wwdc

Apple's new 3D Maps app brings smart GPS to iOS

Apple is bringing both 3D and a huge dose of GPS to its new Maps app for iOS.

The iPhone maker revealed today at WWDC a new in-house 3D Maps app built entirely from the ground up. The 3D option isn't turned on by default but can easily be switched on by the user via a large button logically dubbed 3D.

The Flyover feature displays 3D, photographic maps that you can rotate with your fingers to get a true view of any location. Why Flyover? Search for a location or landmark, and the app flies you over there to … Read more

Apple demos Passbook, a ticket, coupon organizer for iOS 6

Apple's iOS 6 includes a new Passbook feature that lets users store and quickly access electronic versions of all their tickets, boarding passes, and merchant cards in one place, executives said during WWDC 2012 today.

In a demo, Scott Forstall, senior vice president of iPhone Software, showed how to use the feature with a San Francisco Giants ticket. The feature will work with things like Starbucks cards, Apple Store cards, and plane tickets, as well. Passbook is dynamic, so users will be notified of flight delays and gate changes, he said.

Passbook is integrated with the lock screen so … Read more

MacBook Pro goes Retina: Here's what you get

Apple announced the 0.7-inch-thick "next-generation MacBook Pro" this morning. And its marquee feature is a Retina Display, making this the first MacBook to get one.

Resolution: The display boasts a staggering pixel density of 2,880 by 1,800. That's 220 pixels per inch and a total 5.18 million pixels. And that beats the 2048-by-1536 resolution on the third-generation iPad.

Apple's Phil Schiller said it's the world's highest-resolution notebook display. He's certainly right if he's talking about 15-inch laptops.

Screen: Higher contrast ratios, better viewing angles via IPS technology, and … Read more

Game Center coming to Mountain Lion

iOS gamers are starting to feel the love after an announcement today at Apple's WWDC press conference. Game Center will be coming to Mountain Lion when it launches this July. If a title is available on both platforms (iOS and OS X), two friends will be able to play each other -- but that's not it. Game Center on Mountain Lion will also allow for Mac-to-Mac support in addition to support with AirPlay. … Read more

Apple talks up Facebook integration for iOS 6

Facebook has finally found its way into Apple's mobile operating system.

Apple said today that it would more closely tie Facebook into iOS 6. The new setup lets Facebook users post pictures and video directly to their accounts from iOS 6 without using the Facebook app, and post updates via Siri. Facebook calendars, including events and birthdays, and the App Store will also be integrated.

With the App Store integration, you can "like" apps, TV shows, and movies, and see what your friends have liked.

This partnership between two of the most powerful tech companies was rumored … Read more

Apple's Power Nap lets Macs update while asleep

Apple's newest Macs will be able to accomplish updates, data refreshes, and more -- all while the computers are asleep.

At its Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco today, Apple unveiled a feature called Power Nap. Available on second-generation MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros with Retina Displays, Power Nap is all about keeping Macs up to date even while they're snoozing.

The computers will be able to fetch data while in sleep mode, do an iCloud sync, update system software, get e-mail, and even do a Time Machine backup.

This could be a very useful feature for heavy … Read more

Siri gets smarter, can launch apps

Apple announced several upgrades for Siri today at the WWDC, including a jump to the lastest iPad.

The personal assistant will now include better responses and several integrations, incluing OpenTable, Rotten Tomates, Yelp, and sports data. Siri can also now launch apps, update Facebook or Twitter, and speak more languages.

According to Apple, Siri is optimized for use in 15 countries. In addition to English, French, German and Japanese, Siri can now converse in Spanish, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, and Cantonese.

Apple is also working with automakers to integrate Siri into cars through a "Eyes Free" feature, which will … Read more

Apple: 365 million iOS devices sold; 80 percent running iOS 5

Curious how popular Apple's iOS platform and devices are? Look no further than the stats the company announced at Worldwide Developers Conference today.

According to Apple senior vice president for iOS Scott Forstall, the company has sold 365 million iOS-based devices through March 30. A whopping 80 percent of those devices are now running Apple's latest mobile operating system, iOS 5.

Speaking of iOS 5, Forstall offered up a host of staggering stats related to its built-in applications. For example, he says that iOS 5 users are receiving 7 billion push notifications each day, for a total of … Read more

OS X Mountain Lion upgrade to sell in July for $19.99

Mountain Lion will sell for $19.99 for existing OS X Lion and Snow Leopard users.

Revealed by Apple today at its Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, the new version of OS X will start shipping in July. The new OS will be available in Apple's Mac App store.

Apple's newest operating system builds in several features inspired by its iOS mobile devices. Apple SVP Craig Federighi, who showed off the system, said the new OS has more than 200 new features, including notifications, Reminders, Game Center, Documents in the Cloud, and Messages.

Many of these features … Read more

Apple unveils iOS 6 with 200 new features, updated Siri

Apple showed off the latest version of its mobile operating system today at its Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco. iOS 6 brings 200 new features to the iPhone and iPad.

The revamped operating system includes an updated version of Siri. In addition, iOS 6 comes with more personalization options, allowing users to turn on a do-not-disturb mode as well as respond to phone calls with a set message and set VIP status for individuals whose e-mails come through as alerts.

Apple will also finally allow Facetime to work over the cellular network; it previously worked only over a Wi-Fi … Read more