MacRumors

One of the major stories coming out of CES is the revival of Palm with the release of the Palm Pre, the first smartphone to be based on their new webOS platform. The Pre, currently planned for a US release on Sprint sometime in the first half of this year, contains a 3.1-inch, 320x480 touch screen, 8 GB of memory, a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a 3-megapixel camera with flash, built-in GPS, an accelerometer, and Wi-Fi, 3G, and Bluetooth connectivity.

The Pre represents a break from Palm's existing Palm OS and will be unable to run existing Palm OS applications. Instead, Pre developers will develop using browser technologies including CSS, HTML and XML along with special APIs to access the hardware features of the new device. And of course, an "App Store" for third-party applications will also be accessible from the phone.

Gizmodo was impressed by the Pre in their hands-on preview, in which they highlighted the responsiveness of the Webkit-based browser and overall user interface. They were also impressed with screen and camera quality. The minor downsides they found included a lack of video recording and a lack of browser support for Flash, although several sources are speculating that Adobe and Palm are working on a Flash plug-in.

The Pre includes several features that iPhone users have been clamoring for, including copy-and-paste, MMS messaging, and the ability to allow applications to run in the background. The Pre also offers the option of Palm's Touchstone wireless charging station. The Touchstone technology, which requires an additional back cover for the Pre itself, charges the Pre's internal battery via magnetic induction when the device is laid on the charging station.

Pricing is yet to be announced, although Palm CEO Ed Colligan suggested that it would not come in significantly under the iPhone's $199 price point. In fact, Russian Mobile-Review blogger Eldar Murtazin, who previously provided accurate information on the cancellation of Motorola's RAZR 3, claims that the Pre will be priced at $399 with a Sprint contract. He also claims that a GSM version of the phone is reportedly due for release in the UK in the second half of 2009, a fact confirmed by Paul Ghent, vice president of sales for Palm Europe.

We're wrapping up our coverage from Macworld, and here is a diverse collection of items that may be of interest.

Cultured Code released the 1.0 version of Things alongside a version update to their iPhone app [App Store]. The Mac application won Best of Show and offers an "elegant and intuitive" task manager for organizing to-dos, notes, due dates, and projects. Things 1.0 for Mac is $49.95 and the iPhone companion application is $9.99.

Gryphon Corporation was showing off Ampli Phone, a passive amplifier for the iPhone. The scientifically designed horn amplifies the sound coming out of your iPhone without the need for any additional power source. The cradle for the iPhone allows room for cables to keep it powered and the entire unit can be turned on its side for watching video. Comes in black or white and is available for $29.95.

Music Skins provides officially licensed band decals that can be applied to your iPhone or iPod. Made from 3M vinyl and adhesive technology, they can be applied and removed without leaving a residue. Prices per skin is $15.00 and they are available for all iPod and iPhone models.

Psyclops introduced a new set of iPod nano silicon sleeves aimed at the 8-14 year old market. The company also offers an interactive online dance/music community in which kids can assemble their own dance videos by mixing available audio and video clips. These videos can be shared and downloaded to their iPods. Each case (example photo) comes with a unique code to unlock special dance moves. The company will also releasing an iPhone App that allows kids to create and share their videos on their iPhone or iPod touch.

Pogue questioned Phil Schiller about Apple's withdrawal from Macworld Expo. Schiller, of course, repeated what was said in the original press release: that trade shows had become less important and not worth the effort or money involved.

Schiller, however, also admitted that having to come up with a "dazzling" show each January was unsustainable. He also admits that January does not fit into the Apple's natural product timelines, which he specifically spelled out:

He noted that Apple marches to certain annual product cycles: the holiday season (Novemberish), the educational buying season (late summer), the iPod product cycle (October), the iLife development cycle (usually March), the iPhone cycle (June).

A number of iPhone-related applications have been featured at Macworld Expo, and here are a few that have caught our interest:

iToner 2 from Ambrosia Software enables free, quick ringtone creation and transfer without the need for hacks. The new version adds the ability to easily crop selections, incorporates Cleartone technology for optimizing sound quality for the iPhone speaker, and includes 40 bundled ringtones. iToner 2 is priced at $15, but is a free update for existing iToner users. A free trial is also available.

