WWDC: My Thoughts

We thought it would never happen, and now it has: WWDC 2009! Let's jump right into it...

iPhone 3G S

The iPhone 3Gs (Speed). We saw the iPhone 3.0 update in March, but now comes the new hardware. Just off the ad, you'd think the only thing new was video recording. Yes, Apple integrated VGA video recording AND editing right on the device! Everybody wanted it, now we have it. Also, the camera has been updated from 2MP to 3MP, as to keep up with phones like the Palm Pre, BB Storm, or Samsung Impression. It also has autofocus, built-in macro for closeups, and previews of the last picture you took so you can quickly send it to someone... or delete it.

The iPhone 3Gs now has faster internet speeds on 3G. Webpages now process at 7.2 Kbps, instead of 3.6 Kbps, when on a 3G network. The 3Gs now also has voice command, which was also highly requested, in addition to a compass found in Maps.

Aside from that, you also get choice of 16 or 32GB in your iPhone for $199 and $299, respectively. The specs remain that same for thickness, height, weight, etc. It still comes in black and white for both capacities, as well.

If you don't think it's worth the extra money, don't fret; the iPhone 3G is still being sold for $99 in the 8GB black model.

MacBooks

The MacBook family was also updated today. Earlier, Apple updated the MacBook page to feature just the white plastic model. Why? So they could launch the 13" MacBook Pro, of course!

The specs on the white MacBook are:

2.13GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

2GB DDR2 RAM

160GB Hard Drive

Nvidia GeForce 9400M

$999

MacBook Pro

With that, they decided to call the aluminum MacBooks the 13" MacBook Pro. I think I like the sound of that. There are now 2 13" models, 3 15" models, and 1 17" model.

13" MacBook Pro:

2.26GHz or 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

2GB or 4GB RAM

160GB or 250GB Hard Drive

SD Card Slot

FireWire 800

Backlit Keyboard

Built-In 7 hr. Battery

Nvidia GeForce 9400M

$1199 or $1499

15" MacBook Pro:

2.53GHz, 2.66GHz, or 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

4GB RAM

250GB, 320GB, or 500GB Hard Drive

Nvidia GeForce 9400M or 9400M  + 9600M with 256MB or 512MB

$1699, $1999, or $2299

17" MacBook Pro

2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

4GB RAM

500GB Hard Drive

ExpressCard 3/4 Slot

8 hr. Battery

9400M + 9600M w/ 512MB

$2499

MacBook Air

Let's not forgot our old buddy, the MacBook Air! It's actually starting to have some value!

1.86GHz or 2.13GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

2GB RAM

120 GB Hard Drive or 128GB SSD

Nvidia GeForce 9400M

$1499 or $1799

Finally, let's talk about the new OS that every Mac user is looking forward to: Snow Leopard

Snow Leopard (Mac OS X v10.6)

Long awaited, ever since WWDC 2008, but Snow Leopard is [almost] here.

The Finder now supports 64-Bit, as well as Grand Central Dispatch. Also, Expose is now integrated into the Dock. Along with that, Stacks in the Dock are now scrollable. Time Machine, boot-up, shut-down, and wireless connection are now 50% faster. Installation of Snow Leopard is 45% faster. Snow Leopard includes Quicktime 10 (includes faster YouTube uploading). Snow Leopard, as opposed to Leopard, frees up 6GB of your Hard Drive. iChat is now Hi-Res. Automatic time zone setup, automatic printer updates, more powerful Safari, more reliable disk eject, more efficient file sharing, and easier PDF text selection is included in Snow Leopard.

What may be the coolest feature, despite possibly being the least used, is innovative Chinese text typing on your new MacBook Pro, Air, or Aluminum MacBook. Because of the gesture support, Snow Leopard allows for handwriting Chinese characters on the trackpad. I don't speak Chinese, but that sounds freakin' awesome!

For Leopard (v10.5) users, upgrading to Snow Leopard (v10.6) is only $29, unless you buy a Mac between now and the day before launch, in which upgrading is $9.95. After then, it's included with all Macs. It will be available in September, just in time for the new iPods to be released.

Thanks Phil!