TechCrunch has reported that Apple is prepping up for a late-january event to based on their iBooks and publishing services.

The report stated the event is to be involve Apple’s Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services, Eddy Cue. Mr. Cue is in charge of services such as the App store, iTunes store,iAd, iCloud, and iBooks.

TechCrunch also reports that there will be no new hardware additions and will not be a major event.

According to the source the event will not involve any hardware and instead will focus on publishing and eBooks (sold through Apple’s iBooks platform) rather than iAds. Attendance also be more publishing industry-oriented than consumer.

The event will unveil improvements to the iBooks platform according to the same source, and is not “major.”

According to 9to5mac, Steve Jobs mentioned in his biography by Walter Isaacson that Steve always wanted to re-invent the textbook industry.

Apple has seeded both the iOS 5 GM, and OS X Lion 10.7.2 GM!

iOS 5 Golden Master (Build 9A334) is now available via the iOS Dev Center. This version of iOS 5 is usually the build that will be shipped out to the public on October 12th.

Apple has also released a the GM version of OS X Lion 10.7.2.  This new version will bring minor updates, and bug fixes to v.10.7.1.  It would also come with full iCloud support and it will also be released on October 12th.

Alongside the announcement of the iPhone 4S at Apple’s media event, Apple has unveiled this magnificent voice assistant “Siri”!

This new voice assistant has been rumored for a very long time, and Apple has finally built this in into the iPhone 4S. Siri is able to answer questions, or react to user commands.  For example, “What is the weather today?” or “On June 9, remind me to buy a birthday present”.    Siri is also able to provide information in real time.

Siri is able to check the weather, call people, text, get the stocks information, and all the other functionalities an iPhone could do (Some may not apply).  You can even ask Siri to read your text to you.  This is useful if if you are a person that uses a bluetooth headset connected to your iPhone.

Siri is currently in a beta mode which features the languages English (US, UK, Australia), French, and German.

Here are some more screenshots of the user interface in Siri!

As you can tell from the images above, each system app has been made to work with Siri.  The apps has been cut to display the information necessary and to match Siri’s UI which is a linen feel, standard iOS controls, and the embedded apps.

Siri not only understands what you say, it’s smart enough to know what you mean. So when you ask “Any good burger joints around here?” Siri will reply “I found a number of burger restaurants near you.” Then you can say “Hmm. How about tacos?” Siri remembers that you just asked about restaurants, so it will look for Mexican restaurants in the neighborhood. And Siri is proactive, so it will question you until it finds what you’re looking for.

Ask Siri to text your dad, remind you to call the dentist, or find directions, and it figures out which apps to use and who you’re talking about. It finds answers for you from the web through sources like Yelp and WolframAlpha. Using Location Services, it looks up where you live, where you work, and where you are. Then it gives you information and the best options based on your current location. From the details in your contacts, it knows your friends, family, boss, and coworkers. So you can tell Siri things like “Text Ryan I’m on my way” or “Remind me to make a dentist appointment when I get to work” or “Call a taxi” and it knows exactly what you mean and what to do. – Apple

Siri also has another amazing feature – a dictation feature.  This comes standard with the iOS keyboard.  What it does is, if you are too tired to type, all you got to do is tap the mic logo next to the space tab on the keyboard, and Siri would listen to what you say and type it out for you.  How cool is that?!

Here’s another amazing way to get things done: just use your voice. Instead of typing, tap the microphone icon on the keyboard. Then say what you want to say and iPhone listens. Tap Done, and iPhone converts your words into text. Use dictation to write messages, take notes, search the web, and more. Dictation also works with third-party apps, so you can update your Facebook status, tweet, or write and send Instagrams.  - Apple

Here is the official video of Apple introducing Siri!

Apple’s Press Release:

iPhone 4S also introduces Siri, an intelligent assistant that helps you get things done just by asking. Siri understands context allowing you to speak naturally when you ask it questions, for example, if you ask “Will I need an umbrella this weekend?” it understands you are looking for a weather forecast. Siri is also smart about using the personal information you allow it to access, for example, if you tell Siri “Remind me to call Mom when I get home” it can find “Mom” in your address book, or ask Siri “What’s the traffic like around here?” and it can figure out where “here” is based on your current location. Siri helps you make calls, send text messages or email, schedule meetings and reminders, make notes, search the Internet, find local businesses, get directions and more. You can also get answers, find facts and even perform complex calculations just by asking.