Apple Inc. (AAPL) introduced their new Retina MacBook Pro during the company’s annual WWDC conference and since then has begun shipping the new device to all of its retail stores, as well as making it available for purchase online. About a week ago, the shipping estimate for the Retina MacBook Pro improved to 2-3 weeks. Since then, the shipping estimate has improved to 1-2 weeks.

This is typically the amount of time an in-demand product takes to ship after being on sale for several weeks. Apple’s other products, such as the iPhone 4S, and iPad also carried a similar shipping estimate upon release. This recent improvement to 1-2 weeks originally occurred in the Asia-Pacific market but is also spreading to other markets around the world, including the US, Europe, and Africa. The shipping estimates were at 3-4 weeks roughly 36 hours after the initial introduction.

Shipping estimates continue to improve around the world as Apple continues to increase manufacturing and output and the initial burst in demand slows a bit. In a few weeks, it is likely that the shipping estimate will improve to a week or less on both the online stores and in Apple’s brick and mortar stores, with the online store giving users the option to customize the Retina MacBook Pro with better specs.

During Apple’s Q3 earnings call Apple CEO Tim Cook estimated that the company would be able to catchup the huge backlog of demand sometime in August.

{via MacRumors}

Apple announced iOS 6 during the company’s annual WWDC conference, and showcased some of the main features of the new update including a revamped Maps application and Siri improvements. The Cupertino company released an initial beta to developers directly after the conference, allowing developers to test the new features on the their devices and then released iOS 6 beta 2 in late June.

On Monday, Apple released iOS 6 beta 3 to developers, fixing bugs and adding a number of new features. This latest beta comes comes as Build 10A5355d, about three weeks after the last with Build 10A5338d. Some of the features of iOS 6 beta 3 include:

• Roadwork and traffic accidents showing up in Maps app
• Answer and Decline buttons for FaceTime calls have returned
• iMessage on iPad now accepting phone number as valid contact info
• Greater 3D Flyover coverage in Maps
• Glyphs for bookmarks, Reading List, and history in Safari
• Auto-brightness changes gradually

One of the other main features noticed was a change under the Navigation settings, giving users the option to measure distance in kilometers or meters, adjust the volume of the navigation voice, and providing map labels in either normal or large that can display in a local language or strictly English.

Apple’s iOS 6 betas continue to improve with each release and give developers the chance to test each feature and use it with their own apps. Apple is expected to release several more betas before the final public release, which is expected during the September / October timeframe. It is also likely that the public version of iOS 6 will release alongside the next generation iPhone 5 which is also expected during the same timeframe.

{via MacRumors — Image Credit: 9to5Mac}

Apple’s iOS 6 was announced during the company’s WWDC conference early last month, and registered iOS developers received a beta version of OS. Registered developers typically pay $99/year for the registration, however, the betas have shown up on numerous sites, other than Apple’s developer portal.

In late June, Wired reported on websites illegally selling developer betas to the public, prior to an official launch. Developers registered to receive the betas are allowed 100 device slots which is being sold on these websites. After the 100 device slots are sold, the person simply opens up another account with Apple to acquire another 100 device slots.

Behind the scenes, each service uses the same simple backdoor: Registered iOS developers can activate up to 100 unique device IDs (or UDIDs) for their account, an essential tool for testing apps on multiple devices. Once registered with Apple, the activated device is also able to run pre-release versions of iOS, though developers are forbidden from sharing pre-release software outside their own team.

This went under the radar for quite some time, without any action from Apple. However, as the issue becomes more widespread and more copies of the betas get out, Apple is beginning to crack down on these websites selling the betas. MacStories contacted the owner of one of the websites who revealed that the website was pulled following a complaint for copyright infringement from Apple.

While most of our emails bounced, we heard back from one of the site owners (who asked to remain anonymous), who confirmed his hosting provider took down the site after a complaint for copyright infringement by Apple. Similarly, the CEO of Fused tweeted in a reply to Andy Baio that Apple had been “fairly heavy-handed” with DMCA requests to UDID-selling sites hosted on their network.

The owner reportedly made $75,000 from such service since the beta release of iOS 6 in June. Apple is likely cracking down in order to prevent this issue from spreading to the OS X Lion platform as well as future iOS betas. It is unclear at this point what other websites have received a claim of copyright infringement, as Apple’s actions are fairly recent. iOS 6 is expected to be released in October, alongside the next generation iPhone 5 and the rumored iPad Mini.

{via MacRumors}

Earlier this week, a report from Bloomberg mentioned that Apple is likely integrating Yelp check ins directly into the Maps application. This would allow users to easily track their location in Maps and then check in to the restaurant or venue they go to, right away.

At this point, neither Yelp nor Apple have confirmed that this feature is in fact part of the Maps update in iOS 6. However, if Yelp Check-In is added to Maps, it can also be assumed that other features such as Facebook Places may become part of Maps with iOS-wide Facebook integration being one of the big features.

Other location services such as Foursquare can also be integrated, although Yelp is currently the only service rumored to be part of the redesigned Maps application in iOS 6. Yelp has been part of Siri on the iPhone 4S since its introduction last year and will expand to give more information on reviews, prices, and locations. With Yelp Check-In and Yelp on Siri, discovering new restaurants and venues will likely be simplified over voice commands.

The final public release of iOS 6 is expected to be released during the same October timeframe of the next generation iPhone 5, as both will likely be released together.

{Image Credit: 9to5Mac}

This allows Apple to not only gain more worldwide revenue, but it allows them to gain a bigger base of developers that can now develop and sell their applications in their own country. Although Apple has been focusing mainly on the United States as well as Asia, the company is now reaching out to other nations, including a few in Africa and parts of South America. The full list of countries that recently received the App Store is as follows:

Albania, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Fiji, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Palau, Papua New Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Zimbabwe.

By adding in these new countries, Apple is offering their over 600,000 applications, 200,000 tailored for the iPad to millions of new customers, who will likely push the Cupertino company’s 30 billion downloads to a far greater success.

{via AppleInsider}

During Apple’s annual WWDC2012 conference, the company introduced the next generation of MacBook Pro. The new MacBook Pro features a retina display, the same type of screen currently found in the iPhone and the new iPad 3 as well as a new thinner design, faster processors and more hard drive space.

Apple recently released a television commercial called “Every Dimension” highlighting the design and screen of the Retina MacBook Pro. The ad shows a Retina MacBook Pro and fast forwards through a series of apps being used on the notebook. The ad then ends with a single line that reads:

The radical new MacBook Pro with Retina display. Innovation in every dimension.

Apple appears to have adopted a similar design for the commercial from the MacBook Air ad after its most recent redesign. The ad uses an all black background and centers the MacBook directly in the middle, and ends with a simple line that describes the product.

The ad aired on a number of channels in the United States, including the NBA Finals which is clearly Apple’s strategy for reaching a wide range of customers. The Retina MacBook Pro is currently available in the Apple Online Store and has a ship time of 3-4 weeks.

During Apple’s WWDC keynote event on Monday, the company introduced iOS 6 with a redesigned Maps application, built entirely from the ground up. Rumors that Apple was looking to abandon its reliance on Google’s Map data for its Maps app were around for quite some time, and now it has been confirmed.

The new and improved Maps application in iOS 6 adds a number of features not seen in the Google version included in iOS since the introduction of the iPhone in 2007. All of the cartography was done by Apple, with images taken from airplanes from above for the 3D mapping portion of the data.

The new Maps app is based entirely off a Vector engine, providing smooth scrolling, panning and zooming when navigating maps. Features of the new Maps application include, turn-by-turn directions that can also be operated with Siri, local search for millions of businesses,, a crowd-sourced traffic service for real time updates on accidents and traffic issues, Yelp integration, and 3D mapping called ‘Flyover’. The Turn by Turn navigation is presented with street names, smooth, and can switch quickly from an overhead map to navigation.

Apple’s 3D Flyover feature is an excellent replacement for Google’s own Street View and allows users to pan, zoom, tilt, and rotate an almost real time 3D image. The 3D images allow for a 360° view of buildings and allows direct interaction with the picture, unlike the current version which can only be moved horizontally or vertically and is restricted at some points.

iOS 6 will be released publicly sometime during the fall timeframe of iPhone 5. Apple issued iOS 6 beta 1 to developers during the event on Monday and will release several betas before the public release.

{Image Credit: Apple}

Apple’s annual WWDC keynote event will kick off today at 10:00AM as Tim Cook takes the stage to announce the company’s latest products and updates. During this years live keynote event Apple is widely expected to unveil iOS 6, new MacBook Pro models and provide an update on OS X Mountain Lion.

Touch Reviews will be bringing you the All-in-One live feed of the keynote so you can sit back and know what’s the latest without refreshing this page. iOS 6 is the sixth version of Apple’s mobile operating system and is expected to bring many new features and enhancements that could include, deep Facebook integration, updated Siri, iCloud feature update and much more.

