iOS 6 features (Image via CNET)
Apple announced many things to an enthusiastic crowd, today in San Francisco at the WWDC 2012 Keynote today.
I’ll go through the biggest things announced today in this article. Or- I’ll try.
iOS 6
One of the biggest announcements at WWDC was the over 200 features in iOS 6. iOS 6 will be available in Fall 2012. The beta and SDK for iOS 6 is available to Apple iOS developers today.
Features
Apple has upgraded Siri. One of the biggest things is that Siri is coming to the iPad (we are currently trying to confirm the iPod Touch with Apple). Siri can now also Launch Apps, and update your Facebook,
Apple has included a new Do Not Disturb button, that completely turns off notifications with (quite literally) the swipe of your finger. Also, you can assign contacts as favourites, to give them “VIP” status for receiving notifications, phone calls and emails.
FaceTime will also now be able to work over cellular connections, something that the carriers didn’t want. Previously, it only worked over Wi-Fi.
The iOS Passbook App from Apple
The combination of Apple IDs and Phone Numbers is here! Messages and phone calls can be picked up now on both the iPhone and the iPad for these users. Also, users will be allowed to share Photo Streams with other iOS users.
Apple has also introduced a new app called Passbook, which allows you to store Movie Tickets, Boarding Passes, Store Cards and more.
Facebook Integration is also included in iOS 6. This allows users to post photos and videos easily, and also… from Siri.
Apple Maps, will be replacing Google Maps in iOS. This app was built entirely by Apple. It is a 3D Maps app, which will come with iOS. The app will also have GPS to help drivers with turn-by-turn direction. With crowd-sourcing, the app will be able to show accidents as well.
Macbook Pros
Apple has unveiled a new line of Macbook Pros. All of which include Ivy Bridge Processors and Nvidia GeForce GT650M graphics. It also includes both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. These are available today. The 13-inch model for $1199 and the 15-inch model for $1799.
The Next-Generation Macbook Pro (Image via CNET)
Next-Generation Macbook Pro
Apple has also unveiled a new Retina display Macbook Pro. The laptop is just 0.71 inches thick, and Apple claims that it is the lightest Macbook Pro ever made.
Apple claims that the 15.4-inch Macbook Pro has the highest resolution of any notebook on the market, at 220 pixels/inch. Apple has updated the Mail, Safari, and iPhoto apps to take advantage of this screen. However, third-party Developers will need to update their apps to take advantage of the screen.
This Macbook Pro, doesn’t come with an optical drive, but has an SD card reader. HDMI connection, two USB 3.0 ports and two USB 2.0 ports, and two Thunderbolt connections.
The Next-Generation Macbook Pro starts with 8GB RAM and 256GB of storage at $2199
Macbook Airs
The Macbook Air has been updated to include the Ivy Bridge Processors. Graphics will also be rendered up to 60% faster then previously. Also USB 3.0 is included.
OS X Mountain Lion
Apple announced that Mountain Lion, which will be sold in July for $19.99 in the Mac App Store, will include 200 new features. This includes many more cloud services.
Apple announced that 66 Million people are using the Mac now, and 40% of which are using Lion, which was available in the market since last Summer.
What do you think of this huge Keynote? Will you be buying a next-generation Macbook Pro? Leave a comment below.
