Apple fans, this is the day you've been waiting for.
All eyes will be on Apple on Wednesday, as the company hosts its much anticipated event in which it is expected to unveil the iPhone 5 ... and possibly a new iPad.
After the release was rumored on tech blogs for months, Apple seems almost sure to announce the new iPhone 5 at this event. There's a "5" shadow placed in the invitation with the tagline "It's almost here."
Some bloggers had also expected Apple to unveil the iPad mini at this event, but that seems almost certain to be released later this year.
The release is likely to send Apple's stock through the roof. Topeka Capital analyst Brian White predicts the APPL stock will hit $1,111 in the "biggest upgrade in consumer electronics history." He notes that Apple may also lanuch a series of other products at the event. He predicts Apple to sell 10 to 12 million iPhone 5 devices in September, 4 million units in the first three days that it goes on sale, and 1.5 million pre-orders.
The price is likely to stay close to the current price of the iPhone 4S, and the phone will have a faster processor speed along with a new display.
PolicyMic will be liveblogging the event, so join us on September 12 for all the details as they’re announced!
The unveiling will take place at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, kicking off at 10:00 a.m. PST ... 1 p.m. EDT!
LIVE STREAM HERE:
PolicyMic will be live blogging the event, so join us on September 12 for all the details as they’re announced! Bookmark and refresh this page for the most recent updates.
UPDATE:
2:39 p.m. iPod Nano prices:
2:21 p.m. New iPod Touch: "It's not just a great music or game player — it's a great iOS device. We wanted to make it better, with an all new, 5th generation iPod touch."
2:18 p.m. New iPod Nano!
2:12 p.m. Up in the corner you'll see a new icon and it'll switch to the completely redesigned mini player.
2:09 p.m. On iTunes 11:
"We've given the artist the ability to share photos with you in your library. Here's some photos Coldplay is sharing."
2:06 p.m. So, iOS 6 is out September 19th.
2:02 p.m. PRICE: 6GB for $199, 32GB for $299, $399 for 64GB for a two-year contract
You can start to pre-order this Friday, Sept 14.
We're shipping one week later, September 21.
1:58 p.m. A long, pretty boring video going on right now.
1:55 p.m. Under the hood:
1:52 p.m. Price and release date coming up ....
1:51 p.m. "I can post right to my wall with Siri 'post looking forward to sushi tonight'"
1:48 p.m. "There's one more thing I'd like to demo for you, and that's great enhancements to Siri."
1:46 p.m. Full-screen maps!
1:44 p.m. One of the more persistent rumors around the iPhone 5 was related to a smaller dock connector design. Apple has now revealed that its new iPhone will include a smaller version of the typical 30-pin dock connector — breaking compatibility with existing first- and third-party accessories. The new connector, dubbed Lightning, is 80% smaller than the old design with an 8-pin connector that is reversible for easier use. Apple has a solution to combat the accessory woes though, the company is introducing a special adapter to convert existing dock connectors to the smaller design.
1:41 p.m. Here's a quick recap of today's proceedings so far, from PM Tech Expert Wyn Hou:
Apple's new sixth generation smartphone is finally official. The iPhone 5, measuring 7.6mm in thickness and weighing 20% less at 112 grams in weight, is the thinnest and lightest iPhone that Apple has ever made.
The iPhone 5 is constructed entirely out of aluminum and glass, much more sturdy materials than plastics used by competitor smartphones. The device shown by Phill Shiller on stage is comparable to all the leaks and rumored photos, nearly identical in some cases. Looks like "doubling down on security" definitely didn't work out for Apple after all.
Also new is the 4-inch display. The new screen resolution is stated at 1136 x 640, simply a 16:9 version of the iPhone 4 screen. Apple has updated its own software to fit the new height of the screen detailing a 5 row of icons and extra email and calendar space.
There is also LTE connetivity, with a single chip and radio. Apple also describes it antenna technology to be "dynamic", which remains to be seen what that really means. Sprint, Verizon and AT&T are on the board for LTE support, while in Canada, Rogers, Bell, Koodo and Telus.
