How To Know The Basics Of IOS 6
The release of a new version of iOS, the operating system that powers the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, is usually cause for excitement. That wasn’t entirely the case with iOS 6.
Normally Apple users greet the new version of the iOS with joy because it brings dozens, or hundreds, of new features with it, as well as important bug fixes. While iOS 6 did deliver those things, it also left some users grumpy thanks to the new Apple Maps app, which drew a lot of criticism at its release and even cost one very high-level Apple executive his job. Other users didn’t like that it dropped support for older models and that features didn’t work on all devices.
Below, you can find out if your iPhone is compatible with iOS 6, what features this version offers, and learn all about the history and controversies of iOS 6.
iOS 6 Compatible Apple Devices
The Apple devices that can run iOS 6 are:
| iPhone | iPad | iPod touch |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 5 | 4th generation iPad | 5th generation iPod touch |
| iPhone 4S | 3rd generation iPad | 4th generation iPod touch |
| iPhone 41 | iPad 23 | |
| iPhone 3GS2 | 1st generation iPad mini |
Not all devices can use every feature of iOS 6. Here’s a list of which devices can’t use certain features:
1iPhone 4 does not support: Siri, Maps flyover, turn-by-turn navigation, Face-time on 3G, and hearing aid support.
2iPhone 3GS does not support: VIP list in Mail, Offline Reading List in Safari, shared Photo Stream in Photos, Siri, Maps flyover, turn-by-turn navigation, Face-time on 3G, hearing aid support.
3iPad 2 does not support: Siri, FaceTime on 3G, and hearing aid support.
Compatibility For Later iOS 6 Releases
Apple released 10 versions of iOS 6 before replacing it with iOS 7 in 2013. It even released some bug fixes for iOS 6 after iOS 7 was released. All devices listed in the chart above are compatible with all versions of iOS 6.
Implications for Older Models
Devices not on this list can’t use iOS 6, though many of them can use iOS 5. This likely spurred many people at the time to upgrade to a new iPhone or another device.
Key iOS 6 Features
The most important features added to the iOS with the release of iOS 6 include:
- Apple Maps app, replacing Google Maps, which had been pre-installed since the first version of the iPhone
- Support for turn-by-turn directions in Apple Maps
- Do Not Disturb
- Passbook (now called Wallet)
- FaceTime support for cellular networks, not just Wi-Fi
- Expanded Siri features
- Facebook integration
- Offline Reading List in Safari
- Improved privacy controls
- AMBER and Emergency Alerts.
iOS 6 Maps App Controversy
While iOS 6 introduced many new features, it also delivered some controversy, primarily around the Apple Maps app.
Maps was Apple’s first attempt at creating its own, in-house mapping and directions app for the iPhone (all of those features had been previously supplied by Google Maps). While Apple touted all kinds of cool effects, such as 3D flyovers of cities, critics charged that the app lacked essential features like mass transit directions. Critics also pointed out that the app was buggy, directions were often incorrect, and images in the app were distorted.
Apple CEO Tim Cook publicly apologized to users for the problems. He reportedly asked Apple’s head of iOS development Scott Forstall to make the apology. When Forestall refused, Cook fired him and then issued the apology himself, according to reports.
Since then, Apple has steadily improved Maps with each version of the iOS, making it a much more effective replacement for Google Maps (though Google Maps is still available at the App Store).
iOS 6 Release History
- iOS 6.1.6 release: Feb. 21, 2014
- iOS 6.1.5 release: Nov. 14, 2013
- iOS 6.1.4 release: May 2, 2013
- iOS 6.1.3 release: March 19, 2013
- iOS 6.1.2 release: Feb. 19, 2013
- iOS 6.1.1 release: Feb. 6, 2013
- iOS 6.1 release: Jan 28, 2013
- iOS 6.0.2 release: Dec. 18, 2012
- iOS 6.0.1 release: Nov. 1, 2012
- iOS 6 release: Sept. 19, 2012
iOS 7 was released on September 16, 2013.
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