Is iOS6 a game-changer?

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iPhone and the iOS6

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This past week Apple released iOS6; the long-awaited software update for iPod Touch, iPhone, and iPad. The update included more than 200 new features, user interface/design upgrades and a new application called Passbook.

Last week, I wrote about how I was not impressed with the new iPhone 5. I swore I was going to switch to Android and buy a Samsung Galaxy SIII.

Then iOS6 came out, and now I have to pause and ask myself: "Is iOS6 a valuable enough upgrade for me to stay #TeamiPhone?" Let's talk about the features first, then I'll share my opinions.

The first major upgrade to iOS6 that you will notice is that the whole music interface is completely changed. Previously, Apple had a black theme to the music application. Now Music in iOS6 is white, black and orange. I almost feel like I'm trick or treating every time I try to find a song. I also found with the new music design that the colours and typefaces are so light, I'm having trouble manoeuvring my way around the application. Besides these cons, the one pro that I see is that Apple is finally making new user interface changes. Frankly it's been a very long time since I've seen a UI update of any sort in iOS.

The next big update in iOS6 is the removal of Google Maps. Don't be frightened, there is still a map application, it just doesn't have the Google branding. From what I've heard, Apple got rid of Google maps just so they could create/own all of the software in iOS6 -- they wanted to be as far away from Google products as they possibly could. The solution? Apple partnered up with TomTom, a well-known GPS and turn-by-turn navigation system company, and created a brand-new mapping/GPS application for the iPhone. After using the new map application to navigate my way around Tuxedo on Friday, I have to say that I'm not disappointed with Apple Maps. I like the new funky fonts and design. The application essentially works the same as Google maps did, except now it's an Apple-made application.

In iOS6, Facebook and Twitter are now heavily integrated into the operating system. When you slide down to view the notification centre, you will now have the option to tweet and create a Facebook status directly from the notification center. It's a very handy and must-have update. Besides creating statuses, Facebook is even more heavily involved in the operating system. With Facebook integration into iOS6, every single person you have as a friend on Facebook who posts their information on their profile, you now have as a contact in your address book. This has positives and negatives. First, it's incredibly easy to find young women's phone numbers. If you have them as a friend on Facebook, you have their number immediately and you can further proceed to text or call them. Thanks, Apple ;)

On the other hand, I have 2,800 friends on Facebook, so when I'm trying to call my friend Chris, I now have to find him in a pile of 100 other Chrises.

Facebook has also integrated events into your calendar. For instance, every one of your friends on Facebook has a birthday. Facebook has now incorporated that into iCal. This again is a nice feature to keep me out of my forgetful ways, but at the same time, annoying when I have a person's birthday that I don't know/care about pop up in my calendar.

The camera app also saw some upgrades in iOS6. It got a new black-themed design, as well as a highly touted feature called panorama. This feature allows you to take 360-degree photos. It's very cool. But, besides the new sleek black look, and panorama, the camera app has basically stayed the same.

In conclusion, is iOS6 good enough for me to stay loyal to the iPhone? No. As much as I enjoyed the upgrade, it wasn't exciting enough for me to think that Apple is as innovative as it used to be. Sure they changed up a few colours, added in a few new features, but in my opinion, the iPhone 5 still isn't worthy of upgrading. I think I'll be staying true to my word, and switching to the dark side -- Android. Samsung Galaxy SIII here I come!

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 23, 2012 A14