["iOS 6" first impression] The latest iOS with a major change in the map application-Keitai Watch
The distribution of iOS 6, a new version of the OS for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, has started. Regarding iOS 6, various changes were clarified at the developer conference "WWDC" held in June, but what kind of changes are they actually used? to deliver.
Devices on which iOS 6 can be installed include iPhone 3GS/4/4S/5, iPod The touch is the latest 4th generation and the 5th generation scheduled to be released in October, and the iPad is the iPad 2 and the latest iPad (3rd generation) released this year. It's a pity that the first iPad was excluded, but it's a little amazing that the iPhone 3GS released in 2009, which was released at the same time as the HT-03A, supports it.
Updating to iOS 6 can be done with iTunes, but from iOS 5, the iOS device itself can also be updated. If there is no problem, you can update without erasing the data, but if you are worried about losing the data due to a problem, it is a good idea to back it up with iTunes. By the way, there is also a major update, for example, the au version iPhone 4S had more than 600MB of data. It takes time and batteries, so be careful.
In iOS 6, the standard "map" app has changed significantly. Before iOS 5, the in-app map service was provided by Google, but in iOS 6, it's now provided by Apple itself.
In the copyright that can be checked from the "Map" app, there is "(C)INCREMENT P CORP", so it seems that the map of Japan is provided by Increment P. The map data should be solid, but I felt the presentation was pretty bad.
Please see the image below. iOS 6 on the left, iOS 5 Maps on the right. The same location (around Shinjuku Station) is adjusted to the same scale.
| iOS 6 Maps | iOS 5 "Map" |
As you can see, iOS 6's "map" has an overwhelmingly small amount of information. Since the main buildings and railway lines are not displayed, the area in the center of the map, where the huge platform and station building of Shinjuku Station are located, even looks like a vacant lot. The railway line is one step from here, and the building cannot be seen unless it is expanded three steps from here.
The author uses buildings and railway lines as landmarks to match the map with the actual location, but this gives the impression that it has become quite difficult to use. Major facilities such as stations are indicated by icons, but the icons are also difficult to understand, and in a vast facility like Shinjuku Station, the icons are in strange positions and are even more difficult to understand.
Apple has released many innovative products to date. At the time of the announcement, there were quite a few things that made me think, "Isn't this too novel to accept?" there were. However, I am not confident that this new "map" will be accepted.
By the way, unlike maps up to iOS 5, iOS 6 maps are provided as vector data. Rotation and expansion are very nice and smooth. Especially with rotation, the map used to rotate along with the characters, but in iOS 6 the characters are no longer rotated.
| List of route App |
In addition to changing the way the map is displayed, changes have also been made to the route guidance function. Route search by walking and car can be used as a standard function as before, but route search using public transportation such as trains is supposed to use a third-party compatible application.
At the time of writing this article, "Station Spaato" and "NAVITIME" are listed as applications for route search. When you search for a route using public transportation, you will be taken to the search screen for the app you use to search for routes. In the case of "Eki Spaato", a list of transfer guidance candidates is displayed immediately, and if you tap the walking part from the details, you will return to the "Map" and navigate to the walking part. For the time being, it will link between apps, but compared to being able to do everything with one app, it's much more inconvenient.
| Mount Fuji on an iPad |
In addition to this, a new function called "Flyover" has been added to the "Map" app. This is a function that displays an aerial photograph as a bird's-eye view from an oblique angle. At recitals and other events, demonstrations show scrolling through a 3D-modeled building, but 3D-modeling of buildings is only supported in the United States and some regions. Japan has not yet responded. The terrain can be displayed in 3D, so you can see Mt. Fuji and have fun, but it doesn't seem very practical.
iOS's unique voice recognition agent function "Siri" has been enhanced in iOS 6.
| Tweet screen from Siri |
First, Twitter and Facebook can now be controlled from "Siri". When you say "Tweet with ○△□" or "Post on Facebook with ○△□", the post screen with text entered appears. Tap "Send" or say "Send" to post. be done. It's quite interesting to be able to tweet hands-free after activating Siri.
The information that can be searched with "Siri" has increased a little, but this is a little subtle.
First, "sports" was added as a new search target. You can search the results of professional sports matches, but it seems that Japanese professional sports are not supported. "Giants game results" retrieves the game results of the San Francisco Giants, and "Yu Darvish results" displays Darvish's major league results. On the other hand, it is not possible to search for "Baystars match results" or "Daisuke Miura's results". It seems that they have not received information on Japanese professional baseball, but I think it would be wrong to claim that it is compatible with Japan.
| Movie info from Siri |
The "Siri" search for "Directions", "Local Search", and "Restaurant Information" was initially announced as non-supported, but will be supported from October. It is However, when looking at maps and Siri's sports information, iOS seems to be weak in Japanese local information, so worries are growing.
"Restaurant reviews", "Restaurant reservations", "Movie reviews", and "Screening times" have been added in North America, etc., but Japan's support for these has not been announced. "Movie information" can now be searched, but since you can't see show times or reviews, it's questionable whether it's practically meaningful.
| Passbook empty |
Completely new features from iOS 6 include Apple's Osaifu-Keitai-like service, "Passbook".
This is a platform for using the iPhone instead of cards and tickets. Third parties provide applications for using "Passbook" as their own cards and tickets, and the "Passbook" application displays barcodes and two-dimensional codes corresponding to cards and tickets. Not only that, but it can also set expiration dates for tickets and work with location information.
