Google Confirms That It Is Not Working On A Maps App For iOS 6

Former Google CEO and current chairman Eric Schmidt on Tuesday confirmed to Reuters that the Internet giant has made no move to provide Google Maps app for the iPhone 5 or iOS 6. “We think it would have been better if they had kept ours. But what do I know?” Schmidt said to a small group of reporters in Tokyo. “What were we going to do, force them not to change their mind? It’s their call.” Apple dropped Google Maps from its latest operating system in favor of its own in-house program, however the Cupertino-based company has seen a tremendous amount of user backlash. Schmidt revealed that Google and Apple were in constant communication “at all kinds of levels,” although he noted that any decision to allow a Google Maps application in the App Store would have to be made by Apple. “We have not done anything yet,” he said.

Apple Starts iOS 6 Roll Out To iPhone, iPad, And iPod Touch

Apple released iOS 6 today and the update is now starting to hit the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Be patient as not everyone is seeing the update, and if you are getting the update, it may take time to download and install.

iOS 6 brings a new Maps app, Facebook integration, shared photo streams, Siri improvements and more. You can download the update over the air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. If you have iTunes and a cable, you can also connect your iOS device to your computer and download the update manually.

Apple Unveils The iPhone 5

The iPhone emerges into the light. This year is no exception. The iPhone 5 has arrived and we’ve decided to put together a quick, easy to read list of all the new features, design aspects, and other details.

 iPhone 5 Design

• Made entirely of aluminum and glass
• 7.6mm thin
• Weighs 112 grams
• 4″ 1136×360 resolution retina display. – Width is the same, just taller so different aspect ratio. Looks like they essentially added a row of app icons beneath the existing four.
• LTE and HSPA+ Support
• A6 chipset
• Better Battery Life – 8 hours talk or LTE browsing and 10 hours on Wifi instead
• 8MP Camera (same as iPhone 4S resolution)
• 1080P video (same as iPhone 4S resolution)
• 720P front facing camera resolution
• Three microphones for better noise cancellation
• 3G Facetime Enabled
• “Lightning” Connector, claiming better data transmission etc. but really we all know its so they can charge third parties a new licensing fee to make chargers and accessories…
• Will come in White front or Black front, back will always be the metallic color.

iOS 6 Features

• First part apps optimized for larger display on iPhone 5
• Third party apps will run letter boxed until their developers update them (so a black bar on either side).
• Panorama picture taking
• New maps application with a built in search engine
• Yelp integrated into the maps
• Turn by turn integrated into the maps
• 3D buildings
• Passbook for keeping track of rewards cards, booking tickets.
• Siri knows movies, sports scores, and restaurants. She can post your updates to Facebook and Twitter.

 Pricing and Availability

• Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon here in the US.
• All carriers in the US will support LTE.
• $199 for 16GB. $299 for 32GB, $399 for 64GB.
• Pre-orders start on Friday the 14th of September, shipping begins the 21st of September.

Turn-By-Turn Navigation Added To Maps In iOS 6

Yesterday at WWDC, Apple showed off iOS 6 for the first time, and we've got everything you need to know about iOS6. You'll find a brand new Maps app with turn-by-turn navigation, shared Photo Streams, new FaceTime features, and much more. iOS 6 was available for developers as of yesterday.

Apple launched its own Maps app in conjunction with iOS 6, and one of the new highlight features is turn-by-turn navigation. In addition to the standard turn-by-turn directions, and a "Quick Route" button on search results, you'll also be able to get directions from Siri. You can tell Siri where to navigate you, or even ask "are we there yet?" and find out how long it'll be before you arrive. Everything works from the lock screen, too. There's a persistent ETA at the top of the screen, and has a look and feel much more elegant than any existing GPS software we've seen before. It's all baked into Apple's new mapping system, one of the biggest announcements from today's WWDC keynote.

Apple To Introduce Siri For iPad With iOS 6

The introduction of iOS 6 won’t just mark Apple’s breakaway from Google Maps, it’ll also see Siri possibly leave beta and develop into the voice-assistant fans have been waiting for. To do that, the Cupertino company is reportedly preparing to unveil the Siri API, which would open up a whole realm of new possibilities for app developers. Even better, Apple has finally decided to bestow Siri upon the millions of iPad owners around the world.

According to TechCrunch, iOS 6 which is being referred to as Sundance behind closed doors will give app developers access to Siri’s functionality, marking a departure from what Apple’s service currently offers. Think of being able to update your Twitter status just through Siri, no typing required.

Meanwhile, Siri for iPad seemed like a matter of time, especially with the introduction of voice dictation on Apple’s latest iPad. Apparently, Apple’s struggled more with Siri’s UI than actual functionality on the iPad, which is why it has taken the company so long.

Apple’s World Wide Developers Conference is about a month away, so expect to hear more about Siri’s coming-of-age when the week-long event kicks off.

Apple To Ditch Google Maps In iOS 6

Apple has been using Google Maps since it launched the iPhone in 2007. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt even joined Steve Jobs on the stage during the handset’s announcement. The two companies’ relationship has dwindled, however, with the success of Google’s own Android mobile operating system that competes directly with the iPhone. A new report from 9To5Mac suggests that the next major version of Apple’s mobile operating system, iOS 6, will feature an in-house maps application, ending the Cupertino-based company’s reliance on Google Maps. According to the website’s anonymous sources, the application is said to be similar to iOS’s current Google Maps program, however it was described as both cleaner and faster, and will deliver a more reliable experience and an enhanced 3D mode. Apple’s in-house service will reportedly be based on mapping technology it acquired from purchasing Placebase, C3 Technologies and Poly9.

Server Log Outs iPad Running iOS 6.0 With High-Res Display

Apple’s next-generation iPad running iOS 6.0 may have already visited a number of popular websites. While going through logs in preparation for a monthly browser report, ArsTechnica discovered 346 visits from a device with a screen resolution of 2,048 x 1,536 — matching the resolution of the display rumored to be coming to Apple’s iPad 3. The site then began to look at iPad user agents coming from Apple’s Cupertino corporate IP block and discovered that Apple appears to be browsing the Web with iPads running iOS 6.0. The listing displayed iPads running iOS 5.0, the current iOS 5.0.1, the developer version of iOS 5.1 and the upcoming iOS 6.0 as well. iPads running iOS 6.0 were also using a newer build of WebKit, version 535.8, up from WebKit 534.46. ArsTechinca believes the Cupertino-based company will release the slate with iOS 5.1 and release iOS 6.0 with the next iPhone. Apple’s iPad 3 event is scheduled for Wednesday, March 7th.