WWDC 2011 Keynote Update and iOS 5 News

06/06/2011 Comments Off on WWDC 2011 Keynote Update and iOS 5 News Apple, iPad, Tablets & Technology Like

Today’s big event of course is the 2011 WWDC being help by Apple in San Francisco. Practically anyone with an Internet connection is aware of this. We may not have the luxury of physically being there in attendance but we will do our best to keep you up to speed with what we know in regards to the unveiling of iOS 5 and other related news. So let’s get down to business.

WWDC 2011 Highlights

Here’s what we know so far…

Steve Jobs took the stage right on schedule at 10:00am and the lively crowd was ecstatic and eager about what was to follow. Surely none of the estimated 5,200 people in attendance were disappointed by the news and updates they received regarding iOS 5, iCloud and Mac OS X Lion.

Facts & Features For iOS 5

All of the rumors regarding iOS 5 that have swarmed the blogosphere for quite some time now can finally be put to rest. Today’s unveiling of the newly upgraded operating system was a great success to say the least. The following is a list of some of the improvements as well as new features for iOS 5.

1500 new API’s
200 new features
Improved UI for incoming notifications
Notifications now in 1 easy to access location
Twitter now built into iPhone & iPad
Tweet directly from updated Safari browser
S/MIME now supported
New iMessage messaging service between all iOS 5 customers
iMessage pushes to all devices, pick up conversations from iPhone to iPad
Mirror iPad 2 to television wirelessly
iOS 5 shipping this fall
Supports iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPad and iPad 2, 3rd and 4th generation iPod touch

Other Notes & Key Facts

Currently 54 million active Mac users and counting
A 28% growth for Mac
3/4 of Macs shipped today are laptops
250 new features in OS X Lion
Lion to support new Multi-Touch Gestures
Targeted facial enhancements with Lion
Mission Control “The best feature of Lion.”
Lion similar to iOS in many ways
2/3 of all mobile web browsing is done on Safari
iOS is the most popular gaming platform on the planet

One thing I especially like is the fact that Apple has eliminated, well almost, the scroll bar in applications such as the Safari web browser with the new Mac OS X Lion. After all, what’s the point of having them if you can swipe through pages using your finger? Scroll bars were initially invented back in the day for the purpose of clicking and scrolling with a mouse, but this is no longer necessary as we all know. When I mentioned the word “almost”, what I mean is that when scrolling using multi touch gestures the scroll bar does appear momentarily just to give you an idea of where you are on the page, then fades when you are done scrolling.

Phil Schiller, SVP of WW Product Marketing said this during his presentation of Mac OS X Lion:

Now if you’re pushing your window with multi touch you don’t need them (scroll bars), they can disappear

Of course these are just a few of many cool highlights from the WWDC. Stay tuned for even more updates to come! In the meantime, what are your thoughts and opinions so far? Are these updates everything you expected and more? If not, either way we’d love to hear your comments below!

UPDATES:

Apple has just posted a streaming video from the WWDC 2011 keynote.

Facts & Features For iCloud

iCloud completely replaces MobileMe
iCloud entirely removes the concept of file-storage
Mail, contacts, and calendar are all free

Apple CEO Steve Jobs mentioned the following:

iCloud keeps your important information and content up to date across all your devices. All of this happens automatically and wirelessly

For those of you who currently have active MobileMe subscriptions and are wondering whether or not you will get credit there is no need to worry. Apple is in fact issuing refunds, of course certain terms and conditions apply. Simply click the link below for all of the details and to see if this applies to you.

MobileMe box refunds and subscription cancellations information