Macworld2007
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MWSF Keynote in a nutshell
Macworld2007's keynote left a lot of things unsaid. Any of you expecting a Leopard ship date, 2007 iSoftware announcements, or even coverage of Adobe and Microsoft flagship products were left wanting. In fact, going back through my notes, the keynote basically came down to this: 9:15 The Intel transition. 9:20 Paramount movies and the new iTunes ads. 9:25 AppleTV announcement and demo. Ships February 2007. 9:40 The iPhone. Ships June 2007. 11:10 The end. By my calculations, that turns out to about 5 minutes each for Intel and Paramount/iTunes, 15 minutes for AppleTV and an hour and a half for iPhone. Steve never even got to announce the new Airport Extreme with its wireless hard disk capabilities. It was all about the iPhone. And here's how the iPhone presentation broke down: 9:40 It's an iPhone. It has no keyboard, runs on "OS X", syncs to your home computer OS X data, and has the following hardware features. 9:55 Interaction demo: multi-finger gestures, iPod functionality and cover flow. 10:00 Call-making demo: Conference calls and visual voice mail. 10:15 Content demo: iPhotos and rich text e-mail; surfing with Safari and Widgets. 10:30 Content providers: Google and Yahoo executives. 10:40 Accessories and Price announcement. 10:50 Cingular partnership discussed. 10:55 Wrapping up, thanking employees, mini-Concert. All things considered, it was an exciting and productive keynote but after twenty five minutes of introductory material, it was all iPhone all the way.
Apple Macworld booth tour
It's kind of weird to think that Apple had a booth at Macworld just the same as HP or Toshiba had at CES -- well, ok, theirs was very Apple, and absolutely mobbed by throngs of Mac-faithful waiting to catch a glimpse of the iPhone (and to a lesser extent, the Apple TV). We know not everyone can be there, so peep the booth gallery.
XtremeMac HDMI switch and cables for Apple TV
Apple accessories are big business, and the Apple TV is no different. Apple has teamed up with XtremeMac to help you get your Apple TV connected, and they seem to have every option covered: HDMI, Component, HDMI>DVI, Toslink -- even analog audio, (no ATV doesn't support composite or S-Video). This takes care of most sets, but many TVs only have one HDMI input, so XtremeMac is also offering a HDMI 4-port switch. You can use the supplied remote or the button on the front, but there's no auto switching, which would have been nice. The surprisingly delightful part is the price; while many major retailers charge as much as $150 for a HDMI cable, this one is only $19.99. No word on the price of the switcher, but all will be available by the ATV's launch in February.[Via iLounge]
Apple VPs confirm no 3rd party iPhone apps
The lucky Gizmodo guys got their paws on an actual iPhone plus an hour of Q&A with some Apple VPs. Here are some of their scoops: The OS isn't going to be "OS X for real." It's more like a pseudo-OS X and, like the iPod, it will not have a public API and open development. This confirms what Dan posted earlier today about no user-installable apps. Which is a shame. I'd really love to see the iPod and iPhone get opened up for more third party software. The screen is the same polycarbonite material as the iPod overlaid with a touch element. Finally, there won't be any WiFi or cellular data syncing, only sync-via-docking.Thanks Matt
Nic Carr on the iPhone
Nic Carr has a quick op-ed up over at RoughType that's worth popping by to read. In it, he contrasts Bill Gates with Steve Jobs. Gates, he says, pitches a "'digital lifestyle' that nobody wants...[suggesting] that people want nothing more than to be network administrators." Jobs, in contrast, "is not interested in amateur productions". Carr suggests that Jobs separates the design from the audience, producing usable tools rather than general workflows. It's clear to me that Apple is heading ever more in the direction of digital appliances (the iPhone, AppleTV, etc), but this is also the same company that brings us XCode and Interface Builder. Clearly Apple knows the difference between users and developers and is building their product line to enhance that difference. Just like Macworld is in January and WWDC is in the Summer. Thanks Joel Martin.
Will the iPhone cannibalize iPod sales? Or vice versa?
