Skip to main content

OS X 10.10 emphasis planned for WWDC, iOS 8 features pushed to iOS 8.1, new Apple TV still in the works

Screen Shot 2014-04-30 at 5.08.27 PM

Apple may be planning to give the next version of the Mac OS X operating system, 10.10, a larger presence than iOS 8 at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference, according to sources with knowledge of the plans. Because OS X 10.10 will feature an end-to-end redesign, not dissimilar from the scope of the changes to the iPhone and iPad operating system with iOS 7 last year, Apple wants to heavily promote the new system to developers. Apple has also been allocating iOS user interface resources to OS X teams in order to finish up the new OS X design in time for WWDC, and 10.10 development is said to be “steaming forward…”

The new look will have similar toggle designs to iOS 7, sharper window corners, more defined icons across the system, and more white space than the current version. However, OS X characteristics like the Finder, multi-window multitasking, and Mission Control will not disappear in favor of a more iOS-like experience. Apple is keeping iOS as iOS and OS X as OS X. The convergence will solely surround feature parity that makes sense and aesthetics. Apple is aiming to release 10.10 by fall and is planning a slew of hardware updates to promote the new software.

7994444846_c8d232aee7_o

While I understand the internal development codename of OS X 10.10 is “Syrah” (named after the wine), the California-themed marketing name for the software is not so clear. John Gruber suggested on his podcast (the episode in which I was a guest) that Apple should name 10.10 as “OS X Yosemite.” As Gruber said, “big is big,” and what better name for the most dramatic OS X redesign in history than the famous Yosemite National Park? And Apple may agree. The company has apparently been snapping up trademarks for California landmarks such as Yosemite, Mammoth, and Diablo.

As for iOS 8, some changes might not be so immediate.

Over the past few months, I have reported that Apple is working on several different projects for consideration in iOS 8. The list includes a Healthbook application for aggregating various health statistics from App Store apps and third-party medical/fitness devices, an updated Maps app with public transit directions support, a standalone iTunes Radio application to boost usage, VoLTE calling support, TextEdit and Preview apps, and various enhancements across the system.

While all of these features have been considered for iOS 8.0 and its launch later this year, sources are now saying that Apple has begun work on iOS 8.1, and that some of the notable features in the works for the first release of iOS 8 could potentially shift back to iOS 8.1.

The reasoning behind the potential shift is unclear, but sources speculate that resource allocation to OS X and various other high-priority projects is the cause. It is uncertain which particular features could be pushed back, but sources say that Apple is still racing to properly integrate public transit functionality into iOS 8 Maps and that said functionality is certainly in the mix to potentially be pushed back.

Apple’s upcoming transit routing service is based upon the compiling of transit data from several acquired sources, and Apple is obviously looking to take its time with the launch to avoid a repeat of the problems with its Maps app from iOS 6’s launch in 2012. Apple likely knows it could hold back the release of transit and face little consequence.

While some iOS 8 features may not launch until later in 2014 or early 2015, it is likely that Apple could preview all of the planned iOS 8 functionality at WWDC much like it announced CarPlay approximately a year before the feature’s release.

Besides the iOS 8 features that we have already discussed, Apple is said to be planning some significant changes to iCloud for introduction as soon as this year. Apple has been working on a new iCloud-based service for developers that would make development of cloud-infused apps simpler and more efficient. That Parse-like functionality has been tabled in the past, so it is possible it could be pushed back once again.

SHAZAM

Apple is also working on a song identification feature for Siri in partnership with Shazam, according to several sources. The feature would allow Siri to leverage Shazam’s database to pull up the title and metadata of a song playing from an external speaker. Siri would then be able to present the user with the ability to download the song via the iTunes Store. The mockup above by Michael Steeber is a great representation of how the feature could look. It is intriguing that Apple has chosen to partner with Shazam for the functionality since Apple already utilizes an in-house song recognition database to power iTunes Match. Bloomberg previously reported on the Song ID feature.

Screen Shot 2014-04-30 at 5.10.32 PM

iOS 8 is also being prepared to leverage a new generation of Apple’s in-house processor that is called “A8.” The successor to the 64-bit A7 does not emphasize core architectural changes and speed like the move from 32-bit to 64-bit technology, but it is instead designed to be more efficient for battery life and overall performance. The next version of the iPhone will have a larger display as well as a much thinner body, so maintaining power efficiency is critical. The new iPhone’s larger display, as well as a “high-priority” iOS device that is not an iPhone, also lends itself to another core iOS 8 addition. The feature, dubbed by Apple employees as “multi-resolution support,” is designed to improve the performance of both App Store applications and the general iOS operating system across multiple new iOS device resolutions.

