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Macworld Expo NY '99

It wasn't an auspicious beginning, to say the least.

It happened something like this: I wanted to go to Macworld Expo this year, but didn't think I'd be able to afford it. Then, when my circumstances changed and I knew I'd be able to make it after all, something came up and I knew that this year's trip to New York to mix with the faithful simply wasn't going to happen.

That was a major disappointment, but as a consolation I figured I'd at least be able to watch Steve Job's keynote address via QuickTime. Sounded like a good plan to me! What's more, I'd finally get to put some of the latest technology to use. QuickTime's streaming potential has been all that Apple has talked about for a while now, and what better way to demonstrate that technology than to broadcast the keynote speech live? Sure, I've watched a few QT streaming programs before, but not something this involved. So here would be my first real test of QuickTime 4.0.

Well, so much for the best laid plans and all that.

While QuickTime TV may be the wave of the future, it sure isn't a technological marvel yet, at least for most of today's Internet users. Why?

Bandwidth.

I have no doubt that if I were connected to the Net via a cable modem, I would have gotten much better results. But on my 56k modem--using a standard ISP with a dial-up service--it was actually uncomfortable to watch: blurry picture even at a low resolution, choppy or nonexistent sound, and dropped feeds left and right. I did get to see a good twenty minutes of it, though that came in one minute intervals over a period of an hour. I have no doubt that streaming is the future, but to be viable it'll require users to have access to enough bandwidth. And that's simply a matter of time.

But let's talk about the really big news, shall we?

The iBook. The Macintosh universe had been waiting for this for some time, and was now watching for the first glimpse of this machine. But for some, the iBook was a disappointment. It really wasn't the radical design that many felt Apple would embrace. When Steve Jobs first unveiled the iMac, there was nothing else like it. It was revolutionary, radical, and would immediately change the direction of desktop computing. The iBook, many feel, is just a PowerBook version of the iMac in features and cosmetics.

Is a PowerBook version of the iMac such a bad thing?

Not from where I sit. That's because without question, the iBook will be another huge success for Apple, and that's great news for all of us. Priced at $1,599, it's not only the most affordable portable notebook from Apple, it may be the most powerful, affordable notebook computer from any manufacturer! Indeed, with all its features and add-ons, I wonder how Apple could pull off such a low price. (For all those "it needs to be under $1,000!" pundits, I would challenge you to find a PC notebook with the features of the iBook for under $2,500!) With a little luck, My Mac hopes to have a review of the iBook very soon. You can check out what the staff thinks of the iBook at: http://www.mymac.com/exclusives/web_only/ibook.shtml

Also making big news was Mac OS 9.0. Adam Karneboge, our webmaster, has a preview of an early beta build (b2c2) in this issue. Be sure to check it out!

Well, folks, now that Macworld NY is over, I can give you a hint concerning some upcoming news. Macworld Expo is an industry trade show, not a consumer show. Never has been, probably never will be. Wouldn't it really be great if there was a consumer-based Mac show, like a Macintosh Convention? One which would travel to different areas of the United States each year, with two or three shows a year in different cities? A show which would run on a weekend and not during a workweek? A show with family discounts, a ton of software available for you to buy, and a chance to meet with LOTS of other people interested in the Mac? Would you be interested in attending something like this?

It's coming...

Have you heard of the E-Power, the iMac ripoff? Its manufacturer, Future Power, Inc., merely copied the entire design of Apple's hugely successful iMac, and now wants to sell their knock-off to a Wintel world starved for even a whiff of innovation. Of course, Apple isn't taking this lying down, and to protect their investment has sued to prevent its distribution. Go Apple!

The Apple year to date
So far, so good, for Apple. The earnings for each quarter continue to rise, inventory continues to decline to the best position for any computer manufacturer, and new products are being introduced to good reviews from the press and from the reviewers. But most importantly, the consumer is happy. Apple didn't disappear at was predicted, but came back with a roar to grow and maneuver itself into a better market position. I wonder what the next quarter will bring?

Tim Robertson
publisher@mymac.com
Russ Walkowich
editor@mymac.com

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