Apple iOS 6

Apple's iOS 6 is more of an incremental update than a game-changer, but with more than 200 features there is plenty to like here.Choose from our large selection of cable ties. Outside of the new Maps app, Passbook, and new Siri functions, most of the changes are small, but the total package is more than its individual parts.

The update will make your iPhone experience better and more efficient, and make the device easier to use. Sure, some of the new features have long existed on other devices, and on some they're better, but that's not really the point. Rather, Apple again has managed to smooth out the rough edges and offer a solid experience across the board.

With the Google Maps app gone from the device, Apple now has its own map app, built in-house, and it's a big improvement on a few fronts, but falls short in several others. Vector-based graphics make text and details easy to read, and swiping to pan and two-finger touch rotation are both very smooth -- even at full zoom.

On newer iOS devices like the iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, and the new iPad, you also get 3D views, directions with voice, and flyover features. The 3D and flyover views are truly beautiful to look at,Browse the Best Selection of buy mosaic and Accessories with FREE Gifts. with several cities now showing detailed views of buildings on all sides at an impressively high frame rate. The experience of virtually touring a city is breathtaking in that "Look what technology can do!" sense, but its actual usefulness in your everyday iOS device use is questionable. I like the feature, and it's really well-implemented, but once I've browsed all the available cities,Choose from our large selection of cable ties. how much am I really going to use it besides when I'm showing off to friends?

The 3D views have an alternate use, however. The directions with voice features let you set a destination, with Siri dictation on newer devices, then switch to 3D to get a nice-looking illustrated view (if your iPhone is mounted on your dashboard, for example) as you get turn-by-turn directions on your way to your destination. With the iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, and the new iPad, Siri will speak the directions for you, but the feature is still useful on earlier devices; it just means you'll need to glance to see what the next direction is on your trip.Different Sizes and Colors can be made with different stone mosaic designs.Save up to 80% off Ceramic Tile and plastic moulds. In our testing of the turn-by-turn directions side-by-side with Google Maps on an Android device, Apple's solution performed admirably, but it wasn't anywhere near perfect. Check out CNET's field test here.

While this feature is extremely useful and well-thought-out, Android phones have been able to provide turn-by-turn directions for a long time. But like many of the additions in iOS 6, this feature will be very welcome for people with iOS devices despite being nothing new to users of other smartphones. Maps also uses real-time traffic conditions to show where the slow spots are and will give you new routes based on live traffic data. Again, this is not a new feature for smartphones, but will still be very useful to iOS users.

There is one major feature that is missing from the new Maps app. When you ask for directions, you still have the option to choose your mode of transport, but you'll only be able to easily access driving and walking directions--public transportation requires an outside app. The former Google-powered offering had buttons for both public transit and walking included, with time estimates for each. This is a major omission because obviously not everyone is going to be traveling by car. Hopefully this is something Apple will add to the app in a future update. The sooner, the better.

I have to note, too, that for all the good things about Apple's Maps, it has a flip side, in that it takes people away from the Google mapping services that they've long used. So not only is Google Maps no longer integrated, but also you're further walled into Apple's ecosystem.

Only a day after iOS 6's release, reports came flooding in about Apple's Maps app having significant problems with missing cities along with distorted buildings and landmarks. We are currently performing some tests of our own, with the Turn-by-turn Field Test linked above and another test of map details we will link as soon as we finish testing. Check back later for more details.

Launched alongside the iPhone 4S, Siri was one of the most talked-about (no pun intended) features of Apple's previous handset. Siri was impressive, but limited in its debut, acting mostly as a way to answer trivia questions and inspire viral videos of people saying, "Look what I made Siri say!" It certainly had practical uses, such as finding nearby restaurants, accessing Wolfram Alpha, and giving you meeting reminders, but users seemed to focus more on trying to stump Siri or simply relishing the novelty of a phone that could talk back to you. On the Galaxy S3, Samsung has a similar app called S Voice and CNET's Jessica Dolcourt has compared their features.

With iOS 6, Apple has given Siri features to make it more of an integral method for interacting with the iPhone. With the added capabilities of opening apps, remembering recent questions, and more integration with commonly used functions on your iPhone, Siri will be much more useful across the board. You'll now be able to ask Siri for sports scores and get a nice-looking scoreboard right in the Siri window that you can tap for more info. Similarly, ask Siri about movies and she'll bring up a Rotten Tomatoes movie-listing interface without having to open external apps. New Yelp integration will give you more information about restaurants, such as hours and cuisine types. None of this is groundbreaking, but it's certainly useful. Of course you can still make calls, set reminders and alarms, check the weather, and schedule meetings. But added functionality also lets you get directions (as mentioned in the Maps section above), post to Facebook or Twitter, dictate texts and emails, and other helpful things.

The new Eyes Free features announced at WWDC will bring Siri into your car, but they're not available yet at the time of the iOS 6 release. Apple is reportedly working with car manufacturers such as Toyota, GM, Mercedes, BMW, Honda, and Audi to let you use Siri from the steering wheel. You'll get spoken alerts without the screen lighting up, and the car integration means that you'll be able to use Siri safely and without taking your hands off the wheel. We still have no hard release date, but Apple said its partners would complete integration for new vehicles within the next 12 months (counting from June).