Screen Shot 2014-04-30 at 5.13.07 PM

One of the future Apple products that could also take advantage of improved resolution support is the next Apple TV.

Apple originally planned to introduce a new model of the Apple TV in the first half of 2014, but the product’s debut seems to have been pushed back. Sources now indicate that new Apple TV set-top-box hardware as well a thorough revamp of the Apple TV’s iOS-based software are simultaneously in the works, but are not specifically tied together. That means that the new software update could arrive well before new hardware or that the new OS could also support the current-generation Apple TV.

Apple is said to have roped in immense amounts of engineering resources from other software and hardware engineering groups across the company to finish up the next versions of the Apple TV hardware and software. Unlike in the “hobby” days, future Apple TV product development is now a priority.

We previously reported that Apple is working on an Apple TV update to support Siri-based voice control. The new update could also support new types of content such as apps. The new version of the Apple TV software is said to be in development alongside the aforementioned iOS 8.1 release, so it seems likely that the two systems will launch in tandem late in 2014 or early next year. It is currently unclear if Apple will discuss the Apple TV at WWDC, but we know that Apple has been meeting increasingly frequently with cable providers regarding its future plans for the living room.

Regardless of what Apple ends up announcing at WWDC and throughout the rest of the year, we’ll have full coverage and will be bringing you the latest information as we hear it.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

  1. Adam-1D - 10 years ago

    Tim Cook wasn’t exaggerating when he said 2014 was going to be BIG. If even some of these make it to release, Apple will be light years ahead of any other competitor.

    • scottwilkins - 10 years ago

      Not really. Many features are still “catching up” to the competition. Plus it’s all incremental to many changes already in place. Not that big overall. But as normal Apple zealots, you’ve overblown reality a bit.

      • rogifan - 10 years ago

        “Apple zealots”. Is it really necessary to insult people? And as if there aren’t fanboys on every platform…

      • Here is the key difference of why “zealots” think it is light years ahead of the competition. When Apple makes a feature and releases it (with the exception of OS X Server IMO). It actually works and not just in the “ideal” conditions. Apple’s stuff simply works and that’s because they take the time to make sure.

        For example, the iPhone 5, particularly the larger screen. Android simply released a larger phone and expected App developers to deal with the different screen size. Of course they got there first, great for them. Apple took the time to think about the resolution; they also took the time to make an emulator for the Apps that aren’t ready for the different screen. This is key and for the VAST majority of folks, will never understand the feature but they use it and notice that it just works. That is why android has a special place among power users and such.

        Although Apple is behind here, they may do it right. I have fears because Jobs is gone…

      • Adam-1D - 10 years ago

        I agree that some features are still “catching up”, but that’s because it’s usually not in Apple’s nature to rush their products. But speaking of incremental changes, it’s a good thing. How else is progress to occur without refinement?

        I also don’t see how I’m being a ‘zealot’, as I feel what I said is true. Take for example the Apple A8 prediction in the article, it’s apparently “designed to be more efficient for battery life and overall performance”. This would be huge, as the current A7 is already a beast of a chip (the same chip powers both the iPhone 5s and the iPad Air). And more power savings? The iPhone 5s already gets ~8 hours on 3G on just 1400mAh- more would be certainly welcome.

        Calling me a zealot would imply that I’m blind against Apple’s faults while only extolling their virtues, which I certainly don’t think I do- one of the things I don’t like is the storage. We are in 2014 and everyone is still on 16GB for their base flagship model? Come on, Apple (and other OEMs) should make 32GB the base standard.

      • Joe Riley (@Rilemeup) - 10 years ago

        Casting pearls before swine!

    • Inaba-kun (@Inaba_kun) - 10 years ago

      Not sure how you’ve reached that conclusion. Big screen phones have been popular for years. For a radical OS makeover, see Windows 8. The Apple TV is years behind the Roku, Fire TV, and every game console, so this is all just catch up. Not to say they will be anything other than stellar products, but they’re still catch up products.

      • o0smoothies0o - 10 years ago

        Not at all catch up products. Apple releases their products as they deem fit, regarding a multitude of things. You think Apple couldn’t have released a larger phone years ago? If that’s what you think… No comment.

