We all love new stuff -- and iOS 6, the new software for iPhone and iPad, is packed with cool new stuff. But before you get too excited, is your iDevice a bit long in the tooth? Read on to find out which features you won't be able to get on your iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS or 3G, or older iPad.
The features that are most likely to be missing from your iPhone or iPad are Siri and some elements of the new Apple Maps app, as well as restrictions on photo sharing, FaceTime and Safari. Here's which features are missing from which phones.
iPhone 4S
As the most recent model, the iPhone 4S has all the features of iOS 6 present and correct. So there's the new own-brand Maps app, updated Siri and Safari, Facebook integration, 3G FaceTime, and a new-look phone app. Plus there's the photo stream to share snaps to the web, and a new data-storing Passbook. The 4S is also the only Apple device to support officially certified Made for iPhone hearing aids.
iPhone 4
The iPhone 4 gets many of the new features in iOS 6 -- but not all. Kicking off with the Maps app, the iPhone 4 won't get sat nav-style turn-by-turn directions or the 3D Flyover mode. We're not too fussed about missing out on Flyover -- the 3D-modelled cities in Android's Google Maps look lovely but are distracting when you just want to get around.
But turn-by-turn directions are far more useful and are a serious omission. Instead, you'll have to turn to third-party apps such as TomTom or CoPilot.
The other thing missing from the iPhone 4 is Siri. Apple's voice-controlled personal assistant has a tonne of new features in iOS 6, but none of them are coming to the iPhone 4, 3GS or older.
iPhone 3GS
The iPhone 3GS will get iOS 6, but as with the iPhone 4, turn-by-turn navigation, 3D flyover and Siri are missing. The 3GS also misses out on shared photo streams, 3G FaceTime and VIP smart mailbox. And there's no offline reading in Safari, but you can still stick with the likes of article-saving apps Instapaper and Pocket (formerly known as Read It Later).
But we're more worried about what the update will do to the phone's performance -- just because the new software will work on the phone doesn't mean it'll improve things. We remember when previous updates arrived on the iPhone 3G and 3GS, and slowed those older phones down to a horrifying extent. We suggest waiting to see how other 3GS owners get on before updating.
iPhone 3G and original iPhone
No iOS 6 for the 3G and original iPhone, but come on -- isn't it about time you got a new phone anyway?
New iPad
On to Apple's tablets. As with the 4S, the new iPad is the latest model and so is blessed with the full range of iOS 6 features -- including, for the first time, voice-controlled smart-aleck Siri.
iPad 2
The iPad 2 gets iOS 6 and all the new features and apps, including turn-by-turn navigation and 3D flyover in the new Maps app. But there's no love for Siri: the chirpy voice-controlled personal assistant remains exclusive to the iPhone 4S and new iPad.
iPad
At the time of writing it seems that the original iPad won't get the iOS 6 update, so no shared photo streams, no 3G FaceTime, and no VIP smart mailbox and Safari won't save articles for you. And of course, Siri says no siree. It will add the new Maps app, however, but misses out on turn-by-turn directions and the 3D Flyover mode.
Which new Apple features are you most excited about? Are you disappointed that your phone is missing out? Which features would tempt you to splash out for a new phone? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page -- and check out more on iOS 6 in our video.
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Comments 23
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Ruffus Stone 12 June, 2012 11:54
Pretty much like how older Android devices will never get upgrades to later versions of the OS, such as ICS, despite empty promises from mobile providers.
Worst than that, the majority of Android equipped phones are of the mid-priced and cheaper variety and not the high-end, such as the Galaxy S2/3 etc. Most of these cannot be upgraded to ICS or later (many can't even get Gingerbread), with ICS accounting for less than 7% of the Android market and Honeycomb (V.3) less than 3% of the Android market.
If you want all the latest features of either Android or iOS, then an upgrade will be needed in either case.
anonymous 12 June, 2012 12:31
Erm..the original iPad doesn't get iOS6 at all. Alas.
anonymous 12 June, 2012 12:34
Yeah the original iPad does. Just not a great deal of features...
anonymous 12 June, 2012 12:37
But really, if you're really desperate for ICS you can get it at XDA. There is even a port for my galaxy mini. As ios is closed source, something similar is impossible.
Rich Trenholm 12 June, 2012 13:21
We're working on confirming whether the original iPad will be able to update to iOS 6, but it now seems unlikely so we've amended the copy
anonymous 12 June, 2012 13:52
I don't think your compatibility list is right -- check the last illustration on page http://www.apple.com/ios/ios6/ -- the iPad 1 does not appear in the list.
