Apple Proving A Point?
I’m sure you’re all aware of Apple’s decision to no longer participate in MacWorld. Some would suggest CES is a much better option for them since with their more varied palette of products, exhibiting at CES rather than MacWorld would give them greater scope and a much bigger audience. As Phil Schiller said it in the keynote, each week around 10 Macworld’s could be held within their Apple stores (in terms of the amount of visitors the store gets, with the attendees at Macworld).
Anyway, slightly off track there. Apple wouldn’t mind proving that they don’t need Macworld to showcase their products. Their own marketing is just as powerful to reach the same audience but without the need to prepare for 6th January and have products ready for MacWorld. It also wouldn’t be supprising to hear this years keynote being described as boring. Updated iLife and iWork were expected, with it being 2009, and the only hardware update was nothing special.
If you weren’t aware, I’m a great fan of the Mac Mini. Brilliant little device perfect for someone switching from PC to Mac but wanting a similar set-up to previous. I was disappointed when a new version wasn’t released, but a new rumor could once again show hope for the little device.
What if Apple’s way to prove they don’t need Macworld, was to hold their own event in just a few weeks time releasing a new Mac Mini, and possibly something else. Something amazing.
There’s nothing set in stone here, but just another rumor picked up from AppleTell. Maybe it will be held once Steve Jobs is back to full health, and he returns with a storm. It would certainly be great for the company, and to gain great interest in their own events and keynotes.
What do you think? Will we see news of an Apple event held in the near future?
Filed under: Apple, Rumors | Leave a Comment
Apple Keynote: Roundup
So the very last Apple keynote from Macworld just finished with music from Tony Bennet. The biggest surprise would be the fact that there’s no new Mac Mini. The amount of rumors around for that, it almost seemed certain. I guess that shows how Apple keeps everything slips out, and how one persons idea’s can make many more follow suit.
If you haven’t been following, below is what was released:
iLife 09
It was a pretty safe bet this would appear. Major updates in iPhoto, iMovie and GarageBand make this a brilliant set of applications, due at the end of January at £69. Features like face detection in iPhoto, brand new templates and 3D options in iMovie, and lessons from the pro’s in Garageband are just some of the things new in iLife 09.
iWork 09
There were the usual updates of new templates, designs, mostly for Keynote. There is also a new application for the iPhone and iPod Touch allowing you to control Keynote applications via your mobile device. Unlike iLife, iWork is ready for shipping today also at £69.
Box Set Applications
Since the new iLife and iWork will require Leopard, Apple are offering a software bundle of iWork, iLife and OS X Leopard together for £149.
17” MacBook Pro
It was expected that the 17” MacBook Pro would finally join the current MacBook, and MacBook Pro 15” in the new unibody aluminum casing. The usual suspects of Nvidia graphics chips featured, along with a matte display: something that Apple went away from a while back. The battery life of the new MacBook Pro is also significantly longer, offering up to 8 hours battery life on a single charge.
iTunes Updates
Finally the price of music in the iTunes store is dropping. Many people have always felt £0.79 for a single track was too high, and hopefully starting today, this will be lowered across the range. There was no direct mention for the UK Store (I don’t think), but hopefully it will be included.
It is now also possible to access the iTunes store in full on the iPhone and iPod Touch through the 3G data connections. It was previously only accessible via WiFi.
Thats a very brief round up of this years Macworld keynote from Apple. Phil Schiller seemed quite confident, and the audience were very supportive of him. It’s also a relief to know of Steve Job’s recovery, and I look forward to seeing him back on the stage in the near future.
Filed under: Apple, Events, Reviews | Leave a Comment
MacWorld 2009: My Apple Roundup
Tomorrow morning (or evening for UK), the Apple keynote will take place at this years Macworld Expo. I shall most probably be following along using various sources, and then watch the video keynote once it’s released by Apple. Below, is what I think they may release tomorrow.
iLife 09 & iWork 09
By the end of 2007, iLife and iWork had both been upgraded to their respective 2008 versions. This brought many changes, although some (iMovie, for instance) were not very much appreciated. Since 2009 is now in full swing, we’re due updates to Apple’s main software groups. What changes these will bring exactly, I’m not sure. Hopefully GarageBand will be much quicker to run, and things such as the connection between iMovie and iDVD re-established. As for iWork, general updates, speed and functionality will be nice.
MobileMe Updates
A big change for iLife and iWork may be linked with MobileMe. More options for storing files in the “cloud” and accessing applications via it also may make an appearance. It was noticed on the Apple website, the ability to upload, and therefore send (via email link) very large files will be coming to MobileMe in the near future.
Unibody 17” MacBook Pro
To add to the current Macbook and Macbook Pro, the previous Macbook Pro 17” may join its newer siblings with an all new unibody aluminum casing.
One More Thing…Mac Mini
There have been so many stories about the Mac Mini, it almost feels certain a big update will be coming tomorrow. The Mac Mini is a great starting Mac, and with a new design and updated features will appeal to a greater audience, and hopefully bring many more people from the “dark side”.
So there you have it. That’s what I think would be great to see in tomorrows Keynote. It’s unfortunate that Steve Jobs won’t be conducting the presentation, but I’m sure Phil Schiller will do a great job.
Filed under: Apple, Events | Leave a Comment
iPhone Applications List
Following suit from a few other bloggers, I decided to snapshot my iPhone screen’s, to show you the applications I have and use. I have 46 applications in my iTunes, most of which I sync across to my iPhone. The worst part, is the time is takes to backup all the information from the applications. It usually takes around 20 minutes which is often too long to sit and wait around for.
Some of the applications, I use all the time. Things like Facebook, Tweetie, AIM and Shovel to name but a few. Just as a side note, the Reader icon that you can see is just a web app to Google Reader; it isn’t an application as such.
Others like Air Sharing, Google Earth and Stanza I hardly ever use. They’re useful to have around though, so they stay synchronized.
To view the photograph above in full, it’s available on my Flickr Photostream.
The App Store has really changed the iPhone in many ways. Its no longer just a fancy phone with an iPod. It’s a great tool, with thousands of applications available offering you a wide choice of possibilities, from silly fun games, to the entire Wikipedia project.
I’ve had my iPhone for a few months now, and I love how it’s always in sync with my Mac. As soon as an email arrives, both my Mac and iPhone notify me at the exact same time; there’s no delay. I feel connected 24/7.
What applications do you use all the time? Feel free to share below in the comments.
Filed under: Apple, Software | Leave a Comment
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