    • JLWord - 10 years ago

      Actually light years ahead I not accurate:
      Cloud : Microsoft’s Azure cloud that handle the backend services to many apps including Apples own John Grubers and Brent Simmons Vesper who did a video at Microsoft’s Build(John actually presented) on the benefits, power and convenience of Azure is probably only second to Amazon’s cloud. I don’t have the link to the video but a Bing search should find it for you.
      OSX and iOS feature convergence: I know apple is deliberately not making on OS for all form factors. But just the mere fact that they are just now creating sweeping updates to OSX that are meant to bring OSX and iOS closer together is YEARS behind Microsoft’s even more aggressive move to create one OS for all form factors. Increased sales in hybrids, Windows 8 tablets, and the steady growth of Windows 8.1 market share which alone surpass ALL of Apples OSX market share is testimony that Apples move won’t put it light years she’s of Microsoft. The move by Apple is more a move to position OSX to be more competitive. Catch-Up. Additionally a cursory market watch will show you that many OEMs are debuting low cost, competitive Windows tablets, convertibles and hybrids, that contests the beliefs of the naysayers that Windows 8 was a flop. The first year was a year of transition, growing pains. OEMs are now embracing it, an Microsoft has made changes, watch the Build videos, to the OS to make this form agnostic OS easier to use with mouse and keyboard PCs. Hello START BUTTON, pinning apps to task bar, more accessible power button. And upcoming changes like Metro(Modern) apps ability to opened in Windows! To be honest, entertain the concept even if you don’t like the implementation, one OS that works across ALL form factors in a post PC environment. Light years ahead? Microsoft is the ONLY company doing this. For PC and tablets. Google two OS’s has Chrome and Android. Apple two OS’s OS X and iOS. Microsoft has one OS Windows 8.1 With threshold Windows RT will merge with Windows Phone. So to sum this point the partial convergence of iOS and OSX is years behind Microsoft’s move to create a post PC OS that gives consistent experience across form factors.
      Even now, the convergence via the cloud creates a consistency across form factors. When I change the theme color on my Windows Phone Nokia Lumia 1520, my Windows 8 theme color changes. Documents, word excel, powerpoint sync across devices. Browser tabs sync across devices etc. The live tiles on my device look like the live tiles on my PC. This is just the beginning, true convergence will occur with Threshold in 2015.

      Universal Apps: Developers can code once and reuse 90% of thier code across more Windows Phone, tablet and PC. (Android and iOS are limited to 2 form factors- phone and tablet) Users can buy an app once use an app on multiple devices with synced data. Again. Microsoft’s breadth goes beyond what Apple is doing. It extends all form factors and will also include XBOX.

      XBoxOne: While we’re talking Xbox, or the concept of a media hub in the home, which Apples TV hopes to be, lets first establish that Apple TV is just now dedicating itself to bring the Apple TV out of the hobby phase. While the Xbox is an established fixture, broadly distributed and highly acclaimed in MILLIONS of homes around the globe and has been. Microsoft has acquired deals with content providers that are already on board, has made recent deals with AOL for over 900,000 videos. And already uses voice interaction to control content on the XBox. So to be clear. Xbox, Microsoft IS already doing this in millions of homes around the world. Apple is planning on making Apple TV more than a hobby and planning on integrating Siri for voice interaction. Again. Not light-years ahead. Catch-up.

      Map: Microsoft has a 10 year licensing deal with Nokia for Here services which includes Here maps, includes Here Transit, and the host of other Here products. These are ALREADY incorporated into windowdphone. Even the nifty little trick of automatically remember where we park. Apple. CatchUp

      Song Recognition: Windows phone has had this incorporated in Bing for YEARS. Now with Cortana that same function is ALREADY part of her functionality. “Cortana what this song play?” Again Apples Shazam incorporation is catch -up.
      So gosh Apple seems to be playing catch-up on nearly all fronts. 😊

      • jdrch - 10 years ago

        ^ Nailed it.

      • 311sie - 10 years ago

        Nah, you’re wrong.

        See? you don’t need long and boring posts to get your point across.

      • threepio - 10 years ago

        If Apple’s playing so much catch up why does Windows Phone have the weakest showing of the big three phone platforms (single digits), why is Xbox One selling only 50% of what PS4 is, why is Windows 8/8.1 universally reviled, and why is no one using Bing?

        OP’s point stands: others get there first, Apple does it right, leading others to catch up to Apple. It’s not about arriving at the destination with the best time, it’s about arriving ready to compete. Microsoft hasn’t been ready to compete since 2007 when Steve Ballmer said that the iPhone would never garner the market share Steve Jobs said it would. Apple did, Ballmer’s gone, and still people like you are posting irrelevant diatribes about the eventual Phoenix-like rise of Microsoft.

        Here’s a tip: it’s not going to happen.

      • Adam-1D - 10 years ago

        I had an even longer post countering every one of your points, but it got swallowed by my university’s shitty Wi-Fi. Since I no longer have the will to reply to your every argument, I’ll say this. Apple might be behind in some areas, but not as much as you’re making it seem in your post. In fact, Apple leads in a lot of areas, or they wouldn’t be the number 1 PC manufacturer right now in revenue, profits, sales, growth, etc.

