14 DAY TRIAL // Soon after posting the Macworld 2009 keynote address online (in standard def and HD), Apple also included the footage with the rest of its keynotes on the iTunes Store as a free download. Apple fans can grab the new “episode” in the company's series of keynotes immediately, as long as they have iTunes installed.
Note: For those who haven't heard all the announcements yet, the lines to follow may spoil the fun of watching the keynote address.
It was no surprise for the Apple community to learn that Phil Schiller would be delivering the Macworld keynote this year, following the company's shocking announcement that 2009 was its last stop at the popular trade show. Nevertheless, both Apple fanatics and the media barged in at Moscone Center to witness an Apple executive delivering the company's last Macworld presentation.
While Schiller was greeted warmly, the applause gradually faded as the announcements weren't as exciting as expected. For once, Apple's SVP of Product Marketing didn't announce new iMac and Mac mini models, as hoped. Schiller, instead, started dishing out figures reflecting the popularity of its retail stores, this being one of the main reasons for the pull-out (or so Apple says). Further into the keynote address, Phil confirmed a bunch of new features included with the apps in iLife '09 and iWork '09, such as iPhoto and iMovie, and Keynote, Pages and Numbers, respectively.
Only one hardware-related announcement was made at the show. The company's SVP of Product Marketing confirmed to an already bored audience that they had finally built the missing member of the unibody notebook family, the new 17-inch MacBook Pro. The device is touted as the thinnest and lightest in its class, and allegedly offers three times more battery life than anything out there.
Changes to the iTunes Store were also announced, including lower pricing for some musical content, and DRM-free songs. Customers will no longer be forced to use Apple hardware with the purchased content. Lastly, Schiller revealed that iPhone users could at once use their 3G connection to access the iTunes Store and download music right onto their devices.
Download the Macworld Keynote Address 2009 via iTunes Store (Free) (Apple iTunes required; download here for free)