Neither TV nor iPhone 5 but Apple still creates a stir with iOS6

If computers and broadband could talk, then minutes after Apple CEO Tim Cook stepped off the stage at WWDC 2012 yesterday, you'd have probably heard a collective groan.

For the boss of the American technology giant had used his keynote speech at the company's annual developers' conference to announce the latest mobile operating software for the iPhone and iPad, called iOS 6.

And just moments after he'd finished speaking - having revealed a bid to take on Google Maps with Apple's own map app - iOS 6 was released to developers.

It undoubtedly put an immediate strain on the company's servers, as every eager programmer and app maker dived in to download and dissect it.

But it wasn't only Apple's servers that were put under pressure following WWDC. With no announcement of a new iPhone 5 model and nothing in Mr Cook's two-hour presentation about a rumoured new TV product, some analysts were unsure if the 23rd event was one to remember.


Jeremy Davies, CEO and co-founder of analyst house CONTEXT, said: 'As far as events like yesterday's go, the set of announcements were really a logical progression.


[Related link: Apple set to knock Google Maps off iPhone as it unveils new operating software]


'The much anticipated and rumoured Apple TV set was a no-show. There has been so much hype about Apple TV and the longer Apple goes without launching it, the higher expectations will be built around the launch and possibly the higher the let-down may be when it is finally announced.'

After Mr Cook's speech, Apple's share price dropped 1.6% despite big numbers announced at the start including 400 million active accounts and 650,000 apps on the App Store, including 225,000 iPad specific ones.

Apple customers have now downloaded more than 30 billion apps with $5billion paid to developers for their share of sales of products they've created.

But Mr Davies is more upbeat when it comes to Apple's new Maps software as well as its plans to overhaul the MacBook computer range, which includes a new 15in Pro model with a high quality Retina Display, featuring more pixels than an HD television.

He added: 'The introduction of the new Macbook Pro range with Retina display keeps Apple at the forefront of the market and is probably the company's first stab at the ultrabook market.

'Yesterday also marked the start of a head-on war with Google by launching its own mapping service. Apple does not only dump Google's Maps but takes with it accompanying mobile advertising revenue streams.'

[Related link: Latest Apple News Headlines]

Over at Leamington Spa-based iPhone game developer Kwalee, the mood was far more excitable. The company was founded by ex-Codemasters legend David Darling CBE.

He told Yahoo! UK News: 'The iOS 6 software update from Apple opens new doors for developers to explore. 'We're really excited by the integration of Facebook at a system level and the ability to like and share apps will create lots of exposure for our games. It should also help players login to our games using Facebook more easily.

'This is a really significant announcement for us because at Kwalee we are focussed on creating social multiplayer games.'

Student, tech writer and Apple fan John Thompson feels there was plenty to keep iPhone and iPad owners happy until the next models are announced.

He said: 'There's no doubt that the Maps application is iOS 6's killer feature; it was the only major feature that the iPhone was missing out of the box when compared to Android.

'The UK specific Siri additions are huge though, especially with sports fixtures and results built right in - so many more guys are going to want an iPhone now it can tell them the footie score on a Saturday.'

But Christopher Phin, editor of iPhone and iPad magazine Tap! admits he was disappointed by the lack of an announcement of apps for the current Apple TV device, which hooks up to a television to stream music, films and photos over Wi-Fi. 

He said: 'I still expect Apple to launch this - both as simple channels such as BBC iPlayer and as richer, more interactive apps. But there’s still lots for devs and consumers alike to get excited about.

'Facebook integration and the new Maps app frameworks will be useful, but there's most potential for a really helpful and seamless experience when using your iPhone with Passbook, the app that pulls together tickets, loyalty cards, vouchers and more into a single place.

'Loyalty cards and tickets pop up when you get to your favourite store, and airline tickets can update when, say, your gate changes. It’ll need a lot of work from developers, but it’s very clever.'

He added: 'Apple remains in rude health. When the iPhone is updated and if a full Apple TV set is announced, it will improve Apple’s market cap and the like, but their lack are not yet detrimental to the company's financial muscle or perception as an innovator in the mind of the general public.'

Stuart Miles, founder of Pocket-Lint.com, who was at the WWDC presentation said: 'Apple announced everything I'd have expected, no-one really thought they'd have an Apple television there.

'Everyone seemed quite positive on the showfloor. It was well-polished as always. There were quite a lot of digs at Android and Samsung and it was interesting to see Apple do that. Afterwards Tim Cook was also spotted having photos with developers.

'You wouldn't have seen that with Steve Jobs. It shows a more approachable Apple, which we perhaps haven't seen as much of in the past.'