      • JLWord - 10 years ago

        @Threepio An acknowledgement that Applebis playing catch-up in the areas that I responded to regarding some of the changes that we anticipate will be announced at WWDC does not mean that I don’t recognize what Apple does well. Microsoft beat Apple to market with a tablet and a smartphone. Apple swooped in and designed a form factor and UI that worked for the masses. They did that well. They are great at “branding” meaning that they are capable of positioning thier products as luxury items, selling that perception to the masses, and though the build quality and design of thier products are indeed great, the ‘branding’ provides for the intangible value to be incorporated into the cost of thier products increasing the price substantially above what the physical material and other costs associated with production, RD, marketing etc would warrant. Thus the high revenues.

        Based on some of the latest released states the Universally reviled” Windows 8/8.1 has more market share than Apple PCs(that’s not counting older versions of Windows OS). So though the OS has endured some growing pains in just over a years time it has grown beyond Apples representation in the PC space after thier 30+ years of relatively small presence. Note the updates to the indows 8/8.1 have answered some of the issues for desktop uses such as the ability to pin Modern Apps to the taskbar, and other desktop friendly adaptations. Microsoft listened to the “reviling” and made it better.😊 they have more changes coming like the ability to open Modern apps on the desktop inside traditional ‘window’ formats, and of course the Start menu is also returning.
        Windows Phone low representation in the mobile space, easy, alluding to what is said earlier, Microsoft blew thier opportunity. They were in the space, focused on enterprise, didn’t appealt to consumers, Apple did, Android copied, by the time MS got its footing, – BIG UPHILL BATTLE.
        But with windows being free for devices beneath 9″ about 15 OEM partners, now owning Nokia as ita own Mobile Device arm, the creation of universal apps where developers can code once and use 90% of thier code across PC, Tablet, Hybrid and Phone positions the struggling windows phone to gain more share. Consider that are 1.5 Billion pcs in use in on earth, that’s a much more tantalizing target than the relatively small WP segment, but since a developer can code once and reuse most of his/her code their is more of an incentive to write for windows phone as well.

        Apple makes great products and has done and will do great things. I honestly believe the iwatcj is going to blow the wearable category WIDE open. Apples great at perfecting things. As I note in a post on my blog and as was said here, they dont need to be first. That said like all companies they Microsoft, Google are not perfect. And I believe as MS has played catch-up in many areas especially with what was brought in WP8.1, Apple is playing catch-up in many areas they are addressing at WWDC. If they didn’t they wouldn’t be wise.
        I wrote a piece you might find interesting, its ling as you could probably guess😊…It’s titled “Why Windows Phone 8.1, Particularly Cortana Must Be Revolutionary, A Cautionary Tale” JLTechWord.WordPress .com Chech it out if you want. It talks about the struggle MS has with it’s windowsphone platform. Thanks guys

    • JLWord - 10 years ago

      BING! I forgot! 😊 @threepio I forgot to address your inquiry “Why isn’t anyone using Bing?” I understand that that question is a deliberate exaggeration due to Bing’s smaller piece of the Search engine pie compared to Google’s dominance but at 18% of Search Market share, the device and services company has a powerful backend and knowledgebase(their Satori engine) that ties (and will tie in further) with Microsoft’s other services such as Cortana, Office Xbox and more.
      Google of course is founded on Search which powers many of their services including GoogleNow.
      Of the big three, Microsoft, Google and Apple, the Cupertino company is the only lacking the powerful backend and knowledge base of their own self sustained search engine.
      Apple’s previous dependence on Google to support Siri’s search queries was ironically replaced by Apples dependence on Microsoft Bing to provide support to the millions of Siri equipped iOS phones and tablets. Ironically in answer to your question, why isn’t anyone using Bing, of the 18% who do every iOS user that uses Siri is using Bing.
      Bing also powers Facebook web search. So of the billion users of Facebook that initiate a web search, they too are utilizing Bing. Bing also ties in quite nicely with the social network allowing you to link your MS account to FB by logging in on the Bing page and thus incorporating social network responses into the search on a sidebar.
      Why is the important. It provides a more personalized response which works well into Microsoft’s plans of providing more personal, context relevant information tailored to users supported by a vast database and social network contacts via potentially ubiquitous services such as Cortana, Microsoft’s personal assistant. Which has made its debut on WP via the developers preview and elements of which are already being linked into the Bing web service.
      Cortana in many ways, in essence is Bing. Imagine. Of the 10 of millions Siri equipped iOS, the 100s of millions of FB users searching via Bing web search, the millions of Windows Phone users who use Bing by default, the millions of Windows PC, tablet, hybrid users who use Bing, all the users if (Nokia/now Microsoft) Asha and Nokia X line of devices that utilize Bing by default provides for a VAST source of data compiled daily from users around the globe on various platforms, various languages and usage scenarios. Search dominance I doubt is Microsoft’s primary goal with Bing. The building of a vast knowledge base that can be linked to thier array of services that are platform agnostic(remember their mantra “Cloud first, mobile first) like Office, and quite possibly Cortana and others, that helps them provide context relevant data when and where needed even via collaboration tools is a much more relevant goal in this post-PC world.

