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Top 11 iOS 6 Features We Want on the iPhone 5

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The iPhone 5 can’t get here soon enough, but the software that powers the new iPhone is just as important as the hardware itself, and we can expect a look at it in just a few months.

iOS 6, the next version of the software that will come to the iPhone 4S and the new iPad, will likely be announced at WWDC between June 5th and June 11th, with a private developer iOS 6 beta release following shortly after.

Apple needs time to prepare iOS 6 for the iPhone 5 release date, and three months of testing is typically the length of time Apple needs to iron out bugs and prepare developers for the new iOS 6 features.

Read: iPhone 5 Release Date and Rumor Roundup

If alliOS 6 features goes as expected, we should see an iPhone 5 release in October and a iOS 6 release date a few days before the new iPhone ships.

Unlike updates for Windows Phone and Android, Apple makes iOS updates and features available to all current generation iPhones and iPads on day one. We may see iOS 6 left off of the iPad 1 and the iPhone 3GS, both of which may not have the processing power needed for iOS 6 or all the iOS 6 features.

Apple typically introduces new iOS features at WWDC. Last year Apple introduced the Notification Center for iOS, Newsstand, Twitter integration, a better camera app, OT Software updates, iMessage and more.

iOS 6 Feature Wishlist

This year we expect Apple will announce new iOS 6 features, and want to share our iOS 6 feature wishlist.

Widgets

Widgets play a central role on Android phones, offering fast access to information, settings and controls, but on the iPhone there are only two widgets in the notification center. Now that I have a taste for instant access to  stocks and weather, I want more.

While it would be great to have widgets on the iPhone homescreen, I think the greater likelihood is a limited number of widgets in the Notification Center, installed by third-party apps like Tweetbot, calendar apps and quick dial bar for Google Voice.

Twitter Widget iPhone 5 iOS 6

Twitter widgets on the iPhone might look like this.

If Apple includes widgets in the release of iOS 6, I think there will be limits to the number users can place in the Notification Center, which would make sense because there’s not a lot of reason to scroll and scroll to see more widgets along with notifications.

Quick Access to Settings in Notification Center

Even more needed than widgets is a quick settings tool in the Notification center that makes it easy to quickly turn WiFi, Bluetooth and 4G LTE on and off. It is ridiculous to tap again and again just to get to the Bluetooth settings on the iPhone, or to toggle WiFi.

quick settings iPhone iOS 6

SBSettings needs to be part of stock iOS 6.

Android phones offer quick access to settings in the notification bar or as a homescreen widget and jailbroken phones offer this type of setting control. Apple has a track record for bringing the best iPhone jailbreak tweaks to the official iOS updates, so I’m hopeful that this will make it to iOS 6.

Facebook Integration

Facebook iOS 6 IntegrationApple built Twitter integration into iOS 5, making it simple to share photos, links and more right from the standard iOS apps, but there’s no easy way to share a photo to Facebook without opening the app.

Because I can share a photo to Twitter right from the Photos app, I share more photos on Twitter than I do on Facebook. I would love to see Facebook Integration for sharing in iOS 6, including an option to share to both Facebook and Twitter with one tap.

Improved Contacts App

It would also be great to see the iPhone contacts app add images to the scrolling screen and a new grid layout at the top for most often called contacts.

Contact photos iPhone iOS 6 cyntact

In order to fill in all the images, Apple could tie into Twitter and Facebook to pull down images that match the contacts already in the address book.

Easier Way to Clear Notifications

The current Notification Center is a huge improvement over earlier versions of iOS, but it needs some polish. The small X on the right side of notifications makes it hard to clear notifications while using the iPhone with one hand.

Slide to clear notifications in iOS 6

Forget the X, let us slide to clear notifications.

Instead of using the double tap to clear method, Apple could allow users to swipe left to right to clear single notifications and shake to clear all notifications.

Apple already uses shake to undo typing and swipe left to right to open notifications from the lockscreen, so this may not be too difficult to incorporate in iOS 6.

IM Support in Messages

messages with IM in iOS 6Messages now allows users to send text, photo and video messages to other iPhone, iPad and Mac users with no extra fees, and the app even keeps the messages in sync across multiple devices.

The new Messages beta for Mac, which will be standard on OS X Mountain Lion, connects to AIM and Google Chat as well as other IM services.

I really want Messages to handle my Google Talk conversations, like it does on my Mac, so I could skip on a second program dedicated to IM.

