New features in iOS 6 drive increased opportunities for mobile developers.

It's an exciting time to be a mobile application developer. With the recent release of iOS 6, Apple has reinvented its mobile operating system, adding some innovative apps and APIs while upgrading existing iOS components to be more fluid and user-friendly. Major enhancements in iOS 6 include deep Facebook integration, a visually-stunning maps program, a unique wallet app dubbed "Passbook" and over 100 upgrades to current APIs and applications, including the Siri virtual assistant.

Here are the top new features of iOS 6 and the possibilities they represent for mobile developers:

The iOS mobile platform exploded onto the scene in 2007 with the launch of the iPhone, and has been increasing in popularity ever since. With the recent successful releases of its fifth operating system (iOS5), the iPhone 4S and the New iPad, the beast that is Apple's mobile device market shows zero signs of slowing. The success found by many iPhone application developers plus the increasing popularity and versatility of iOS devices have inspired many new and established programmers to pursue careers in iPad and iPhone application development.