Apple has kicked off its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on Monday, June 11, announcing exciting goodies for Apple fans: a brand new MacBook Pro 2012 line Apple's high-end with Retina Display, iOS 6, Siri, and several other updates hitting the Apple Store.
iOS 6
As expected, Apple announced its next-generation mobile operating system, iOS 6. The new mobile OS is readily available for developers, and will be released to the public later this summer. Guided Access is one of the exciting new abilities of iOS 6, and includes UI-disabling features. Apple also introduces Passbook, a new app complete with your cards, tickets for airplanes, movies, and more. With the new mobile OS, users can enjoy more Photo Stream sharing, FaceTime over cellular on the fly, more apps and other useful features.
Despite previous rumors indicating some kind of rupture between Apple and Facebook, one of the major distinctions iOS 6 brings over previous versions is the deep Facebook integration. This integration will also be available for Apple's OS X Mountain Lion, but its presence in the mobile operating system is likely more notable for many.
Apple's New Maps Service
Apple confirmed rumors that it is replacing Google Maps as the default navigation system on iPhones and iPads, and Dutch navigation-gadget maker TomTom announced it has signed a global agreement with Apple to provide the service. Apple Maps software will include turn-by-turn navigation, three-dimensional (3D) viewing of buildings, and many other features.
Apple's wildly popular personal assistant, Siri, will become available in several new countries across the world, and will also reach the new iPad, Apple's third-generation tablet with Retina Display. Siri, until now exclusive to the iPhone 4S, will not only expand its availability, but it will also include several new features.
MacBook Air
Apple replaced its MacBook Air lineup with third-generation Intel Core processors, i5 or i7 Ivy Bridge. Other upgrades include a USB 3.0 port (backwards-compatible with USB 2.0), 8 GB of RAM, 512 GB of flash storage, and a FaceTime camera with a new 720p quality. Apple's MacBook Air models will continue to be the most portable notebooks in the company's range of products, as they are ultra-thin and ultra-light.
Refreshed MacBook Pro 2012
Apple went all the way with its MacBook Pro line: there is a MacBook Pro 2012 refresh lineup, but there is also a brand new MacBook Pro model with Retina Display. The refreshed MacBook Pro includes Intel Ivy Bridge processors, and keeps the optical drive, ending previous rumors that Apple was planning to drop it in favor of size. The refreshed MacBook Pro 2012 is slightly cheaper than the brand new Retina Display model (see details below) - the 13-inch model costs $1,199 and the 15-inch one costs $1,799.
Brand New MacBook Pro with Retina Display
Apple's new MacBook Pro with Retina Display comes with notable upgrades when it comes to hardware. The new device features new air vents at the sides, a thinner "MagSafe 2" port for power, and overall it is thinner and lighter than any previous MacBook Pro model. In terms of thickness, the new model falls somewhere between the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro 2012 refresh. The model is available for order with a price tag starting at $2199. Upgraded models will further add several hundred dollars to the starting price.
OS X Mountain Lion
WWDC did not bring too many details that were not already mentioned in OS X Mountain Lion previews, but there are some exciting new options that will improve the hardware range in this summer's upgrade. OS X Mountain Lion will include AirPlay Mirroring and 1080p streaming to TV, and integration with the Game Center ecosystem, until now available only for mobile. Apple's brand new Safari comes with Unified Search, Tab View, and iCloud Tabs. Moreover, Apple revealed the Power Nap application and software integration as an always-active, silent worker, performing tasks users would otherwise have to do while the computer is fully awake. Apple has also included a small part of its virtual assistant to Mountain Lion, with Dictation and iCloud integration, and this time it will not be just in your browser window.
OS X Mountain Lion will be available for pickup in July for $19.99, while those who purchased one of the devices newly revealed on Monday will be getting the upgrade for free.
