What to expect -- and more importantly what not to expect -- from Apple's WWDC 2012 Keynote

Apple doesn't nuke the future. They don't announce so many new products and services it scorches the market and blots out the shelves. They don't copy and create so many new features and SKUs each year that no one can keep up, and many are left unadopted or simply abandoned.

They have confidence enough to focus, to place a very small amount of huge bets on consumer demand. Rather than dropping every atom and bit imaginable, they carefully line up single shots.

The result is devices that aren't obsoleted almost as fast as they come out, software that isn't frozen in the past, and design languages that isn't impenetrable or unintelligible in the least.

Instead, in one of the hottest markets on earth, Apple releases one product a year (if that), updates all available devices to the latest software day and date, and makes sure if you can use one of their mobile device, you can use them all -- whether you're 3 years old or 103.

Even though Apple has a bank account that could fund a judgement day's worth of product launches, the deliberately choose not to.

Sure, in their labs, they may explore a range of product ideas, and even prototype and test them extensively. But they say "no" to most of them, and "yes" to only a few, and only when they have a clear plan to bring it to market.

They do it with products that complement their existing lines, that can make an impact in the space, and that can sell in the hundreds of millions.

That's Apple's way of doing things. There are other hugely successful companies that do things differently. But that way is Apple's.

And that tells us a lot about what to expect -- and not to expect -- at the WWDC 2012 keynote on Monday.

Despite rumors that Apple will introduce everything from a television to a television operating system, from new designs to new app platforms, from new Macs to new densities of Mac displays.

More likely, this WWDC keynote will be similar to last year's. Tim Cook will come out and give an overview of Apple's business and platforms. Phil Schiller and/or Craig Federighi will reveal more about OS X Mountain Lion, a final-ish beta, and Apple's Mac plans for 2012. Scott Forestall will show off iOS 6, announce a first beta, and demo a few tentpoles out of the many his team has been working on for the last 12 months. And someone, perhaps Schiller again, will take Steve Jobs' place and introduce new features for iCloud.

We'll hear big numbers -- hundreds of new features, thousands of new API. But the presentation will be practiced, paced, and precise. As always.

If Mac updates feature big enough design changes to make for great demos and as such, warrant precious time on stage, we'll see them. Otherwise they'll be dumped in a press release as they have been in the past.

If an extension of iOS to a new device is small enough, in terms of scope, to fit into the keynote, we'll see it. Otherwise it'll be saved for a special event all its own, the way the original iPad was.

But when you set your expectations for the Apple keynote, remember:

Apple doesn't nuke the future.

They methodically adjust their sights. They carefully line up a single shot.

And then they take it.

WWDC preview

iOS 6: Setting Apple Maps expectations iOS 6: The multi-billion dollar balancing act iOS 6: Higher hanging fruit iOS 6: A fresh coat of paint iOS 6: Is it time for Apple to revamp the multitasking fast app switcher? The 16:9 iPhone

The 4 inch iPhone How Apple could provide direct document access in iOS 6 iOS 6 and the opposite of widgets Is it time for Apple to revamp the Home screen? The challenge of bringing Siri to the iPad iOS 6 and privacy: How Apple should draw inspiration from Android for better app

We're about as ready as we'll ever be for WWDC next week, and though the announcement of iOS 6 was actually little more than a safe bet so far, banners at the Moscone Center confirm that Apple will be announcing their next-generation mobile operating system next week. It's being labeled as "the world's most advanced mobile operating system" and comes along with a new fingerprint-styled icon.

The real fun will be when we find out what exactly is stored inside iOS 6. A revamped maps application powered by Apple (rather than Google) seems like it will be the big addition, but we're also expecting to see some extensive Facebook integration. We might even get Siri on the iPad, and a bunch of smaller things, like cloud-stored  browser tabs and a "do not disturb" switch for Notification Center.

It'll be a hell of a show, and we'll have both Rene and Leanna on the ground floor catching all of the news. What would you guys like to see most from iOS 6, or WWDC for that matter? What would iOS 6 have to do to truly be "the world's most advanced mobile operating system"?  Does iOS 5 already claim that throne?