There seems to be a function called, but unfortunately at the time of writing this manuscript, I could not find any content that could be used in Japan. I would like to expect further enhancements here. By the way, this "Passbook" cannot be used on the iPad.
From the previous version, Twitter was built into iOS, and you could tweet from various apps, but in iOS 6, Facebook was also built into iOS. Not only can you post updates from various apps, but you can also sync your contacts and calendar with iOS native apps and use "Like" on the App Store and iTunes Store.
| Shared photo notifications are thumbnailed |
In terms of sharing, iCloud's photo storage function "Photo Stream" now supports the sharing function. You can create an email with a link from the "Photos" app to the shared folder, and after sharing, you can organize shared members and delete shared photo streams within the Photos app. It is easy to understand because it does not jump to a web browser etc. Shared members can also write comments on shared photos.
Shared members need an Apple ID, but if the shared photos are on an iOS device, the shared folder will be displayed in "Photos", and if there are additions, they will be automatically updated and new arrivals will be notified. This is also a unique system.
By the way, this shared photo stream is also installed as a standard feature in Mac OS X Mountain Lion, which was updated on the same day. But it will sync automatically. By installing iCloud software on a Windows computer, synchronization, including sharing, is possible, but Mac OS X is far better at linking functions with the iPhone.
With iOS 6, the communication function, which is the basis of a mobile phone, has been strengthened, albeit plainly.
| Flick the icon on the right while receiving a call to display this screen |
First of all, when you can't answer an incoming call, instead of simply rejecting it, you can reply to the message after rejecting it, It is now possible to add a call back task to Reminders (iOS's ToDo list function) with a simple operation. Since there is no message memo (simple answering machine) function in the iPhone, this kind of function is appreciated.
The "Mail" app has a function called "VIP" that searches and displays emails from people who have been registered as VIPs, but for iOS users, you can double-tap or long-touch the text when creating an email. The big change may be that you can now attach photos and videos. It can be said that it was too inconvenient until now...
Apple's unique videophone "FaceTime", which until now could only be used via Wi-Fi, can now be used via the mobile phone network. It can be said that the usability has improved significantly. Even if you've never used FaceTime before, you might want to give it a try.
| Reading list feature |
The "reading list" that was installed in the standard browser "Safari" is also new. The reading list is a "read later" function, and it used to be a bookmark-like function that only records URLs, but with iOS 6, the data of the web page itself can be saved in the iOS device. Saved pages can be viewed even in places where communication is not possible or in airplane mode. The reading list also syncs with other iOS devices and Safari on the Mac (Mountain Lion required), but it only seems to sync URLs and doesn't automatically download web pages.
In "Safari", a function has been added to synchronize open tabs via iCloud. Tap the iCloud button in Safari to see a list of web pages with tabs open on other devices. Only iOS 6 devices and Macs (Mountain Lion required) can synchronize tabs. For example, when you rush to the bathroom during work, you can use the iPhone to view the web page you were looking at on your computer until just before. I leave my old iPad in the bathroom, but the benefits of this tab sync seem to be enormous.
| Sleep mode feature |
In relation to notifications, a function called "Good night mode" has been added. This is to prevent ringtones and notification sounds from ringing during specified times. It is also possible to accept only calls from a specific person, or to ring the ring tone only when receiving a series of calls as an urgent requirement. A similar function was once installed in domestic feature phones, but it is a nice feature that the iPhone also adopted it.
Regarding notifications, in addition to earthquake early warnings, it seems to support disaster and evacuation information, and notations have been added to the settings for both au and Softbank's iPhone 4S. However, I haven't tried to see if it actually works. Well, it's a function that I don't want you to hear. By the way, if you insert a docomo SIM into the SIM-free version of iPhone 4S, the earthquake early warning item itself disappears.
In detail, the item "Privacy" has been added to "Settings". This allows users to decide whether to allow access to shared data and functions such as contacts, calendars, reminders, photos, and location services among installed apps. You can choose. The addition of such functions is important as security measures and privacy protection of smartphones are emphasized.
| App Store ranking screen |
The appearance of the "App Store" and "iTunes Store" has changed significantly, and from the iPhone, the rankings and search results are arranged side by side. This may be more convenient, but I'm used to the format so far, so I feel inconvenient for now. Also, apparently, you no longer need to enter your Apple ID password to redownload or update an app that you previously downloaded. Considering the security aspect, there are some uneasy places, but personally, it is a welcome change.
In addition, the YouTube app has disappeared from the standard apps. Instead, you can download the new YouTube app from the App Store, which is more advanced and modern than the old standard app, so download that if you need it.
| iPad Clock app |
In addition, "Clock" has been added as a standard iPad app. The four functions of the world clock, alarm, stopwatch, and timer are the same as the "clock" of the iPhone, but the world clock also displays the weather of the set location.
"iOS version upgrade" is provided free of charge, the update procedure is simple, and the data will not be lost. On the other hand, there are various new feature additions, and in some cases, there are more new user experiences than when you buy a new model. Also, since APIs for third-party apps increase with each update, many apps cannot use all functions unless they are on the latest OS. Unless you have a very good reason, you should upgrade.
However, looking at iOS 6 this time, the problem is the change in the "Map" app. Personally, I have to say that the map is difficult to understand, and the trouble of searching for routes has increased, so unfortunately it has become difficult to use. However, since it is a good idea to use another map application by a third party, it may not be a "great reason" to refrain from upgrading, but those who currently use the "Map" application a lot should consider it in advance. It would be better to look for a map app that can be used as an alternative before upgrading to iOS 6.
