Apple's WWDC 2013: Rumors and expectations
As a frame of reference from last year: OS X Mountain Lion went out as a developer preview in February, and was released as a finished product near the end of July. iOS 6 went out as a developer preview at WWDC in June, and was released to everyone else in late September. Apple patched bugs and added a few more features along the way. iOS 7 is expected as a follow-up to iOS 6, which first debuted at last year's WWDC. There's been much rumbling about a complete visual overhaul led by Apple's top designer Jony Ive, a detail that was confirmed by CEO Tim Cook in an interview last week. Impressively, few details of new features and functionality have leaked out ahead of Apple's reveal. Here are some of the big ones: New interface -- A report from 9to5Mac in April, as well as the New York Times in October suggested Apple was changing the design to do away with many longstanding visual features of iOS. 9to5Mac's report, in particular, suggested Apple would keep the functionality of iOS apps and features the same, but lose some of the digital facsimiles of real world objects in favor of simpler designs. A purportedly leaked shot of the new look cropped up earlier this week (pictured above). More gestures -- Also from the 9to5Mac report, Apple was said to be looking into additional ways to access basic information with gestures, similar to what it currently uses with a one-finger swipe to bring up Notification Center, and a four-finger swipe on the iPad to pull up the multitasking menu.More sharing tools - Once again from 9to5Mac is a report Apple plans to add its AirDrop file-sharing service, which is built into OS X, into iOS so that users can swap files with one another if they're on the same Wi-Fi network. The blog also adds that Apple intends to build in system-level integration to send media to Flickr and Vimeo. More Yahoo -- An April report from The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) says Apple and Yahoo are working together to bring more of Yahoo's content and services to Apple's devices. That includes more content from Yahoo's sports and news sites.OS X 10.9 is also expected to be unveiled at WWDC. This is Apple's operating system for Macs. This time last year, Apple had already taken the wraps off 10.8 as part of a developer preview, all so that it could release the software in the summer. As for what to expect this time around, the rumors have been very, very thin, with nearly every single major detail coming from a report from 9to5Mac in April:Finder with tabs -- Apple's infrequently updated file browser is said to be getting tabs, solving an age old problem that left people with multiple floating windows on their desktop. Apple Siri and Apple Maps integration-- The greatest thrust in the last two versions of OS X were bringing iOS features over to Apple's computers, and more of that is expected. Apple added a voice dictation tool in Mountain Lion, and more is expected. In November, 9to5Mac said the company was testing full-fledged versions of Siri in early builds of the software. The same report also suggested Apple was planning to integrate its homegrown maps too. Full screen apps that work -- Full-screen apps were the big new feature in Mountain Lion, but Apple botched how they worked for people with multiple monitors. This too is said to be fixed in the new version, something Apple's iOS and OS X software chief hinted at in an e-mail to a customer in October.New multitasking features -- Multitasking is a very old, and basic feature of Macs, though is said to be getting some behind-the-scenes changes that improve battery life and processing power. That's boring, but important if true.The one big question is timing on a public release, and just how ready the software will be. A report from Daring Fireball in April suggested Apple was shifting some engineers from OS X to help get the new version of iOS out the door, something that could lead to a release in the fall, or later.New hardwareEven though WWDC is about Apple's platforms, it's also been a time when the company updates and introduces new hardware. This year is no different and, in fact, ripe for improvements with a new generation of chips from Intel just hitting the market. Apple's MacBook Air.AppleBoth the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are due for an update. There are plenty of questions surrounding just what exactly Apple's got up its sleeve though. Apple is expected to eventually add a pixel-dense Retina Display to the MacBook Air, but right now that's one of the main selling points of its highest-end MacBook Pro, which is thicker and heavier in order to power the display, not to mention more expensive. For the MacBook Pro (the non-Retina version), Apple's said to be slimming things down, according to Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at KGI Securities who has a good track record of Apple's hardware plans. That same report also suggested Apple was further increasing the quality of its built-in FaceTime camera to support 1080p.Apple could also finally debut the Mac Pro, its desktop tower that the company publicly noted it would be relaunching at some point this year. Recent rumors suggest it's going to be a drastic change from the large, expandable tower into something akin to a souped-up Mac Minithat relies heavily on Thunderbolt for expansion.On the accessories side, there are a few things to look forward to, though mainly networking gear. Apple last updated its AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule in mid-2011, and its Airport Express about a year ago.Apple's Thunderbolt display sports some outdated tech.AppleA trio of what could be leaked product model numbers obtained by 9to5Mac are strongly believed to be new