This mornings MacWorld keynote had grand expectations to live up to. Analysts and Mac fans days/months before MacWorld, were listing the numerous products expected to be released. However, whilst I haven’t watched the keynote yet, it seems only 2 things made the podium and a 3rd was released to the show floor.
1. iTV → AppleTV
We knew the codenamed iTV was coming, so no great suprise. AppleTV as it is now known, is a connector between the media stored on your computer and your television.
- Mac + PC compatible
- Australian price, $449 no EDU discount listed
However, there is one key thing missing for Australians. No movies or TV shows in iTunes. The key here seems to be the slogan, “If it’s on iTunes, it’s on TV”. The Apple site in Australia talks about using AppleTV with “home movies, movie trailers, podcasts and photos”, on the US site an obvious different “movies, TV shows, movie trailers, podcasts, and photos”. There was mention previously that iTunes Movies would be going international in 2007 – no sign of that yet.
Fans on various websites are disappointed at the lack of DVR/PVR capability… to me that was expected given that Apple wants you to purchase from iTunes. I’m guessing that my main computer can be a DVR/PVR and then use the AppleTV to get that content to my TV.
$449 for a media connector seems about right, looking at a list on HT.
2. Apple iPhone
The Apple iPhone was basically a given. although with Cisco releasing a telephony device names the iPhone – Apple’s device was expected to have a different name. It looks like a very nice device, problem is it’s only for the US (not till June though). “will come to Europe in Q4 2007, and Asia in 2008” via Mac Rumors. I’ll try and find whether Asia includes Australia.
So, maybe the heading of this post is now clear. In case it’s not – the MacWorld Keynote was aimed at the US market. The AppleTV – for Australians is technology without content. The iPhone – a shipping date to Australia over a year away?
3. Airport Extreme
The 3rd device, is an updated Airport Extreme – a wireless router. The key feature is 802.11n (draft) wireless networking – meaning fast. Mac users with recent machines can “enable” their machine – presumably a firmware update.
- Australian price, $259. EDU price $229
4. What was not seen…
No bumps or updates to any actual computers, although Apple changed it’s formal name from ‘Apple Computer Incorporated’ to ‘Apple, Incorporated’.
TUAW lists more things not seen: “Leopard ship date. iWork. iLife. Core 2 Duo mini. Oct-core pro’s. Universal Apps. High Def at the iTunes store. Any computer hardware outside the new iPhone. .Mac updates or revisions. Adobe.”.
I may update this post later today have updated this post with more accurate information or links to good sources (beyond the usual list of sources for Apple news).
- Streamed Apple Keynote. Steve goes into more detail with this product than he has at any other keynote. Looking at the demonstrations, this really looks like a complex phone that’s easy to use.
- MacBreak Macworld 2007: Keynote Rundown with Leo Laporte, Merlin Mann and Alex Lindsay.
- APC confirms iPhone will not be released in Australia till at least 2008.
- 11/01/2007: adactio has a summary of blog posts from some of the names of web design blogging (rather than Mac news sites)
Simon, I liked the iPhone. I think I will buy one when it is released in Australia in a year’s time. I imagine Apple might even have an upgrade to the iPhone by that time.
I can understand the iPhone is a big product, but when are we going to here about any other product announcements? It was a very Mac-less MacWorld keynote address.