Infinite Apps in Folders

Apple only allows users to put 12 apps in a folder on the iPhone, which means I need multiple apps for games or entertainment apps. I would like to see iOS 6 remove this limitation and allow for scrolling within app folders.

no app folder limits iOS 6 - infinifolders

Jailbroken iPhones already have unlimited apps in folders.

This is not a problem for most iPhone users, so it is unlikely that Apple will make this feature a priority.

Better Siri

iPhone 4S users either love or hate Siri. Siri is still in beta, and hopefully Apple will use iOS 6 to bring Siri out of beta with more features and better performance.

Launch apps and control settings with Siri

Launch apps and control settings with Siri.

Siri takes longer to make calls and send texts for many users including my wife, and Siri fails more often than in the past, resulting in wasted time.

Read: 5 Features Siri Needs

In addition to performance improvements, I would like to use Siri to open apps and play specific playlists in Pandora or check sports scores.

Location Aware Sound Profiles

Sound Profiles Location Aware iOS 6

Automatically change ringers based on location.

Hilarious ringtones and movie clip text alerts are great for hanging out with friends, but out-of-place at work. Changing custom ringtones and hilarious notifications for 9 hours a day is a pain, but Apple could use the geo-fencing already built into the Reminders App, to automatically switch ringers and alerts based on location.

The iPhone knows when I arrive at work and sets my ringer to a lighter tone since it usually sits on my desk. The iPhone knows when I go out for lunch and switches to a louder sound profile, but because it is before 5 PM the sounds are still neutral ringers.

Once I pull out of the parking lot my “Say what again” and LMFAO ringtones turn back on at full volume.

If I happen to swing past my grandparents house, the ringers know to switch to vibrate automatically and so on.

Run Multiple Apps on iPad Screen at Once

The iPad is a great productivity tool, especially when paired with a iPad keyboard case, but it would be better if I could use multiple apps on-screen at the same time. Imagine working on a paper or email while looking at a webpage or PDF for reference instead of jumping back and forth between apps.

Watch an iPad run four apps on-screen at the same time in this proof of concept video below.

File Manager

Apple isn’t likely to add a file manager to iOS, but it would be great if users could at the very least download multimedia files from the web and bring them into iTunes and other video apps.

 

iOS 6 iPhone iPad File Explorer

GoodReader shows what iOS file explorer access might look like.

I recently purchased Jim Gaffigan’s Mr. Universe on my iPad, but my only option for immediate playback was to stream it. A nice option, but I would prefer to download it directly to my iPad for offline playback like I could on an Android device.

Apple doesn’t need to deliver full-scale file system access, but a little more control over files on the iPad and iPhone would be a welcome addition to iOS 6.

iPhone Gestures

The iPad allows users to control the multitasking bar with a four finger slide up gesture or switch apps with a four finger gesture for easier control and less home button wear and tear.

The iPhone’s small screen makes gestures difficult, but if Apple releases a 4-inch iPhone 5, we could use 3-finger swipe up gesture to access the multitasking bar and more.

The Activator app for jailbroken iPhones allows users to tap in specific areas and slide in from the left or right to activate certain apps or settings.

What iOS 6 features do you want the most?

50 Comments

50 Comments

  1. Fitonefromthebear

    04/26/2012 at 12:49 pm

    So you want an android phone then?

    • Keith S.

      08/06/2012 at 9:38 pm

      LMAO! Love that comment!!!

  2. TheBullDance

    04/26/2012 at 1:16 pm

    Exactly!  It sounds like iOS users want Android.

  3. Me

    04/26/2012 at 1:34 pm

    Buy a Android. Stock out of the box it can do all of that

  4. Apfsony

    04/26/2012 at 1:58 pm

    Jailbreak And install cidya is what you need to do to have all of those things, do not expect that apple do what people want, apple don’t care about people.

  5. Huntsman

    04/26/2012 at 2:46 pm

    we want those features but without having a crappy Android

    • Elhuinink

      04/26/2012 at 3:35 pm

      Why is android crappy?

      • H00pak

        04/26/2012 at 8:59 pm

        Good question

        • Old gold

          04/27/2012 at 5:37 pm

          He means the phones. The phones are crappy.

      • poppi

        04/27/2012 at 8:02 pm

        because all andriod phone are laggy and crappy and dont respond well to the touch screen = CRAP!!!!

        • Bicoursa

          04/28/2012 at 12:07 pm

          So I assume Samsung S2, Samsung Note etc are laggy ? sure there are some laggy phones but I assume you said ‘all’ ? How ignorant and stupid is to generalize a statement?

