wwdc

Every year, we engage in the same dance: Apple announces a new version of iOS, and we instantly start wondering how our devices will change as a result.

iOS announcements tend to work forward for phones (the new iPhone is expected this fall), but for iPads they work backward: the third-generation iPad with Retina Display came out in March.

A host of new iOS 6 features change some of what the iPhone can be. Will iOS 6 change the iPad, too? Yes, if you're thinking of heavily using Siri or own a 4G/3G third-gen iPad or iPad 2.… Read more

Shock and awe. This is typically Apple's motto -- and mode of operations -- for its hardware and software announcements. Don't give users time to forget your goods; don't give competitors a chance to catch up. The philosophy has worked wonders for Apple in the past. In announcing iOS 6 months ahead of its "fall" launch, Apple is giving Google and Microsoft time to plan their own counter-attacks. But chances are high this is just sleight of hand.

At the outset, Google and Microsoft have little to worry about with iOS 6. At yesterday's … Read more

Those looking forward to full Facebook integration in OS X Mountain Lion will have to wait a few months after its launch to get what they desire.

According to Apple, Facebook integration in its upcoming desktop operating system won't be available until this fall. The company hasn't offered up an exact date, but considering iOS 6, which also includes Facebook integration, is launching in the fall, their launches may coincide.

Facebook integration across Mountain Lion will let users post photos, links, and comments from within applications. When users are signed in to Facebook, their friends will appear in … Read more

The new MacBook Airs and Pros unveiled at WWDC promise to make life harder for ultrabook vendors.

The MacBook Air received several key improvements, including the new Intel Ivy Bridge processor, higher-end graphics, and options for more memory and a larger solid-state drive. But beyond the specs, the new prices will prove appealing to the average consumer.

Prices remained the same for the lower-end 11-inch and 13-inch units but were trimmed by $100 for the higher-end models -- $1,099 for the 11-incher and $1,499 for the 13-incher. In a consumer market where every dollar counts, even that $100 … Read more

Andy Hertzfeld, a member of the original Apple Macintosh development team and current Google employee, has taken a swipe at his former employer over the Mac Pro.

"The next generation MacBook Pro announced today at WWDC looks fantastic," Hertzfeld wrote on his Google+ profile. "I ordered one immediately and can't wait to start using it. Unfortunately, the euphoria was negated by my deep disappointment with the meagre, lame update that was silently bequeathed to the Mac Pro today."

Apple yesterday unveiled an all-new MacBook Air, updated MacBook Pros, and the next-generation MacBook Pro. However, the … Read more

Apple's MacBook Pro with Retina Display stole the show at yesterday's Worldwide Developers Conference. But the contention by Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, that the computer would ship immediately doesn't seem to be the case at the moment.

Customers heading over to Apple's Web site today will find that the MacBook Pro with Retina Display is listed as shipping in two to three weeks. During his presentation at WWDC yesterday, Schiller told those in attendance that the computer would start shipping yesterday.

It's not immediately clear if the delay is … Read more

Disappointed by the lack of a new iMac and measly Mac Pro updates? They could be due next year, according to one report.

Writing for the New York Times, David Pogue says an Apple executive assured him that new models, with new designs, are in the works, "probably" to be released in 2013.

Tim Cook and chums took to the stage at last night's WWDC keynote to unveil significant updates to the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, alongside a hoity-toity new 15-inch MacBook Pro with a retina display and skinny new design. But the iMac and Mac … Read more

Those of you who couldn't catch Apple's WWDC keynote yesterday can now watch the entire event as an online video.

Apple's has posted a stream of the keynote available directly via its Web site. The video covers all the presentations, complete with details about Apple's new and refreshed Macs, iOS 6, Mountain Lion, and other assorted products. You can see it all, starting with the intro and corny jokes from Siri and ending with Tim Cook's closing comments.

All you need to view the video is your friendly neighborhood browser and a dose of the … Read more

Apple's cheaper-but-better MacBook Air isn't good news for ultrabooks.

Ultrabooks surfaced last year as a niche product in response to the Air. And now Intel, Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Dell, at el are trying to mainstream the skinny laptops.

There's one problem. Apple just cut the price and upped the processor specs on the MacBook Air today.

So, is Apple still standard bearer and ultrabooks just pretenders to the lightweight laptop throne?

Only time and market-share numbers will tell.

Spec check: $1,099 11.6-inch MBA: The high-end model has dropped to $1,099 from $1,199 and packs … Read more