Macworld 2008: Did it Bring What You Wanted?

Mac, iPod and iPhone fans and other Apple enthusiasts have had their Christmas in January, and now they're seeing if Santa Steve brought everything they asked for. Since Apple's been having a pretty good year with iPods and iPhones (except for China), it seems like his bag should be full. Was it?

Tom Krazit from CNET posted a digested version of Macworld highlights, which include the MacBook Air, software upgrades for gadgets, a WiFi version of Time Machine, and something more interesting to do with Apple TV, rent movies on iTunes, Apple's online content delivery service.

Krazit's analysis was somewhat skeptical, and he seems to be on target. Apple has some interesting "tweaks" to products, but nothing that's going to be something new to play with until next year's Macworld. He also notes that Randy Newman wasn't the hottest act they've had at the expo, which suggests that Apple thought they didn't need dazzling entertainment to cover a lack of exciting announcements.

For me, some of the products actually were exciting, but in incremental ways. The MacBook Air has some style, and it's not a totally crazy price point. How do they make it so thin? Time Machine is a great innovation (since backups are still something even the savvy neglect), and doing backups via WiFi Time Capsule to a big chunk of storage will make it simple and plug-free. I'm still skeptical of mechanical connections that need to be repeated daily, so this is a bigger plus than some may realize.

Bringing the iPod Touch some of the iPhone's applications is great, and a little out of Apple's usual character of using features to drive consumer purchases. They still think I'll buy both! They could be right.

The Apple TV, which was in danger of becoming more a hacker's box than a useful appliance, will allow Apple to channel revenue through iTunes, and I bet it will draw some attention. It will attract people who already are interested in Apple TV's features, and those who would like an alternative Video On Demand source besides companies like Comcast.

Apple Gazette in their predictions noted that there were some things that they were better off not announcing, such as the iTablet. Apple has in recent years had more wisdom about avoiding Frankenstein combinations of technologies in hopes of finding a use for them. A leaked "Stevenote" was recounted on Wired's blog, a lot of which came true - the rumors add a lot to Macworld, like the pregame show before NFL championships.

Even though they may not seem like big changes, Steve Jobs brought some interesting Macworld presents this year, but there's one thing I wish he had brought me - greater integration among Apple information appliances in my own home, and when I'm on the road. Turning to iTunes and cell providers for all I need suits them well, but I'd love to have more Slingbox-like technology and the like for the future. I would look to the hacker world to fulfill more of my needs, but Apple's approach towards hacking the iPhone suggests that they will be looking for more doors to shut in that area in the future.

"Breaking down Macworld 2008 from all sides", Tom Krazit, http://www.news.com/8301-13579_3-9851429-37.html?tag=nefd.blgs

"8 Predictions for Macworld 2008", http://www.applegazette.com/mac/8-predictions-for-macworld-2008/

"Macworld 2008 Stevenote leaked on Wikipedia", http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/01/macworld-2008-s.html
"Apple Loses a Big One in China", http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/jan2008/gb20080114_004018.htm?campaign_id=rss_daily