Quark Inc. announced today the introduction of its new UK education program and pricing at BETT 2007, the world's leading educational information and communications technologies (ICT) event. Quark has developed the new program, with discounted pricing, to target the specific needs of educational communities, including schools and higher education. Quark is committed to providing the designers of tomorrow with the tools they need to succeed in the industry. The new programs have been developed as a direct result of collaboration with schools and higher educational establishments in the UK.
ModBook by OWC launched at MacWorld
Apart from the iPhone being announced at MacWorld Expo 2007, the other hot news was the ModBook which was launched by Other World Computing. The Axiotron ModBook is a modified MacBook which has a cool new touchscreen, GPS, and a neat way of folding into tablet form. This video, courtesy of MyMac.com will give you a good idea of what it is all about.
iPhone - Hilarious Video
This funny iPhone video is just so hilarious I had to bring it onto the Geekanoids website. I never knew the iPhone was going to be so useful.
Apple iPhone Yahoo IMAP Push Email
Wow, what an evening (for us in the UK due to the time difference) and what a keynote by Steve Jobs. Yes, it was a little disappointing, when the other items were squeezed into 20 or 30 minutes to make space for the massive iPhone announcement.
Reading between the lines, the device is fantastic, absolutely superb. Pricing is acceptable, but the wait is too long. The main two problems I am having getting my head around is this. Why Yahoo? Why did we not see .Mac IMAP push email. I mean, come on Apple, I am sure you are capable of doing this.
Second problem is Cingular, for the UK anyway, what carrier are we going to have to support all of these superb services? Well, time will tell how things pan out, and we might even see some minor revisions to the iPhone before its final release.
Apple TV Announced at MacWorld Expo 2007
Apple® today premiered Apple TV™, an easy to use and fun way to wirelessly play all your favourite iTunes® content from your Mac® or PC on your widescreen TV, including movies, TV shows, music, photos and podcasts. Using Apple TV’s stunning new interface, anyone can quickly browse and view their entire collection of digital media from across the room using the simple and intuitive Apple Remote. Apple TV easily connects to almost all modern widescreen televisions, and will be shipping in February for just £199 (inc. VAT).
“Apple TV is like a DVD player for the 21st century—you connect it to your entertainment system just like a DVD player, but it plays digital content you get from the Internet rather than DVDs you get from a physical store,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Apple TV plays the same iTunes content that users enjoy on their computers and iPods, so now they can even watch part of a movie in their living room, and watch the rest later on their iPod.”
Apple TV has a 40GB hard drive to store up to 50 hours of video, 9,000 songs, 25,000 photos or a combination of each and is capable of delivering high-definition 720p output.* Apple TV is easy to connect to a broad range of widescreen TVs and home theatre systems and comes standard with HDMI, component video, analogue and optical audio ports. Using high-speed AirPort® 802.11** wireless networking, Apple TV can auto-sync content from one computer or stream content from up to five additional computers right to your TV without any wires.***
The seamless integration of Apple TV and iTunes lets users choose from four million songs, 5,000 music videos, 100,000 podcasts and 20,000 audiobooks. Users can enjoy their favourite music on a home entertainment system and view slideshows of their photo albums on a widescreen TV. Apple TV makes it easy for users to explore their entire media collection with an easy to use and intuitive new interface. With the Apple Remote, consumers can easily browse through their favourite videos, music and photos from up to 30 feet away.
Pricing & Availability
Apple TV, which includes the Apple Remote, will be shipping in February through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com/ukstore), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorised Resellers for a suggested retail price of £199 (inc. VAT).
More iPhone Images
This is just a collection (well just is an understatement) of verious iPhone images.
More are available to view here: http://www.apple.com/iphone/
Apple iPhone Official MacWorld Press Release
MACWORLD SAN FRANCISCO—January 9, 2007—Apple® today introduced iPhone, combining three products—a revolutionary mobile phone, a widescreen iPod® with touch controls, and a breakthrough Internet communications device with desktop-class email, web browsing, searching and maps—into one small and lightweight handheld device. iPhone introduces an entirely new user interface based on a large multi-touch display and pioneering new software, letting users control iPhone with just their fingers. iPhone also ushers in an era of software power and sophistication never before seen in a mobile device, which completely redefines what users can do on their mobile phones.
