iOS 6 Features Not All Bad: More iPhone 5 Users Downloading iOS 6, Can Enjoy Faster Processor, Battery, New Safari, Siri, Facebook

While many critics are bashing Apple's new iOS 6 operating software, some see the positive sides of it.

One good thing is that over 60 percent of iPhone users are now using iOS 6, according to MacWorld.

"Overall, this data points to Apple doing an outstanding job of keeping their user base up-to-date with the latest OS," said Chitika Insights, who did the research. "By comparison, Google's latest data shows only 22 per cent of its users being on its two most recent versions of Android."

"Apple's performance in this area is a great selling point for mobile advertisers, as well as website and application developers, who can all confidently optimize their mobile properties to take advantage of the latest iOS capabilities without fear of shutting out a large portion of the user base," the report concludes.

The new software has over 200 new features. It brings a faster A6 processor, improved battery and enhanced Retina display screen with much brighter colors and sharper text that's more intensely black, according to BrisbaneTimes.

The ClarionLedger pointed out some features that many users don't see right away with their new software.

One is a bigger Safari screen on the iPhone 5. Here are some others that the website found:

"Browsing history. You can view your browsing history by keeping your finger pressed for a second on the back-button in Safari.

Offline reading. The share button on Safari -- the middle button on the bottom menu bar -- offers several options for a Web page, including mail, send text, post to Facebook, etc. But you can also click "Add to Reading List" and send it to a folder for reading the page when you have no Internet connection -- an ideal tool for iPod Touch users or those who monitor monthly data limits.

Copying URL. A handy tool for those who love to text or e-mail Web pages, the share button on Safari now has the "Copy" option for copying a URL."

Other good things about the new software are easy updates and Google Street View. Now, you can update apps without retyping the password. Also, the feature that you can answer calls with text is cool and important in case there's an important meeting you're in or just don't want to answer the call (you know, those annoying people).

The Google's Street View update is now available on the mobile browser version of Google Maps, but its not full-featured as it is in the Google Maps app.

"Though the option takes a few more taps than the original Google Maps app, it's nice to have the option to tap into Street View at least in some capacity until a formal Google Maps app is added to the App Store," according to PCMag.

Another interesting feature is the Passbook app.

Passbook allows users to get all their passes in one place, such as boarding passes, tickets, and coupons. It will also give credit card data and customer rewards cards. According to Gizmodo, "either with the use of a QR code or bluetooth, merchants can collect your payment info and send you on your way."

Also, according to BrisbaneTimes, Siri is much better informed and it "now will produce AFL, NRL, basketball and cricket scores and fixtures, find you a nearby restaurant and more." According to Bostinno, Apple lovers can now get sports game updates, make restaurant reservations, watch movie trailers, launch apps and tweet by voice. Siri is now also available for the iPad.

Other notable features include  Facebook integration. Facebook will integrate with iOS 6 in a similar way Twitter currently integrates with iOS 5. There are also new features. You can now set reminders to call people back, send messages instead of calling, apply a DO NOT DISTURB feature that does not alert you with notifications. iOS 6 Mail VIPs will enable to users to mark certain contacts as important, and in turn, all their messages will be starred.

There will also be updates to iCloud. Notes and reminders will synch up with other mobile devices and Mac PCs but will not support location based reminders, according to Latinos Post. The new lost mode in Find my Phone will enable users to lock any iOS 6 device remotely, ensuring that no one will be able to utilize it while it is lost. The new feature will track the device and email the user updates of any location changes. Lost Mode will also allow users to see locations that the iOS device has visited on a map. iCalender will no longer have Reminders, since they now have their own app.

Also with iCloud, now you can keep track of what you previewed in iBooks.

iBooks is already an app on Apple iPads. According to Apple, the iBookstore feature "the best of what's new right at the top of the page." There is over 1.5 million books, including new Multi-Touch textbooks. "Since iCloud keeps track of what you've previewed, you can start shopping on your iPad and continue on another device."

There are also reading tools, such as highlight or underline text, make notes, look up a word in the dictionary or on the web, or search inside the book. You can even use VoiceOver to have iPad read to you. With iCloud, the books you buy on your iPad appear on your other devices, ready to read.

What other features do you like in iOS 6 if you've updated? Sound off below!

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