It should, if Apple valued its customers, but it doesn't.
anonymous 12 June, 2012 14:02
What about the iPod Touch 4th Gen ?
anonymous 12 June, 2012 14:39
To me Siri is the Apple version of Microsoft Clippo. In fact, when I hear Siri's voice it fits Clippo's quite well.
It's just as well. My iPhone 4 only got iOS4.5 (no Siri) and I will probably resist moving to iOS6 if it means giving up Google maps. Google has accumulated maps information since 2005, what can Apple possibly offer that Google can't? 3D? Oh wait, Google demoed that last week.
anonymous 12 June, 2012 14:53
They're still hanging on the 3GS?? It already lags from iOS 5 (I know because I have a relative that has one). Yet they dropped iPad original??!! Do you know how much a tablet costs and how much I asked for the iPad for Christmas?! Then 3 monts later...it's outdated. Then a year later...even more outdated. But we don't all have $600 to go blow on a toy every single year. No, that's something you hang onto for a few years. I feel abandoned. Just be glad I have a 4S, Apple, or I would be really ticked.
anonymous 12 June, 2012 15:03
@anon. Don't buy a mobile device unless you're happy with the current (or at a stretch confirmed future) features. You don't need to buy a new iPad every year. Mine (a 2) is over a year old now, still loving it. I'm thrilled that it'll get iOS6, but wouldn't have bought it if I wasn't happy with what it came with. It'll do me fine for another year, if not two.
anonymous 12 June, 2012 16:14
So what will the navigation look like on the iPhone 4? Is there an equivalent to the navigation we currently have in Google Maps or will we have nothing at all? Will Gogle be releasing a standalone maps app for iOS? As usual, Apple aren't very clear about any of this.
Rich Trenholm 12 June, 2012 16:23
All good questions - we've asked Google about the possibility of Google Maps becoming a separate iOS app, but they're not saying anything yet. We'll try iOS 6 before it goes public and hopefully answer your questions - stay tuned
Peter Hudson 12 June, 2012 16:30
am I the only one who is glad that the original iPad wont be getting iOS6. iOS5 crippled my original iPad. Dont want to think about what it would do if iOS6 went near it
anonymous 14 June, 2012 09:09
The Turn by Turn feature can only work with a cellular data connection.
Most Ipad 2 and 3 sold dont have the facility to work as a GPS as the chip is different on the wireless + 3G models.
How will it know you are going the wromg way. It was not made clear at the presentation.
Or am I completely wrong ?
anonymous 15 June, 2012 14:02
iOS 5 didn't "cripple" my original iPad, it works great and I love it! It's really bewildering that the iPhone 3GS with it's 600MHz CPU and 256MB RAM will run a scaled down iOS 6, yet an iPad with a 1GHz CPU and 256MB RAM is getting shut out?
anonymous 19 June, 2012 17:57
What if I don't want to buy a new "horrifyingly" overpriced I-CRAP!!! I hate the Iphony I have now! APPLE is nothin but rotten, as to why they stink!
anonymous 31 August, 2012 19:09
YouTube is also being taken of ios 6 I believe, correct me if I'm wrong
anonymous 15 September, 2012 15:59
Should I update to ios6 on my 3gs, and what features will I get?
Thank you,
Jim
anonymous 16 September, 2012 14:21
So my 15 month old iPhone 4 isn't really worth updating to IOS6. The loss of things like Google Maps, YouTube etc isn't worth it for the limited features of IOS6. Apple are treating it's customers with contempt. Time to dump the iPhone and switch to the Galaxy S3 I think.
anonymous 20 September, 2012 07:38
Tried to update my iPhone 4 last night to iOS 6, and EVERYTHING got wiped from my phone. Photos, contacts, everything. I didn't realise that this would happen whenever I updated. Had to spend £80 to download software to retrieve my lost data. An expensive mistake... but I'm nervous about updating my phone now?!
anonymous 20 September, 2012 12:14
IOS6 ruined my iPhone 4. It does nothing! It's dead! A black screen that slowly flashes the Apple logo. Tried to restart- nothing! Tried to hook up to iTunes to reset- does not show up. I'm so pss'd off!
anonymous 20 September, 2012 16:35
Upgraded my 3GS last night (iPhone 5 due tomorrow :)). Had no problems with the upgrade, received the VIP mailbox, passbook, turn by turn on maps etc etc. So far no issues whatsoever, battery an improvement and all settings retained.
anonymous 22 September, 2012 11:37
Have now tried seven times to download the new app to my new iPad---it keeps on failing--tells me there was a problem with the download. Any one got any ideas on what to do next?