WWDC 2013 Recap: Apple Unveils iOS 7, OS X Mavericks, iTunes Radio and New MacBooks and iMacs
ByTim Cook, CEO of Apple, and his team introduced numerous changes to the tech world Monday.
Apple showed off its brand new mobile operating system "iOS 7" and desktop and laptop operating system "OS X Mavericks" as well as a new "iTunes Radio" at their 2013 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).
Craig Federighi took the stage following the conference's introduction by Cook and introduced "OS X Mavericks," an update from the current "OS X Mountain Lion."
Mavericks' main objective is to maintain laptops' and desktops' battery life for a longer period of time. It also has all sorts of new gadgets and features. Maps, app notifications and iBooks, which were all previously only available on mobile devices will be a part of Mavericks, as well as a we browser which Federighi claims to be twice as fast as Google Chrome while using less energy.
Eddy Cue, web services executive, took the stage to explain the brand new "iTunes Radio" service. The service generates general and personalized radio stations based on music on a user's iPhone. Resembling Pandora Internet Radio, Cue showed an example by playing a Led Zeppelin station that began with one of their songs and switched to a Rolling Stones' song.
Cook introduced iOS 7 and called it "the biggest change to iOS since the introduction of the iPhone."
Next, design expert Jonathan Ive showed off its quick settings area, enhanced swipe-to-unlock screen, flatter icons and a totally made-over interface with a series of flat panels.
Federighi said the new mobile operating system "is like getting an entirely new phone, but one that you already know how to use, one that is so much more beautiful and functional than ever before."
He focused on the control center, part of quick settings feature, and easily turned features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on and off. He said iOS 7 will also multitask for all apps and basic functions of the phone, like iPhoto, will also be revamped.
OS X Mavericks and iOS 7 will be available in full in the fall. Also expected to get an overhaul (again) is the oft-criticized Apple Maps app and Siri voice command system.
Software chief Scott Forstall as did the head of Apple's retail arm. Ive, the company's design wizard, has been put at the top of the software division.
Also introduced were brand new MacBook Pros, iMacs and MacBook Airs. The new computers promise longer battery life and enhanced features as well. The new airs come in 11 and 13 inches and are available immediately. Phil Schiller, vice president of marketing at Apple, said they will last all day.
"You can watch the entire trilogy of 'Lord of the Rings,'" he said.