Apple Introduces iOS 6 with Over 200 New Features

Apple just announced the big update of its mobile operating system – iOS 6.

Today at Apple’s WWDC keynote, the company introduced the iOS 6 that comes with over 200 new features. Here are the feature highlights:

1. Major Upgrade for Siri – Siri now can provide sport scores for the NBA, NFL, etc. You can launch apps, query movie info, reserve a table and tweet using Siri. Apple also brings Siri to the iPad and adds more languages (including Italian, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Canadian) to the voice assistant. Eyes-free is another new feature that allows Siri to integrate directly with vehicles. This allows you to launch Siri using a button on the steering wheel.

2. Facebook Integration – Facebook is not integrated into the iOS. Just like Twitter, you can easily share photos, location and other stuffs to your Facebook account.

3. Improved Phone App – if you’re not available to answer the call, iOS 6 provides you with options. You can choose to reply with message or simply choose remind me later.

4. Do Not Disturb – Like the DoNotDisturb tweak, you can force iOS not to show you the notifications.

5. FaceTime Over Cellular – Not just work over WiFi, Apple finally enables FaceTime over cellular network.

6. Improved Safari – Full screen support (landscape mode only), Cloud tab and offline reading list. You’re also allowed to upload photos to your favorite websites right from Safari.

7. Photo Stream Sharing with friends – Pick your photos in photo stream and share them with your friends. Like Facebook, your friends can write comment on the photos.

8. Improved Mail app – Adds VIP support. It allows you to mark someone who you really want to be notified about. And, finally you can add photos and videos while composing your email. You’re also allowed to setup different signatures per mail account.

9. New Passbook App – Help you collect boarding passes, store cards, and movie ticket in one place

10. Guided Access – this feature is specially designed for parents and kids. You can now select parts of apps to disable.

11. New Maps App – No more Google Maps. Apple bundles its own Maps system that comes with Yelp integration, turn-by-turn navigation support and an awesome feature called flyover (3D map).

12. Features specifically designed for China users – supports Baidu search engine, improve Chinese text input, etc.

Starting today, if you’re a registered iOS developer, iOS 6 is available for your preview. Go and grab it! The general release, however, will only be shipped in this Fall. It supports most iOS devices including iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPad (2nd and 3rd generation), as well as, iPod touch (4th generation).

This is a brief update about iOS 6. Later we’ll show you more features after trying out the developer preview of iOS 6. Stay tuned.

[Images from TheVerge]