Tickets go on sale tomorrow, April 25th, at 10 am PT. You can find information about that here. It’s important to note that to buy a ticket, you have to be a member of iOS Developer Program, iOS Developer Enterprise Program, or the Mac Developer Program as of the time of today’s announcement. The tickets start at $1,599.

“We look forward to gathering at WWDC 2013 with the incredible community of iOS and OS X developers,” said Apple’s SVP of Worldwide Marketing Philip Schiller. “Our developers have had the most prolific and profitable year ever, and we’re excited to show them the latest advances in software technologies and developer tools to help them create innovative new apps. We can’t wait to get new versions of iOS and OS X into their hands at WWDC.”

WWDC will feature over 100 technical sessions from over 1,000 Apple engineers.

Here’s what’s on the schedule for the event so far:

• More than 100 technical sessions presented by Apple engineers on a wide range of topics for developing, deploying and integrating the latest iOS and OS X technologies;
• more than 1,000 Apple engineers supporting over 100 hands-on labs and events to provide developers with code-level assistance, insight into optimal development techniques and guidance on how they can make the most of iOS and OS X technologies in their apps;
• the latest innovations, features and capabilities of iOS and OS X, and how to enhance an app’s functionality, performance, quality and design;
• the opportunity to connect with thousands of fellow iOS and OS X developers from around the world—last year more than 60 countries were represented;
• engaging and inspirational lunchtime sessions with leading minds and influencers from the worlds of technology, science and entertainment; and
• Apple Design Awards which recognize iPhone®, iPad® and Mac apps that demonstrate technical excellence, innovation and outstanding design.

At last year’s WWDC, Apple pulled the lid off OS X Mountain Lion and iOS 6.

Should Google be worried about Apple’s announcements? Tell us what you think.

For one, Apple’s web browser, Safari, is getting Chrome-like search functionality, while also adding Baidu as a search option. In fact, Apple is cozying up to China a great deal, as Google’s relationship with the country has grown anything but cozy.

Last year, Apple made a huge impression on society with Siri. Now, they’ve made some improvements to it. With iOS 6, Apple’s forthcoming operating system due out this fall, Siri will likely take a significant chunk of search market share for things like sports, restaurants and movies, even while Google is improving itself in both sports and local search.

And did we mention Siri is coming to the iPad?

“Ask Siri about sports scores and stats, where to eat, what movies to see — even ask to make Facebook posts,” Apple says on its website. “Siri understands more languages and works in more countries. So you can get more things done in more places around the world. And most exciting of all, with Siri on the new iPad, on more devices, too.”

On sports, Apple says, “Siri knows baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and hockey. Ask Siri for game schedules, scores from the current season’s games, or up-to-the minute scores from live games. Tell Siri to show you player stats and compare them against other players’ stats. Siri tracks team records, too, so you’ll always know how well your team is doing (or not doing). Siri is even smart enough to know whether you’re asking about the New York Giants or the San Francisco Giants, based on where you are.”

On movies, Apple says, “Siri can help you find the latest flicks by location or showtimes. Can’t decide? Ask Siri to show you a movie trailer or a Rotten Tomatoes review. Siri is also quite the film buff: Find out when a film premiered, who directed it, and what awards it won. Or ask Siri which movies your favorite actors star in, so you won’t miss any of their past or future blockbusters.”

Finally, on restaurants, Apple says, “With Siri you now have a personal restaurant concierge. Ask to find restaurants by cuisine, price, location, outdoor seating, or a combination of choices. Siri will show you a restaurant’s photos, Yelp stars, price range, and reviews. When you find a place you like, ask Siri to make a reservation through the OpenTable app.”

How many iOS users will be turning to Siri before Google for a lot of this stuff? Apple says it has sold 365 million iOS devices sold as of March.

With new Facebook integration mentioned above, Siri is only giving users more reasons to use it. The more people use it, the more they’ll likely use it for more things. Speaking of using it for more things, iOS 6 users will also be able to ask Siri to open apps. Apple is even working with car manufacturers on integrating Siri into voice control systems, with voice command buttons on steering wheels. I wonder if Google’s self-driving cars will come with voice search.

As expected, Apple dumped Google Maps with the new operating system, as it has stepped up its game in the online search space. As Drew Bowling wrote in a previous WPN article, “The new iOS mapping service will come with a host of features that have become commonplace with geo-location services, such as real-time traffic updates and any upcoming traffic delays on your route. Beyond the standard array of features, Apple added 100 million different Yelp listings for businesses as well as a slick turn-bu-turn navigation not unlike what MapQuest has been offering with its direction service. The biggest Oooh-and-Aaah feature with Apple’s new Maps feature is by far the 3D renderings that are fully navigable and offer up insanely detailed pictures (dangerously detailed, some would say).”

