Apple’s upcoming release of OS X Mountain Lion takes several features from iOS 5, but also introduces the world to some new features that are also coming to iOS 6. According to trusted sources, iOS 6 will include iCloud Tabs support, Mail VIPs, and a simple, yet handy and so-far praised Notification Center enhancement.
iCloud Tabs is a feature that allows iCloud users to view a list of tabs opened in the Safari web browser across multiple iOS devices and Macs. Although previously rumored, iCloud Tabs is not a feature – in its initial implementation in iOS 6 and Mountain Lion – that syncs your entire current web browser work across devices. When the iCloud Tabs button is clicked on an iOS 6 device (or Mac), all the tabs opened on each device are simply shown in a synchronized list. From here, users can quickly pickup individual tabs that they were working on across their Apple devices. The iCloud Tabs button on the iPhone and iPod touch is hidden behind the Bookmarks toolbar.
Another subtle, yet much requested, feature from Mountain Lion is Mail VIPs. Like in Mountain Lion, Mail VIPs in iOS 6 puts a star next to emails received from a specified group of people. VIPs assigned to iCloud accounts will sync with iCloud across iOS 6 iPads, iPhones, iPod touches, and OS X Mountain Lion Macs. OS X Mountain Lion users have so-far praised the feature, as many users find themselves constantly looking for email from a select group of contacts.
More details after the break…
Mockup of Do Not Disturb toggle (thanks, Spencer Caldwell)
The third, and final bit, of OS X Mountain Lion in iOS 6 that we have heard about is a “Do Not Disturb” feature in iOS 6. When we revealed that the ability to quickly disable alerts and banner for notifications in OS X Mountain Lion, the news was covered and regarded by many Mac users and news outlets as a small addition in terms of functionality, but a major enhancement in terms of user productivity. With the iOS device display sizes, and the full-screen applications on these devices, the ability to easily turn on and off notification alerts is very helpful. Sources say, that while the option is present directly in the Mountain Lion Notification Center, the Do Not Disturb toggle is stationed like the Airplane Mode button in settings (mockup above).
iOS 6 is currently scheduled to reach customers this fall, and it will also include a revamped Maps application in addition to many more enhancements. The new software will launch alongside a brand-new iPhone with both several internal and external changes.
