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Tuesday 6th January 2009

19:48 Whither iMac: unfulfilled keynote predictions and rumors » Ars Technica

Although the Macworld Expo '09 keynote did bring us new iWork and iLife releases as well as a 17" MacBook Pro, there are quite a few rumors and predictions that didn't come true.

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18:03 Macworld.ars: 17" MacBook Pro battery and drive upgrade info » Ars Technica

The new 17-inch MacBook Pro joins its lighter, Air-ier cousin with a built-in battery. This may be a bummer for some users, but Apple offers a battery replacement program that should help some anxious potential customers.

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17:52 Expo: Tune Blocker saves you from yourself » Macworld
Matias introduces Tune Blocker, a cable that lets you sync your iPod or iPhone without fear.

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17:50 Expo: Werck offers server app for point-of-sale software » Macworld
Checkout Server is a dedicated server app for the company’s Checkout point-of-sale application. The company also announced Checkout 2.3, a minor update to the software.

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17:45 Macworld.Ars: GarageBand '09 first impressions » Ars Technica

There is a lot more to the new GarageBand than Phil Schiller let on in Tuesday's keynote. Ars shines a light on some of the lesser-known new features in GarageBand '09.

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17:33 Expo: LaCie pushing storage to the Max » Macworld
LaCie’s Hard Disk Max, a high-capacity storage system, weds advanced RAID features with consumer-level ease of use and style.

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17:30 First Look at The Sharper Image's New Direction: Cheap iPod Docks » Gizmodo Apple

We reported last month that The Sharper Image would be rebranding itself as a gadget maker here at CES, and now we have our first hands-on with their cheap iPod docks. Welcome to the future!

Yes, now instead of a store in the mall to buy your stepdad a spatula mixed with a thermometer, The Sharper Image is going to be a line of iPod docks sold at places like department stores and Bed, Bath & Beyond.

What I saw were some decent-looking but uninspiring iPod docks. One model rotates your iPod touch automagically into landscape mode for watching movies. Another has a pair of detachable, wireless speakers.

The goal is to sell iPod docks that are cheaper than what's out there, but with most of the prices hovering well over $100, they really only seem like they'll be cheap when compared to something like Bose. In any case, these things won't be hitting stores your mom shops at until November of this year, so we have a good long while to get excited about piano-black iPod docks again.

17:07 Expo: ChronoSync gets update, companion » Macworld
Not only did Econ Technologies update ChronoSync to version 4, it added ChronoAgent—a brand new utility that communicates directly with the automated synchronization and backup software.

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17:00 Pandora iPhone App Hits 2.0, Adds Genius-Like Station Generation And More » Gizmodo Apple

Pandora's personalized internet radio player is one of our favorite iPhone apps—and tonight it got better, adding custom stations from a single track, a snazzy Coverflow-like song history and a playback progress bar (finally).

You can also take said "genius" stations (previously only generated via artist) and e-mail them to friends, just like the old artist stations. Artist biographies also show up inline now to supplement Pandora's ingenious descriptive tags.

The update is available now on iTunes, even though the App Store page still says version 1.2.1: [Pandora via TechCrunch]

17:00 Pandora iPhone App Hits 2.0, Gets Even Snazzier » Gizmodo Apple

Pandora's personalized internet radio player is one of our favorite iPhone apps—and tonight it got better, adding a snazzy Coverflow-like song history, bookmark previewing, in-line artist bios and a playback progress bar (finally).

You can also take your track-based stations (previously only generated via artist and e-mail them to friends, just like the artist stations (Update: Pandora says something here is new, but you folks are right, you could do this in the last version. Weird. The emailing bit is still true.) Artist biographies also show up inline now to supplement Pandora's ingenious descriptive tags.


The update is available now on iTunes, even though the App Store page still says version 1.2.1: [Pandora via TechCrunch]

16:48 Expo: 17-inch MacBook Pro’s battery replacement will cost $179 » Macworld
According to an Apple spokesperson at the Macworld Expo, the battery in the 17-inch MacBook Pro can be replaced for $179.

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16:41 Macworld.Ars: First impressions of (the forgotten) iWeb '09 » Ars Technica

iWeb '09 didn't get any face time during Apple's final Macworld Expo keynote, so we gave it a whirl on the showroom floor. Thanks to the arrival of some handy new features and much-requested fundamentals, iWeb '09 is a much more viable option for any user (not just MobileMe members) who needs good-looking sites with minimal fuss.

