Apple is expected to release iOS 6 in September and the iPhone 5 shortly after, according to one industry analyst. The new version of Apple’s mobile operating system will be unveiled today at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Some of the features for the new OS have already been leaked to the public although nobody outside of Apple has had a chance to see the OS in use.
KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed that the final version of iOS 6, codenamed Golden Master, would be ready by September although a beta version will be released at WWDC for developers to begin working with. With the final version of iOS 6 ready in September the release date for the iPhone 5 will be shortly after, contrary to earlier rumours that the phone would be released in June.
iOS 6 is expected to bring greater Facebook integration, with many of the proposed features already being reported online. The iPhone has previously lacked Facebook integration due to an on-going feud between the two companies, but Facebook and Apple now seemed to have buried the hatchet and have agreed to work together for their mutual benefit. iOS already includes Twitter integration and the plans to integrate Facebook will place the iPhone in a stronger position regarding social network support.
The integration will allow users to sign up to other apps using Facebook connect, rather than being redirected to the Facebook app or website to accept permissions, and will also allow users to Like apps in the App Store. The integration should also allow the sharing of content such as photos more easily from the iOS interface.
Apple is also planning to ditch support for Google Maps with iOS 6 in favour of its own mapping software. The map app will include 3D models of buildings for most major cities with Apple employing “spy planes” with military standard cameras to take high resolution images of buildings. The resolution of these images will be so high that they will be able to show objects measuring just 4 inches across. Although 3D maps are very popular with consumers the use of these planes has raised a number of concerns amongst privacy advocates, as the cameras may be able to photograph inside people’s windows.
Leaked images of what is claimed to be the iPhone 5 has a larger 4 inch screen. If these images are genuine it will be the first time that Apple has moved away from a 3.5 inch screen design. Steve Jobs was reportedly not in favour of producing a larger screened phone but Apple is now facing pressure to produce larger displays due to the popularity of Android handsets such as the Galaxy Nexus and Galaxy S3.
Ming-Chi Kuo also confirmed these reports of a larger screen, along with the 16:9 aspect ratio and HD front camera. Apple is also expected to make updates to iCloud and Siri with iOS 6.
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