Dear Friends,
It is getting a bit soggy here in Vermont with a lot of rain. The garden likes it, but I think it likes the sun more! I know I do. Last weekend, I bought a little British sports car as a project — a 1968 Austin Healey Sprite convertible — but have only been able to drive it a couple of times. Hapy and I were a pretty funny sight in the tiny car when we went to lunch the other day.
We were streaming the keynote from Apple’s World Wide Developer’s Conference in our own little conference room and I think Phil Schiller summed it all up when he said, “can’t innovate anymore, my ass!” The upcoming version of Mac OS X 10.9, “Mavericks”, was previewed, which has dropped the cat names in favor of places Apple likes in California. Mavericks’ namesake is a famous surf destination, a favorite of big wave surfers with waves sometimes reaching as high as 80 feet during winter storms.
Apple also previewed iOS 7 at WWDC and again showed how they lead innovation in the mobile space. Two great new features are iTunes Radio, and AirDrop. iTunes Radio is Apple’s take on internet radio, and I can tell you (because I am running the developers’ version of iOS 7) that it is awesome, but dangerous. Listening to new music with “buy” buttons next to the song is certainly going to increase my iTunes bills.
AirDrop allows peer-to-peer file sharing. Craig Federighi (who was a great presenter and demo man at WWDC) said “AirDrop is the easiest way to share with people around you; there’s no need to wander around the room bumping your phone” in a not-too-subtle dig at Android.
I get to be Rebecca’s guinea pig as I run both OS X 10.9 developer’s release and iOS 7 on my iPhone. She reluctantly lets me play with live ammo while reminding me that she isn’t bailing me out if things don’t work. One of the great new features on Mac OS X Mavericks is that it includes Apple’s Maps application. You can now figure out your route on your Mac and send it directly to your iPhone for turn-by-turn directions. Very cool.
The new “flat” pastel/bright icons will take some getting used to — I don’t know if I like them or not yet. I have a lot of apps on my iPhone and Apple’s new icons seem pale and boring compared to the richness of others, but hey, they are just icons! The new functionality of the iPhone, which I am still discovering, is like having a new iPhone. I think Apple has done a great job in moving the goal posts with this new iOS.
It was a rich, innovative presentation and we’ll talk more in-depth about the rest of the new announcements. Among them, New MacBook Airs (which are in stock at Small Dog!), new cool-looking AirPort Extremes, Time Capsules, and a preview of the redesigned Mac Pro that simply looks space aged! Check below for all links and more details.