Sunday, July 21, 2013

WWDC 2013: the rumor roundup

WWDC 2013: the rumor roundup data = {blogUrl: "www.engadget.com",v: 315};when = {jquery: lab.scriptBs("jquery"),plugins: lab.scriptBs("plugins"),eng: lab.scriptBs("eng")}; var s265prop9 = ('20597373' !== '') ? 'bsd:20597373' : ''; var postID = '20597373'; var modalMNo = '93319229', modalVideoMNo = '93320648', modalGalleryMNo = '93304207'; when.eng("eng.omni.init", {pfxID:"weg",pageName:document.title,server:"acp-ld39.websys.aol.com",channel:"us.engadget", s_account: "aolwbengadget,aolsvc", short_url: "",pageType:"",linkInternalFilters:"javascript:,",prop1:"article",prop2:"cellphones",prop9:s265prop9,prop12:document.location,prop17:"",prop18:"",prop19:"",prop20:"", prop22:"jon-fingas", prop54:"blogsmith",mmxgo: true }); adSendTerms('1')adSetMOAT('1');adSetAdURL('/_uac/adpagem.html');lab._script("http://o.aolcdn.com/os/ads/adhesion/js/adhads-min.js").wait(function(){var floatingAd = new AdhesiveAd("348-14-15-14d",{hideOnSwipe:true});}); onBreak({980: function () { adSetType("F");htmlAdWH("93319229", "LB", "LB"); adSetType("");}}); EngadgetMenu NewsReviews Features Galleries VideosEventsPodcasts Engadget ShowTopics Buyers Guides Sagas Store HD Mobile Alt Announcements Cameras Cellphones Desktops Displays Gaming GPS Handhelds Home Entertainment Household Internet Laptops Meta Misc Networking Peripherals Podcasts Robots Portable Audio/Video Science Software Storage Tablets Transportation Wearables Wireless Acer Amazon AMD Apple ASUS AT&T Blackberry Canon Dell Facebook Google HP HTC Intel Lenovo LG Microsoft Nikon Nintendo Nokia NVIDIA Samsung Sony Sprint T-Mobile Verizon About UsSubscribeLike Engadget@engadgettip uswhen.eng("eng.nav.init")when.eng("eng.tips.init") onBreak({980: function () {htmlAdWH("93308280", "215", "35",'AJAX','ajaxsponsor');}});WWDC 2013: the rumor roundup MobileBypostedJun 4th, 2013 at 12:00 PM 0

WWDC 2013

It's that special time for Apple devotees: WWDC 2013 is next week, and that means a customary glimpse of where iOS and the Mac are going next. However, we're getting everything but business as usual this year. The crew at 1 Infinite Loop has shaken up its software strategy, putting much its emphasis on Jony Ive's design chops and tighter collaboration between teams. Is Apple about to deliver major OS refreshes that some say are long overdue? And what about hints of new hardware introductions at the same time? We've gathered together some of the more notable rumors to help understand what Apple may introduce on June 10th -- and what's likely to remain wishful thinking.

iOS: possibly flat design, but what else?iOS 6

If you've at all been following the talk surrounding the next version of iOS (likely iOS 7), the biggest amount of hubbub has surrounded its look... or rather, the absence of one. According to 9to5 Mac, Jony Ive has spent much of his time pushing for a flatter interface design that removes many of the more conspicuous textures and skeuomorphic elements in both the OS and official apps. Apple reportedly isn't going as far as Microsoft did with Windows Phone, which is dominated by solid colors and empty spaces. If the changes come to pass, however, they could still lead to the biggest surface-level overhaul for iOS since the platform launched in 2007.

Underneath the surface, it's trickier: there's only an incomplete list of rumored updates. Tipsters for 9to5 have suggested that integration with other devices might be the order of the day. They've mentioned Flickr and Vimeo integration, a car-optimized Maps view and possible AirDrop support that would simplify local file transfers. There isn't much else to report, though, and those same sources have supposedly warned that some features may not make the cut. This isn't to say that there aren't other major, consumer-facing features in store -- historically, they're quite likely. We just have little to hang our hat on, and it's doubtful that Apple could ever launch an OS update substantial enough to completely silence its critics.

