WWDC 2013: Apple announces new MacBook Air, new Mac Pro Line, and streaming music service
Today at its WWDC event in San Francisco, Apple made several key product announcements.
The tech giant previewed an updated Mac Pro line of desktop computers. The device is cylindrical in shape, which prompted Apple to mock its critics, saying “can’t innovate any more, my ass.” The new models will support up to a 12 core Xeon processor from Intel, while its DDR RAM will run up to 1866MHz. The Flash storage for the device will read at a rate of 1.25 GPBs, which is 10x faster than any older Mac Pro drive. In addition, the computer will come with dual workstation GPUs, support up to four 4K displays simultaneously. All external expansion will be supported via 20 GBps Thunderbolt 2. All told, it takes up just 1/8th of the space of the old Mac Pro. Check out the first images of the new device below:
Credit: The Next Web
Credit: The Next Web
Credit: The Next Web
Via: The Next Web
Credit: Apple
Meanwhile, a new MacBook Air has also been announced. The latest models will feature all-day battery life, fourth generation Intel Core processors with faster graphics, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and flash storage that is up to 45% faster than the previous generation of MacBook Airs.
Eleven-inch models will feature twice the storage and start as low as $1,099. Thirteen-inch models will also be made available.
The thin and light design features dual microphones, a FaceTime HD camera, a high-speed Thunderbolt port and two USB 3.0 ports. In addition, the new line also supports dual displays and video mirroring while simultaneously supporting full native resolution on the built-in display.
The new MacBook Air will ship with OS X Mountain Lion with built-in iCloud, Messages, Notification Center, system-wide Sharing, AirPlay Mirroring, Dictation, Game Center and Gatekeeper security.
Via: iClarified
Credit: Apple
One of the biggest announcements of the event, however, was not a new Mac Pro or MacBook Air, but instead Apple's new competitor to Pandora, Spotify, Rdio, Xbox Music, and Google Play. iTunes Radio is a free service that works on iOS, Mac, and Apple TV, and features full integration with Siri (for example, you can command her to "Play Jazz Radio"). The free version features text and audio ads; though, if you're an iTunes Match subscriber (for $24.99 per year), the service is completely ad-free. In addition, the service boasts 200 stations to choose from, along with track skipping, saved stations, and intelligent customization to cater more to your tastes with each use.
You can also share stations with friends, or start a new station based on a song of your choice. You can star a track, ask for "more like this," and even listen to Led Zeppelin, a first for streaming music services. It's "the best way to discover new music," said Apple CEO Tim Cook.
iTunes Radio launches this fall in the U.S., with other regions to follow shortly thereafter.
Via: The Verge
You can check out the full, two-hour keynote address, with tons more announcements of new and interesting hardware and software, embedded below:
