New Macbooks and Macbook Pros

Earlier this afternoon it became official. The new update to the Macbook/Macbook Pro line was finally made public. I've been following the rumors for about 2 weeks now and so I'm happy with what I see... Over all, at least.

First off, the video cards have gotten a swift kick to the rear with a great touch-up. Plus the new design is eye-catching. I've heard mixed reactions about it from friends, but I'm happy with it.

However, I'm not please with the price of the lowest model. Bloody 1,200 dollars!! My god. Also, it was pointed out to me that the Macbooks have gotten rid of the Firewire connections, while the Macbook Pros only have the Firewire 800 port. Is Apple trying to get rid of the technology all together for some reason? My last major issue lies within the design itself. Will making the machines out of one piece make them easier or more difficult to repair?

Yet, here is one truth of the matter. I'm still going to buy one of them next summer.

Connected: The Movie (Conception of iPhone Edu.)

Here's a little something for everyone who is just getting / already had / thinking about gettting an iPhone.

This video was made by the students and facility at ACU - Abilene Christian University. The goal was to showcase the potential that the iPhone holds in classrooms across America. While it is fictional, a lot of the content seen is actually in development so it won't be before long when we'll finally see it in real life.

The video is a perfect example of one of my reasons for wanting to get into iPhone programming and just programming in general. I want to be able to be apart of the advancement of technology - I want the ability to make my dreams and ideals reach a level of manifestation in which they benefit as much people as possible, and as a result, the users treat my creations with as much love and respect as I will. I really do think that the iPhone is and will be a great tool for reaching all of that with.

And imagine what else the phone is being used for right now, for just technology in general. The conceptions and theories that are being explored. Doesn't it just make you sit beside yourself in awe?

iPhone 3G's Release Today

Today's the day. The new iPhone is now out and people are tripping among themselves to get it. I just got into work and I've already heard five people talk about the insane lines wrapping around Apple Stores everywhere in the city. While I am glad its finally out, I flat-out refuse to stand on ANY line to buy something I can easily just wait a few days for.

Its important to note that the new app store has been up since yesterday or so. The new iTunes update grants access to it and there are already a fair amount of applications ready to be purchased. It goes without saying that those numbers are going to shoot up within the months - I'll be surprised if it doesn't.

So to everyone who got their brand new shiny iPhones today - You all are bloody crazy. Have fun with them.

iPhone SDK 8

I've been playing around with the eighth beta of the iPhone's SDK for a while. I like it and all, but I have one problem - whenever I start up the iPhone simulator, it crashes and my program doesn't load. I sent in an error report to Apple a week or so ago in hopes that they fix it in time for their final release, which I hope will be soon - or at the very least, another update in the next few days.

WWDC '08

I just finished watching the keynote. And quite frankly I can only say this: OH MY GOD! *runs around like a little fanboy should* Now, I'm happy with all the new updates to the iphone, but sadly I can't talk about it right now. Math final bright and early tomorrow morning, but I'll make a post tomorrow evening or so recaping or whatnot. In the mean time, if you have not watched it yet go here. Also check this out for a nice little surprise (heres a hint: its about snow leopard...)

Is anyone else out there as excited as I am?

edit: go here as well for more info about snow leopard

Apple Store Visit

I finally got a chance to go to that new Apple Store on 14th and 9th yesterday. I went into Manhattan to meet up with my Japanese teacher but I felt that the day's good weather would be wasted by just sitting down so I suggested heading there. He agreed, seeing as how he had not been there yet and he's a big fan of macs just like I am. So we went and the was way too much fun. It's amazing how time just flies past - we must have spent hours in there. You see, I'm looking into buying a MacBook Pro when I'm going off into college to replace this MacBook I have now, so I'm looking into the market to see whats around. But funny thing is, when I was at the store, I somehow felt inadequate since I had my MacBook in my bag and I was around all those new and shiny laptops. That feeling persisted until I met a clerk who had asked me if I needed help with anything. Here is how that conversation basically went:

Clerk: "Hello sirs, do you need some help?"
Me: "Um no not really, I'm just looking into a new laptop, so I'm just wondering. See I want something new to get rid of my MacBook when I'm off to college. In fact, I feel bad about taking it out here. Its so old..."
Clerk: "You think thats bad? I'm still using an iBook G3."
Me: (slightly stares at him for a while in disbelief) "Oh.... I'm so sorry."
Shig: starts to laugh in the background...

