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Macworld 2009 Live Keynote Coverage

Aviv — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 02:10:09 +0000

Every year, thousands of top industry professionals and Apple enthusiasts get together in San Francisco, CA at the Moscone West to celebrate culture, technology and the way Apple has influenced the industry as a whole. This year is Apple’s last year in attendance. We will be covering all the angles of this year’s Macworld Conference & Expo, but when it comes to live-blogging, some of our friends have cooked up some nice ways to deliver the fast paced news. Below are a few helpful links for you to click come keynote time.

Where to get the best Live Macworld Keynote Coverage.
Site	Coverage Offered	Direct Links
MacRumors	Live Coverage, Twitter, RSS, Spoiler Free	Direct: http://www.macrumorslive.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/macrumors Spoiler Free: http://www.macrumors.com/spoilerfree
Gizmodo	Live Coverage	Direct: http://live.gizmodo.com/
Ars Technica	Live Coverage	Direct: http://arstechnica.com/liveblog Coverage: http://arstechnica.com/apple/macworld2009.ars Twitter: http://twitter.com/arsMacworld
The Mac Observer	Live Coverage	Direct: http://live.macobserver.com/article/2009/01/
TheDigitalLifestyle	Live Coverage (via hosted video stream)	Direct: http://thedigitallifestyletv.blogspot.com/
Popular Mechanics	Live Coverage	Direct: http://www.origin.popularmechanics.com/blogs/
gdgt	Live Coverage	Direct: http://live.gdgt.com/macworld
Engadget	Live Coverage	Direct: http://www.engadget.com/macworldlive
ComputerWorld	Live Coverage	Direct: http://blogs.computerworld.com/

As more of our favorite liveblogging destinations post their links, we’ll add them above. Enjoy !

Apple Notebook Event: Where to Get the Best Live Coverage

Aviv — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:00:48 +0000

Apple’s “notebook media event” will be taking place Tuesday, October 14th at 10am PST, and will be held at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California.

This Media Event will focus on Apple’s upcoming notebook line, and will begin at 10am PST

READ → Rumor Roundup: Notebook Media Event
READ → Oct 14th Apple Event: What You Should Expect to See

Live Coverage:

VISIT → Gizmodo
VISIT → Ars Technica
VISIT → Jim Goldman: CNBC

Additional Coverage
VISIT → MacRumors (Twitter)
VISIT → MacWorld
VISIT → CNET
VISIT → The Mac Observer

Google Phone Drops Today, Officially the “T-Mobile G1 with Google”

Aviv — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 07:02:34 +0000

Through years of speculation, we could only anticipate (and pray) that the “G-Phone” would be coming at some point. Today, Google is dropping the “T-Mobile G1 with Google” mobile phone running Google’s shiny new Android mobile operating system. Extremely good for the mobile market, this could prove to be the only competition Apple and the iPhone truly have.

Google’s Android development platform is pretty much the opposite of what Apple has created with the iPhone SDK. Google is going for a completely open platform where developers can openly discuss and share code, as apposed to Apple’s closed environment protected by NDA agreements and cold app store rejections. Alongside Android, Google is launching an iPhone-like app store call the Android Market. A previous explanation sums it up best: They [Google] are planning an “open and unobstructed” environment where apps are not banned for content, functions, or stupidity. The store itself will still be hosted by Google (like Apple’s App Store), and the overall concept is the same… To give third-party developers neutral ground to share, distribute and sell their applications easily, and securely.” This will undoubtedly enrich the mobile market and offer even more robust solutions for the end user. Google could provide some solid competition for Apple, and this would intensely benefit the mobile industry.

The entire approach for both side goes back to the respective companies and their core beliefs on development. Where Google finds solace in sharing code with the rest of the world, Apple keeps its code proprietary and protects it like a nuclear missile. Google’s push with Android lends itself to being sold with numerous hardware options, similar to Microsoft and Windows (you can buy a Dell, Gateway, Toshiba or Sony all running Windows). If Google has things go their way, the same would happen with Android (you could buy an HTC, Motorola, LG, or any hardware maker capable of running Android). But things get mucky this way, and its a sure fire way to lose control of a seamless user experience while needing to integrate with multiple handsets. While open development is a beautiful thing, if not well moderated (like Wordpress for example), the entire project can turn into a bloated mess. With Google’s “free-for-all” Android Market, it seems this could easily be the case.

