The keynote at Apple’s World Wide Developers Conference on Monday, as expected, included the unveiling of a new iPhone, as well as new software for the iPhone, new MacBooks, a release date for the new Snow Leopard operating system, and more.
In fact, just about the only thing Apple did not unveil was CEO Steve Jobs, who despite rumors did not appear at the keynote. Apple executive Phil Schiller instead did the honors.
The company is pushing the new iPhone, dubbed the 3GS, as up to twice as fast as its predecessor. It also features a 3-megapixel camera, can run video, and also features greater auto focus capabilities than previously available. The 3GS also includes voice control capability for both voice calls and music recognition.
The 3GS also includes cut-and-paste functionality, easier search functions, and easier accessibility for those who are visually or hearing impaired. It will be released June 19, which doubles as the release date for the iPhone 3.0 software.
In addition to the 3GS, the company also announced that it will sell the 3G iPhone for $99 (for 8GB), effective immediately. The 3GS will be sold at the previous price points.
Other software announcements included a deal with TomTom to provide an application with turn-by-turn directions, as well as a “Find my iPhone” native application that helps users use GPS to find lost iPhones, and in some cases deactivate them.
Apple also said that the Snow Leopard OS will be released in September, at an MSRP of $29; it will go head-to-head with Microsoft’s new Windows 7.
The keynote kicked off with the announcement of a new line of 13- and 17-inch Macbooks, which Schiller dubbed the "world’s greenest line of notebooks.” The company also announced a $300 price cut for the MacBook Air.
Not part of the presentation? Apple’s rumored tablet device, "multiple" new iPhones, and of course, Steve Jobs.
Maggi Samuelson contributed to this story.