The A6 Processor in the new iPhone 5 has double the speed and double the graphics power of the iPhone 4. Certainly enabling more graphically intensive games and faster productivity.
The company has also unveiled the iPhone 5's brand new TKTK iSight camera. The iPhone 4S' camera was considered to be the best in class when it launched last year, and the new camera on the iPhone 5 is no different. Where the iPhone 4S camera featured a f/2.4 aperture, five-element lens and backside illuminated sensor, the camera on the iPhone 5 has a smaller, but similar camera.
1:37 p.m.
1:36 p.m. The company has unveiled the iPhone 5 and its brand new TKTK iSight camera. The iPhone 4S' camera was considered to be the best in class when it launched last year, and the new camera on the iPhone 5 is no different. Where the iPhone 4S camera featured a f/2.4 aperture, five-element lens and backside illuminated sensor, the camera on the iPhone 5 has a smaller, but similar camera.
1:32 p.m. From the Verge: Apple's new iPhone 5 has some fresh muscle inside: The Apple A6. The new system-on-chip is 22 percent smaller than the A5, and has twice the graphics potency, Apple says. So far, we're not quite sure what that actually means compared to Apple's previous flagship processor, the A5X that appears in the iPad 3. That chip had a dual-core processor with quad-core graphics.
1:29 p.m. Re: the battery, this is huge: "So, you can imagine the challenge on the battery life. But we've not only matched it... we've exceeded that of the iPhone 4S."
1:27 p.m. In the wake of the iPhone's support for LTE, carriers are immediately coming out of the woodwork to announce that their networks will be able to take advantage of it. In the US, AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint will all offer it.
1:23 p.m.
"It just screams. So how did we do this?"
1:16 p.m.
"This is the monumental challenge we had — can you make a phone with more features that is smaller and lighter. Anyone can make a bigger phone."
"You see we're able to add a 5th row of icons."
"All of our software is being updated as well."
1:15 p.m. The new iPhone is finally official. Apple has named its sixth-generation smartphone the iPhone 5 and is presently detailing its full set of features, specs, and release details.
1:11 p.m. Tim Cook: "They must be in warehouses or on store shelves, or maybe in someone's drawer." ...refering to competitors ipads
1:09 p.m. Apple will pay for your old iPhone, btw, as PM Editor Alex Marin reports:
In a new hint that the much anticipated release of the iPhone 5 will definitely happen before the end of the year, it has been reported by iDigital Times that Apple will be offering $345 for each used iPhone 4 when lucky customers buy their new iPhone 5.
The offer is valid for devices in good condition, through Apple's recycling program. For those interested in the trade in, Apple has set up a "Reuse and Recycle" website that customers can visit, and through the use of a "wizard" find out whether they'll receive the $345 -- or a lesser amount -- according to the condition of their current device.
The customers will be able to use the Reuse and Recycle website to select the model, color and condition of the iPhone 4 they want to trade in. The website will then generate a price that it believes your iPhone is worth. The 64GB iPhone 4S in "great condition" will earn customers the full amount.
The iPhone 5 release date is reportedly scheduled for September 21, according to Tech Crunch and "a reputable source from Verizon." Although the price of the iPhone 5 has not been determined, rumor has it that the new incarnation of the coveted device will cost approximately $800. Given that previous models were in the $500-&600 price range, the iPhone 4 "rebate" will even out things nicely for highly valued tech company.
1:08 p.m. This:
The Boss:
"Our stores offer the best experiences on the planet."
"We've had a very busy summer for the Mac. We launched Mountain Lion. The reviews have been fantastic."
"Our customers have responded. They've downloaded 7m copies of Mountain Lion."
... beautifully designed stores are like free drug clinics for addicts.
1:01 p.m. View from inside:
12:57 p.m. LTE connectivity will be a feature of the iPhone 5.
12:55 p.m. 5 minutes ... this is like watching the space shuttle lift off ... all for a tech company.
