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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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

An All-In-One Desktop with Entertainment Center Dreams

Sony’s latest entry into the field of all-in-one desktops takes another big step towards erasing the line between the TV and computer, and we couldn’t be happier. Its computing-based feature set includes a 3.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of ram, 256MB Nvidia Geforce video card, and Blu-ray burner, the confluence of which is nothing to scoff at.  However, it’s the built in HDMI input, TV Tuner, and included remote that really set it apart.

Yes, we could gripe that the LV180J’s wimpy 500 gig hard drive pales in comparison to those found in similarly priced desktops, but at least Sony had the courtesy to make upgrading it a cinch– something that can’t be said about its all-in-one competitors such as the HP TouchSmart or the Apple iMac. Plus, with a price of under $2,000, it just might be the perfect solution for those in need of a new PC and a secondary entertainment center outside of the living room.

Need to know more? Check out CNET’s full review here.

Cost: $1,999 @ Sony.com

Also See: HP TouchSmart All in One PC | Apple iMac 3Ghz

Hooks Up With Every Computer Imaginable, Disease Free.

One of the many down sides from the high definition video format war is that computer manufacturers (ahem Apple & Microsoft) have shown hesitancy in integrating the technology into their new line of machines.

Mercifully for the videophiles out there, the folks over at OWC announced the first ever “Quad Interface” external Blu-ray drive and burner: The OWC Mercury Pro Blu-Ray Drive.

Fancy lingo aside, this drive is compatible with every computer under the sun thanks to its ability to connect both Firewire 400 & 800, USB, and eSATA. So unless you use an etch-a-sketch for all your computing needs, this baby should have you covered.

Flexibility does come at a price though, (starting at $499, you can thank Sony for that licensing fee) so assess the purchase accordingly. Burning 50 gigs worth o’ data on one disc sure is sweet, but I’ll leave the question of practicality to you.

Cost: $499

Also See: Oppo 1080p Up-Converting DVD Player | Sentry Fireproof/Waterproof Data Storage Chest | Vizio XVT 1080p LCD HDTV

Live Green And Still Live Easy

As self a proclaimed technology addict it’s been hard justifying my desire for national sustainability considering that even while turned off my home theater has enough lights glowing to rival the Vegas strip. I jest not.

Then I stumbled across this simple yet ingenious device on Popular Mechanics. Aptly called the Conserve, consider it the lazy environmentalist’s best friend. That’s because unlike other surge protectors which require you to bend over and flip a switch to fully cut off power, this marvel does it by remote. Glorious glorious remotes. [insert mad scientist laughter] Better yet, it also features two always-on outlets which insure electronics that need constant juice like your DVR and wireless router can be powered at all times.

Don’t think that these nifty features come at the price of basic requirements. On the contrary the Conserve’s wide design ensures that even clunky power adapters can plug in without blocking adjacent outlets. Plus it’s 1000 joules and $100,000 connected equipment warranty provides peace of mind along with premium protection.

However, if doing your part for the planet isn’t reason enough to spend $50 bucks to replace your current strip, I should also mention it can save you cash and eventually pay for itself. After using the Conserve with my home theater for a month, my apartment power bill dropped by 5%. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but multiply that out for a year and that’s enough scratch to give our resident sports guru Patrick those hair extensions he’s always wanted.

Editors Note: Maximize convenience by installing the included remote wall mount next to your current light switches. That way you’ll be sure to turn off the Conserve when you hit the lights.

Cost: $49