Hasta La Gadget!

Apple isn’t just adding and improving features in iOS 6, with the company also focusing on its iCloud.com web services. MacRumors reports that Apple has activated the iCloud Beta portal for developers testing iOS 6, with new web apps appearing on the site. Those include Notes, Reminders, Calendar, and an improved Find My iPhone, will all four being tagged as “Beta”.

Nothing appears to have changed in the Calendar app, except Reminders has been removed and given its own app. Reminders looks very similar to what’s currently on offer in iOS, with a reminiscent layout and the same options. The Notes app, meanwhile, again looks remarkably similar to the iOS version.

Find My iPhone has been given some visual polish. The web app still uses Google Maps to track down devices, but now users will be able to see the battery icon in the top right that will give them an idea of how long devices will stay alive. All of the new web apps will be available on a wide basis when iOS 6 goes live later in the year, and should sync seamlessly with the same apps found on iPhones.

Apple adds new web apps to iCloud Beta is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

I’m so guilty of forgetting about podcasts. Though I’m subscribed to several, they tend to get lost in the chaos of iTunes, Spotify, Hulu, Netflix, and all the other places I’m turning to for media. But these shows have been given a little breathing room. Prior to the proper release of iOS 6, Apple has launched a standalone app for audio and video Podcasts. More »

Apple today released a second beta for iOS 6 to developers. Not much is known about the update except that it’s identified as build 10A5338d and that it brings some “bug fixes and improvements.” iOS 6 was first introduced earlier this month at WWDC 2012.

This latest beta update for iOS 6 is a 322MB download that’s available now over the air. It is compatible with the third-gen iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and the fourth-gen iPod touch. Also included in this second beta are Apple TV Software beat 2 and Xcode 4.5 Developer Preview 2.

iOS 6 will bring several new improvements, such as Apple’s own Maps app in lieu of Google Maps, Passbook, and deeper Facebook integration among many other enhancements. For more details on iOS 6 and other announcements from WWDC 2012, make sure to check out our round-up.

[via MacRumors]

Apple releases iOS 6 beta 2 to developers is written by Rue Liu & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Apple revealed earlier this month that it would be integrating Yelp reviews into iOS 6, but apparently that’s not all. According to Bloomberg, screenshots found in the Apple developer kit indicate that Yelp’s check-in feature will also be baked directly into the new iOS 6 maps app, allowing users to check-in to a location without having to leave the maps app.

Popular reviews platform Yelp has reviews for all types of businesses and is especially big on restaurant reviews. They introduced a check-in service for mobile phones back in 2010 to help local businesses build a following. Users are enticed to visit and check-in at a business in exchange for a reward, such as a discount or some other freebie.

With integration into iOS 6 maps, Yelp would have a big boost in challenging other services with a similar check-in feature, such as Foursquare and Facebook. Currently, about 18 percent of adult smartphone owners use check-ins, according to recent surveys.

iOS 6 Maps to feature built-in Yelp check-ins is written by Rue Liu & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.