Apple says, “iOS 6 includes an all new Maps app with vector-based map elements that make graphics and text smooth, and panning, tilting and zooming incredibly fluid. New turn-by-turn navigation guides you to your destination with spoken directions, and the amazing Flyover feature has photo-realistic interactive 3D views. Real-time traffic information keeps you updated on how long it will take to get to your destination and offers alternate time-saving routes if traffic conditions change significantly. Additionally, local search includes information for over 100 million businesses with info cards that offer Yelp ratings, reviews, available deals and photos.”

A new report from the Wall Street Journal says, “Developers, about 5,000 of which paid $1,599 for tickets [to WWDC], said they were excited to try many of the new mobile software features—particularly the new mapping application. The service, which Apple has been developing for years, has a mode for viewing areas in three-dimensions, along with a local search service and turn-by-turn driving directions for in-car use.”

That same report has a statement from Google saying the company has been “working on maps for years” and is “looking forward to continuing to build the perfect map for our users in the months and years ahead.”

Google, of course, has some interesting new things happening with its own maps.

It just so happens that Apple’s maps come primarily from a provider that has been in the business for years too – TomTom. The company issued the following statement:

TomTom has signed a global agreement with Apple for maps and related information. No further details of the agreement will be provided.

Yelp, one of the companies that has often voiced complaint regarding Google’s competitive business practices, listed the following Yelp integrations on its blog:

• In addition to using Yelp listings when providing local business recommendations, Siri now has even more Yelp content.
• When searching in Apple’s “Maps” both the Info and Reviews tabs will point you to millions of Yelp listings — and if you click on a specific review, you’ll be taken directly to that review for that business on Yelp.
• Yelpers around the world will start getting Siri access thanks to Apple’s language updates.
• Finally, Yelp is already integrated in navigation systems for BMW, Lexus & Mercedes. Now, you can get point to point directions & recommendations with those manufacturers, as well as dozens more with Siri & Yelp.

Google’s Matt Cutts has been talking about it on Twitter:

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Yasser Masood Khan
@YasserM86

Well @mattcutts it seems Maps on iOS6 no longer powered by Google Maps. A new competitor in the mapping space?

Follow @mattcutts

Matt Cutts
@mattcutts

@YasserM86 competition is great for users. Good way to keep everyone on their toes.

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9 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto

Siri seems to be chipping away at various search verticals. How long until it just becomes a full-on search engine, and the default search option on Apple products, at that?

Back to that Facebook integration. That extends well beyond Siri. iOS 6 comes with deep Facebook integration in numerous capacities, in addition to the Twitter integration iOS 5 brought to the table. iOS is heavily integrated with two of the world’s most popular social services, while Google is still trying to get enough people to care about Google+, which the company has deemed its “social spine”.

Facebook, as you may know, is already a huge competitor to Google in the social and online identity spaces. More on all of the Facebook integration here.

Google stock fell on Apple’s announcements. TomTom’s jumped.

Do you think Google is a monopoly? Let us know in the comments.

The new AirPort Express will now feature simultaneous dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi. That’s it. Everything else about the device is staying exactly the same, but at least it is a slight improvement. The price for the device has not risen along with its capabilities – it is still $99.

The AirPort Express functions as a normal router, but also supports some Apple-specific software such as the Remote App. Using the Remote App, Apple fans can control itunes on their computer using an iOS touch device such as an iPhone or iPad. Another feature the AirPort Express supports is AirPlay, which allows wireless AirPlay-enabled speakers to play music from an iOS device or iTunes. In addition, the AirPort Express has a 3.5 mm audio jack so that AirPlay can be used with non-AirPlay-enabled speakers.

Guided Access is a form of accessibility software for iOS. Apple has always been at the forefront of technologies dedicated to helping those with disabilities interact with Apple products. Guided Access will allow a parent or teacher the ability to have full control of how an iOS device can be used. For example, the home button and all other hardware buttons can be locked, motion sensitivity can be disabled, or a certain portion of the screen can be made inactive toward touch. In addition, the device can be locked into a single app. This means that iOS device can now reliably be used to test students or give reading assignments, without fear that they will lose focus and end up playing Angry Birds. Apple also mentioned that the devices could be locked-down in this manner and used for museum information apps.

It’s just like Apple to provide a simple, elegant solution to a tricky problem. It will be interesting to see what parents and teachers use Guided Access for, since the best uses for such technology are often found by the users rather than the designers.

That fact means almost 40% of Mac users have already adopted Apple’s latest operating system, which has been out for less than one year. Indeed, the presenter who stated these facts said that Mac OS X Lion is both the fastest-selling and best-selling Apple OS of all-time.

