Today Apple unleashed iOS 6 to the public and you can update directly from your Apple device. Initially I had a few problems getting the update to work without errors but have since successfully updated both my iPhone and iPad. iOS 6 is touted as adding over 200 new features to your iPhones, iPads and later generation iPod touches.

As some of the features are not available to my older iPhone 4 I’ll just go over the basics for now and when I get my iPhone 5 I’ll delve more into iOS 6. However even if you have an older iDevice there’s still many reasons for you to upgrade.
Sure we’ve heard all the controversy about the removal of Google maps but I had always preferred the Mapquest app to Maps anyway and I would think all map apps are pretty similar in that they are designed to get you from point A to point B. With the new Map app you are offered step by step spoken directions and the new interactive 3D view “flyover” as well as real-time traffic information.

I was unhappy  to see that iOS 6 removed my pre-existing YouTube app but recently learned that there’s a new YouTube app available for free at the App Store. The new app is far superior to the older version that was pre-installed in previous iOS versions and lets you easily share videos to all your favorite social networks and email or just copy to your clipboard.

If you absolutely cannot take a phone call one of the cool new features is the ability to either have a callback reminder set or the option to send a quick reply by SMS or iMessage. You can choose from a list of existing replies or create a custom message. There’s also a new do not disturb feature that will suppress all incoming calls and alerts except for those contacts you allow to bypass the feature. This can be set manually or on a recurring schedule.

Mail in iOS 6 let’s you set up a VIP inbox so you can get all the emails from a list of contacts you deem VIP worthy without having to sort through junk mail. VIP is also iCloud enabled and will show up in all your iOS devices. Photos and videos are now easily added to your emails with just a few taps and a swipe down will refresh all your mailboxes.

iCloud Tabs are now part of Safari and keeps track of all your open pages so you can start browsing on one device and finish it on another. Safari will now also save webpages not just links to your reading list which grants you the ability to read them when you are offline.

One feature that I want to explore more is Passbook. I haven’t used it yet but supposedly instead of carrying around things like movie tickets, coupons, gift cards and loyalty cards you can store them all in your phone or iPod touch and scan your device. If this actually works my life and wallet just got a lot more organized.

Both the App Store and the  iTunes store have been redesigned as well as an update to Siri and countless other tweaks and features to enhance most iDevices. iOS 6 is compatible with the following models:

iPhone 3S and all models after and including the newest iPhone 5.

iPod touch 4th and 5th generations

iPad 2 and the New iPad

Related articles

• iOS 6 now available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch
• iOS 6 review: Refining the world’s most refined mobile OS