Apple Gets Prettier at 2012 Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) ~ unveils “the most beautiful computer ever made”

“ iOS 6 The world’s most advanced mobile operating system.”
~~ Apple Banner, June 11, 2012

WWDC, Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA


The Apple digital banner at Moscone Center (photo above) showcased the new iOS logo with the caption: “The world’s most advanced mobile operating system.” The creative revision for iOS 6 Logo is the use of water ripples vs. the droplets from iOS 5 in 2012.

The next four days will be a whirlwind of innovative, integrative, technologies at The Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC)2012 at downtown San Francisco's Moscone Center.

Tickets to the event were $1,599 and sold out in 1 hour and forty-three minutes. Shortly after that, scalpers were outside selling tickets to many willing to pay thousands more during this grand opening. Live streams of the event will be available on Apple's website.


The minimum age requirement dropped to 13 years young from 18 years illustrating the trend in more 13 year old Apple software developers. Of course eligible members between 13 and 17 years of age must have their parent or guardian purchase tickets.



Apple CEO Tim Cook began with compelling statistics of software on Apple's gadgets. “The App Store has some 650,000 apps, over 30 billion downloads to date, and payments to Apple developers a total of more than $5 billion,” Cook said. The theme this year was not about new product hype but more about mobility, interoperability and the impact this will have from a usage perspective on people’s lives.


"Designed by Apple from the ground up, Maps gives you turn-by-turn spoken directions, interactive 3D views, and the stunning Flyover feature.1 All of which may just make this app the most beautiful, powerful mapping service ever."
~~Apple Web site, iOS6 Preview page



The main iOS 6 improvements are Apple's own mapping application, switching from Google Maps, that will have a 3D map app, deep integration with Facebook, and enhanced photo-sharing features.

Last year’s WWDC keynote, Apple revealed more about OS X 10.7 Lion, and debuted iOS 5 and iCloud. This year, the event unveiled latest mobile iOS 6, OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion and the new line of laptops.





Next up was Phil Schiller, senior vice president of worldwide marketing who unveiled the new MacBook Pro, describing it as “The most beautiful computer we’ve ever made.” Known as the New MacBook Air, it weighs less than 4.5 lbs, is less than .71” thick, and has high definition retina display, so sharp that you don't see the pixels.

The "beautiful" laptop will retail in July starting at $2199 and will be a new industry standard for screen sharpness with higher screen quality, a 15-inch screen, 4X resolution of previous models, better video quality, and a much longer battery life.

Developers are already able to download a version of OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, which narrows the gap between the PC and phone software packages, making Mac personal computers work more like iPhones.

SIRI will not be just for your car but also speak to your iPad and iPhone. There are also added virtual assistant features to SIRI which interprets voice commands and talks back to the user and is integrated with other apps – for example, you can have voice commands integrated with Yelp and Apple Maps.

Also, according to Apple, the new version of its Mac operating system, OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, will go on sale next month for $20. The update brings features from Apple's phone and tablet software, like the iMessage texting application, to the Mac. There is a broader integration with social media, not just Facebok and Twitter but sharing info from devices, friends devices, etc.

So what was not mentioned at this year’s event? The Apple TV and specifically what new features will come with iOS 6, or when it will be released to consumers.

For more information, visit this FoxNews link


Other Resources
►MacRumors, June11, 2012
► imore.com, Apple releases WWDC 2012 schedule, Keynote set for Monday, June 11, 10am PDT
► Apple expected to show fresh software.
► Phil Schiller unveils new MacBook Pro
► Fox News
► Apple.com
► HuffingtonPost Tech: Apple WWDC 2012 Liveblog
► CBS News: Apple WWDC 2012: Apple announces next generation MacBook Pro with Retina Display
► Huffington Post: Apple's WWDC News: Which Announcements Clicked, Which Products Clanked And Everything Else You Should Know by Jason Gilberg

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Happy 75th Anniversary to Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA - May 27, 2012

“The mystical structure, with its perfect amalgam of delicacy and power, exerts an uncanny effect. Its efficiency cannot conceal the artistry. There is heart there, and soul. It is an object to be contemplated for hours.”
~~ Herb Caen, May 1987 Pulitzer Prize-winning San Francisco journalist

Seventy-five years ago today, May 27, 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge opened and San Francisco, CA would never be the same. Tens of thousands of participants are expected at the historic celebration along the San Francisco waterfront to celebrate on this Memorial Day holiday weekend.

The iconic Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean. It has been declared one of the modern Wonders of the World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The Frommers travel guide considers the Golden Gate Bridge "possibly the most beautiful, certainly the most photographed, bridge in the world".

Construction began on January 5, 1933 and cost more than $35 million. Four and a half years later, the Golden Gate Bridge opened on May 27, 1937. When completed, the Golden Gate Bridge had the longest suspension bridge main span in the world, at 4,200 feet (1,280.2 m). Since 1964, its main span length has been surpassed by eight other bridges. However, it still has the second longest main span in the United States, after the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in New York City. At 692 feet (211m) (above water), the Golden Gate Bridge also had the world's tallest suspension towers when built. It held that status until 1998, with the completion of bridges in Denmark and Japan.


The color of the bridge is officially an orange vermillion called international orange. The color was selected by consulting architect Irving Morrow because it complements the natural surroundings and enhances the bridge's visibility in fog. Aesthetics was the foremost reason why the first design of Joseph Strauss was rejected. Upon re-submission of his bridge construction plan, he added details, such as lighting, to outline the bridge's cables and towers. In 1999, it was ranked fifth on the List of America's Favorite Architecture by the American Institute of Architects.

Other Resources
►Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary, May 27, 2012
►WSJ, Birthday Bash Planned for Bridge, But Will the Golden Gate Show?
► Golden Gate Research
►Golden Gate Bridge – Wikipedia.org
► Huffington Post, Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary: The World's Most Iconic Bridge Celebrates Historic Milestone (PHOTOS)
► Facebook, Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary
► Images for Golden Gate Bridge
► L.A. NOW - Battleship Iowa make dramatic exit under Golden Gate Bridge
► San Francisco Gate
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