With WWDC coming up on Monday, there's only a few days left to speculate on what new goodies Apple will unveil. We know for sure that iOS 6 is on the menu, but what new features will the update bring?
The consensus seems to be that, other than a number of revamped applications, Apple's mobile OS will remain largely unchanged from its predecessor. But that doesn't mean that we can't dream big...
Apple started raising banners in San Francisco's Moscone West two days ago, ahead of the big event's keynote scheduled for next Monday, June 11, at 10am Pacific Time.
And just this moment, one guy managed to snap a photo outside the Moscone Center which clearly shows the new iOS 6 logo for the first time on one of the banners.
The photographic evidence confirms that Apple will be showing off iOS 6 so it's news, not a rumor anymore. The logo is pretty elegant and cool-looking, wouldn't you agree?
Thanks to my years in wireless sales, I can honestly say I've tried out more than my fair share of smartphones. The carrier I worked for made us try a new handset every 90 days to ensure that we were all well-versed in our craft.
But out of all of the devices I played with and carried, none were able to woo me away from the iPhone. In fact, the only non-iOS feature that I have ever really lusted after was Android's ability to give audible turn-by-turn directions...
Citing "two people familiar with the matter", Bloomberg reports that Apple is said to add Baidu as a default iOS search engine in China. Since Baidu commands a lion's share of search queries in the world's biggest smartphone market, this decision is thought to have potentially serious repercussions for Google's biz in China...
You've heard all of the rumors and speculation, but just in case you needed more proof that Apple's highly anticipated WWDC event was on the horizon, here you go. As noted by 9to5Mac, Apple has started hanging WWDC banners at the Moscone Center.
Apple used its World Wide Developers Conference to unveil iOS 5 last year, but it has also been known to use the opportunity to show off new hardware. So what can we expect from this year's event? Keep reading...
Geeks have been holding their breath for direct file system access in iOS ever since the original iPhone's debut five years ago.
Unless you jailbreak, your ability to get down and dirty with the file system is limited by Apple's vision that basically boils down to Jobs' mantra that the app is the only file system you'll ever need.
It would be unwise to bet on Apple progressively breaking away from this kind of philosophy with the introduction of iOS 6 come next Monday, no matter how strongly you may feel about the rumored Files.app.
Here's why. And before you jump straight to the comments, bear in mind that this is just one writer's opinion...
The usually well-informed Wall Street Journal is throwing its weight behind rumors that Apple with iOS 6 will ditch a Google Maps backend and instead pursue own in-house mapping solution. Sources tell the paper that although Apple could, and probably will, show off the enhanced Maps app at WWDC next Monday, the feature won't launch until later this year.
This should give developers a much-needed head start to incorporate Apple's mapping technology into their apps and take advantage of the reportedly unique features. The story offers other interesting tidbits, including the new calendar-integrated mapping system...
iOS 6, the next major release of Apple's mobile operating system slated for unveiling at the WWDC keynote next Monday, will likely bring a few new features already present in the latest build of OS X Mountain Lion.
My personal favorite: The new Do Not Disturb mode in Notification Center that should at least help alleviate that iMessage alert conundrum...
As you know, iOS 6 will bring an all-new Maps app said to feature Apple's own tiles and brand new in-house solution for breathtaking 3D view.
Though Google is expected to add the third dimension to its own Maps service as early as Wednesday, we've already seen screenshot mockups depicting 3D terrain in iOS 6 Maps.
As for the enhanced two-dimensional view, here's what the new Maps app could look like on that next iPhone that by all accounts seems to feature a taller four-inch display...
Much as it has been speculated, Apple is apparently working to enable Siri on iPad by way of iOS 6, according to the inevitable people familiar with the matter. We're talking about full-blown voice assistant, not just the Dictation feature, and it will reportedly work just as you'd expect it to. Here's a mockup based on the description provided by the source...
Much of the talk concerning rumored Facebook integration in iOS 6 is centered around debating whether or not the feature will be baked deep into the bowels of the operating system. According to sources who spoke to 9to5Mac, that seems to be the case as Facebook integration in iOS 6 is said to be system-wide and apparently very similar to Twitter’s integration that launched with iOS 5...
Not content with being outclassed by Apple, Google today sent out invitations to select members of the press. The invite graphics teases "the next dimension of Google Maps". The search giant's presser takes place next Wednesday, June 6, at 9:30am, five days ahead of Apple's worldwide developers conference that kicks off with a keynote in San Francisco's Moscone West on June 11.
Looks like both tech titans are keen on taking the maps experience to the next level, which can only be a good thing for us consumers and market watchers. But As Apple debuts its own in-house mapping solution, market dynamics will inevitably change due to Apple's size, brand power and for the simple fact that Cupertino will no longer be paying fees for using Google's tiles in Mac and iOS applications and services.
Of course, it's also the question of pride...