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WWDC 2012 Rumor Round-up
WWDC 2012: What We Know So Far
With Apple's WWDC event just hours away, tech pundits and techies alike are surely frazzled with excitement. The keynote address preceding the conference is said, as confirmed by the above snapshot, to feature some pretty major announcements regarding iOS 6, OS X Mountain Lion, and iCloud. Of course, we are hoping the Cupertino company will reveal new devices as well, including the next-gen iPhone, 7.85-inch iPad mini, and Apple HDTV. However, since this is after all a developers conference, perhaps that's asking too much. In any case, these are just part of the speculations circulating on the Internet that the HWZ team has been consolidating. Come June 11th at 10am (PDT) or alternatively, June 12th at 1am (GMT+8), Singapore time, we will know it all.
iOS 6: 3D Mapping, Siri for iPad, Facebook Integration, New iCloud Features
The latest Apple mobile platform, iOS 6 (codenamed "Sundance"), is slated for an appearance at tomorrow's keynote. What will the upcoming OS be made of? If rumors were to be believed, iOS 6 is said to contain a number of exciting updates, including:
- The introduction of an in-house maps application with 3D mode, hereby dropping the Google Maps program running on iOS since 2007
- Third-party developers and services will be able to integrate the voice functionality into their apps with the launch of the Siri API
- Siri for iPad (presumably only for the new iPad)
- A refreshed user interface with a silver, rather than blue, color theme
- Facebook integration, including a system-wide sign-in. This is said to allow iOS users to share content from any apps on Facebook without further identification.
- iTunes, App Store, and iBookstore are said to face major design overhauls that will see improved interactivity across purchases
- New OS X Mountain Lion features like iCloud Tabs support, Mail VIPs, and a Notification Center enhancement
- Boosted iCloud services, including syncing videos to iCloud and extension of Photo Stream service with social elements
- New tracking tool for developers to increase user privacy
Sadly, owners of the original iPad or third-gen iPod touch might not get to enjoy this; the latest OS will allegedly not support either device. This isn't all that surprising, given Apple's track record of dropping support for older products. If this list stays true, iOS 6 will introduce some major shakeup in how Mac/iOS device owners use their gadgets, given the strengthened integration between Apple's desktop and mobile OSes. Of course, with Facebook (and currently, Twitter) integration baked in, social media is set to chalk up a big chunk of the iOS experience.
Next-Gen Mobile Devices: iPhone 5 & iPad Mini
Recent rumors seem to point at the next-gen iPhone having a 16:9 style body and 4.07-inch screen, based on video and pictorial leaks of its back plate. Other rumored features we speculate that will make an appearance on the phone, other than a bigger screen, include LTE connectivity, an improved processor, and a HD front-facing camera.
The iPhone is not the only iOS device getting special attention of course - the rumored iPad mini has gotten quite a fair amount of speculation on its end. There have been many conflicting reports about its form factor with earlier reports pointing to 7.1- and 7.85-inch form factors; according to iMore, the scaled-down 7+-inch tablet, priced between a competitive US$200 and US$250, will feature a display resolution of 2,048 x 1,536 pixels, one that is identical to the panel on Apple’s new iPad.
It would be great to see both devices announced at WWDC alongside iOS 6, but we are not holding our hopes too high for this one. Both devices are said to be launched in September, that is if they actually exist.
Apple HDTV: TV SDK, Apps, iSight
We don't know if the rumored Apple HDTV is coming out this year, we don't even know if it's coming out at all; but a source claiming to have seen a working prototype of the said television has revived our hope of ever seeing this mythical gadget. The TV, running on iOS, is said to be capable of making FaceTime calls using the built-in iSight camera. Siri, the iPhone 4S's virtual assistant, is said to be present in the HDTV. According to BGR Media, Apple will also be unveiling a SDK (software development kit) at WWDC for the above presumed Apple HDTV display. Allegedly, this TV SDK would enable third-party developers to create apps for upcoming Apple HDTV products.
