iOS 6 is out now, adding a fistful of features to your iPhone 5, iPad or iPod touch -- and taking a few away too. Here's what you've been saying about the new Apple software.
CNET UK reader Kyle Cartmill is impressed: "Like the VIP in mail. Also the 'can't answer call' text message idea. Siri is great now too, I asked it 'who is the top goal scorer in the league?' and it came back with the correct answer."
It's not just features added to iOS 6. Jamie Lawrence is hopeful: "Battery seems better now? My battery was awful on iOS 5.1.1."
But, as with most software updates, there are some bugs. Wise Omodiagbe tells us, "Passbook not responding, text messages disappearing from my iPhone 4S." And another commenter reckons they've spotted a "crack in Apple's armour? Check out the updated Find My iPhone app. Totally different look, font and feel to any other Apple app. In fact looks a throwback to the eighties!"
The size of the download also causes concern. Lily Powell says, "Tried to download iOS 6 onto my 4th gen iPod touch, but couldn't because I had to have at least 2.3GB of available storage! I will not be deleting any of my music in order to update!"
But the big bugbear is the much-vaunted new Maps app. Apple's own-brand cartographic app, powered by TomTom location data, replaces Google Maps -- but it's far from perfect. Reader Luke White points out, "Maps isn't complete yet but looks good. It's an improvement. Not massive but better."
Not everyone is so charitable, however. James Braithwaite reports, "Satellite view on Maps is awful. Zoom feature is very poor as is the picture quality." And spare a thought for blurry Brummie Elliot Allen-Jones, who says, "Wow, according to the new Maps app I live in the huge blurry expanse outside of Birmingham. Granted, it's not the best area but at least it's in focus."
We're comparing the new Apple Maps app with Google Maps on Android phones right now, so stay tuned to see how the two compare. Here's a sneaky tip in advance: don't bet on Apple.
Suraj Sharma sums things up -- he's "hating the new App Store and Maps app... they are kinda useless now it's hard to find stuff. The other small improvements in iOS 6 are good, however iOS 6 is a massive disappointment compared to the impressive iOS 4 and iOS 5 updates."
To make up your own mind, download the update to your iPhone 4S, 4, or 3GS; new iPad or iPad 2; or iPod touch fourth generation. Or check out our handy video:
What do you think of iOS 6? What's the best part of the update -- and which bits have you wishing you stuck with iOS 5? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
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anonymous 20 September, 2012 12:35
Who needs Apple maps? Er knowbody. Google all the way
Its like when you say to a iphone cult member i mean user 'ipnone dont support bluetooth transfer' and stupid people say 'who users bluetooth anyways' er not you brainwashed f@$#?£s but everyone else does.
anonymous 20 September, 2012 12:41
My messages disappeared too. All my apps are there but in alphabetical order……… Not in the folders I so painstakingly created!!
glucoze 20 September, 2012 13:08
'Also the 'can't answer call' text message idea'...Hmm, I'm sure I have seen that somewhere before iOS6...
Ruffus Stone 20 September, 2012 13:10
I thought Google Maps were still available as a free App from the App Store?
The removal of the Google App is only from the iOS 6 OS package AFAIA.
anonymous 20 September, 2012 13:13
if at frist you dont succede
skydivings not for you.......
anonymous 20 September, 2012 13:14
@glucoze No no you must be wrong, Apple is innotive, they wouldnt copy that, surely not!
Oh yes i have had the feature on my S2 for some time now. I await a a comedy lawsuit from Apple claiming that one of their team members came up with the idea while in the womb.
Yong Zhen Kit 20 September, 2012 13:24
Looks like ios 6 nothing special.apple should have stuck with google maps not this lousy map.
anonymous 20 September, 2012 13:28
'Also the 'can't answer call' text message idea.'
Note - it wasn't Apple's idea. I think I had that one on my Palm pilot in around 2005.
ConcatNonsense 20 September, 2012 13:34
@ anonymous 20 September, 2012 13:14
I had that feature as an 'application' for the Viewty. I'm pretty sure it stretched back as far as the k750i as well.
Meleagru 20 September, 2012 13:38
Can you roll back updates in iOS?
anonymous 20 September, 2012 13:43
I use the Google Maps all the time. Did anyone at Apple actually test the maps before they launched it. I know they are very strict on getting the correct APPS on the systems.
IOS6 is big disappointed.
Tips for Apple, Maps should cover the whole world, not just the centre of a few cities.
anonymous 20 September, 2012 13:54
"'can't answer call' text message idea"... Really it took Apple till 2012 to introduce a feature that has been around on Android message apps for years!!