While in 2011 Apple’s WWDC keynote event was all about software, this year the company is rumored to introduce new MacBook Pro models and for the first time bring ‘Retina Display’ to the MacBook product line. The new models have been speculated to have design similar to MacBook Air however, the next gen MacBook Pro models could see a significant price increase.

iOS devices contribute towards the largest chunk of Apple’s revenue share so it’s safe to assume that the focus of this years WWDC live keynote event will certainly be iOS 6. During All Things D’s D8 Conference Tim Cook gave subtle hints by saying “stay tuned” when he was questioned about Facebook integration and Siri. So, we can expect those two enhancements to certainly be a part of iOS 6.

You’ll be able to download and stream the keynote soon after the event. What are your expectations from this years event? Let us know in the comments section.

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Apple’s WWDC keynote event is only a few hours away, where Apple is expected to introduce new MacBook models as well the next version of the company’s mobile operating system, iOS 6. On Friday, a number of images of iOS 6 banners were posted by CNet, all of which were being set up in Moscone West, the building where Apple’s WWDC  2012 keynote event is being held.

With the images as proof of iOS 6, it is confirmed that Apple will be previewing features of iOS 6 during the keynote event. The images depict banners reading “iOS 6, The World’s Most Advanced Mobile Operating System” being put up by workers in the entrance hall of Moscone West. iOS 6 has long been rumored to be making an appearance at WWDC 2012, with the software showing up in web logs and running on an iPad.

The ‘6’ on the banner appears to have a background of water ripples, likely continuing Apple’s water theme, previously water droplets on glass in iOS 5. This means that the background and other promotional items will likely ship with this new background once iOS 6 is finally announced and later issued for public release.

Apple’s WWDC keynote event begins on June 11th and it is clear that iOS 6 will be a part of it, although specific details as to what will be included in the update is unknown. Other products such as new MacBooks are also expected to be announced. Stay tuned, we’ll keep you updated.

In a report from Cydiblog, a new video from part supply website, eTradeSupply was released and reveals what is expected to be the back cover of the next generation iPhone 5. The “uni-body” cover is made from some form of brushed steel, sports a longer body, a smaller dock port, has a headphone jack on the bottom and is thinner than the current iPhone 4S. The back cover also points to a smaller SIM card slot.

In the video, the narrator compares the back cover of the iPhone 5 to a current iPhone 4S and points out the differences between the two, however, other components such as weight are hard to compare, especially with no screen, battery or internal components inside the cover. The iPhone 5 cover also has two black stripes, one on top and one on the bottom, a different color from the metal back and if the part turns out to be genuine, then would likely serve as some form of antenna for the iPhone.

The next generation iPhone is expected to be released in the same October timeframe as the iPhone 4S last year and will likely include a smaller dock connector, a taller screen, and better FaceTime and rear cameras. The iPhone 5 will also include iOS 6 which is expected for announcement at Apple’s WWDC conference on June 11th.

{via MacRumors}

Apple is expected to release its next iPhone 5 later this year, and a number of reports have suggested that the screen is going to be made taller to accommodate up to 4 inches. These rumors were entirely speculative until a recent report from japanese site Macotakara, which posted images and a video showing what appears to a taller iPhone 5 screen, with an overall design that looks very similar to the current iPhone 4S screen. The front panel also had a relocated FaceTime camera, now above the earpiece of the iPhone and centered on the device, similar to the iPod touch.

This is the first time that a part capable of being for the next gen iPhone 5 has surfaced and is likely not only taller, but from the images, wider as well. With iOS 6, Apple will likely expand the existing apps on the App Store, in order to fit the new screen size without compromising the number of pixels per inch. Earlier in the month, reports that Apple was purchasing 4 inch screens from a number of suppliers surfaced. Suppliers included LG Display, Sharp, and Japan Display Inc., which also supply Apple with screens for a number of its other iOS products.

The iPhone’s screen size has remained the same since the introduction of the original iPhone in 2007, only experiencing a major change during the release of the Retina Display. This would be the first time that Apple would change the 3.5 inch display in any way, and it appears in good fashion too, making it much taller than the current display. Apple has not changed the width, and has emphasized in the past that this would cause issues with resolution and users being able to text with one hand.

Apple’s next gen iPhone 5 is expected to be released during the same October timeframe as the iPhone 4S and will likely be released alongside iOS 6 after a developer preview of the new software during Apple’s WWDC conference from June 11-15.

{via AppleInsider — Image Credit: Macotakara}

Apple has been rumored to release an updated line of MacBooks, most notably the new MacBook Pro, which is expected to take on the thin design of the MacBook Air. On Monday, Chinese forum Weiphone released an image of what appeared to be a specs sticker on the back of a 13.3 inch MacBook Pro box. The image revealed only minor additions to the MacBook Pro line, such as the new 2.5GHz Ivy Bridge processor as well as the new Intel HD Graphics 4000 GPU. The specs also reveal that Apple is adding USB 3.0 for faster charging and data transfers as well as Bluetooth 4.0.

