I watched some of the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference live via the internet…I won’t tell you how because I’m under the impression it violated some agreement between Apple and the attendee. (I will say that they had over 23,000 viewers at times…)
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There are new MacBooks, there is a new operating system (Snow Leopard), and new iPhones.
(Notice that there are links on their webpage for “Special Deals”, “Refurbished Macs”, “Refurbished iPods”, and “Clearance” products…)
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The conference began with a video featuring John Hodgman of the “I’m a Mac/I’m a PC” commecial campaign: he wished attendees a week with “some innovation, but not too much please.”
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In September, the Snow Leopard (10.6) operating system will be priced at $29 for the upgrade version (from Leopard 10.5), and a family pack will be available for $49. I was confused when they seem to be making a big deal that it will be a 64-bit operating system, until after I read the following from http://www.apple.com/macosx/technology/#sixtyfourbit:
“…Although Mac OS X is already 64-bit capable in many ways, Snow Leopard takes the next big step by rewriting nearly all system applications in 64-bit code…”
Snow Leopard will allow support for up to 16 terabytes of RAM.
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The iPhone 3.0 operating system will be available June 17: free for iPhone owners, $9.95 for iPod touch owners.
It is to have 100 new features. (I’ve never owned an iPhone and iPod Touch, and am shocked some of them weren’t previously available…)
Cut, Copy & Paste
Landscape Keyboard
Send MMS messages and include video, photos, audio, and contact info…
(Multimedia Messaging Service, or MMS, allows the sending of sending messages that include multimedia objects and allows for longer messages.)
MMS requires support by the carrier; AT&T is expected to support MMS late this summer.
Voice Memos
Sync Notes to your Mac or PC.
Parental Controls for music, videos, and applications…
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Effective today, the 8GB iPhone 3G costs $99.
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The iPhone 3GS will be available June 19: 16GB for $199, 32GB for $299.
Built-in video camera with editing
3 megapixels
Autofocus
Tap to focus
Video recording, VGA up to 30fps with audio
Photo and video geotagging
UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
Wi-Fi (802.11b/g)
Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
Audio formats supported: AAC, Protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV
3.5-mm stereo headphone minijack
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Mobile Me customers will be able to use Find My iPhone to bring up a Google Map that shows where your iPhone is (as long as it’s turned on). You will be able to send a message to the phone, and it will display a message and sound an alarm (even if it is in silent mode). Using Remote Wipe, you will be able to delete all your data; if you later find your missing phone, you can plug it into iTunes and restore it.
It’s expected to be available for the iPhone, and iPod touch.
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Some of my resources during, and after, the conference:
http://theappleblog.com/live/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10257637-37.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
http://live.gizmodo.com/
http://apple20.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/06/08/live-from-apples-wwdc-2009/
http://www.macrumorslive.com/
http://www.pcworld.com/article/165990/live_update_wwdc_2009_keynote.html