Source: Twitpic

WWDC is right around the corner, and though we're expecting lots of iOS 6 news and maybe some Apple TV stuff, there's apparently going to be yet another goodie for developers at the show: a means by which devs can see how their customers are using apps all Big Brother style. There are existing approaches used by outside QA departments and marketing firms  that have an uncertain future now that UDIDs are being put out of reach, but an Apple-made solution could provide them with all of the information they need while being conscientious of user privacy.

The scope of the utility hasn't been made entirely clear, but given user data is important for mobile advertising, bug tracking, and app functionality, one would expect Apple will be opening the doors fairly wide. Of course, it could also mean that Apple will begin monopolizing access to user information, but honestly, I'd rather Apple have it and dole it out to ad companies as they need it rather than relying on developers and marketers to make their own data farming techniques that would likely be less secure than anything Apple would make.

Privacy is obviously huge on everybody's mind, especially in light of this week's LinkedIn breaches, but on a day-to-day basis, it's expected that our information is being shipped off somewhere; even if you aren't using apps, your location is being tracked to some degree by your wireless carrier as you hop from cell tower to cell tower. How much value to you place on your privacy? Do you trust Apple to handle your personal information with due care, or would you rather they simply block all outside parties from seeing how and where you use your apps?  Developers, how much of a user data do you really need to keep your apps up and running?

Source: WSJ

We've seen a lot of supposed hardware of the iPhone 5 and plenty of hints as to what we'll see in iOS 6, so some designers have mashed it all together in AutoCAD and created models what they expect the final product will look like. Blackpool Creative has released a big zip file full of still images of their renderings and put together a short video which you can see below. There are a few minor inconsistencies that the designer admits to, such as not knowing what color the volume buttons will be, the size of the SIM slot, and accidental mic placement on the top bezel, but on the whole, this is looking pretty solid. The designer that cooked up these mock-ups had some interesting (if subtle) observations about what we've seen so far.

• The mute switch and volume buttons all appear lower on the left side of the phone than previous models.
• The back side of the phone looks to be flush with the aluminum bezel. The iPhone 4/4S has back panels (and front panels) that are extruded somewhat from the bezel. This change is probably because of the aluminum unibody design, which made it simpler to go from the side, to chamfer, to back. The front panel still appears extruded, but perhaps slightly less than older models. This should all equate to a thinner overall phone.
• The camera and flash (and new back mic hole?) appear to be higher on the phone, closer to the top than to the side, ostensibly to provide room for the unibody design of the back panel. Prior models had the camera positioned equidistant from the edges.
• The speaker and mic grills on the bottom of the phone have changed to be a perforated circle pattern, bringing the iPhone into the same design family as the iPad with its similar speaker.
• In fact, all of these unibody details and changes unify the iPhone and the iPad into the same design language. Maybe the next black iPad will have a black anodized aluminum unibody back panel? It's interesting to note that even the bezel on the leaks appears to be dark gray/black, only on the black model. The white model keeps the bezel the standard silver color.

Of course, this is all pre-release and based on speculation, so there's no telling how much of this will actually pan out, but it's hard to ignore the consistency at which these parts are surfacing. Assuming the 4-inch iPhone is here to stay, what do you think of the new look? Do these spic-and-span renderings improve your opinion of the size, or are you going to have to hold one in your hand before passing judgement? Source: Blackpool Creative

Apple has agreed to pay a $2.25 million fine plus $300,000 in legal costs following a complaint from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission about the "4G" branding on the iPad. The LTE connectivity in the new iPad is incompatible with Australia's current network, meaning the iOS tablet could only connect over HSPA+. Apparently, that doesn't cut it as 4G as well as it does over here in North America. As a part of the settlement, Apple has agreed to describe the product in question as the "iPad Cellular". Doesn't quite have the same ring to it, does it? Over the course of the case, Apple had started putting up signs warning consumers about the capabilities of the new iPad, despite the packaging still reading 4G.

The International Trade Union had ruled awhile back that HSPA+ could be called 4G, but one can imagine how confusing that might be in a region where that isn't common practice. Although it's good to see Apple clarifying their language and Australia take a stab against the faux-G movement, I'm curious how many people didn't just return the iPad if they wanted LTE so badly. Surveys show that the vast majority of iPad usage is over Wi-Fi, and even on HSPA+, I'm sure it provides a fine experience.

