The near future of smartphones (Smartphones Unlocked)

(Credit: Josh Long/CNET)

High-flying skydive stunts! Steering wheel voice commands! Predictive search that knows your life! That was June for us, one big sneak peek of the mobile platform future, a flurry of OS features and software specs that Apple, Google, Microsoft, and RIM lobbed at us from San Francisco area events all in the same month. It was so busy around here, we CNETers dubbed the month "Junesanity."

The specs that emerged from these four events are a peek at the near future of mobile phones. In addition, the flashy presentations were designed to win developers and consumers to each company's side as they ready for the next phase of the mobile turf war.

What's coming, a recap Here's what the Big Four mobile software-makers announced.

iOS 6

January's Motorola Droid Razr Maxx was Moto's last peep.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET) At its annual WWDC conference on June 11, Apple announced a slew of iOS 6 updates that will arrive this fall. Many catch up to features already found in Android and Windows Phone, like Facebook integration, video calling over the cellular network, and turn-by-turn voice ... [Read more]