iOS 6 unveiled with Siri enhancements and Facebook integration(arstechnica.com)
arstechnica.com
iOS 6 unveiled with Siri enhancements and Facebook integration
http://arstechnica.com/apple/2012/06/ios-6-features-from-wwd/
65 comments
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.
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...
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...
> 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
That's incorrect. All of the features announced in ios 6 (and ios 5) are catching up with features available to android 2.3 users. Pointing out that ICS only runs on 7% of devices while ios 5 runs on 80% is fun marketing games. But technically, that's like comparing apples to robots.
Google has updated their apps slowly over time, as they're being developed, for devices with old OS version. While apple waits for these big announcements for the big marketing show. So android users will always be getting the fresh new features before ios users. Some of those android users with newer features will be running android 2.3. Why are we even bringing up the OS version when comparing features available to older OS versions?
(For example, you don't need to upgrade to android 4.0 to upgrade the Google Play Store app to the latest version. Which has all these social integration such "your friend has liked this app". Which is a brand new feature on ios, that android 2.3 users have already been enjoying for quite a while.)
That's incorrect. All of the features announced in ios 6 (and ios 5) are catching up with features available to android 2.3 users. Pointing out that ICS only runs on 7% of devices while ios 5 runs on 80% is fun marketing games. But technically, that's like comparing apples to robots.
Google has updated their apps slowly over time, as they're being developed, for devices with old OS version. While apple waits for these big announcements for the big marketing show. So android users will always be getting the fresh new features before ios users. Some of those android users with newer features will be running android 2.3. Why are we even bringing up the OS version when comparing features available to older OS versions?
(For example, you don't need to upgrade to android 4.0 to upgrade the Google Play Store app to the latest version. Which has all these social integration such "your friend has liked this app". Which is a brand new feature on ios, that android 2.3 users have already been enjoying for quite a while.)
> Pointing out that ICS only runs on 7% of devices while ios 5 runs on 80% is fun marketing games.
How is this fun, marketing games ? It is a fact.
How is this fun, marketing games ? It is a fact.
It's fun marketing games as it is irrelevant, these features have been on Android since 2.3 so that's where the comparison should be.
Certainly all the features consumers want aren't on 2.3. The latest and greatest android is 4.x and it has lots of nice features. 5.0 will be out soon with more good features.
Even if 2.3 was amazingly awesome and way better than anything else available, 20% of Android is still on 2.2.
Even if 2.3 was amazingly awesome and way better than anything else available, 20% of Android is still on 2.2.
We're talking about features recently introduced by iOS, not features introduced by ICS.
If there is anything as good as Siri in 2.3, I can't say I've ever seen an Android wielding friend use it.
Maps was a unique case: They were paying the price of having partnered with Google in the beginning. A steep price to pay, but ultimately their solution is quite elegant. The combination of 3d+yelp+inhouse traffic is almost an all-in-one replacement of what Google provides. I guess we saw the beginning of that with Siri + Yelp already.
But you're right, Apple has some catch up to do.
But more so than I ever I feel that owning an Apple device isn't just a device, but it's buying into entire ecosystem. I'm digging their conservative, metered approach to rolling out features. I like the consistent, timely updates that the userbase is adopting in mass, reliably.
No one can deny that this is a good groove they've got: yearly updates with occasional feature updates that 70%+ of their userbase is adopting. It reminds me of the update model that Chrome and now Firefox use.
Maps was a unique case: They were paying the price of having partnered with Google in the beginning. A steep price to pay, but ultimately their solution is quite elegant. The combination of 3d+yelp+inhouse traffic is almost an all-in-one replacement of what Google provides. I guess we saw the beginning of that with Siri + Yelp already.
But you're right, Apple has some catch up to do.
But more so than I ever I feel that owning an Apple device isn't just a device, but it's buying into entire ecosystem. I'm digging their conservative, metered approach to rolling out features. I like the consistent, timely updates that the userbase is adopting in mass, reliably.
No one can deny that this is a good groove they've got: yearly updates with occasional feature updates that 70%+ of their userbase is adopting. It reminds me of the update model that Chrome and now Firefox use.
Voice commands have been in Android for a long time (2.2?). They're not quite as smart as Siri (natural language processing, witty responses), though in my personal experience far more accurate (maybe that's because my phone has been trained to my voice over time and when I've seen Siri in action it's usually someone who just got the 4S).
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?
One that could blow up their faces if the other vendors feel that Motorola is getting special treatment.
The bigger worry for Google is if Samsung decides it doesn't need Google anymore, forks and goes it alone in an attempt to match Apple. At that point Google Android is left with a bunch of manufacturers almost all of which are losing money.
Not a great position to be in.
The bigger worry for Google is if Samsung decides it doesn't need Google anymore, forks and goes it alone in an attempt to match Apple. At that point Google Android is left with a bunch of manufacturers almost all of which are losing money.
Not a great position to be in.
Remember Samsung did just become a platinum members of the Linux Foundation.
It really wouldn't surprise me if Samsung was looking to assert much more control over Android even to the point of forking it.
It really wouldn't surprise me if Samsung was looking to assert much more control over Android even to the point of forking it.
Forking it and losing access to Google Play? I find that highly unlikely.
They already control their devices, TouchWiz isn't simply a different launcher - what more control could they want (at such great cost)?
They already control their devices, TouchWiz isn't simply a different launcher - what more control could they want (at such great cost)?
Probably inside intelligence. It would be really weird otherwise Google announcing their 3D map just before Apple announced theirs.
