AppleInsider Staff
The Cupertino-based company used the near 2-hour presentation to announce more affordable 17-inch MacBook Pros and 15-inch MacBook Pros, the latter of which now share the same built-in battery technology as their larger cousins while also debuting new SD Card slots, faster processors, and higher quality displays.
The 13-inch unibody MacBooks received similar treatment and have therefore been rebranded as 13-inch MacBook Pros. Among their improvements are faster processors, higher quality displays, the addition of FireWire 800, SD Card slots, built-in battery technology, as well as back-lit keyboards and reduced pricing across the line. MacBook Airs were also updated with faster chips and more affordable pricing.
Apple also announced plans to launch Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard as a $29 upgrade for existing Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard users in September. The software will arrive alongside Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Server, which will sell for $499 with unlimited client licensing.
The highlight of the event, however, was the new iPhone 3G S, which Apple said would perform up to twice as fast as its predecessor. Some of its enhancements include a digital compass, 3-megapixel camera with auto focus and video recording, as well as voice control and new accessibility features.
Additionally, Apple also announced plans to launch iPhone Software 3.0 on June 17th (save for MMS and tethering support) and said it will begin selling the existing 8GB iPhone 3G for $99 with new two-year AT&T contracts beginning today. The iPhone 3G S will be available for $199 and $299 in 16GB and 32GB, respectively, when it goes on sale two days later on June 19th.
However, the $199 and $299 price points are for new AT&T customers or those eligible for upgrade pricing because they're more than halfway through their two-year contracts. Customers who aren't halfway through their contracts — i.e. those who purchased an iPhone 3G immediately following its release — will have to pay a $200 premium to upgrade to an iPhone 3G S early.
Other announcements at WWDC include the release of Safari 4.0 and the debut of several new third-party iPhone Apps, including the first official turn-by-turn GPS driving app from TomTom. For all of AppleInsider's coverage from the conference, see the links below:
Live Coverage from WWDC 2009
Apple debuts speedier iPhone 3G S with built-in video camera
iPhone 3G users to pay $200 premium for early upgrade to iPhone 3G S
Apple unveils new iPhone 3.0 features, sets release for June 17th
iPhone OS 3.0 app highlights: TomTom GPS, Line 6, more
Apple unveils faster, more affordable MacBook Pros
Apple introduces 13-inch MacBook Pro, cheaper MacBook Airs
Apple's Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard to retail for $29 in September
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Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Wesley Hilliard
41 Comments
nice. i saw one of snow's refinements is 'put back from trash.' something i've missed from os7! i wonder if handles put back for thingies you move from a folder to the desktop.
oh yeah and the new iphone looks pretty wicked frickin awesome too.
it's weird at some of the things that that audience does and doesn't applaud. nothing for some things I think are impressive.
m$ answer to an update that is 6gb smaller - vista upgrade to 3.11
didja notice the safari tabs are back below the toolbar.
how did they miss the most obvious use for 'find my iphone'? "Here Pumpkin, a new iPhone for you!" ie track the kids/playa/ho.
the airstrip app looks cool enough to want have another a-fib!
sweet voice control. i hadn't pre-read about that.
two kids playing backgammon? really?
does phil really have a 'workout' playlist? hmmmm i don't have one either.
cute visual pun of the 'infinite loop' on the credentials logo
how soon before the 19th do i have to camp out in fron of the apple store?
Will watch. Then comment. Had to lower prices to mac way for tablet. Had to.
Wonder how msft will respond.
Want 3.9 now though.
Yay.
Someone should get rid of the quotation mark in the link.
Try this link, more betterhttp://stream.qtv.apple.com/events/j...vn_650_ref.mov
Not yet available via Apple TV podcast.