Apple previews iOS 6

Apple has offered a preview of iOS 6, the latest version of its iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone operating system.

The new version was shown at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference.

A beta version has been released to app developers ahead of a full launch later this year.

Features include a new Apple-built maps app which replaces the Google powered app which currently ships with iOS. The new app offers turn-by-turn navigation and a new Flyover view.

iOS 6 will also gain Facebook integration for Contacts and Calendar.

Other features include new enhancements to Apple’s Siri voice operated personal assistant – coming soon to the new iPad – including support for more languages, the ability to post on Twitter and Facebook, launch apps and access to sports scores, restaurant recommendations and movie listings.

Also new is Passbook, an app that lets you scan your iPhone or iPod touch to use a coupon to get into a concert or check into a hotel.

“iOS 6 continues the rapid pace of innovation that is helping Apple reinvent the phone and create the iPad category, delivering the best mobile experience available on any device,” said Scott Forstall, Apple’s senior vice president of iOS Software.

“We can’t wait for hundreds of millions of iOS users to experience the incredible new features in iOS 6 including the new Maps app, expanded Siri support, deep Facebook integration, Shared Photo Streams and the innovative new Passbook app.”

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