Mac: Retina-ready Displays & Apps, Ivy Bridge, USB 3, OS X Mountain Lion
Retina displays on Mac hardware is a rumor that has been on the Internet for a while. Adding weight to the rumor, Retina Display-ready apps have already started popping up on the Mac App Store. According to The Next Web, specific models that are said to be refreshed include the 15-inch MacBook Pro, the 11- and 13-inch MacBook Air models, and the iMac. These Macs are said to support powerful Ivy Bridge processors which support incredibly high resolution with its integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics. USB 3.0 support is also said to be coming on these new Macs.
The latest iOS-exclusive feature alleged to make its debut in OS X Mountain Lion is the 'Automatic Downloads' feature. For those who are unfamiliar with the iOS operating system, this feature allows you to download an app from the Apple App Store on one OS X machine, and have the same app appear on other OS X devices. At WWDC, Apple is expected to release more information about its latest big cat. So far, Mountain Lion has already seen the inclusion of several key iOS 5-centric features.
iOS 6, Apple's latest mobile operating system has arrived with over 200 new features. We take a look at the new Facebook integration, the various enhancements in Photo Stream, Mail, and Safari, as well as the new Privacy controls. At long last, the new iOS 6 update is now available for download. Here's a list of features that you can look forward to. A closer look at the iOS 6 has revealed how some of the more exciting features will be left out on certain iOS devices. Apple has refreshed its MacBook lineup with Ivy Bridge processors, USB 3.0 support, additional SSD storage, and NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M GPUs. A super thin, optical drive-less 15-inch MacBook Pro sporting a 2,880 x 1,800-pixel Retina Display was also unveiled. The convergence of OS X and iOS features have been set in motion, with each iteration of OS X introducing features that were previously found on the iOS. The latest one to appear on the media radar is Automatic Downloads, which may debut with OS X Mountain Lion. Plenty of rumors are swirling around the web prior to Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference that is due to commence tonight. However, the appearance of apps with 'Retina Graphics' in Apple's Mac App Store have pretty much confirmed the use of Retina displays on some of Apple's new hardware. Apple will reportedly release a new app tracking tool for developers to monitor the usage of their software as part of Apple's strategy to better protect user privacy. More features are said to come to iOS 6, including OS X Mountain Lion - Notification Center ‘Do Not Disturb’ toggle, Safari iCloud Tabs, and Mail VIPs - and extended iCloud support. iOS 6, rumored to be announced during the upcoming WWDC 2012, will allegedly not support the first-generation iPad or third-generation iPod touch, the Verge reports. Apple has announced that its annual Worldwide Developers Conference will be held from June 11-15 in San Francisco. And in less than two hours, all tickets have been snapped up. A larger 4.6-inch display and launching in Q2 2012. These are the latest rumors for Apple's upcoming iPhone, as shared by an unnamed source to the Maeli Business Newspaper. With the launch of the alleged iPad HD just around the corner, here are some additional rumors and allegations to keep readers on the edge of their seats. 9to5Mac and BGR reports.
Hands-on with iOS 6: Facebook Integration, Shared Photo Streams, Mail & Safari
WWDC 2012: Highlights on iOS 6 (Update)
Is iOS 6 Signaling the Start of iOS Fragmentation?
WWDC 2012: Refreshed MacBook Lineup, Introduces MacBook Pro with Retina Display
Automatic Downloads to Debut with OS X Mountain Lion?
Mac App Update Points to Retina Display on Thinner Macbook Pros
Apple to Provide New Tracking Tool for Apps at WWDC 2012?
New OS X Mountain Lion and iCloud Features Coming to iOS 6?
No iOS 6 Support for 1st Gen iPad and 3rd Gen iPod touch?
Apple Announces WWDC 2012 Dates; Tickets Sell Out in Two Hours
New iPhone Rumored with 4.6-inch Display
More News on iPad HD and iPad Mini
