OS X Mavericks and iOS 7 Take Flight

Posted on by bpoole

 

 

Yesterday was a great day for Apple  and consumers alike, with the introduction of numerous new products and software.  The conference began with a presentation by Anki, an artificially intelligent “toy car” with a brain of its own.  The Anki cars are capable of driving a course on their own with only a few minor guidelines provided to them thru iOS.  These cars are projected to be the futuristic video gaming experience as they bring the excitement of a video game directly to your living room floor.

 

Apple CEO, Tim Cook talked to us about Apples success as a company by comparing them to their competitors, and as we know, Apple is way above the curve in basically every statistic.  The few areas where Apple wasn’t completely dominant will change with their new products and software.

 

The first new software that was presented at WWDC was OS X Mavericks.  Mavericks is the new operating system for Macs. OSX Mavericks will be ready for instillation this fall.  Some of the new and innovative features that Mavericks has to offer, consist of

  • iBooks- Experiencing reading the way you were suppose to. With iBooks users have access to over 1.8 million books, textbooks included.  iBooks is going revolutionize the college learning experience with all new interactive textbooks that have in depth visuals and iBooks makes it easy to take notes and make flashcards when needed.
  • Maps- The maps app moves its way to Macs.  The new app allows 3D overview of large cities and can give you turn by turn directions to any destination, and when your ready to leave you can send your directions directly to your phone.
  • Calendar- With the all-new calendar system you’ll never be late again.  The new calendar allows you to add in lunch plans for restaurant, but not only that, it is linked with your maps app along with the web so it shows you where and what you can eat for lunch on a certain day.  Easy to link you phones and computers calendars, and before events a notification will be sent to both your phone and notebook.
  • Safari- The completely new safari allows for smooth surfing no matter what the weather is.  New homepage, side bar that keeps your saved articles in place and a new reading list that moves from article to article as they start and finish.
  • iCloud Keychain- Always seem to forget your passwords? Not anymore, with the new keychain feature all of your usernames, passwords, and credit card information will be on hand, safe and secure at all times.
  • Multiple Displays- Sick of switching back and forth between desktops to use two applications at once? With the new multiple displays feature users will have the ability to full screen two apps on the same screen. Easy to move content such as pictures and articles across screens.
  • Notification system- now you can view your twitter timeline, emails, and much more at the top corner of your screen at all times.  Quick and east responding makes keeping in touch with friends a breeze. And now when you power up your notebook all the notifications you missed while you were gone will be there for you to view on your login screen.
  • Tags- now when you save a document or picture you can add tags to that document that will place it in an even more specific folder. This allows for more organization as well as it makes it easier for users to navigate between projects.
  • Advanced Technologies- the biggest issue facing the MacBooks was battery life. OS X Mavericks changes that forever, with the new App Nap. App Nap is the new way that Apple will save energy for its computers.  App Nap deciphers which apps should be using energy and which shouldn’t. Now apps behind the most relevant page or window will not use energy while they are not being viewed.

 

 

The first product presented was the new MacBook Air.  All day battery life, faster processing and a new retina display system are just some of the highlights.  The 11’’ changed from a 7 to 9 hour battery and the 13’’ went from a 9 to 12 hour battery.  The new MacBooks are on the market now and will be at a much more affordable cost, with the 11’’ starting at $999 and the 13’’ at $1299.  The second product presented was the new Mac Pro. Faster, smaller, better was the way Apple was leaning towards.

 

The last and most waited upon product was last to be presented, the new iOS 7.  The new iOS according to Tim Cook had the most drastic changes to it then any other iOS, compared to its previous operating system.  The new interactive, angle sensitive home screen allows users to view their background picture fully, as if the apps are hovering over the picture rather than cover the picture up.  The iOS will be ready for instillation this fall. Some of the new features consist of:

  • Multitasking- multitasking allows you to easily scroll from application to application without ever seeing the homepage. Allows for smoother surfing and higher productivity.
  • Notification and Control centers- the new notification center allows for quick and easy response options as well as reminders.  Consider this, your friend is trying to FaceTime you, but your in a meeting, rather than just ignoring it and give them the impression that your blowing them off, you can now send them a quick preset message saying “Give me 10 minutes”. The new control center gives you choices of basic functions such as controlling brightness, Bluetooth, airplane mood, flashlight etc.
  • Airdrop- an all-new way to share links, videos, pictures and more. Simply find your friends who are around you and select what you want to share with them.  And if there are people around whom you want to share with simply change your filter and find who you are looking for.
  • iTunes Radio- plays a constant fed of the most popular songs being purchased right now, and if you like the song your listening to simply touch the link at the top of the screen and buy the song.
  • Safari- most of the adjustments made to the Mac version of safari were made to the mobile version. More fluid and meek navigation along with easier navigation thru tabs.
  • Siri- smarter, nicer, more useful.  Siri now can do functions within the phone such as adjusting volume and brightness within the phone.
  • Messages and Mail- all-new layout for messages and mail allows for easier navigation and more user customization.  The new messages layout is cleaner and smoother and much more colorful then the old layout. The new mail system allows for easy navigation and fluid movement from message to message.