There has been some speculation that Apple is doing this seemingly covert developer launch of Mountain Lion so that WWDC can be singularly devoted to iOS 6 and the iPhone 6 (6 since it will be the 6th-generation).
So, now that Mountain Lion details are in the wild (pun definitely intended), and we've seen some of the iOS like features that will be integrated into Apple's non-mobile OS, what do you expect from iOS 6?
One of the things I would really like is a more multifaceted UI that steps away from the current all-app model (wherein the user experience is no longer focused around 16 little squares on the screen, but rather on deep inter-app communication and multitasking). This is a somewhat hard concept to describe, but think of both Android widgets, and the way that many Android apps can communicate with each other seamlessly.
I'd also love some more system level customization options - being able to set a different default email client or browser, for example.
Is anyone expecting more OS X-ish features to make their way into iOS as the two become closer and closer? Maybe even a specific version of iOS meant only for the iPad that has a more "PC" like interface?
Post your thoughts!
Discussion about
Now that Mountain Lion details are out, what do you expect from iOS 6?
I would definitely like to see an updated GUI (I hinted at it in my post, but didn't really nail it down that specifically). It's not that I think their GUI is bad, it's just a little stale to me.
In terms of widgets I think the only ones you're going to see are integrated into notification center (similar to the stocks and weather widgets there). I really don't see them doing a major UI change. Maybe app icons become a little more 'live' but I highly doubt they become fully animated.
Maps seem like the most obvious upgrade. Apple has been making acquisitions in the mapping field and they are due to show up in iOS.
Siri is going to get hooks for other apps to speak to it. Twitter integration with Siri will be the flagship example. Maybe, maybe Facebook gets similar level access, but that's still a question of strategic trust between Apple and FB.
Messages (or iMessage) becomes a smoother cross device experience.
Maps seem like the most obvious upgrade. Apple has been making acquisitions in the mapping field and they are due to show up in iOS.
Siri is going to get hooks for other apps to speak to it. Twitter integration with Siri will be the flagship example. Maybe, maybe Facebook gets similar level access, but that's still a question of strategic trust between Apple and FB.
Messages (or iMessage) becomes a smoother cross device experience.
I wouldn't hold my breath for any of these things you're wishing for :)
The simple iOS interface has been wildly successful and Apple won't want to hamper this.
What I do hope and expect to get:
1. More advanced document management thanks to iCloud - to allow document attachments to emails, for example
2. Better social integration - like the "People hub" in Windows Phone 7
3. Improved notification center - ability to add widgets, snooze alerts
4. Improved Maps app
5. More/improved iCloud services
The simple iOS interface has been wildly successful and Apple won't want to hamper this.
What I do hope and expect to get:
1. More advanced document management thanks to iCloud - to allow document attachments to emails, for example
2. Better social integration - like the "People hub" in Windows Phone 7
3. Improved notification center - ability to add widgets, snooze alerts
4. Improved Maps app
5. More/improved iCloud services
I know, most of my ideas are pipe dreams, but I really just listed them to stimulate discussion.
But, I definitely want everything you listed.
But, I definitely want everything you listed.
Good question. I expect mostly minor tweaks.
Better third-party Siri integration seems a given, or at least the ability for apps that aren't from Apple to add Siri support, even if those apps don't show up for a bit...
I would expect some Siri improvements as well in terms of the things Siri understands and can act on, even if in theory these can be decoupled from iOS releases.
I think more restrictions on access to the Contacts in your phone without your permission is pretty much a given at this point given the Path debacle.
Personally I'd like to see some additional work on background tasks--in particular it would be nice if my podcast catcher could launch itself periodically and download new podcasts without my having to manually launch it. It can do the downloads by itself once it scans the podcast feeds, but can't scan the feeds in the background.
I too would like to see something new on the UI front but am doubtful anything much will happen. As beau suggested I think we won't see real screen-based widgets but maybe icons that can change?
A better way to launch the camera from the lock screen since normal people never try double tapping.
Face tracking for games so you don't need a janky analog pad representation just to look around you in a FPS.
Some additional power management and stability tweaks. Still seeing too many apps crashing.
Put some basic controls--Wifi on/off, Airplane mode on/off, in the notification center.
Allow folders to contain a few more icons?
Tap and hold on an app in the search screen to open the page/folder with the app rather than just opening the app (so you can delete it for example).
Honestly, a better task switcher would be much appreciated too.
Better third-party Siri integration seems a given, or at least the ability for apps that aren't from Apple to add Siri support, even if those apps don't show up for a bit...
I would expect some Siri improvements as well in terms of the things Siri understands and can act on, even if in theory these can be decoupled from iOS releases.
I think more restrictions on access to the Contacts in your phone without your permission is pretty much a given at this point given the Path debacle.
Personally I'd like to see some additional work on background tasks--in particular it would be nice if my podcast catcher could launch itself periodically and download new podcasts without my having to manually launch it. It can do the downloads by itself once it scans the podcast feeds, but can't scan the feeds in the background.
I too would like to see something new on the UI front but am doubtful anything much will happen. As beau suggested I think we won't see real screen-based widgets but maybe icons that can change?
A better way to launch the camera from the lock screen since normal people never try double tapping.
Face tracking for games so you don't need a janky analog pad representation just to look around you in a FPS.
Some additional power management and stability tweaks. Still seeing too many apps crashing.
Put some basic controls--Wifi on/off, Airplane mode on/off, in the notification center.
Allow folders to contain a few more icons?
Tap and hold on an app in the search screen to open the page/folder with the app rather than just opening the app (so you can delete it for example).
Honestly, a better task switcher would be much appreciated too.
