“A fall, a spring, and a long winter in between have passed since Apple has announced a major new product. Yes, there are refreshed MacBook Airs, and a new entry-level 8GB iPhone. But we’ve had press conference announcing tablets, phones and wearable bands galore from nearly every manufacturer in the meantime,” Scott Stein writes for CNET. “So, as we approach WWDC, Apple’s first media event since last October 2013, there’s a bit of pent-up anticipation. To say the least.”
“But if there aren’t any new Apple hardware products, that doesn’t mean there won’t be new products at all. Software, yes: iOS 8, and a new version of Mac OS X,” Stein writes. “But nestled in this might be a lot of other hardware news: products that work with iOS, versus ones made by Apple. The ones that fill up Apple Stores. The MFi — or, Made For iPhone — galaxy of products, which might soon turn into a universe.”
“MFi accessories already exist, like keyboards, game controllers, and speakers. CarPlay is a made-for-iPhone type of accessory, too. Next up could be home appliances, health tech, and maybe even other surprises,” Stein writes. “Maybe the next step for the iPhone is to connect everything else in your life to it… Cars. Smart home. iBeacons. Health sensors and wearables. All of that, on top of Apple’s already gargantuan iOS install base — tens of millions of iPhones, iPod Touch units, and iPads, ready to be deployed as frontline soldiers as Apple begins an assault on the Internet of Things.”
Read more in the full article here.