  6. Al228

    04/26/2012 at 4:43 pm

    I actually hope we don’t get any of those features with stock iOS 6. The reason is simple, the Cydia tweaks developed by the devs are soo much better than anything Apple might create. These guy have been doing this for years, I rather pay for a Cydia tweak than get it from stock iOS 6.

  7. H00pak

    04/26/2012 at 9:07 pm

    i want some simple items–being able to add a photo or video from an email as with a message, and the same keyboard format.  I want to be able just to start a message and have it know if it’s a text or email by the contact I choose.  And give me a case that generates electricity for the battery!

    • Jonsemail323

      04/27/2012 at 6:06 am

      Buy a Mophie Juice pack for your second request

  8. Thathandyguy

    04/27/2012 at 5:28 am

    I would like to see a bluetooth direct print feature. Airport is of no use to me, being mobile most of the time. 

  9. ringsgeek

    04/27/2012 at 5:39 am

    It sounds like you want the new iOS version, called “iOS Ice Cream Sandwich.”

  10. ibb

    04/27/2012 at 6:56 am

    “I want what i want, i want it now” :) who care what people want…

  11. Kitty McGoose

    04/27/2012 at 7:28 am

    Great article, I particularly want the widgets, 

    http://www.applecases.net

  12. Chris Davis

    04/27/2012 at 9:11 am

    i want the features of an android, but with security instead of 400% chance of downloading malware or some type of virus, and it having apples user friendly os…and without having a handset made of crappy materials …oops did i say that in front of android fanboys :)

  13. Anonymous

    04/27/2012 at 7:28 pm

    so basically you want android

    • Chris Davis

      04/27/2012 at 7:52 pm

       it appears you can’t read…work on that and maybe you’ll be able to finally understand why people like apple :)

      • Anonymous

        04/28/2012 at 11:15 am

         so basically you want android

        • Ewr

          04/28/2012 at 10:01 pm

          your an idiot. can’t you read what chris wrote?
           

  14. Freeman

    04/28/2012 at 2:13 pm

    Ability to cutomize MY iPhone!
    Ability to share video/audio/pix without having to BUY an app!

    All in all…. I want the phone to be MiNE NOT APPLE’s!!!

    • dimawil

      05/01/2012 at 2:32 am

      the whole point of the app store and the iphone is apps. 

    • Anonymous

      05/01/2012 at 6:44 pm

       I know it’s already been said numerous times but, you basically want an android lol

      Not kidding.. most android phones are highly customizable, ios devices are not.

  15. Ggg

    04/29/2012 at 9:06 am

    so basically u want an android???

  16. Kstevens

    04/29/2012 at 11:22 pm

    Design 
    4  inch screen OLED Retina Display
     LiquidMetal  
     Thinner

    New Features
    1.A6 Quad Core Chip 1 GB Of Ram
    2.13 Megapixel Camera  COMS image Censer(RGBW Coding)
    3.HDR Movie Mode 
    4.4G LTE
    5.IOS 6

  17. Shsh

    04/30/2012 at 12:37 am

    Facebook intergiritiob

  18. Jake Michael Reinert

    04/30/2012 at 6:59 pm

    Also animated backgrounds…

  19. Shemale

    05/01/2012 at 4:12 pm

    ….wtf these are all jailbreak tweaks…. Already have them all on my iphone 4 ios 5

    • Anonymous

      05/01/2012 at 8:54 pm

       You mean they aren’t already on the iphone? Android has all of these standard….

  20. DAMIAN COLES

    05/02/2012 at 3:27 am

    If Apple isn’t that great, and the iPhone isn’t that popular. Then tell me why so many Android fanboys are trolling about? When the article is clearly talking about ios 6, and what he would like added. The difference between an Apple user an a Android user is quite simple. The Android user trolls about apple forums trying to glorify being second best. While the Apple user can careless about Android, and wouldn’t be caught dead entering their forum. I mean really what are we talking about here. A giantic phone with a store thats full of malware? A company (GOOGLE) that has a heavy fragmentation problem, and who obviously does not care about it. A play store thats clearly not in the same ballpark as the app store! Or even better yet the hoards of crappy tablets that cannot even sniff the iPad’s sales marks. The moral is be a fan of what you like, but don’t go into another forum trying to down talk. When your product is substandard at best. Or how about this how many months does it take for an Android user to update their phone? I know the answer they don’t they have to buy a new phone because support for their existing phone is next to none.

