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iOS 9 code points to Apple TV apps, 'iPad Pro' keyboard, new Photos feature

The current iOS 9 beta contains references to a collection of unreleased products and features, including the next-generation Apple TV, the "iPad Pro," and new options in Photos, according to a noted iOS developer.

The Apple TV is mentioned in both UIKit and GameKit, interface and multiplayer gaming frameworks normally oriented towards iPhones and iPads, developer Steve Troughton-Smith observed on Monday. Although it was absent from WWDC 2015, the next Apple TV set-top is expected to have access to an App Store, possibly including games. Apple could release the updated set-top this fall, though that may depend on whether a rumored subscription TV service is in tow.

iOS 9 meanwhile appears to contain an even larger iPad keyboard, supporting not just a shortcut bar but things like Tab and Caps Lock keys, and a complete extra row devoted to characters like exclamation marks and parentheses. Troughton-Smith remarked that the keyboard is linked to "a much larger heretofore unseen iPad screen size," presumably the company's rumored 12.9-inch model, which should also ship later this year and come with things like support for an Apple-made stylus.

The iOS 9 Photos app was said to have support for ordering photobooks and calendars. Though a relatively minor feature, it should bring the iOS app closer to parity with its OS X counterpart.

iOS 9 itself is set to launch this fall, presumably in tandem with a next-generation iPhone. Apple typically announces new iPhones in September and new iPads a month later.



15 Comments

thrang 18 Years · 1051 comments

I wish Apple would add an annotation feature for photos. It's especially helpful when you take photos around the home or work to remember or compare locations, settings, options, conditions etc when looking back at images...same with personal photos, vacations, events, etc. To be able to add some sile background information at the photos really would be a simple but helpful feature.

pmz 16 Years · 3429 comments

Why on earth did Apple not announce AppleTV SDK at WWDC? That was the time to do it. Even if the new hardware/software wasn't launching until the fall....the summer months are the BETA months. This is when developers get active and start spending time on what's new.

pmz 16 Years · 3429 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by thrang 

I wish Apple would add an annotation feature for photos. It's especially helpful when you take photos around the home or work to remember or compare locations, settings, options, conditions etc when looking back at images...same with personal photos, vacations, events, etc. To be able to add some sile background information at the photos really would be a simple but helpful feature.


Considering Apple has allowed App Extensions since iOS 8, something like this may already exist and work directly within the Photos app.

jackansi 11 Years · 116 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by pmz 

Why on earth did Apple not announce AppleTV SDK at WWDC? That was the time to do it. Even if the new hardware/software wasn't launching until the fall....the summer months are the BETA months. This is when developers get active and start spending time on what's new.


I'm betting they will bring in "key developers" (read: big app store money makers) to make some games/apps happen on AppleTV over the summer (if they have not already) to give them a head start.  

 

Much like Apple gives away Products to those who can easily afford to pay for them (e.g. Watches, and "The Ransom"), they want developers that make Apple money to stay loyal to the brand.  Early/exclusive access was the theme with the Watch, maybe they want it to happen on AppleTV too.

 

If they really didn't release the AppleTV because of a lack streaming video subscriptions, that is lame.  WWDC is the perfect place to announce a key shift on a platform like app/games on AppleTV.

haggar 19 Years · 1568 comments

Quote:
The iOS 9 Photos app was said to have support for ordering photobooks and calendars. Though a relatively minor feature, it should bring the iOS app closer to parity with its OS X counterpart.

 

This is better than removing features from OS X applications to bring parity with iOS.