![maps_gallery_1[1].jpg](https://c2techs.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/maps_gallery_1[1]-460x260_c.jpg "maps_gallery_1[1].jpg")
It would seem that Apple’s new Maps application introduced with iOS 6 on Sept 19 has had a bit of a rough start. As one might expect, the technology media rakes in the clicks with glee when the industry’s golden child stumbles, and reports are already coming in of the new app’s misguided attempts at navigation. Gizmodo’s Kyle Wagner reminds Apple fans that comparing the new app to the reigning heavyweight champ, Google Maps, is perhaps not the fair, given Google has had years to amass and refine the billions of points of data that are required to present an accurrate picture of our world.
Given this, critics still rightly point out that Apple’s open feud with Google in other areas (namely Android vs. iPhone and Siri vs. Google Now) has amounted to Apple taking out its frustration on its customers by replacing the highly functional Google Maps with it’s own, still very beta, version of Maps.
What this means to you:
If you rely heavily on your iPhone for navigation, you can continue using Google Maps as a native app as long as you don’t upgrade to iOS 6. If you’ve bought an iPhone 5, you can use Google Maps through the phone’s browser, though it’s definitely a lot less elegant and usable in this fashion. It may be many months, if not years, before Apple’s Map app can match Google turn for turn, and let’s face it, Google isn’t standing still at this point. It’s unclear whether Google will create an app store version of it’s Maps application for future download on the iPhone, and even less clear whether it will even make it through Apple’s strict and sometimes arbitrary approval process.
CORRECTION: iOS 6 will work on iPhones from the 3GS version up. Thanks to Dave McAdams for catching that!
Apple will begin pushing the iOS6 update to its mobile device platforms on Wednesday, September 19, 2012. Along with the expected performance improvements and bug fixes, there are a handful of features that may of interest to Apple users who are not purchasing an iPhone 5.
Here are the most important changes:
- Google Maps will be replaced by Apple’s own Maps application
- Passbook is a brand new Apple app that they intend to replace paper ticketing for things like travel, movies, loyalty cards and more
- Facebook is now integrated into most of Apple’s native applications
- Siri’s search capabilities have been expanded to include things like sports scores, movie times, restaurant reservations and launching apps. It will also work on the latest iPad and the iPhone 4s, but not on older mobile devices.
- You can sync your Safari tabs between your mobile device and desktop Macs via iCloud.
- You can share photo streams with other iOS 6 users, as well as stream your photos to your Apple TV.
- Facetime can now be used on cellular networks, not just wifi.
What this mean to you:
If you are using an Apple mobile device that is NOT an iPhone 5, 4s 3GS or newer, or the 3rd generation iPad, then there’s nothing you need to worry about, as iOS 6 is not available for your device. However, if you do have a qualifying device, the upgrade will come in “over the air” if you already have iOS 5 installed. You will need to upgrade your iTunes software to version 10.7 if you plan on plugging your device into your computer. Before you upgrade, make sure you backup all of your important data (contacts, music, photos, etc.) as upgrades can go wrong, and if they do, it usually means wiping your device in order to restore it to functionality. Wiping = erasing all your personal data = disaster without a proper backup. If you rely on your phone as a critical business tool, including some 3rd-party apps, you may want to wait until you have some business downtime, just in case the upgrade goes sideways, or causes problems with your apps.
Once the darling of the business world, RIM’s BlackBerry phone platform has seen a continous erosion of its dominance in the corporate world since Apple’s iPhone first arrived on the scene in 2007. Two recent articles in PC World and CNET underline RIM’s continuing struggle to remain relevant in an iPhone/Android world.
According to those that have seen it, RIM’s impending release of version 10 of the BlackBerry OS will put the company’s phones on par with its competition, but at the cost of incompatibility with the existing Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES) infrastructure installed in just about every business that supports them.
On top of this huge stumbling block, retailers are pulling back their commitments to BlackBerries, according to one analyst, signaling a general lack of confidence in the strength of the platform and brand.
What this means for you:
If your company has standardized on BlackBerries for its employees and you have a decent investment in technology and resources to support it, you should have nothing to worry about in the short term, but should closely evaluate future spending to support this platform. Your 2-5 year plan should look into expanding your communication network to include the other smartphone platforms, if they aren’t already in use in your enterprise. The BlackBerry platform still has numerous strengths, mostly in the area of asset managment, security and reliability, but the older devices lack modern appeal and versatility. Today’s modern employee, especially the younger generations, view their phones as an extension of both their professional and personal lives, and the continued lack of innovation on the platform has eroded their credibility, utility and appeal across the board.
While it’s possible that RIM may work a miracle and come back from the brink of extinction, I rate their chances as highly unlikely.