Apple’s “Back to the Mac” event roundup

Apple has announced and demonstrated a number of its new products today.

Mac OSX Lion
The new version of Apple’s Operating System will be better known as ‘Lion’.

Taking many cues from iOS that runs on Apple’s iPhones, iPodTouch’s and iPads, Lion will include many multi-touch gestures, full screen Apps, auto save and resume. It will also see the introduction of a Mac App Store (it wont be the only way to get Apps onto your Mac), a new ‘Mission Control’ feature that appears to integrate an improved Expose, Spaces and Dashboard. The new LaunchPad feature looks like a way of launching and organising your Apps like you can on your iOS devices.

Expect to see Lion sometime around mid 2011, more features should be revealed between now and launch.

FaceTime for Mac
Apple has also introduced FaceTime for Mac. This will allow video calling with other FaceTime users, including those iPhone 4 and iPodTouch users.

More information here.

MacBook Air
Apple introduced new MacBook Air’s with updated 13-inch and a new 11-inch model. All models feature flash storage, multi-touch trackpad gestures, and better battery life. They look like impressive machines in a highly portable, compact size.

More information here.

iLife ’11
Updated versions of iPhoto, iMove and GarageBand feature in the latest iLife. People who have bought a new Mac in October can get the upgrade for the cost of postage. All is quite on the iDVD and iWeb front though.

iPhoto features;
- Full screen mode
- Improvements to Facebook and Flickr integration
- Improvements to slideshows, bookmaking, and the introduction of letterpress cards.

iMovie features;
– New “People Finder” face identification
- Improvements to audio controls and video effects
- New movie trailer mode

GarageBand features;
– New Flex Time and Groove Matching feature that focus on getting your rhythm and timing right
- More guitar amps and stompbox effects
- Improvements to lessons

More information here.