techies' torment

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Published: 12:00am, 4 Feb 2007

The Macworld Conference & Expo, held each year in San Francisco, is traditionally where Mac addicts go for their annual computer technology fix but this year, Apple thought to announce only phones and TV appliances.

I expect Apple will give word about new computers and productivity software within the next six weeks, but at the show there were dejected-looking techies wandering aimlessly, seeking crumbs of computer innovation.

To make matters worse, the expo is becoming one humungous iPod accessory show, with more than 50 per cent of the floor dedicated to purveyors of cases and widgets designed to enhance or interact with the portable music/video players. All cool stuff, but not the kind of thing hardcore techies need to sate their cravings. Well, if Apple didn't deliver, some other companies did.

One two-company team even delivered a new Mac computer. Have you ever had a craving for a tablet Mac? You know, the kind that you hold in one hand and write on with the other, as you would with a note pad? Well, you are not alone. Other World Computing (http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ModBook) and Axiotron pooled their resources to create a modified MacBook, which has the lid and keyboard removed and a 13' higher resolution LCD installed in their place. The ModBook uses Apple's Inkwell handwriting recognition software and Wacom's 'Penabled' hardware to recognise stylus input. In addition, it understands some pre-programmed gestures as well as direct painting and drawing.

The Modbook retains the iSight camera and can be ordered with an optional GPS antenna installed, making it a wonderful science tool for use in the field or lab. And if you change your mind about how it is configured in the future, they will reconvert it back to a traditional MacBook for a small fee. It sells for US$2,279 and, as is the latest fad at these expos, it won't ship for quite some time; until April, to be precise.

Another bright light at the show was the discovery of a great new art application, ArtRage 2 (www.artrage.comartragedown.html). What makes it special is that it is a professional-level paint application that's free! There is a more empowering version for US$29 but try the freebie first - it's cool.