MacWorld underwhelms as Apple unveils updates

Thu Jan 8 2009, 09:55 AM UTC

Apple disappointed consumers and observers as it unveiled a number of software upgrades and details of a new MacBook, in a final MacWorld keynote that lacked a major new product launch.

Rumours of a large-screen iPod, Apple netbook and 32Gb iPhone all proved unfounded, as Apple's SVP of worldwide product marketing, Phil Schiller, unveiled changes to the iTunes store and a new online extension to office suite iWork.

Among the product roll-outs, Apple announced that its new 17-inch MacBook pro model will deliver eight hours of battery life, and will withstand 1,000 charges - roughly three times the lifespan of conventional laptop batteries.

The new version of iWork will feature a number of updates including a new full screen view and a tool to help categorise data. The programme will also connect to iWork.com, a service designed to let users share documents online that launches in beta mode.

Meanwhile, Apples has made updates to a number of other software products. Picture application, iPhoto 09, features new tagging and organisation tools, making users' picture libraries easier to search, while video-editing software iMovie offers new editing, drag-and-drop and image stabilisation tools. In addition audio-editing programme, Garageband, now offers how-to instruction tutorials for playing the piano or guitar.

Finally, in what many commentators view as the most significant consumer breakthrough, Apple has dropped DRM encryption from iTunes. Songs will be available in a higher-quality 256kbps AAC format and from April will be priced at either USD0.69, USD0.99 or USD1.29, based on release date and popularity.

Schiller acted as a late stand-in for Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who is undergoing treatment for a hormone imbalance. In previous years, Jobs' enigmatic displays have defined the MacWorld event. Last year Jobs unveiling the ultra-thin MacBook Air at the conference, while 2007 saw the launch of the iPhone.

Last month, Apple announced that this MacWorld will be the last it attends, claiming "trade shows have become a very minor part of how Apple reaches its customers."

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