It was also mentioned that Mac OS X Lion outpaced Windows 7 in terms of sales and adoption. OS X Mountain Lion is due out sometime in July, meaning it will beat the Windows 8 launch date by months. Considering Apple’s smooth demonstration of its upcoming operating system, and the looming disaster that is Windows 8, it’s likely that this scenario will be repeated over the next year.

However, these numbers can be seen another way. OS X Mountain Lion will be released less than one year after its predecessor, Mac OS X Lion, which less than half of Mac users have yet. Is Apple iterating its software too fast for consumers to keep up? The average consumber, maybe, but die-hard Apple fans will pounce on OS X Mountain Lion like a hungry Puma. Pushing software out quickly is certainly part of Apple’s strategy to keep ahead of the market. It pushes out newer, better hardware on a yearly basis while dropping support for older devices, thus forcing customers to upgrade.

Apple touted it as a way to get all your passes – boarding passes, tickets, store cards, movie tickets, etc. – all in one app. On its new iOS 6 page, Apple describes Passbook:

Your boarding passes, movie tickets, retail coupons, loyalty cards, and more are now all in one place. With Passbook, you can scan your iPhone or iPod touch to check in for a flight, get into a movie, and redeem a coupon. You can also see when your coupons expire, where your concert seats are, and the balance left on that all-important coffee bar card. Wake your iPhone or iPod touch, and passes appear on your Lock screen at the appropriate time and place — like when you reach the airport or walk into the store to redeem your gift card or coupon. And if your gate changes after you’ve checked in for your flight, Passbook will even alert you to make sure you’re not relaxing in the wrong terminal.

Here are a couple screenshots:

What do Twitter users think about Passbook?

Follow @griffey

Jason Griffey
@griffey

Bonus points for the first Library to integrate Passbook-enabled library cards.

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47 minutes ago via web · powered by @socialditto

Follow @cc_chapman

C.C. Chapman
@cc_chapman

Reading about iOS 6 has me excited. Passbook is something I’ve always wanted. Bye bye wallet finally? http://t.co/mrMhJ4te

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22 minutes ago via web · powered by @socialditto

Follow @topley

John Topley
@topley

What are the chances of iOS 6′s Passbook being any use in the UK?

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1 minute ago via web · powered by @socialditto

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David McNamara
@deemac99

Passbook feature looks really interesting. Not sexy, but loads of potential. Start of the mobile wallet! #ios6 #apple

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2 minutes ago via Twitterrific · powered by @socialditto

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Eric Burns
@demiurgent

Again — not really hating on Apple. I want me some Mountain Lion, I like the looks of the new powerbook, and Passbook makes me drool.

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2 minutes ago via web · powered by @socialditto

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Robert Currie
@recurrie

New iOS passbook app is pure Apple – solving a real problem. Right now, trying show an electronic boarding pass is awkward and frustrating.

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3 minutes ago via Twitter for Mac · powered by @socialditto

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Erik Christiansen
@erkchristiansen

FUUUUU- Passbook app is a game changer.

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1 hour ago via Twitter for Mac · powered by @socialditto

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Louie del Carmen
@LouiedelCarmen

Passbook is a cool & potentially very useful app. Unf I think hackers r going to smell blood in the water. Security will be THE issue #WWDC

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8 minutes ago via web · powered by @socialditto

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Dan Ruswick ★
@Ruswick

Passbook is far and away the best thing Apple has done in the past two years. Hands down.

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9 minutes ago via web · powered by @socialditto

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Octavio Nava Jr
@onavajr

Passbook is going to be my best friend on iOS 6

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9 minutes ago via TweetDeck · powered by @socialditto

iOS 6 ships this fall. I’m sure we’ll get plenty more reaction once people actually get to use it.

While I’m sure the Mac gamers out there are super excited to hear this news, regular Mac users should be getting excited as well. The 600 series is Nvidia’s latest innovation in GPU construction that runs on its Kepler architecture.

Nvidia announced on their blog that the GT 650M would be coming to both the next-generation MacBook Pro as well as the newly redesigned 15-inch MacBook Pro model. This sets up MacBook Pro users with the latest and very best in graphics processing technology.

Apple mentioned that the new retina display will be great for all the gaming experiences that Mac fans can enjoy. The most high profile release is obviously Diablo III which Mac gamers will want the new MacBook Pro for. Not only will the GT 650M allow them to play it on max settings, it will help them take true advantage of the new retina display. It will be the best looking version of Diablo III on the Mac platform.

For those who care about such things, the GT 650M contains a number of enhancements over its predecessors that make notebook gaming even better. The 600M series features Optimus which optimizes notebooks to only use the graphics power when it needs to thus conserving power.

As a PC gamer, trust me when I say that Apple made the right choice with the 650M. It’s the most cost-efficient mobile gaming GPU on the market today. While the next-generation MacBook Pro will start at $2,199, you can at least know the GPU is top of the line. Sure, it’s no GTX 680M, but it gets the job done regardless.