“iPhone is a revolutionary and magical product that is literally five years ahead of any other mobile phone,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We are all born with the ultimate pointing device—our fingers—and iPhone uses them to create the most revolutionary user interface since the mouse.”
iPhone is a Revolutionary Mobile Phone
iPhone is a revolutionary new mobile phone that allows users to make calls by simply pointing at a name or number. iPhone syncs all of your contacts from your PC, Mac® or Internet service such as Yahoo!, so that you always have your full list of up-to-date contacts with you. In addition, you can easily construct a favourites list for your most frequently made calls, and easily merge calls together to create conference calls.
iPhone’s pioneering Visual Voicemail, an industry first, lets users look at a listing of their voicemails, decide which messages to listen to, then go directly to those messages without listening to the prior messages. Just like email, iPhone’s Visual Voicemail enables users to immediately randomly access those messages that interest them most.
iPhone includes an SMS application with a full QWERTY soft keyboard to easily send and receive SMS messages in multiple sessions. When users need to type, iPhone presents them with an elegant touch keyboard which is predictive to prevent and correct mistakes, making it much easier and more efficient to use than the small plastic keyboards on many smartphones. iPhone also includes a calendar application that allows calendars to be automatically synced with your PC or Mac.
iPhone features a 2 megapixel camera and a photo management application that is far beyond anything on a phone today. Users can browse their photo library, which can be easily synced from their PC or Mac, with just a flick of a finger and easily choose a photo for their wallpaper or to include in an email.
iPhone is a quad-band GSM phone which also features EDGE and Wi-Fi wireless technologies for data networking. Apple has chosen Cingular, the best and most popular carrier in the US with over 58 million subscribers, to be Apple’s exclusive carrier partner for iPhone in the US.
iPhone is a Widescreen iPod
iPhone is a widescreen iPod with touch controls that lets music lovers “touch” their music by easily scrolling through entire lists of songs, artists, albums and playlists with just a flick of a finger. Album artwork is stunningly presented on iPhone’s large and vibrant display.
iPhone also features Cover Flow, Apple’s amazing way to browse your music library by album cover artwork, for the first time on an iPod. When navigating your music library on iPhone, you are automatically switched into Cover Flow by simply rotating iPhone into its landscape position.
iPhone’s stunning 3.5-inch widescreen display offers the ultimate way to watch TV shows and movies on a pocketable device, with touch controls for play-pause, chapter forward-backward and volume. iPhone plays the same videos purchased from the online iTunes® Store that users enjoy watching on their computers and iPods, and will soon enjoy watching on their widescreen televisions using the new Apple TV™. The iTunes Store now offers over 350 television shows, over 250 feature films and over 5,000 music videos.
iPhone lets users enjoy all their iPod content, including music, audiobooks, audio podcasts, video podcasts, music videos, television shows and movies. iPhone syncs content from a user’s iTunes library on their PC or Mac, and can play any music or video content they have purchased from the online iTunes store.
iPhone is a Breakthrough Internet Communications Device
iPhone features a rich HTML email client which fetches your email in the background from most POP3 or IMAP mail services and displays photos and graphics right along with the text. iPhone is fully multi-tasking, so you can be reading a web page while downloading your email in the background.
Yahoo! Mail, the world’s largest email service with over 250 million users, is offering a new free “push” IMAP email service to all iPhone users that automatically pushes new email to a user’s iPhone, and can be set up by simply entering your Yahoo! name and password. iPhone will also work with most industry standard IMAP and POP based email services, such as Microsoft Exchange, Apple .Mac Mail, AOL Mail, Google Gmail and most ISP mail services.
iPhone also features the most advanced and fun-to-use web browser on a portable device with a version of its award-winning Safari™ web browser for iPhone. Users can see any web page the way it was designed to be seen, and then easily zoom in to expand any section by simply tapping on iPhone’s multi-touch display with their finger. Users can surf the web from just about anywhere over Wi-Fi or EDGE, and can automatically sync their bookmarks from their PC or Mac. iPhone’s Safari web browser also includes built-in Google Search and Yahoo! Search so users can instantly search for information on their iPhone just like they do on their computer.
iPhone also includes Google Maps, featuring Google’s groundbreaking maps service and iPhone’s amazing maps application, offering the best maps experience by far on any pocket device. Users can view maps, satellite images, traffic information and get directions, all from iPhone’s remarkable and easy-to-use touch interface.
iPhone’s Advanced Sensors
iPhone employs advanced built-in sensors—an accelerometer, a proximity sensor and an ambient light sensor—that automatically enhance the user experience and extend battery life. iPhone’s built-in accelerometer detects when the user has rotated the device from portrait to landscape, then automatically changes the contents of the display accordingly, with users immediately seeing the entire width of a web page, or a photo in its proper landscape aspect ratio.
iPhone’s built-in proximity sensor detects when you lift iPhone to your ear and immediately turns off the display to save power and prevent inadvertent touches until iPhone is moved away. iPhone’s built-in ambient light sensor automatically adjusts the display’s brightness to the appropriate level for the current ambient light, thereby enhancing the user experience and saving power at the same time.