The biggest improvements, for some, may rest in developer freedoms. Apple isn't shifting to a laissez faire approach to development, but Tim Cook has promised that the company will eventually offer greater access to its APIs and otherwise loosen up its historically closed approach, ever so slightly. We're mostly left wondering whether that will happen this year, or if Cook was only making long-term commitments.

OS X: for the pros, maybeWWDC 2013 the rumor roundup

If there's little we know about the iOS refresh, we know even less about the OS X upgrade (possibly 10.9). Again, many of the rumors come just a handful of claims by 9to5. It believes that the update will be less about adapting iOS features and more about pleasing power users. While the task switcher may take a few cues from Apple's mobile platform, most other tweaks would be Mac-specific, such as multi-monitor Spaces support and a Finder with tabbed navigation. Other upgrades might bring true Siri support (not just voice dictation) as well as a faster version of the Safari browser.

Hardware: Haswell-based MacBooks and a Mac Pro replacement?Intel Haswell battery claims

While Apple isn't always the fastest to adopt new chips, it tends to be part of the first wave -- and we're in just such a wave with Intel's Haswell-based, fourth-generation Core processors. These CPUs are seemingly tailor-made for Mac between their lower power consumption and faster integrated graphics. Some expect Apple to take advantage of this by repeating its strategy from last year's WWDC, where it replaced almost every MacBook (and even added a new model).

But just what is Apple likely to introduce? Although there haven't been signs of the replacements themselves beyond a handful of generic SKUs caught by 9to5, reseller inventory may be a clue. AppleInsider has noticed sellouts and low supplies for both the MacBook Air and the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display, which suggests that their updates are coming soon. If so, the use of Haswell is almost a given; It's everything else that's up for dispute. A MacBook Air with a Retina Display? Slimmer Retina MacBook Pros? We don't know if they exist at this stage, and we wouldn't put much money on revamps for other MacBook Pros, the iMac or the Mac mini.

The Mac Pro is another matter. Apple has uncharacteristically gone out of its way to say that yes, Virginia, there should be a pro desktop replacement this year. Whether or not it arrives at WWDC isn't clear. All the ingredients are there for a redesign, however. This spring, Intel finally introduced a significant Xeon E5 refresh that would be ideal for a new workstation. Apple also stopped European Mac Pro sales entirely rather than tune the old system to meet new regulations, and MacTrast has noticed dwindling inventory at US resellers. If a new Mac Pro (or a system like it) is coming at WWDC, the machine would most likely be a modernization that supports USB 3.0, Thunderbolt and recent advances in both storage and video cards.

The wildcard: internet radio serviceiOS Podcasts app

We haven't heard of any unusual products that might appear at WWDC, except for one: a rumored internet radio service. Instead of competing with on-demand competition like Rdio or Spotify, Apple might unveil a free, iAd-supported streaming feature that would compete with the free tiers at Pandora and Slacker. The service would chiefly take advantage of a deep connection to the iTunes Store by identifying listeners' tastes and letting them buy tracks they like. Whether or not we hear about the service may depend on label deals -- the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and others all suspect that Apple may keep quiet if it can't get enough content in time.

What not to expect, and when products may shipWWDC 2013 the rumor roundup

If there's one thing we've encountered all too often at WWDC, it's the anger from those who expect Apple to update everything at once. Remember, this is the Worldwide Developers Conference -- consumer products aren't the focus. Apple tends to bend the rules and announce mainstream goods only when they're convenient or necessary for developers, such as new features that need developer support. Think of the App Store or Retina Displays as examples.

As such, we're not expecting iOS-related hardware launches (including Apple TV), new product categories or major software upgrades. We'll be surprised if they appear. Apple has usually saved those for the late summer or early fall in recent years, and it needs to give developers time to test their apps against beta iOS releases. The firm is likely to hand out a closed preview of its next iOS revision at WWDC, but nothing for the public. A radio service probably won't go live the same day, either.