Yesterday, Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone. It is clearly the next generation of iPod. It's the full-screen video iPod we've waited for. It's the full-color fully-designed interface we've waited for. It's the fully-connected wifi and bluetooth device we've waited for. And that doesn't even mention the built in speakers and microphone. So why does it have to be an iPhone? Surely there's a huge market out there who wants all these features but who doesn't want the Cingular piece of the action. Of course, many of you will rightly point out that one can purchase the iPhone, maybe even use the iPhone to good effect, without using the phone itself. The included two year contract is a bit of a stumbling block, especially if monthly charges (which I'm still really unclear about) apply. So why not offer a phone-less iPod? It doesn't have to wait for FCC approval except insofar as any Bluetooth or WiFi device might need some paperwork done. Why not sell a basic "true fullscreen video iPod" at the $299 price point that removing the phone hardware might allow, to the large market of iPod upgraders who'd jump on buying one like a starving Georgia Tech student on barbeque? My guess is that introducing a phone-less iPod would cannibalize early sales of the iPhone. Of all the goodies introduced about the phone, it's the phone component that's the least glamorous. Sure, a lot of us would pay a premium to carry fewer gadgets in our pockets. Combining the iPod and the phone and a lot of the PocketPC features makes sense--and I tell you as a PocketPC user, that the iPhone does not score too well on the PocketPC range of capabilities--but it also takes a lot of choice out of the equation for those of us under existing phone contracts who are looking for a better iPod and not necessarily an iPhone. So when do we see an actual G6 iPod sans the phone connectivity? Your guess is as good as mine.
AppleTV requires iTunes 7.1
We may be living in a 7.0.2 world, but AppleTV seems destined for an iTunes 7.1 one. Eagle eyed TUAW reader Chris Hileman points us to evidence of iTunes 7.1's imminent release. Pop over to the AppleTV specs page and check out the system requirements. Along with Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later and Win XP SP2, you'll find iTunes 7.1. Since AppleTV will be released sometime next month, maybe we can look forward to an iTunes upgrade as well.
iPhone on MySpace
I'm pretty sure that this MySpace page comes from a fan, and not from Apple, but it still made me chuckle. The iPhone is listed as being male, 30 years old, with 0 friends. There's a bit of the Apple hype cut and pasted onto the page. For more iPhone goodness, take a look at all the Flickr photos tagged with iPhone. There are almost 2000 of them last time I checked, showing the same wonderful iPhone/Apple fanbase as the MySpace page. Further, the iPhone announcement looks to be the 2nd most dugg story in the last year. Go fanboys!Thanks Mr. Lizard
Dan Warne hates 10 things about the iPhone
Nothing in this world is perfect, other than hindsight, and the iPhone is no exception. People will encounter quirks when using this product in the real world. Hey, it happens (especially with a first rev of a complex product).Dan Warne has given a little thought to the iPhone and has created a list of ten things he hates about it. Considering that the iPhone has been out for less than a day this is an impressive feat. Dan lists, amongst his complaints: The battery isn't removable EDGE (it is slow compared to the other options) 5 hour talk time He makes some good point but isn't it interesting that despite these 10 things he hates about the iPhone he is still going to get one. That, my friends, is the true power of Apple.Is there anything about the iPhone that you hate? Sound off in the comments.
ModBook photo gallery, look but don't touch ... wait, you can touch
We're guessing the singular product shot of Axiotron's ModBook wasn't enough to sate your insatiable appetite for all things Apple and all things tablet. Our friends at The Unofficial Apple Weblog were on hand for the product's official unveiling at MacWorld today and they've got the photo gallery to prove it. They've even got a box shot so you can imagine getting your own in the mail.
Apple confirms: Macs already shipping with 802.11n
No surprises here, but following the launch of the Airport Extreme this morning, Apple came clean about the existence of 802.11n draft-spec hardware in their iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro, and Mac Pro lineup of computers. So just like we thought, Apple will indeed provide a software update for your Mac. Only thing is, you'll have to purchase their Airport Extreme first, since the "enabler software" ships with new base station. Now that you know for sure what your hardware could do (with compatible draft-n hardware), we wonder if you can really wait until February for your update?[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
iPhone vs. iPhone: Cisco and Apple play nice
Apple "iPhone," huh? As we're all aware, that's the name of the new Linksys VoIP phone which Cisco (Linksys' parent company) owns the trademark to. So what's next? Another protracted legal battle for Apple? Oh hells no, son. After Steve dropped their latest i-bomb, Cisco told MarketWatch that they've been in "extensive discussions" with Apple recently and "it is our belief that Apple intends to agree to the final document. We expect to receive a signed agreement today (Tuesday)." Sweet.
