Sunday, June 17, 2012

Will iOS 6 Work on your Older iPhone and iPad?

At WWDC 2012, Apple announced iOS 6, a software upgrade that will add plenty of new features to your iPhone and iPad. For instance, for the first time, you will be able to use Siri on your iPad. The new Siri can also help you launch app using your voice.

iOS 6 is tightly integrated with Facebook meaning you will be able to share pictures or post status updates more easily than ever before (similar to Twitter integration).

With iOS 6, Apple has replaced Google Maps with their own Maps app. It has a Google Earth like feature called “flyover” which you can use to explore cities in 3D view without realistic satellite imagery.

iOS 6 – Availability

iOS 6 will be available for download in the next 3-4 months and supports iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPad 2 and iPad 3. Yes, with iOS 6, Apple has finally dropped support for the first-generation iPad.

Apple isn’t saying anything about the price but more likely it will be a free upgrade.

iOS 6 – The Missing Bits

There’s something in the fine print that you should know.

Even if iOS 6 is available for your iPhone or iPad model, it may not necessarily mean that all the new features of iOS 6 will be available on your device. For instance, Siri is part of iOS 6 but it won’t be available on iPad 2 though iOS 6 is available for iPad 2.

Here’s a table that shows what features of iOS 6 may not be available for your iOS device even if that device can be upgraded iOS 6.

	iPhone 3GS	iPhone 4	iPhone 4S	iPad 2	iPad 3

Siri	No	No	Yes	No	Yes
Facetime over cellular network	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Offline Reading in Safari	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
VIP List in Mail	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Flyover in Apple Maps	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Turn by Turn Navigation	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes