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WWDC 2012 Rumor Roundup: iOS 6, Mountain Lion, iCloud, and Macs

Saturday June 9, 2012 10:35 pm PDT by Arnold Kim

With Apple appearing to have a full slate of announcements lined up for its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote on Monday, we're offering this roundup to summarize a number of the high-profile rumors that have been circulating ahead of the event.

Apple has already announced that it will be previewing iOS 6 and OS X Mountain Lion at the event, and with Apple also expected to introduce a number of new Macs and perhaps make some additional announcements, the schedule appears to be packed.

iOS 6


Apple is not keeping it secret that iOS 6 will be a major component of WWDC 2012, with banners featuring the unannounced version of iOS having already been hung at the site of the conference. While we expect Apple will detail the many new features of iOS, the biggest new feature will be Apple's own mapping solution, which has been reported by multiple sources. Apple has been dependent on Google for mapping and navigation since the iPhone's original launch, but over the past several years Apple has made moves and acquisitions in an attempt to build its own solution. Here is a list of rumored features for the latest version of iOS:

- Apple's own Mapping Solution
- Facebook Integration
- Siri for iPad
- Developer usage tracking tools
- iCloud Safari Tabs/VIP Mail Highlighting/Do Not Disturb mode
- Baidu search option in China

OS X Mountain Lion


OS X Mountain Lion is another known product that Apple will be discussing at the conference. Apple previously announced the new version of OS X back in February. The features included Notification Center, Messages, Reminders, Game Center, and Airplay. We've since seen hints at several other new features that Apple may also be including in OS X:

- Automatic App Downloads
- Password Generation in Safari
- Offline reading list / Voice Dictation

iCloud


The third banner that is being prominently displayed in the Moscone lobby is one for iCloud. Apple CEO Tim Cook has said that iCloud is a strategy for the next decade. Due to a slip-up by Apple, we've already seen some of the new features that Apple is planning to bring to iCloud in iOS 6:

- New web apps (Notes, Reminders)
- Enhanced photo sharing / Photo Stream for videos

MacBook Airs, MacBook Pros, Mac Pros, iMacs and Retina


Due to a leaked inventory list, we know that Apple is shipping a dozen new Mac models to their retail stores, although the exact breakdown is somewhat open to how you interpret the part numbers and prices. At the least, it seems we'll see new MacBook Airs, Mac Pros and MacBook Pros. Depending on your interpretation, we may also see iMacs.


Meanwhile, Retina-class displays on Apple's new Macs has been an ongoing rumor that's even been corroborated by Bloomberg. Apple has already built in Retina-display support in OS X, and many expect them to release the corresponding hardware this week.

- Dozen New Mac Models Coming
- Apple to Release Thinner Retina MacBook Pros at WWDC
- New MacBook line with Retina Display
- Retina coming to iMac too?
- Anti-reflective glass for iMac?

Apple TV


Apple has been rumored to be bringing a television set to market late this year or early next year, and there have been rumblings that the company may take its first steps toward that goal at WWDC with an unveiling of the operating system that will power the TV. Additional claims have suggested that Apple will be introducing an SDK to open up the current Apple TV set-top box to third-party developers. Those apps would naturally also be compatible with the television set should it come to fruition. We should note that all these Apple TV claims come from a single uncorroborated source, and may not happen next week.

iPhone


A number of parts claimed to be for the next-generation iPhone have already begun leaking from Apple's supply chain, with the highest-profile leak so far being a hands-on video showing the back cover of the device. Apple is unlikely to introduce new iPhone hardware at WWDC, however, with most observers believing that the company will stick to the September/October timeframe seen last year with the iPhone 4S.

Live Keynote Coverage


The WWDC 2012 Keynote kicks off at 10am Pacific on Monday, June 11th. We will be providing live text and photo coverage here. We will also be issuing Twitter updates through our @MacRumorsLive account. Separate news stories regarding the event announcements will go out through our @MacRumors account.
[ 214 comments ]

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Battlefield Fan
36 months ago
Please announce immediate availability of Mountain Lion. Plzzz:D
Rating: 17 Votes
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Jaro65
36 months ago
Sure sounds like it is going to be one busy WWDC!
Rating: 17 Votes
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TC400
36 months ago
Can't wait SUPER EXCITED
Rating: 15 Votes
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Xavier
36 months ago
Bring on iOS 6!
Rating: 14 Votes
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cjmillsnun
36 months ago

No iMac talk?
Why are they so bulky?
A slimmed down iMac would be a nice surprise.


iMac bulky? It's a desktop that is less bulky than a lot of flat screen TVs...
Rating: 13 Votes
Avatar
DavidTheExpert
36 months ago
I predict that Apple will release a developers version of iOS 6 at WWDC, and it will contain lots of subtle details about the iPhone 5, and we will be able to paint a nice picture of what the iPhone 5 will be like from details in iOS 6.
Rating: 12 Votes
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thecurryman
36 months ago
Pleasseee let there be widgets in iOS 6!
Rating: 10 Votes
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Processor
36 months ago
what about the new iWork? we are still using iWork 2009
Rating: 10 Votes
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Drunken Master
36 months ago

... apart from the fact that there's no real difference between it and iPad 2 except rear camera and Retina Display? I think you mistaken me for one of those who thinks Apple is a fail unless it makes godly products every time.

I'm certainly not one of those. In fact, I pre-ordered my iPad 3 and 4S. But that was because I didn't have an iPad before and my previous iPhone contract had expired. So now, unless iPad 4/iPhone 5 have something exceptional, then I don't see myself upgrading for 2 years.

Basically, Apple has lost that technological innovation that SJ had. SJ's era pumped out one great product after another. There were doldrum periods for sure, too, but eventually a great product was guaranteed. The last 2 years at Apple haven't really been extraordinary save their blockbuster sales. Apple seems to be trying to stretch out SJ's remaining ideas for as many years as it can. This is evident by the fact that SJ introduced products that were normally a significant departure from their predecessor. Tim Cook has so far been releasing products that are almost exactly like their predecessor, except a few changes here and there and a great deal of marketing.

Hopefully iOS 6 proves me wrong, but I highly doubt it will be anything more than a "major" change to Maps, and a few tweaks here and there.


There was what, like a 6 year gap between the iPod and iPhone debuts? And now a 2 year period of consistent, but not earth shattering, work is equivelant to a failing on Apple's part?
Rating: 9 Votes
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doctor-don
36 months ago

Macrumors has an international focus and not US only and it annoys me that you only post the US time for all Apple events (10am Pacific).
Many of your readers will have no idea what Pacific actually refers to.

It would be good if you could at least add Paris or London time for Europe.


You do use a computer of some sort, don't you? Then use it to find out what time it is elsewhere in the world - e.g., http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/

Did you complain about the transit of Venus time, too?

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It's not "plausable", it's "plausible"...:rolleyes:


Uh-oh. You're gonna hear from the editors who don't like grammar corrections.
Rating: 9 Votes

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