Video: MacSpark at Macworld 2008 - Overview of Expo Floor
Apple posts QuickTime stream of Macworld keynote
News Byte: Apple has now posted a QuickTime stream of the Macworld 2008 keynote earlier today by Steve Jobs.
“Watch Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveil Apple’s latest innovations at the Macworld 2008 Conference in San Francisco, California. See the video-on-demand event right here, exclusively in QuickTime and MPEG-4.”
MacBook Air First Photos
MacBook Air - World’s Thinnest Notebook
Apple has released a new thin notebook, the MacBook Air. At 0.16 inches at its thinnest point it’s the world’s thinnest notebook. The new MacBook uses an aluminum case with a a 13.3 inch LED screen with a full-size backlit keyboard and Apple’s iSight camera.
The MacBook Air also features a multi-touch trackpad. This allows users to rotate their fingers to rotate a picture, or swipe to move to the next picture.
The MacBook Air includes a 1.6 GHz or 1.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 2 GB of memory. It offers an 80 GB hard drive (or an optional 64 GB solid state flash drive). One USB 2.0 port, a headphone jack and a micro-DVI port are hidden in a flip-down hatch. 802.11n and Bluetooth are also built in. No optical drive is included, but there is an optional external SuperDrive for $99. However the Air includes software allowing it to “borrow” an optical drive from another computer.
Apple has a guided tour and ad showing off their new product. The MacBook Air starts at $1799. If you want the SSD drive, prepare to spend over $3000.
iTunes Adds Movie Rentals
iTunes will now include movie rentals from all the major studios. Movie rentals cost $2.99 for older titles and $3.99 for new releases. A high definition version will be available for some titles for an extra dollar. Movies can be watched on your computer, iPod, iPhone or Apple TV.
Apple plans on offering over 1,000 titles by the end of February. With a modern Internet connection movies will start playing in 30 seconds. Customers will have 30 days to start watching, then 24 hours to finish (or re-watch) the movie.
Movie rentals require iTunes 7.6 (available now) and the latest software updates on your Apple devices.
Apple TV: No Computer Needed
Apple as announced a new software update for Apple TV and a price cut. A computer is no longer needed to get your content on to the Apple TV. The new update allows you to rent movies, buy TV shows, download podcasts and view photos right from the device.
Movie rentals are $2.99 for old movies and $3.99 for new releases.Some movies will also be available in HD with 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound for an extra dollar. Movies can start in as little as 30 seconds with a modern connection. Customers will have 30 days to start watching it, and 24 hours to finish it (or re-watch it). All content purchased on your Apple TV will sync back to your computer. Apple TV also can grab photos from Flickr or .Mac.
New Apple TV’s start at $229 for 40GB and $329 for 160GB. Apple has posted a guided tour of the new features. Expect the software update and the cheaper models in two weeks.
iPhone Software Update Adds Location Detection and More
Apple has announced an update to the iPhone that offers several new features.
iPhone owners will be able to watch the new iTunes Movie Rentals, and navigate through the movies using the new chapter feature. The update also adds the ability to send an SMS message to multiple people. The group will also be saved so that you can easily send follow up messages to the same people. Safari also gets a new feature, Web Clips. This will place an icon on your homescreen that will take you to your favorite website. Users are now able to reorganize icons and have up to nine custom home screens.
Apple also incorporated Google Maps new feature of location detection. By using known cell tower and WiFi spots, the iPhone will be able to triangulate your position and allow you to get directions to and from where you are. The hybrid view of Google Maps (satellite with road overlays) has also been added.
Apple has added a new guided tour of these new features and a new finger tip about the customizable home screen. The update is free through iTunes.
Apple Adds Missing Apps to iPod Touch
Apple announced five new apps will be making their way to the iPod Touch, for a price. Customers can purchase a new January Software Upgrade for $19.99. It includes the Mail, Maps, Weather, Stocks, and Notes that were previously only available on the iPhone. It also includes the Web clips feature added to the iPhone. The upgrade is purchased and installed through iTunes.
“These amazing new mobile applications make iPod touch not only the best iPod, but the best Wi-Fi mobile device in the world,â€? said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “With its revolutionary touch interface and software, plus its stunning 3.5 inch screen, iPod touch is evolving into the first mainstream Wi-Fi mobile platform of the 21st century.â€?
Apple Announces Time Capsule
Apple has announced Time Capsule, a combination of the AirPort Extreme and a server grade harddisk. Time Capsule allows all Macs to backup over its wireless 802.11n connection using Time Machine.
“Bring Time Capsule home, plug it in, click a few buttons on your Macs and voila—all the Macs in your house are being backed up automatically, every hour of every day,� said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “With Time Capsule and Time Machine, all your irreplaceable photos, movies and documents are automatically protected and incredibly easy to retrieve if they are ever lost.�
Time Capsule will come in a 500GB and 1TB model that go for $299 and $499 respectively. It also offers three Gigabit LAN ports, and one USB 2.0 port. Look for it in February.
Live from the 2008 Macworld Keynote
Sorry about that - we had to wait in the queue a bit longer, but we’re in.
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