Two tentative rumors on Thursday claimed to be outlining Apple's schedule for its 2012 iPad and iPhone updates. One claimed that Apple would have an actual third-generation iPad unveiling in March and ship that same month, but that it wouldn't be the only event in the near future. A "strange" event would arrive in February, Macotakara heard, but what that was wouldn't be clear.
Google said this morning that it was delaying its high-profile I/O conference by two months in return for more time. Originally slated to start April 24 and last for two days, it's now due to start on June 27 and will have a third extra day. An "unexpected opportunity" let it move to the later but longer schedule, Google said.
Microsoft's Windows 8 developer conference known as Build and planned for mid-September is now sold out, the website reveals. The four-day event also includes a pre-conference day and was first announced on June 1, taking about two months to sell out. In comparison, Apple's similar-focused WWDC 2011 event sold out in just hours.
One of the first things Steve Jobs said when he took the stage at this year's WWDC keynote was to apologize for the quick sell-out of WWDC tickets, leaving many who wanted to attend unable to get in. However, history seems set to repeat itself -- as it appears Apple has booked the Moscone Center again for the 2012 WWDC, and indeed may have booked the center annually for early June through 2015, MacRumors noted.
An unusually large number of the developers at last week's WWDC in San Francisco may have been Android supporters, according to a survey conducted by Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster. Of 45 developers, 47 percent indicated that they were currently coding for Android alongside iOS. While everyone polled was developing for iOS, only 36 percent said they were coding for no other platforms. Android's popularity was followed by BlackBerry at 36 percent, Windows Phone at 13 percent, webOS at 7 percent and Symbian at 4 percent.
Apple has registered 50 new domain names in the aftermath of its WWDC keynote, according to DotWeekly. All of them are related to products revealed this week, including iCloud, iOS 5 and OS X Lion. Like some other high-profile companies, Apple casts a wide net when registering domains in order to prevent rivals and scam artists from drawing page views.
As a part of WWDC, Apple has handed out 2011's Apple Design Awards. Developers are selected for design, innovation and technical achievements, and this year competed in four overall categories: Student, iPhone, Mac and iPad. Winners in the Student category include Tapity for Grades 2, Vargatron for Pennant, and Alphonso Labs for Pulse News Reader. iPhone awards are going to Chillingo for Cut the Rope, Shotzoom for Golfscape GPS Rangefinder, and Chair for Infinity Blade.
[Update: A downloadable version of the keynote is now available via iTunes] Apple has posted a streaming video of the keynote presentation delivered yesterday morning at the Worldwide Developer's Conference in San Francisco. The keynote, which features CEO Steve Jobs as well as other members of the Apple executive team, runs just under two hours and features noticeably improved streaming video quality, perhaps a reflection of Apple's upgraded server centers.
Apple's WWDC Keynote, announcing iCloud, iOS 5 and Mac OS X Lion, has sparked positive reaction from numerous Apple-focused financial analysts, with raised target prices between $460 and $510 per share. The analysts predicted increased sales of the iPad 2, acceptance of Apple's iCloud and iTunes Match service and the popularity of iOS 5 on refreshed hardware in the fall as part of the reason for their enthusiasm for Apple going into the remainder of the year.
Apple's Dev Center has posted the preview and beta releases talked about at this morning's WWDC keynote, including the fourth preview of Lion and new beta seeds for iOS 5 development as well as a beta for iCloud integration in apps. Of note is the fact that the iOS 5 beta is being simultaneously released for GSM and CDMA devices, marking the first time the two systems have been in sync.
During the course of today's WWDC 2011 keynote, Apple executives elaborated on a number of business milestones the company has achieved. The Mac App Store, for instance, is now claimed to be main channel for buying computer software, ahead of Best Buy, Walmart and Office Depot. The ranking does not reflect the actual popularity of Mac software versus Windows titles, the latter of which are often bought directly from publishers and developers, or through services like Steam.