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16:30 MWSF 2009: Skype 2.8 for Mac Beta Released, Ties Into 100,000+ Boingo Wi-Fi Hotspots » PowerPage
On Tuesday, Boingo Wireless and Skype announced the completion of an agreement that will allow Skype users to make call from over 100,000 Boingo W-Fi hotspots around the world. The feature, known as Skype Access, can be found in...
16:25 Expo: SmartShare USB » Macworld
Only have one USB port to spare? Make it two with Griffin's new SmartShare USB

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16:19 A closer look at Apple’s advanced notebook battery tech » RoughlyDrafted
Prince McLean, AppleInsider The new 17“ MacBook Pro claims an industry leading 8 hours of battery life, thanks to a series of innovations Apple highlighted in the new notebook’s introduction. Even so, many of the advancements are not actually new, but rather the product of Apple’s incremental engineering efforts to increase its notebooks’ usability and desirability [...]
16:15 Expo: AKG headphones coming to America » Macworld
Harman International’s AKG brand has made a name for itself in the professional audio market. Now the audio specialist is bringing more than a dozen consumer-oriented headphones to the U.S.

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16:15 Expo: iLife '09 Guided Tours » Macworld
Apple posts two videos showcasing the new features in iMovie '09 and iPhoto '09.

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15:53 iPhone 3G Music Downloads Tested, Opinions Offered » PowerPage
With Apple Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing Phil Schiller having announced that iPhone users will be able to both sample and wirelessly download iTunes tracks over AT&T's EDE and 3G network (the feature was previously only able to...
15:51 Expo: The final Macworld keynote is now streaming » Macworld
Apple has made available a streaming video of the Macworld ’09 keynote delivered by Phil Schiller.

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15:42 MWSF 2009: Sling Media en Route for iPhone, iPod Touch » PowerPage
Beginning Macworld Expo in fine style, exhibitor Sling Media is currently showing off its Sling Media player software for Apple's iPhone and iPod touch handsets. Per iPhone Alley, the app will let users stream TV shows from their home...
15:33 MWSF 2009: Axiotron Announces Modbook Pro Tablet » PowerPage
Axiotron, creators of the Modbook converted Mac tablet, announced the release of its Modbook Pro tablet, a unit composed of a converted Apple 15" 2.8GHz MacBook Pro notebook in an Axiotron-designed case. The unit, which weighs in at 6.6 pounds,...
15:30 Apple Keynote Beer Goggles to Become Obligatory in 2009 » Gizmodo Apple

This one slipped even below Jim Goldman's rumor radar: The Apple Keynote Beer Goggles. Judging from today's snoringfest, I won't be surprised if they make them obligatory for every event in 2009.

Many people are bashing the Philnote because it was a bore and there were no new new NEW toys. In reality, the keynote wasn't very different from many other that Steve Jobs did in the past. I remember some who were mostly the same: Endless software demonstrations plus a hardware update here or there. In fact, I think there were even worse keynotes, like that time when an endless parade of third-party software directors came on stage to show their support to Mac OS X. It took me several Guinness pints to get over that one.

So given what he had to present today—and I've to say that I love the new iPhoto and iMovie—El Schillerino did quite a good job. But even while he was good, apparently he's not Steve Jobs and people weren't as enthusiastic as when El Esteban is on stage. I don't know what's going to happen when Jobs finally retires from Apple, but maybe the key for success goes through free beer for everyone at the door. And probably free pizza too. [Image based on the original beer goggles from Urban Spectacles via Dark Roasted Blend]

15:28 Expo: SoundClip pumps up your iPhone’s volume » Macworld
SoundClip is a low-tech add-on to your iPhone that makes sure you won’t miss one sound.

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15:21 First look: unibody 17“ MacBook Pro (with photos and video) » RoughlyDrafted
Prince McLean, AppleInsider It was no surprise to see a unibody refresh of the 17“ MacBook Pro; many wondered why the model wasn’t included with the 13” MacBook and 15“ MacBook Pro released last fall. Apple’s belated high end notebook refresh did give Phil Schiller ”one more thing“ to introduce in his keynote however First look: unibody [...]
15:12 Duet II and III speakers promise big sound from small footprint » Macworld
JBL announced its Duet II and Duet III speaker systems which are both designed to provide a clear, powerful sound while maintaining a small footprint.

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15:00 Did You Enjoy The Keynote Any Less Without Steve Jobs? » Gizmodo Apple

Aside from the actual speculated products, the big news surrounding the Apple Macworld keynote was that Steve Jobs would be out sick. But as I refreshed the Gizmodo liveblog, I wondered, did it matter?