Macs could be more complicated. Like with iOS, we're not expecting to leave the Moscone Center with finished copies of the latest OS X version; at best, attendees will get preview builds ahead of a final release later in the year. However, Apple has developed a habit of shipping new Mac hardware almost as soon as the press releases hit the wires. If computer updates arrive at WWDC, they may be in stores that week -- and they may be our only shot at instant gratification.

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Westone debuts Adventure Series Alpha earphones: water-resistant, audiophile grade, $200

WESTONE BRINGS PREMIER SOUND TO THE ACTIVE LISTENER WITH ADVENTURE SERIES ALPHA EARPHONES

Colorado Springs, CO, and Manhattan Beach, CA, June 04, 2013 – Westone, the leader in high performance audio and in-ear monitoring technology, announces the availability of the Adventure Series (ADV) Alpha earphones. The Adventure Series Alpha is the culmination of Westone's two decades of experience with audio and in-ear musicians' monitors. Designed for the active user, Adventure Series creates a new category of cross-over earphones that deliver exceptional audio performance, fit and design for use in all environments.

With IPX-3* water resistance, the Adventure Series earphones are protected against spraying water and adverse conditions for everyday use, rain or shine. Westone's first-ever Adventure Warning and Control System (AWACS Reflective Cable) allows for improved visibility in low-light conditions with a reflective, replaceable cable along with the MFi (Made for iPhone, iPad, iPod) system with three-button volume control and inline microphone. The earphone is constructed from a magnesium uni-body, which allows for durability and unmatched design performance.

Keeping sound quality a priority, Westone integrated their rich heritage of signature driver technologies into the Adventure Series Alpha. A proprietary extended range 6.5mm micro driver with PST™ (Precision Surface Tuning), 20Hz -18kHz frequency response, and impedance of 21 ohms, delivers sonic accuracy with extended bass.

Westone Adventure Series Alpha also features:

- Active Fit System - Up & Over™ cable routing and patented STAR™ Tips ensure superior fit, comfort, and retention for even the toughest adventure.
- Magnesium Uni-body Construction – A Low-profile lightweight magnesium uni-body and aluminum faceplate for strength, durability and style.
-The MFI control allows the listener to rewind, fast-forward, skip songs, play/pause, activate Siri interface and answer/hang-up calls without interruption of the their activity.

"You can see our customer focus in our Adventure Series. Our fans have been asking for Westone products that they can wear during every activity, whether it is travel, workout or play. The ADVs are our first cross-over MFi earphones and the embodiment of ruggedness with exceptional sound," said John F. Lowrey, Vice President, Audio Group at Westone. "The Adventure Series is a new standalone product line from Westone that will attract listeners who want performance as well as comfort, durability, weather-resistance and the dynamic Westone sound signature."

Included with Adventure Series Alpha are Westone's patented STAR™ silicone tips, True-Fit™ foam tips, wax removal tool, and special weather resistant rigid travel case.

Adventure Series Alpha is available with a MSRP of $199.99 through authorized dealers and e-retailers.

*Source: IPX-3 Liquid Ingress Protection Rating

About Westone
Founded in 1959, Westone is the world's premier manufacturer of high performance in-ear musicians monitors, earphones and innovative speaker technology. After five decades of in-ear and acoustic innovation, Westone has developed a sizable portfolio of exclusive technologies, which incorporate only the most premium materials and optimal processes into all its products. Westone continues to pioneer new innovation into the world of audio and hearing. Their in-ear earphone product lines are actively endorsed by musicians and have won acclaim in countless reviews among audiophiles and artist worldwide. Find out why Westone is Pure Music. For more information, please visit www.westoneaudio.com or call 800-525-5071.