Apple co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs took to the stage today at WWDC to formally introduce the much-anticipated iCloud service. The executive suggests the system will "demote the PC and Mac" by moving the "digital hub, the center of your digital life," into the cloud. As expected, iCloud aims to improve and streamline sync capabilities across Apple's range of connected devices.
Apple today previewed iOS 5, the next version of its firmware for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. The firmware represents a major overhaul, for instance completely changing the notification system to more closely resemble a mix of Android and webOS. Notifications are no longer temporary, but viewable in a Notification Center by swiping down from the top of the screen. The notifications themselves are no longer pop-up bubbles, but text that briefly swivels down while users are busy in another app.
(Updated with Lion Server details) Apple at WWDC has formally unveiled Mac OS X Lion, which includes a number of new features that were not leaked in early reports. Among the new capabilities is AirDrop, a wireless peer-to-peer sharing system, and a migration utility for users who are switching from Windows machines. As expected, the major update also brings full-screen applications, the Mission Control UI, and expanded support for multi-touch gestures.
WWDC attendees have been lined up in front of San Francisco's Moscone Center since Sunday night, photos and video show. The attraction is not WWDC itself so much as Apple's keynote, which is scheduled for 10AM Pacific time today, or 1PM Eastern. CEO Steve Jobs will be hosting, giving developers and the public their first look at iOS 5, as well as iCloud, the company's new set of cloud services.
Two clues Sunday morning have hinted that Apple may have two product or feature launches in the aftermath of WWDC. The company is expected by a source to have a major "visual update" on June 7 that would include both the usual changes as well as a window change, usually a clue as to a major new campaign. Speculation from 9to5 is that it may represent the start of the back to school sale, although it could also be new AirPort and Time Capsule routers.
Apple may be paying significant up-front costs for its recently completed iCloud deal based on possible leaks Friday. Each label is reportedly being paid between $25 million to $50 million to sign on depending the amount of music listeners used on the web. The total mentioned to the New York Post would hover between $100 million to $150 million.
Apple has released an official iOS app for next week's WWDC gathering in San Francisco. Intended strictly for people attending the conference, the app lets users reserve lab space, view event times and create a personalized schedule. Floor maps are provided for Moscone West, and a news section covers major bulletins.
A small clue as to Apple's iCloud plans at WWDC surfaced Thursday after Twitter's creative director Doug Bowman sighted one of the banners. A peek inside Moscone West showed an icon with a MobileMe-like cloud but a brushed metal, iOS-style icon reinforcing the likely very strong mobile focus. The banner appeared to be deliberately short on details and simply mentioned something about "WWDC 2011" above the mention of iCloud itself.
Apple Stores are currently in the middle of receiving "visual merchandising" packages, according to people at the locations. The term refers to the visual marketing material Apple clerks place in windows, on tables and on walls. A label on one package reads "ATTN: Visual Manager," with "Contents: TFA Window Elements" below.
Crews have already begun putting up WWDC decorations at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, photos show. A team began applying company logos to the building's exterior yesterday, in keeping with normal Apple plans. Moscone staff are also likely raising banners and setting up other material inside, but these were not immediately visible. WWDC 2011 is only set to begin on Monday, June 6th, leading off with a Steve Jobs keynote.
Apple stock is doing unusually well in the aftermath of this morning's WWDC keynote announcement. As of 2:53PM Eastern time shares are up $7.75, putting their price at $345.16. The company rarely sees such large gains in a single day, and in recent months Apple's stock price has remained relatively consistent, usually between $335 and $345.
Apple has announced that CEO Steve Jobs and several other executives will be hosting the WWDC 2011 keynote on June 6th at 10AM Pacific time. In an unusual turn, however, the company has openly admitted that it will be showing iOS 5, as well as iCloud, the company's "upcoming cloud services offering." The company normally prefers to surprise the public and the media with new products.
