Apple has listed on its website which features of its mobile operating system, iOS 6, will be available in South Africa when it launches on Wednesday (19 September 2012).
In June 2012, when Apple revealed the new features for iOS 6, it emerged that it was dropping Google Maps for Apple’s own mapping application.
It was later discovered that Dutch navigation company TomTom was providing the data for Apple’s new Maps app.
Although TomTom provides navigation and live traffic services for South Africa, the company declined to comment on whether local services would be available in the iOS 6 Maps app.
Maps, navigation, traffic confirmed
However, Apple has now confirmed that its Maps for iOS app would include South Africa.
Standard maps, satellite imagery, directions, and traffic would all be available in South Africa, Apple said.
Apple also said that turn-by-turn navigation would be available in October.
Notable absences from the list are support for any Siri-related services, dictation, games, and iTunes content.
Maps – iOS 6
No iTunes content or games
While there is a rumour from Yoel Kenan, founder and CEO of Africori, a licensing platform for African music, that South Africa would get iTunes music in September, Apple gives no indication that it is the case.
South Africa also isn’t listed under movies or TV shows.
A large list of countries South Africa is still not included in is games on the app store.
Although South Africans can get apps from App Store, they are unable to download any games, whether free or paid-for.
The lack of games on the Apple App Store is often attributed to the Film and Publications Board, but the board previously said that they have not been approached by publishers and developers to raise concerns over conflict with their business model.
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