    • JT

      05/02/2012 at 5:23 am

      Very well said! I switched from iPhone to an Android phone, and less than 60 days later I paid out of pocket for another iPhone and it was worth it. Never again will I leave the friendly confines of Apple. Lesson learned!

      • Shaan_ahm

        05/02/2012 at 9:46 am

        Hi guys

        I wana share my true experience with you all.
        Basically from past 5 years I am using nokia products
        But change was needed due to quality and OS of
        Nokia. So I took Samsung galaxy note as my next mobile.
        In a week my expectations are thrashed coz phone was heavy
        Bulky doesn’t fits into my pocket battery life is very bad and
        Touch is not satisfactory. On 12th day from purchase I sold
        Galaxy note and took iPhone 4s. Very comfortable battery life
        Satisfactory and finally for touch simply awesome no other phone can be compared
        Regarding its touch. Feels good when u use it damn good
        It’s not jail break but still Im happy. Thank u apple.

    • Keith S.

      08/06/2012 at 9:43 pm

      HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! So, basically you want an Android?!? The best part about trolling Apple sites is the comment section where iFanboys get owned by Fandroids!

  21. Fanboy

    05/02/2012 at 8:57 pm

    so basically u want an android

    • Galaxy SIII

      05/09/2012 at 11:54 am

      Fanboy, you’re the best! LOL!!!!
      You know what? I already have IOS6 on my Galaxy S2!!! LOL!!!!

      • Someguy

        05/10/2012 at 8:49 am

        LOL an Android User.. Tell me, how dumb must someone be to use Android? Or are you just not having enough money for a good device?

        • DontBeAHater

          05/23/2012 at 8:45 am

          @Someguy – Don’t be a hater, be logical and pragmatic. You’ll seem less like an idiot fanboy.

          “While boasting about Google’s recent gains in the mobile phone market, Schmidt stressed that the company is eager work with all software developers and device manufacturers who want to use its Android operating system. The open attitude “is inverse to the competition,” Schmidt said. “If apple says no, we say yes.”

          This should tell you something about how android devices work vs. iPhones. All the little things that are a pain in the ass, like attaching a file to an email or having a file system you can access to store information … all basic features on android phones where it’s non-existant to a pain in the ass on iPhone.

  22. Error

    05/09/2012 at 5:27 am

    What I want is;

    Siri. For everyone. Period.

  23. Jannie

    05/11/2012 at 4:57 am

    Apple must improve their iPhone Contacts app – it’s been way too basic for way too long. I still cannot add or edit contact groups on my iPhone! I wish that was possible.

    Also wouldn’t hurt to advance the Email app too for better integration with Gmail.

    • AppleFan

      05/15/2012 at 3:20 am

      +1 for improvements on the Contacts app. I love the iPhone, however, I agree that Apple needs to work on their Contacts app.

      I have been using various third-party methods to group my iPhone contacts up until now such as tools described in this how-to:

      https://www.copytrans.net/support.php?action=showEntry&data=2212

      However, I really wish I could do everything directly on my iPhone Contacts app without using other tools.

  24. G

    05/16/2012 at 4:56 am

    So basically you want an Android phone?

  25. Leigh Kennedy

    05/19/2012 at 12:36 am

    Now, why would you need two apps on at the same time? Sounds a bit gimmicky to me…

    • Leigh Kennedy

      05/19/2012 at 12:37 am

      Of course I mean on the screen at the same time.

  26. Brad Lemkus

    05/24/2012 at 9:55 am

    1. Bookmark integration with Chrome.
    2. Better management of open apps to improve battery life and easier way to close open apps.
    3. Double click for music and app closure is not user friendly. One touch access to music player.
    4. Integration of all media in one app.
    5. iPhone app finger side swipe as iPad to move between apps.
    6. Swipe to close app folders.
    7. Allow default speaker to be set when connecting to bluetooth device.
    8. Send copied text directly to apps. eg Safari to msg/mail etc
    9 Integration of reminders/calendar/notes apps. Improved notes app.
    10 Replace 4 digit pin access with finger/iris or face recognition.

  27. Brent

    06/10/2012 at 12:14 am

    Where’s Swiftkey? I would LOVE all of these features, but a non-flexible keyboard option? No-can-do.

  28. Abunai

    06/10/2012 at 7:40 pm

    Most of these features are available if you jailbreak your iphone…

    • Keith S.

      08/06/2012 at 9:46 pm

      So they don’t come standard?! You must want an Android phone.

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