New iOS 7, OS X Banners Revealed At WWDC 2013

With just 3 days to go before WWDC 2013 begins where Apple will unveil its latest iOS and OS X operating systems, purportedly along with a few new hardware announcements, banners of Apple's iOS 7 were hung up at the Mascone center in San Francisco where this year's WWDC event will be taking place. One of the main banners shows a colorful, thin and minimalist "7" (the new iOS 7 logo we presume) with a very subtle gradient background grid supposedly denoting a complete design overhaul of iOS - which is what we're all expecting it to be.

In addition, it looks like OS X will be receiving a more modern and minimalist facelift judging by the new OS X "X" logo plastered on one of the many welcoming, but mostly teasing banners at the Mascone center. There's no doubt Apple wants to convey a refreshing change. The two banners feature an identical sleek font that Apple has never used before indicative of a more uniformed design language being implementing across the two platforms. From what we can tell, this is a huge design change that leaves behind the glossy reflections and heavy bold design that has been present in Apple's repertoire over the years. Here's what last year's WWDC banners of iOS 6 looked like. So far we like what we see, sir Jony Ive.

Nir Schneider

Editor-in-Chief

Next-Generation MacBook Pro With Retina Display Announced

After months of rumors and speculations, Apple has announced the next-generation MacBook Pro with Retina display that is going to accompany Apple's original MacBook Pro lineup which has only seen spec bumps, respectively. It packs a 15-inch Retina Display that boasts deeper blacks, wider viewing angles and reduced glare with a whopping 2880x1800 resolution with 220 ppi and a thinner aluminum unibody casing at 0.71 inched thick whilst losing the optical drive just as we predicted, and weighing at 4.46 pounds. This is a redesigned 15-inch MacBook Pro that shares the same non-user upgradebale hardware as the MacBook Air lineup, only that it offers Pro powerful performance at a thinner form factor. 

Apple's next-generation Retina MacBook Pro features a quad-core Intel i5 or i7 Ivy Bridge processor, up to 16GB of RAM, and Nvidia Kepler GeForce GT 650m GPU with 1GB of VRAM. Storage is SSD-exclusive with a 256GB SSD on the entry-level with an option to go all the way up to a 768GB SSD. Battery life is rated to 7 hours, and ports include an SD card slot, HDMI, USB 3, two Thunderbolt ports, and a headphone jack. 

The new Retina MacBook Pro comes with Bluetooth 4.0, a redesigned slimmer MagSafe 2 power connector, backlit keyboard and a new ultra quite fan. Unfortunately, we're not getting a larger Multi-Touch glass trackpad this time around. Apple has also announced a FireWire 800 and Ethernet Thunderbolt adapters that will make good use of the new MacBook Pro's two Thunderbolt ports.

The entry-level Retina MacBook Pro with a 256GB SSD, 8GB of RAM and a 2.3GHz quad-core Intel i7 processor and packing the world's highest resolution display will set you back $2,199. They're shipping today.

Nir Schneider

Editor-in-Chief

The Redesigned 2012 MacBook Pro: WWDC Predictions

WWDC 2012 is only a day away, and we're expecting some great new things to come out of Apple. Amongst them is a newly redesigned line of MacBook Pros. Other than the obvious faster, better internal hardware specs including a Retina display, the unibody MacBook Pro is in desperate need of renovation after all of these years with only minor specs bumps. Firstly we think it's most likely that we will see a thinner unibody MacBook Pro tomorrow, but contrary to popular speculations it will not share the same slanted form factor as the MacBook Air, but instead it will be have a shaved body and thinner lid design; possibly even losing the optical drive as a result. 

A second major change in the purported new redesigned MacBook Pro we think will be a slightly wider glass trackpad making it the largest, most spacious trackpad ever to be put on a laptop. A larger trackpad area will let users spend less time repeating a swipe in order to scroll across the Retina display's massive resolution.

