iOS 6 update’s finally here: Key features to watch out for

Apple’s latest OS for iPhone and iPad is finally here; the iOS 6. The new OS is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, the iPod touch (4th generation) and the iPad 2 and the new iPad. Of course the iPhone 5 and the new iPod Touch (5th generation) ship with iOS6 pre-loaded.

You can check out our quick take of the iOS 6 here.

The key features of OS are as follows:

Facebook all the way: This ones a winner. Facebook, like Twitter on iOS 5, is now an integral part of the Apple OS experience. Users can post locations to Facebook directly from the maps app and also post photos on Facebook directly via the photos app.

Replying to posts no longer requires going into the app. A Tap to post button has been added which means users can post their status updates directly without clicking on the Facebook app. Users can also dictate their Facebook posts via Siri. For more on why iOS 6 loves Facebook click here.

Screenshot of the new Apple Maps.

New Maps feature: After Apple ditched Google Maps for their in-house maps, there is definitely some chatter on whether this was a wise move. The new maps have a voice navigation feature and “flyover” three-dimensional images taken by helicopters hired by the company to fly over major cities.

This feature will however be available only to users of the iPhone 4S, iPad 2, and new iPad. The new iPhone 5 and new iPod Touch will ship with these features. Apple maps is creating a lot of buzz on Twitter right now with some saying the new feature is awesome while others canning it in harshest of terms. More on Apple maps later.

The maps will also features snippets of reviews for restaurants etc from Yelp. Yelp is not available in India.

VIP MailBox: This is one feature that will make sure you don’t get an alert every time you receive an email. Apple has redesigned the Mail interface for easier reading and writing, in iOS 6 and also given users the option to set up a VIP list.

Smarter Web-browsing: Safari also got a serious upgrade. Users can now saves web pages — not just links — in their Reading List even when they’re offline. Users can also take photos and video without leaving Safari.

There’s also a new feature called TabView. Users can simply use gestures to navigate through tabs. Big bummer is that offline Reading List will be available on iPhone 4 or later and iPad 2 or later.

DND feature: Once again this option will give users more control about what calls they want to take and when. Users can set reminders if they don’t want to call back right away. Also “call when you leave” feature that reminds users to call back while they leave a building etc.

Passbook: This is Apple’s answer to NFC or Near Field Communications which according to tech experts can be used by shoppers instead of the old credit card. For more on how NFC is the new answer to credit cards and Apple didn’t use it click here.

Apple’s new Passbook feature is like the new wallet where users can keep digital copies of their tickets, gift cards, etc. It does not yet allow users to sync their credit debt cards with their iPhones.

Google wallet on the other hand does support credit and debit cards syncing.

No native YouTube App: The YouTube app is gone folks. Download the original YouTube app from Google via the App Store. iPad users might find this a tad annoying as the official YouTube iPad app is not yet out.