Apple’s iOS6: 9 New Features You Should Know

Yesterday, Apple kicked off the WorldWide Developers Convention (WWDC) 2012 with the unveiling of their latest offerings: new hardware, new software and a new operating system for iOS lovers out there. Soon – so far, the iOS6 is only available on beta model for developers – iPhone 3GS and above, the iPad 2, the new iPad and 4th-gen iPod touch will be powered by iOS 6, touted as the most advanced mobile operating system in the world. Be sure to upgrade your devices the moment it is available for download.

While we wait, here on hongkiat.com we will share firsthand the nitty-gritty details of what you are getting from this new upgrade. Here are just some out of 200 new features you can expect from Apple’s new iOS version 6.

Source: hongkiat.com

Google Nexus Tablet Confirmed By Asus (Rumor)

We have been hearing more and more about Google’s first Nexus Android tablet over the last few months, last week we heard that the device is expected to be officially unveiled before the end of the month.

And now according to a recent report by Android Authority, an Asus employee has confirmed the devices existence to them, although the employee asked to remain anonymous.

The rumored tablet is expected to feature a 7 inch touchscreen display, run Android 4.1 and will apparently be priced below $199 no compete with Amazon’s Kindle Fire tablet.

We are expecting the Google Nexus Tablet to be officially announced at Google’s I/O developer conference which takes place later this month, as soon as we get some more information we will let you guys know.

Apple releases Mountain Lion Preview 4 and iOS 6 for developers, iTunes 10.6.3 for everyone else

Looking to tame Apple’s Mountain Lion? Step right up, Cupertino’s latest build of OS X is ready for consumption — assuming you’re a registered developer, of course. Following WWDC’s reveals and teases, Apple has released an updated preview of its desktop and mobile operating systems, serving up Mountain Lion Preview 4 and an iOS 6 beta to developers. The rest of us will have to console ourselves with iTunes 10.6.3, which adds support for the mobile and desktop OS’ those fancy devs are getting their hands on. Don’t worry, the updated music management software will be able to make full use of Mountain Lion next month, but you’ll have to wait until this fall to sync with iOS 6. Hit the source link below to get your update.

CNET, TUAW, 9to5Mac

Apple

Apple rolls out updated Mac Pro lineup with faster processors, not much else

They didn’t warrant a mention during the big keynote, but those patiently waiting for an update to the desktop-bound Mac Pro weren’t left behind by Apple today. The company has quietly updated the line on its website, bringing a rather modest spec bump to the familiar tower. That includes a single 3.2GHz quad-core Xeon processor on the base $2,499 model, which comes paired with 6GB of RAM and a 1TB hard drive, and a pair of 2.4GHz six-core processors on the higher-end model, which gets 12GB of RAM as standard and the same 1TB hard drive for $3,799. The $2,999 Mac Pro Server will give you a 3.2GHz quad-core Xeon with 8GB of RAM and a pair of 1TB hard drives. Notably lacking is the addition of Apple’s otherwise standard Thunderbolt ports, or 802.11n WiFi connectivity. You can check out all the options available at the source link below.

Apple

The 2012 MacBook Air vs. the 2011 model: what’s changed?

No, we didn’t get the Retina Macbook Air many of us may have been hoping for, but the Apple ultra-portable did get a significant Ivy Bridge boost, including a pair of USB 3.0 ports. There’s also an option to double the flash storage capacity with a 512GB SSD, along with adding up to 8 gigs of 1600MHz DDR3L RAM and Apple’s new MagSafe 2 connector on the 13-inch Air. Base model pricing remains the same for the 11-incher, at $999 for the bare-bones configuration, while the larger Air will be available starting at $1199 — a $100 drop over its predecessor. All of the new Airs will ship beginning today, but that doesn’t mean it’s upgrade time for you. Click on past the break for our side-by-side comparison and a closer look at what’s new.

The 2012 MacBook Pros vs. the 2011 models: what’s changed?

