If the onslaught of WWDC news is leaving you a bit dizzy this morning, here's an overview of all the biggest and most enticing announcements; from Apple's next generation MacBook Pro to iOS 6 and OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.
New MacBook Pros with Retina display
The biggest highlight of Apple's 2012 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) was unquestionably its new suite of MacBook Pro laptops, described by Apple as "the best computer [we have] ever made."
In Pictures: Apple's best MacBook Pro yet
The major change in Apple's new MacBook Pro is the new retina display which boasts a native resolution of 2880x1800 pixels.
Other improvements include the laptop being lighter and thinner, a 2.7Ghz quad-core i7 processor in the high-end model, up to16GB of RAM and Nvidia Kepler GT 650M graphics. Connectivity has also been improved with USB 3.0, SD, HDMI, Thunderbolt and MagSafe 2.
Prices start at $2,499 for the 2.3GHz quad-core model with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. Here are the specifications:
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Model
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MacBook Pro with Retina Display 2.3GHz |
MacBook Pro with Retina Display 2.6GHz |
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Price
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A$2,499 RRP
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A$3,199 RRP
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Display
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2880x1800 pixels
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Processor
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- 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz) with 6MB shared L3 cache
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- 2.6GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz) with 6MB shared L3 cache
- Configurable to 2.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost up to 3.7GHz).
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Memory
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- 8GB of 1600MHz DDR3L onboard memory
- Configurable to 16GB.
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Storage
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256GB
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512GB (configurable to 768GB flash storage)
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Dimensions
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18x358x247mm
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| Weight |
2.02 kg |
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Graphics and Video Support
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- Intel HD Graphics 4000
- NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1GB of GDDR5 memory and automatic graphics switching
- Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on up to two external displays, in millions of colours
Thunderbolt digital video output
- Native Mini DisplayPort output
- DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter (sold separately)
- VGA output using Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter (sold separately)
- Dual-link DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (sold separately)
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Camera
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Connections and Expansion
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- MagSafe 2 power port
- Two Thunderbolt ports (up to 10 Gbps)
- Two USB 3 ports (up to 5 Gbps)
- HDMI port
- Headphone port
- SDXC card slot
- Apple Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter (sold separately)
- Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter (sold separately, available in July)
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Wireless
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- 802.11n Wi-Fi wireless networking; IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible
- Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology
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Audio
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- Stereo speakers
- Dual microphones
- Headphone port
- Support for Apple iPhone headset with remote and microphone
- Support for audio line out
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Keyboard and Trackpad
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- Full-size backlit keyboard with 78 (US) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and four arrow keys (inverted ‘T’ arrangement) with ambient light sensor
- Multi-Touch trackpad for precise cursor control; supports inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap and drag capabilities
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Battery and Power
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- Up to 7 hours wireless web
- Up to 30 days standby time
- Built-in 95-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
- 85W MagSafe 2 Power Adapter with cable management system; MagSafe 2 power port
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Electrical and Operating Requirements
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- Line voltage: 100V to 240V AC
- Frequency: 50Hz to 60Hz
- Operating temperature: 10° to 35° C (50° to 95° F)
- Storage temperature: -24° to 45° C (-13° to 113° F)
- Relative humidity: 0% to 90% noncondensing
- Maximum operating altitude: 3,000 metres (10,000 feet)
- Maximum storage altitude: 4,500 metres (15,000 feet)
- Maximum shipping altitude: 10,668 metres (35,000 feet)
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In the Box
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- MacBook Pro with Retina display
- 85W MagSafe 2 Power Adapter, AC wall plug and power cord
- Printed and electronic documentation
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Apple OS X Mountain Lion 10.8: it's not 'Mac' any more
As expected, Apple let its new Mountain Lion out of the bag at WWDC 2012. Noteworthy additions in Version 10.8 include a new Notification Center UI with Facebook and Twitter support, increased integration with Apple's iCloud service, a unified messaging system that allows chats to span multiple accounts (including Google Chat and AIM), an overhauled Game Center and a Siri-style dictation tool.
Version 10.8 has also dropped the 'Mac' from its title, signifying the increased convergence between iOS and OS X. Also read our Apple OS X Mountain Lion 10.8 preview.
iOS 6 unveiled with 200+ new features
Apple's latest mobile OS, iOS 6, was also officially unveiled at WWDC. It will be available for general download in September to iPad, iPhone and iPod users. (A preview is available now for developers.)
One of the biggest changes is the removal of Google Maps - instead, the new OS will boast a Yelp-powered list of over 100 million businesses, live crowd-sourced traffic reports and turn by turn navigation. Siri has also been incorporated into the new maps function, offering the ability to answer questions like 'are we there yet?' and tell you where the nearest petrol station is. There is a 3D mode called Flyover with detailed 3D renders of key cities around the world.
Other improvements include new Siri fuctionality (including opening apps, checking live sports results and movie reviews/listings), FaceTime over 3G, Photo Stream (which automatically shares your photos with nominated friends), a new 'Do Not Disturb' phone mode, the multi-purpose Passbook app and Facebook integration. In all, iOS 6 has more than 200 new features.
New Thunderbolt accessories
With USB 3.0 cheap and reasonably fast, Thunderbolt is beginning to seem like a costly luxury - but that hasn't stopped Apple from showing off two new Thunderbolt adapters. The Thunderbolt to Firewire 800 adaptor and Firewire to Ethernet adaptor do exactly what they say on the tin.
Siri coming to new iPad
Apple announced that iOS 6 will bring the full version of Siri to its new iPad (AKA iPad 3). The new version of Siri lets you launch apps, as well as request information about sports and films. Unfortunately, iPad 1 and 2 owners who update to iOS 6 will have to make do with Siri dictation only.