Pricing & Availability
iPhone will be available in the US in June 2007, Europe in late 2007, and Asia in 2008, in a 4GB model for $499 (US) and an 8GB model for $599 (US), and will work with either a PC or Mac. iPhone will be sold in the US through Apple’s retail and online stores, and through Cingular’s retail and online stores. Several iPhone accessories will also be available in June, including Apple’s new remarkably compact Bluetooth headset.
iPhone includes support for quad-band GSM, EDGE, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0 EDR wireless technologies.
iPhone requires a Mac with a USB 2.0 port, Mac OS® X v10.4.8 or later and iTunes 7; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows 2000 (Service Pack 4), Windows XP Home or Professional (Service Pack 2). Internet access is required and a broadband connection is recommended. Apple and Cingular will announce service plans for iPhone before it begins shipping in June.
Apple Official Airport Extreme 802.11n Details
MACWORLD SAN FRANCISCO—January 9, 2007—Apple® today introduced the new AirPort Extreme®, a simple and elegant wireless networking solution delivering up to five times the performance and twice the range of the previous AirPort Extreme. Based on 802.11n,* AirPort Extreme extends a wireless network to even more areas in a home or office and makes streaming digital content and transferring large files faster and easier. The new AirPort Extreme Base Station features a sleek, new design with connections for networked computers, printers and a USB hard drive to quickly and easily share files or back up valuable data and content.
“The new Airport Extreme is the most powerful and easy to use Wi-Fi base station that we have ever made,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “With five times the performance and twice the range, now you can transfer bigger files faster and get access to the Internet and your favorite digital media from many areas in your house you couldn’t reach before.”
Using MIMO (Multiple In Multiple Out) smart antennas and 802.11n technology, AirPort Extreme now delivers greater data throughput and extends the reach of wireless connectivity to more areas of the home, business or school. With the ability to operate in either the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz wireless frequencies, AirPort Extreme also reduces the possibility of interference from appliances and cordless phones that operate in the 2.4 GHz frequency. AirPort Extreme is backward compatible with Macs and PCs using previous generation 802.11b/g wireless technologies.
The AirPort Extreme Base Station features a simple, new design that is just 6.5 inches square and 1.3 inches tall, and a built-in USB port allows users to print wirelessly to a USB printer or turn any external USB hard drive into a shared drive so they can share files or backup valuable data from multiple computers on a network. New AirPort Utility software included with every AirPort Extreme makes it very easy to set up a secure, wireless network for up to 50 simultaneous users within minutes. Users can also set security restrictions, including Internet access limits on their childrens’ computers.
The AirPort Extreme Base Station also includes:
• 802.11n Wi-Fi wireless networking;
• MIMO (Multiple In Multiple Out) smart antennas;
• dual-band antennas for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies;
• three 10/100 Ethernet LAN ports;
• one 10/100 Ethernet WAN port;
• one USB port;
• Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA/WPA-2), 128-bit WEP encryption; and
• a built-in NAT firewall.
Pricing & Availability
The new AirPort Extreme Base Station will be available in February through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com/ukstore), at Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorised Resellers for a suggested retail price of £119 (inc. VAT). Nearly all currently shipping Macs** support 802.11n when updated with 802.11n Enabler software, which ships with the AirPort Extreme Base Station.
*The AirPort Extreme Base Station is based on an IEEE 802.11n draft specification and is compatible with IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g. Achieving the fastest data rates requires that all users have an 802.11n-enabled computer. Actual performance will vary based on range, connection rate, site conditions, size of network and other factors including regulatory restrictions in the use of the 5 GHz frequency. In the UK performance is up to 2.5 times and twice the range of the previous AirPort Extreme.
**All Intel Core 2 Duo and Intel Xeon Macs except the entry 17-inch iMac® with 1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor support the 802.11n technology.
MacWorld Expo 2007 Announcements
Steve Jobs took to the stage today for the MacWorld Expo 2007 keynote speech. His announcements were what we expected and wanted, but with some serious things amiss.
