Apple’s New iOS 6 Operating System Starts Rolling Out

Apple’s servers are starting to make available iOS 6, a major upgrade to the operating system that powers the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

Among its features, the new operating system includes Apple-created maps with turn-by-turn navigation, Facebook integration and Passbook, a centralized place for storing tickets, boarding passes and loyalty cards.

The update can be either downloaded over the air directly to an iOS device or downloaded to a computer and installed via iTunes.

It is available for the iPhone 3GS and later; the latest iPad, as well as the iPad 2; and on fourth-generation and fifth-generation iPod touches, though not all features will work on all devices.

In addition to working with existing devices, iOS 6 is at the heart of the iPhone 5, which goes on sale on Friday. In the meantime, be sure to check out our own Walt Mossberg’s review of Apple’s latest phone.