      So in a nutshell, “Why isn’t anyone using Bing?” 100’s if millions of Facebook users, 10’s of millons iOS users, 10millionz PC, tablet, hybrid users, 10s of millions of Windows Phone users, Asha and Nokia X users comprise the 18% market share of those who use a Search engine.

      Apple, if they do anything at WWDC quite honestly for thier voice assistant Siri to remain competitive, needs thier own backed search engine and knowledge base. Microsoft’s and Google’s foundation in this area position thier digital assistants, which I believe will begin to be more relevant in the mobile arena, especially as we transition to other form factors such as wearables will become more critical. Apples initial dependence on Google and its current dependence on Microsoft for Siri’s search abilities limits Siri’s capacicity to evolve into the comprehensive context aware and the proactive predictive digital assistant that even Cortana, at only one month, on a preview release platform as a beta and Google Now are today.

      So Microsoft’s strategic play with Bing, though I’m sure snagging as much market share as possible is in the cards, the primary goal I believe is to build a knowledge base and backend to serve as a resource to distribute real time relevant information across thier wide array of platform specific (for now like Cortana which we may see elsewhere in future)and platform agnostic services. Lots of people use Bing.
      Microsoft isn’t providing Apples iOS users use if thier Bing search engine out of the goodness if the Microsoftie hearts. Thier using the vast iOS user base to increase the use of Bing and to help build thier vast knowledge base as all of those happy iOS folk converse with Siri and initiate a search. Yep. I symbiotic relationship that provide MS with more search market share and more importantly more data. A database compilation race that on Microsoft and Google are in, and Apple is quite conspicuously absent. Except of course for their role as a resource for Microsoft to serve thier own purposes. Oh I mean to help the search-disabled Apple.😉 Yeah I think MS is quite happy with the arrangement.

      I know Yahoo wants a piece of the Apple pie, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see how that pans out. As for now, Apple is all about Bing. So you see, your question, “Why isn’t anyone using Bing” is not really valid. 9to5 Mac, most people that come to this site, when thier buddy Siri delivers up a search, are part of the millions that comprise the respectable 18% of the Search market ( that Apple isn’t in) that Bing possesses. 😉

  2. Josh Mobley - 10 years ago

    Dude. If they make the desktop os flat with no depth at all I will be very upset.

    • Tallest Skil - 10 years ago

      They have explicitly said they won’t be doing this.

      • aeronperyton - 10 years ago

        They explicitly said that the way iOS and OS X is used will always be different, therefore the way they function will remain honed to those differences. They didn’t give any indication on the visual appearance of either operating system.

      • Tallest Skil - 10 years ago

        Except UI is fundamentally tied to UX. You should know this.

    • devanealex - 10 years ago

      Dude. iOS 7’s design is anything but flat. Translucency, parallax and multiple layers provide it with more depth than iOS has ever had. Windows 8 is flat – iOS 7 is not.

      • scottwilkins - 10 years ago

        No, Windows 8 is not flat. Nor is it really that different, just an extra UI tagged on to Windows 7. If you see it as flat, then you haven’t used it.

      • o0smoothies0o - 10 years ago

        The metro style is the worst design and function ever implemented in an OS. It’s ground-breakingly embarrassing.

    • Lou Miranda - 10 years ago

      If you’ve seen Xcode 5, you’ve seen what OS X 10.10 will look like.

  3. Rob Gargett - 10 years ago

    Codename: Syrah. Marketing name: Napa. Slam. Dunk.

    • irelandjnr - 10 years ago

      But Napa doesn’t sound good. Nor Napa Valley. Redwood on the other hand sounds amazing, and happens to probably be my favourite place on planet earth.

      • o0smoothies0o - 10 years ago

        Agreed it does sound amazing and that is an amazing place. The wallpaper would look gorgeous.

      • 311sie - 10 years ago

        Since the update is a radical change in looks, my money is on “Hollywood”

  4. Tallest Skil - 10 years ago

    >>sources are now saying that Apple has begun work on iOS 8.1, and that some of the notable features in the works for the first release of iOS 8 could potentially shift back to iOS 8.1.

    I just don’t get how this makes any sense whatsoever.

    >>Unlike in the “hobby” days, future Apple TV product development is now a priority.

    Glorious.

    • Andrew Swan - 10 years ago

      >> I just don’t get how this makes any sense whatsoever.