Although there were rumors that the MacBook Pro would be receiving the popular Retina Display, it appears that it will remain at the same 1280×800 resolution. Hard Drive and SuperDrive remain unchanged as well. It is likely that Apple is adding features very slowly so as not to cause any major changes to the operation of the battery in the Macbook. Adding a Retina Display could lower the battery life drastically, as would the addition of more RAM, and a faster HardDrive or SuperDrive.

The authenticity of the image remains unknown, although WWDC 2012 could bring hardware releases alongside a suite of software offerings, such as iOS 6 and perhaps another preview of OS X Mountain Lion. It is unclear if Apple will still be introducing a thinner 17 inch model, as the image only specifies the 13.3 inch model, but remains unknown until final announcement by Apple.

{via MacRumors}

The next version of Apple’s iOS operating system, iOS 6, is expected to be released during the company’s 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, Apple’s 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 Apple’s 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 company’s 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.

{via MacRumors — Image Credit: 9to5 Mac}

Apple’s WWDC 2012 conference is to be held at Moscone West in San Francisco and begins on June 11 through the 15th. Since then, rumors have been swirling about possible new Mac models and iOS 6 being released and hype surrounding the event has grown.

Apple is now putting the finishing touches on the Moscone West center in preparation for the event. On Tuesday, images of WWDC banners going up in Moscone were taken by a MacRumors reader. The banner advertises WWDC 2012, has a background image of iOS apps, and reads, “”WWDC2012: Where great ideas go on to do great things.”

As usual, with all Apple events, the company puts up banners in the entrance and normally covers the entire glass front of the building the event is held in. The event kicks off on Monday with a Keynote address, where redesigned MacBooks, iOS 6, and likely another preview of OS X are expected to make an appearance.

Apple’s WWDC 2012 conference will be from June 11- 15 in Moscone West in San Francisco, California.

{Image Credit: MacRumors}

Rumors of Apple abandoning Google Maps in iOS 6 have been around for quite some time, however, Google recently announced an event to discuss the next dimension of their Google Maps design.

In a report from 9to5Google, it was revealed that Google is looking to unveil “The Next Dimension of Google Maps”, only about a week prior to Apple’s own WWDC 2012 keynote event, where they are expected to release the details on the next version of its iOS platform.

At this invitation-only press gathering, Brian McClendon, VP of Google Maps and Google Earth, will give you a behind-the-scenes look at Google Maps and share our vision. We’ll also demo some of the newest technology and provide a sneak peek at upcoming features that will help people get where they want to go – both physically and virtually. We hope to see you there.

Apple has been reliant on Google’s Maps technology since the launch of the original iPhone in 2007. According to a number of reports over the course of several months, the Cupertino company has been working on its own map technology for quite some time and will finally be moving away from Google Maps.

Apple and Google have been competing over the mobile space for a number of years, with Apple accusing Google of stealing their ideas and calling Android fragmented, and Google stating that iOS is tightly controlled and too closed. Google’s timing to release new updates is likely in response to Apple’s transition to inhouse operations on Maps technology, and to soften the blow of such a sudden loss in the mobile space, with Apple getting Google a large percentage of its mobile users.

{via MacRumors}

Following rumors that Apple would be opting for a 3.9 inch screen for its next generation iPhone 5 come new rumors and images that reveal iPhone 5 cameras as well as what appears to be a 4.1 inch iPod touch. Photos of the leaked parts show a taller screen, very similar to the face of the iPod touch, leading to outright claims that this is in fact the new iPod that will come to fruition later this year.

Alongside the claims of the new iPod touch, images of new camera parts and home buttons have surfaced, believed to be parts of the next generation iPhone 5. The iPod touch is the most popular iPod in Apple’s lineup and brings a multitude of features over from the iPhone, over to a cheaper and thinner device. Apple is expected to release the new iPhone in the same October timeframe as the iPhone 4S, with a taller screen, faster A5X chip and possibly better cameras (on the front and back).

The iPod touch will likely also make an appearance around the same time as it normally does in a September event, bringing a number of new features to the iPod. To top off the upcoming iPhone and iPod touch, Apple is expected to release the next version of iOS with an updated Maps application at the WWDC to be held on June 11th-15th in San Francisco.

{Via CNET — Image Credit: MacRumors}

Apple’s next iPhone 5  is expected to be released later this year, most likely in the October timeframe when the iPhone 4S was released this past year. Late last week, Apple won the domain iPhone5.com from a small online forum that operated under the name.