Surprised they didn't list it in their keynote in SF as a "revolutionary" iOS feature!
anonymous 20 September, 2012 13:57
Actually, wait a second. I had the can't answer call message option on my Nokia N95!!
*face plam*
Late8 20 September, 2012 14:20
hate it on my ipad 3 !
not only did the installation cause my ipad to stick and go into restore mode, maps, app store etc are horrid. 200 new features is a load of Apple froth and bollocks.
The only thing I have noticed thats a positive is speed of safari. However you can only sync tabs and bookmarks from safari and not from other accounts like Google chrome (which is why I still use google chrome)
anonymous 20 September, 2012 14:59
@anonymous 12:35
No need to bad language.You are entitled to your opinion as everybody does, but you don't have to be so rude about peopl you know nothng about. I am sure more people are smarter than you and they have a reason to choose a phone of their choice.
Jay Prospero 20 September, 2012 15:39
So far I'm pleased with the update, hope Google bring their maps app to the App Store so we can have the best if both worlds. Only odd thing I found so far and other users are experiencing it was Siri. For some reason he sounded rough and tinny like the speaker was blown or something. After about a day and a few syncs he got his voice back so don't know what that was about?
anonymous 20 September, 2012 15:39
"I am sure more people are smarter than you and they have a reason to choose a phone of their choice." Where as if you live in the US you can have that decision made for you - Galaxy Nexus = banned by Apple (without any dubious patent infringement). No matter how smart you are you cannot choose that one.
Anyway there is no need to swear to which I can agree.
As for all the update problems, I feel for anyone who looses functionality when they think they are getting an upgrade. No sympathy for Apple, the reason they have ditched Google Maps comes back to the declaration of war against Android. Can't we all just get along!!??
anonymous 20 September, 2012 16:03
Do Not Disturd is a most welcome feature, but it is seriously lacking and it is basically useless to me, on the iPhone 4.
#1. My weekend DND schedule is signifcantly different from my weekday
#2. I don't use the Favorite, because I have had issues with pocket dialing(sometimes the mute gets triggered when I hold the phone to my ear also), I acctually have the Phone App buried in a folder for this reason, that aside, using Favorite to govern which calls are allowed is also useless, because I have to add 3 phone numbers each for my siblings, 2 for my mom, 4 for my business partners, and the list goes on for close friends. why couldn't I just be able to add a contact and all their numbers are allowed?
and don't get me started with the missing Google Maps apps that was removed.
anonymous 20 September, 2012 16:12
you guys at cnet are very generous by not slating it like you do with android bugs that have come up in the part. needless to say i have iphone 4. other than maps doesnt look like i need anything else other than the nice fb integration. if any other manufacturer tempts me away with a solid os and hardware im leaving apple to it. get me a second hand ipad2 so i dont lose out on my apps later in the date
CaptainPicard 20 September, 2012 16:18
I hope Apple offers a fix for all these problems soon. This is one of the rare things I like about Apple, the fact that you will get an updated software no matter where you brought the product from at the same time as everyone else, unlike Android phones and tablets. But now if anyone is showing off a flashy Apple product and you tell them to get lost, they might literally get lost!
anonymous 20 September, 2012 16:38
Lets see...we have had Antennae-gate, cracked screen-gate, cant replace a dead battery-gate and now Map-gate....I wonder what other surprises the new iphone has in store for us?.......A couple of friends have also said their iphone 4S's are a lot slower after the update...dont know if thats true as I use an Android phone so dont have these issues, but what Apple customers should really be asking themselves is why Apple released this poor mapping package when they must have known it was faulty?....Dont they actually check things anymore?......Well Antennae-gate showed us they dont learn very well, so there are bound to be a few more Apple-gates waiting in the wings.....The irony is that Google will have to bail them out......The press seem to think it will all be fixed with a couple of updates, but I dont think it is going to be that easy. It isn't just the mapping software, its the images as well. Clouds above Colchester is a prime example of someone not looking at what they are presenting and the new Dublin airport?....they are going to have to go through each and every line of code to correct this and that is not a quick fix. But Apple's real sin here is not checking it before they released it, especially as they made a really big thing about how good it was going to be.
anonymous 20 September, 2012 16:39
Lets see...we have had Antennae-gate, cracked screen-gate, cant replace a dead battery-gate and now Map-gate....I wonder what other surprises the new iphone has in store for us?.......A couple of friends have also said their iphone 4S's are a lot slower after the update...dont know if thats true as I use an Android phone so dont have these issues, but what Apple customers should really be asking themselves is why Apple released this poor mapping package when they must have known it was faulty?....Dont they actually check things anymore?......Well Antennae-gate showed us they dont learn very well, so there are bound to be a few more Apple-gates waiting in the wings.....The irony is that Google will have to bail them out......The press seem to think it will all be fixed with a couple of updates, but I dont think it is going to be that easy. It isn't just the mapping software, its the images as well. Clouds above Colchester is a prime example of someone not looking at what they are presenting and the new Dublin airport?....they are going to have to go through each and every line of code to correct this and that is not a quick fix. But Apple's real sin here is not checking it before they released it, especially as they made a really big thing about how good it was going to be.
