If you missed the news from Apple’s keynote, and you just want the highlights, here they are from me. I promise not to waste your time; I figure you got to get back to work like I do.
Several little surprises popped up in Mountain Lion and iOS 6. I like the improvements for sharing files, photos, and tweets in the most unlikely places throughout the systems. I also like the features and performance boost that are coming to iCloud. Then there are the new features added to the phone of the iPhone, like sending a text to reply a phone call (when you don’t want to answer it), and setting an alarm to go off with one of your songs in your portable music library.
Of course, the new MacBook Pro with the Retina Display is killer. They updated the rest of the MacBook line, but none of those updates included a Retina display. Still, the other MacBooks are nothing to be sniffed at.
So here are some interesting stories from the conference:
Daring Fireball’s Takeaways
As always, John Gruber is insightful. It doesn’t hurt that he as at WWDC, and making great conversation with other sharp guys also. John got a review model of the new MacBook Pro free from Apple.
The Maps App is All Thanks to TomTom
I was wondering all along how Apple could design the wonderful new Maps app on their own. I know they’re a bunch of geniuses over at Apple, but let’s be real: the reason they have not released a maps app of their own doing before now is because they didn’t have the technology and wizardry that Google and others have invested in. Enter TomTom, the unsung hero for iOS 6. Apparently, TomTom is responsible for the GPS navigation, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they had a hand in other parts of the new Maps.
Apple Design Awards
In the “boring, but relevant” category, Apple has design awards they hand out every year for the apps from third parties they themselves rate most-highly. The cool part of the awards given is the category for best app by a student.
New Astounding Performance from Updated Mac Pro
Many were disgruntled that the Mac Pro didn’t receive a significant update, like the MacBook Pro. However, the many are still in a minority, it would seem. Many others are pleased with the upgrades to the Mac Pro line because it’s not about having the “latest” specs in the computer—it’s about having the “greatest” in the Mac Pro tower. The performance from a powerful Mac Pro is still so impressive that without the “state-of-the-art” branded processors and the like, the Mac Pro is mind-blowing in performance.
An Overview of ALL the New iOS 6 Stuff
Wow. This review takes the cake. If you want to know more than anyone needs to know about the upcoming iOS 6, then here’s the story for you. I have to say, I like me a good, long article. They seem to be less and less on the web in the tech category these days.
iOS 6 New Privacy Feature
Not that I’m a privacy nut, but I do like me some privacy when and where I want it. Thanks to Facebook integration into iOS and even Mac OS, I was getting concerned that the world at large would get too much of a buzz about my daily doings. Well, Apple’s has come to save us from ourselves, and the all-new privacy menu in iOS 6 is addressing the issue better than anyone else would have.
New iOS App Store Interface
In the cool demos category, here is a taste of what the updated iTunes and App Store will appear like in the days to come:
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Bonus: Interview with Tim Cook, CEO of Apple
If you missed the news last week, Tim was the VIP that kicked off another conference last week—not hosted by Apple. In this interview, Tim was asked many probing questions about upcoming Apple tech releases, and some personal question about his relationship to Steve Jobs. I have this interview in me sue to watch before the end of the week. I’ve heard it’s real good.