THIS IS WHAT THE iPHONE LOOKS LIKE, according to the Verge:
I wish it looked like this:
12:31 p.m. When to watch, no matter where you are:
07:00AM - Hawaii
09:00AM - Alaska
10:00AM - Pacific
11:00AM - Mountain
12:00PM - Central
01:00PM - Eastern
02:00PM - São Paulo
06:00PM - London
07:00PM - Paris
09:00PM - Moscow
02:00AM - Tokyo (September 13th)
03:00AM - Sydney (September 13th)
12:24 p.m. The new iTunes 11: One product that will likely see an update that is worth talking about is iTunes. The guys over at The Verge have discovered some search results on Apple’s website that seem to confirm that a new version of iTunes, iTunes 11, will be unveiled today.
What new features will be see in iTunes 11? As Monolith reports, it would be nice to finally see a complete redesign of the app. Unlike everything Apples strives to stand for, iTunes is bloated and completely inelegant. In many ways, its a chore to interface with that program. Even Apple fanboys seem to have iTunes across the board. A new, much cleaner UI would be a big step forward.
It's rumored to have Pandora-like features.
This is not the iPhone 5:
12:16 p.m. As the Telegraph reports, there's a cottage industry on YouTube of iPhone 5 "concept" videos, which producers and industrial designers use to show off their skills. A lot of the features on display are fanciful, for now, but nevertheless intriguing.
This slick example, for instance, has been viewed more than 60 million times. My favourite idea, as a relatively ham-handed individual, is the projected full size keyboard.
Check this out:
Who knows that we'll see:
12:08 p.m. Where to watch: If Apple streams the unveiling, it will be found on their official events page. If there is no live stream from Apple, Justin.tv and uStream may feature an live stream of the iPhone 5 event. iPhone 5 live blogs are also available by some sites.
The event starts at 10 a.m. Pacific, 12 p.m. Central and 1 p.m. Eastern Time.
11:54 a.m. Here's the bullet point take-aways for today:
• Apple chief Tim Cook expected to unveil iPhone 5
• Latest version of smartphone thought to boast taller screen
• 4G capability and smaller dock connector also predicted
• New software features in iOS6 will be showcased
• Online Apple Store closed in preparation
11:48 p.m. New headphone design leaked:
All summer long, tech bloggers have been speculating as to when the new iPhone 5 will be released, along with what features will make it into the new phone (and which will be cut from the existing model). Now, there's been a new leak revealing yet another feature that we're likely to see in the new iPhone 5 phone, expected to be released on September 12: a new pair of Apple earbuds.
Video and images of the new headphones has surfaced from Vietnam, where the narrator is suggesting that they will be included in the iPhone 5 box, when the phone is released.
Compared to the previous headphone, which included the audio holes in the center of the ear bud, the new headphones have a more space-like look and feel, with the audio holes much smaller and on the side of the earbud. The previous headphones were slippery and often fell out of the ear, which is why they came with rubber tips to place over top the earbud.
By contrast, these ear buds will stay afixed in the ear, and listeners will not need a rubber covering to go atop.
Some tech blogs are speculating that the presence of the new headphones may suggest that in addition to the September 12 iPhone release event, Apple may be planning a second, more music-focused event in Octoer in which the headphones could play a signficiant role. That is just speculation for now, however, and it remains to be seen if and how Apple will unveil the newly designed earbuds.
In the meantime, the blogosphere will continue to ponder what features are to be included in the new iPhone 5. If you've been following the news, the new phone is almost for sure guaranteed to have LCD technology, along with a thinner size and smaller screen size. It will come loaded up with iOS 6, a new app called Passport, and it will likely exclude YouTube.
For a full run-down of the expected features, see here.
Whatever features are included in Apple's new products, the company's stock is projected to soar. Industry insiders are telling Wall Street to brace for an "iPhone 5 Tsunami," predicting that the company will be able to sell 250 million phones. More on the stock implications here.
9:07 p.m. This is WILD: PM editor Jake Horowitz outlines how the new iPhone could boost U.S. GDP:
In what is certain to be one of the most exciting tech events of the year, the iPhone 5 unveiling is likely to boost the tech giant's stock, and could even boost the struggling U.S. economy.
