Macworld 09 – underwhelming
It was always going to be a difficult Macworld. Steve Jobs not present. Apple’s last event.
And as it turns out, nothing to really get THAT excited about. But that is the whole reason for Apple pulling out of the rut which was their Macworld Keynote. The expectation had become so high each year, tvhat it totally dominated the Apple product launch cycle, and if people deemed the launches poor, the stock tanked. By pulling out of Macworld, they don’t have to deliver each and every January and people also don’t ‘hold out’ before Christmas as there ‘might be something launched at Macworld’.
So, what did we get? A 17″ MBP with a new non-removable, but very powerful battery, iTunes non-DRM music and then new iWork 09 and iLife 09. To be fair, the new software looks pretty good and I will watching the Guide videos later tomorrow.
What did I actually want? Well, the netbook would be nice, and also MacMini BluRay, and something that I was thinking about earlier, a new Wireless Cam that could be used as a webcam or security cam – an Apple version of this would sell like hot cakes IMHO. Most people would be able to use it somewhere and if it could be accessed over the web, and perhaps record to iDisk, now we’re talking! Perhaps one for the future 
Related posts:
Comments
10 Responses to “Macworld 09 – underwhelming”
Leave a Reply
Yeah, some interesting points there Jon. Apple do set themselves up every year to release a ‘killer’ product. Not always possible.
And I was telling a friend just before Xmas to hold off buying a new iMac or Mac Mini as new ones were imminent – glad he failed to heed my advice!!
Just means Apple are going to spring new gadgets and software on us at a moments notice – not sure my heart could take the surprises!! At least with Macworld we have a few weeks of getting ourselves prepared to be blown away (not so this year).
Have to admit, not a big fan of web cams. It’s the one thing on my MBP that I haven’t used. I’m sure if I did get in to video iChatting then I’d wonder how I ever lived without it. Can see where you are coming from with your views on an Apple web cam though.
The new 17″ MBP looks the dogs!! The new MBP(s) are gorgeous looking machines.
Hi Jonathan! I’m surprised you don’t use the webcam more on your MBP – I make Skype and iChat calls all the time – so useful and much better than just audio.
The 17″ does look good, and I’m excited about the battery technology which will make it into new machines, perhaps even the MacBook Nano netbook – if they could give that good battery life, bingo!
The rumour sites were going crazy just before Macworld, as usual, but I never get my hopes up over any of that. However, I did think that there would be a refresh of the Mac Mini. I’m looking forward to the improvements in iPhoto/iLife. You and I will probably get ours at the same time considering we ordered it almost to the second, haha.
On another note, I’m glad I swung by here. I haven’t had any of your updates in my RSS reader (NetNewsWire) since the end of December. I was just thinking how it was unusual for you not to have blogged in all that time – and lo and behold I come here and notice there’s a good few posts to catch up on.
Hi Sam,
I really must look at my feed… not good. Thanks for letting me know. I think the best one to use is my feedburner one:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/theappleofmyi
Is that what you are using?
Looking forward to iLife 09 too, iWork09 is nice as well, with some good improvements with Keynote especially.
Hi Jon. Yeah, it’s the feedburner one I’m using but nothing is coming into NetNewsWire from it. Your latest entry today just hasn’t turned up. I am trying out Newsfire again and that is picking everything up. I might stay with that for a little while because NNW just defeats it’s whole purpose.
Hmmm, can you let me know if Newsfire is working?
Don’t you fancy Google Reader? It’s pretty darn good.
Newsfire is working great, Jon. I published a test post today to test it out as my own feeds weren’t turning up in NNW for hours after I’d published. Newsfire grabbed it immediately and your feeds are all in there. I’ve ditched NNW and am using Newsfire exclusively.
Oops, forgot to say no, not fancying Google Reader. Tried it briefly but I like a desktop app instead of having the browser open.
Don’t knock it – LiPo batteries ARE a big deal, and industry leading. Although I think non removable is a bit of an attempt to to further increase revenue. Hanging out for shiny things when things are okay as they are – what would it gain you? Resources maybe better spent on the slow burn projects?
Sam, thanks for confirming the feed works, phew!
Reader rocks, it really does, I wouldn’t use anything else, the features are just too powerful.
Anthony, I agree about the new battery tech, but yes, I am sure the $s play a part!