Beejive has announced BeejiveIM for iPhone 2.0 [App Store], bringing a host of new features to the versatile instant messaging application. New features include photo transfers, voice note transfers, iPhone address book integration, added file support for multimedia, PDF, and Microsoft Office files, configurable alert sounds, and a refreshed, more native-looking interface. BeejiveIM 2.0 is priced at $15.99 for new users, and is a free update for existing users.

Smule, creators of the popular Ocarina application (being demoed above), have released their newest offering, Zephyr [App Store]. Zephyr allows users to draw pictures or messages, to which "wind" sounds based on the users' movements are automatically added. Messages are sent randomly and anonymously around the world, and can be passed on from user to user. Zephyr is priced at $0.99.

Announced as part of Phil Schiller's keynote presentation, Apple has released Keynote Remote [App Store]. The application allows users to control Keynote presentations, view presentation notes, and preview upcoming slides via a Wi-Fi pairing between the user's iPhone or iPod touch and any Mac running Keynote '09. Keynote Remote is priced at $0.99.

ZDNet reports that the iPhone 3.0 firmware will support quad-core processors in an upcoming iPhone hardware revision. While Apple has not yet detailed iPhone 3.0 firmware, MacRumors has independently heard from a reliable source of this same multi-core support in the 3.0 firmware which should accompany the next iPhone.

Meanwhile, Imagination Technologies is announcing a multi-core GPU that could be suitable for iPhone use. Apple, an investor in Imagination Technologies, presently uses a less powerful version of their PowerVR GPU in the iPhone and iPod touch.

The likely candidate for the new iPhone's CPU, however, is a derivative of the ARM Cortex A9 multi-core processor. The ARM Cortex has excellent power efficiency, well ahead of Intel's Atom offerings. Apple appears to be an ARM architectural licensee and their acquisition of P.A. Semi has brought low-power chip design expertise into the company.

One of the more interesting products on display at the Macworld Expo is the HP MediaSmart Server EX485/EX487. The new server, which was the recipient of a Best of Show award, provides a home server solution for cross-platform environments.

The server contains an Intel Celeron 2.0 GHz processor, 2 GB of RAM and four hard drive bays, with additional expansion possible via one eSATA and four USB ports. Although a Windows PC is required for the initial setup (Boot Camp and virtualization software are officially unsupported for setup), once configured it is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux. Time Machine is supported for backups of networked Macs, while Windows machines are backed up using Windows Home Server. Local file and media sharing is available via Finder, while remote access to files stored on the server is available via Internet browser.

It also includes an iTunes server that centralizes iTunes music libraries for access by any networked Mac or PC with iTunes, as well as tools for simplifying uploads to photo-sharing sites such as Facebook, Picasa, and Snapfish. Online backup via Amazon S3 is also available for additional data protection.

The MediaSmart Server is offered in two configurations, the EX485 with one 750 GB hard drive for $599 and the EX487 with two 750 GB drives for $749.

Apple's announcement that they will no longer participate in future Macworld Expos has cast some doubts on the ongoing viability of the show. The Daily Geek reports that some Macworld vendors are not planing on returning in 2010, while others are taking a wait and see approach. In fact, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is taking advantage of the situation by trying to recruit Macworld exhibitors and promising that they will have a Mac area next year:

"CES told me they're having a Mac centric area next year," said David Polzine, the product manager for SmithMicro Software who was approached by a salesman at Macworld. "If it all moved to CES, that would work better for us."

While some vendors seem to welcome the shift to CES, many attendees we spoke to felt that CES would be a poor substitute to Macworld. Unlike Macworld, CES is a trade show tailored to industry employees and not accessible to the general public.

The Macworld Expo organizers are aware of these issues and held a town meeting addressing the future of the show. Ars Technica reported on the meeting and reveals that IDG is well aware of the unique community aspect of Macworld as compared to other trade shows and is trying to build on that strength.