anonymous 20 September, 2012 16:40
Lets see...we have had Antennae-gate, cracked screen-gate, cant replace a dead battery-gate and now Map-gate....I wonder what other surprises the new iphone has in store for us?.......A couple of friends have also said their iphone 4S's are a lot slower after the update...dont know if thats true as I use an Android phone so dont have these issues, but what Apple customers should really be asking themselves is why Apple released this poor mapping package when they must have known it was faulty?....Dont they actually check things anymore?......Well Antennae-gate showed us they dont learn very well, so there are bound to be a few more Apple-gates waiting in the wings.....The irony is that Google will have to bail them out......The press seem to think it will all be fixed with a couple of updates, but I dont think it is going to be that easy. It isn't just the mapping software, its the images as well. Clouds above Colchester is a prime example of someone not looking at what they are presenting and the new Dublin airport?....they are going to have to go through each and every line of code to correct this and that is not a quick fix. But Apple's real sin here is not checking it before they released it, especially as they made a really big thing about how good it was going to be.
anonymous 20 September, 2012 16:41
Lets see...we have had Antennae-gate, cracked screen-gate, cant replace a dead battery-gate and now Map-gate....I wonder what other surprises the new iphone has in store for us?.......A couple of friends have also said their iphone 4S's are a lot slower after the update...dont know if thats true as I use an Android phone so dont have these issues, but what Apple customers should really be asking themselves is why Apple released this poor mapping package when they must have known it was faulty?....Dont they actually check things anymore?......Well Antennae-gate showed us they dont learn very well, so there are bound to be a few more Apple-gates waiting in the wings.....The irony is that Google will have to bail them out......The press seem to think it will all be fixed with a couple of updates, but I dont think it is going to be that easy. It isn't just the mapping software, its the images as well. Clouds above Colchester is a prime example of someone not looking at what they are presenting and the new Dublin airport?....they are going to have to go through each and every line of code to correct this and that is not a quick fix. But Apple's real sin here is not checking it before they released it, especially as they made a really big thing about how good it was going to be.
anonymous 20 September, 2012 16:41
Lets see...we have had Antennae-gate, cracked screen-gate, cant replace a dead battery-gate and now Map-gate....I wonder what other surprises the new iphone has in store for us?.......A couple of friends have also said their iphone 4S's are a lot slower after the update...dont know if thats true as I use an Android phone so dont have these issues, but what Apple customers should really be asking themselves is why Apple released this poor mapping package when they must have known it was faulty?....Dont they actually check things anymore?......Well Antennae-gate showed us they dont learn very well, so there are bound to be a few more Apple-gates waiting in the wings.....The irony is that Google will have to bail them out......The press seem to think it will all be fixed with a couple of updates, but I dont think it is going to be that easy. It isn't just the mapping software, its the images as well. Clouds above Colchester is a prime example of someone not looking at what they are presenting and the new Dublin airport?....they are going to have to go through each and every line of code to correct this and that is not a quick fix. But Apple's real sin here is not checking it before they released it, especially as they made a really big thing about how good it was going to be.
anonymous 20 September, 2012 18:04
Apple blew it with the new Maps app. It is terrbile and I want Google Maps back. I especially want Street View back and this is missing from Apple Maps. In many places the new Map app is showing a B&W image of the ground. I hope Google will put out a App with street view as in the old version in iOS 5. I wish I had not upgraded.
anonymous 20 September, 2012 18:05
I can't see google making a dedicated map app for ios because I think this is a major feature people look for on a smart phone. So having this kept to android may sway people towards android.
Ross SuBo Coulter 20 September, 2012 18:45
Too busy to take your call, txt.
This has been a feature on android for ages, and I think a couple of phones before android had this too.
anonymous 20 September, 2012 23:42
hmmm where to begin with Apple.
anonymous 21 September, 2012 05:08
All of my bookmarks disappeared, and I am unable to make a new one! Grrrr.
anonymous 21 September, 2012 06:46
My new iPad won't let me use App Store as it has changed to USA version. How do I get uk back.
anonymous 21 September, 2012 07:27
Got no problem with iOS 6. All working fine for me. This is now the chance for Apple to release iOS 6.0.1 and so for.
anonymous 21 September, 2012 10:46
The changes to Maps are appalling! In the UK the satelite view is just an unreadable blur.