So yea, I've learned not to complain anymore cause there are people out there who have it worst. Really worst. I then pulled out my Battle scared MacBook and got a little cleaning for it. (thanks a lot for that!) Afterwords, I went to look at the iPhones, yet another thing I plan on getting once I'm in college. I really like the look and feel of it and I would like to start programing for the thing.

One more thing that this trip was good for is that it really gave me more reasons for wanting the MOUSE internship at Tekserve. I've decided that that's the place I want to go to this summer, but more about that in a later post.

And so, this concludes my trip to that Apple Store. My god, I wonder how long it took me to get there - I've had plans to visit running back from October or so. Better late then never I'd suppose...

Mac OS X 10.5.2 update

The update has been out for a while now, but I have not had the time to install it and all. I'm not all that interested in the update, but I figure that I should still it anyways. After looking at the list of improvements (found here) there seems to be a lot of things they're adding. Some of it looks important as well, so I'm just going to give in and install it later tonight. Never know when it may be something significant.

iPhone Developer Program Woes

So I've been hearing that a lot of people signing up to join the Developer Program for the iPhone have been getting rejection emails. And because of that, there seems to be a bit of an uproar. But really, when I think about it, I can understand why. First of all, everything is still a beta, so of course rejections should have been expected. Also if I were one of the applicants, I would take some time to get use to the free SDK first before I went and dropped 99 dollars to join. So my message to people would be to just calm down. I'm sure that as Apple progresses with the beta program, more and more people will be let in. In the mean time, play around with programming environment and all and use the down time to perfect your programs as much as you can. While I hear that the price tag is fairly cheap (which i still have issues understanding. $99 sounds like a lot to me...), it makes no sense to pay it and then down the line decide to do something else with your time.

iPhone SDK

The iPhone SDK recently came out. I must say that if I actually had an iPhone, I would be all over this. Now that Apple have finally released this thing, I'm really expecting great things from pro and aspiring programmers alike.

Also, towards the bottom of the iPhone Dev page, there is a heading called "iFund". Seems like people are willing to invest $100,000,000 or so into companies programing for the iPhone. I don't know too much about it, seeing as how I'm not apart of a company and all, but it looks like something worth investigating.

And finally here are some links:
The iPhone SDK Keynote
Apple Developer Connection - iPhone Dev Center

Macbook Air

Apple recently released a new entry to the Macbook line called the Macbook Air. At first glance it looks really nice. I love the fact that one can use the trackpad to do all of these new techniques and what not. Also it would be great for carrying around. But I just can't see myself buying one. I'm currently using a normal Macbook and I love it - I just think that it would be pointless for me to go buy the Air. I'm not sure if I would be able to do what I do now on it with as much ease. And I'm willing to bet that waiting a while before buying one is the best move one could make. There will undoubtably be some very nice updates and changes to the price and features.

...

After playing around with the build to order opinions at apple.com I want to look into Solid State Hard Drives some more. They sound really interesting, especially when it costs 999 dollars for a 69gb one. They better be as good as people say they are.

Apple's New Opening in New York

So Apple is opening up a new store in Manhattan at 9th avenue and 14th street. I have plans to try and get there tonight. Good thing its only a few blocks from my where my mom works. Apple is known for their free giveaways thus I'm aiming to get me some. Hopefully something does not pop up and sucks up all my time. Anyways if I go, I'll post about the experience here.