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Today's Apple announcements

Jan 15, 2008
7 comments

I watched the Apple announcements today with great interest. But in a way it is a relief that there is nothing I really have to go out and buy (which the iPhone was). Considering I bought a new computer a couple weeks ago, that really is a relief.

But that doesn't mean there wasn't anything of interest! For me, the best single thing was the upgrade to the iPhone software, and of the improvements there, the chief one is a "location finder" on the wonderful little maps application. Using information from networks, but not actual GPS, maps now can tell you almost exactly where you are. That, to me, is a great improvement to a web applications that was already very useful.

my iPhone with added buttons

There also is a neat and easy way to add new "buttons" to the "desktop." See photo

In the same general camp is an upgrade to the iPod Touch, which seems to me both excellent and necessary. Now a Touch can have all of the applications of an iPhone--except, of course, the ability to actually telephone. I didn't understand why these were left off in the first place, and adding them is a fine step.

I have to wait two weeks, but I am very interested in being able to rent movies and play them on my Apple TV. Of all recent Apple products, that one probably most failed to find a nitch. Well, I think it will have one--a big one!--now.

All in all, for me, this was pretty exciting. I am not going to rush out and purchase the new, very very very thin, portable computer. (Or the new wireless backup drive). I can get along with what I have for a while, and after all, over time, most products are improved, superseded, or reduced in price. So waiting doesn't hurt. But it is nice to know it is out there, setting a new mark for portable computing. I'm sure lots of people with bigger budgets than mine will want one.

Steve Jobs speech is now on the main Apple website, if you want to see it and all these new devices.