The removal of the public transport option is a serious reduction in the use of my iPad, as is the removal of Streetview.
I was about to buy a MacBook on the basis that Apple seems to do all I want it to, but now I see that they are quite capable of dramatically reducing the usefulness of their service to save a few bucks I am thinking again.
Tip from me, Apple; YOU SHOULD BE MAKING YOUR PRODUCTS BETTER, NOT WORSE!
anonymous 21 September, 2012 11:42
To restore UK App Store (it had changed to USA) switch flight mode on then off. Also had to reset APN as this had been wiped and stopped me sending emails.
anonymous 22 September, 2012 01:28
My samsung phone works like brand new after years and never a fault and windows 8 is supposed to do all xbox games also.The apple loyal "fan base" should just look around.Apple apps are limited also.
anonymous 23 September, 2012 11:54
It's plain & simple: I want iOS 5.1.1 back!
I use an iPhone 4s (My family also has iPhone 4, iPad2, iPod touch Gen 4 + several ANdroid tablets). The iPhone 4s is the only one I have upgraded to iOS 6 yet and I dearly wish I hadn't. If I can find a way to revert to iOS 5.1.1 I will be doing.
As for most others maps is the main issue, but I also dislike changes to apps Store interface etc.
I'm not impressed or interested in Apples "wooly" promises of making it better. It was better... the way it was. I do not want to wait for several weeks (months? years?) to get something different that's nearly as good as what I already had thank you very much.
I was very happy with my iPhone 4s (even with Apple's walled garden limitations compared to Android devices) Now I'm not and if I am considering jail breaking or even (possibly not really, as it is a little extreme) even ditching my iPhone for an Android handset isn't this a very bad reflection on this "upgrade"
I want the best user experience possible form my phone/tablet which is arguably what apple have provided up until now. Listen to your customers. Most of us are not interested in squabble between Apple/Google/Microsoft about patents and the rest. We just want the technology we have purchased to work and give us the best end user experience possible.
Sorry, rant over.
anonymous 23 September, 2012 13:54
Apple maps are rubbish. Will be putting the phone in the draw until maps improve and go back to using my old 3S iPhone
anonymous 23 September, 2012 16:53
The only reason I am not restoring back to iOS 5 is because my iPod was unusable in iOS 5. The lag was horrendous. iOS 6 has a lot less lag and I can now use my apps. Maps is pathetic, the only good thing is I can use them when I am offline but they aren't good enough to use in the firsy place.
Ve7dhe 25 September, 2012 01:34
Iso6 sucks. U tube is gone as well as google maps. App Store is nuts . I'd go back to iso5in a heartbeat. And also Siri won't work on mu iPod touch4
anonymous 25 September, 2012 13:32
All you lot moaning about the Maps. You can open Safari, go to maps.google.com. It works pretty much in the same way and you're given the option to save the bookmark to your phone. Google have reported submitted a Google Maps app. You don't HAVE to use all the bundled Apple Maps. Who here actually uses stocks or the sound recorder app for apple. YouTube went, so what? Download it from the App Store where it's free and better than before. Christ some people all you like to do is whine and moan. If you don't like it get a bloody Android or Windows Phone.
arphone1 26 September, 2012 23:38
I'm glad apple maps wasn't so good- yes I've installed google maps again (going to safari and you get prompted). But on the way I've found amps that I prefer over google maps- maps UK gives free OS maps and you can use it offline. Nokia maps works pretty well. Nad the AZ maps are brilliant!
(Oh and the person who says Bluetooth file transfer's not possible on the iphone obviously hasn't got an iphone- it is possible!).
I like turn my turn navigation on google maps on android phones (shame google prevented apple users from having that feature!). However, i've found that the tom tom directions are better than googles - swings and roundabouts I guess!
arphone1 26 September, 2012 23:41
Oh and you tube, same thing, I used a shortcut for the browser which works fine. But not having youtube preinstalled made me look around the app store. I found 'Jasmine' which I prefer over even the youtube app on android phones!
arphone1 26 September, 2012 23:47
And "Anonymous", the iphone 4s isn't slower after the upgrade to IOS 6.. As a result of having IOS 6 on the iphone 5 my trusty Samsung Nexus with Jelly Bean has been mothballed (though still using the Nexus 7). The screen quality on the iPhone 5 pretty much blows away all the other phones I've looked at (including the S3, by quite a long way. The larger screen is nice on the S3, but it doesn't work well outdoors- unlike the iPhone 5). However, looking forward to trying the Note 2!
anonymous 20 November, 2012 21:28
why those my memory on ipod gets less when i restore it?
anonymous 20 November, 2012 21:30
how can i get it back if i can pleas answer me faster