, Apple has tried to overcome the widely reported problem of Siri's inability to understand accents of different users.
Safari Web Browser
While the iOS 5 introduced some relevant updates such as better HTML 5 support, more private history-free browsing to mobile devices with a tabbed browsing option for the iPad, the iOS 6 has introduced the much-awaited iCloud Tabs. Now with a single iCloud account, a user will be connected across all iDevices and Mountain Lion Macs. Therefore, if a user is reading something on his/her iPod touch or iPhone, they can, at the same time, read the same content from their MacBook. Moreover, the new improved Safari also allows users to post pictures and videos without leaving the browser.
Facebook Integration
While iOS 5 integrated Twitter to the iPhone and let users tweet links directly from Safari and YouTube apps, the new iOS allows users to directly share and post status updates without even opening the Facebook app and also merge one's Facebook contacts and calendar with the iOS calendar.