Whether you are looking to purchase the new iPhone 5 or simply update your old 4S, the question remains whether iOS 6 is going to be worth changing from iOS 5. With Apple boasting an impressive 200+ improvements to the operating system, it’s clear that bigger and better hardware was not the only thing on their mind when releasing the iPhone 5. Offering the software updates to all previous models post the iPhone 3, it’s clear that this production is one to take very seriously and Apple have clearly been putting their customers’ interests at heart. However, it’s not all rose petals in the Apple garden, and many device users will be struck with frustration over the lack of full integration with iOS 6 features depending on what platform they are using.

One of the the great improvements iOS 6 brings is the new Maps app. Gone are the designs from Google, and in are the ones from Apple with its own in-house styling crew. Available on Android for years, iOS users have up until now not had turn-by-turn navigation support on Maps for iOS. Well, they do now! Another newcomer is something Apple calls “Flyover”, giving users a 3-D bird’s eye view of any location using satellite imagery, zooming in and out at will for a true city experience.

However, the update doesn’t come without its downsides. Unlike the older Maps, you no longer get the new Map transit directions. You’ll have to download (and pay for the most part) transit route apps from the Apple App Store. And to date, nothing has been developed that is compatible with the new Maps format, so lose-lose situation. Duh! Also, still lagging behind Android, the new app also lacks anything remotely similar to Google’s Street View where one can see street-level photographs of specific places/landmarks. These go a long way in helping identify your exact intended destination or some random navigation end point not so desirable as is sometimes the case with route planning.

Besides Maps, iOS 6 brings communications with loved ones closer than ever. Users can share their photos with friends and family members via Apple’s servers. Those with newer iOS devices (phones, tablets or Macs) can see the shared photos in their respective Gallery app. If you’re not on iOS, you can still view shared content on a dedicated web page. So, unlike posting pictures on your favourite social networking site be it Facebook, or Flickr or other, there’s no need to filter those who can and can’t see it, you simply share directly with those who you want to view them.

An update of iOS wouldn’t be complete without an update to iTunes and the Apple Store. Not only do they run faster than before, but multitasking is now supported. Of course Android has allowed users to download an app and remain in the store to browse for something else to buy for years, but this is now possible on iOS. Thanks Apple. You can also, for example, now preview a song in iTunes and continue listening to it whilst switching pages or browsing other album tracks. Nifty!

Siri has been revamped on a huge scale. You now get cinema times and reviews, OpenTable reservations along with Yelp information. Coupled with app launching abilities and the option of posting updates to social networking accounts Facebook and Twitter, Siri is awesome. Although Siri is only compatible from 4S users and above, it’s clear that Siri is still not yet a one for the masses feature (sorry if you’re a iPhone 4 or 3G user and want Siri!).

One feature that is new and definitely worthwhile is Passbook. The virtual card holder app carries your gift cards, discount vouchers, tickets and much more all in one place and can be set to appear in the notifications screen when you’re at the place and time to use/redeem them. The scope for businesses to exploit its uses are limitless, with numerous companies wanting to take advantage of the system for advertising and marketing purposes, which, if done correctly wouldn’t be too bad of an idea if it means getting what’s rightfully yours because you left the Nectar Card at home, or left your Starbucks loyalty card in the office and you’re buying 20 lattes.

Along with Do Not Disturb, iPad Clock, VIP email, FaceTime, Facebook integration, and a lot more besides, there’s a lot iOS 6 brings to the table. Most simple of all updates, however, and yet one that’s notably welcomed, is the somewhat mundane improvements to basic call related options. Yes, we do use the phone for calling as well! On a incoming call, you can now reject a call using a user created message or choose from Apples default, as well as respond with an outgoing text or iMessage note, divert calls to voicemail or ask for a reminder. Wow, what a choice. It’s about time Apple thought a bit more carefully how users actually use their phones when trying to avoid certain calls without being rude.

Lastly, its fair to say that although some of the above features will not be available on 3G and 4 handsets, and original iPad and iPad 2 owners will suffer their fair share of update let-downs, if you’re an iPhone 4S user there’s only everything to gain from updating your software. Time will tell if iOS 6 isn’t right for you.