Quick Update...

Gosh, I've really let my blog slip! I'm in frantic catchup mode at the moment and working my socks off to meet a deadline. Off to Tunisia for a week in a few days for a family holiday and I've taken on some commissioned work for a big Mac software developer who needs eight screencasts done and dusted before I go. Plus, there's this weeks and next weeks show as well and I've got 5 days! Oh Lordy! I promise when I come back from my hols I'll be keeping the blog up to date.

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The New iMac Unboxing

Now I'm not even in the market for a new iMac but this video from Unboxing.com made me reconsider :-) Watch at your (wallets) peril!

Technorati Tags: Apple, iMac

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Adsense Revenue for Apple...

Just got iWork 08 and iLife 08 today! Very impressive but it's going to take me a while to absorb it all and plan a few (!) shows around it. What was interesting though was the inclusion of Google Adsense Ads as a web widget in iWeb. It allows you to simply insert Google adsense ads into your websites very easily. I already gave an adsense account so fired up the web widgets and yes, it is easy! The funny thing is I received an email from Adsense a few moments ago asking if this was OK and advising that

Apple will keep a percentage of the revenue that you accrue on their website as described below:

Now currently it's showing all 0% but I wonder when they'll flick the switch? It looks like Apple are developing a nice little revenue stream - like they need it ;-)

Technorati Tags: Apple, Google, Adsense, iWeb, iLife 08

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The Aftermath....

You know, I really shouldn't make predictions! So how did I do.... iMac - Pretty much a given as I said. They do look gorgeous and I'm looking forward to seeing one in the flesh. Apple Cinema Displays - Total miss on that one - I really don't know what the delay with these is all about? BluRay or HDDVD - Again a no show. I did read that Apple may wait until the format war is over or even skip them completely as most delivery will be via the web. Didn't Steve make an off the cuff comment about some people still want to burn DVDs? iWork 08 and Spreadsheedt - I'll claim this one as spot on. iLife 07 - Doh! iLife O8 - bold as brass and no reliance on Leopard 0 now there is a suprise. In some respects it's a disappointment as it may mean there are no more super secret features in Leopard and iLife isn't using core animation. Perhaps there will be a Leopard version at MacWorld. But still, looks like an awesome release. .Mac Upgrade - More storage, web based ajaxy stuff (a la Web Gallery) plus more integration with iLife - I'll claim this one as well! So 3 out of 6 - not bad! But I think that for most people that expectations were exceeded and it's the first keynote for a while where the following day the overriding feeling has not been disappointment due to over hyped anticipation. And they didn't kill the Mac Mini - they refreshed it!

Technorati Tags: Apple, iMac, Leopard, mac, Steve Jobs, .Mac

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Latest Apple Event

Just another 8 hours to go to Apple latest "Mac focussed" event. Yes, we Brits have a full working day ahead of us before we get to hear about the latest and greatest - more time for anticipation to build! This one feels different though? We know it's Mac related so we have a steer and I'm wondering if that has helped tone down the usually rampant rumour mongering that goes on for weeks before these events? The money is on a refresh of the iMac range and I suppose that's a pretty safe bet. Exactly what the refresh will entail may still surprise us! Other fairly safe bets are the redesign of the Apple Cinema displays with built in isight cameras - these are long overdue. I'm looking to purchase a new monitor but I've held back until the event. However, with the price premium of Apple displays I may pass on this unless they come up with a killer configuration. Some medium term bets include Apple finally releasing the next generation of optical drives - either BluRay or HD-DVD. We'll see but I could really do with some serious archival media. Other possible (OK - wishes) announcements could cover an updated iWork and the missing spreadsheet module but this may be tied in to Leopard. ilife O7 - Nah! I think this is definitely a Leopard only release so I don't hold out much hope for that .Mac Upgrade - Hmm, I've got a feeling about this. Other than the revamped web based email updates several months ago, Apple have not really done much with .Mac recently. We know that there are some new features due in Leopard (by the way - now only 8 - 12 weeks away) but it might be worth Apple re-engineering and re-launching a revised .Mac in advance of the Leopard release with the Leopard hooks already installed and waiting. I've also heard that September is a big month for Apple renewals so now might be a good time to re-launch) What would an .Mac upgrade entail? I'd be expecting major storage bumps, more web based ajaxy stuff plus possibly some additional integration with Google services. Anyway, another few hours and all will be revealed but this may be the first Apple event in a while where expectations are exceeded rather than disappointed! I just hope they don't kill off the Mac Mini.

Technorati Tags: Apple, iMac, Leopard, mac, Steve Jobs, .Mac

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