Set to kick off the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference 2010 with a keynote address at 10:00 am (Pacific), CEO Steve Jobs is widely believed to introduce not only the next-generation iPhone 4, but also Mac OS X 10.6.4, Safari 5, some Mac refreshes (including the Mac mini), new plans with the company’s hobby - the Apple TV, and perhaps even the newly leaked “Magic Trackpad”.
One of the announcements Apple has actually confirmed for today is iPhone OS 4. Whether or not it will also become available for download today remains to be seen. What is known for a fact is that the entire conference revolves around the innovations in iPhone OS 4, and Apple’s upcoming plans with the software. The new OS is known to be fully supported only on new Apple hardware, such as the iPhone 3GS, the 3rd-generation iPod touch, the iPad, and most likely the new iPhone 4, which some believe will be dubbed iPhone HD by Apple.
Other, very likely announcements include Safari 5 and Mac OS X 10.6.4. Although these can be considered somewhat major updates, they’re mere time fillers at an event like WWDC10. Nonetheless, Apple is reportedly adding a Reader function to its web browser, 25% faster Javascript, more DNS prefetching and caching, as well as improved HTML5 support. For Mac OS X, the incremental 10.6.4 release reportedly includes the usual operating-system fixes and enhancements addressing the stability, compatibility, and security of Macs running Snow Leopard. A preview of Mac OS X 10.7, the next major version of Apple’s Mac OS, may also be featured at the event, some believe, although this is far less likely.
There is also talk that a Mac Pro refresh is also on the way, alongside a new, 27-inch Display. The long time since Apple last refreshed these is pretty much the only solid reason to assume the updates will be confirmed today.
A revamped, iPhone-shaped Apple TV also sounds like an appealing announcement, yet few believe this rumor will materialize. Last month, a tipster told the people at Engadget that Apple had an exciting, new update for its fans - a 99$, iPhone-shaped Apple TV, powered by software and hardware similar to that of the popular handset. Featuring a limited number of ports, the small device was said to boast 1080p HD capabilities, that it was likely to sport the A4 chip found in Apple’s iPad, 16GB of local storage, and that it would have a focus on streaming content from the cloud.
Finally, other rumored announcements include the renaming of iPhone OS to Touch OS, a cloud-based iTunes stemming from Apple’s acquisition of Lala.com, a revamped MobileMe featuring paid and free plans, and an upgraded MacBook Air.
UPDATE # 1: WWDC10 is underway
Steve Jobs is on stage giving some updates:
"I want to give you some updates, and I want to start with the iPad. It's changing the way we experience the web, email, photos, maps, video, you name it. It's a whole new way to interact with the internet, apps, content and media", Jobs tells attendees. "It is magical, I know it because I got this email: 'I was sitting in a café with my iPad, and it got a girl interested in me!'. So there's proof." [attendees cheer]
- Apple is selling 1 iPad every 3 seconds; Jobs gives the go-ahead to roll a clip of international coverage of the iPad
- 8,500 native iPad apps are currently living in the App Store
- 35 million iPad app downloads
- 22% share of total eBook sales
"Publishers tell us that sales of there eBook sales are at 22% right now. 22% in iBooks. We're making some changes today -- notes, you can make notes right here, new bookmarks, and a new page displaying your notes and bookmarks", Jobs says.
- PDF viewing added in iBooks (out later this month)
That's it for the iPad update.
UPDATE # 2: App Store update."Next, I'd like to talk about the App Store. Before I do that, I want to make something clear. We support two platforms: HTML5 -- it's a completely open, uncontrolled platform. And we fully support it", says Jobs. "Anyone can write HTML5 apps. The second one is the App Store. It's the most vibrant app store on the planet."
On iPhone apps....
- 95% are approved in seven days
- Jobs highlights eBay, Netflix apps for iPhone, invites Reed Hastings from Netflix out on stage
- Netflix is the #1 most downloaded in entertainment apps; coming out this summer for free; the app takes advantage of Apple's adaptive bitrate technology and allows users to seamlessly switch between networks
- Farmville for iPhone announced
- Karthik Bala from Activition is invited up on stage to talk about Guitar Hero for iPhone: "We developed a brand new experience for the iPhone and iPod touch..."; "The game comes with classic rock from Queen and the Rolling Stones..." [demoes the game] "You can start rocking out today -- it's available in the app store for $2.99."
- Steve is back on stage. He confirms Apple crossed 5 billion App Store downloads last week; "And that's what makes the app store the most vibrant on the planet. Not only for users but developers as well. Now I'd like to talk about the iPhone", he says.
End of the App Store update
UPDATE # 3: Apple's CEO provides updates on where its iPhone is in termes of market-share- Citing Nielsen, Jobs reveals RIM grabs top spot of the US market with 35%; iPhone has iPhone 28% of the US marker, while Windows has 19%, and Android is at 9%. "Nielsen said we're over three times the marketshare of Android", Jobs is pleased to announce.
"It started to change things," says Jobs, referring to the popular handset. "In 2008 we added 3G and the App Store, in 2009 the 3GS was twice as fast, and we added some other cool features like video... in 2010 we're going to take the biggest leap since the original iPhone."
- Moment of truth:
Apple introduces iPhone 4!
"You gotta see this in person. This is beyond the doubt, the most precise thing, and one of the most beautiful we've ever made," Steve Jobs states. "It is 24% thinner than the iPhone 3GS," he adds. "As a matter of fact, it is the thinnest smartphone on the planet," Apple's CEO claims.
UPDATE # 4: Key additions with iPhone 4- Retina Display: "We dramtically increased the pixel density, Four times the amount", Jobs reveals, and demoes iPhone 4 in various circumstances to show off the highly improved resolution.
- Powered by the A4 chip
- Battery life: 7 hours of 3G talk; 6 hours of 3G browsing; 10 hours of WiFi browsing; 10 hours of video; 40 hours of music
- Quad band HSDPA, 7.2Mbps
- Environmental Checklist also looks good (Arsenic free, BFR free, Mercury free, PVC free, highly reciclable)
"We're adding a 3 axis gyro, and we tied the gyro and accelerometer, compass, and gyro together for six axis. It's perfect for gaming", Jobs continues [audience cheers]. He demoes a game using the new functionality.
- iPhone 4 has a 5 megapixel camera
- records HD video (720p at 30fps)
- LED flash
- iMovie for iPhone announced, demoed; costs $4.99
UPDATE # 5: More iPhone 4 goodness...- iPhone OS 4 name changed to iOS
- key new features include multitasking, Folders, Retina Display integration, Mail - unified inbox & threading, enhanced Camera and Photos apps, deeper enterprise support, and.... Microsoft's Bing!
Steve Jobs provides more updates, including the fact that Apple will be selling its ten millionth iOS device this week and that they've hit 150 million iTunes Store accounts.. He confirms the addition of iBooks to iPhone 4 (and demoes it), complete with PDF reader and iBookstore, and the ability to download the same book to all your devices at no extra charge.
Calendar
Watch Reborn Online