The expectations for Apple‘s Worldwide Developer’s Conference
have changed a lot in the past couple of years.WWDC (or an event close to it) used to be the time when we finally got to lay our eyes on the latest iPhone. After months of intense speculation, Apple would reveal its latest baby at WWDC opening keynote, along with the next version of its software, the iPhone OS (later iOS).
have changed a lot in the past couple of years.WWDC (or an event close to it) used to be the time when we finally got to lay our eyes on the latest iPhone. After months of intense speculation, Apple would reveal its latest baby at WWDC opening keynote, along with the next version of its software, the iPhone OS (later iOS).
All that changed last year. The run-up to WWDC 2011 was still awash with rumors, but as the event approached, they started to converge on a odd conclusion: There would be no new iPhone. Sure enough, the event came and went without a refreshed handset, and the panting Apple public had to wait until October — almost five months — to taste the iPhone 4S.
This time out, however, there’s no expectation whatsoever of a new iPhone. Which is just as well. The iPhone 4S has brought unprecedented success to Apple, but it was a total let-down when Apple unveiled it. Without the pressure of an iPhone launch, Apple has a much better chance to impress us with what it’s planning for WWDC — an event that’s supposed to put software front and center anyway.
So just what will Apple reveal in today’s big keynote? Per usual, the company hasn’t said word one about what it’s going to talk about, but there’s already some evidence, plenty of educated speculation, and no end to rumor.
Fresh from a strong showing at the D10 conference and a fairly problem-free iPad launch, CEO Tim Cook will likely play ringmaster to a host of new products and features, with iOS 6 at the center. New abilities, new apps, partners galore, and possibly even some hardware are all sure bets for today’s program.
Here are the (probable) main highlights:
iOS 6
If the simple fact that Apple has used WWDC to reveal the latest version of its mobile OS for the past four years wasn’t enough evidence for you, Mashable snagged images of the banners being set up for WWDC on Friday, and they prominently say “iOS 6.”
So we’re definitely going to see iOS 6, but what will it have? New Maps are a very strong contender as Apple has been hinting for some time that it’s going to abandon Google Maps as the map provider on iPhone and iPad, replacing it with something home-grown. Expect some kind of GPS-like navigation and an answer to Google Maps’ recent upgrade to 3D.
Many are speculating that Tim Cook’s recent pro-Facebook comments — and his nudge to “stay tuned” about the relationship — point toward Facebook integration in iOS 6, similar to what iOS 5 did for Twitter. It’s certainly possible (the bad blood between the two companies has been attributed to a personal vendetta of Steve Jobs’ over Facebook’s iPad app), though there’s not much to go on here other than Cook’s words and that it’s simply a good idea (Facebook is far and away the most popular social-media app on iOS, according to comScore).
You’d be smart to wager we’ll see new features for iCloud as well. Apple’s cloud service was the highlight of WWDC 2011, and it went live last fall with the launch of the iPhone 4S. Its feature set is due for expansion, and it may be ready to start syncing video as well as photos from iOS devices. Improvements to Apple’s iCloud would mean other connected services may get an upgrade as well, including…
Enhanced Siri
Cook whet our appetites for big things happening with Apple’s voice assistant at D10 when he said he thought Apple customers were going to like what Apple had planned for Siri. What could that mean?
Seeing as this is a developer conference, if Apple has any major announcements about Siri, they likely have to do with spreading her to other apps. So far Siri’s ability to launch and interact with apps other than the default Apple ones has been extremely limited (but not nonexistent), mainly due to the absence of an API and software development kit (SDK).
Those could very well be ready to launch, though Apple would still need to release them in a very controlled way to avoid having Siri’s network-based functionality overwhelmed by demand (imagine thousands of iPhone and iPad users simultaneously asking Siri to check the weather, post it to Facebook and relay any comments to Twitter).
Siri may also be ready to finally spread to more devices, at least officially (a hack can introduce her to the iPhone 4 and various iPads). It was a disappointment to some that Siri wasn’t included with the latest iPad, seeing as it uses the same processor as the iPhone 4S.
There are also rumors that she’s destined to join Apple’s Mac lineup, but that seems less likely. Siri’s interface was tailored for mobile, and her functionality is baked right into the chip. There are cost and usability reasons why Siri probably isn’t coming to Macs anytime soon, at least in the short term. But you never know.
