iOS 6 is official. Lookie-loos loitering outside the San Francisco venue for this week's Applefest WWDC have spotted banners bearing the iOS 6 name, confirming we'll see the next generation of iPhone and iPad software unveiled tonight.
Developer Steve Streza of article aggregation app Pocket (formerly Read It Later) sent snaps of the banner to MacStories.net. Apple is preparing the banner at the Moscone Centre in San Francisco, the traditional home of fruit-flavoured launches -- at least until they move to the purpose-built underground auditorium in the planned new frisbie-shaped Apple HQ.
Other banners spied in the Moscone Centre trumpet Messages, Notification Center, and Game Center for Mac, suggesting we could see updates to these core apps.
WWDC kicks off at 7pm this evening -- 11am in San Francisco -- so keep it CNET for all the up-to-the-minute news, photos and first impressions.
Major changes in iOS 6 are expected to include a new look, new Facebook sharing features built-in, and features borrowed from desktop software Mountain Lion. But the biggest change is likely to be Apple's Maps app, ditching Google Maps for an own-branded cartographical outing on the iPhone and iPad. The new mapping app is expected to include turn-by-turn navigation and flashy 3D effects.
Away from iOS 6, we're also expecting apps for Apple TV, and a new app tracking tool. And on the hardware front, rumours suggest Apple will update its MacBook and iMac computers.
What changes would you like to see in Messages, Notification Center and Game Center? What else would you like to see in iOS 6? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page -- and come back this evening to get all the latest.
Update: iOS 6 has indeed been unveiled! Watch our video for more.
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Comments 28
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anonymous 11 June, 2012 10:30
Facebook integration, like twitter on IOS 5. Also Siri Beta, Apple should have made it a priority, especially for none-US country (to directions available outside the US).
anonymous 11 June, 2012 10:41
Do I read
'iOS 6
The world's most advanced mobile operating system' on the banner?
Oh god, here they go again, making claims based on opinion...
anonymous 11 June, 2012 11:36
apple fans need to grow up and stop crying about old tech, yes apple is an old tech. all the feautures they bringing out in ios6 in already available in ginger bread google os, moreover , ICS is even more productive and samsung has done everything apple intend to do in years to come. So basically, Apple future tech is Past in samsung world.
Do you get it now. ok. if you get it the head on to samsung uk website and see for your self.
Samsung and Android is the future and no manufacturer will ever come close. Yes will never come close.
My name is yommy and if you want me to enlighten you more about mobile future and why you should keep up to make your work and life more productive. ykcustoms@gmail.com.
Peter Hudson 11 June, 2012 11:48
remember a couple of years back when everyone was saying that HTC and android were the future.
anonymous 11 June, 2012 12:06
Features available in Android? Yes. The difference is iOS will actually work as planned.
anonymous 11 June, 2012 12:21
Maybe they should concentrate more on their hardware.
After a lot of to and fro between iPhone and Samsung Galaxy, I bought my first smartphone a week ago. A Samsung Galaxy S2. I bought the Samsung because it looked better..... yes... it looked better. Two days later I decided to buy a tablet. I got an iPad. Why? I wanted to compare and there seemed little between iPad and Galaxy Tab, at least in the way they looked anyway I now regret buying the iPad.
I have always had a PC running Windows OS. I was thinking that a changing to iMac, iPad, macbook and iPhone wouldn't be such a silly thing to do. Now I think it may be better if I just trade my iPad in for an Android tablet.
Wake up Apple. You are falling behind.
anonymous 11 June, 2012 12:42
Yes google has had most the features but apple perfects them. Nothing more to be said in the subject.
Peter Hudson 11 June, 2012 13:01
For me, google seem always seem to have taken the kitchen sink approach with android. Keep throwing features at it even if they aren't quite finished. I found my galaxy S2 was loaded with stuff I just didn't need or want to use. It also seems like with android, you really need to have the latest handset to really enjoy it. A lot of the people who tinkered with my S2 remarked about how smooth it was. If you choose android on anything less than the latest handset, its a really horrible software experience. I personally like windows phone 7. Nice and smooth, well featured, and doesn't need a quad core behemoth to run well.
anonymous 11 June, 2012 13:14
If you look at ykcustoms's grammar it probably explains why he doesn't see any fault with using an Android phone. He is oblivious to the fact that most of the time, it is not working!
anonymous 11 June, 2012 13:33
Had iphone from day one just getting boring now so brought a galaxy s3 o my god why have i been with apple for so long I'm never going back but still love my imac, ipad, apple tv just not iphone
anonymous 11 June, 2012 14:39
Will iPhone 4s be able to update to iOS6? I can't upgrade to the next iPhone until 9-13
anonymous 11 June, 2012 15:11
Yes, iPhone 4S will be able to update to iOS6. It doesn't suit Apple to not support it.
@Ykcustoms
Look mate, do you see that what you're saying is really biased? Apple never wanted to support flash due to the fact that it causes huge amounts of memory consumption, as well as there being a number of security problems. Bluetooth has been around since the first iPhone. Regarding iCloud, yeah, you can use Dropbox if you want. You can have it on the iPhone too.
With many of the features you complain about, Apple prefers making sure that there are either widely adopted, or have it perfected first. This is due to their belief in design and usability. Grow up and learn some grammar.
Also, I'm 14. Just thought I'll drop it in =]
Peter Hudson 11 June, 2012 15:34
Firstly anon, I don't believe for a second that you're 14, you sound far too rational.