Apple's big media push for WWDC may be due to the sheer scope of the changes in iOS, a possible scoop uncovered. The OS would nave a "completely revamped" notification system, addressing one of the longstanding complaints of the OS since it arrived. Widgets would also finally join the platform for the first time, TechCrunch said, and give users quick-glance information much like their Android and Symbian peers.
Apple is planning to announce its annual Back to School promotion at WWDC, which begins June 6th, a new report claims. Deals are in general expected to be consistent with past years, revolving around discounted Macs with the bonus of a free iPod touch or up to $229 towards any other iPod. Apple may also, however, be willing to offer up to $200 off the cost of an iPad, the source says.
Apple may be hoping to draw more attention to WWDC than first thought after a source claimed on Wednesday that extra plans were underway. The company's iPhone PR group in the UK was reportedly asking local press at major outlets to fly to San Francisco for the developer conference. No direct confirmation was given to Electricpig as to the motivation.
More detail slips emerged on Friday that Apple was about to wrap up deals for its cloud music offering. Universal, the last to go through, was "about to sign" its agreement. Publishers were still unsigned, but the AP source said their deals were due to wrap up "soon."
Music label insiders revealed late Wednesday that Apple had signed on EMI for its cloud music service. The company had already landed Warner for its service, so far known as iCloud, and now had half the major labels it needed. The contacts informed CNET that only Sony and Universal were left and that their deals were close enough that they could be ready by next week.
The launch tonight of Mac OS X Lion Developer Preview 3 has shown Apple bringing in many of the finishing touches ahead of its final preview at WWDC. The new build was shown by Dan Bennett to have a much more polished login screen. The metallic-finish page has both a subtler look and shows status info like the clock and wireless signal without having to sign in.
Further anecdotes of iOS 5.0 device testing have suggested Apple is once again going back about two years for device support. While it was already known to be going back to last year's hardware, 9to5 has seen instances of the iPhone 3GS and the third-generation iPod touch. The crash longs generating the reports wouldn't guarantee support but suggested that iOS 5 was at least being designed with 2009-era hardware as a factor.
A potentially sketchy rumor has the iPhone 5 arriving in June after all. The device would still miss WWDC but could have a special event with Steve Jobs weeks later. ETNews claimed to know that both KT and SK Telecom would have the new model along with or soon after other countries.
Tickets for WWDC 2011 are already appearing on eBay, accounts say. One ticket on auction is currently priced at about $3,150, nearly double the $1,599 originally asked by Apple. Another is valued at $2,500 after 12 bids, despite there being over nine days left before the auction closes.
Seats for Apple's annual Worldwide Developer Conference have already sold out, less than ten hours hours after the page announcing the event went live. Registered Apple developers were eligible for the conference, which will run June 6-10 this year at Moscone West in San Francisco. Last year, the conference (capped at 5,200 attendees) sold out in eight days.
Apple's plans for iOS 5 may lean heavily on its buyout of Siri if a rumor on Monday proves true. The acquisition's voice-guided, multi-step searching is believed to be "deeply integrated" into the OS and would be shown off at WWDC in June. A possibility exists that it would be exposed to third-party apps through an API, TechCrunch said.
Further rumors on Monday supported beliefs that the iPhone 5 wouldn't be at WWDC 2011. Both a claim by AllThingsD and a similar anecdote from Engadget both cite their own sources that the June 6 event would focus strictly on iOS and Mac OS X. Most presume the smartphone will instead get its appearance at the normally iPod-oriented annual music event in September.
Apple may skip hardware entirely at WWDC 2011, according to insider claims. The messaging on the future of iOS and Mac OS is said to be a direct reflection of the show being exclusively hardware focused. No iPads, iPhones, or Macs would be unveiled at the event, The Loop's Jim Dalrymple said.
