Apple - Back to the Mac

So who else noticed that little facetime icon hideing away in the OS X dock during the unveiling of iMovie 11 Engadget sure did : )

That was the first thing that made me smile, next stop 10.7 aka Lion, I don't expect to see a revamp on the visual elements of the OS but I'm sure Apple have done what it does best and the OS framework will sparkle with little delights. Apple comfirmed that all its R&D on projects for the iPhone and later the iPad would be re-emerging in some way, shape or form in OS 10.7.

Who know maybe we will be blessed with a bunch of new touch gestures, touch screen iMacs or new breed of Macbook Pros with touch sensitive screen. If that is the case then my first question will be: how are you to keep all those grotty fingerprints off your screen?

...Microfiber cloth anyone?

The other major highlight of this event has been Apple's new Macbook Air, is it me or is it getting more are more like a super bad ass netbook. Granted Apple are pumping it full of electrical steroids to keep it more nippy then all other netbook counterparts, but with the induction of a 10" model, you can forgive me for thinking that this is Apples offering for those netbook fans out there.

Check out Engadget for a more through analysis, as here I have just keep it sweet and short

A step in the right direction?

Apple plots course for middle of mobile

Is it a step in the right direction? is this really want people want? Apple seem to think so.

With the help of the iPhone, Apple's profits rose 15% this year, so it seems that right now Apple do know exactly what the consumer wants. The problem that Apple and all other mobile device firms face is the constant battle to create a new product that differentiates them from the rest of the market, Apple did make the touchscreen market cool, but now it is overcrowded, this means a split in market share, and at hard economic times such as now, also means that budget models have a large advantage over any $300+ devices.

A market that one can think about, which is between the iPhone category and the MacBook category naturally falls into the domain of a new type of netbook, maybe the device would have a touchscreen, thus eliminating the need for an external keyboard, and mobile communications also built in, allowing for an internet experience on the go, without the necessity of needing a USB mobile broadband dongle, plus if they threw in a bluetooth headset then maybe they could also provide a talk/text and surf mobile tariffs...

All that is clear right now is the fact that people are looking to move into the smartphone market, but with the iPhone still priced relatively high, Apple could lose its strangle hold on the market and soon the likes of LG, Samsung or even Nokia could easily take over the touchscreen market with their cheaper but cheerful offerings.

But with the prospect of a new offering from Apple, I would not contest the presence of Apple fever, and thus another year of 15% profits.