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In part two Dan reports on sights and sounds of Macworld Expo in San Francisco
Continued from Part 1 on previous page
In addition to all the Apple announcements, I enjoyed discovering some incredible new hardware and software.
First on my list for "coolness factor" is SlimDevice's SqueezeBox. A rubber-coated home stereo system addition that makes your iTunes a virtual jukebox (I told you that the other companies would love the new iLife stuff). SB uses WiFi or Ethernet with the company's software to put your music on your home audio system. While you'll want to up your sample rate when importing your CDs to achieve best results, this is one cool product.
Second on my list for "CF" is Kaidan's incredible new Piximation that uses your FireWire input device (and even an iSight -- again, integration) to capture a series of still images to create incredible QTVR images in real time. Jim Anders and his crew have done it again with this awesome product.
On the new and cool side, say hello to You Software. With a big ol' booth and slick smiley logo, it doesn't stop there. You can sync OSX info with You Synchronize and access nearly anything on your Mac with You Control which places custom modules on everything from iTunes to your address book. Are we seeing a trend here?
On the update front, you do not want to miss Roxio's soon-to-be-released version of Toast with Jam. The demo was impressive (even after my 12/03 review of the current version) and well thought out. Clearly, Roxio is running with this ball and raising the bar for anyone with a good burner product.
I big tip of the hat to all of the Mac-friendly radio that is also evidence of the growth of the audience. Author/Mac expert, Deb Shadovitz and relative newcomers (with hugely experienced air-staff) Inside Mac Radio made their presence known with "The Party for The People" that welcomed anyone attending MWE with a badge.
This was not your average Expo party with both a full house (not a simple task at The Renaissance Parc55 lounge) and stunning, gratuitous prizes every half hour via a fun trivia contest. As Shadovitz, herself, said,
"Macworld Expo is all about the parties. If you have never been to one, this is your chance to see what its all about."
This was clearly my favorite event of the trip and it was a pleasure to see people like Andy Inhatko, Other World Computing's Larry O'Connor, MacXprts' Nicole Hoffman, IMR's Scott Sheppard, Shadovitz and others. I hope to see this trend continue so that the "poser quotient" is reduced. Everyone should be a part of some of these great events offered at MWE that bring the community together.
The bottom line is that Apple has a bottom line. Getting their products to an ever growing and hopefully larger audience is the goal and I believe that they have done it again. A few months ago, I heard Chris Breen call the iPod "Apple's transition drug," referring -- in a good way -- to the process by which preteen kids start with cigarettes and progress to harder and harder addictions. These new products are the ecstasy (pun intended) that will get you showing off your skills and bringing the "computer widows" closer to their husbands once they take a crack at this stuff. Its fun. Literally anyone can do it. This is not your father's Macintosh (and I can't believe we can say that now...those who get the reference know what I mean).
Do I sound like an ad for Apple? I hope so. I believe that Macworld Expo showcased some great additions to the Mac families -- and the extended families as well. I would accept that compliment... just visit: www.apple.com
Daniel M. East
January 12, 2004
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