The last two iOS releases have included popular Android selling points, i.e. the notifications windowshade and now turn-by-turn navigation. When you look at both their sue-happy patent defense and their rampant Android copying you start seeing the bigger picture of their features-race war strategy.
Since when is notifications and turn by turn exclusively Android features ?
They both existed years before Android was even a figment in someone's mind.
They both existed years before Android was even a figment in someone's mind.
Well yes, notifications existed hundreds of years ago. Its obviously about the implementation in Android.
Also, Google were first to offer free turn-by-turn navigation on Android with a better feature set than established companies like TomTom that charged you a premium price. Google disrupted the market back then.
Also, Google were first to offer free turn-by-turn navigation on Android with a better feature set than established companies like TomTom that charged you a premium price. Google disrupted the market back then.
Both companies are developing their platforms based on how consumers are actually using the devices so it's natural they are going to follow the same basic trajectory since most people use both types of devices the same way.
The new maps app means the end of native street view, and probably transit route finding... bummer on that front, pretty awesome otherwise.
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.
Cycling? Must be US only, as is public transport. Walking is essential though.
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.
I won't hold my breath given Google's track record shipping a useful GMail app for iOS.
Also cutting out other forms of transport (e.g. public transport and walking) makes maps pretty useless for me.
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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.
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.
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.
I think that says a lot.
It says mostly that iOS hasn't changed much in 3 years.
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.
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
Check smackfu's comment for device feature support breakdowns: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4096633
That may also be because the 3GS is still on sale now. Not many Android phones from 2009 are still available for purchase.
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.
Apple is currently selling iPhone 3GS (free in the states if I'm not mistaken), but thy ceased selling 3rd gen. iPod touches 2 years ago.
I hope airlines start using PassBook. This feature has a lot of potential.
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.
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.
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.
I haven't printed a boarding pass since Delta came out with their app. At least in SLC, you don't need it.
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.
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I have allready used my phone as a boarding pass. Just scanning barcode which was sent on email :)
Indeed. And airlines easily can/do send emails with new info when something changes. Wasn't there a post a few weeks back about email being all some problems need? Hoping airlines do unnecessary work to make/maintain a plug-in is kind of silly. I'd rather they focus every erg they have on running the planes well/better and just send me an email.
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/
"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/
I'd imagine the 3D stuff involved in those two features is pretty hefty on the system.
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.
I suspect Apple just didn't want to compromise on how detailed the 3D was so they left older devices out.
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.
Turn-by-turn navigation requires 3D hardware?
When it looks like this, yes: http://images.apple.com/ios/ios6/images/maps_gallery_turnbyt...
There were 99$ Windows Mobile navigators years ago that offered a display as seen on the linked screenshot. This wireframe-esque display is hardly GPU intensive.
(Not to mention that all of this is probably limited to few select regions, just like with the 99$ GPS..)
(Not to mention that all of this is probably limited to few select regions, just like with the 99$ GPS..)
The GPS app I bought does offline turn-by-turn just fine on my iPhone 4. Apple can't pull off the same?
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
- 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
Instead of a "guest code," they really need to implement real multi-user environments. While somewhat nonsensical on a phone, it's greatly needed on family iPads. Then the iPhone could pick up a guest account for "free."
"Flyover and turn-by-turn navigation will be available only on iPhone 4S and iPad 2 or later"
Welcome to iOS fragmentation.
Welcome to iOS fragmentation.
Fragmentation at the API level is the real problem. Not at lack of "built-in features."
An app written for iOS 6 can run on the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, and iPhone 3GS (not to mention the iPad 2 and 3, and the newest iPod Touches).
An app written for ICS can only run on those 7% of devices running ICS.
This is how fragmentation works. The only fragmentation happening on iOS is for the original iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPad 1, and the old iPod Touches.
The only one that I don't quite grasp is the original iPad. Running on the same processor as the iPhone 4 and is much faster than the iPhone 3GS. Color me somewhat confused by this one.
An app written for iOS 6 can run on the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, and iPhone 3GS (not to mention the iPad 2 and 3, and the newest iPod Touches).
An app written for ICS can only run on those 7% of devices running ICS.
This is how fragmentation works. The only fragmentation happening on iOS is for the original iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPad 1, and the old iPod Touches.
The only one that I don't quite grasp is the original iPad. Running on the same processor as the iPhone 4 and is much faster than the iPhone 3GS. Color me somewhat confused by this one.
First, APIs are simply features exposed for developers' use. A map function not supported on a device, means the API isn't supported neither, and if your 3rd party development needs this API, it needs this function, namely access to this feature.
Second, you are confining yourself to fragmentation from a developer perspective, and fragmentation matters for other purposes too.
Third, your Android example is flawed; to just shuffler your argument; a function developed for Android 2.3 can run on 2.3 and later versions. And you only need ICS, in case you need a new "built-in feature" available in ICS. Alas, an ios6 app benefiting from new maps, won't work in a substantial proportion of ios devices.
Fourth, the other side of fragmentation is diversity; and you may write a corporate app, for a pen based samsung galaxy note, with a giant screen and give it to your sales users.
Second, you are confining yourself to fragmentation from a developer perspective, and fragmentation matters for other purposes too.
Third, your Android example is flawed; to just shuffler your argument; a function developed for Android 2.3 can run on 2.3 and later versions. And you only need ICS, in case you need a new "built-in feature" available in ICS. Alas, an ios6 app benefiting from new maps, won't work in a substantial proportion of ios devices.
Fourth, the other side of fragmentation is diversity; and you may write a corporate app, for a pen based samsung galaxy note, with a giant screen and give it to your sales users.
That's not how fragmentation works.
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.
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.
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?
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/
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.
* 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.
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