ios 6
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Apple removes hints of future products from a key file in iOS 6
Once upon a time eager rumormongers would download the latest iteration of the next generation of iOS, and like examining goat entrails to determine the next Caesar, they would delve into the USBDeviceConfiguration.plist to divine upcoming hardware products from Apple. But, with iOS 6, this is no more. Oh sure, the file is still there (and a previous version jokingly referred to non-existent software), but all traces of upcoming hints have been removed. Tim Cook wasn't kidding about doubling down on secrecy, and I have a feeling this is but the first snowflake to fall upon the tip of a silent iceberg that will soon seal the leaks bubbling around Cupertino.
Switched On: Going thermonuclear
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. More Info PSA: Which iOS 6 features can my device run? WWDC 2012 Apple vs. Google gets personal: 'Steve Jobs simply hates Eric Schmidt' (video) At the debut of the T-Mobile G1, Switched On identified the central conflict that would quickly tear apart the goodwill between Apple and Google. In fact, in Steve Jobs' authorized biography, Walter Isaacson quotes the late Apple CEO on Android, noting that the he was prepared to "go thermonuclear war" on the iOS competitor. Indeed, the first WWDC since Jobs' death was filled with enough anti-Google swipes to smudge every iPhone screen in Moscone West. But the verbal lashings were nothing compared to the beating back that Google and Android took in relation to iOS 6 feature announcements.
Driving around with Maps for iOS 6
Much of the excitement in iOS6 centers on the new Maps app. It replaces the Google Maps-powered version that's been part of iOS since the beginning The revamped Maps adds Flyover (3D aerial perspectives) for some cities; it also offers spoken turn-by-turn navigation, a feature that the old Maps never offered for iOS but that Google baked into Android phones. Maps in iOS 6 also integrates Siri for search on supported devices. Unfortunately, only newer devices get the snazzy features; turn-by-turn requires an iPhone 4S or an iPad (2 or new), for example, and obviously Siri is only available on the 4S & soon the new iPad. I made quite a few trips using the beta iOS 6 Maps app, and have lots of impressions. Keep in mind, the app really is beta. Some of the data is flaky; for example I was looking for a location in southern Utah by zip code and was directed to the east coast of the US. Never fear, these little glitches will get fixed by the time iOS 6 is released to the public in the fall. OK, let's get driving. The first really big advantage of this app is the direct integration with Siri. Say "take me to the nearest Home Depot" and you'll see a map with a pin on it. Touch the pin, press the start button and off you go. The map works in landscape or portrait mode, and that familiar Siri voice will guide you through each turn. When you arrive it will tell you if your destination is on the right or to the left. You can also say "Take me home" and if your home address is notated in your contacts, you'll be ready to navigate. The maps themselves look pretty similar to the Google variety, and you get a choice of a flat map, 3D or satellite. If you are in a big city, you'll see Flyover's beautiful 3D renderings of buildings. I did a brief check and saw that feature work in Chicago and Seattle. Flyover is very pretty, but not much use when driving. Viewing all that detail or playing with the map is not something you should do when your attention should be on the road. If your destination includes reviews from Yelp, you'll see the reviews when you ask for the destination, as well as photos if there are any. If you are in 3D mode, you can rotate around a location by rotating 2 fingers on the screen, and zoom in or out in the usual way by pinching or dragging. Of course you can bookmark any location, add it to contacts, or share the location with someone else. If you are properly equipped, you can print the information to a local printer. Overall, the app is similar to the older Maps app, but the iOS 5 app doesn't provide Siri voice integration or turn-by-turn directions. Like the older Maps app, map data is downloaded over the air, so a data connection is required. Without one, you'll see a dot representing your location, but the map will be blank. You can contrast that with apps like the Navigon family, where the map data is permanently resident on your device, and a cellular connection is not required. Still, for most people, the Apple app will be more than enough. The integration with Siri, Yelp, and the ease of use is a real plus. Just telling Siri where you want to go is really great, and a very compelling reason to use this app over other navigation solutions that involve some fiddling to set up. There is traffic data built in, and the app will offer alternate directions if conditions warrant it. Traffic was working in my city, and was color coded and superimposed over my route. Note that at this point, there are no public transit directions or pedestrian directions. For some urban users, this is a big missing item. Apple has said it will rely on 3rd party apps for this, but they are unlikely to be integrated into the Apple Maps app. [Cocoanetics has an interesting perspective on why this is the right move for Apple