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iOS 5.0 was the largest single set of changes to iOS since its inception in mid-2007, making it a difficult update for Apple to top this year. That major software release introduced the world to iCloud, the iMessage platform, iOS Twitter-integration, Notification Center, Newsstand, and more. iOS 6 will not top iOS 5 in terms of new features, but, instead, it will be a refined version of the easiest-to-use smartphone, mobile media-player, and tablet software on the planet. The indicator of the idea of a focus on refinements in iOS 6 is that the central elements of iOS 6 hardly differ in appearance from their iOS 5 counterparts. The pick-up-and-play home screen grid of application icons, notifications, app-switching, and Siri all look like their iOS 5 counterparts. So, whats new? Sources 9 to 5 mac

Apple will be removing google maps and replaceing it with there own verson 4
Instead of Google, Apple will rely on mapping databases that it has developed thanks to acquisitions of at-least three mapping firms. The new iOS 6 Maps application runs on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, and the design features a new silver-interface. However, the general interface and feature-set in the iOS 6 Maps application does not differ much from the Google Maps-based software running on iPhones since 2007 and iPads since 2010.

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The next version of Apples iOS operating system, iOS 6, is expected to be released during the companys WWDC 2012 conference starting on July 11. Various reports in the recent past have mentioned that the next software update will bring a number of features, including major updates to Siri, Apples personal assistant software.

Now that Siri is running on the iPhone 4S and the new iPad 3 has gotten voice dictation, there is every reason to believe that Siri might in fact be coming to Apples popular tablet computer. On Monday, a report from 9to5Mac mentioned that Apple may be bringing Siri over to the iPad 3 with iOS 6, allowing users to access all of the features by holding down the home button on the iPad, the same way it currently operates on the iPhone 4S (mock up of potential Siri design).


Siri on the iPad is activated by a quick hold of the home button, just like on the iPhone 4S. The interface slides up from below the display with a clever animation. Siri is built into the iPad as a small window on top of whatever interface the user is currently interacting with. This Siri window with rounded corners sits at the bottom center of the display, as you can see in our mockup above. The Siri iPad interface takes very little space over the iPad interface currently in use, and is designed with the same linen texture as on the iPhone 4S. Siri for iPad also works from the lock screen.

It is unclear if Apple will announce the feature during the companys annual WWDC conference or hold off until the public release. During the conference, Apple generally provides developers with an early preview of the software and allows them to test out the new features prior to its release several months later. It is also unclear whether developers will get access to Siri on the iPad 3 prior to any public release.

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Even prior to the launch of the current Apple TV design, the rumor-mill ran wild with speculation and reports that Apple would open up an App Store and an SDK for the Apple TV. Ahead of WWDC 2012 and the iOS 6 beta, (Apple TV also runs iOS), BGR has claimed that the Apple will announce an Apple TV application SDK at the conference. The same website reported that Apple would unveil the operating system that will run on the mythical Apple television set at WWDC, but not actually reveal the hardware or specific features. Apps on the Apple TV, on top of all of Apples other announcements, sounds like a major stretch to us. In fact, weve heard nothing pointing to the release of an SDK, so wed file this as unlikely for now.

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iClouds announcement at last years WWDC brought a complete overhaul and rebranding of Apples former MobileMe suite of services. At WWDC 2012, Apple is expected to unveil some updates to iCloud. As we first reported, Apple will open a new beta version of iCloud for developers that includes a new iCloud website with both Notes and Reminders web-applications. The WSJ followed up by reporting that Apple will build photo-sharing with social elements into the popular Photo Stream feature. In addition, mimicking a report of ours from last year, the WSJ also said that Apple is working on a video synchronization service between iOS devices and Macs, a video version of Photo Stream. We dubbed this Video Stream last year.

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Apple introduced OS X Mountain Lion in February of this year in order to give the world a sneak peak a OS Xs future and developers a chance to start building applications that are supported by the new OS. The new Mac OS takes several features from iOS, including a Notification Center, Game Center, AirPlay Mirroring, enhanced China support, and more. Apple has never given an official public demonstration of OS X Mountain Lion, so we think that Apple will use time at WWDC to do that. Besides the features that have already been introduced, not much has been rumored. A couple of weeks ago, we located references to Voice Dictation support in Mountain Lion Safari, and there has been some pure speculation about Apple bringing its new iOS Maps app to the Mac with Mountain Lion. Apple has also teased some hardware-specific Mountain Lion features, but we are not sure what to make of that.

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With WWDC normally remaining a software only event (and iOS hardware event up until last year), many were surprised when we started reporting that Mac hardware would make an appearance at this years WWDC. In early May, we reported that Apple would release its next-generation MacBook Pro at WWDC. This new MacBook Pro will include a thinner design, a high-resolution Retina Display, and USB 3.0 connectivity. In terms of the thinner design, it will not be MacBook Air thin or tapered like previously reported by other news sources. Read our full report about the next-generation MacBook Pro here.