versions of Apple's AirPort wireless line that support the speedier, and increasingly ubiquitous 802.11ac standard. What were alleged to be leaked 802.11ac components headed for iMacs, were posted in the forums of an Apple enthusiast site earlier this year. More recently, code within OS X 10.8.4 (which was released on Wednesday) suggests 802.11ac support is baked into Apple's software already. Apple could also use WWDC to debut a new version of its Thunderbolt display, a product that's been outdated for close to a year since it uses an older version of Apple's MagSafe connector (version 1, instead of version 2), as well as slower USB 2.0 instead of USB 3.0. Apple's launched updated models of its displays at several developers conferences, which made a lot more sense when the product was more than three times its current $999 price tag.New servicesA new music service at a developers conference? It's happened before. Look no further than the introduction of iTunes Match at 2011's WWDC keynote. This year, all the chatter is about Apple's Pandora-like Internet radio service, commonly referred to as "iRadio."Apple's been rushing to make deals with record labels, most recently securing one with Warner Music Group and its publishing arm, Warner Chappell, to stream music to users as part of a free, ad-supported service for iOS devices. The company's already made deals with Universal Music, which is the world's largest label, and is working to close a deal with Sony, CNET has previously reported. If it can do that in time, we might just see a preview of the service at the show.Sarah Tew/CNETApple certainly has plenty of incentive to get its music service out the door. While a completely different service, rival Google launched a subscription music program at its developers conference last month, and it's headed to iOS. Meanwhile, Amazon too is said to be in talks with record labels to release its own subscription service, according to a report from The Verge in March. Sources familiar with the talks between the two companies tell CNET they are still very exploratory.Not to be left out is iCloud, the successor to the company's botched MobileMe service. It's been two years since it was introduced, and there's still plenty of room for improvement. That includes areas that consumers see, as well as what developers have been given to integrate iCloud features into their software. Case in point: the cost of the service, which gives users 5GB free, though its paid expansion offers half the storage as Dropbox at the same price, and falls even shorter when compared to plans offered by Google (both of which can be leveraged on Android devices). Developers have also complained about how difficult it is to integrate iCloud's storage and data-syncing tools into their apps.No new iPhone, iPadLast, but certainly not least, it's worth pointing out you're unlikely to see either a new iPhone or iPad at WWDC this year. While Apple has used WWDC as a launchpad for a new iPhone in the past -- specifically the iPhone 4 in 2010 -- that's highly unlikely to happen at Monday's event. One key thing to back that up is that new iPhones have come in step with the release of new versions of iOS. And as mentioned earlier, Apple relies on developers to spend several months working out bugs on that software before it's released to the public, typically just days before a new iPhone. There's also the fact that Apple's last iPhone model came out a little more than eight months ago, which is ages in the world of smartphones, but several months shy of how long Apple's gone between models in the past. Apple's Phil Schiller introduces the iPad Mini in October.James Martin/CNETAs for the iPad, it's a little more complicated. The company ticked off many when it released a fourth-generation iPad in October, just a few months after debuting the third-generation model. It's only been seven months since this last model went on sale, but there have already been plenty of rumors the company's readying a new version that takes design cues from its younger sibling.Adding to the intrigue, casemaker Gumdrop Cases has already readied a $59.99 protective cover for the next iPad, which the company says matches up with specifications it's confirmed from sources.You can get the full scoop on everything Apple ends up announcing by tuning into CNET's live blog on Monday. We plan to kick things off well before the keynote starts at 10 a.m. Pacific. You'll be able to follow along right here: CNET's live coverage of Apple's WWDC 2013 keynote
Nexus One- Smartphone revolution still on hold
Nexus One: Smartphone revolution still on hold
Google's Nexus One (complete coverage) is just a phone. It's a good phone, but does it break new ground for consumers? Not so much. Looked at in context of the history of mobile phones, it's a solid step in Google's continuing assault on new markets in general and on Apple in particular, but it's not revolutionary the way the iPhone was, and not, to my mind, worthy of the frenzy that I awoke to this morning on the blogs. Of course, the Nexus One has solid consumer advantages over Apple's phones. In the U.S., it doesn't run on AT&T, for one thing--you can get it on T-Mobile (now), Verizon (in the spring), or unlocked. It looks like it has a better screen, and it has active noise cancellation and voice control, both very cool. It has nice integration with online services like Google Maps, Facebook, and Picasa. For industry watchers, the Android platform's openness is important. Developers don't have to funnel their apps through the Google, and the platform itself is open to other manufacturers, which can lead to rapid product innovation.But none of these features is as important to the industry as the iPhone was. The iPhone was the first smartphone