to make. –Ed.] Clearly, Apple was motivated to meet Google and Android head on, and they are well on the way. Google has had years of collecting data and getting the map experience to be very friendly. Apple has started from scratch, with a few key purchases of mapping companies, and come very close. There are no street level views with the Apple app. Google has that feature pretty wrapped up for itself, but for getting easily from point A to point B, Apple is offering an excellent solution that I think will become the first choice for many users. It's unfortunate that turn-by-turn navigation isn't supported on the iPhone 4, but Apple wants to sell you the latest phone and this is a not-so-gentle nudge to get you back to an Apple store. Even with some obvious bugs, and a few crashes, I was impressed with the new Maps. It will be a challenge for Google. Will it offer turn-by-turn voice navigation for the iPhone, or just concede? For older devices, will this be an opportunity for vendors like Navigon, Motion X and TomTom to sell up -- or for free turn-by-turn apps like AOL's Mapquest or Waze to get more traction? Competition is good, and Apple has thrown down the gauntlet. I think the other nav app companies with iOS products are going to feel uncomfortable with Apple in this business, but it's likely they will aggressively compete and we will all benefit. Check the gallery for screenshots of Maps in action. %Gallery-158418% Editor's Note: Mel is not personally subject to the iOS 6 NDA.
Standalone podcast app from Apple coming to iOS 6
Not long after the iOS 6 beta was released, inquiring listeners wanted to know, what happened to podcasts? AllThingsD's Peter Kafka appears to have the answer: Apple is planning a standalone app for podcasts in iOS 6. This follows a move by Apple to split video out of the iTunes app in iOS 5, as well as iTunes U gaining its own app. Also missing from iOS 6 appears to be the audiobooks area of the iTunes app, which makes me wonder if it's either getting its own app as well or will be folded into the iBooks app.
Will podcasts receive a separate app in iOS 6?
Reports are abound that a section for podcasts is nowhere to be found in the latest beta version of iTunes for iOS 6. Given its beta status, it's easy to dismiss the exclusion as functionality that's yet to be baked in, but Peter Kafka of AllThingsD believes that Apple has something entirely different in mind. According to his sources, podcasts are set to receive a new home within a separate app of iOS 6. If true, this would provide one central hub for podcasts, as opposed to Apple's current scheme where they're discovered and downloaded in the iTunes app, then played within the Music app -- a little disjointed, but it's the setup we've come to know. Kafka's sources go on to state that podcasts will remain part of iTunes on the desktop. Unsurprisingly, Apple hasn't commented on the speculation. Guess we'll all learn more in the coming months, eh?
Aftermarket Eyes Free Siri button: Could it be possible?
After Monday's keynote, many of us here at TUAW wondered whether an aftermarket Eyes Free button was possible. Eyes Free buttons, which will be integrated into several car lines, allow you to access Siri features by pressing a button on your car's steering wheel. Apple is working with car manufacturers to integrate Siri into select voice control systems. Through the voice command button on your steering wheel, you'll be able to ask Siri questions without taking your eyes off the road. Could this be created? With all due respect to Ian Betteridge, the answer to this headline is not "no" but "maybe". For all that we'd love to kickstart up an effort on this, it turns out that the obstacles are both technological and legal. The button would need to be paired to a phone, would need a power source, and would need to be installed securely on the steering wheel or attachable to a sun visor or provide some other mounting for use while driving. With regard to technical viability, we already see similar features in the Jawbone Bluetooth earpiece line with its support for voice dialing. Press and hold the earpiece button and you invoke VoiceControl on older iPhones and Siri on newer ones. So the tech challenges aren't insurmountable. It would have to be a little more specialized than other aftermarket Bluetooth buttons currently on sale, but only in that the button would be limited to invoking Siri. There are already kits available to wire up existing buttons to aftermarket devices, like the one discussed in this forum post. (Look about halfway down the page, where you press the button for two seconds to place a call, that's how you'd invoke Siri.) In other words, we could easily see this be a product in the $30-$50 range, especially with less snazzy requirements for lower-end cars. I contacted Matthias Ringwald, expert on all things Bluetooth, to discuss what it would take to install an after-market Siri button in a car, specifically tied to voice dialing. What Ringwald thinks might stand in the way could be "made for iPhone" licensing. Apple might require participation for certification, so the product could be sold as intended. As for the tech, he told TUAW, "If it's part of the regular hands free profile (HFP), it shouldn't be hard to add." UPDATE: An anonymous source tells TUAW that Apple detailed the API for Eyes Free Siri in the WWDC Bluetooth sessions.