Albeit a completely different approach, Apple’s closed ecosystem works for them. You will never be able to buy a mobile phone that has not been designed by Apple, running their OS. The mistakes Apple made with the Mac early on have been circumvented with their current plan for Global Domination. By pushing through the mobile market and making the iPhone available globally, Apple is avoiding the troubles that may come from being a closed ecosystem.

Both development methods stem deep into the core principles each company holds. Only time will tell if Google can attract the developers and keep the Android platform shiny and running clean. For the sake of the industry, it would be nice to see some competition in the market place so innovation doesn’t grow stale (on both ends).

Leaked Photos of the First Google Android Phone, “T Mobile G1 With Google”

To get even more familiar with Android and what you can expect, Gizmodo’s Matt Buchanan has put together a nice list of 5 reasons why you’ll love Android, and 5 reasons why you might shy away. The T-Mobile, Google Android Event kicks off today at 9am Eastern. You can catch a liveblog of the event over at the usual spot, and check back on the T-Mobile website for an on-demand version of the event.

Apple’s iPhone Is The Elephant In the Room At Mobilize ‘08 Conference

Aviv — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 22:15:22 +0000

At GigaOm’s Mobile Conference “Mobilize ‘08″, which continues through the rest of the day today. Apple’s iPhone has been the one constant mobile device and development platform that all companies, panels and discussions have mentioned, at least once.

Mobilize ‘08 is a conference put on by Om Malik’s GigaOm. The entire event showcases some truly remarkable speakers including some industry leaders from Google, Microsoft, Facebook, MySpace, Sprint, AT&T and some heavy hitting Angel Investors and Venture Capitalists.

MacBlogz has been following the coverage all day and one thing that we feel needs to be mentioned is the iPhone’s influence on discussions that are occurring at the event. The day is broken into panel discussions with titles like “Platform Face-Off: The Economics of Development,” and “Thinking Experientially: What creates good mobile user experience?” So as you can see, there is no lack of knowledge on the mobile market, or lack of probing into the market’s future. In fact, the density of intelligence here, both about mobile and non-mobile development and business models is highly impressive.

Throughout the entire day, countless representatives from all companies, and within nearly every single panel discussion, have allowed Apple’s iPhone to take the illustrious spotlight if only for a brief moment. Most recently, in a panel discussion titled “Money and Friends: The Promise of Social Networks on Mobiles,” Join Faith from MySpace Mobile, Evan Tana from Loopt and Chamath Palihapitiya from Facebook, all took a moment to discuss how (in the face of poor mobile convergence and experiences), Apple and the iPhone as a development platform, have changed the mobile world forever, opening up countless doors for rich user experiences and applications.

This message has so far echoed throughout the entire event, making Apple’s iPhone by far the biggest “Elephant in the room.” When Apple released an SDK, in response to a loud outcry from the developer community, most of the industry was able to come to terms with the fact that Apple was changing the face of the mobile market, forever. Aside from skeptics here and there, and the occasional “competitive attempts”, Apple’s iPhone, as a device and user experience has far been in a league of its own. The global success of the device has not been showcased at Mobilize ‘08, more than it has been thanked for “bringing the attention that was needed to the mobile world.”

Although the conversation has not yet shifted to the debate about Apple’s App Store Approval Process, we have heard Steve Jobs being referred to as “The Devil.”

You can watch a live stream of the rest of the day’s events here.
Check out the events and general information about Mobilize here.

Official: iPhone and iPod touch Software Update 2.1 – Addresses Major Fixes

Aviv — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:01:52 +0000

iPhone owners will get a free 2.1 update (available this Friday), that is said to “fix lots of bugs.” It will improve battery life, drop less calls, address crashing problems, increase speed for iTunes backups and various other fixes. Looks like they’re listening to customer feedback and the community. Apple’s generally been good at this in the past, we’re glad to see it’s not changing.

The new iPod touch will ship will software version 2.1, included with Nike+iPod and Genius playlists. First generation iPod touch owners will get a free upgrade from software version 2.0.

Updates will be available today.

[image via Engadget]

Official: 2nd Generation iPod touch released (Pricing) – Nike+iPod

Aviv — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:49:53 +0000

Pricing: All Available Today:
• 8GB is $229 • 16GB is $299 • 32 GB is $399

iPod touch

The second generation iPod touch has been officially announced. It is now thinner, has a contoured steel design, integrated volume control on the side, built in speaker, and Genius playlist creation. Nike+iPod will be BUILT IN to new models. Older models will need a receiver.