According to a new analysis from JP Morgan chief economist Michael Feroli, in a note to clients on Monday, the new iPhone could add between a quarter and a half percentage point to fourth quarter GDP in the U.S.
Feroli told clients, "Calculated using the so-called retail control method, sales of iPhone 5 could boost annualized GDP growth by $3.2 billion, or $12.8 billion at an annual rate." He added that the 0.33 percentage-point boost "would limit the downside risk to our Q4 GDP growth protection, which remains 2.0 percent."
The new iPhone will likely cost approximately $600 dollars, and the company is expected to sell anywhere from 8-10 million phones in the fourth quarter, including 4 million units in the first three days that it goes on sale, with 1.5 million pre-orders.
8 a.m. PM tech guy Rishi Vangapalli outlines what you can expect from the new iPhone:
There have been many rumors circulating about Apple's new iPhone 5, with all its (supposedly) leaked features making the rounds on the net. But is what we’re seeing so far really worth all the hype? In addition tophotos supposedly depicting features of the iPhone 5, this video also supposedly shows Apple's latest product:
If these are legitimate, at first glance the iPhone 5 doesn’t seem to be that different from the iPhone 4/4S. Unlike the radical shape change between the iPhone 3 and iPhone 4, the newer shape change is relatively minor. The new iPhone is slightly thinner with the glass back removed. The width of the phone is the same as its predecessor but the height is significantly increased. The screen is proportionately larger to the 4S in terms of the height of the screen. The front facing camera is positioned right above the headset rather than at the side.
Apple has also changed the docking system from a 30 pin connector to a 9 pin connector. This significantly reduces the size of the docking station and also increases for the speaker systems and the headphone jack. Plus the new iPhone comes in four different colors: black, grey, white, and silver.
The new iPhone comes installed with IOS 6 and has the quite a few updated features. Apple Maps has been completely revamped with vector graphic images to keep the maps precise and clear. This was an excellent move by Apple to keep things interesting between the iPhone and its main android competitor, the Samsung Galaxy S3, because of the excellent reception that people have had to Google maps.
One of the most promising changes in the iPhone 5 is the change from 3G to 4G. The announcement that the 4S didn’t have 4G was a bummer to all Apple users, but with this update, Apple is back in the race.
IOS 6 also comes with Passbook, which is a similar concept to Google Wallet. It allows for users to go completely paperless, keeping their coupons, gift cards, and movie tickets on the phone. Passbook also allows the user to keep boarding passes for various methods of travel such as airplanes and trains. All that needs to be done is to scan the code and the tickets, passes or coupons can be redeemed.
There are several other changes in IOS 6 such as an updated Siri that can support even more languages, a clean and redesigned mail interface, and guided access feature that allows for any user with seeing, hearing, and mobility disabilities to customize the device to work for them.
Overall the iPhone 5 looks like a promising addition to Apple’s plethora of products. The release date is September 21, nine days away from it will be unveiled at a press conference in San Francisco on September 12.
.......................
Coverage of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (Apple WWDC 2012), the annual California gathering where the Cupertino, Calif., company unveiled a variety of new features, can be found below. The event happened 3 months ago:
Among the Apple rumors now circulating are new software updates (most notably the unveiling of iOS 6 the mobile operating system that runs in iPhones, and iPads as well as OS X Mountain) and the still unconfirmed unveiling of iPhone 5.
That's right, Apple fan boys, the iPhone 5 may make an appearance (and could be ready to buy as early as October). (More on the iPhone 5 below.)
Apple is also rumored to announce its own map service, in order to use it as a default on its devices (so far, the default map service is Google Maps). This could represent a problem for Google as iOS users make about 40% of Google Map users.
The potential announcement could unleash a "map wars" between the two tech giants as Apple, who so far has relied on Google, started flaunting state of the art new mapping capabilities while Google also unveiled some improvements to Google Maps (which, coincidentally, the company showcased using only its Android phones).
Well, this will just be like Christmas morning for Apple fans, won't it?
The event starts at 1 p.m. EDT (10 a.m. PDT). Bookmark and refresh this live blog for regular updates.
