iTunes and Mac demoted

Once iTunes and the MAc was billed as teh centre of your computing universe.  Now apple are saying “We’re going to demote the PC and the Mac to just be a device.”  iCloud is now the centre which has the advantage of you not needing an expensive full computer on and to manage at home and being able to sync anywhere. But the disadvantage of being even more tied in with Apple and mobile data contracts.

Reminders, a great looking iCloud app

Im sure this isn’t exiting to most, but I cant wait for the new lists app in iOS 5.  Ive been waiting for Cultured Code to get over the air syncing working for 2 years, and in that time Ive tried many task managers such as Omnifocus, and didnt egt on with the,  Reminders looks great, will sync using iCoud to all my devices and is free.  Looking forward to it.

Stuff you might have missed

Mac OS X Lion is now just OS X Lion, Apple seem to be getting rid of the Mac name.

Lion is not on DVD, Mac store download only, and its cheap at $29. Available July.

Lion Server is not a separate version, its an add on from the App store for $49

The App store now lets you download non available apps such as old versions to work on your older iOS

iTunes now can sync wireless locally along side its iCloud feature.  This xan happen at night whenb charging. Backs up, syncs, installs app updates.

New notification center is in sync accross all devices

Push notifications and in app purchases are now on the desktop too.

Twitter is built in to everything!

The camera roll syncs in the cloud amongst devices inc pc and mac.

iOS 5 not out until the end of the year

Whats Apple announced today

Apple announced a a load of new software stuff today, loads of exciting new stuff.  These were the new desktop OS, a new version of its mobile OS, a new cloud service, and wireless iTunes sync.  Bellow are links to Apple’s pages on these:

OS X Lion:

http://www.apple.com/macosx/

iOS 5 for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch:

http://www.apple.com/ios/ios5/features.html

iCloud:

http://www.apple.com/icloud/what-is.html

Wireless iTunes:

http://www.apple.com/icloud/features/

 

If you want to watch the keynote, its availiable here:

http://events.apple.com.edgesuite.net/11piubpwiqubf06/event/

My WWDC Wishlist

Well it’s nearly WWDC time, and I’m really looking forward to seeing iOS 5 for the first time, and finally what Apple’s new long time rumoured cloud service will be.

I’m sure that I’m like many people, with the desktop Mac OS isn’t as interesting as it once was, but it will be interesting if anything has been held back from the developer previews. Any iCloud, iTunes server, iOS deep integration is especially interesting. I’m hoping that Dropzone works between iOS devices and the desktop. I’m also hoping their has been work don’t to enhance the Apple TV because I still think this is an overlooked but great product with lots of potential. Third party app support would really help things, and imagine if Apple paired this with an official game controller at the same time as E3. Perhaps a new model of Apple TV with iPad 2 specs. Could be a game changer.

Anyway, my iOS 5/iCloud wish list in no particular order

Improved notification system
Automatic background downloading service for news? Battery life and data?
iPhone custom text sounds!
Apple tv app store and third party development
Better use of iPad screen so not just load of icons
Spotlight search can search within apps
Better browsing of own media collection on network or cloud without need to sync
Less reliance on a traditional computer Inc no plug to iTunes first time
Less reliance on cable sync, sync over the air
Sync game save position and achievements between devices
Sync framework for use by third party apps so many sync services not needed
Dropzone iOS for way to get content between devices Inc desktop
Lock screen content. Appointments, notifications etc.