Apple gets iOS 6 update - Few devices ditched

Apple has launched its iOS 6 on 19 September 2012. As expected, Google Maps have been left out. The new OS from apple inc. comes with 200+ new features that will make the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch even better to use, but not without some limitations. First, it would not run on all the hardwares, and second, on some of the supported devices, it will be limited in features.

Devices Supported by iOS 6:

iOS 6 is supported by the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPad 2, iPad 3 and iPod touch 4th gen and of course, not to mention iPhone 5. But surprisingly, the iPad 1 and iPod touch 3rd gen are left out of the compatibility list despite having similar hardware to some of the other supported devices.

iOS 6 Features Compatibility:

Its not as straight as it might seem, means if your apple device can run iOS 6 that doesn’t mean it will support all of the available features. Now that's something like buying cheaper version of a software. Some of the improvements in iOS 6 like FaceTime over 3G won’t be supported on the iPhone 4 and 3GS. Siri will come to iPad 3 but not iPad 2.

And many more new and exciting features won’t work on iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4. To check out what more is supported, below is the chart from MacRumor.

iOS 6 Compatibility Chart. Source: macrumors.com

Improvements in iOS 6 are:

Improved Web-browsing - Safari browser has got a serious upgrade. The users can now save the web pages and not just the links in their reading list even when they’re offline. They can now also take photos and shoot videos without leaving Safari. Smart!

A new feature called TabView which allows users to simply use gestures to navigate through tabs, but offline Reading List will be available on iPhone 4, iPhone 3g and iPad 2.

The VIP MailBox - This is one feature that will make sure you don’t get an annoying alert every time you receive an email or a spam. Mail interface has been redesigned for easier reading and writing and iOS 6 also give users the option to set up thier VIP list.

Apple Maps - iOS 6 has left out the google maps and introduced there own maps feature. Apple maps have a voice navigation feature and “flyover” 3 dimensional images. Again, this feature is limited to uers of the iPhone 4S, iPad 2, and new iPad. The new iPod Touch will also support these features. We have to wait and see if this move from apple will actually help them gain over google maps or just a letdown.


The NFC is already missing in iOS 6 but Apple claims Passbook as their answer to Near Field Communication. Passbook can be used by shoppers instead of the old credit cards. Users can keep digital copies of their tickets, gift cards, etc in Passbook.

Seems like iPhone 3G has been joked with this update. More on iOS 6 Soon.