Live audio and video. Live updates below (video is a bit slow)
Live video from your Android device on Ustream
Follow PolicyMic's live coverage of Apple’s 2012 keynote to learn all the details about OS X Mountain Lion, the new 15-inch Macbook Pro and the new Apple TV among other wonders.
LIVE UPDATES: Tuesday 3:30 p.m. Apple Fires the First Shot in the War Against Google:
4:30 p.m. Recap: WWDC's 3 Biggest Winners:
Apple’s 2012 annual Worldwide Developers Conference opened on Monday, leaving many excited for all the new updates, software, and hardware Apple will offer.
Techies everywhere are having a field today, and I have to admit that I sat in the office today posted to the live blog of WWDC. Can you blame me? The newest features and gadgets are exciting and are enough to convert even the most die-hard PC fan.
The conference lasted about two hours, and non-stop information was given to us about everything Apple has developed. Here are a few favorite items announced today:
MacBook Air and MacBook Pro
MacBook Air and MacBook Pro will now feature faster graphics, more memory, and USB 3.0 ports. The USB 3.0 ports allow for faster transfer speed, more bandwidth, and are just all around awesome. The next best part is that both USB ports will function as USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports.
MacBook Pro is also getting a makeover. The newest generation will be like the lovechild of the MacBook Air and the original MacBook Pro. You get the best of both worlds. It is thinner than the regular Pro, and has an SD card slot, Quad-Core processors, 7 hour battery life, Retina Display, and HDMI! The starting price for the MacBook Pro with Retina Display is $2199. Yes, the price is a bit disheartening, but with all the new additions and features, it may very well be worth every penny.
OS X Mountain Lion
Mountain Lion will be the updated version of Mac OS X Lion, the current operating system for Macintosh computers. It will have over 200 new features, and each one is just as neat as the next. These features include things like diction, which will work system wide, a sharing feature that will make it easier to send updates to 3rd-party apps like Twitter, Facebook, and so forth.
One of the other major changes will be to Safari, which has definitely been lacking up to this point. I stopped using Safari almost immediately and just stuck to Google Chrome. Hopefully the new Safari will give Chrome a run for its money. You will now be able to use the pinch gesture to view all your tabs on one page, which promises to be a useful feature.
One final feature that should have gamers excited is the new game center, which will support turn-based and head-to-head gaming. The feature will work for Mac-to-Mac, and Mac-to-iOS games.
iOS 6
The new iPhone has so many new features, I don’t even know where to begin. There is a more improved Siri, which allow her to launch apps, and will now also be available on iPad. They also have gotten more serious about Facebook integration. You can now access Facebook once and can post from websites and apps more efficiently. You can also use Siri to update Facebook. I am not sure how I feel about this particular addition, and I can see a few ways that it could lead to potential privacy issues in the near future.
Apple has also created their own version of Maps, which will surely put Google Maps to the test. With features like a 3D button, info cards for more than 100 million businesses, traffic services to tell you where there is an accident, turn-by-turn navigation, and re-routing you when you are stuck in traffic, Google needs to watch out.
There are a lot of enhancements to the phone apps that are already in place too. When you receive a phone call now, you will have the option to reply with a message, or remind you later, in addition to answering or rejecting the call. There will also be a Do Not Disturb function that will not interrupt you, but still allow you to receive phone calls and messages. You can tweak the settings that best fit your needs. One last feature that is different is guided access, which will let you get rid of certain buttons, or put the phone in a single app function mode. This will allow anyone with special needs to use the phone more effectively.
2:53 p.m. "Only Apple could make such amazing hardware, software, and services. We are so proud of these products. They are perfect examples of what Apple does best. Ultimately, it's why people come to work at Apple, and with Apple. To create products that empower people. To make a difference. The products we make, combined with the apps that you create, and fundamentally change the world."
And that's it.
I guess there is no "one more thing," no new iPhone. Some other cool gadgets and features including Apple TV, Mountain Lion, Apple 3D maps, Siri updates, new iOS, and a new mega MacBook collection.