Stateside, AT&T updated the display on the iPhone 4S to show 4G in the signal indicator rather than 3G. After all, whoever has the most Gs wins, right? It's frustrating to see the nomenclature lose all meaning. Sure, the user experience is what ultimately matters most, no matter what label is slapped on it, but it sure is hard to make comparisons and talk about experience when all of the standard language gets thrown out the window. Marketing is what it is - here's hoping there are enough of us that know better to warn those that don't.

Source: Herald Sun

Chicago judge Richard Posner has thrown out Apple and Motorola's jury trial set to start next Monday, calling their patent claims "frivolous" and "ridiculous". Posner had previously forbidden Apple from turning the case into a "popularity contest", which is certainly fair given the experts that Apple is prone to dragging out for these kinds of cases. Finally, he decided that "neither party can establish a right to relief", and tentatively dismissed the case altogether. The jury trial was needed to decide if either side was due damages, and with Posner dismissing the case himself, he won't decide if Apple or Motorola are due a full-blown injunction either. Motorola and Apple are also duking it out in Europe, but that's another can of worms altogether.

Google bought Motorola as a means of protecting Android on the patent front, but it's becoming increasingly obvious that it's just as much opening them to attack. Figuring out timelines in relation to Motorola's acquisition has been important in figuring out if it's just Motorola that's liable for potential patent infringements, or if Google's on the hook as well. The patents Apple and Motorola have been fighting over span from cloud to GSM technologies, few of which, Posner has previously argued, a jury would be able to understand and deliver a verdict on .

So what happens next? Posner hasn't issued a detailed order about throwing out the case, but we should see something next week, and he reserves the right to change his mind before then. If the case is well and truly done in Chicago, Apple and Motorola will likely have to take this fight to the federal level, and due to a previous ruling in Florida, Motorola may not be able to bring their case to court until 2014 unless the ITC steps in (though they're unlikely to agree to ban sales for anyone). Long story short: Google and Apple will have their horns locked in court for eons.

Source: FOSS Patents

Since this is the last #followfriday before Apple's World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC 2012) kicks off on Monday, iMore wanted to take the opportunity to let remind you to follow the absolutely phenomenal iPhone and iPad app developers and designers at the event. These are the people who's software you use every day to stay in touch, to keep productive, to make and enjoy amazing content, or to get your game on. They also know how to party.

So if you want the absolute best, most vicarious WWDC 2012 experience possible, here's your WWDC developers and designer must-follows!

Note: This is a live list and we're going to keep adding more great folks throughout the day! If you're a developer or designer who's going to be at WWDC 2012 and you're not on this list, just @reneritchie or @llofte and we'll add you asap!

• @agilebits: @danvpeterson, @dteare, @roustem
• @appcubby: @drbarnard
• @appigo
• @appsterdamrs: @bmf, @natetrue, @smeger, @mvaznaian, @dannygreg
• **@astellingwerff
• @BasketApp
• @BickyBhullar
• @blackpixel: @dlpasco, @dwiskus, @iconmaster, @rickfillion, @jaimeejaimee, @philletourneau
• @blulightnin: @shanezilla
• @bpapa
• @chronic
• @edovia: @lucvandal
• @Glasshouse Apps
• @hccapps: @stroughtonsmith
• @hiddenmemory: @darkrock
• @iconfactory: @chockenberry, @dlanham
• @instapaper: @marcoarment
• @jameseskew
• @jerols
• @jdg
• @jordansatok
• @joshmtucker
• @jisoftwareco: @ishabazz, @nwnjackal
• @kevinwlee
• @kickingbear: @gte
• @legobuff
• @markgurman
• @NatesiPhone
• @nduplessis
• @nickelfish: @justinmarcucci, @davevioreanu, @sethclifford
• @Opsive
• @othermedia: AdamSwinden, @stawecki, @_ChrisHarris
• @overcommitted: @daikini, @pws
• @ozetadev
• @pacifichelm: @bradellis, @mantia, @jessiechar
• @pocket: @SteveStreza
• @prototypesapp: @duncanwilcox
• **@psilfver
• @quotebookapp: @mb, @brianhax
• @rafaelcrl
• @readdle: @denzhadanov
• @rgm
• @sajidcreative
• @savvyapps: @kenyarmosh
• @shauber
• @ShinobiControls: @ColinEberhardt
• @sophistication
• @subdigital
• @SwipeStack
• @tackmobile: @_johnmyers
• @tapbots: @markjardine, @tapbot_paul
• @TaskRabbit: @JulianRamirez
• @u2elan
• @whereCloud: @fbrunel
• @501336north
• @955dreams: @chris_stevenson

