MacWorld 2008

Once again, another megapost to summarize the happenings at MacWorld for 2008. Lot of new stuff announced during the keynote (video), some of it even cool but none of it really excites me. Without further ado, here you go a bezy of links and summaries care of Gizmondo and Engadget.

MacBook Air
- Thinnest notebook in the world, only 3 pounds, and other goodies
- Price: $1,799.00 (80 GB HD) or $3,098.00 (64 GB solid-state HD)
- Uses multitouch gesture pad that works similar to iTouch only doing it on the pad rather then the screen (video)
- Note that adding the solid state hard drive costs an extra $1,300 which will save on battery life which is about 5 hours.
- Battery nor harddrive is easily replaceable (think sealed body like an iPod) but if willing to drop $129 Apple will replace the battery for you.
- Does not have an optical (CD) drive so can purchase optional Air Superdrive for $99 that is 1.06 pounds, dual layer burner that encased in same aluminum the Air is.
- Since no CD drive, can you use Remote Disc to wirelessly install software to the Air from other computers' optical drives that are on the same network.
- Gallery here and here
- Video here and here

iTunes Move Rentals
- New releases are $3.99, older $2.99
- Once purchased, have 30 days to watch and 24 hours to finish but can watch as many times as want in that 24 hour period.
- All major studios on board
- 1000+ movies available by end of February
- Audio will be HD Dolby 5.1, HD picture max resolution is 1280 x 720 (rather then 1080p)
- TV shows not available for rental (only purchase), currently 100 movies are available now.
- HD Rentals made on Apple TV can ONLY be played on the ATV, not moved to computer or iPod so if want to be able to move the movie around, rent from your computer only.
- No mention if get credit if rent a movie then decide to purchase it (assume no).
- Fox verified that their DVD releases will include a free digital copy (started program with Die Hard 4) that will work iTunes, iPod, etc.

Apple TV Take 2
- Price drop: $229 (40GB) or $329 (160GB)
- Improved streaming and interface (video), no computer needed but can sync back to comp if want.
- Works with iTunes new movie rental program.
- Gallery here.

Time Capsule
- Wireless data backup server that works along with Leopard's Time Machine that can backup all Macs on a network automatically.
- Has USB port to act as print server. Supports up to 50 users (or computers I guess).
- price: $300 (500GB HD) or $500 (1TB HD)
- The hard drive isn't replaceable.
- Gallery here.

iPod Touch Add-Ons- Mail, maps, stocks, notes and weather, all original iPhone apps, now come to the Touch.
- Price: $20 for existing owners, bundled with new devices (so wait a few weeks before hitting stores so don't have to pay that extra fee).
- No price or memory change on the devices.

iPhone 1.1.3 Update
- Upgrade for iPhone now available (assume it will brick hacked iPhones).
- Adds SMS to multiple recipients, fake GPS using cell tower triangulation, hybrid view for Google maps, re-arrange home screen and add bookmarks and can display music lyrics.
- Works with iTunes rental program, and now has movie chapters, language tracks and subtitles.
- No mention of the SDK for the iPhone.
- Gallery here.
- Of note is 4 million iPhones have sold in 200 days giving the phone a 19% share on the smartphone market beating Palm, Motorola, and Nokia.

Overall, this year's MacWorld is much like CES. Just a ho-hum affair. No game changing hardware or software is coming out for the year. Nothing particularly compelling has come out either. The MacBook Air looks interesting but the price point etc is such that it just doesn't seem worth the money. If the average 6 pounds of notebook is too much for you, I think you have larger problems to deal with. The new iTunes rental program is interesting and if your the type that rents once in a blue moon, might be worth it. If your a frequent renter, I recommend sticking with Netflix. The Apple TV remains not worth the purchase. The deal breaker for me is still only supports iTunes centric codecs. Until it supports a wider range or just as good, auto converts (without effecting original file) when syncing, I will take a pass. Time Capsule is a good idea, backing up data to another drive is never a bad idea, but there are much cheaper alternatives out there. The iPod touch add-ons are good if plan on buying one anyway (but to me the price isn't worth it) but if already have one I would be very angry about the $20 surcharge. The iPhone upgrade is just a shrug worthy thing, existing mostly to try to break the hacked phones out in the wild.

So there you go, another MacWorld has passed.