Apple’s annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) always generates a lot of excitement and a lot of headlines. This year, we’ve read all of the coverage so you don’t have to. Here are the key highlights:
- Existing MacBook Air and Pro lines received an overall bump in specs, including faster processors. Some prices dropped slightly.
- A new model of MacBook Pro was announced, featuring a thinner and lighter form factor and a high quality “Retina” display similar to those found on the iPhone 4/4S and the new iPad.
- The upcoming version of Apple’s desktop operating system, dubbed Mountain Lion, was demonstrated. Among the many new features, several prominent iPad/iPhone apps (Notes, Messages, Reminders) will be moving over to the desktop OS. iCloud integration will also get a boost, allowing users to more easily move between their iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV) and their desktop/laptop computers. Of particular interest to lawyers: the same dictation feature currently available on the new iPad will be integrated into Mac OS, allowing reasonably accurate dictation in all apps–including Microsoft Word.
- Apple also unveiled the next version of its mobile operating system: iOS 6. New or improved features include a significantly enhanced Siri voice recognition tool; offline reading lists; shared iCloud photo streams; a Passbook app for managing tickets, boarding passes, and loyalty/gift cards; and a completely new Maps app that includes built-in turn-by-turn navigation. Of interest to lawyers: when declining a call, you’ll now have the option to set a calendar reminder for follow-up or you can simply reply by text. The new OS will also allow users to set certain contacts (e.g. your clients) to “VIP” status so you’ll be less likely to miss an important email.
Want the full details? Check out the comprehensive coverage over at The Verge, Engadget, or Ars Technica.