iOS 6.1 Released

When iOS 6 was first released it didn't get the expected 'thumbs up' from the public. Many improvements needed to be made, including an update to the maps application. However, iOS 6.1 is now available to download. After four beta versions, the final update has been released by Apple, to the relief of customers. But is it all that we wanted?

The update is available for the iPhone 3GS and later versions of the iPhone, iPad 2 and later versions of the iPad, iPod touch 4th generation and later versions of the iPod Touch. It takes about 5 minutes to install on the iPad mini and may take longer on older devices. Here are the improvements and bug fixes that Apple have made to the software:

• LTE support for more carriers (there is a complete list of supported carriers at www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/)
• You can now purchase movie tickets through Fandango with Siri (USA only)
• iTunes Match subscribers can now download individual songs from iCloud
• There is a new button to reset the Advertising Identifier

For information on the security content of this update, please visit this website: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

Although most iDevice users were hoping for a Maps update, there is no sign of one at the moment. It looks like we will maybe have to wait until iOS 7 for that to come. There aren't any 'visible' updates to the new software but there are a lot of bug fixes which improve the whole user experience. What will Apple do next?

iPhone 6 Rumours

Recent rumours suggest that Apple have been testing hardware which relates to a new 'iPhone 6,1' identifier, powered by a device running iOS 7. So we might see a new iPhone and software version coming out later this year. However people are still waiting for an update to the not quite successful Maps application. Apple received piles of complaints after its release stating that the maps are inaccurate, black and white in some places and that the 3D mode suddenly decided that roads shouldn't be straight. You can see an example of that at the Hoover Dam on the maps; a bridge is nowhere near the shape that it should be. The same can be said for the surrounding roads. The Eiffel Tower doesn't look too good either. It appears to be squashed to the ground in 3D mode and people agree that mistakes like these shouldn't even be happening with a company like Apple. A Map update is expected to be released shortly, in the meanwhile Google Maps is available to download from the App Store.

There haven't been many changes made to the current iPhone 5 as there aren't many differences between it and the iPhone 4s. However, the iPhone 5 has had a screen size update and it has been fitted with a very fast and powerful A6 chip, it comes with better cameras and a beautiful display. Some of the differences have been made by iOS 6, which is available for most iOS devices. The iPhone 5 has only just been released, but people are already thinking about the next generation. Here is a list of what people want to see in the new iPhone 6:
 - A quad core processor
 - A wider screen, people say that the current iPhone has a display that is too tall and it needs to be wider
 - Siri to be able to translate speech, to and from different languages
 - Expandable storage
 - Near Field Communication technology (NFC)
 - A lower price, not a higher one
 - Wireless charging

These are some of the more sensible and possible ideas. One of the not so possible ones is a projector fitted into the iPhone, I think we will have to wait a few more years for that one. A source has revealed that it is possible for the next generation of the iPhone to have a curved glass screen. Apple have apparently bought over 200 glass cutting machines, which are said to be specialised in cutting curved glass. Furthermore, it is said that Apple have been granted a patent which indicates that the iPhone 6 might be made of a single piece of metal, making the phone lighter and thinner. Recently, Sharp has developed a new generation of displays, called p-Si LCD. It stands for PolySilicon Liquid Crystal Display, which is said to have numerous advancements and new features that will make the display brighter and sharper than it already is. The Retina display has beautiful colours and an astonishingly good resolution, I can't imagine how good Sharp's new display is going to be.

iOS 6 still needs a lot of improvements, mostly with Maps. To many people it seems that the release was rushed and it wasn't 'polished down' enough. It is suggested that Apple may release iOS 7 later on this year with the iPhone 6, but only if the rumours are true. A majority of users are wanting live widgets on the home screen to be introduced to the software, as they will make it more interesting and fun to navigate through the device. However, others are saying that the current look is very original and if it is changed it will ruin the simplicity and ease of use.

Apple better have something big and exciting up their sleeve, otherwise the public will lose interest in the company and their devices. It looks like without Steve Jobs Apple isn't the same anymore. The firm are making the wrong decisions too quickly and definitely need to slow down and think about what their next step is going to be. Luckily for them, this hasn't had a big impact on the company or their sales. The technology world is growing and developing faster than ever. What seemed to be the impossible a few years ago has been made into reality today. Who knows what gadgets we will end up with in a hundred years. People all over the world are already buzzing about the hopeful release of the iPhone 6, what will Apple come up with?

Apple Maps Are Dangerous

There have been many controversies following the release of Apple's Maps, piles of complaints have been made by the public and improvements are yet to be seen. Recently a couple of drivers were supposedly 'guided' to Mildura, in Australia, but ended up 70km away from the actual location; and were left without any food or water for 24 hours. Police have described the piece of software as 'life-threatening' due to the fact that the maps are so inaccurate.
Tim Cook, the chief executive, admitted that they have "screwed up" and promised that the maps app will be seeing an update in the near future. 
A senior sergeant, Sharon Darcy, who works for Victoria Police stated "Tests on the mapping system by police confirm the mapping system lists Mildura in the middle of the Murray Sunset National Park, approximately 45 miles away from the actual location of Mildura." The temperatures in the park can reach 46 degrees in the height of summer, therefore police are extremely concerned about the public's welfare because there is no water supply close by. Travelers have been advised to use a different mapping software for the time being, otherwise there could be some serious incidents involving Apple Maps.

Many people want Apple to Bring Google Maps back to iOS so they can be sure they're not heading in the wrong direction. The tech giants need to publish an update before the start of 2013, or many customers may loose interest. Be sure to use Apple Maps with care, or you might end up driving to the North Pole.

Apple May Refuse Google Maps On iOS

Since Apple released iOS 6, piles of complaints have been made about the firm's own maps app. We are still waiting for an improvement. A new report cliams that Apple may refuse Google's upcoming Maps app for iOS, simply because the tech giant produced it's own.  As well as maps, Apple erased YouTube from the software, but allowed it to be downloaded from the App Store. Many people think that because Apple haven't made their own competitor for Google's YouTube, they agreed for it to be available to download.

If Apple don't allow Google Maps to be available on the App Store, they have to bring their maps app to the 21st century; otherwise people won't be too happy. With black and white images, shaky roads, not enough details and poor navigation; Apple need to step it up a gear and bring everything under control or they will come hurtling down to Earth.