Second all, the apple stores have all gone offline for updating. Whoop, new computers inbound tonight.
anonymous 11 June, 2012 15:56
I think this is a poster for the 9 SO! comedy act thats on at 9pm next door
anonymous 11 June, 2012 16:01
How to update my iphone4s for ios 6
anonymous 11 June, 2012 16:04
there doesn't seem much point going to the WWDC if they are going to hit you with the headline reveal on the way in... May as well turn up, read the banner and then bugger off to the pub.
(BTW@ YKcustoms.... I have never seen so many different variations of the word Generation... hats off to you sir, and your amazing keyboard skills)
anonymous 11 June, 2012 16:22
I just bought an iMac, darn,
Whatever happens iOS 6 will be incredible if it is even just a bit better than 5. Im hoping for a new homescreen layout, we need a refresh!
I hope also that we will see an updated siri with multiple voices and accents.
anonymous 11 June, 2012 16:35
you sound like a 14 year old because you don't know how to read.
YK said that it does not support bluetooth transfers not bluetooth.
That's apple's line about not supporting flash. How come no other operating system has that flash issue? I had flash on my palm PRE. Flash is necessary for the internet and Apple has decided not to support the internet.
you can sign up for dropbox on the iPhone, but you'll only get 5GB of storage. With the Galaxy S3 they've contracted with dropbox to give you 50GB that'x 10x more. The iCould is only playing catchup with the rest of the industry.
Apple has been playing catchup for a long time. It's old technology.
iCloud - Android has had this for 3 years
4G - Andriod has had this for 4 years
SIRI - Andriod has had this for 2 years
Apple Maps - Andriod has had this for 3 years
Front facing camera - Andriod had this 2 years before apple.
What's the next thing apple is going to innovate
Google Paments
Live Widgets
customizeable interface
larger screens
keyboard
kickstand
anonymous 11 June, 2012 16:49
Can I have a swype keyboard maybe and a little customization? I switched to an iPhone from Android two months ago and have regretted it since day one. It's not that I'm bias against Apple, I love my MacBook Pro and would never go back to a PC, but the iPhone has been a major disappointment as far as I'm concerned. I don't even know if I can live with it until my contract is up, it just doesn't meet my expectations.
anonymous 11 June, 2012 17:11
Android may have launched incomplete apps however Apple has steadily been behind the curve in nearly every department. They still have yet to release a phone that runs 4G speeds and you would not believe how many people I run into that state otherwise. With Android being open source and allowing me to make whatever changes I want, iPhone continues to lose out because Apple wants control over my content. Case in point, my 10 Dollar podcasting app got whisked away with the last update and many of my other apps sat on me like a government mule if I didn't update. I can honestly say that I have never had that problem with Android.
So if Apple wants to continue living in ther fantasy world where they think that their inferior product is going to be a "game changer" or "revolutionary" then I'm content to let them. Should they stop Android phones altogether I'm sure there are people still selling some nice Motorola Razrs in excellent condition...I'll just happily use those.
anonymous 11 June, 2012 17:28
If you want to install the beta after the event, you can activate your device using http://tryos6.com, I just did it!
anonymous 11 June, 2012 21:15
Look guys what ever you say someone is goin to dissagree. ive just upgraded from an iphone 4S to a gallaxy s3 and i havent regretted it. Yes android has apps that are parshaly unfinnished but then apple just go and make them better. Google do the hard work thinking and developing the ideas then apple just copy and make them a finnished product. ANDROID ALL THE WAY!!
anonymous 12 June, 2012 10:47
Ykcustoms is back,
Look 14 year old boy, i think you should be busy with you course work or any assignment for you school and moreover this is for adult conversation not CHILDRENS forum. Am not here to spell A B C D, i have point out a lot of things apple will never do or may be add it in 2105 when iphone 6 is coming. right.
Let me make my self clear again. People turn around and say OH MY GOD, I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO COME OF MY CONTRACT BCOS THEY WANT GALAXY S3 SO BADLY.
Iphone 5 with the conjustion of IOS 6x.... will nevr have the power of Sammy S3. OK.
Iphone software has never been refreshed since 1st geneartion just keep adding icons icons icons
Iphone design is too bulky and i am assuming by the time they release iphone 5, may be people will be getting a piece of trolley to wheel it home .
Iphone has never match the slim line of Galaxy Ss
5 generations of iphone has never top the processor power of all 3 generation of Galaxy S line.
drink up to this and get back to me on what you dream about .
Ykcustoms. over and out
anonymous 12 June, 2012 11:00
How to update my iphone4s..to ios6?
Jordan-Findlay 3 July, 2012 19:41
Apple never once failed to impress me, machines have always existed, apple made machines beautiful
Jordan-Findlay 3 July, 2012 19:52
I am an iOS user, I have an iPhone 4s , my grandpa has an s3 and I used it for a day to upload music, add contacts, and apps for him. To all apple lovers and for all android lovers the phone is very good
But it doesn't come close the Beauty that is iPhone
anonymous 5 July, 2012 16:52
Apple is the best, it's done what it has been intending to do. Android is just copying it off.
anonymous 5 July, 2012 22:16
aaaahhh.....here we go again.... why can't apple make something new. I mean, yeah, the iphone was incredible and pure innovation....but today?
the same goes for IOS,
today there are more powerful smartphones such as Galaxy SIII, One X, etc. And tablets like Asus Transformer Prime, TF3000, and even the cheap-but-powerful Nexus 7
And even better, there are the hybrids like the Galaxy Note and the strange Asus Padfone
in conclusion, Apple is still in the past, they must go foward and for something new.