Lastly, our wishful thinking includes a black aluminum MacBook Pro option and new accessories like a backlit wireless Bluetooth keyboard with a black key layout. What ever WWDC 2012 holds, we will cover all the juicy news!

Nir Schneider

Editor-in-Chief

iOS 6 Confirmed For WWDC 2012

A new banner went up today at Moscone West ahead of Apple's June 11 WWDC event confirming iOS 6 along with a spanking new logo. We're expecting a major design overhaul and a bunch of new features, but we will know exactly come June 11.

Nir Schneider

Editor-in-Chief

Apple WWDC 2012 Announced, Starts June 11

It's the time of the year again where Apple holds its annual WWDC developer conference in San Franscisco, CA starting on June 11. Apple plans to talk about Mountain Lion, iOS with more than 100 technical sessions lead by Apple engineers covering a wide range of technology-specific topics to help developers with integrating the latest iOS and OS X technologies.

  • 100 hands-on labs staffed by more than 1,000 Apple engineers providing developers with code-level assistance, insight into optimal development techniques and guidance on how they can make the most of iOS and OS X technologies in their apps;
  • the opportunity to connect with thousands of fellow iOS and OS X developers from around the world—last year more than 60 countries were represented;
  • engaging and inspirational lunchtime sessions with leading minds and influencers from the worlds of technology, science and entertainment; and
  • Apple Design Awards which recognize iPhone®, iPad® and Mac® apps that demonstrate technical excellence, innovation and outstanding design.

We have a great WWDC planned this year and can’t wait to share the latest news about iOS and OS X Mountain Lion with developers,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “The iOS platform has created an entirely new industry with fantastic opportunities for developers across the country and around the world.

Besides the usual focus on Apple software, we're also expected Apple to announce some new hardware like ultra-thin MacBook Pros packing Intel's latest Ivy Bridge processors at WWDC 2012 like it has done in the past.

Nir Schneider

Editor-in-Chief

Apple WWDC 2011 Keynote Video Now Available

The WWDC 2011 keynote ended not long ago, and Apple has already posted the keynote video on its site. Now that was quick! You can catch the entire WWDC 2011 keynote here.

Nir Schneider

Editor-in-Chief

WWDC Predictions

Tomorrow, Steve Jobs will get up on stage at the keynote of WWDC and announce all the new products from Apple. Even though this year's WWDC has been sort of spoiled by the Gizmodo iPhone leak, it should be interesting to see what he will announce.

1) iPhone 4G/HD: If this doesn't get announced I'll eat my hat! This is almost certain to be announced. With the Gizmodo and vietnam leak this is going to be a sure bet that it will look like this. The main features supposed to be on the new iPhone is a front-facing camera, a higher resolution display, longer battery life, 1Ghz A4 processor, thinner profile and bigger storage.

2) Apple TV: This has goon a while with out an update so WWDC is a prime time for it. This also has had some leaks but this time from engadget. According to their source "think of an iPhone but without a screen." Also their source says that it will have the same internals as a the new iPhone, i.e the 1GHz processor, but only 16Gb of flash storage. However, it supposed to have cloud storage and streaming capabilities. Other features include 1080p output and an impressive price tag of only $99!

3) Mac Pro: Similar to the Apple TV, the Mac Pro has gone almost a year without an update. However this could be because Apple was waiting for the new 6-Core intel processors to put in the flagship model. This would mean that the Mac Pro could have up to 12-Cores! 

 4) Mac Mini: Alike the Apple TV and Mac Pro, the Mac mini has gone a while without an update. Not much to expect, except faster intel core 2 duo chips, more RAM, bigger hard drive and might be a little cheaper.

5) iTunes Music Streaming: Ever since Apple bought the music streaming service, Lala, there has been much speculation about a music streaming service from Apple. And with Apple shutting down the Lala servers on May 31st, WWDC would be the place it would be announced.

Even though there isn't a live video stream of the event, there are many places where you can get live text feeds. Here are some places you can find them.

Engadget.com

Geeksugar.com

Macobserver.com

Macrumours.com

Theappleblog.com