The Cupertino company filed a claim with the World Intellectual Property Organization earlier in the month, to secure the iPhone 5 name. Although there have been no credible reports that the next iPhone would in fact be called “iPhone 5″, Apple is just keeping its options open and would reroute the domain back to the iPhone page on Apple.com.

Apple had trouble securing the domain iPad.com as well as iPhone.com in the past, but is looking to acquire any and all possible names for the next generation iPhone, so as to avoid any confusion. Apple’s WWDC conference is coming up next month on June 11, and iOS 6 is expected to be announced and maybe even a developer preview is made available.

The next generation iPhone 5, slated for an October release is rumored to include a larger 4 inch screen, a micro dock connector, LTE connectivity and perhaps even LiquidMetal offerings either on the bezel, stainless steel frame or on the back. Names for the next iPhone remain unclear, even with a number of rumored features, and at this point, iPhone 5 is the best bet until an official announcement is made.

{via iMore}

It’s here again. Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2012) is back and is scheduled for June 11. Apple announced early Wednesday that WWDC 2012 would be held from June 11 through the 15 in San Francisco, as it is every year. Tickets for the conference sold out in under two hours this year, beating out WWDC 2011 tickets sales which sold out in under twelve hours.

“We have a great WWDC planned this year and can’t wait to share the latest news about iOS and OS X Mountain Lion with developers,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “The iOS platform has created an entirely new industry with fantastic opportunities for developers across the country and around the world.”

This year’s conference will likely focus on OS X Mountain Lion, which is due for release later this summer, and iOS 6 which will probably appear during the conference in the form of a developer preview. Apple mentioned in their announcement that they would have about 100 technical sessions for developers, with over 1,000 Apple engineers to help attendees of the event.

The time frame for the event isn’t very surprising, when considering the fact that Apple typically holds the conference during this time of the year, in order to announce its product releases chronologically; Mac OS X release, iOS with iPhone, iPod and then the iPad at the beginning of the following year.

WWDC is Apple’s premier event, of which other events eventually derive, such iOS 6 and the Apple’s iDevices following up the announcement a few months later. Developers who currently hold tickets to the event may encounter higher than usual prices on flights and hotel bookings, not only because of the massive increase in flight purchases, but because of the U.S Open golf championship being held in San Francisco, as well as the slew of vacationers who head west during this time of year.

{via MacRumors}

During this years WWDC keynote event Apple previewed OS X Lion, iOS 5 and shared its plan for the upcoming cloud based service called iCloud. With no announcement about iPhone 5 the event was completely dedicated to software. The company has now posted videos of WWDC 2011 sessions on iTunes and updated Apple’s developer page to include all that took place during Apple’s full-week event.

The sessions include videos and slideshows for 109 different sessions, covering App Frameworks (32 sessions), Core OS (13 sessions), Developer Tools (20 sessions), Graphics, Media and Games (24 sessions), and Internet and Web (19 sessions.) The videos on the developer page were supposed to be posted earlier but Apple failed to update them, however, now they are available in iTunes.

Registered developers have access to SD or HD video of the event and can get them by visiting the Development Videos page and clicking on “Log in to iTunes” on the bottom left. WWDC is Apple’s annual conference for registered developer’s to come together and explore the latest and greatest offerings from Apple.

iOS and OS X developers can now relive the conference with over 109 videos, covering every major WWDC topic in detail, and perhaps get ready for WWDC 2012.

{via MacRumors}

Apple’s annual worldwide developers conference concluded less than 15 days ago and we are already hearing rumors which suggest that WWDC 2012 will be held from June 10 through June 15 at the Moscone Center.

Apple hosts WWDC every year in June and a “Corporate Meeting” for June 2012 has been spotted on Moscone Center calendar which is now being believed to be the date for next years developers conference. Although, the dates are tentative and uses a generic term to describe the event it could certainly be Apple’s event.

In early February, Touch Reviews reported similar news about a booking for the Moscone West Convention and the dates actually turned out to be for WWDC 2011. Apple has usually used the conference as a platform to introduce new hardware products but this year the company focussed entirely on software.

During WWDC 2011 Apple showcased Mac OS X Lion, previewed iOS 5 and shared its vision for the upcoming cloud based service called iCloud. It’s clear that the company wants to continue to create differentiation based on the software and apps available for the hardware.

If rumors are to be believed then we could be hearing about a special event slated for September which could introduce iPhone 4S / 5. The fifth gen iPhone is expected to support the dual core A5 chip that boots graphics performance upto 9 times on the iPad 2.

Were you satisfied with the announcement made during this years developers conference? What do you think Apple will announce next year? Have your say in the comments below.

{via MacRumors}