Macworld 2009 Comprehensive Round-up

While tomorrow’s headlines might read, “Apple Announces New Products, Steve Jobs Nowhere To Be Found,” we think anyone who knows anything about Apple should applaud Phil Schiller (President of Apple). His presentation at Macworld 2009 was fantastic, and all of us here at Gear Patrol feel he finally deserves some bloody credit.

In terms of new Mac hardware goodies, Apple announced the completely redesigned 17″ MacBook Pro. Software, however, was the primary focus of the event, as significant new features included in iWork ‘09, iLife ‘09, and iTunes were highlighted and demoed.

Yes, inevitably, some of you will yawn, but to us a DRM-Free iTunes (no ridiculous sharing restrictions and handicapped sound quality) is a major event and finally puts iTunes on the same playing field with competitors like Amazon music. Read our full rundown of what happened this morning after the jump.

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Quality Photographs Deserve Overqualified Printers

During the holidays I decided that it was time to print some of the photos I managed to capture during the holidays (girl friends wrestling New Year’s Eve, gorgeous holiday night New York skyline, a cohort with a classic devilish mug as he spiked the eggnog with rum).

The only challenge was my older Epson 980 photo printer no longer made the grade on several levels: it predated archivable inks (inks that won’t fade in time) you find in many of today’s photo printers, its inability to do anything beyond 8×10 photos limited anything of impressive caliber, and it printed at speeds even a Yugo would be proud of. [continued after the jump ]

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Ski Conditions? I Got Your Ski Conditions. 7 Days Worth Of ‘Em.

With global warming eroding the once consistent weather forecasts of Old Man Winter, how’s a man to know what to expect on the slopes? Choose the wrong day and the most action you’ll get a forlorn cup of hot cocoa in the lodge. Enter the Ski FX from Bushnell.

With wireless delivery of your 7-day forecast, the Bushnell Ski FX goes a step further giving your favorite slopes’ low down. Besides mountain conditions (current base depth, new accumulation, and surface conditions), the Ski FX also provides slope information (current number of open trails and lifts).

The Ski FX is light-weight, battery powered, and doesn’t require a computer to upload any information. It’s completely self-contained. All you have to do is toss it in your pack for your next ski trip. Simply change the regional setting, and all the mountains in that area populate automatically. Damn, I’m getting excited for ski this weekend just writing about this.

Happy trails.

Cost: $100

Also See: Ruby Mountain Heli-Skiing | Dalbello Proton 12 Ski Boot | Oakley Custom AFrame

For Full HD Camcorders, Does Size Really Matter?

For manufacturers like Sony, the competition has always been about making cutting-edge technology smaller and lighter. In the race to make the smallest, lightest, AND slimmest full HD camcorder in the world, Sony has beaten everyone to the punch.

Putting the power of 1920×1080i high definition recording in the palm of your hand, it’s hard to believe the HDR-TG1 camcorder comes in at a petite 1.25 x 4.75 x 2.5 inches and a scant weight of less than 10 ounces, battery included. Don’t let it’s minuscule size fool you. The HDR-TG1 is as tough as nails, thanks to its pure titanium body (another world’s first, according to Sony) and scratch-resistant premium hard coating.

You can read the full list of features after the jump.

Bottom Line: Among its competitors in the ultra-compact HD camcorders department, the HDR-TG1 takes the crown by managing to pack powerful video performance into a sleek and stylish design.

Cost: $899 @ Sonystyle.com

Also See: Red Scarlet Digital Stills and Motion Camera | Flip Mino HD
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SimCity Minus The Game

Google Maps + GPS + iPhone is a toolset I cannot live without, especially here in New York where a man’s sense of direction is tested every time someone suggests going to a restaurant outside of the neighborhood. It’s also a demonstrable skill women find inherently attractive in men. No joke.

Using the combined prowess of what I imagine to be many engineers/mad-scientists, Google has unveiled Google Earth 3D, starting with Gear Patrol’s own New York City, no less. Amazingly, you can see nearly every structure in eye-tantalizing 3D. This, combined with the recent unveiling of SimCity for the iPhone (fist-pump), will satisfy any man’s delusions of a mayoral candidacy.

[As seen on GearCrave]

Download Google Earth

Upgrade The Way You Record Mayhem

Men, if you’re like me, you enjoy a good thrill. I prefer terrain/tree skiing (about which I cannot claim to be entirely skilled at), rapid trail biking, or shredding. Recording proof that you managed to stick that landing (or not) is the stuff that truly great YouTube videos are made of.

The primary problem with cameras and camcorders is bulk - something not conducive to your already precarious balance. Enter VholdR. VholdR is a helmet/handlebar mounted camera that self-levels up to 192 degrees via the aid of dual lasers, ensuring that your spill is seen from a level perspective, even if your face is having an intimate moment with the ground.

VholdR is made of black brushed aluminum, baked fiberglass, and rubber to withstand major impacts. Plus, its innards are treated with silicon insulation to help withstand mud, snow, rain, and bits of your face.

Cost: $330

Also See: GoPro Digital Hero 3 Sports Wrist Camera | Sanyo Xacti Waterproof Camcorder