WWDC 2012 Preview: What to Expect from Apple

 Apple will kick off its annual Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday and speculation is rampant about what the company has in store for attendees and Apple fanatics around the globe. WWDC 2012 will include purported refreshes to almost the entire Mac lineup including the Mac Pro, Facebook integration for iOS, Siri integration for the iPad, iCloud improvements, as well as sneak peeks at iOS 6 and the previously announced OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion. WWDC 2012 promises to be a big show if all the rumors turn out to be true. So here's a look at the latest buzz around Apple's annual summertime conference, which starts with a keynote address on June 11 at 10 a.m. on the West Coast.

Big Mac

After languishing without a refresh since summer 2010, Apple's desktop tower, the Mac Pro, is receiving an overhaul to be introduced during WWDC, according to 9to5 Mac. There will reportedly be three new Mac Pro models, one of which can be used as an OS X server. It's not clear what new features the Mac Pro will have, but good bets include new Intel Xeon E5 chips, Thunderbolt I/O technology and USB 3.0 ports. Adding to the Mac Pro speculation, Mac Rumors recently reported that Mac Pro availability at Apple retail stores is dropping, suggesting that new models are on the way. There is also some speculation that Apple will refresh its iMac all-in-one desktops.

iOS 6

Most Apple watchers believe the company will at least give a sneak peek into iOS 6, the next version of Apple's mobile platform, even though it's not expected to debut until the fall. A popular rumor that started on TechCrunch says Apple will integrate Facebook into iOS, similar to what Apple did withTwitter in 2011. This should allow you to share photos, links, and other content to Facebook with just a few clicks instead of going in and out of Facebook's iOS apps. Facebook integration could also make it easier to sign in to other iOS apps and Web services with your Facebook ID. 

Right now, you have to authorize Facebook sign-ons through the social network's iOS app or the Web interface. Rumors of a Facebook-iOS marriage have been circulating since 2010. Users of Apple's iPad may soon be able to talk to their tablets the same way they do to the iPhone 4S, according to 9to5 Mac. The Apple-focused blog says Siri voice command integration is coming to the iPad with iOS 6. Apple is also expected to dump Google Maps in iOS 6and begin using its own mapping technology. The new Maps app could debut as early as next Wednesday at WWDC, according toThe Wall Street Journal. Apple in recent years has been snapping up mapping companies including Placebase, C3 Technologies, and Poly9, reportedly in anticipation of dumping Google Maps. The company in March also used its own mapping features in the new iPhoto for iOS. Google recently announced a number of feature improvements to Google Maps including 3D flyovers, more Street View images, and offline maps. 

iCloud 

In mid-May, reports of new iCloud features surfaced including a new photo sharing feature. The new feature would let you share photos with other iCloud users who can then view and comment on your images, according to The Wall Street Journal. Apple may also improve iCloud.com by adding access to the iOS Notes and Reminders apps. The site currently gives you access to your mail, contacts, calendar, documents, and the Find My iPhone feature.

MacBook Updates

Apple may be making a dramatic change to the MacBook Pro laptop product line next week, according to Bloomberg. The refreshed MacBook line would include high-definition “retina” displays, Ivy Bridge chips, and flash storage. The new laptops may also be missing an optical drive, making it much thinner than current versions, according to 9to5 Mac, perhaps even verging into MacBook Air-like territory. 

Mountain Lion

It's virtually guaranteed that Apple will be discussing OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion during the WWDC keynote. The latest version of OS X was first released as a developer preview in February. A lot is already known about what Mountain Lion will include such as a new security feature called Gatekeeper, improved iCloud integration, and iOS apps and features such as Reminders, Notes, Game Center, Messages, Notification Center, and share sheets.

Apple TV

A demonstration of new Apple TV software may also be on the docket for WWDC, according to BGR. Not much is known about the purported Apple TV refresh, but BGR says it may include a way for you to control all your home entertainment components from the Apple remote and the Remote iOS app. However, this functionality would need to be enabled by device manufacturers so it likely wouldn't be available for hardware you have in your home right now. BGR claims the Apple TV OS refresh will also be the software powering Apple's rumored television set. If the rumors are accurate, the WWDC 2012 keynote could be a long one, so make sure you have lots of popcorn on hand before sitting down to check out the live blogs during the event.