WWDC 2012 - Maps

Apple Maps it out, or will be when iOS6 come out of beta, then it will have its turn by turn. So, on this the rumours were true. Scott Forstal
proudly announced that Apple has built from the ground up a new native
map app.


To be delivered as a free upgrade to all iPhone alliterations
(excluding the original iPhone.) Love the way Apple looks after the
older models phones still. This is great as my mum has a 3GS, although
she has a great sense of direction, which I do not, and so may not need it.


Turn by turn


Turn by turn navigation is a feature which has been a while in the
making, now it's been demoed we can be sure it will be stylish and
just work.


Turn by turn directions will, it has subsequently announced (quietly, in small print on the Apple website) be available to iphone4S and the new iPad (iPad3) only. Meaning if your device hasn't got the A5 chip you'll need to upgrade to enjoy these features, although I wouldn't upgrade yet, wait for the next iPhone.


So the all new map app, looks great, no surprise there, with the
intergration of Siri it should be outstanding. Currently it's not
clear weather Siri will be available to everyone or if it will remain
a premium feature of the iPhone 4S (Apple has announced Siri will be
available with iOS6 on the new iPad.)


Flyover


3D mapping of big cities looks beautiful and will no doubt look even
more amazing on Apples unannounced new iPhone. Again flyover will only be available officially to owners of the latest generation idevices. Will this mean the end of stand alone sat navs or will all this data usage kill our data
plans, on one has mentioned offline maps have they (only Google, in an childish, unprepared attempt to take the shine off iOS6.)

Find out a little more about Maps

WWDC 2012 - Passbook

Since the keynote, more specifically Scott's iOS section, I have been thinking about Passbook. Apple describes it as "your digital wallet for loyalty cards, Amtrak, United, hotel reservations and more."

So the idea is great, better than squirrelling away random details of cards in notes, or using a third party app. The implementation is beautiful as you would expect, what really looks great is that the details update automatically. What this could mean is, once you have your boarding card for the plane and you have been given your gate details, what happens if your gate number changes? Well Apple demonstrated that when there is a change, you get a notification and the details automatically update.

With location services, if you walked into Starbucks your loyalty card would appear on your iPhone and scan the barcode from your phone, updating your balance too.

Is passbook a precursor to a fully blown NFC (near field communication) style apple payment system? either built from the ground up by Apple or using a partner like Visa? As NFC or contactless payment becomes more wide spread and Android phones market this as a feature, it stands to reason Apple will need to join the party.

On past history, Apple isn't always first with all features; but when they do implement them they are game changers. FaceTime wasn't new, I had 3G video calling when I had a Sony Erricson V800 ages ago. But it wasn't widespread enough or reliable enough or a pleasure to use, Apple made this so.

So collectively lets cross our fingers for a contactless payment solution for iPhone, even if it's just a payment tag for the next new iPhone.