Since the epic rise of the MacBook Air, the MacBook Pro has become something of a dark horse in the Apple notebook family. Sure, it may not be Cupertino’s thinnest, sexiest product, but it has the heavy-duty internals to handle intense graphics for artists and gamers alike. Apple just announced its updated 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pros — not to mention a new 15-inch model with a brilliant Retina display, and these new machines boast some pretty impressive upgrades. There’s no shortage of spec changes to keep track of, so check out our comparison charts below to see what the new models bring to the table (hint: highlights include USB 3.0, Ivy Bridge and a thinner design for the new Retina model).

Apple officially gives Google Maps the boot, launches own Maps app with turn-by-turn navigation (updated)

It’s been one the big questions hanging over WWDC — will Apple actually toss Google to the side and launch it’s own mapping service specifically for iOS? Well, it’s not a question any more, but a cold hard fact. Apple’s mapping solution is here, taking over where Google left off. The move is hardly shocking since Apple has already confirmed that it’s been working on a traffic database and snatched up a number of mapping companies. Besides, it’s not like Cupertino and Mountain View are the best of buds right now. Maps includes all of the features you’ve come to expect from the previous iOS solution, but with a number of enhancements. This all new mapping solution includes 100 million different business listings, Yelp integration and, biggest of all, turn-by-turn navigation. The app does use anonymously collected data to populate traffic information and any rerouting is brought to your attention with a pop-up notification.

The story isn’t done yet, though. The maps are even rendered in full 3D, not unlike what Google announced last week. (And the news was delivered in a way that made it clear Apple think’s they’ve one upped their former map app provider.) The whole demo — flipping through business listings, flying around in 3D and navigating labyrinth-like city streets — was performed on one of those shiny new iPads… you know, the ones that are getting Siri support soon. Which, if you haven’t figured out yet, plays quite nicely with the new Maps app as we saw in the demo. Ask Siri to find a gas station on your route or how much longer you’ll be on the road and the pleasantly robotic voice gets you the relevant info.

Update: Several of our readers scoured the fine print on Apple’s freshly launched iOS 6 Maps page, and informed us that the Flyover and turn-by-turn features will only be available to folks with an iPhone 4S or iPad 2 or later. Guess that’s just one more reason to upgrade, eh?

Apple integrates Facebook into iOS 6, App Store, Macs

The string of iOS 6 updates has brought one of the more heavily requested social networking features: Facebook integration. You can share from core apps like Maps, Photos and Safari, but it’s woven even more deeply than Twitter was in iOS 5: you can use Siri to make your commands, and there’s now a public API for Facebook so that other apps can do the same. The App Store gets its own share of integration, with app recommendations based on what friends are using, and contact syncing now makes sure your social network is all lined up. Best of all, the Facebook integration is coming to Macs as well — so you’ll have a consistent experience no matter what device you’re on.

Apple teases Eyes Free, Siri car integration

Apple’s VP of iOS Software Scott Forstall just demoed Eyes Free, Siri’s new vehicle integration. The feature is being framed as a safety booster, letting you tap a steering wheel-mounted button to toggle Siri on your iOS device, rather than reaching around for your iPhone or iPad and taking precious seconds away from the road. This being Apple, there are already plenty of partners lined up — BMW, GM, Mercedes, Land Rover, Jaguar, Audi, Toyota, Chrysler and Honda are all said to be on board, with Siri support making its way to vehicles within the next 12 months. It’s certainly not the first example of smartphone/car integration we’ve seen, but it could soon end up being one of the most widely utilized, despite the years-long head-start competing technologies have enjoyed.

