Category Archives: New from Apple

Apple ships iWork ’09

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Apple iWork '09Today, Apple released an upgrade to its iWork productivity suite. iWork ’09 includes enhancements to its Pages word processor and Keynote presentation package, and Numbers spreadsheet application.

Keynote ’09 adds adds Magic Move in which users set a start and endpoint for components in a slide and the Keynote provides options for moving objects between them. It also adds new new transitions and themes.

Numbers ’09 adds table categories, new formulas, more chart options, and the ability to link charts with Pages documents.

Pages ’09 adds a new full-screen view, dynamic outlining, support for MathType and EndNote formulas for scientists and academics, as well as new templates.

iWork ’09 Mac requires any Apple Macintosh computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (500 MHz or faster) processor running Mac OS X Tiger 10.4.11 (or later) or Mac OS X Panther 10.5.6 (or later). It is available immediately at a list price of $79.00.

A free 30-day trial is available for download (451 Mb).

Apple overhauls MacBook line

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Apple unveiled an all new line of consumer-level Intel MacBook laptop computers featuring its new “unibody” aluminum construction. Machined from a solid piece of aluminum, the new MacBook line is thinner (0.95-inch) and lighter (4.5 pounds).

Powered by 2.0GHz or 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processors now include 2 Gb RAM and can be expanded to 4 Gb. The 2.0 GHz model comes standard with a 160 Gb hard drive. A 250 Gb hard drive is included with the 2.4 GHz model.

The new MacBooks also feature built-in iSight video camera; Apple’s MagSafe Power Adapter; 802.11n wireless networking; built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet; Bluetooth; two USB 2.0 ports; and a built-in SuperDrive. Note: a Firewire port is no longer included.

The new MacBooks are available immediately.

2.0GHz MacBook
($1299.00)		 2.4GHz MacBook
($1599.00)
Enclosure Precision aluminum unibody
Processor 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
L2 cache 3MB shared
System bus 1066MHz
Memory 2GB (two 1GB SO-DIMMs) of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-8500); supports up to 4GB
Hard drive 160GB Serial ATA; 5400 rpm 250GB Serial ATA; 5400 rpm
Slot-loading optical drive 8x SuperDrive (DVD?R DL/DVD?RW/CD-RW)
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory
Video Built-in iSight camera; Mini DisplayPort output port with support for DVI, VGA, and dual-link DVI (requires adapters, sold separately)
Display 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display, 1280-by-800 resolution
USB Two USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps)
Audio Built-in stereo speakers, built-in omnidirectional microphone, combined optical digital input/analog line in, combined optical digital output/analog line out
Networking Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit) Ethernet
Wireless Built-in AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi (based on IEEE 802.11n draft specification); built-in Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) module
Hardware accessories 60W MagSafe Power Adapter, AC wall plug, power cord, lithium-polymer battery
Warranty 90 days of free telephone support and a one-year limited warranty.

.Mac shutting down 9pm EDT July 9

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Apple is about to turn the switch on its MobileMe service. In preparation, it will take .Mac offline at 9 PM EDT tomorrow night, Wednesday, July 9. According to the announcement:

“Members will be unable to access www.mac.com or any .Mac services during this time with the exception of .Mac Mail accessed via a desktop application, iPhone, or iPod touch. MobileMe will be available as soon as possible during this maintenance window.”

Complete information on the switch can be found on Apple’s .Mac to MobileMe Transition FAQ.

MacWorld News = No Mac News
(but wow, what others)

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The biggest news about the Apple Macintosh at yesterday’s Macworld Expo keynote address by Steve Jobs was .. no Macintosh news .. at least product-wise. Jobs did note that for the first time in a long time (like 1987) over 50% of all Macs sold are being bought by first time Mac users. So the movement continues.

Also, Apple Computer Inc. is no more. The company is now formally called Apple Inc. This reflects Apple’s foray into consumer electronics .. which brings us to the really big news.

Apple's new iPhoneiPhone: The long-awaited announcement finally came. Scheduled to ship in June (pending FCC approrval) with service provided exclusively by Cingular, the Apple iPhone combines a Quad-band GSM enabled cellphone, a 4 Gb ($499.00) or 8 Gb ($599.00) video iPod, full Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) + EDGE + Bluetooth 2.0 wireless mobile internet device, and a 2-megapixel digital camera – all running on a Mac OS X backbone including a full-featured Safari browser and widgets. Details too deep to go over here. Click here for more details.

AppleTV: Announced in September (under the code name “iTV”) and shipping in February, the $299.00 HDTV only AppleTV allows wired or wireless connection to up to five computers as well as a 40 Gb hard drive for playing your computer (Mac or Windows) based music, movies, television shows, and photos. Click here for more details.

New Airport Extreme: Actually, not talked about at the keynote at all, the new Airport Extreme wireless base station sports a new form factor (flat, like the AppleTV .. or half a Mac Mini), as well as supports the faster 802.11n protocol – up to five times faster than 802.11g and covering twice the range. Also shipping in February for $179.00.

Bluetooth Mighty Mouse now shipping

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Apple is now shipping a wireless Mighty Mouse, a “tailless” version of its multi-button mouse that includes up to four independently programmable buttons and a scroll bar that lets users scroll in any direction. The new Bluetooth device also incorporates a new laser tracking engine that is reportedly 20 times more sensitive than standard optical mice for better tracking on even more surfaces. The Bluetooth Mighty Mouse is priced at $69.00 and is available immediately.