Yesterday was a big day for Apple as they unveiled numerous software improvements in the forms of iOS 6 and Mountain Lion, and of course who could forget the brand new refresh to the MacBook family? Although hearing about all the brand new features coming in iOS 6 was great however, it would be nice to have an official word on which iOS devices the iOS 6 firmware is compatible with; and of course if there will be any feature limitations.
Thanks to Apple’s official iOS 6 page on their website we finally have an answer. It looks like the device that will be getting left out of the picture the most in the iOS 6 firmware update will be the iPhone 3GS. Take a look for yourself at the Apple iOS 6 compatibility guide below:
- Flyover and turn-by-turn navigation will be available only on iPhone 4S and iPad 2 or later.
- Siri will be available only on iPhone 4S and iPad (3rd generation) and requires Internet access.
- Shared Photo Streams requires iOS 6 on iPhone 4 or later or iPad 2 or later.
- FaceTime over a cellular network requires iPhone 4S or iPad (3rd generation) with cellular data capability.
- VIP list and VIP and Flagged smart mailboxes will be available on iPhone 4 or later and iPad 2 or later.
- Offline Reading List will be available on iPhone 4 or later and iPad 2 or later.
Obviously not bringing certain features to different iOS devices is due to performance concerns, but I am sure it also has to do with pushing people to upgrade to the latest hardware being offered by Apple. Are you happy with the iOS 6 feature compatibility? For those of you with newer iOS devices I am sure this doesn’t phase you, but for those holding onto older Apple hardware share your responses in the comments section below.
I personally think they should of made FaceTime over 3G available for the iPhone 4 and iPad 2 users as well, FaceTime works on these devices as it is so it is not a hardware issue, just some added code.
VIP mail should of been made available to the 3GS users as well, again, not much of a hardware issue. Same goes for offline reading.
The rest I am sure is because of hardware so I understand, but FaceTime, VIP Mail and Offline Reading should of been made available for earlier phones as well.
Why am I not seeing anything working on ipod touch 4th gen?
To be honest apple should make Siri to work on all idevices cause everyone knows it work ;)
Should HAVE … Apple is simply following the most common business practice: “encourage” people to upgrade their hardware.
well at least put siri on the iPad 2 it has an A5 processor and its more powerful than the iPhone 4S’s under clocked 800Mhz A5 processor :P
This is fuckin Pathetic i brought the bloody iPhone 4 white model just 2 weeks before the launch of iPhone 4S, they sold 4S at similar price what i paid for iPhone 4 now bloody fuckin cook wants us to upgrade? same goes for my iPad 2 after i brought it 3 weeks later iPad 3
Can someone share the default iOS 6 wallpaper for iPad 3(new iPad)… Thanks…
what does the ipod touch 4th generation get out of ios 6 ?
Honest to God – This is bullshit. Purely forcing people who wants the added features to upgrade devices (only those non IT-savvy or rich people will). It’ll just drive the jail-breaking community further with more tweaks for those left behind.
safari, passbook, more settings, facebook, better maps no 3d, music app is looking better,
That’s not apple’s fault, its your bad timing.
How come the iPod Touch 4 is not getting any of the new features or work?????!!
The Ipod Touch 4G is Compatible…i saw it on the Apple website.
Apple has a 30 day return policy. You could have returned all your gadgets for the latest version if you wanted. This is common knowledge. I suspect you are a troll.
If you call this IOS official compatability guide, then how come Tinm Cook mentioned in his keynote that it is compatibile with Iphone 3GS. I own an iphone 3GS. Should I throw it in trash now as I can not update to ios 6?