Once again, Apple dominates everyone's Facebook, Twitter, RSS feeds, news broadcasts, and souls with its annual WWDC announcements. In case your world didn't grind to a complete halt at 10AM Pacific Standard Time or you didn't get to make it to sunny San Fran, here's a quick and dirty breakdown.
[Image via Apple.com]
iBooks
- The iBooks app will now view PDF's, and it looks pretty featureful.
- iBooks will be included in iOS 4, allowing you to sync bookshelves across iDevices.
Netflix
- Netflix will be releasing an iPhone app, similar to the iPad app.
Zynga
- FarmVille on iPhone. It will either change your life or depress and annoy you.
iAds
- Created to help devs (and Apple) make more money.
- Will be turned on July 1st for iOS 4 devices.
- Designed to be emotional and interactive, and keep people in-app while ad is delivered.
iPhone 4 Hardware
- Definitely the biggest announcement of the show...
- except for that it was already leaked.
- All-new design with A4 processor, with front and back glass and steel sides
- "Thinnest smartphone on the planet" at 9.3mm
- Front facing camera & back facing camera (latter with LED flash)
- All-new camera system, 5MP, illuminated sensor
- "Retina Display" with 4X pixel density
- Enhanced battery life
- 3 axis gyro + compass = 6 axis motion sensing
- 720P video recording at 30 frames per second
iMovie for iPhone
- Will be $4.99 in App Store
- Full video editing, with themes, on iPhone
iOS 4
- New OS for iDevices - already announced, but renamed
- Multitasking, stacked icons in folders, unified inbox, and more
- Upgrades free for all devices, available 06/21
- Not all features will be supported on iPod Touch or iPhone 3G
FaceTime
- iPhone 4 to iPhone 4 Video Chat
- WiFi only
- Front or rear camera, portrait or landscape view
Pricing and Selection
- Available in white or black
- 16GB version = $199, 32GB = $299 (contract pricing)
- AT&T will let you upgrade if your contract expires anytime in 2010
- 3GS will be $99
- Pre-orders start 06/15
- Availability on 06/24
Thoughts?
Personally, I'm torn on this one. Of course, I want the iPhone 4 - but since my iPhone use has dwindled notably since my iPad purchase, perhaps a $99 3GS is in order.
I don't think any of the announcements this time around have been earth-shattering, but the iPhone 4 is certainly a worthy addition and enhancement to Apple's iDevice lineup, and iOS 4 will improve the experience across the board.
Post your comments below... I'd love to know what you think!
[Great WWDC Liveblogs from Engadget, gdgt, and Gizmodo]
