Apple takes on Google Maps and integrates Facebook into iPhone software

Re-making maps: Scott Forstall, senior vice president of iOS Software at Apple Inc., demonstrates turn-by-turn navigation in iOS6 using Siri while the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference 2012 in San Francisco, California

The decision to abandonGoogle Maps

Analysts said the decision to abandonGoogle Maps, which has provided mapping data for the iPhone since it was introduced in 2007, is the start of a 'mapping war'.

Previously close partners who shared board members, Google is now Apple’s biggest challenger in the smartphone market with its Android operating system.

Facebook is getting a big boost from Apple in the wake of the social networking site's disappointing IPO, going deep into the iPhone and iPad software.

Users will as well be able to 'Like' movies and apps in Apple's iTunes store, Apple executive Scott Forstall said in San Francisco at Apple's annual developers' conference.

Siri, Apple's voice-command application, will add a host of new languages, including Spanish, Koreanand Mandarin Chinese, Forstall said.

Boss: CEO Tim Cook, who took over from late co-founder Steve Jobs last August, says clients have downloaded more than 30 billion Apple apps so far

'To create something genuinely new, you have to start again,' said Sir Jonathan Ive, Apple's British designer, who recently received a knighthood.

Craig Federighi, Vice president on Mac Software, said the new Mountain Lion system narrows the gap between the PC and phone software packages, allowing users to speak to their computers.

Another step forward: Craig Federighi, vice president on Mac Software, talks about the new Mountain Lion system, which he says would make Mac computers work more like iPhones

Mac makeover: Apple has unveiled a new version of its popular Macbook Pro laptop, complete with the 'retina' display, at an eye-popping price of $2,199

The beginning of the week-long annual forum

Long lines marked the beginning of the week-long annual forum, where Apple developers rub shoulders with employees, test the latest products and software, and connect with peers.

More than ever, Apple finds itself in a pitched battle with Google: in smartphones, cloud computing, and a never-ending competition to attract the best software developers.

CEO Tim Cook, who took over from late co-founder Steve Jobs last August, told the audience that clients have downloaded more than 30 billion Apple apps so far, choosing from more than 650,000 apps - the largest library in the industry.

The firm as well launched a new app that aims to replace tickets and storecards with an iPhone app. Called passbook, it lets users download movie tickets - right to your phone.