Comparing Google maps and Apple's maps on iOS 6
In iOS 6, Apple is ditching its Google-backed Maps application and using its own mapping solution instead. With turn-by-turn navigation and 3D flyover, Apple's new mapping application is a big jump from its predecessor which lacked these convenient features. Gizmodo has access to both Google Maps on the iPhone and Apple's iOS 6 Maps and did a side-by-side comparison that looks at map details, traffic data, directions, and satellite view. They also compare Street View, but Apple's map solution does not have this feature. According to their assessment, Google's version of Maps provides greater detail in almost all the categories tested. This is not surprising as Google Maps is a product that's been developed and refined for years. iOS 6 Maps is still in beta and it will take time to get the polish of Google Maps. With map data sourced from companies like TomTom and Waze, Apple, however, is off to a good start.
PSA: Which iOS 6 features can my device run? (update: more iPhone 3GS support)
So you're eagerly awaiting iOS 6 in the fall, but you'd like to know just how many features you'll end up skipping if you cling on to your existing iPad, iPhone or iPod touch for one more generation. Apple has gone to the trouble of alerting would-be upgraders just what features they'll get when they check for the update this fall, and we've compiled it in a chart for an at-a-glance view of what you'll need. The short answer: you'll want an iPhone 4S if you're craving every iOS 6 feature. Some feature gaps are defined by obvious differences like the absence of cellular hardware, but the performance limits of the iPhone 3GS or fourth-generation iPod touch turn their upgrades into a patchwork. There's also a pair of questions about iPod touch support and whether or not "iPhone 4 or later" explicitly rules out the media player; we'll update should we know more. Either way, it's evident that Apple is bending over backwards to support burgeoning markets, but also that anyone who bought in 2010 or earlier is feeling the pressure to pick up something new -- especially original iPad owners, who can't upgrade at all. iPhone 3GS iPod touch iPhone 4 iPhone 4S iPad 2 iPad (2012) Chinese service integration X X X X X X Facebook integration X X X X X X FaceTime over 3G/4G - - - X - X Flyover and turn-by-turn GPS - - - X X X Guided Access X X X X X X Made for iPhone hearing aids - - - X - - New content stores X X X X X X Offline Reading List - ? X X X X Passbook X X X X - - Phone replies and reminders X - X X - - Safari tab syncing X X X X X X Shared Photo Streams X X X X X X Siri - - - X - X VIP list, flagged/VIP mailboxes X X X X X X Update: Since we first posted this, Apple has updated its support to add Shared Photo Streams and the VIP list support going all the way back to the iPhone 3GS. Support is much more consistent now, even if it still leaves the 3GS lagging in some areas.
Daily Update for June 12, 2012
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
Apple releases Mountain Lion Preview 4 and iOS 6 for developers, iTunes 10.6.3 for everyone else
Looking to tame Apple's Mountain Lion? Step right up, Cupertino's latest build of OS X is ready for consumption -- assuming you're a registered developer, of course. Following WWDC's reveals and teases, Apple has released an updated preview of its desktop and mobile operating systems, serving up Mountain Lion Preview 4 and an iOS 6 beta to developers. The rest of us will have to console ourselves with iTunes 10.6.3, which adds support for the mobile and desktop OS' those fancy devs are getting their hands on. Don't worry, the updated music management software will be able to make full use of Mountain Lion next month, but you'll have to wait until this fall to sync with iOS 6. Hit the source link below to get your update.