2:50 p.m. Oh AND ONE MORE THING .......
2:49 p.m. In business news, the Apple stock price has risen $1.82, to $582. Should have bought Apple stock.
2:44 p.m. New 3D Maps: Pretty Freaking Cool! Is Apple About to Overtake Google Maps?
2:40 p.m. Apple Helps You Not Miss Your Flight:
2:35 p.m. "Next up is a brand new app called Passbook." This is a place to collect boarding passes, store cards, and movie ticket apps.
2:30 p.m. Helping you understand the multitude of new features and jargon, some quick recaps:
- Facetime (the video calling app) is now available through cellular. You don't have to be on Wifi anymore.
- Pretty full Facebookification of iOS.
- Photo Stream sharing with friends. Choose the photos, choose the friends — friends will get a notification. The photos will appear in an album... and friends can comment. Weird, this is like a Facebook feature. Almost like Apple's own social network.
Likes in App store; phone numbers and emails from Facebook appear in contacts; events appear in calendar -- yes even birthdays. Get ready for more birthday posts on your timeline.
2:25 p.m. AND Siri is coming to the new iPad! (That's the one that came out in March)
2:22 p.m. Siri Goes International: The Siri Languages:
2:20 p.m. "Next up, Siri's become something of a movie buff. You can ask: 'What movies are playing at the Metreon?'"
2:16 p.m. Updates to Siri: "Siri has only been out 8 months, and it does so much for you. Siri is fantastic. But she's been studying up. Here's what she can do in iOS 6."
You can ask more detailed questions:
"Who is taller: LeBron or Kobe?"
Siri: "Lebron appears slightly taller."
2:14 p.m. "Nearly half of all the photos come from iOS 5."
2:12 p.m. Mountain Lion is coming next month in the Mac App store. Price: $19.99.
2:08 p.m. More Macbook info: Quad-core i5 and i7 inside (that's gaming-laptop level), up to 768 GB of flash storage, GeForce GT 650M graphics. All of which makes the 7 hour battery life unreal.
2:05 p.m. A little past the hour mark. Nothing earth-shattering to report just yet. C'monnnnn iPhone 5.
2:02 p.m. Get ready to talk to your computer. Dictation is coming to the Mac and yes "third party applications like Microsoft Word."
1:57 p.m. The gist of the Mountain Lion demo so far: Your computer can act like a phone. Notifications, messages, etc.
1:55 p.m. From PolicyMic pundit Mark Kogan: "I'm not a big Apple guy, but this new Macbook Pro completely changes the game. What an unbelievable amount of power crammed into such a tiny machine."
1:48 p.m. Oh cool: When you sign in with your Apple ID, Apple apps are updated with all your iCloud data
1:46 p.m.
1:42 p.m. Still talking about the MacBook pro, Schiller says the microphone is good for a "new generation of voice applications." Does that mean Siri?
Schiller and his new toy:
1:39 p.m. Schiller is now bragging about the bottom of the MacBook Pro. It's super cool, super sexy. There is 786 GB of internal flash storage...Battery life: up to 7 hours, or 30 days of standby. (Roughly the same as the Air).
1:35 p.m. The 11-inch MacBook Air comes with a 1.7 GHz processor, 4GB of memory and is available with 64GB of flash storage starting at $999, and 128GB of flash storage starting at $1,099.
The 13-inch MacBook Air comes with a 1.8 GHz processor, 4GB of memory and is available with 128GB of flash storage starting at $1199, and 256GB of flash storage starting at $1,499.
1:33 p.m. The MacBook Will Have a Retina Display: Schiller shows us that even when closed, the MacBook Pro is thinner than his finger. (The device is rotating on a pedastal). And, drum-roll please, it has a retina display, which means you eyes can't see the pixel.
1:30 p.m. PRICE CUT! Apple shaved $100 from the price of most of the MacBook Airs with the exception of the entry level model which is still at $999.
1:28 p.m. The new Macbook pro is just .71 inches thick, which is 25% thinner than the current MBP model and roughly in line with the MBA.
