Most of the features of iOS 6 were announced earlier this year. They include the new maps product, (which will boost Google Maps as the native maps program), updates to the Safari browser, social networking integration and the Passbook app to store commerce cards and tickets.
There have been several improvements to Siri as well, with the ability to now launch apps – including the ability to post to Facebook.
There are also a variety of other features including Facetime over 3G connections, updates to the phone app, VIP mail and better privacy settings. The full rundown of features can be read here.
The iOS 6 update will be released on September 19, and it’s a free upgrade.
Music is still a huge part of Apple. Tim Cook said on stage the music business is “deeply embedded in our DNA”, and it shows in sales – there have already been 20 billion songs purchased on iTunes.
There have been rumours for years now that Apple was working on a new, faster version of iTunes. It unveiled that update today.
The new iTunes store on the iPad features integrated Facebook sharing options, and a much better searching system.
But the biggest update is iTunes 11 for desktop.
The whole software has been completely redesigned, getting rid of the sidebar. The interface is different and it integrates with iCloud. Overall, it looks much more like the iOS version than the previous desktop version.
There’s also a new miniplayer.
iCloud brings a few new features, including the ability to keep track of your content across devices. You start watching or listening to something on one device, and another device will pick up from where you left off.
The new software will be available in late October.
Apple is still in the iPod business, and updated its range today with a new, seventh-generation Nano.
The new Nano looks more like the thinner, longer version of the Nano from a few years ago. It features an aluminium body, 5.4mm thick and a plastic casing. It also features the largest screen ever seen in a Nano at 2.5 inches, and large volume and play buttons.
It looks much more like an iPod Touch than a Nano, with a multi-touch screen.
And speaking of the iPod Touch, that’s been given an update is well with a four-inch Retina display. It’s also the thinnest iPod Touch, at 6.1mm, and weighs just 88 grams.
The new iPod Touch also runs the A5 chip, which is the first dual-core processor to come to the iPod. A new battery gives 40 hours of music, a new lens provides a five megapixel camera. There’s also a small hook on the iPod to add a small lanyard.
One big announcement was the addition of Siri to the iPod Touch, with all the same features as Siri provides on the iPhone.
Both the iPod Touch and Nano will be available in a variety of different colours.
There was a rumour Apple was working on new headphones, and it turned out to be correct. In fact, Apple said these headphones are so important to the company they’ve been in design for the last three years.
They’re designed to direct sound right into the ear, and are available today. They may not seem like a big update, but the iconic Apple headphones have been a big part of the success of the iPod – any change won’t have been taken lightly.
Apple always rolls out some statistics along with its key product updates. Here are just a few Tim Cook confirmed this morning:
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
