macworld

Peripherals

Kensington SlimBlade Trackball Built to Handle Digital Content

Posted by Sean Fallon at 5:30 AM on January 8, 2009

A trackball? In 2009? Indeed, Kensington is going retro with a new design that they claim is the first to "allow users to navigate and manipulate digital content through the ball itself."


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Computers

Modbook Pro Is Secret Son of an iPod Touch and a MacBook Pro

Posted by Jesus Diaz at 12:40 AM on January 8, 2009

No XL iPod touch pro or fabled Apple tablets at the Philnote. Too bad, because I want one badly. Maybe the new pen and touch-enabled Modbook Pro will do.


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Gadgets

As Macworld Fades Into CES...

Posted by Wilson Rothman at 2:30 PM on January 7, 2009

As our warriors move from the beachheads of SF to the trenches of LV, here's today's recap, and reminder that the war week is far from over:


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Peripherals

First Look at The Sharper Image's New Direction: Cheap iPod Docks

Posted by Adam Frucci at 11:30 AM on January 7, 2009

The Sharper Image is rebranding itself as a gadget maker here at CES, and now we have our first hands-on with their cheap iPod docks. Welcome to the future!

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Software

New Skype Beta For Mac Lets You Connect Via Boingo Hotspots In One Click

Australian Post Posted by Nick Broughall at 10:47 AM on January 7, 2009

Skype Blue Logo.jpgSkype has always been great for travellers, allowing free (or at the very least cheap) phone calls anywhere in the world via your PC or Mac. The latest beta version for Macs, announced today at Macworld, makes it even more traveller friendly with the ability to connect to Boingo Wi-Fi networks around the world using your Skype credit.

Skype Access, as it's called, scans for available Boingo wireless networks and presents a pop-up dialog box with the price per minute for using the network. The price is a global flat rate of about 26 cents per minute, which even when coupled with the cost of Skype-out charges, is still a lot cheaper than calling home from your mobile while overseas. Plus, there's the added convenience of not having to worry about giving your credit card details to a Wi-Fi hotspot provider.

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Hardware

Fastmac's Mac-Specific Blu-ray External Drive Is Slim and $US99

Posted by John Mahoney at 10:17 AM on January 7, 2009

The boys at Crunchgear spotted an intriguing portable Mac-intended "Blu-ray SuperDrive" from Fastmac--and while it's not swathed in unibody aluminium or glass, it looks like a pretty good get for $US99.

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Random Stuff

Apple Keynote Beer Goggles to Become Obligatory in 2009

Posted by Jesus Diaz at 9:30 AM on January 7, 2009

This one slipped even below Jim Goldman's rumour radar: The Apple Keynote Beer Goggles. Judging from today's snoringfest, I won't be surprised if they make them obligatory for every event in 2009.

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Regulars

Did You Enjoy The Keynote Any Less Without Steve Jobs?

Posted by Mark Wilson at 9:00 AM on January 7, 2009

Aside from the actual speculated products, the big news surrounding the Apple Macworld keynote was that Steve Jobs would be out sick. But as I refreshed the Gizmodo liveblog, I wondered, did it matter?

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Online

Watch the Entire Macworld 2009 Event

Posted by Sean Fallon at 8:57 AM on January 7, 2009

Liveblogs are great, but nothing beats seeing the last Macworld keynote with your own eyes. Fortunately, Apple has posted the entire event online in QuickTime. [Apple]

Entertainment

How You'll Pay For DRM-Free iTunes Downloads

Australian Post Posted by Nick Broughall at 8:26 AM on January 7, 2009

Apple's Macworld announcement that the entire iTunes catalogue is ditching the God-awful DRM that has kept it back is fantastic news for music lovers worldwide. After all, now you can purchase music that you can listen to on whatever device you want, however many times you want, all for the same price (until their new pricing structure kicks in, I guess). But what about the tunes you've already purchased, laced with hidden DRM and holding your music collection back?

Well, despite the fact that you can purchase the same tracks for the same price without DRM, if you've already purchased a DRM-encoded version, you'll need to pay Apple 50 cents per track to remove the restrictions, or $1.00 per track for music videos.

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