Apple iOS 6: A Closer Look at Facebook, Passbook, Apple Maps
June 12, 2012 — -- Apple didn't hold back Monday on its plans for the iPhone and the iPad. Scott Forstall, head of iOS software, demoed 10 new features coming to iOS 6 this fall. There are a lot of new features to be excited about, but below are our top picks.
1. Facebook Integration
In iOS 5, we got Twitter integration; in iOS 6, we're getting Facebook. Apple has finally integrated Facebook at the OS level, meaning you will be able to sign into Facebook right on the phone (without the app), see your Facebook contacts in your contact list, and easily share and send messages to them from that list. Apple is also integrating Facebook "likes" into the App Store.
2. Apple Maps
Apple is, indeed, giving up Google Maps for its own home-brewed mapping service. The new Map app has a basic map interface, but also a 3-D and a fly-over view. The fly-over option is jaw-dropping in terms of visuals. When we got a look at it, we couldn't believe a phone was processing life-like renders of cities and buildings. But you might forget about all that eye-candy as soon as you hear that the app finally has turn-by-turn navigation. Yep, Siri and her melodic voice guide as you navigate through new neighborhoods. There's also real-time traffic gathered by others who are using the iPhone and the Maps application.
3. Passbook
Think of Passbook as your virtual wallet or travel document holder. It's an app that puts all your passes or tickets -- airplane tickets, movie tickets, royalty cards -- into one place. Instead of having to launch each app and find the bar code, Passbook puts it all in a well-organized app. But the best part is that it integrates with your lock-screen screen and knows when you need that pass to pop up based on your location and the time of day.
Let us know about the iOS 6 features you're most excited about on Twitter at @TechThisOutABC or in the comments below.
