Macworld Expo San Francisco 2006 Showtime Awards
January 16, 2006 - 09:42 PST   We are pleased to announce the MacMinute Showtime Awards for the 2006 Macworld Conference & Expo held in San Francisco last week. Below you'll find our editor's picks of 12 of the coolest, most interesting hardware and software products shown or announced during the Mac extravaganza. To be considered for an award, products had to either have started shipping or have been demonstrated during the event. Among the winners are: Apple's MacBook Pro, Griffin's TuneFlex for iPod nano, DLO's HomeDock for iPod, DEVONtechnologies' DEVONagent 2.0, Micromat's TechTool Protege, and Slide's beta Slide Player for Mac OS X.

Apple's MacBook Pro
The new 15.4-inch widescreen MacBook Pro features a one inch thick aluminum enclosure, weighs 5.6 pounds, includes a built-in iSight video camera, the Apple Remote and Front Row software, and Apple's new patent-pending MagSafe magnetic power connector, designed especially for mobile users.

Apple's Intel-based iMac
The new Intel-based iMac features an Intel Core Duo processor, delivering performance that is up to twice that of its predecessor. Also featured is a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing out-of-the-box, and the breakthrough media experience of Front Row with the Apple Remote for a simple, intuitive and powerful way for consumers to enjoy their content from across the room. iLife '06 is included with the new iMac.

Apple's iLife '06
iLife '06 features iPhoto 6 with blazing performance, new printed books, calendars and cards, and Apple's innovative new Photocasting for sharing photos over the Internet; iMovie HD 6 with new motion themes for adding spectacular production value to your movies; iDVD 6 for authoring custom DVDs for today's widescreen TVs; and GarageBand 3, now the complete solution for creating professional-quality Podcasts. iLife '06 also introduces iWeb, a new iLife application that makes it super-easy to create amazing websites with photos, blogs and Podcasts and publish them on .Mac for viewing by anyone on the Internet with just a single click."

Griffin's TuneFlex for iPod nano
TuneFlex for iPod nano is a dock and charger designed with automobile convenience in mind. TuneFlex's flexible steel neck adjusts to any angle, and its cradle grips the nano and rotates it to stay upright and easily readable in any position. TuneFlex plugs into a car's 12 Volt accessory outlet to power and charge the iPod. The light at the base of TuneFlex's neck shows power status, and the unit's charging circuitry is equipped with a fuse to keep the iPod safe.

DLO's HomeDock for iPod
The DLO HomeDock Deluxe Home Entertainment Center for iPod with On-Screen Navigation, allows users to view and navigate their iPod’s music and songs on their television screen while controlling the iPod using the included 18-button remote control.

XtremeMac's MicroMemo for iPod
XtremeMac's MicroMemo is a new voice recorder for the iPod with video. The recorder utilizes the iPod's high-fidelity audio capabilities to record 16-bit audio via an included, removable microphone, or any compatible microphone with a 3.5 mm plug. The microphone features a flexible neck for recording memos and other audio content directly into the iPod. MicroMemo is scheduled to begin shipping in late Spring 2006 for US$79.95.

DEVONtechnologies' DEVONagent 2.0
DEVONtechnologies' DEVONagent 2.0 is the latest version of its intelligent Internet research assistant. It is available immediately as a public beta version, with the final release expected by the end of this quarter. Version 2.0 makes searching the Internet easier with a completely overhauled user interface, a new topics visualizer, and hundreds of new features and detail enhancements. DEVONagent 2.0 requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later, and the final version will be priced at US$49.95 ($19.95 upgrade).

Griffin Technology's TuneCenter
Griffin Technology's TuneCenter is a docking and charging station for iPods. Attach TuneCenter to a television and stereo for viewing photos, watching video, listening to an iPod music library or Internet radio. Features of the TuneCenter include: a 14 button remote; the ability to display iPod playlists and song information on a TV screen; the ability to play internet radio stations; the ability to display a iPod's photos, as well as play video iPod movies on a TV screen; and more. The Griffin TuneCenter is priced at US$99.99, and it is scheduled to begin shipping in March.

Slide' beta Slide Player for Mac OS X
Slide's beta Slide Player for Mac OS X is a visual interface for watching RSS photo feeds on the Desktop. Slide Player for Mac OS X includes the following features: scrolling player for watching RSS photo feeds from any Web site, feeds from Slide partners, and photos from Slide members; automatic delivery of new feed items; alerts for new items; built-in messaging and sharing capabilities; instant creation of photo feeds via drag & drop; and more. Slide Players are linked to the Slide.com Web site, where Slide members can find and subscribe to feeds as well as create and share their own photo feeds.

XtremeMac's MicroPack
XtremeMac's MicroPack is a battery pack for all Dock connector iPods. Capable of providing up to five times as much audio playback time as a fully charged iPod nano, MicroPack also serves as a syncing dock when connected to a computer via USB cable. Depending on iPod model and settings, MicroPack can provide up to 80 hours of audio playback for the iPod nano and up to 8 hours of video playback for the iPod with video. MicroPack will begin shipping in Spring 2006 and carries a suggested retail price of US$99.95.

Micromat's TechTool Protege
Micromat's TechTool Protege is a compact, bootable diagnostic and repair tool. The utility contains TechTool Pro, Micromat's disk partitioning program DiskStudio, as well as several other utilities on a compact, one gigabyte FireWire flash drive. TechTool Protege is priced at US$229.

Rogue Amoeba's AirFoil 2.0
Rogue Amoeba's Airfoil 2.0 is a utility designed as a companion to AirPort Express, enabling any audio (not just iTunes) to be sent to the device. New and enhanced features include: support for multiple AirPort Express units; support for sending audio to password-protected units; audio effects, including a 10 band equalizer, as well as volume and balance controls; the ability to send audio from new sources, including USB radios, Dashboard widgets, and audio devices; full AppleScript support; and more. Airfoil 2.0 is priced at US$25 (free for registered users). A free demo is also available.  [ Email this story ]

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