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Showing posts with label ios8. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ios8. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 03, 2014

WWDC: How Apple aims to seduce developers
While the average consumer may be disappointed by the lack of shiny, wallet-draining, new electronic toys announced by Apple at their developer's conference, WWDC, developers themselves have a lot to look forward to (and maybe a little bit to be afraid of).

Say hello, Swift. 
(credit: wired)


The headline news is Swift - Apple's brand new programming language, announced on Monday night in downtown San Francisco. It promises to blend in seamlessly with the language it'll supercede, Objective-C, and to democratise development with easier entry and faster processes. More than that though it can run code as it's written, rather than needing completed blocks to be processed. Beyond that they're 'borrowing' some almost Android-like features, better communication between apps and even third-party widgets, adding customisation to the famously locked-down experience. Albeit they do risk some backlash from the likes of WhatsApp and Snapchat by pretty blatantly lifting some of their most innovative features for the revamped iMessage.

Apple's courting of the developers is hugely important, as is it seemingly letting down its barriers with regards to more co-operation with other large companies. Including Bing as its search driver for its revamped Spotlight feature Apple is taking aim at a clear enemy, and before it really goes to do battle its amassing allies left right and centre (even buying Beats). The co-operation with Microsoft and a welcoming embrace for third-party widgets are a clear indication of Apple looking to bring as many people on board as possible in its overall quest to topple its largest rival, one that just stole its crown of 'most valuable brand'.

Finally Apple is looking to deliver the 'thermonuclear war' it promised; Google is in its sights.
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Friday, May 30, 2014

What's Apple got in store for WWDC14?
"And life will be different as a result".

That's the bold claim Apple are making as the slogan to their latest developers conference. Not even "the" result, just "a" result. While not exactly known for their aversion for hyperbole it's still a pretty ambitious statement so let's take a look at the front running candidates for exactly what wares Apple will have to show, and some of the best mock-ups that the internet can throw up.

The likely

Mac OSX 10.10 Syrah - The desktop is likely to get the same beautification as the mobile OS, expect Jony Ive's signature gradients, rounded corners and consistent flatness.

(credit: cultofmac)


The Internet of Apple things - Apple are rumoured to be storming into the smart-home market with their own communication platform for all the various connected objects of the future. 

iOS 8 - iOS 7 is sure to see its translucent expanse slightly upgraded and refined as Apple makes tweaks rather than sweeping changes to their mobile OS. The most important debuting feature is likely to be split-screen multi-tasking.

Healthbook - Apple is likely to ride the wave of health apps with a whole roster of sensors and software that helps users track their fitness and health.

(credit: macrumours)


The most obvious issue with this list is that Apple is largely playing catch-up to its competitors, Healthbook competes with Samsung's S Health, multitasking is common across Android and Microsoft tablets and Google have purchased the one of the most promising companies in The Internet of Things, Nest. The rest is evolution, not revolution and it's hard to see Apple producing something truly disruptive or jaw-dropping, if its coming from this list. Instead Apple is set to cement and improve its software offering as it expects to see the hardware side of the business slow in the coming years.

The unlikely

iWatch - With the wearables market gently building into a roaring blaze of interest what better time to announce Apple's venture in the market? Later in the year, apparently. 

iPhone 6 - Apple's latest phone is just not ready yet, says the chatter, and the rumour mill is all too slow-turning to suggest a landmark handset launch. Still, nothing's impossible - at least not compared to our final two options.

Top iPhone leaker Sonny Dickson says this is the iPhone 6 and the technology press are slightly more convinced by this option than any of the others.
(credit: Sonny Dickson)



The spectacularly improbable

The Apple TV - While the set-top 'puck' is here to stay, and will likely be upgraded, the chances of a physical TV being released by Apple are slimmer than a Macbook Air. 

This won't be seeing the light of day (not least because it seems to be in a bunker).
(credit: ajklijs)


The Apple Car - Google's got a car, so why not Apple? Well Google's also got robots, balloons, Ray Kurzweil, and a project to nullify human ageing - all technology-led craziness that, the relatively safe (by these new standards) Apple isn't likely to involve itself in. As the world's most cash-rich company it's a strategy that's not done them too much harm so far.

There is zero chance that this will ever exist. Sorry.
(credit: gadgethelpline)



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