PluggedIn

Apple may be about to drop support for the first generation iPad when, as is expected, it announces iOS 6 at WWDC 2012 today.

Chinese website WellPhone.com claims to have obtained a list of links to the iOS 6 Beta version that Apple may make available to developers following the keynote address from San Francisco.

While those links include the new iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and the fourth and fifth generation iPod touch. There’s also a link to an update for Apple TV.

As well as the original iPad, if the list proves correct, the third generation iPod touch will also miss out. Currently the links direct users to inactive pages.

Flying the flag

MacRumours points out that a similar list emerged shortly before last year’s WWDC keynote from the Moscone Center.

It is almost guaranteed that Apple will announce the next generation of its mobile operating system today at WWDC 2012, as the company has taken the somewhat unorthodox move of hanging “iOS 6 banners” throughout the conference hall.

Apple is also expected to show off the full version of Mac OS X Mountain Lion, with rumours also suggesting we may see an Apple TV SDK.

If the speculation turns out to be true, it would doubtless be accompanied by an App Store to sit alongside the current Mac and iOS offerings.

Despite a poor selection of apps and services, the £99 Apple TV set-top box does have its unique uses, thanks to the AirPlay and AirPlay Mirroring within iOS. It also acts as a portal for iTunes Match and Photostream.

However, aside from the likes of Netflix, YouTube and a few US sports apps, there’s little else to occupy UK buyers. There’s no Sky Go, no iPlayer, 4OD, Lovefilm or any of that malarkey, so the launch of an App Store would be most welcome.

Any launch could also bring clues regarding Apple’s rumoured plans to enter the flatscreen TV market with an as-yet-unconfirmed project dubbed iTV.