New Macs
Speaking of Macs, we may be in for a bumper crop at WWDC. Based on anonymous sources and allegedly leaked images of product lists, various sites have reported sources saying Apple has many new Macs, both desktops laptops coming down the pike.
Most anticipated are the new MacBook Pros, which are rumored to take on some aspects of the MacBook Air design. The new Pros are rumored to have thinner and lighter designs, support for faster USB 3.0 ports, more options for solid-state drives and optical drives no longer offered on every model. The Airs themselves will get refreshed as well, and all the new MacBooks will feature Intel’s latest: the third-generation Core processors, a.k.a. Ivy Bridge.
There’s a very strong chance each and every one of those MacBooks will feature ultra-high-resolution screens — what Apple calls a “retina” display. Apple appears to be aggressively pursuing retina as a big differentiator in the marketplace; it’s all about retina on iOS, and there’s already some tech in the current MacBooks that support it.
The popular Mac Mini and iMac lines will likely get an upgrade to Ivy Bridge, USB 3.0 and potentially some other features. It’s possible the iMacs will also go retina, though somewhat less likely than the MacBooks, since it’s harder to pack that many pixels into a larger display.
Also on many wish lists: a new Mac Pro desktop, which hasn’t seen a revamp since 2010 [check this]. There’s no question it’ll be a seriously high-performing beast, packed full of Ivy Bridge processing goodness, enhanced graphic capabilities and the hardware to use all of it to its fullest — not to mention a price tag to match.
Keep in mind that although new Macs are in the pipeline no matter what, it’s possible Apple will use WWDC to showcase new software only, with the the Macs launching in separate announcements over the next month or two (the company’s usual M.O. for Mac launches).
Mountain Lion Improvements
Just because there might not be new Macs doesn’t mean the developer conference will be Mac-free. Far from it: Before the iPhone, WWDC was a Mac OS-centric cevent, and there will certainly be updates about Apple’s newest (still unreleased) version of OS X, version 10.8 “Mountain Lion.”
If iOS 6 ends up including Facebook integration, there’s a decent chance OS X will follow, just like it did with Twitter. Besides simple neatness, there’s another reason to include it in OS X: Windows 8. Or rather, Windows 8′s “contracts” ability, which hard-wires sharing into Microsoft’s coming OS. Apple should respond with similar functionality, and OS-level integration with the two most popular social networks would cover its bases.
Look also for tweaks to support USB 3.0, more Thunderbolt devices and those juicy Mac retina screens that are more than likely imminent. There may also be a few features coming that better tie the Mac with Apple’s “hobby,” Apple TV.
Apple TV SDK
The Apple TV has been selling very respectably for Apple, though it’s actually evolved into much more than a hobby. By all accounts, Apple is planning to introduce a real television into its product line sometime in the next couple of years. Apple TV — the box — is a chance to turn Apple’s hobby into a full-fledged platform in advance of the TV’s release.
To do that, though, Apple will need to open it up to developers. That means creating an SDK so they can create apps, and opening up another section of the App Store just for Apple TV apps.
There’s nothing wrong with that, and it makes a great deal of sense that Apple would be planning to do this, except there hasn’t been much word that this is on tap for WWDC. After Jonathan Geller of Daring Fireballspeculated about this based on some curious details in the conference schedule, a few rumors have surfaced, but those are probably just people parroting the speculation.
7-Inch iPad (No Way)
What the hell — let’s throw this in just for fun. Even before the first iPad, there have been rumors of Apple making a 7-inch tablet. They’ve had a resurgence lately, with many “sources” saying they’ve seen the product with their own eyes and that Apple “needs” a smaller-size iPad to compete with the likes of the Amazon Kindle Fire and Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet.
Except that there’s pretty much zero chance of it happening. Unless Tim Cook is planning to radically alter the company’s attitude toward screen size, Apple won’t be releasing a 7-inch iPad soon. It’s probably created prototypes in that size, but that’s a far cry from an actual product. In any case, the holiday season would be a far better time to release such a product.
Surprises? You Bet
Although, as with any Apple event, rumor and speculation are rampant, don’t underestimate Apple’s ability to surprise. As certain as rumors sometimes are, there’s sure to be something that comes out of left field. NFC in the MacBooks? A surprise partner? An improved game network? If there’s one thing Apple does better than any other tech company, it’s put on a show — with or without a shiny new iPhone.
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