From Gizmodo:
1:25 p.m. Agenda at Apple’s WWDC 2012 includes:
– About 100 technical sessions presented by Apple engineers on a wide range of technology-specific topics for developing, deploying and integrating the latest iOS and OS X technologies;
– Hundred hands-on labs staffed by more than 1,000 Apple engineers providing developers with code-level assistance, insight into optimal development techniques and guidance on how they can make the most of iOS and OS X technologies in their apps;
– The opportunity to connect with thousands of fellow iOS and OS X developers from around the world—last year more than 60 countries were represented;
– Engaging lunchtime sessions with leading minds and influencers from the worlds of technology, science and entertainment; and
– Apple Design Awards which recognize iPhone, iPad, and Mac apps that demonstrate technical excellence, innovation and outstanding design. Each year during WWDC Apple gives away gray, cubic statues for excellence
1:20 p.m. New Macbook line-up features:
- It's getting an Ivy Bridge update, as expected, with up to 2.0 GHz dual-core i7. Up to 8GH of 1600MHz memory.
- MacBook Air has a port on each side, with USB 3 and USB 2 support.
- FaceTime HD with a 720p camera -- this is going to make my parents to happy to see me in high def
- $999 and $1099 for the 11-inch, $1199 and $1499 for the 13-inch
1:18 p.m. New Macbook Line-up:
There will be a new Macbook Air.
Tim Cooke: "It's revolutionized the notebook. It's a breakthrough. Everyone is trying to copy it. They find it's not so easy."
1:15 p.m. Now we're looking at speech pathology to help a small girl with speech difficulty communicate with her family. [9to5Mac]
1:12 p.m. Tim Cooke says there are more than 1,000 Apple engineers at the developer conference this week.
Here comes the app store numbers. Have a guess? The last public number was about 580,000 apps a few months ago.
Today: More than 650,000 are in the App store. Of those, 225,000 specifically designed for the iPad.
1:08 p.m. The Apple Store Economy: The Apple store really is a massive ecosystem. To date 30 billion downloads have been made, with checks for over $5 billion being paid out to devs.
1:03 p.m. Siri is the EmCee? Siri introduces Tim Cooke. Pretty freaking cool.
12:59 p.m. The Big Mac Rumors: Ready for the new Macbook? We have seen the leaked specs of a 15-inch Macbook Pro that purports to have a high-resolution Retina-class display--2,560 x 1,600 pixels. Other important details include Radeon discrete graphics, a Thunderbolt connector and up to four USB 3.0 ports.
12:57 p.m. Random cheers going up around the room as developers file in. Music still banging, I'm like a kid on Christmas.
12:54 p.m. Developers and media rushing in now, music blasting, palms sweaty with excitement. Can't wait!
12:25 p.m. Apple TV Cometh? We may see a special announcement about Apple television come out of the show, as ZDNet reported.
According to the Washington Post, Jefferies & Company analyst Peter Misek said that he expects to see a $1,250 television set called the iPanel at the show Monday, possibly with a $500 cable subsidy. Apple is expected to do some interesting things in the television space, but has been tight-lipped about whether it will continue to develop its current set-top box or go into television production. (More on Apple TV at the bottom of this blog.)
12:15 p.m. Tim Cooke Won't Headline: Bloomberg has reported that Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook will not be the emcee at Monday’s show, giving that honor instead to product marketing head Phil Schiller.
Cook has taken a more delegated approach to his keynotes in the past, a departure from late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’s all-but-one-man shows.
12:05 p.m. For Apple fans around the world, here's a convienent schedule for when to expect WWDC in your neck of the woods:
07:00AM - Hawaii
09:00AM - Alaska
10:00AM - Pacific
11:00AM - Mountain
12:00PM - Central
01:00PM - Eastern
02:00PM - São Paulo
06:00PM - London
07:00PM - Paris
09:00PM - Moscow
02:00AM - Tokyo (June 12th)
03:00AM - Sydney (June 12th)
Monday 11:30 a.m. What will Apple Maps looks like? The app will reportedly include a 3D mode from C3 Technologies, which Apple acquired last year. Apple's Maps app will also provide a “cleaner, faster, and more reliable experience,” according to unconfirmed sources.
