Papa Fouche: June 2012

It’s WWDC time. Like, tomorrow. And we expect to see plenty of fun announcements, not least of which being a brand new mobile operating system, iOS 6.

It’s the type of Apple product every iPhone owner can enjoy, and I’m more than pumped to bring you a full list of expected, rumored, and wishlist features that we’ll soon enjoy.

So how does a silver user interface sound as opposed to blue? What about a departure from Google Maps and a brand new 3D map view brought to you direct from Apple? How about Facebook integration as deep as (if not deeper than) Apple’s beloved Twitter?

All that and more after the break.

Facebook integration
Rumor:

Facebook will be baked straight into iOS 6 the same way that Twitter is in iOS 5

This will allow for system-wide Facebook authentication services for apps, sharing to a limited extent (links, perhaps photos), and possibly check-ins.

It would also be possible to integrate Facebook Events with the iOS calendar (iCal)

Also possible, but even less likely: Integration of Facebook Chat with iMessages

Argument:

It comes rather confidently from MG Siegler

Apple likes Facebook

Apple wants to keep things as easy as possible for users, and baking in Facebook only makes sense for users of Apple products, Facebook, and developers

Facebook sharing is already built into iTunes desktop

When asked about future plans with Facebook, Tim Cook said “stay tuned.”

Objection:

Apple has baked in Facebook before and scrapped the idea

Facebook is a far more complicated network than Twitter: Facebook privacy, Open Graph, etc.

Concerning the deeper integration (iCal, iMessages, and even Photos), Apple usually takes its time with these big endeavors, like with Siri

Judgment: Likely. As the LA Times points out, all signs point to a Facebook-laden iOS 6. Facebook is usually the most popular social app on the App Store, and Facebook is picking up some serious steam in the mobile realm. Partnering in this way only makes sense, and should only strengthen both companies.

Siri for iPad
Rumor:

Siri support, not just voice dictation, will come to the iPad

The personal assistant will be accessed through a hold tap to the home button (like on iPhone 4S), whether the iPad is locked or not

Siri will take up only a small portion of the screen, popping up from the bottom of whatever app the user is currently in

It may only come to new iPads

Argument:

It’s only a matter of time

9to5Mac “trusted sources” claim Siri is in testing on second and third-gen iPads

Again, Apple wants to unify its products

Siri is used in voice dictation on the iPad, it’s just not fully functional

Objection:

The iPad may be too far away to understand dictation, according to some skeptics

Siri is still in beta. Why jump to a new device?

“Users aren’t proving adventurous with their usage”

It’s possible that Apple may not reveal Siri for iPad at WWDC

Judgment: This one’s a maybe, but only because it may not show its face tomorrow, not because it won’t happen. Siri for iPad is only a natural progression. My guess is that it’s unveiled tomorrow and available only to third-generation iPads. Apple is scaling Siri to make sure that quality stays up to snuff with concerns for servers, etc., just like Siri was only available on the iPhone 4S.

iCloud Updates
Rumor:

Apple is syncing new and current OS X features with iOS 6 through iCloud

This includes iCloud Tabs, Do Not Disturb for Notifications, and Mail VIPs

iCloud Tabs is said to offer a synchronized list of Safari tabs open across all Apple devices.

Do Not Disturb would be a toggle under Airplane Mode in Settings that would disable notifications

Argument:

An iCloud beta site confirms that new iCloud features will affect iOS 6.

Mail VIPs is already a feature in OS X Mountain Lion, and it’s much appreciated by users. It only makes sense to include it in iOS 6 Mail.

iCloud Tabs have been integrated into OS X 10.8 Developer Preview 2 in March.

Even with rumors of added display real-estate to the next-gen iPhone, horizontal resolution wouldn’t change. With most games played in landscape, the ability to disable not only badges but banners during play is even more needed.

Objection:

All three features come by way of anonymous “trusted sources” at 9to5Mac, with no real concrete evidence behind them.

Judgment: It seems like these features only make sense in the new mobile OS. It’s all-but-announced that whatever’s happening with iCloud — and some new things are undoubtedly happening — will be a part of iOS 6. However, the specific features listed don’t have much solid proof to back them up. We could be entirely wrong. Perhaps the Notes and Reminders synchronization shown on the iCloud beta page are on the WWDC menu.

We’re keeping you up to date on everything you should expect from the all-but-announced features to wishlist items. Check out Matt’s rumor round-up on Apple’s Notebook announcements, as well as a forthcoming post on possible OS X features to look forward to. WWDC 2012 is set to be the biggest developer’s conference yet.

Crunchbase

IOS

Product: iOS

Website: apple.com

Company Apple

iOS is Apple’s operating system for their mobile devices. It debuted in 2007 with the release of the first iPhone, but has since been extended for use with the iPod touch, iPad, and Apple TV. iOS’ user interface relies on users’ direct manipulation of the product screen with multi-touch gestures, including swipes, pinches, taps, and reverse pinches.

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