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Marina Abramovic Loves Face Lasers, James Franco

Last night at the CFDA Awards, artist Marina Abramovic showed up wearing a Givenchy athletic jersey with the word favelas and the number 74 (designer Riccardo Tisci's birth year) printed across the front along with intense leather opera gloves that would've likely withered had it kept raining. As celebrities streamed along the red carpet outside Alice Tully Hall, Abramovic cozied up on a bench on the other side of the windows, where she talked to the Cut's Jenni Avins about beauty, aging, and the new movie she's got planned with James Franco.

There was an interesting article this weekend in T, an interview with Miuccia Prada. She talked about loving things that are ugly, and the power of things that are ugly. I wonder what you think about that?
It's incredible how we presume that things are ugly. I was very impressed [by] one experiment that was done in Germany. They took 25 women and 25 men, and they put [them] in two separate rooms. And they never saw each other. And then they take their clothes off, blindfold them, and they put them in a common room together. And they have to create couples just by touching and smelling each other, without any other relationship. And then after they really felt some kind of attraction or chemical between each other, then they remove the blinds and then 92 percent were not the visual choice. They would not be the visual choice.

This says so much. We make such terrible mistakes with visual choices about beauty. Everything else is important. And there is no ugliness. There is inner beauty. It's just the way how each society creates the codes. If you see a Renaissance body, this is completely ugly in this time. Everybody has to be skinny. But the Renaissance body with incredible flow of the meat everywhere, it was beauty. So I think beauty comes from inside. And ugliness is nonexistent.

The other thing she talked a little bit about was aging and how obsessed we are with youth, but now everyone can live longer, and sort of what a problem it creates.
The aging is a big issue, too. You know, I am thinking about the death every single day. And this year I am 67. You know, everyone is always talking about plastic surgery, or the technology, what to do. I really think it's important to help yourself with the technology if you want to feel better, but I am absolutely against any kind of monstrous cuts of the body, lifting that is beyond recognition, this kind of stuff. But I think we have to make the point when we know we are temporary on this planet, and whatever we do, we are going to die. [Laughs.] Whatever you do!

Yeah. What about injections and things like that? Are you against that too?
Definitely not. I don't do injections. What I am doing now for my skin, I am crazy about lasers. That's my thing. All lasers. Because lasers remove the brown spots. Lasers, they break the collagen, and then collagen gets shocked and starts growing, and it really looks good for the face.

It's fast, right?
No! It takes six months. This is what's wonderful, because it's a natural [process.] I'm not so much into Botox kind of stuff because it's like you constantly have to do something. With collagen, the collagen takes time and actually becomes your natural refreshment.

It took me so long to discover so many simple things. Because we always relate to happiness in the relationship. We think that happiness depends from that person. That person leaves, and you are completely in pain. But when you understand that actually you are the one who made the happiness and then you become the owner of your own self. And then it's so good. Right now, I've never been in a more happy moment in my life. It's the first time. I'm completely alone. No one is complaining that I'm working too much or that I am not at home. I wake up in the morning and I do whatever I want. Because before, if you are an artist, you can't love fashion. I could not work in opera. I just make a ballet with Riccardo [Tisci]. It was great. Then, I'm just thinking about so many different — why not, you know? And that's the idea of freedom we should actually breed. I'm right now working on the James Franco film.

You are?
Oh, yes. This is insane! You know, James Franco is one of the most interesting figures because he has no rules. He breaks all the borders. He made more movies than any other person. He made 90 movies. Did you know that? He finished four universities. He is editing the nine films that he is directing, and another eleven where he is playing. I mean, it's kind of insane. You know, he gave me all the material, which I am editing. And I can't tell you the title. It's a secret! But I am so excited!

Are you in it?
No! It's about him. I am editing it. I am editing his life. I can't explain. I am interested in this phenomenon, James Franco. So what I do is I take everything he has done, and I look into that. And I see how many personalities and how many different characters he is. It is incredible, actually. You don't know who is he, actually. 

So when do you think you'll be done with it?
I am going to do the trailer, which is going to be shown at the Venice Film Festival in the end of August, and then we have to do lots of work to make it. I think it will take another six months.