C3's technology reportedly uses “declassified missile targeting methods” to create detailed 3D maps that the company once described as “Google Earth on steroids.”
The launch would be a problem for Google because as much as 40% of Google Map users come from Apple subscribers who use the Google service as a default from their iPhones and iPads. Given that Apple has been acquiring companies for their map data for some time now, and that the company is competing fiercely with Google's Android OS in the mobile space, it's inevitable that we'll see Apple doing this in-house.
Monday 8:55 a.m. The show will start at 1 p.m. EDT. This will be the first WWDC without Steve Jobs. Tim Cook will be on stage instead, along with the usual Apple presenters, such as marketing chief Phil Schiller and Scott Forstall, Apple's senior vice-president for iOS.
Sunday 10 p.m.The BIG Rumors: iPhone 5 Will Be Tiny, New 'iPad' Will Be Game Changing: From PolicyMic Tech Blogger Wyn Hou:
Apple, the tech industry's key innovator and the world's sleeping giant is slowly waking from its deep slumber. Want to know what it has been cooking up in the secret halls of 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino? Wait no more, here is your scoop on the latest and greatest rumors, and what to expect from the biggest player in the tech industry.
5. The Next iPad: With the new iPad out the window, attention focuses on the next iPad. Apple has clearly adopted Intel's "tick tock" development cycle, meaning with every tick cycle, the product is tuned and tweaked, as with the new iPad, whilst their veteran engineers focus on a completely new device for their tock cycle. While rumors about the next iPad are scarce, PolicyMic's trusted sources inside Apple have described it as "completely game changing and nothing comes close." Take what you will from that quote, we can't say more.
4. Retina Display Macbooks and iMacs: Continuously trying to bridge the gap between tech and liberal arts, Apple focuses on pushing out devices that blur the line between digital and analogue. A retina display, in this case, will make pictures, websites, and documents look like they were printed on glossy paper. While these immense screens work on tiny devices like the iPhone and iPad, any engineer would tell you adding it to the iMac or Macbook Pro would be a fools errand.
Apple on the other hand would tell you otherwise, as rumors are abound that they are hitting markets sometime this summer with absolutely mind-boggling resolutions like 3840 x 2400, that's 4 times larger than your HDTV. To cut costs, Apple is rumored to be removing the seldom used DVD-ROM and replacing their aging Harddisks with the more modern SSD. Expect these insanely fast super computers to be out during Apple's World Wide Developer's Conference starting June 11th
3. iPhone 5: While Android phones reiterate year after year with the same designs and incremental hardware changes, Apple isn't standing by and allowing the competition to crawl its way to the top. The new iPhone is incorporating on-screen touch, meaning they have been able to cut the thickness by about 30%. The iPhone 5 is expected to be no thicker than the steel bands you see on your iPhone 4 whilst having a 4-inch screen or larger. Other rumors such as edge to edge screen (no white bezel) and aluminum unibody enclosure have propped up here and there. Expect this phone to be out sometime in late fall, as Apple ramps up production during the summer.
2. WWDC: The annual Apple Developers Conference is usually aimed at more technically minded folks. However, with the lack of any product announcements this year since the New iPad, many are keeping their eyes peeled. Time to set that alarm clock, keynote is at 9:00 a.m. PST on June 11th.
1. Apple TV: The million dollar question everyone has been asking since Steven P. Jobs said in his biography that he's "cracked the television". The scuttlebut is that it will have a Retina Display, making it the first 4K HDTV (4000x2000 resolution, twice that of Blu-ray), that it will be completely voice operated through Siri, and on demand television shows through iTunes with an extremely sexy design influenced by high end German design companies. In any case, I wouldn't hold my breath for this absolutely game changing device, as the relatively fresh Tim Cook still has yet to make any large moves into any new markets.
In anything, now is the time to load yourself with some Apple stock, and reward yourself with some new gadgets when it hits the $1,000 mark sometime in 2013.
