Apple iOS 6 update released

When Apple unveiled its new iPhone 5, and announced the Sept. 21 release date last week, it was big news. But the biggest news impacting most every Apple mobile products user, including those with the iPhone and iPad tablet, occurs today: the iOS 6 release date has arrived and is available now. And for the first time, it can be downloaded without plugging your device into the computer (if you are currently running iOS 5.)

Apple made the iOS 6 release available just as expected on Wednesday — at noon CST, or 1 p.m. ET.

The download time may be slow — but few good things in life come easy, right?

The exact wasn’t known for certain, since Apple didn’t release that information. But reports suggested noon CST, and it delivered on time, if not a few minutes earlier.

The new version of Apple’s operating system was announced in June. It contains a new mapping application, replacing Google Maps, and tighter integration with Facebook. iOS 6 will be supported on the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad 2, new iPad and fourth generation iPod touch.

What millions of Apple product users for the iPhone, iPad and more will want to know is this: How do I get iOS 6?

You can get it from Apple through download via your product wirelessly, though expect the possibility for download delays similar to what was experienced with the release of iOS 5 last year. Millions want it, and millions want it at the same time.

Yet here’s what to do to get iOS 6:

–First, make sure you have a compatible device (iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, the iPad 2, the new iPad, the latest iPod Touch.

–Launch iTunes and make sure you have the latest version (10.7). If not, upgrade to the latest version. You can do that while waiting for the iOS 6 release later today.

–Back up the device you are using.

–Once iOS 6 is released, you can download via a wireless connection. On your device to go to:

Settings > General > Software Update

Instructions will take you to using iOS 6 from there.

Among the features you can expect, according to Apple:

–Facebook: ” Share a photo to Facebook right from Camera or Photos. Post your location right from Maps. Brag about a high score right from Game Center. If you have your hands full, just ask Siri to post for you. You need to sign in to Facebook only once, and you’ll be off and sharing. Never miss another birthday or get-together, since Facebook events are integrated into Calendar. And your Facebook friends’ profile information is integrated into Contacts, so when they update an email address or phone number you automatically stay up to date.”

–Siri: “With iOS 6, Siri understands more languages and works in more countries.2 So you can get more things done in more places around the world. Want to know the latest scores and stats for your favorite teams and players? Thanks to iOS 6, Siri knows the answers. Or maybe it’s movie night. Siri can show you the latest reviews and showtimes. Find the best restaurants in town and make reservations. Even have Siri open your apps for you — no tapping required. Say “Launch Flight Tracker” or “Open Angry Birds” and Siri does just that. You can also use Siri to post Facebook updates and tweet for you.”

–Shared photo streams: “Now you can share just the photos you want, with just the people you choose. Simply select photos from the Photos app, tap the Share button, choose who you want to share your photos with, and they’re on their way. Friends using iCloud on an iOS 6 device or a Mac running Mountain Lion get the photos delivered immediately in the Photos app or iPhoto. You can even view Shared Photo Streams on Apple TV. If the folks you’re sharing with aren’t using an Apple device, they can view your photos on the web.”

Mail: “Redesigned with a more streamlined interface for easier reading and writing, Mail in iOS 6 lets you set up a VIP list so you’ll never miss an important message from your accountant, your boss, or your BFF. It’s even easier to add photos and videos to email messages. And to refresh your mailboxes, all you have to do is swipe down.”

–Passbook: ” With Passbook, you can scan your iPhone or iPod touch to check in for a flight, get into a movie, and redeem a coupon. You can also see when your coupons expire, where your concert seats are, and the balance left on that all-important coffee bar card.”