On June 6th, 2011, Apple held its WWDC Conference. At this event, Apple focused on three main topics. iOS 5, Mac OS X Lion, and iCloud.
iOS 5 is the next generation of software for the iOS devices. This firmware will support the 3rd Generation and 4th generation iPod Touch and iPhones and both iPads. According to Apple, there is over 200 new features. Apple has implemented new notifications. You now have a small bar appear at the top telling you that you have a notification. If you swipe down from the top of the screen, the notification center will appear, displaying all of your notifications, weather, and stocks. iMessage will one allow you to text from iPad’s and iPod Touches. This new messaging app has many new features as well, including delivery receipts and the ability to see when someone is typing. Newsstand will allow users to view and read magazines on their iOS devices. These magazines will update automatically to the new content added. The new reminders app brings a new way to have notifications be set off to remind you to do something. iOS 5 has deep twitter integration. You can tweet text, pictures, YouTube, and maps all without launching a twitter client. There is an improved camera. iOS 5 adds the ability to pinch to zoom, it has grid lines, photo editing, volume up takes a picture, and a shortcut to access the camera app from your lock screen. The new photos app allows many great photo editing to be done right on the device. Safari now includes tabs, reader, and reading list. When you buy a new iOS device you don’t need to connect it to a computer to activate it. It will be able to be activated right from the device without ever connecting to a PC. There is rich format editing in mail and there is an improved calendar app. Also Apple added many new features to Game Center such as the ability to purchase games from Game Center, the ability to post a picture, find friends, and find games. Last but not least, Apple added wireless syncing, wireless mirroring for iPad 2, and multitasking gestures. iOS 5 will be available this fall.
Mac OS X Lion was also previewed at the event. Lion will be $29.99 just like Snow Leopard, but will only be available via the Mac App Store. As Apple has previewed Lion before, you can tell that this version is much more polished. Apple went over Multi-Touch Gestures, Full-Screen Apps, Mission Control, the Mac App Store, Launchpad, and Resume. Also Th. hey went over features such as Auto Save, Versions, AirDrop, the new Mail, and Lion server being only $49.99. They state that there are over 250 new features. Lion will be available In July.
iCloud is Apple’s new cloud service that is absolutely free. This service will be replacing MobileMe. First, iTunes in the cloud allows you to share music between multiple devices with out being charged. The iCloud Photo Stream will allow you to share pictures taken with an iOS Device to your other iDevices. This will happen automatically in the background so it will act as if it “just appeared” on your other devices. It will also copy the pictures to your second generation Apple TV. iCloud will also make your pre-purchased apps available for download without being charged. Also iCloud can push new apps to all of your devices. iBooks will now sync through iCloud. Your bookmarks and page number will copy to all of your devices. Your iWork documents will also be updated and pushed to all of your iDevices when one iWork document is changed. iCloud will even do system wide backups to the iCloud server. And when you get a new device, you can download all of your content without even connecting to a computer. Lastly, iCloud will sync your Contacts, Calendars, and Mail between iOS devices and Macs. iCloud will be available with iOS 5 this fall.
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