Nike + iPod

Contrary to Non-Authentic interface images being previously leaked. The REAL Nike+iPod has been officially released today. It will be built in to the new iPod touch. First gen iPod touch owners will get an upgrade to software version 2.1 from 2.0, and they will be available today. “This is the funnest iPod ever” – Steve Jobs.

[images via Gizmodo]

Official: iTunes 8 Available Today – 4th gen iPod nano Released

Aviv — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:31:03 +0000

iTunes 8

iTunes 8 has officially been announced. It will be available today as a free download. It will feature HDTV shows for $1.99 in SD, and HD will be $2.99. NBC is coming back to iTunes, and they’re coming back strong in HD. The heavily rumored genius feature is true. “We’re introducing a new feature call Genius-it allows you to make playlists in your songs that go together great. It helps you to rediscover music in your library, and it works really well.” The Genius Sidebar makes recommendations from the iTunes store directly in your iTunes interface.

iPod nano 4th Generation

Just like the rumors pointed out, it’s the thinnest iPod ever! It has returned to the tall/slender form factor. The front is curved glass and the body is curve aluminum. It has an enhanced UI, plus an accelerometer. HUGE! And you can create Genius playlists directly on the nano.

It will be available in 9 colors. Catch phrase is nano-chromatic.

[images via Gizmodo and Engadget]

Apple Stores Down; Pre-Event Images

Aviv — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:23:01 +0000

The Apple Online Store is down heading into the event, which is set to begin in about 45 minutes. Let’s hope Steve looks healthy and happy as he delivers the announcements. Be sure to head on over to live.gizmodo.com, Ars Technica, Engadget or MacDailyNews for live coverage.

The below images are courtesy of the Gizmodo crew prior to the event kicking off. I’m not sure if by “Let’s Rock” Apple meant for everyone to dress up like Steve Jobs. But, it looks like a memo went out early this morning.

The Excitement is Palpable; Getting Ready For Apple’s “Let’s Rock” Event

Dave — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 10:30:26 +0000

The anticipation is building as the moment that we have all been waiting for is rapidly approaching. Can you feel the excitement? We sure can, and wanted to let you know that we will be here bright-eyed and bushy-tailed ready to serve up the juiciest news and announcements about Apple’s “Let’s Rock” event beginning at 10:00 a.m. PST.

Over the past week we have reported rumors of what tomorrow’s event may have in store for us, so let’s quickly recap what we may expect to see.

First and foremost, rumors of a tall and thin iPod nano, reminiscent of the second generation model have been the primary focus of what will be announced. While early reports had been met with initial skepticism, we are now confident that the device will make an appearance. Digg’s Kevin Rose had offered up confirmation to the design which had later led to an authenticated photograph of the device.

Rose also reported that a second generation iPod touch would see the light of day with a few “cosmetic changes” which may include GPS functionality and will be coupled with 2.1 firmware. Possible dimensional images had been released by iLounge, detailing the specs of the device which appear to be similar to the iPhone 3G.

iTunes 8, said to sport Pandora-style Genius feature, Genius Sidebar, Grid view, and visualizer as well as other features has been speculated to be released at tomorrow’s event. Ars Technica has confirmed its release after repudiating initial details first reported by Kevin Rose.

Additionally, Apple has reportedly been urging facets of the media to provide coverage of the event which is being touted as a “big deal.” Could this be hope for some additional surprises? Well, we are just going to have to wait and see.

Where to get the best Let’s Rock Live-Coverage.
Site	Coverage Offered	Direct Links
Gizmodo	Live Coverage	Direct: http://live.gizmodo.com/
Ars Technica	Live Coverage	Direct: http://arstechnica.com/index.ars

MacBlogz Recommends Gizmodo or Ars Technica For Tomorrow’s Live Coverage

Aviv — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 20:01:18 +0000

Tomorrow’s Let’s Rock event is surely going to bring some nice surprises, as well as some expected announcements. While we wish we could be there, MacBlogz won’t be providing live-coverage of the event tomorrow. But we will be following the event coverage on Gizmodo and Ars.

We prefer to get our live coverage from Gizmodo or Ars Technica (links below). They offer a stable method of updates and usually leave all the fluff out as well. Which is important when you need your fix.

Tomorrow’s event begins at 10 am Pacific Time and is being held at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco, California. The photo to the right was taken this weekend and shows the massive banner Apple has already draped on the front facing side of the building.

Where to get the best Let’s Rock Live-Coverage.
Site	Coverage Offered	Direct Links
Gizmodo	Live Coverage	Direct: http://live.gizmodo.com/
Ars Technica	Live Coverage	Direct: http://arstechnica.com/index.ars