The Facebook love will feature things like full integration for calendar events, birthdays, as well as contact emails and phone numbers inside your Calendar and Contacts apps. When you choose to share stuff your privacy settings will come into play with a sharing window prompt which will let you share with friends, public, and any other lists you have set up within Facebook.

Also coming is the sweet ability to Tweet or post to your Facebook wall by just pulling down the notification center drop down window. Facebook also has its own API within iOS so developers can integrate Facebook log-in credentials without you having to approve apps each time they ask for permissions which will save us all time and we can avoid having to decrapify our feeds every couple of weeks.

Also Facebook likes have been integrated into the iTunes and App Store so you can finally see what your friends liked. Look for all of these features to go live once iOS 6 is available to download.

As part of the company’s WWDC keynote, Apple announced that Lion and Mountain Lion would both be updated to support the new retina display. Why Lion as well? Mountain Lion isn’t launching until next month so the MacBook Pros that are shipping this month will still be running Lion. It’s a nice gesture from Apple for those that don’t want to upgrade to Mountain Lion just yet when it launches next month. I don’t know why anybody would not, however, since the upgrade is only $19.99.

As for the applications that will take advantage of the new retina display, key Apple applications like Mail, Safari, Aperture, and Final Cut Pro will all take advantage of the technology. The company said that “Reading your mail is like reading fine print” and that “Surfing the Web can be like experiencing magazine-like quality.”

Of course, first-party applications can only get a new retina display so far. What about third-party applications? The company confirmed that notable applications like PhotoShop and AutoCAD have been updated to take advantage of the new retina display. Appealing more to the interests of the common man, they also confirmed that Diablo III would be updated to take advantage of the new retina display.

A retina display for the MacBook Pro is a pretty big deal. It also means that the price for the MacBook Pro is going to be pretty big with Apple confirming that the base model will go for $2,199. With its specs and the retina display, it should be able to do just about anything.

[Lead Image: engadget]

For the technically uncertain among you, that’s more pixels than a 1080p high definition television offers, which runs at 1920×1080 pixels. Aside from the impressive display, the additional tech specs are nothing to turn your nose up at, either. According to TheVerge.com, the 15-inch next-gen MacBook Pros will feature the following:

…quad-core Intel i5 or i7 processor, up to 16GB of RAM, and an Nvidia Kepler GeForce GT 650M GPU. Naturally, Apple is focusing on flash storage instead of a traditional hard drive, and will offer it with up to 768GB. Battery life is rated to 7 hours, and ports include an SD card slot, HDMI, USB 3.0, two Thunderbolt ports, MagSafe 2 and a headphone jack. It also has two microphones. Connectivity includes 802.11n for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0, but so far Apple has unfortunately not made mention of 4G connectivity being built-in.

They also have a photo gallery of the new MacBeastBookPro, for those of you dying to get a peak. If looking is not enough and you’re ready to buy, TheVerge.com indicates they price for these new Mac is pretty steep at $2199. Apparently, Apple will ship the new Macs today as well, although, the MacBook Pro page on Apple.com does not reflect this new model availability and Apple.com now reflects the availability.

As you might expect, Twitter is all over the new MacBook debut. Naturally, many are smitten. Some, however, don’t like the price:

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Jay Freeman (saurik)
@saurik

The most innovative thing in the new 15″ retina MacBook Pro is actually the fan: asymmetric blades spread out the frequency of the whirring.

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1 hour ago via Twitter for iPhone · powered by @socialditto

Follow @strobist

David Hobby
@strobist

Apple just looked at their drowning competition, smiled sweetly, and started tossing them anvils: http://t.co/sDzyfbVB

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54 minutes ago via web · powered by @socialditto

Follow @iMDRW

iMDRW
@iMDRW

Yes!! RT @lauthechef: i own an ipod touch, ipod nano, ipod regular, iphone, imac, macbook pro & regular macbook and im buying the new one

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6 minutes ago via web · powered by @socialditto

Follow @Dimillian

Thomas Ricouard
@Dimillian

So with 3D maps you can buy a Macbook pro cause you don’t need to buy an airplane ticker ever again.

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9 minutes ago via Twitter for Mac · powered by @socialditto

Follow @gkhamba

Khamba
@gkhamba

The Pro in the New Macbook Pro stands for prostitution. There’s no way you can afford it otherwise.

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1 hour ago via Twitter for Android · powered by @socialditto

Where do you stand? Too expensive or incredibly awesome? One thing’s for sure: there’s no mistaking where Apple’s developers stand, as pointed out by Endgadet: “It’s without doubt the very best computer that we’ve ever built,” says [Apple's Phil] Schiller.