"This is a different place" than the typical trade show, Kent explained. "We understand and embrace this community, and we want this community to have a say in the conference." IDG has set up a new site, macworldexpo.ning.com , where both attendees and visitors are encouraged to register, get to know each other, and provide feedback and new ideas for helping the show to continue and grow.

Plans for Macworld Expo 2010 are well underway and over 60 vendors are said to have committed to the show. IDG will be leverging some familiar faces in the Mac community for the next show. The NYTimes' David Pogue is slated to give "Anti-Keynote" for the event, while Daring Fireball's John Gruber will be hosting a session of noteworthy discussions in the Mac community.

Macworld Magazine presented their annual "Best of Show" awards this afternoon, highlighting a number of products showcased on the expo floor.

- WebEx for iPhone - free application allows iPhone users to participate in Cisco WebEx virtual meetings
- DayliteTouch - allows two-way syncing of appointments, calendars, tasks, notes, and projects
- Filemaker Pro 10 - industry-standard database application gains a fresh interface and new scripting tools
- HP MediaSmart Server EX485 - PC home server developed for multi-platform households can serve as a Time Machine backup and iTunes server
- Things - task-management application for the Mac provides intuitive organization and ability to sync with its iPhone counterpart application
- Pulse SmartPen - records audio and links the audio to what you write
- Sling Media - Slingbox PRO-HD and Sling.com live TV streaming gain Mac compatibility, and SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone and iPod touch due in March will allow users to watch their cable box and DVR media on the go
- iPhoto '09 - addition of Places and Faces features for organization, facial recognition software, and Facebook/Flickr integration
- Ecamm BT-1 - wireless webcam communicates via Bluetooth, streams video and audio, and is tripod-mountable

We've collected a few items of interest from vendors here at Macworld San Francisco:

Axiotron, with advisor and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak on hand, announced the Modbook Pro, a new tablet Mac based on the MacBook Pro. Pre-orders are available starting at $4998 for a complete system, or $3049 for users providing their own MacBook Pro for conversion. Orders are expected to begin shipping in May or June of this year.

TechRestore is offering a Matte screen replacement option for unibody 15" MacBook Pro owners who just can't deal with the glossy screen, a common concern after Apple discontinued the offering of matte screens from some of their notebooks. Cost for this replacement service is $199.

Matias announced Tune Blocker, a USB-to-Dock connector for the iPhone and iPod touch containing a switch allowing the user to select whether to charge and sync their device with iTunes as usual or to charge the device without mounting and syncing it in iTunes. Designed to help prevent users from accidentally overwriting their iPod data when connecting to a computer other than the one normally used for syncing, the connector will begin shipping in March with a 3-foot cable ($24.95) or 6-foot cable ($29.95).

Joby was showing off their Gorilla Pod camera stands which allow you to securely mount your camera onto "anything". Prices range from $24.95 to $139.95 depending on the size.

Apple's only hardware announcement yesterday was the 17" MacBook Pro revision which brings the laptop in-line with the rest of the unibody laptops introduced in November. The new notebook brings a few welcome changes to the high-end Apple notebook, including a maximum of 8GB of RAM.

The non-replaceable battery, however, has generated some complaints but Apple's promises that their technology should allow the battery to last 5 years before it needs replacing. When that time comes, Gizmodo was told that the battery replacement will cost $179.

While the elimination of the battery component (photo) extends battery life to a 8 hours, it also introduces some accessibility issues to items such as RAM and Hard Drives. On other unibody MacBooks and MacBook Pros, these are easily accessible through the battery compartment.

Apple has posted a video explaining the technology and reasoning behind the non-removable battery.

Sling Media is at Macworld demonstrating a couple of new products for Slingbox owners. The Slingbox is a set top box that allows you to stream video from your home television over the internet to any supported device (Mac, PC, Mobile Phone).

For Mac users, the company was demonstrating a prototype of SlingPlayer for Mac HD which finally allows Slingbox PRO-HD owners to stream HD content to their Mac. The HD player is a web-based system that allows easy access to your Slingbox. The release version is expected later in Q1 and will be available through Sling.com.

