One of the expected outcomes of WWDC's opening keynote event was the removal of Google Maps from iOS, with it being replaced by Apple's own in-house solution that not only gives the Cupertino firm more control over the maps experience, but also knocks Google out of its stride on one of the world's most popular smartphones and, let's not forget, tablets.
We all had a day or so to absorb all of the information which Apple felt they needed to give to us during the opening keynote presentation at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco. The announcement surrounding the new line of notebooks as well as the included features of OS X Mountain Lion was great, but the real excitement came from getting that early insight into what they have in store for us with iOS 6, the next major release of their mobile operating system.
Today's big WWDC kick-off saw much publicity even before the curtain was raised. Anticipation was sky-high, and all the press in the land converged upon what was possibly the most exciting non-iOS hardware announcements for some time. We knew something big was coming, and we were right.
Today's WWDC event certainly went off with a bang, and as well as a new Retina iMac, MacBooks, iOS 6 with all the expected trimmings, there was also a big surprise in the form of the next-generation MacBook Pro.
Having spent a significant amount of time updating its website to begin selling the refreshed line of MacBooks, as well as the brand-new Retina MacBook Pro, Apple has also slipped out a new smart cover for its iPad. Unlike the previous official smart covers, which only protected the screen, the new one protects the backplate as well, and retails for a reasonable $49.
While Apple's annual event may be dubbed as Worldwide Developers Conference and will be mainly focused around development workshops for iOS and OS X developers, the company likes to cater to all tastes and always has a number of announcements and releases to keep all Apple loving tech fans happy. The yearly event is regarded so highly amongst Apple aficionados that the $1600 tickets regularly sell out in minutes, with attendees queuing outside the Moscone Center hours before the doors open for the keynote.
Having wowed the crowds with the introduction of the next-gen MacBook Pro, Apple's Craig Federighi began unveiling some brand-new features of the forthcoming iteration of OS X, known as Mountain Lion. As well as reiterating what's already been showcased in the Mountain Lion Preview, he also gave an in-depth look into some of the new apps and features Apple has been working on over the past few months, in anticipation for the release in July.
As anticipated, Apple has announced its very own, completely rethought Maps app to replace the long-serving Google offering, and as equally foreseen, it's got the hallmarks of a truly great new feature. The days of relying on a city's A-Z are long gone in this digital age, and although it has taken a few more years than Apple would perhaps have liked in order to develop, iOS Maps is now well and truly in the pipeline.
Apple always manages to come through with a surprise or two at WWDC, and this year is no exception. In a move that nobody foresaw, the Cupertino outfit has unveiled a brand-new, "Next Generation MacBook Pro."
Although talk of iOS 6 has been rampant in the run up to WWDC, the speculation regarding a refresh of the Mac range has been equally rife. There has been a lot of on-off reports regarding a Retina display MacBook Air, Pro and iMac, and Apple has today confirmed, and debunked most of the rumors and reports once and for all.