      Sometimes features are in development, however they won’t be ready to be released by the deadline for iOS 8’s development. So, they’re pushing the deadline for that particular feature to be released with iOS 8.1.

      • Tallest Skil - 10 years ago

        Yeah, that I get. But it’s an # release. Do you have any idea what the media will do to Apple if they have a lackluster # release, pushing features back six months to the #.x?!

      • It’s a good thing then that the vast number of iPhone users don’t care or listen to what the media has to say. Especially, the “they think they know it all” tech media.

    • Jon Heckman - 10 years ago

      by pushing features to iOS 8.1, anything in iOS 8 could be mostly feature complete and just need a few tweaks and bug fixes.
      This allows them to have a team dedicated to testing and tweaking iOS 8 for a few months instead of keeping to introduce new features close to release.

      • Tallest Skil - 10 years ago

        It also leads to a smaller feature set for the # release…

      • o0smoothies0o - 10 years ago

        Or they want to fully drive home the OSX redesign by actually having it somewhat complete before WWDC, thus they pull resources to accomplish that task, after WWDC maybe they put the resources back and focus on completing everything?

  5. There is something really odd about reading article with so many first-person references….

  6. James Champlin - 10 years ago

    I really hope this doesn’t suck… But I have faith. OS X has been redesigned before and it will be again.

    I’ll miss the slate and aluminum look of the last seven years any way it goes. I have many fond memories of original Aqua when I ran 10.2 on my iMac 500…

    But let’s toast to the future!

    • Mr. Grey (@mister_grey) - 10 years ago

      It’s good to stay positive for sure, but some of this stuff sounds awful to me. As a Shazam user for instance, Apple’s purported implementation of it as described above seems pretty bad to me.

      The button in the Shazam app will definitely be more reliable and easier to use than asking Siri every time. It’s as if they missed the whole point of Shazam in the first place.

      • o0smoothies0o - 10 years ago

        I’m about 99% sure you wouldn’t have to ask Siri. You bring Siri up and keep your mouth shut while the song plays… Few seconds pass… Tada!

  7. mockery17 - 10 years ago

    I think they’ll switch to Helvetica as the main system font in OS X 10.10. If that’s the case, I’ll surely miss Lucida Grande… (Though Helvetica looks equally beautiful.)

    • dsnwiirocks - 10 years ago

      I’m looking at my Safari title bar, and now looking at the replies. I like Lucida Grande better. Helvetica does really look that nice on a thin and small scale.

      • irelandjnr - 10 years ago

        Helvetia Neue and Helvetica are all about Retina. It’s comin’.

  8. What about MBPr 2014. What do we know? :)

  9. ” The feature, dubbed by Apple employees as “multi-resolution support,” is designed to improve the performance of both App Store applications and the general iOS operating system across multiple new iOS device resolutions. ”

    Think that explains the WWDC logo for this year.

    • Dick Applebaum - 10 years ago

      Yeah! I think that means a new app packaging format (analogous to a fat binary) … Except, at download/install time only those modules required for a specific device are installed on that device.

      An example would be an app that runs on an iPhone, an iPad (and a Mac?) where the app store has a single,complete package — but each device/resolution would only download/install those modules required for it specifically.

      Also, it could mean that we will see new form factors of A8 devices.

      I wish that Apple would resurrect iWeb with some added programming capability.

    • Peter Peirce - 10 years ago

      Quick, someone count up the number of different sized squares on the invite to see how many new screen sizes we’re going to get this year!

  10. dsnwiirocks - 10 years ago

    Don’t make me punch Craig Federighi in the face. I have a secret admiration for him. Oh wait, he’s in charge of both iOS and OS X. Give me his address!

    I’m sending him a bouquet of flowers!

  11. I just don’t buy that… iOS is too important for Apple’s bottom line… Beside 7.1, Apple had essentially a year to prepare for iOS 8… OS X 10.10 is important but nothing compared to iOS…

    • rogifan - 10 years ago

      Last year was about software, this year will be about hardware. It’s possible more iOS features will be announced in the fall when the new iPhone and iPads drop.

  12. Mr. Grey (@mister_grey) - 10 years ago

    re: “Sharper window corners” …

    Why don’t we just call it Microsoft Windows? The most iconic thing about the mac is those rounded corners and they have already been reduced down to, what … 5 pixels? How much f*cking “sharper” can they get?

    More importantly, why is Apple letting Ive screw with this stuff? The man has no background, or any history at all in software, UI or UX design.

    Yay! let’s lose some of the Mac’s iconic features because … ??

    • mockery17 - 10 years ago

      Just wondering, did you have a similar complaint when the rounded corners in the menubar got removed in OS X Leopard?

    • 5px sharper.

