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WWDC was kind of low key...
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It looks the same...but it's faster. It's the iPhone 3G-S
Well, that was fun. After all the hype, rumors and speculation, the only thing that came true in the end was the iPhone 3.0 software rumors. I suppose you can't be all that disappointed. They were, after all, rumors and speculation. There was no Mac Tablet. There was no magical video-chatting iPhone. There wasn't any Steve Jobs.
Oh well.
I watched the live updates being streamed from MacRumors.com all day as the Keynote went down at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, CA. Honestly, I wasn't all that impressed. I suppose you can't expect every WWDC to blow the pants off you, but I was hoping for a lot more.
But just because Apple isn't releasing some new paradigm changing device doesn't mean there aren't any goodies to munch on. This year's WWDC felt more like rummaging through your stocking at Christmas than opening the big present under the tree.
That stocking stuffer was the iPhone 3G S -- the 's' standing for 'speed'. Other than all the iPhone 3.0 software stuff you've come to expect (cut and paste, MMS, voice control, etc...), you now get a faster processor under the hood, along with a 3 mega-pixel camera, a digital compass, quicker 'net speeds and video recording. The Keynote presentation showed some interesting integration with Google Maps coupled with the compass, and even demoed on-the-fly video editing. I'm not sure how practical that all is, but Apple tends to know best. I have a feeling it'll be one of those things you didn't know you needed until you start using it.
You can watch a tour video at Apple's site, with all the specifics. It's just simply cool.
They're still pushing the iPhone 3G -- regular -- but only in an 8GB iteration. It is, however, going to be sold at a reduced price of $99 with a two year contract. Not too shabby, other than your two year lock-down, but a starter-level none the less. A huge difference from the $599 people were forking over two years ago.
Over all, the showcase item was the iPhone, again. You have to wonder if Apple can keep this up -- people will eventually get tired of buying a new iPhone every year. Even iPods have a longer grace period for major upgrades. The trick for a potential 2010 iPhone is going to have to be a killer app or some gorgeous feature -- like the aforementioned video conferencing.
The other news, other than the iPhone? We've got some new MacBooks, price cuts and Snow Leopard. For under the hood upgrades, Snow Leopard looks like it's going to be a real gem. I'm excited.
Catch me soon for the analysis and witty banter.
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