Apple unveils iOS 6 at WWDC, launch apps with Siri, Facebook integration, Maps

Looks like they didn’t print the banner out for nothing — as anticipated, it’s not just refreshed MacBook Airs or Mountain Lion getting the red carpet treatment at today’s World Wide Developer’s Conference keynote. Cupertino has also taken the shiny cling wrap off of the latest version of iOS. What’s new? Well at least 200 things! Most notably, Siri has gotten a little make over, including the ability to launch apps, more knowledge of sports, restaurants and movie times, it’s also coming to iPad. There’s better Facebook integration too, with photos, websites, maps and more getting the instant share option — you can even “like” or share app from the Appstore. Other tweaks on the phone side of things let you dismiss incoming calls with a swipe, or send a pre-written SMS, even set it to give you a reminder once you change location.

Another popular feature will be “Do Not Disturb” which holds off all those notifications (from your new Facebook friends, we guess). You’ll still get them, but the won’t alert, or light up the screen. Face-timers will also be pleased to see that feature finally working over cellular. Sharing images also just got easier with shared Photo Streams — choose the pictures, choose the friends. Done. New “Guided Access” allows parents or teachers (for example) to keep users from exiting an app accidentally (or in the case of the teachers — intentionally!). More info and PR after the break.

As we’d already been speculating, Apple has developed its own maps app, with more than 100 million businesses already integrated. There will be live traffic information (sourced in real-time anonymously from iOS users) and turn-by-turn navigation in the works. Directions will be visible from the lock screen, and you can — of course — use Siri to get them. There are vector-based 3D maps (just like Google’s) when you zoom in close,

Wondering if and when you can get these features? Well, it’s supported by iPhone 3GS and upwards, that includes the second and third generation iPads, plus fourth-gen iPod touches. Beta is going out today, with a full release in the fall.

Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, Aperture, AutoCAD and more score Retina Display support

As we learned pretty quickly when the iPhone 4 introduced the Retina display to the world, all those pixels are pretty useless without apps that can truly take advantage. Thankfully, Apple wasn’t about to leave the stage today without delivering the goods for its next gen MacBook Pros. In addition to all the stock apps being updated, Final Cut Pro and Aperture have also gotten the appropriate boost in pixel density, allowing them to be all they can be on that 220ppi display. Which, in the case of Final Cut, means full-res 1080p video docked in a corner of the interface with all the tools exposed to your itchy editing finger. If that isn’t good enough for you, Adobe is hard at work on Photoshop and Autodesk will be delivering an update to AutoCAD as well. And, in case you’re worried that all work and no play makes Tim Cook a dull boy, Diablo 3 has also been updated, instantly making the Mac our favorite platform to farm low level baddies for gold on.

Apple announces next-generation MacBook Pro: Retina display, 0.71-inches thin, shipping today for $2,199 (Video)

Apple announced some new MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros early in its WWDC keynote today, but it had another surprise in store for its big hardware announcement: the next-generation MacBook Pro. It packs a Retina display with a 2880 x 1800 resolution (or 220ppi), and a casing that measures just 0.71-inch thin and weighs 4.46 pounds. In addition to that high resolution, Apple is also promising higher contrast ratios, better viewing angles and reduced glare compared to other laptop displays, and it’s updated all of its stock apps to take advantage of those extra pixels, not to mention Aperture and Final Cut Pro — “reading your mail is like reading fine print,” according to Apple’s Phil Schiller. As for the other specs, you’ll get up to 16GB of RAM, NVIDIA Kepler GT 650M graphics, up to a quad-core 2.7GHz Core i7 processor, a maximum 768GB of storage (SSD, naturally), and a promised seven hours of battery life with 30 days standby. One spec nowhere to be seen: an optical drive.

Also on the outs are Ethernet and FireWire 800 ports, which you’ll now need an optional Thunderbolt adapter to use, but you do now get two USB 3.0 ports in addition to a pair of Thunderbolt inputs (plus one HDMI). Making its debut on the laptop is a new, thinner MagSafe 2 connector, as well as a new fan that’s said to be “nearly imperceptible” to the user. Pricing starts at $2,199 for a 2.3GHz unit with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and it’s shipping today. Just how big a deal is it for Apple? “It’s without doubt the very best computer that we’ve ever built,” says Schiller.