You're working on it here, with him?
Yeah. No! I don't need him. I don't even want to. I have enough material for hundreds and hundreds of hours.

You don't even spend time with him?
No, no. I spend as a friend. He made everything already. I just have to put in a certain combination of things of how I see, you know?

I am so curious!
It's going to be really special. To see about Hollywood and how that works and why you need to do so much. What is the reason? You know, it's very much his obsessions with every young actor who died young — like James Dean, like some other people. It's really very, very complex. [Two Italian women in black — one small and silver-haired, the other tall and brunette — approach us with a red-bearded young guy.] This is mother of Riccardo and his sister. You want to interview? I speak Italian. I can, you know.

[She introduces Riccardo's sister and mom.]

She is the first time in New York. They got here yesterday.

Have they been to Riccardo's shows before?
Always.

How is it seeing him on the red carpet like this?
She can't talk because she gets so emotional. At every show, when he is doing in Paris, she is in the first row and she is always there. She supports everything he do. He has eight sisters, you know that?

So did he make clothes for his sisters when he was little?

[Riccardo's mom now answers herself.]

[Then Marina translates again.]


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Dell unveils Haswell-powered laptops and desktops for professionals (video)

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Dell unveils Haswellpowered laptops and desktops for professionals video

Between Computex and the launch of Intel's fourth generation Core Haswell processors, June's shaping up to be a big month for the PC industry. Fresh from letting us play with its new folding hybrid, Dell is whipping out new OptiPlex 9020 and XE2 desktops, an OptiPlex All-In-One and the Latitude E6540 business laptop. Given that they're Dell machines, customization options will be limitless when they arrive in the forthcoming weeks, backed by all of those enterprise-friendly vPro, WYSE and Cloud management services that Dell's attempting to become famous for.

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Creatures of the Wind Designers Moving to New York

While the rest of the nominees and winners of last night’s CFDA Awards return to work today (with Champagne headaches, we can only presume), Shane Gabier and Chris Peters — the heretofore Chicago-based co-founders of Creatures of the Wind — will be picking up the keys for their new apartment on the Lower East Side. “We are kind of moving here, to New York, half-time,” Gabier told the Cut at the cocktail hour before last night’s awards. “So we just got an apartment and we’re looking for a studio. We’ll be back and forth. But we’ve been sleeping at hotels and at Chris’s parents house and on friends' couches for four years, so now it’s time.” Gabier said they had been making lists of kitchen accessories and furniture to buy, but the duo has their decor priorities straight. “We have one really amazing Karl Springer goatskin coffee table that’s, like, seven feet long that we found in New Jersey for four hundred dollars,” said Gabier. “So everything is built around the coffee table.” Because, like most other new New Yorkers, they probably don’t have room for a proper table.


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Insert Coin: Virtuix Omni VR treadmill gives gamers the run around from $249

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In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.

Insert Coin: Virtuix Omni VR treadmill gives gamers the run around

If the unison of Virtuix's Omni Treadmill and Oculus Rift got your left thumb hungry for a well deserved retirement, then it'll also want to push you in the direction of the game controller's official Kickstarter. Yup, for just $249 (if you get in there quick enough), you can snag yourself an Omni in DIY kit form plus on set of shoes (additional pairs costing $49). Those with deeper pockets can opt to get the full kit (including belt, tracking hardware and software) from $399, or go all out and get the Omni Rack (for holding your Rift control box, favorite beverage etc) and some exclusive merch on top for $539. Really dig this thing? Then why not lay down $7,999 for a custom design made from wood and steel? Those of you who are still undecided can delve into the project a little further (at the source), but it seems likely that the final retail price could be somewhat higher than that offered to Kickstarter backers so, you know, you might not want to hang around too long.

Previous project update: Sonte's digital shades have still only raised around $25,000 -- an eight of its target. There's still plenty of time though, so if WiFi-enabled blinds are what you've been wishing for, be sure to show it your support.

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