What we got was about 20 minutes on AppleTV, which is available to order now, shipping February, at £199. The deal is much as we thought, streaming of content to a large TV, but with the addition of a 40GB hard drive. So nice, but we knew it was coming.
Then came what we all wanted to hear, but with some spoilers at the end of the announcement. The new iPhone, which has loads of features (TBC) all listed below;
• 3.5 inch widescreen display
• 2 megapixel camera
• iPod dock connector
• A proximity sensor which switches between modes and screen orientation based on how the device is held
• 11.6 mm thin
• Synchronises with iTunes
• GSM/EDGE
• Wifi & Bluetooth
• Googlemaps and Yahoomail
• Cinglar only at present
• Visual voicemail - shows a list of your voicemails so you select what you want to listen to
• Gestural interface
• Mail & Safari apps
• Widgets.
• Free Yahoo! IMAP email to all iPhone customs
• 5 hour video battery life
• 16 hour audio battery life
All this was great, with a 4GB model costing $499 and 8GB at $599, then came the spoilers. The USA has to wait until June, UK until the end of 2007, and Asia until 2008. So another pre-anounced product, similar to the iTV announcement which came to fruition as the AppleTV today. Now, I don't mind waiting a couple of months, but the end of the year is a big shame. On a more positive note, it will sell so so well, with all those great features and a Lite version of OSX built-in.
Then we waited for the "one more thing", but that was it, no more announcements, no details of Leopard, no pricing, features, shipping date. What a disappointment, as everyone was expecting this. The only other product that appeared on the AppleStore was a 802.11n Airport Extreme BaseStation, again shipping February, prices at £119. This has a WAN port, three 10/100 ethernet ports, USB port for printer or hard drive, and a security slot. Styling is nice, very Mac-like and the device contains three aerials for increased coverage and to deliver that 'n' speed. It also comes supplied with a CD containing a new Airport Utility 802.11n Enabler for Core2Duo and Xeon based Macs and Windows based PC's. This device did not even get a mention in Steve's Keynote, unless it was just missed in the coverage I have read so far.
Anyway, to recap, we got some goodies, a new AirPort Extreme and AppleTV, the pre-announced iPhone and that is it for now. Check back soon for a full write-up on the iPhone.
BBC gives Mac Expo 2007 more coverage
Last year, the BBC gave some coverage (out of the norm) to the Mac Expo. This years MacWorld Expo 2007 got a mention on last nights 'News at Ten' and now gets an extra article on the technology section of the BBC website.
"It is that time of year again when Mac fans get out their crystal balls in an attempt to second guess what Apple founder Steve Jobs will announce at the Macworld Expo in San Francisco. Speculation this year is loudest about a possible Apple mobile phone."
The BBC goes on to to talk about an expected iPod, which I think is something we all want.
Read the full article here.
MacWorld Expo 2007 Griffin Announcement
Griffin Technology, maker of all things iPod, today announced their 2007 lineup to debut at next week's MacWorld Conference & Expo.
A new line of speakers highlight the many new products being shown on the show floor.
Amplifi is a high-tech contemporary-styled 2.1 sound system, designed for big sound with a compact tabletop footprint.
Amplifi's all-wood, acoustically tuned enclosure yields warm, rich tones. The bass reflex port and special Resonance Drive construction gives amazing frequency response. Two front-firing 2-3/4" neodymium drivers and a 5" downward-firing woofer, boosted by Power Drive Technology, creates a clean powerful sound unheard of at this price point.
- iPod-ready with slot and six iPod adapters
- 3.5mm stereo input jack for audio devices
- Two 2.75" neodymium high/midrange speakers
- 5" woofer and bass reflex port
- Acoustically tuned wooden enclosure
- High-tech contemporary styling
- Slim full-function IR remote
Journi, Griffin's personal mobile speaker system, has great sound wrapped up in an ingeniously designed, go-anywhere package. Journi's innovative WrapstandTM exterior protects your speaker system (and your iPod) when you're on the go, then flips open to create its own sturdy stand.
Journi's high-efficiency internal Lithium-Ion batteries recharge with the included AC adapter or through your computer's powered USB port. Your iPod sits center stage within the adjustable dock bay while you control your music with the included remote. SRS Labs' SRS WOW® digital signal processing pumps shimmering highs and deep, rich bass response through Journi's two-way speaker system.