    • o0smoothies0o - 10 years ago

      Yes because needing experience in UI design is a thing? Like if you haven’t worked on UI design for 20 years, you’ll have NO IDEA what looks good. Hahah. Sorry but that’s just something that is implanted in one’s mind. If you have good taste, you’ll know what looks good. Ive has some of the best taste for design in the world. If you don’t like his design, assume your taste is god awful and continue on with your day. iOS 7 looks amazing.

      I think this will mean they will reduce shadowing behind the windows which at the present time looks god awful, and the windows will appear much more flat.

      • irelandjnr - 10 years ago

        As long as you can easily tell which is the front window flat will look fine. Perhaps the big push is to make sure devs design their Mac apps correctly, and as opposed to an 1″ shadow the non-active app just changed to a different hue or grey.

  13. Is it unreasonable to assume any major update to AppleTV would include 4K support?

    • It’s possible. It really depends on if h.265 support is ready. If it’s not, then 4K is probably impractical. But even if iTunes video content doesn’t make the jump to 4K, then enabling it’s on the aTV would allow apps like Netflix to use it.

    • irelandjnr - 10 years ago

      4K is not needed. Ubiquitous 4K content is years away.

  14. Great reporting Mark. Let’s hope WWDC gives us something we can use immediately.

    • irelandjnr - 10 years ago

      As long as you have an Apple ID you can best test the new release on OS X. So you will have something to use if you want to.

  15. Paul Silver - 10 years ago

    How about the iWatch? Resolutions can go down as well as up. I would love to see something concrete with that, even if it’s just a simulator. Devs would need to get on board with such a new concept. Even if they don’t introduce Healthbook, I think now would be the right time for the whole Connected Everything concepts.

    • irelandjnr - 10 years ago

      If the do an iWatch it may not have an API for the 1.0 version, especially if iWatch is also an iPod.

  16. iPadCary - 10 years ago

    WOWSERS!!
    “Expected late-2014 ….”
    “Possibly early-2015 ….”
    Sounds like a real whizz-bang of a show!
    I can’t wait until June arrivzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ….

  17. Jan Klaassen - 10 years ago

    “Apple originally planned to introduce a new model of the Apple TV in the first half of 2014”

    Please, stop it! No one knows about Apple’s plans, except Apple. All this nonsense about new products being delayed make me sick. Just like the iPhone 4s that released several months later than expected. Everyone expected the iPhone 5 to be released during summer, but the iPhone didn’t come. All summer long websites were claiming Apple delayed the iPhone 5, because of problems with production of the big, curvy screen. Blablabla. Later Apple introduced the iPhone 4s. Apple doesn’t tell what they’re doing and don’t give any dates. Stop this nonsense of “Apple delays product blablabla.”

    • o0smoothies0o - 10 years ago

      Apple insiders giving someone information may be accurate. It’s not like they magically assumed the Apple TV was planned for early 2014 and then assumed it got pushed back. If it hadn’t been released, and they weren’t told by sources that it was planned for early 2014, then they wouldn’t comment that it was.

      • rogifan - 10 years ago

        So sometimes they get bad information from sources. Also as far as an end user is concerned internal deadlines at Apple aren’t delays. Apple never promised the public a new ATV in Q1 so saying it’s delayed is disingenuous.

      • o0smoothies0o - 10 years ago

        Of course they sometimes get inaccurate information, that’s obvious and has nothing to do with it. Um, if the plan was to release it Q1 but they instead delayed it, it is delayed. Yeah, customers can’t complain, but if it was delayed then I want to know, because I like knowing that instead of releasing it when they planned, they instead took the time to get it right. I also don’t think disingenuous was the right word there.

      • Daniel Narbett (@Narbett) - 10 years ago

        Internal development targets are NOT the same as communicated release dates. Re-scheduling effort based on changing business priorities is just good biz practice, not a “delay”!

        Then again, just because a committed deadline isn’t externally communicated doesn’t make it invalid so there may well be an actual delay. But in an article that’s mostly a wrong-rumour roundup I want some more solid evidence to call ‘delay’ rather than ‘normal biz practice’.

  18. alexandreguin - 10 years ago

    Why Mac OS 10.10 ? It should be Mac OS 11 (10.9 + 0.1 = 11). I think that this new operating system will be very different versus the actual Mac OS X : all new design and features etc….

    • o0smoothies0o - 10 years ago

      What does 10.3.2 = ?

    • mockery17 - 10 years ago

      OS X is a brand and everything new version will be a .x release. Plus version numbers are not decimal numbers.

      • mockery17 - 10 years ago

        Correction: every*

    • irelandjnr - 10 years ago

      Software versioning is not decimal. Google it.

