Sat, 09 Jun 2012 21:35:43 PDT
With Apple appearing to have a full slate of announcements lined up for its
Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote on Monday, we're offering
this roundup to summarize a number of the high-profile rumors that have been
circulating ahead of the event.
Apple has already announced that it will be previewing iOS 6 and OS X
Mountain Lion at the event, and with Apple also expected to introduce a
number of new Macs and perhaps make some additional announcements, the
schedule appears to be packed.
iOS 6
Apple is not keeping it secret that iOS 6 will be a major component of WWDC
2012. Banners featuring the un-announced version of iOS have already been
hung at the site of the conference. While we expect Apple will detail the
many new features of iOS, the biggest new feature will be Apple's own
mapping solution which has be reported by multiple sources. Apple has been
dependent of Google for mapping and navigation since the iPhone's original
launch. Over the past several years, Apple has made moves and acquisitions
in an attempt to build its own solution. Here is a list of other rumored
features for the latest version of iOS:
- Apple's own Mapping Solution
- Facebook Integration
- Siri for iPad
- Developer usage tracking tools
- iCloud Safari Tabs/VIP Mail Highlighting/Do Not Disturb mode
- Baidu search option in China
OS X Mountain Lion
OS X Mountain Lion is another known product that Apple will be discussing at
the conference. Apple previously announced the new version of OS X back in
February. The features included Notification Center, Messages, Reminders,
Game Center, and Airplay. We've since seen hints at several other new
features that Apple may also be including in OS X:
- Automatic App Downloads
- Password Generation in Safari
- Offline reading list / Voice Dictation
iCloud
The third banner that is being prominently displayed in the Moscone lobby is
one for iCloud. Apple CEO Tim Cook has said that iCloud is a strategy for
the next decade. Due to a slip-up by Apple, we've already seen some of the
new features that Apple is planning to bring to iCloud in iOS 6:
- New web apps (Notes, Reminders)
- Enhanced photo sharing / Photo Stream for videos
MacBook Airs, MacBook Pros, Mac Pros, iMacs and Retina
Due to a leaked inventory list, we know that Apple is shipping a dozen new
Mac models to their retail stores. The exact breakdown is somewhat open to
how you interpret the part numbers and prices. At the least, it seems we'
ll see new MacBook Airs, Mac Pros and MacBook Pros. Depending on your
interpretation, we may also see iMacs.
Meanwhile, Retina-class displays on Apple's new Macs has been an ongoing
rumor that's even been corroborated by Bloomberg. Apple has already built
in Retina-display support in OS X, and many expect them to release the
corresponding hardware this week.
- Dozen New Mac Models Coming
- Apple to Release Thinner Retina MacBook Pros at WWDC
- New MacBook line with Retina Display
- Retina coming to iMac too?
- Anti-reflective glass for iMac?
Apple TV
Apple has been rumored to be bringing a television set to market late this
year or early next year, and there have been rumblings that the company may
take its first steps toward that goal at WWDC with an unveiling of the
operating system that will power the TV. Additional claims have suggested
that Apple will be introducing an SDK to open up the current Apple TV set-
top box to third-party developers. Those apps would naturally also be
compatible with the television set should it come to fruition. We should
note that all these Apple TV claims come from a single uncorroborated source
, and may not happen next week.
iPhone
A number of parts claimed to be for the next-generation iPhone have already
begun leaking from Apple's supply chain, with the highest-profile leak so
far being a hands-on video showing the back cover of the device. Apple is
unlikely to introduce new iPhone hardware at WWDC, however, with most
observers believing that the company will stick to the September/October
timeframe seen last year with the iPhone 4S.
Live Keynote Coverage
The WWDC 2012 Keynote kicks off at 10am Pacific on Monday, June 11th. We
will be providing live text and photo coverage here. We will also be
issuing Twitter updates through our @MacRumorsLive account. Separate news
stories regarding the event announcements will go out through our @MacRumors
account.