Apple integrating Flickr into next iPhone: report

Adding support for Flickr and Vimeo would allow iPhone users to post and share content from third-party apps to the social networks in the same vein as they already can with Facebook and Twitter.

According to a source familiar with ongoing developments, the changes are expected to debut in June with the release of iOS7, the latest wholesale update to Apple's mobile operating system.

Integration is different from supporting an app. For example, the latest version of Apple's iOS operating system (6) has Facebook and Twitter integration, allowing users to post links to either site via their smartphone or tablet browser or to directly share content from other apps. Status updates and posts can even be made via an iPhone or iPad notification screen without having to open a supporting app.

It means that iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch users will have the same seamless access to the photo-sharing and video sites across their devices' many functions and other third-party apps. Signing into the services will be supported in the settings menu -- though both services will also have dedicated apps for deeper and richer features and functionality.

The report, which first appeared in 9to5Mac, highlights that similar integration already exists in Apple's desktop operating system, OSX, but it also draws attention to the fact that even if the information it is reporting is true, Apple is still in a position to remove the integration features from iOS7 before its first official public outing next month.

The report also sheds some light on Yahoo's recent spate of acquisitions and investments. The combination of Yahoo!, Flickr, Tumblr, Vimeo and Apple could well offer a very interesting alternative to consumers who currently use YouTube and Facebook or Google+. Though don't panic, there is no suggestion that Apple will be removing support for any of Google's services, simply relegating their importance.