Macworld Expo is one of the biggest Apple events of the year, and last week’s show didn’t disappoint. Apple introduced the Intel-based iMac and MacBook Pro laptop much earlier than expected, along with iLife ’06 and iWork ’06; we’ve got details from the show floor, plus Adam’s take on Apple’s newfound confidence. Also in this issue, we note the releases of Mac OS X 10.4.4, iTunes 6.0.2, QuickTime 7.0.4, Skype 1.4, and the intriguing public beta of Adobe Lightroom. Lastly, we note new availability of Final Cut Studio, and launch into this year’s Macworld Expo SF 2006 Superlatives, where we reveal the best, worst, and most interesting aspects of the show.
Mac OS X 10.4.4 Released -- Apple pushed out Mac OS X 10.4.4 last week, adding universal binary (for Intel-processor compatibility) components and resolving a number of problems with Safari, iChat, and other system resources
iTunes 6.0.2 and QuickTime 7.0.4 Released -- Alongside Mac OS X 10.4.4 last week, Apple also updated iTunes and QuickTime. iTunes 6.0.2 is now a universal binary and adds the capability to broadcast to multiple AirPort Express base stations, stability improvements, and a new MiniStore feature that displays the day's top purchases and specials from the iTunes Music Store in a pane at the bottom of the screen
Adobe Offers Public Beta of Lightroom -- Adobe Systems, Inc. revealed a public beta of their upcoming professional photography workflow software, Lightroom, just before Macworld Expo
Skype 1.4 Released for Mac -- Skype decided to release the final Mac version of their flagship voice and instant messaging program just as Macworld Expo started, ensuring that new features such as call forwarding and iTunes pause/resume would be lost in the shuffle
Pro Video Apps Now Only in Final Cut Studio -- Apple is no longer offering their pro video applications as stand-alone products. Since the majority of customers are buying the $1,300 Final Cut Studio (which includes Final Cut Pro 5, Motion 2, Soundtrack Pro, and DVD Studio Pro 4), only the suite is now available for purchase; standalone versions will remain available in stores only until supply runs out.
One of the announcements at last week's Macworld Expo keynote was that a universal binary version of the Final Cut Studio suite will be available in March 2006, much earlier than expected
It's instructive, I think, to mark the resurgence of Apple Computer by what happens at the annual Macworld Expo in San Francisco, both in terms of Apple's keynote announcements and the mood on the show floor
With his usual panache, Steve Jobs announced the new Intel-based Macs at Macworld Expo last week, bringing Intel CEO Paul Otellini on stage in a chip-fabrication "bunny" suit and airing an ad about "setting the Intel chip free" after being "trapped inside PCs performing dull little tasks." With the announcement, Apple anointed the Intel Core Duo processor as the processor of choice, installing it in the familiar looking iMac and in a new laptop dubbed the MacBook Pro
While most of the attention at Macworld was focused on the new Intel-powered iMac and MacBook Pro laptop, Apple's software releases were fairly extensive
It's time once again for our annual look at the best, the worst, and the weirdest products from Macworld Expo. With over 361 booths, it's entirely possible we've missed some cool things, so please feel free to send your suggestions in to TidBITS Talk as well.
Put Your Photos in the Loop -- With the help (and financial support) of long-time Macintosh evangelist Guy Kawasaki, FilmLoop enthusiastically showed off a new Internet-based "photocasting" product, which looks like a handy way to share easily updated streams of photos within a group such as a family, sports team, or club
The first link for each thread description points to the traditional TidBITS Talk interface; the second link points to the same discussion on our Web Crossing server, which provides a different look and which may be faster.
Wireless Range Extender -- Getting a device that extends the range of a wireless network to operate correctly turns out to be a surprising amount of work