For more on WWDC 2012 and what we expect to happen (and not happen!) check out our in-depth previews:

• iOS 6: Setting Apple Maps expectations
• iOS 6: The multi-billion dollar balancing act
• iOS 6: Higher hanging fruit
• iOS 6: A fresh coat of paint
• iOS 6: Is it time for Apple to revamp the multitasking fast app switcher?
• The 16:9 iPhone
• The 4 inch iPhone
• How Apple could provide direct document access in iOS 6
• iOS 6 and the opposite of widgets
• Is it time for Apple to revamp the Home screen?
• The challenge of bringing Siri to the iPad
• iOS 6 and privacy: How Apple should draw inspiration from Android for better app

Recent survey data from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners shows that 42% of those in the U.S. that bought bought an iPhone in April were fleeing from another smartphone platform, 38% specifically from Android and BlackBerry. It's worth noting that the sample size was only around 521, which might not be big enough to be globally representative, depending on your standards, plus that sample was weeded out from an initial batch of 7,348 might color the results further. Still, I think the general sentiment that iPhone is roping in lots of folks from other platforms holds water.

Though this is only a measure of the gross influx of iPhone users, I doubt there are many outbound considering Apple's traditionally high loyalty rates. The research also shows that for 2% of buyers, the iPhone is their first mobile, and 22% were migrating from feature phones. That's a pretty small proportion, considering smartphone penetration in the U.S. is still under 50% in the U.S. Sure, it's a big leap to make from dumbphone to smartphone, and maybe the iPhone's adoption rate of first-timers is better than that of other platforms, but I would have guessed that iPhone would be pulling in more noobies than smartphone veterans.

Which smartphone platform did you come from before iPhone? Do you know anyone still packing a feature phone? You've been prodding them to get an iPhone, right?

Source: AppleInsider

Foursquare for iPhone has received a significant update and makeover making it easier than ever to share and catalog your experiences and find new places to go.

The new design features just three tabs: Friends, Explore, and You (it will actually be your name). At the top of all the tabs is a check-in button in the upper right corner, making it simple to check-in from any screen of the app.

The friends tab is like a news feed of your friends' activity on Foursquare. If your friend uploaded a photo, it will be displayed nice and big with the caption overlaid on the top. You also have the ability to add a comment and "like" each entry.

The Explore tab is where you go to discover the Top Picks of your area. It features a map of your location at the top with drop pins of the Top Picks. If you tap on the map, you can view it full screen and get a closer look at the locations to see user-submitted photos and comments and leave a tip of your own. You can also scroll around the map and specify the location of the map. Scrolling through the Explore tab will display all the Top Picks like a feed. Each entry has an image, a user-submitted comment, and shows all the avatars of your friends that have been there.

The You tab is where you can view your profile information including your friends, stats, photos, tips, badges, and lists. You can also scroll through and see all the places you've recently visited. This is also the tab where you can edit your settings, including notification settings.

When you check-in to a location, you have the option to add a comment and image. You can also choose to post your check-in to Facebook and Twitter. Some locations you check-in to have specials. Some specials will benefit you by giving you some sort of deal on your purchase, and others promise to help a cause. For example, if you check-in to Starbucks from June 6-10, they'll donate $1 to help fight AIDS.

The good

• Great redesign
• Simplified to just three tabs
• Get deals when checking-in to some locations
• Share to Facebook and Twitter

The bad

• Still no iPad version

The conclusion

I'm a huge fan of the new Foursquare and that's saying a lot since I hated the old Foursquare for iPhone app. This new version is much more simple, intuitive, and streamlined. Now if only they'd release an iPad version!

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