Competitors react to announcement of Apple nav app in iOS 6
I wasn't sure if any competitors to Apple in the nav space were going to react to Apple offering free turn-by-turn directions in iOS 6, but I did get some interesting comments from the folks at Garmin/Navigon. Johan-Till Broer at Garmin International shared this statement from Garmin today: "We've been competing successfully with free navigation on Android phones, and through third party apps also on the iPhone, for a couple of years now, and it has been widely anticipated that Apple would introduce a new maps app with navigation functionalities. It is, however, too early to provide a qualified evaluation of this new iOS feature. Garmin has over 20 years of experience in navigation technology and our navigation products offer a wide range of unique features that provide drivers highly accurate and reliable road guidance." "We think that there is a market for smartphone navigation apps, PND's (personal navigation devices) and in-dash navigation systems as each of these solutions has their own advantages and use case limitations and ultimately it's up to the consumer to decide what they prefer. We will take a look at Apple's new app and will continue to innovate in the navigation app, PND and auto OEM space to offer our customers a premium navigation experience that goes beyond the capabilities available from free smartphone services." Fair enough. Competing with free is quite a challenge, but I hope Apple's announcement will force competitors to attain new heights in features and new lows in pricing. All consumers will benefit from that.
Engadget's post-WWDC live broadcast from San Francisco!
Whew, that was quite a rush. The WWDC 2012 keynote is over and the conference itself is underway, but if you missed any of the announcements from this morning's hectic action don't worry. Just like this morning's earlier broadcast, Tim Stevens and Darren Murph are here to break it down with a live video stream. It's waiting for you after the break, so click on through, won't you?
Apple's WWDC keynote video is up, play along at home (update 2: video for everybody)
Next-generation MacBook Pros? iOS 6? The new Maps app? Sure, you watched the whole thing live, but is that really enough? Apple's tossed up the Tim Cook-led WWDC keynote, so now you can experience the magic of liveblogging the whole thing all over again. Check out the video in the source link below. Update: Looks like it's only Safari users who get a peek at first: if you're on Chrome, Firefox or another browser, you'll have to sit tight for a little while longer. Update 2: The keynote video now looks to be working for most, so stream away.
Apple selects TomTom as primary iOS 6 maps provider (update: confirmed)
Been wondering exactly which data service is replacing Google as Apple's map provider? According to these leaked screenshots (shown above) from the iOS 6 developer beta running on an iPhone 4S, it appears to be TomTom. The company is no stranger to iOS, as its navigation app and car kit have been available on the iPhone since 2009. On an interesting note, the maps application specifically mentions "data from TomTom, others," which means there may be other suppliers that aren't getting called out by name. We'll keep you posted as we hear more what's going on behind-the-scenes. Update: TomTom has independently confirmed to us that it indeed "has signed a global agreement with Apple for maps and related information." [Thanks, Anonymous]
iOS 6, OS X Mountain Lion SDKs and betas now available for dev download
Let's hope there's a lot of bandwidth available at hotels around the Bay Area, because the software development kits for iOS 6 and OS X Mountain Lion just became available for download. Developers will need to agree to new Developer Program License Agreements prior to being able to download or even glance at the new materials. The Xcode 4.5 Developer Preview is ready for your developer love, and iOS 6 beta version 10A5316k is available as well. Those interested in the Apple TV will rejoice in the fact that a new Apple TV software beta is available. iTunes 10.6.3 beta is ready for download, as are pre-release versions of FindMyiPhone and FindMyFriends for iOS 6. Mac developers will find Developer Preview 4 of Mountain Lion ready to go, as well as Mountain Lion Server Developer Preview 5.
