Macworld

Despite some people’s anger in a disappointing keynote yesterday, iPhone users got a little enjoyment out of yesterdays announcements.

Announced by Phil was a new remote control keynote app. As the name suggests, the new Keynote Remote application lets the user control a keynote show running on their Mac using their iPhone or iPod touch.

When the iPhone is held vertically, the app displays the current slide and notes to remember while presenting the slide. When held in landscape, it shows the current slide and the slide before it, and the slide can be advanced by swiping it to the left. It will be offered in the app store for $0.99.

I have a feeling this is going to be a pretty big app for many users.

As Jovan noted earlier today there just wasn’t much iPhone stuff at MacWorld. Which was kind of depressing for some of us because we’ve been treated to the last two years basically being dominated by iPhone talk one way or another. The real question was would the disappointment spill over onto the MacWorld floor? Were vendors there with their now never to be used nano cases?

The answer was “no”. While there was general disappointment at the revelations of the keynote the enthusiasm for the iPhone was really with everyone we talked to. The enthusiasm about the Mac and the iPod didn’t seem to be on the same level as the continued excitement about the iPhone so, at least judging from MacWorld reaction you’d have to say that the iPhone is still the must have Apple gizmo. (For the record the don’t Apple gizmo is the Apple TV and the can’t afford Apple gozmo is the 17” MacBook Pro)

MacWorld sometimes produces an unexpected encounter. Today I managed to crash a demo be given by Killion of Etymotic. The demo involved various reproductions of what would happen when music was ripped from a CD and into a file and so forth. It seemed like pretty standard stuff to me (I can’t tell swell from hell, I’ve got terrible ears) but after the audio portion of the demo was done Dr. Killion started talking and it was clear that he was really into this stuff. In fact it became really obvious that he had spent years studying the topic. And indeed he has. He talked about response curve of the ear, a really awesome dummy they have, showed some more graphs. After a few minutes I could tell we weren’t really hearing about the earphones, we we learning about auditory stuff in general. It was like showing up at MacWorld and getting a free college lecture.

iPhone Matters will be reviewing some Etymotic stuff (not me, horrible ears and all) so keep your ears open for that.

I figured Macworld would be lacking in huge announcements, but I thought we would at least hear an announcement about an upcoming iPhone feature, software update, or something.

However, they did update the iWork suite which includes some nifty iPhone features, but other than that, they keynote was pretty boring. What did you think?

My associates, Hadley and Chris were there, so I’m sure they will deliver their experience and reactions as well.

Stay tuned…

Many people have been demanding chromatic iPhone 3Gs since the release. This demand has sparked many rumors whenever there is a WWDC and now that Macworld is tomorrow, will we actually get different colors?

Adding to the pre-Macworld chaos, a pink iPhone, complete with logos and trademarks, came up for auction on eBay recently. However, it was discovered that this was custom made.

There were rumors of a third color option of the iPhone prior to the iPhone 3G launch. At the time it was expected to be a product (Red) iPhone, but afterward it turned out to be only the black and white models we have now.

I doubt we’ll ever see a chromatic series of iPhones, but it is just as possible as an “iPhone Nano.” However, if there is an “iPhone Nano,” I am pretty sure we may see those in different colors.

Macworld is just around the corner but unfortunately, I won’t be there, however, Chris Seibold and Hadley Stern will be.

If you are going to Macworld, one app that you, Chris, and Hadley might find useful is an app called iMacworld.

With Macworld being just two weeks away, you’ll want to be prepared to visit all your favorite exhibitors, but how do you find them? iMacworld is IDG’s first iPhone application and the purpose of this application is to get you info about the expo and events.

The app is free and currently includes a list of exhibitors which can be found by booth number, product name, or company name. Additionally, messages from IDG and updates will be automatically downloaded whenever network access is available.

According to IDG, they do plan to push an update right before the expo which will add a map and calendar of events and sessions. Very cool, and I hope those of you going take full advantge of this app.

Crazy iPhone fanatics, such as myself, have watched many iPhone commercials before the phone’s release. Ask any of us what time it was on the iPhone (in the commercial), and you will likely merit a swift accurate and response. 9:42 of course! This has been consistent in almost every commercial I have watched. (9:41 has also appeared)

In the newer commercials such as “bet,” this has stayed the same. Frankly, it is kind of scary. When I saw “bet,” the first thing I noticed was the time. I was amazed it had still remained the same for many months. It reminded me of many theories I had heard about the clock.

“What time was displayed?” Ha! That question has a simple answer, but to answer “Why?” requires greater skill. The iPhone was introduced at 9:42 during the Macworld Keynote of 2007. I wonder if the “9:42” developed from this critical introduction, or if it was predestined. Chicken or egg? Many have also suggested that 9:42 refers to a Bible quote, specifically this one. Maybe, the phone just looks nicer with 9:42 displayed. It is possible that Apple kept the… more...

Macbook Air. We all saw Steve introduce it, but what relevance does it have to the iPhone? Steve mentioned that the ultra portable laptop was meant for the wireless world. He backs the wireless properties of the notebook so much, he eliminated the disc drive. This notebook substitutes the CD drive with a feature called remote disc, which allows for the installation of software through another computers shared drive. Complementing the “Wireless” Macbook Air is another device, Time Capsule. Working with Time Machine, this device synchronizes automatically with the mobile version of Leopard, without wires. Apple is pushing the idea of a world without wires.

Apple tests new feature and then incorporates them into more than one product. The iPhone was the first product with true multi-touch, and now the Macbook air includes the same chip in the iPhone. Just as the iPhone has given multi-touch to the Air, the Air could soon bring true wireless to the iPhone.

The iPhone could soon be able to sync wirelessly like we have always wanted. Also new firmware could be downloaded over 802.11.  When will we see true wireless on the iPhone? Maybe not until the… more...

This product is still in development but will be out soon and is a really cool one. Contour Design showed us a prototype and there was no question in our mind that this was deserving of iPhone Matters Best of Macworld 2008. What is it? Well it is a nifty two-chargers in one. One prong is for a regular outlet, and with a little flip you have a car charger. In the world of chargers for home and car this is a great travel charger for on-the-road, and then in the hotel. It will be certified Made for iPod and will be iPhone compatible, and with two ports you can charge two devices at once. A great idea, and great product execution.

The second product to receive iPhone Matters Best of Show is iSkin’s Cerulean line. What is super-cool about the Cerulean product is that it allows you to have a wireless bluetooth stereo experience with your iPhone.  Check it out!