|
MemberSearch | Music | MuseNews | Calendar | Deals4Days Home | Help | Links | Login | My MuseNet | Member Update | *Join* | Add a Message |
| Guest
TekTalk - 01/6/09 - Email To: This Member or A Friend |
RelatedEmail/URL/Zip: Email: Url: http://www.macintouch.com/ Zip: |
| Macworld Live event blogging at gizmodo.com, crunchgear.com, engadget.com and macrumors.com Apple At its final Macworld Expo today, Apple sent in salesman-in-chief Phil Schiller as a substitute for Steve Jobs, who is battling some health issues, at the traditional keynote kick-off. iPhoto '09 (part of a new iLife '09 package) led the presentation with new features that include 'faces' (using 'face detection') and 'places' (supporting cameras, including the iPhone, with GPS geotagging). Along with Flickr and Facebook integration, the new iPhoto can use Google maps to create travel books with maps that show your photo locations. Last year's iMovie '08 was problematic (see reader reports), but Apple is trying again with iMovie '09, another component of the iLife suite, adding such advanced features as automatic image stabilization, 'precision' editing and slicker drag-and-drop of audio and video clips in the movie timeline. Like iPhoto '09, iMovie '09 includes the ability to create maps showing the location of the video shots. GarageBand '09 gets a natural new feature addition: 'Learn to Play', which combines on-screen instructors, instruments and lessons, drawing on famous musicians, such as Sting, Sarah McLachlan and John Fogerty. A built-in store lets you buy lessons for $4.99 each (and nine basic lessons for guitar and piano are included). Due by the end of the month with iWeb and iDVD updates, as well, iLife '09 upgrades are $79 ($99 for a family pack) and will be bundled with new Macs. iLife '09 requires Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. iWork '09 updates Apple's non-bundled application suite with various enhancements, such as 'dynamic outlines', full-screen view, new transitions, more functions and charts, and a WiFi-based 'Keynote Remote' application that will as an iPhone/iPod Touch app. iWork '09 'ships today' at $79 ($99 for a family pack and $49 with a new Mac purchase). Apple is also bundling iLife '09, iWork '09 and Leopard together in a $169 package called the 'Mac Box Set.' Apple will also launch a Google Docs-like collaborative iWork.com service in beta-test form, although that was not ready today. |