The 2011 Apple Design Awards -- scheduled to take place during this year's WWDC in San Francisco -- will be limited exclusively to titles available via the Mac or iOS App Stores, according to a section on the awards website. Apps must also be put on sale by May 23rd in order to qualify.
Apple has officially announced the date of this year's Worldwide Developers Conference. The event will run June 6th through the 10th, and take place at Moscone West in San Francisco. Over 100 technical sessions will be available on Mac and iOS development and deployment, and over 1,000 Apple engineers are promised for help on specific technical issues.
A rumor floated late Saturday has iOS 5 launching later than widely thought but with much in store. The new mobile OS has supposedly been moved to the fall and might be unveiled at WWDC instead of at a special spring event. In return, TechCrunch said, it would be a "major revamp" rather than the iterative upgrades seen so far.
Apple has likely already secured dates for this year's Worldwide Developers Conference, a report notes. The company typically holds WWDC at the Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco, and normally towards the beginning of June. An anonymous "corporate meeting" has been scheduled at Moscone West from June 5th through the 9th, says Setteb.it.
Apple in one of its WWDC developer sessions is now known to have confirmed that the iPhone 4 has 512MB of RAM. Staff at Session 147, on performance tuning for the iPhone, confirmed that the new phone has twice as much RAM as the iPad and iPhone 3GS despite coming just a few months after the iPad. The extra room could lead to some apps being optimized just for the extra memory.
Less than a week after the conclusion of the event, Apple has posted the session videos for WWDC 2010 online. These cover the 100-plus instructional courses held during the week, which were intended to aid developers in coding for Mac OS X or iOS. The videos are available in HD or SD quality, and can be imported into iTunes for viewing or sync with Apple handhelds.
Apple has reportedly given special treatment to one Chinese developer, who was attacked last week while attending WWDC. Known online as Stone, the developer works with Tencent, responsible for China's popular QQ messaging client. While riding a bus in San Francisco Stone was mugged, suffering injuries including a broken rib and marks on his face. An iPad brought with him was bent and cracked, although technically still functional.
As a part of ongoing WWDC proceedings, Apple has handed out the 2010 Apple Design Awards. The candidates were selected mainly on the basis of nominations from developers, although Apple reserved the right to pick its own choices. Winners were rated on a combination of design, innovation, performance and technology adoption.
Less than a day after the event, Apple has posted two different video versions of the 2010 WWDC keynote. On Apple's website is a streaming version, encoded in three different quality levels for QuickTime. Via the iTunes Store people can now download a podcast version, viewable either in iTunes or on an iPhone, iPod, iPad or Apple TV.
Apple has upgraded its App Wall feature, which is on display this week at WWDC. The wall is now spread across an array of 30 synchronized 24-inch Cinema Displays, each showing App Store icons which fall from the top as customers purchase one of the titles.
Apple's claim that it garnered 22 percent of e-book sales in the US isn't truly accurate, analysts warned this afternoon. The figure is only among the five major publishers that have agreed to sell through the iBookstore and doesn't count Random House, which sells through Amazon but doesn't yet support Apple. Independent publishers also aren't factored into the data.
Titles sold through the iBookstore now account for about 22 percent of US e-book sales, according to Apple CEO Steve Jobs. The claim was made during today's WWDC keynote, which ultimately announced the iPhone 4, but began with a segment on the iPad. Even though the iBookstore has only officially been active since April 3rd, over 5 million titles have been downloaded worldwide, Jobs comments.
One of the first announcements to come from Steve Jobs' WWDC keynote is a forthcoming update of iBooks, the e-reading app for the iPad. Due later this month, the update should add three important features. The most essential of these is support for PDF files, a common component of other e-readers. A separate bookshelf loads by tapping a "PDF" button at the top of the screen.
Apple's WWDC 2010 keynote took place on Tuesday. CEO Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone 4, iMovie for iPhone, updates to the iBooks app and other, primarily iOS-related news. Please visit into our live coverage page, where we provided updates as they happened.
