MacWorld '08 Wrapup

Today is/was MacWorld Expo 2008.

Let's get busy right away, shall we? :)

First with the smallish stuff.

iTunes 7.6, QuickTime 7.4, iMovie 7.1.1, and Front Row 2.1.2, have all been released this afternoon.

The iTunes 7.6 update rent and download movies (or directly to your living room on Apple TV) -- in sizes up to 720p HD with surround sound on your Apple TV and sizes up to DVD-quality on your computer.

Users can also transfer rented movies from iTunes to your iPod or iPhone and enjoy them on the go. The update also adds the ability to easily transfer purchases made on Apple TV back to your computer with iTunes.

QuickTime 7.4 brings numerous bug fixes and support for the latest iTunes.

iMovie 7.1.1 addresses issues when publishing movies to a .Mac Web Gallery, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues, according the company's documentation.

Front Row 2.1.2 update addresses issues when publishing movies to a .Mac Web Gallery, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues.

All updates are available through Mac OS X's software update utility.

Now to the big boys :).

First, the MacBook Air. What a gorgeous machine this has come out to be :D.

13.3" Widescreen, 80GB PATA or 64GB SSD hard drive, 1.6/1.8GHz Processor...

The MacBook Air, the ultraportable notebook that has long been anticipated.

The MacBook Air lacks a built-in Ethernet port, but users can buy a USB-to-Ethernet adapter.

Another non-removable, non-upgradeable part to the system is the RAM. Users must choose and use the 2GB that comes with their systems.

One more highly anticipated feature is the availability of a solid-state hard drive... although at a whopping $1k USD.

Apple goes on to explain that the notebook's battery is not removable, because of the location of the MagSafe connector and the overall size of the machine, according to Apple. Apple has not commented on how current MacBook or MacBook Pro connectors will work on the Air.

The processor, a Core 2 Duo, reduced in size by 60% by Intel specifically by Apple's request, runs at 1.6GHz. For $300 USD more, you can get the 1.8GHz version.

For accessory input/outputs, there is a drop-door at the side of the machine that reveals one USB 2.0 port, one Micro-DVI port, and a Headphone/Audio out jack. The Air lacks a microphone or Line-in jack (iSight makes up for microphone...)

The Air ships in 2 weeks from today.

More Info on the Air can be found at Apple's website.

Now, to the Time Capsule.

Time Capsule, a new backup device that uses wireless networking to store files without the need to connect an external hard drive. Time Capsule features 802.11n wireless functionality, and will be sold in a 500GB version as well as a 1TB version for $300 and $500, respectively. The device looks similar to an AirPort Extreme base station, but features different ports on the rear.

More Info on the Time Capsule can be found at Apple's website.

So that was MacWorld Expo. :)

#487913

was thier really a need to create three threads?

anyway. I wont hold it against you seeing as I slept in :P

I must say Apple really slashed through all the rumours this time... well I think they did.

The macbook ultraportable is not quite the Macbook air- for one, the air has a bigger screen (weren't the rumours saying 10 inch or somethin?)

Time capsual is extremely original and I can see myself buying one opposed to an airport express and an external HD.

The Apple TV is like ... yawn. They're trying to bring to life something thats already dead over using fertiliser.

While the rumours (made largely by me) hoped for a mac mini itv media center, with blue ray, I knew that such things wouldnt happen.

Iphone update, price update, yay. new software= yawn. No iPhone for Australia :( fingers crossed it will be announced a week from now max... please???... after all, an Australian announcement at Macworld in the US would be a waste would it not?

#487917

MacBook Air---> Not worth the price, sorry. A 4200RPM parallel drive, and only 80GB? No thanks.

Time Capsule---> Great, so the Airport Extreme I bought last year along with the external drive are officially money burnt. I'm sure I'm not the only one that did this for the Time Machine over network backups.

iPod Touch apps--->$20 for the apps? No thanks.

AppleTV---> So Steve thinks this is really going to improve, yet he hates the Mini? Yawn.

I wasn't expecting anything from this keynote and thankfully, I wasn't disappointed.

#488231

Apple updated just about everything...iPod firmware updates, Quicktime, iTunes, etc. Safari? Not a jot. Same buggy 3.0.4 and textbox nutty 3.0.5 What are they waiting on?

Aside from that, a pretty good one...

#488285

I expected a bit more than what was presented. I don't think that I will be the only one who wished to see new MacMini.

#488286