Apple Release of iOS 6.1

Apple has released version iOS 6.1.    I just updated the operating systems on my iPhone and iPad.  After the software installed and the device restarted there were several startup windows.  One allowed me to choose the email address and phone number that could be used for text messaging and FaceTime.  Another window prompted me to sign into iCloud.  There is a new setting that allows you to limit ad tracking.

About the Advertising Identifier - quoted from the article:
iOS 6 introduces the Advertising Identifier, a non-permanent, non-personal, device identifier, that apps will use to give you more control over advertisers’ ability to use tracking methods. You can reset a device’s Advertising Identifier at any time. And, if you choose to limit ad tracking, apps are not permitted to use the Advertising Identifier to serve you targeted ads. In the future all apps will be required to use the Advertising Identifier. However, until then you may still receive targeted ads.

You can read more about the updates at http://www.macworld.com/article/2026542/apple-releases-ios-6-1-update.html 

iOS 6 Updates

I realize that only a small proportion of my readers use Apple products; however, it is important to talk about the changes in the Apple iOS 6.  I downloaded iOS 6 to the iPad on Thursday and am downloading it the iPhone now.  Heather Kelly at CNN has a great article on the changes at http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/20/tech/mobile/ios-6-changes/index.html

In summary the changes are:

1. Email Mailboxes - there are two new features
1. VIP filter where you can identify emails from those that you consider to be very important
2. Flagged - a way to view all of the emails that you have flagged
2. Photos - now when you click the send-to icon in the upper right corner, you get a series of 9 apps: Mail, Message, Photo Stream, Twitter, Facebook, Assign to Contact, Print, Copy, and Use as Wallpaper.
3. Apple Maps (Google Maps is no longer available as an app).  Read the reviews to find out about the huge number of flaws in the mapping app.  I found it interesting that Apple was able to import the recent Google map searches into its mapping tool.  I did not see any problems with the map from my home to the University.  We have to give Apple some forgiveness.  Many of us have used flawed GPS software including Google maps!
4. Siri - Siri is finally available for the iPad and can do more than dial a phone number with voice commands.  Welcome to my life, Siri!
5. Passbook for the iPhone (not the iPad) - There is a screen shot of Passbook below.  I have to figure out how to use it.  Will wait until some others test it. From what I read, it should work like newstand after developer create resources. There is a good article that explains the nuances about Passbook at http://www.tuaw.com/2012/09/20/passbook-is-failing-to-live-up-to-expectations/
6. World Clock - has changed its look.  It recognizes major cities like Atlanta and Chicago (not small towns).  I added Rome, since we plan to go there on vacation in a few months. When you open the app there is a map with the names of the cities you have identified along with the times and temperatures.  At the very bottom of the window there is an alarm, stopwatch, and timer.
7. Shared photos - still need to explore this feature.

As I find additional changes, I will add them.  

Microsoft Windows 8 vs Apple Mountain Lion Operating Systems

CNET has a good article that gives a preview comparison of upcoming Microsoft Window 8 OS vs Apple Mountain Lion.  Those of us who use Windows 7 and are also Mac users can see where Windows is becoming more like a Mac OS.  It will be interesting to see the final versions of the two operating systems.

Lion OS X on the Mac

When reviewing MacWorld this morning, I read an article about a new Mac OS that is expected to be released sometime this summer - Mountain Lion.  That prompted me to think about the fact that my Mac OS was just upgraded to Lion a few weeks ago (so that I can use iBooks Author), but I had not explored the features.

OMG - I had overlooked some of the wonderful features of Lion!  Jason Snell wrote a great article for MacWorld summarizing the features in Lion a few months ago.  I realized that I was not taking full advantage of gesturing on the mouse pad.  Below is a YouTube video on Lion.  YouTube has a few other great videos that show Lion OS X features, such as http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mes132HsjVE

Apps for the Smartphone

A few weeks I posted a request to hear from those using smartphones, especially the Droid, favorite apps.  Tracy - I know that you must have missed that blog :)

Anyway, the August 2011 has a very nice article, Essential Apps for Every Smartphone.  It includes apps for the Droid, Blackberry RIM, Apple, and Windows Phone 7.  You can read the article online at http://www.pcworld.com/article/230629/essential_apps_for_android.html

Would like to hear your comments - what you liked and what might have been missing from the list.