Macworld: Axiotron ModBook Pro

I already covered the very cool MacBook-based ModBook tablet in 2008 and 2007…

This year at Macworld, Axiotron announced the ModBook Pro. It’s a MacBook Pro 15″-based tablet that features concurrent pen (active digitizer) and touch (capacitive screen?) input, plus built-in GPS!

Here’s video and some pictures :)

Macworld: Other pictures and videos

Here’s my complete set of pictures from Macworld.

And here are my other live videos from Macworld:
- Outside Apple store in SF during keynote
- Inside Apple store in SF during keynote
- MacBook Air initial thoughts
- MacBook Air additional thoughts
- Etymotic Research booth

Enjoy :)

Macworld: Axiontron ModBook pictures and videos (with interview)

Here are some pictures of the Axiontron ModBook that I took on the show floor (including some from last year)…

The ModBook is a really interesting product that received a lot more attention at Macword this year around!

I also made a couple live videos of the ModBook:
- ModBook and Axiotron booth
- ModBook interview with Nathan Oshidari

I’m hoping to get my hands on a ModBook for review very soon, so stay tuned.

Macworld: Apple MacBook Air pictures and videos (with demo)

In addition to my initial report on the MacBook Air, here’s a bunch of pictures of Apple’s new portable that I snapped while at Macworld…

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to grasp how thin and gorgeous the MacBook Air really is until you handle one!

I also captured some live videos of the MacBook Air while at Macworld:
- MacBook Air and Apple booth
- MacBook Air trackpad gestures demo

The Internet is still abuzz with people debating the pros and cons of Apple’s new portable – it’s definitely not for everyone, but I’ve ordered one :)

Macworld: Apple intros MacBook Air

So I’ve played with the MacBook Air a little, and yes, it’s absolutely gorgeous and incredibly thin!

As such, there’s no doubt that Apple continues to impress :)

However, with a 13.3″ screen and a large screen bezel, the MacBook Air is almost the same footprint as the Macbook – I was hoping for an 11.1″ screen in a casing just wide enough for a full-size keyboard (like the 12″ PowerBook, but widescreen).

At 3 lbs, it’s 33% heavier than the former ultra-thin champion, the Sony VAIO X505…

I think the base price of $1799 is reasonable, but the $999 64 GB SSD option is too expensive. Also, physical connectivity is limited to only one (micro) DVI port, one audio ourput jack, and one USB 2.0 port – strangely, there is no FireWire port!

Processor (Core 2 Duo) speed is 1.6 GHz with a $300 1.8 GHz option, making the MacBook Air the fastest ultra-thin portable yet…

Standard features include WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, a webcam, and a multi-touch trackpad with gesture recognition. As expected, there’s no optical drive – I was hoping for some kind of 3G/4G connectivity (like HSDPA or WiMax), though.

Take a look at my pictures and videos:
- My Flickr account (pictures)
- My Qik account (live videos)

Unfortunately, Twitter is up and down a lot, so don’t be surprised I’m not posting there as much :)

My Macworld predictions

I’ll be blogging live from Macworld next week, uploading pictures in real time and broadcasting live videos.

Keep an eye on the following:
- My Twitter account (real-time links to all my Flickr and Qik content)
- My coverage here (articles)
- My Flickr account (pictures)
- My Qik account (live videos)

In the meantime, hot on the heels of TUAW and Gizmodo, here are my Macworld predictions:

New MacBook Pros, with LED backlight, optional flash storage, optional optical drives, optional built-in HSDPA (3G), available now

Ultra-slim. ultra-portable Mac with “touch” features and dock

iTunes 7.6

Movie rentals

iPhone 1.1.3 software with cut & paste

iPhone SDK

New WiFi iTunes store features

New media device, replacing and/or updating Apple TV and/or Mac mini, available Q1

New cinema displays with built-in iSight and LED backlight

“One more thing”: 16 GB iPhone with HSDPA (3G), better camera, and GPS, available Q2

Some people have suggested that Apple will introduce WiMax instead of HSDPA (3G) on the new Mac portables and perhaps on the iPhone…

As much as I’m excited about mobile WiMax (4G), there’s no real coverage in the US yet. Sprint is supposed to introduce its WiMax service (named Xohm) sometime this year – the service is supposed to be contract free, but pricing is still unknown!

Unless Apple becomes an MVNO, why would they deal with another carrier when they already have a relationship with AT&T? Then again, they also have a relationship with Intel, one of the major forces behind WiMax.

Perhaps Apple will introduce a WiMax base station along with WiMax equipped devices. Apple adopting WiMax would definitely tip the scales in favor of the standard (like when Apple pushed USB and WiFi) – so I’m skeptical, but I’m hopeful.

One thing is certain – Macworld promises to be more interesting than ever this year :)