I'm a sucker for any Apple keynote, whether I'm in the stands with the press or F5'ing away at my browser like most of you. There's a certain hypnotic timing to them, a clean presentation and a controlled, meticulous unveiling process that makes even the less exciting products seem monumental in scope.

During today's last Apple Macworld keynote, not having been there, I actually forgot at times that Steve Jobs wasn't presenting with Phil Schiller taking his place instead. Indeed, from the text/content alone, I wouldn't have even noticed. The presentation style was intact—from the clean slides to the dramatic structure, it was an Apple keynote, even if it wasn't Steve's Apple keynote. But I want to know, do you feel the same way?

14:59 Keynote Slideshow 2009 » Macworld
Images from 2009's Macworld Expo keynote address.

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14:57 Watch the Entire Macworld 2009 Event » Gizmodo Apple

Our liveblog is great, but nothing beats seeing the last Macworld keynote with your own eyes. Fortunately, Apple has posted the entire event online in QuickTime. [Apple]

14:57 Beta: Retrospect 8 » Macintouch
Intel-only beta of future Retrospect
14:57 New: LiveScribe Desktop » Macintouch
companion for Pulse smartpen
14:57 New: Voyager Q Dock » Macintouch
$99.95 dock with FireWire 400/800, USB 2 and eSATA for SATA drives
14:57 Update: Econ » Macintouch
Chronosync updated; ChronoAgent added
14:49 Macworld Travel Travasty » Mac Observer
Vern Seward tells a sad tale of flights lost and destinations found.

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14:37 iLuv dual-dock alarm clock offers either port in a storm » Macworld
The iMM183 Hi-Fi Dual Dock Alarm Clock with Weather Brand Radio features docks for charging two devices at once, including any iPod with a dock connector and the iPhone 3G.

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14:37 iPhone can download music over EDGE too » Macworld
Apple quietly adds EDGE along with 3G for purchasing music from the iPhone.

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14:36 Macworld.ars: iMovie '09 first impressions » Ars Technica

Ars gets a little face time with the newest version of iMovie and Apple's crack demo team.

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14:30 Expo: Apple posts two 17 inch MacBook Pro videos » Macworld
Apple posted the new 17-inch MacBook Pro television ad and a video featuring the new battery technology.

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14:26 Watch Schiller in the just-posted Macworld keynote stream » Ars Technica

If this morning's breathless commentary from us and other media outlets wasn't enough for you, you can catch up with the Macworld '09 keynote with Phil Schiller by watching the video stream that was just posted online.

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14:25 Expo: TechRestore shows off real time machine, matte screen service » Macworld
If you're a fan of going back in time, the vehicle you need resides at Moscone.

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14:11 Mac Box Set: the overlooked gem of the Keynote » Ars Technica

The new Mac Box Set: a great deal out of an otherwise tame Macworld Expo keynote.

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13:56 iWork 09, iWork.com collaboration site make their debut » Ars Technica

Apple released a major update to iWork '09 during its Tuesday morning keynote at Macworld Expo 2009. Keynote, Pages, and Numbers all received new features and better integration, but Apple also announced a new iWork.com web service for sharing and collaborating on documents.

Read More...

13:52 Macworld Has Arrived » Google MacBlog
13:51 iWork Turns '09 » TidBITS
iWork '09 brings welcome improvements to the productivity suite, but they're mostly limited to eye candy for Keynote and things that bring Pages and Numbers closer to parity with Microsoft Word and Excel.

 

Read the full article at TidBITS, the oldest continuously published technology publication on the Internet.

13:49 Piper Jaffray Finds Macworld Announcements “Underwhelming, As Expected” » Mac Observer
Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster said that today's announcements from Apple at Macworld were "underwhelming," but noted that this had been "expected." Mr. Munster said that the biggest announcement to come from the event was the new 17" MacBook Pro, though the company's software announcements (iLife 09 and iWork 09) continue to represent a, "competitive advantage for Macs over PCs."  

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13:39 Massive Flickr photoset from Macworld Expo 2009 posted » iLounge
13:37 Best Buy offers refurbished iPhones » Macworld
Retailer Best Buy said it has begun selling refurbished iPhones for a discounted price.

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13:34 Skype 2.8 beta for Mac released » Macworld
New version adds Skype credit for Boingo Wi-Fi and screen sharing.

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13:30 Apple Pioneers New Battery Tech with 17-Inch MacBook Pro » TidBITS
Apple completes the transition to the new laptop unibody design with the new 17-inch MacBook