Apple offers a peek into updated Mobile Safari, Photo Stream
During today's WWDC 2012 Keynote, Scott Forstall provided a peek at new features expected in Mobile Safari when iOS 6 ships. There's now an offline reading list in Mobile Safari, making it simple to capture web pages for viewing without a cellular or Wi-Fi connection. That'll work great during those flights where onboard Wi-Fi is just a dream. And for the first time, you'll be able to upload photos to sites via Mobile Safari. Smart App Banners are another new feature that give the browser a way to link banners directly to websites. For example, if you go to a mobile site like Yelp and there's an app available, a tap on the banner will jump to the Yelp app on the App Store. Photo Stream, which was introduced with iOS 5 and OS X Lion, is getting a nice update featuring shared Photo Streams. Now you can choose to share your images or all of your Photo Stream to select individuals. Also in Photo Stream is the ability to create push notifications that link directly to photo albums so your friends will know when you've added new images.
Apple next-generation MacBook Pro (with Retina display) eyes-on at WWDC 2012
Heh -- rumor didn't have this one! We just wrapped our eyes around Apple's new 15.4-inch "next-generation" MacBook Pro here at WWDC 2012, and while it was under lock and key, it doesn't take a touch to see that this thing is devilishly thin. For all intents and purposes, this is the 15-inch MacBook Air that many have been waiting for. Gone is the optical drive, and in are two USB 3.0 ports, two Thunderbolt sockets (side-by-side, instead of one on each edge), a full-size HDMI socket, a 3.5mm headphone port and an SD card slot. Oh, and a MagSafe 2 power connector. On one hand, it's great to see Apple finally embracing USB 3.0; on the other, it's obvious by the duo of Thunderbolt sockets that it'd prefer use those. Whatever the case, the new Pro is quite the looker, and we're guessing Apple won't have any issues moving too many of these beauts -- even at $2,199 (and up). Unfortunately, there's no new Pro sitting around outside of a case, but you can enjoy a few glass-enclosed glamor shots in the gallery below. %Gallery-157930%
Passbook creates unified location for pass-storing
Apple is creating an app in iOS 6 that's the digital equivalent of stringing frequent-shopper cards on a keychain. Passbook allows you to store these sorts of cards, airline passes, movie tickets and more. The passes will appear on the lock screen. Swipe the notification, and a QR code will appear. Other businesses glimpsed include Starbucks, Amtrak, the Apple Store -- even a Giants baseball ticket! As far as airlines go, it looks like just United Airlines is onboard for now. Multiple boarding passes are grouped together. It's integrated with the notifications center -- being near a favorite Starbucks will alert you. You also can get gate changes and more information with the airline tickets. This sort of usability will be fantastic, and I would love to see more businesses and libraries get on board with this. It will definitely reduce the amount of time spent hunting in your wallet for a particular card.
Apple announces Guided Access for iOS devices, offers expanded accessibility controls
We didn't get a ton of details on this one during the keynote, but Apple has announced a new Guided Access feature for iOS that promises to let folks limit what sort of input their devices are able to respond to. Some examples given by Apple are a parent of an autistic child who could disable on-screen controls so they don't accidentally exit an app, a teacher who could prevent students from exiting a test app, or museums who could keep folks locked in to their own display apps. That includes the ability to confine touch input to certain parts of the screen, in addition to disabling the home button or touch input altogether. %Gallery-157919%
Apple unveils new Maps app in iOS 6
In what's surely a shot across Google's bow, Apple has unveiled its own Maps app for iOS 6, dropping Google Maps. With over 100 million business listings, integrated Yelp support, and an in-progress traffic service, the new Maps app completely sidesteps Google's services, "redesigned from the ground up" according to Apple. The new traffic service will include anonymous, real-time, crowd-sourced incident reports -- no more getting stuck on the freeway behind an hour's worth of rubberneckers. It also features turn-by-turn navigation, a first for the Maps app. Traffic reporting can offer real-time rerouting based on current conditions, potentially a huge time-saver. Navigation works right from the lock screen, and the new maps app has integrated Siri support, allowing you to find gas stations and other services just by asking for them. A new feature called Flyover brings long-rumored 3D navigation for several cities worldwide. Cities render in realtime, and reports from the WWDC floor indicate that the rendering is very impressive. The new Maps app will be an iOS 6 exclusive.
