See If iOS 6 Works with Your Device

Apple posted a device compatibility chart for iOS 6, unlike previous times when the Cupertino giant kept us in the dark for months regarding supported models for upcoming iOS releases that had been demoed.

Apple is not supporting all iDevices in iOS 6. The company has included compatibility for more devices than we had anticipated, but it also excluded one that we didn’t expect. Compatibility starts with the iPhone 3GS, the oldest iDevice still sold by Apple through its online store and partners. Next in line is the iPhone 4, which Apple shipped in 2010, and the iPhone 4S, which debuted last year. As far as the iPod touch goes, only the fourth-generation model is supported. And on the tablet front, the iPad 2 and the new third-generation iPad are the only ones to support the software. The original iPad is not compatible with iOS 6. And there’s a good reason for that, too. The fine print on Apple’s iOS 6 marketing pages state that some hardware simply can’t cope with the advanced features in the new operating system.

For example, Flyover and turn-by-turn navigation will be available only on iPhone 4S, iPad 2, and the new iPad, while Siri will be available only on the iPhone 4S and the third-gen iPad. Shared Photo Streams will be an iOS 6-exclusive feature on the iPhone 4 or later and iPad 2 or later. Macintosh computers with OS X Mountain Lion will be supported too. Users will need an “up-to-date browser” for accessing shared photo streams on the web, Apple says. FaceTime will finally work over a cellular connection in iOS 6, Apple has confirmed. However, it won’t be available on the iPhone 3GS or the iPad 2. It requires iPhone 4S or iPad (3rd generation) with cellular data capabilities.

VIP list and VIP and Flagged smart mailboxes will be available only on iPhone 4 or later and iPad 2 or later. The same goes for Offline Reading List. Finally, Made-for-iPhone hearing aids will require iPhone 4S. As you can see for yourselves, the iPhone 3GS is being kept on board for the sake of the customers.

Posted in: Mobile Phone, Preview, Software, Tablet