An even more anticipated product has been Sling Media's SlingPlayer for iPhone. Versions of this application have been demoed for months, but there has been little word on when an official App Store release was expected. This app will allow Slingbox owners to stream their home television to their iPhone over Wi-Fi, 3G and even EDGE. Sling Media was demonstrating an early version of the SlingPlayer for iPhone on the show floor. TheiPhoneBlog posted this detailed video demonstrating the product:

SlingPlayer for iPhone will be submitted to the App Store in March of this year. Sling Media representatives expect the application to be approved by Apple. Pricing has not yet been set. Sling Media also has a demo video of the iPhone version on their website.

Apple has posted the QuickTime video stream of today's Macworld Expo keynote by Phil Schiller. Apple made a number of announcements at today's event:

- Apple Releases Aluminum Unibody 17" MacBook Pro
- Apple Announces Changes to iTunes Stores: DRM Free, Variable Pricing
- Apple Releases iWork '09
- Apple Announces iLife '09

All of these announcements had been the subject of pre-event rumors, although several expected releases, including new Mac minis and iMacs, did not come to fruition. We will post a full rumor wrap-up in the next few days.

Apple announced a new 17" MacBook Pro which will be available in late January. Utilizing the same unibody construction as the 15" MacBook Pro and 13" MacBook, the 17" MacBook Pro will be available in a single alterable configuration for $2799 including the following:

- Three USB ports
- Mini DisplayPort
- Firewire 800 (no 400)
- Digital audio in/out
- Expresscard
- Gigabit Ethernet
- Magsafe
- $50 anti-glare option available

Like the 15" MacBook Pro, the notebook includes both 9400M and 9600M graphic and a glass button-less trackpad. 320GB HDD standard with a 256GB SSD upgrade available. RAM can be upgraded to 8GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 memory.

True to rumors, the new MacBook Pro has a longer-lasting battery which will run for up to 8 hours, but is now non-removable. Apple claims the battery can take up to 1000 charges and will run up to 5 years. Apple is also offering a take-back and recycling program if you need to replace the battery.

At today's Macworld Expo keynote, Apple announced several changes to the iTunes store.

Starting today, 8 million of the iTunes Store's 10 million songs are now available DRM-free via iTunes Plus. All 10 million songs in the iTunes Store will be offered DRM-free by the end of March. Apple will also offer users a one-click solution to upgrade their entire library to iTunes Plus for 30 cents per song or 30% of album prices.

Additionally, the iTunes Wi-Fi music store is now compatible with 3G, allowing iPhone users to preview and download the entire iTunes music catalog over the 3G cellular network. Songs are available at the same price and quality as over Wi-Fi.

Finally, beginning in April, the iTunes Store will offer pricing in three tiers ($0.69, $0.99, and $1.29) based on the prices the music labels charge Apple.

Update: Several users have reported that iTunes Store downloads are also working over AT&T's slower EDGE network.

In addition to iLife '09, Apple announced a major revision to its iWork suite of applications. iWork '09 is available now for $79/single user and $99/family pack, or only $49 with the purchase of a new Mac. It begins shipping today.

Keynote
New transitions, chart options. There's also a new Keynote Remote app for the iPhone and iPod touch to control Keynote wirelessly with video preview that changes depending on orientation.

Pages
Full screen viewing of documents, dynamic outlines, and a new mail merge with Numbers, which can connect with tables and lists in Numbers. Pages will also offer integration with MathType and EndNote. Additionally, there's a new set of 40 themes coming with the app.

Numbers
Table categories and 250 new functions will make things easier to understand.

iWork.com
A beta of this will be announced soon - offering collaboration options for notifying other people that you've changed documents, and allow others to review and edit them online. This will be a fee-based service offered by Apple once iWork.com launches.

Since OS X 10.5.x is required to run the new iLife, Apple is also offering a package of OS X 10.5, iLife '09 and iWork '09 for $169. This "Mac Box Set" will ship in late January when iLife '09 ships.