iOS 6 Rumors: The Confirmed, The Possible and The Unlikely

With the much-anticipated WWDC 2012 (Worldwide Developer's Conference) right around the corner (11th June to 15th June), everyone has high hopes for the future of iOS, the release of OS X Mountain Lion, the new Mac lineup, the next generation iPhone and the new Apple TV OS. This article is a roundup of all the rumors related to the launch of iOS 6.

Given Apple's past release schedule of iOS, it's hardly surprising that the computer giant is expected to come out with their latest version of iOS: iOS 6 (not to mention the myriad rumors floating around)

So what's expected in iOS 6 ? I once wrote about the hopes and expectations we all have of the next version of iOS, but that was far before any concrete evidence came up. 

Apple Maps

Goodbye Google Maps. Hello Apple Maps ?

Recent reports and rumors, (largely from 9to5mac) have suggested that Apple plans to incorporate in iOS 6 their very own Maps application with 3D mapping and possibly better satellite navigation features. While nothing about this is set in stone, it's widely know that Apple's recent acquisition of the mapping companies C3, Placebase and Poly9 is linked to their launch of the new Maps application for iOS 6. Rumor has it that Apple may also include the ability to download maps for offline navigation into its new Maps application.

Chances of inclusion: Almost definite.

What we can hope for: At this point, we're quite clueless about what Apple actually has planned for the application, so anything I say will be nothing but a stab in the dark.

Siri on iPad

Reports from 9to5Mac suggest that Siri on iPad will have complete functionality similar to its iPhone counterpart. (See 9to5Mac's mockup above)

Another sure shot feature of iOS 6 is the inclusion of Siri into the iPad. Previously, The New iPad (third generation) saw Voice Dictation, an omnipresent feature of its touchscreen keyboard, yet that came nowhere close to reaching anywhere close to achieving the level of efficiency or functionality that Siri already has. However, we expect this to change with iOS 6. Recent reports say that Siri will almost certainly be included in the iPad, with most the same features as its iPhone counterpart aside from the obvious phone call commands.

Chances of inclusion: Almost definite.

What we can hope for: That Siri (and iOS 6) be compatible with all iPads including the "antiquated" first generation iPad.

Facebook Integration

Based on ubiquitous reports all reporting with unanimity about the likelihood of Facebook being integrated into iOS much the same way as Twitter was in the previous major release (iOS 5)

Chances of inclusion: Almost definite.

What we can hope for: That Facebook Integration be a little bit more functional than its Twitter counterpart. 

OS X-ification

The release of OS X Mountain Lion (downloadable next week) was widely based on the idea of iOS-ification. In other words, Apple brought many of the most popular features of iOS to OS X Mountain Lion, including Notes, Reminders and Messages (iMessages).

OS X-ification (not the official term) is a highly anticipated and probable part of the new iOS 6 and will likely include Safari's new unified bar, a (slight) change in design and possible incorporation of several other attributes of OS X into iOS.

Chances of inclusion: Reasonable

What we can hope for: That iOS takes some new design features from OS X and Safari's unified Search and URL Bar.

Design and Appearance

Although it may take some aspects of its possible new design from OS X, iOS 6 is widely rumored to have some completely new design traits which may include a redesign of its Stores (iBookstore, iTunes Store and App Store). 

Chances of inclusion: A completely novel and redesigned OS is highly unlikely.

What we can hope for: Radical changes to break free of the monotony of iOS which has had, but slight changes since its original launch in 2007.

User Accounts on iPad

A feature that's been on my wish list since the launch of the iPad, User Accounts would be an extremely convenient as well as useful feature, especially on a Tablet like the iPad which is marketed as a Family device yet has a one-time Mail login system; a device which is typically designed for a single person's use yet has a design and functionality that encourages several users.

Chances of inclusion: Uncertain.

What we can hope for: That multiple user accounts with option for a Guest Account and Quick Account Switching.

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