to really bring consumers to the mobile Web. The Android phones are riding that wave. The iPhone's second act--the App Store--changed the way applications are distributed and priced. Android is riding that as well. The iPhone is also a great iPod and iTunes client, and Android doesn't yet offer a competitive experience.The Nexus One, as shown on Google's product page.GoogleSo is the Nexus One a revolution? No. And it's a shame, since Google could--still can--upset the mobile phone market to benefit consumers. This revolution would be economic. With Google Voice, its end-run around traditional phones and voice mail, and with its newly acquired VoIP platform Gizmo5, Google could create a mobile phone infrastructure that upends the traditional lock-in and cost structure that cellular companies impose on consumers. Of course, someone still has to run the data networks and get paid for that, but we've seen businesses that hide that relationship from consumers already. MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) like Virgin Mobile resell other company's cellular bandwidth, and connected e-book readers like the Kindle and Nook hide their mobile carrier relationships as well.Google execs have said they have no plans to compete with their carriers, and it would be economically unsound for the company to do so now, when the company needs carriers for bandwidth, marketing, and distribution. But as the Apple iPhone has demonstrated, on the marketing side that need is diminishing. With the Nexus One, Google is pulling an Apple. It's pushing the carrier relationships down the marketing stack by running its own Nexus One store, on which you choose your phone first, and the carrier second, and where you pay for the new product with your Google account. I'd like to see Google take over the monthly billing and let its users switch carriers at will or manage the reselling and switching of bandwidth effectively so users don't know or care which carrier they're on (or none at all--think Wi-Fi and VoIP). Freeing U.S. consumers from the yokes of the carriers would be the real revolution. Selling a$529 unlocked Nokia-like version of the phone is a tiny step forward, but it's not a mass-market solution to carrier woes. Google could do more.This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
Google's Nexus One (complete coverage) is just a phone. It's a good phone, but does it break new ground for consumers? Not so much. Looked at in context of the history of mobile phones, it's a solid step in Google's continuing assault on new markets in general and on Apple in particular, but it's not revolutionary the way the iPhone was, and not, to my mind, worthy of the frenzy that I awoke to this morning on the blogs. Of course, the Nexus One has solid consumer advantages over Apple's phones. In the U.S., it doesn't run on AT&T, for one thing--you can get it on T-Mobile (now), Verizon (in the spring), or unlocked. It looks like it has a better screen, and it has active noise cancellation and voice control, both very cool. It has nice integration with online services like Google Maps, Facebook, and Picasa. For industry watchers, the Android platform's openness is important. Developers don't have to funnel their apps through the Google, and the platform itself is open to other manufacturers, which can lead to rapid product innovation.But none of these features is as important to the industry as the iPhone was. The iPhone was the first smartphone to really bring consumers to the mobile Web. The Android phones are riding that wave. The iPhone's second act--the App Store--changed the way applications are distributed and priced. Android is riding that as well. The iPhone is also a great iPod and iTunes client, and Android doesn't yet offer a competitive experience.The Nexus One, as shown on Google's product page.GoogleSo is the Nexus One a revolution? No. And it's a shame, since Google could--still can--upset the mobile phone market to benefit consumers. This revolution would be economic. With Google Voice, its end-run around traditional phones and voice mail, and with its newly acquired VoIP platform Gizmo5, Google could create a mobile phone infrastructure that upends the traditional lock-in and cost structure that cellular companies impose on consumers. Of course, someone still has to run the data networks and get paid for that, but we've seen businesses that hide that relationship from consumers already. MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) like Virgin Mobile resell other company's cellular bandwidth, and connected e-book readers like the Kindle and Nook hide their mobile carrier relationships as well.Google execs have said they have no plans to compete with their carriers, and it would be economically unsound for the company to do so now, when the company needs carriers for bandwidth, marketing, and distribution. But as the Apple iPhone has demonstrated, on the marketing side that need is diminishing. With the Nexus One, Google is pulling an Apple. It's pushing the carrier relationships down the marketing stack by running its own Nexus One store, on which you choose your phone first, and the carrier second, and where you pay for the new product with your Google account. I'd like to see Google take over the monthly billing and let its users switch carriers at will or manage the reselling and switching of bandwidth effectively so users don't know or care which carrier they're on (or none at all--think Wi-Fi and VoIP). Freeing U.S. consumers from the yokes of the carriers would be the real revolution. Selling a$529 unlocked Nokia-like version of the phone is a tiny step forward, but it's not a mass-market solution to carrier woes. Google could do more.This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)