Macworld 2007 keynote photo gallery
Relive moments at the Macworld 2007 Steve Jobs keynote from earlier today -- from the final time we'll ever see "Apple Computer, Inc." displayed to the first moment the world set eyes on Apple's new cellphone hotness. Fanboys: indulge yourselves.
iPhone Will Not Allow User Installable Applications
While I was back taking pictures of the iPhone for a second time, I got chatting with one of the security/information attendants guarding the device from our grubby little fingers. The impression I got from the information coming out of the keynote was that the device would feature a full install of Mac OS X, and would run any and all desktop-based applications, as indicated by Apple asserting that the device "Runs OS X." You can imagine my surprise when while talking to the booth attendant I was informed that users will not actually be able to install any applications. This is a point of utter confusion with me. Why would Apple refer to the software running on the device as "OS X," when in reality, it will be running the long rumored stripped-down version of the operating system. The inability for users to install additional applications of their choosing certainly makes me think again about my intentions to purchase the device. While the iPhone is certainly revolutionary and exciting, why should I buy it if I won't be able to install additional applications such as a terminal/IRC client or Skype, as I would do with competing devices such as the Palm Treo.It has been suggested by some that the inclusion of Widgets in the device would allow this kind of expandability, but it doesn't make much sense to me to try and fit full-fledged applications into something designed to hold a few lines of JavaScript.
The iPhone is not a smartphone
And the reality slowly sets in about what the iPhone is and is not. Noted analyst and Engadget pal Michael Gartenberg stated that the iPhone is first party software ONLY -- i.e. not a smartphone by conventional terms, being that a smartphone is a platform device that allows software to be installed. That means hungry power-users -- you know, those people ready and willing to plunk down $600 for an 8GB musicphone -- won't be able to extend the functionality of their phone any more than Apple (but thankfully not Cingular) dictates. Other unfortunate realities about the device: No 3G. We know you know, but still, it hurts man. No over the air iTunes Store downloads or WiFi syncing to your host machine. No expandable memory. No removable battery. No Exchange or Office support.
Revisiting the Rumors: Rebecca Runkle proved right
About a month ago, AppleInsider reported that Morgan Stanley analyst Rebecca Runkle's research note detailed her findings from unnamed inside sources. Her predictions were: 4GB and 8GB models, priced at $599 and $649, although she suggested that a slightly lower list price would be a conservative guess. Full screen 3.5" LCD about 0.4" thick with a virtual click wheel and soft touch design. Metal casing, similar to the nano, in multiple colors. Camera, digital audio playback, video, e-mail and calendar. Most likely carrier: Cingular. Pretty accurate stuff, wouldn't you say?
Flickr Find: iWoz sighting
TUAW reader Tyler Howarth had a rare encounter this morning with the elusive Wozbeast. The Woz, which is not often found in the wild, was encountered just outside of Moscone North this morning. By approaching him carefully and not showing agression, Tyler and his friend Mike were able to entice him into a photo shot. The Woz was also spotted shaking the hands of fans and signing a Macbook Pro. This probably does not technically count as twitching, as Mac events are the natural Woz habitat.
iPhone: Up Close and Personal Gallery
I was able to sneak back through the crowd and grab a few more pictures of the new iPhone, including detailed shots of the innovative interface. This is about as close as we're going to get to the device until launch.
Axiotron's ModBook: distributed by OWC, tolerated by Apple
Since Apple is a bit too busy making teh sexay phones, OWC and Axiotron are taking up the slack with their new ModBook, which hacks up MacBooks and turns them into glorious slate-style tablet computers. The duo didn't cut many corners, either, since their MacBook mods hold onto most of those original specs, plus add in an optional built-in GPS module, and of course that Penabled Wacom digitizer. Pen input runs at 20x display resolution, with 256 pressure levels and zero battery use, and the MacBook's LCD is protected with some Chemically Strengthened glass, complete with a paper-like texture and anti-reflective coating. The ModBook is also shielded by aircraft grade magnesium alloy, with a copper and nickel layers for scratch resistance. Thanks to that slot-loading MacBook drive, the ModBook is apparently the only slate-style tablet computer with a built in CD/DVD drive, making it a nice option for portable DVD playback use. The ModBook is relying on Apple's Inkwell technology and other OS X enhancements for tablet functionality. Naturally, they're not exactly giving these things away, but the prices still seem reasonable for what you're getting: $2199-$2699 pre-order pricing for the "Good," "Better" and "Best" options. The latter two feature GPS, but if you pre-order now you can get it tossed into the low-end version as well. No word on an exact ship date, but it sounds like it won't be until March, April or later.
The genesis of the iPhone
"Everybody hates their phone, and that's not a good thing. And there's an opportunity there." Jobs told Time for a rather interesting and revealing piece chronicling the genesis Apple's new iPhone. (We didn't realize for sure that the iPhone can't use its WiFi to download tracks over the air, for instance.) What started more than two and a half years ago as a foray into tablet computing to counter Microsoft's efforts (whodathunk, Apple really was thinking of building a tablet PC), which inevitably led them to creating the iPhone. If you're the type wondering things like why the new device doesn't have rubber feet, check out the piece, it's a good read.[Thanks, Adhik]
