Apple has used its Worldwide Developers Conference as an opportunity to preview the forthcoming version of its iPhone and iPad operating system.

iOS 6, which is now available as a beta version for iOS Developer Program members, will be launched officially this autumn. It contains more than 200 new features from iOS5, including a new Apple-designed map application, enhanced Siri voice recognition options and greater Facebook integration. In addition, a new built-in app called Passbook is designed to store electronic passes and tickets.

Business information provider Thomson Reuters has acquired London-based mobile development business Apsmart.

Apsmart was founded in 2009 by investment business DN Capital and app developer Rahul Powar.

Vodafone UK has launched a new tariff option called EuroTraveller that allows customers to use their UK tariff allowances whilst in Europe, cutting the price of ‘roaming’ abroad.

Opting in to a £3 daily charge lets consumers on a ‘pay monthly’ price plan use their UK voice, text and mobile internet allowance when abroad. Calls and texts received whilst in Vodafone’s Europe Zone are free; additional ‘out of bundle’ charges are the same as in the UK.

Mark Bridge writes:

With just three working days for many people in the UK last week, you’d be forgiven for thinking nothing much would happen. However, you’d be wrong.

Telefónica UK and Vodafone UK announced plans to pool the basic parts of their network infrastructure in an expansion of their existing ‘Cornerstone’ partnership. It means that Vodafone and O2 will be using the same base stations for 2G, 3G and 4G service across the country. Responsibility is being split down the middle; Telefónica UK will take care of the east, while Vodafone UK will have the west. I imagine the dividing line running conveniently between the headquarters buildings in Slough and Newbury respectively.

Business-to-business mobile phone dealer A1 Comms, which also runs online retailers BuyMobilePhones.net and Mobileshop.com, is reported to have acquired the Go Mobile franchise business from Shebang Technologies. The franchise operation was set up last year and branded as the Purple Partnership.

A1 Comms, which was founded in 1997 and is based in Derbyshire, currently employs 75 people. The company had previous run a number of high-street shops before focussing on its B2B and online businesses.