    • Stetson - 10 years ago

      They had 10.4.11 so I don’t see why they can’t do 10.10.

      It isn’t a decimal number, the period is just a seperator between version numbers.

      It’s the same thing as IP addresses. 192.168.0.1 is different than 192.168.0.10

  19. jSeunnasepp - 10 years ago

    APPLE TV to go to 4k display? That would make sense to me – both pro and con.

  20. driverbenji - 10 years ago

    Apple needs to seriously fix Maps data, especially POI data. Going with Yelps integration (since ios6) was a major downgrade from google maps (ios5), and is still seriously flawed. It was an ok way to find POI online before smart phones came around, but, it’s a dino now, and can’t be fixed.

    They need to buy Foursquare or license their data, their users are much more active and the information is 100x more likely to be up to date, not to mention the app is 1000x better. Integration of POI data from Foursquare would make a huge difference.

    • driverbenji - 10 years ago

      what I’m trying to say is that Apple still needs to fix the basics of Apple Maps app before adding anything more to it!

      Also, turn by turn directions, often it misses a Y in the road, my next turn is right, but, I have to keep left in the Y a couple miles before that. I have made some wrong turns.

    • o0smoothies0o - 10 years ago

      Yes Yelp is god awful. I’ve looked at Apple maps for my area stores and restaurants and I don’t think a single one of them is in the accurate location on the map. It’s truly a HUGE embarrassment using Yelp. I tried updating information on Yelp before and it doesn’t work at all, like they don’t take any advice or anything, absolutely worthless company.

  21. Michael Rosenberger - 10 years ago

    Here is hoping Apple does something big again. Everyone needs new ideas to copy/use…even Apple themselves. Everything has been incremental for all platforms lately.

  22. Suthan (@Suthan19948550) - 10 years ago

    Awesome work Mark!

  23. Felipe Castillo (@fcs132) - 10 years ago

    I don’t think Apple is actually gonna iOS 8 push features to iOS 8.1. They won’t release an iPhone (6) with an iOS 8 that doesn’t have jack sh*t. And besides they have from June 2nd to September (23rd?) to finish adding all the finishing touches, right?

    • Felipe Castillo (@fcs132) - 10 years ago

      * I don’t think Apple is actually gonna push iOS 8 features to iOS 8.1.They won’t release an iPhone (6) with an iOS 8 that doesn’t have jack sh*t. And besides they have from June 2nd to September (23rd?) to finish adding all the finishing touches, right?

  24. Reinaldo Moya - 10 years ago

    I just want a NEW MAC MINI!

  25. I do not want Apple to ruin OSX with a gimmicky new look!

    The OS should remain flat, simple and neutral, if not more so.

  26. John Smith - 10 years ago

    Oops – thought as much: Ive about to wreck OSX like he has with IOS

    Johny Ive – they gave him a clean sheet of paper, thousands of man-hours later he came back with …

    … a plain sheet of (white) paper.

    How much are they paying this guy to keep turning everything plain white?

    • Kenny Yin (@iOSight) - 10 years ago

      Totally agree! Every time I try to use my iOS device at night, my eyes suffer so much that I want to throw my iOS device out of the window. Any change beside invert colors – even a night mode would be appreciated.

  27. Jimmy James - 10 years ago

    Get your UDiDs registered at http://udidev.com
    And install iOS 8 Beta 1 as soon as it drops.

  28. Gradly™ (@iGradly) - 10 years ago

    Why do you call it OS X 10.10? 10.10 = 10.1 < 10.9 So its OS X 11 or more precisely OS XI

    • Mike Beasley - 10 years ago

      That’s not really how version numbers work. 10.10 is a perfectly valid version number because they aren’t mathematical decimals. The numbers after the point just represent incremental increases that don’t warrant a full version number upgrade. In the case of OS X, that’s basically all of them it would seem (so as to maintain the OS X branding, I suspect).

  29. Tice (@Tice) - 10 years ago

    Hopefully this flat non-user-friendly GUI will not take place on OS X. I still like to get the difference between content an GUI elements like buttons. Some Apps in OS X are allready flat, like iCals next and previous month button. You have to look longer and search more for the action elements. This is a step backwards. Form follows function. This is still true.

  30. sobokuone - 10 years ago

    for those who think Apple’s stuff just works maybe they forgot about Apple maps. And there’s more but the point is one company is not better than the other its what you like. I love my iMac but I also love my Nexus 5. So stop coming up with your reason’s why and just enjoy what you like.

  31. Erik Chamberlin (@erikjc) - 10 years ago

    This article is too long and talks about too many things.

    • Aryl Indolyl - 10 years ago

      No, no it’s not. It’s wonderfully long. Long articles loaded with good information is never a bad thing—so long as it’s well written.