macworld2006
Latest
Microsoft offers Flip4Mac for free
Flip4Mac is a plugin for Quicktime that allows you to watch Windows Media files in Quicktime itself, and that's pretty cool. However, what is even cooler is that this great little plugin is now available for free thanks to Microsoft.You read that correctly, Microsoft is freely distributing Flip4Mac thought they are only offering the viewer, if you want to create WMV files in Quicktime you'll still need to pony up the cash.Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
Garageband Jampack: World Music
If your attention slipped for one second during the Keynote you may have missed that a new Jam Pack has been released for Garageband. 'World Music' is the name of the game for the 4th Jam Pack.It includes drums from Africa and Asia, Ethnic wind instruments, and exotic strings. All told this pack includes over 40 instruments to add a little flair to your songs or podcasts. 3000 loops are also included for all your loopy needs (ha! Get it?).The Jam Pack is available now and will set you back $99.
Windows on an iMac?
When I wasn't grilling Apple folks about .Mac integration I was talking to them about the possibility of running Windows on some of this newly release hardware. To a person the response I got was, 'Windows can't be installed.' When I pressed for a reason, whether it be hardware or something else, no one knew.I know that Apple didn't release this cool gear so that people could install Windows but it seems to me it should be possible. How many days do think it will be until we see an iMac running Windows?
Using iWeb to post to servers other than .Mac
I spent some time grilling some Apple employees about using iWeb with non-.Mac servers and I have some good news. It is possible. It isn't pretty, but it is possible.iWeb allows you to save your files to a local folder, or directly to .Mac. It has no built in FTP capabilities so it can't connect to a FTP server an upload files to your webserver, but you can upload the files that it saves on your computer yourself. Folder actions and some Applescript magic can do wonders, but I think Apple should have baked FTP support in the product.
Apple - Intel info
Apple has created a website to answer all your questions about the new Intel Core Duo chips that now power some of our beloved Macs. Thrill to the performance charts that show Intel chips kicking G4 and G5 butt. No one toasted Intel bunny in sight.It is a brave new world, friends, and I for one welcome our new Intel overlords with open arms.
Apple posts Intel ad
Apple has posted the Intel ad that I mentioned earlier. Bask in the advertising cleverness in full Quicktime glory.
What's an Intel chip doing in a Mac?
These banners are all over the place here at Macworld and they never fail to make me chuckle. During the keynote Steve showed a new television ad for the new Intel iMacs which followed a similar theme. We'll link to it once it is online.
Hands on: iPod /FM receiver
Dave might not be too excited about the new Apple iPod remote/FM receiver but after take a closer look at it, I am. The UI is great, and the best part is that if the radio station you are listening to broadcasts information about what song is playing that will show up on your iPod's screen.We couldn't get a signal in Moscone, but the Apple rep assures me that this is the cause.Almost makes me want to get a new iPod.
Hands on the Macbook pro: Magsafe
The most exciting thing about the new Macbooks (it is going to take me awhile to get used to that) is the new MagSafe power connector. I know, I know: that's not exciting. Let me tell you, you're wrong. This thing is rock solid. The connector is strongly connected to the MacBook, much more than the power cord for my Powerbook and it is also easy to disconnect.As you can see from the photo above, the LED tells you when your MacBook is charged, or when it is charging.It is the little things that make the biggest difference.