8-10 hours of play on a single charge
Two 50mm high/mid-range drivers and two 64mm passive radiators use SRS WOW® digital technology to expand the audio image, improving digital audio and creating deep, rich bass response
Sync iPod with your computer's iTunes library as it charges
Adjustable Dock Connector welcomes all iPod models with dock connector
Auxiliary Audio Input for other digital music players
In addition to speakers, Griffin is introducing numerous innovative add-ons for the iPod.
AirDock lets you play iTunes on your stereo, watch iPod photos and videos on your TV. The included RF remote allows you to control it all from up to 60 feet away.
Griffin Dock Adapter for iPod Shuffle connects your second generation Shuffle to devices with an Apple Universal Dock. The all-in-one design is compatible with docks such as Griffin's own AirDock as well as Apple's HiFi speaker system and other accessories.
TuneFlex AUX plays iPod's music through car stereos equipped with a 1/8" (3.5mm) auxiliary input jack as it charges through the auto's 12V power outlet. The custom designed cradle holds your iPod secure while the pass-through dock connector leaves your options open.
TuneJuice 2 is an improved version of Griffin's popular battery backup for iPod. TuneJuice 2 adds more playing time for music and video making it ideal for air travel and road trips. Powered by 4 AAA batteries, it adds up to 14 additional hours of audio play and 2 additional hours of video play. And the first set of batteries is included.
Reflect cases for iPod nano and full-size iPod with video are rugged polycarbonate hard shells that present a mirrored-chrome reflective face to the world -- until you wake up your iPod, and the bright, clear iPod screen shows up as if by magic. The matte black rubberized case back gives you a sure grip.
iClear® Custom - Griffin takes its popular see-through iClear iPod shells and goes them one better: a slot in the back accepts your own printed photographs and artwork (some sample templates and reflective inserts are included to get you started). Personalize and customize your iPod nano and full-size iPod with iClear Custom.
Tempo for iPod shuffle now brings the same hands-free convenience and mobility to iPod shuffle as it delivered for the full-size iPod. Tempo's adjustable armband fits any arm. Built-in cord wrap eliminates cable tangles. Reflective accents show up at night for safety. Maintain the tempo of your active lifestyle with Tempo for iPod shuffle.
Also making their first US appearances at MacWorld are Griffin's iKaraoke for iPod and Elevator for portable computers:
iKaraoke brings the fun and excitement of karaoke into your home -- or anywhere you have a stereo receiver. And the best part is it lets you sing along, not from a limited menu, but with your favorite musical selections, straight from your iPod. iKaraoke fades out the lead vocals and brings your vocals up front to make you the star! ...and sends your music and vocals to your stereo via wireless FM Transmission or Line-Level audio. Convenient buttons let you enhance your sound with three levels of reverb, or temporarily mute the music for PA announcements.
Elevator is a sleek desktop stand for portable computers with stunning good looks. The brushed aluminum stand positions the laptop screen at an ideal height for viewing thus allowing air to freely circulate around the laptop's cooling vents.
We expect to bring you reviews of these products over the coming months. Our review of the Elevator will be up online straight after Mac Expo, so check back soon to see just what Geekanoids thought of it.
Extensis at MacWorld Expo 2007
Extensis, today announced that it will host a series of expert font panels and presentations at this year’s Macworld Expo in San Francisco. Extensis will present daily sessions that highlight font management specialists and industry authorities in the Extensis booth (#826) on the Macworld Conference & Expo show floor. On Tuesday January 9th, from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., well-known font evangelist Stephen Coles will lead the discussion titled “The Art of Type” with a panel of expert typographers discussing the joys and pitfalls of type design.
On Wednesday, January 10th, from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., Extensis product marketing manager Halstead York will lead an expert panel titled “Working with Type in Design Applications.” Experts included in this session are Thomas Phinney, Program Manager for Adobe, respected designer and author, Andrew Shalat, and Martin Stein, Vice President of Corporate Solutions for Extensis. In this session insiders discuss the technologies, techniques and challenges of working with fonts in the leading layout applications.
The highlighted speaker for Thursday, January 11th and Friday, January 12th is acclaimed type designer, Chank Diesel. Chank will be presenting “High-Octane Type” from
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. on Thursday and “Working with OpenType” from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. on Friday.
Macworld Conference & Expo is the world’s most comprehensive event for the Mac operating system. Macworld brings together the loyal yet diverse base of Mac users in creative services, education, entertainment, application development, enterprise and small office/home office environments. Combining in-depth educational sessions with displays of innovative products and solutions on the exhibit floor, Macworld Conference & Expo offers professionals and consumers alike the opportunity to discover the latest developments and hottest products in the Mac industry.