Apparently my expectations weren’t low enough, and Apple’s final Macworld keynote featured very little in the way of compelling new tech. Which pretty much emphasizes why Apple doesn’t need to headline, if conversation remains product-focused. And pre-announcing products is bad for business - tech should be delivered when ready. Not on arbitrary show dates. So we’ll just have to wait for that iPhone Nano or terabyte Mac Mini server. When events like CES began their runs, the industry was much different - most notably the speed (or lack thereof) of information dissemination. But… yada, yada, yada. On to the tech you really came here for.

For me, as both an industry observer and as a geeky consumer, the most notable announcement is Apple (and the studios) making their entire music library DRM-free. Additionally, variable track pricing will be coming later this spring: $.69, $.99, and $1.29

Other than that, Apple extends their new Macbook manufacturing process to a 17″ MacBook Pro refresh. The updated laptop, with non-removeable 8 hour battery, will be available later this month starting at $2800. ‘09 editions of iLife ($79) and iWork ($99) are available now. iPhoto’s new facial recognition technology, used for sorting/organization, looks particularly interesting… though, it’s yet to be seen how well it’ll perform. Also interesting is Apple’s continued dabbling ‘in the cloud’ with an iWork.com beta for online document collaboration.

As for me, I’m still waiting for the iPhone HD with higher resolution camera… suitable for both stills and video. I’ll also take some true turn-by-turn navigation software on the iPhone. Pretty please.

Kudos to Greg for keeping me looped in with Macworld keynote news via Twitter while I was airborne.

Nearly two years to the day that Roxio (finally) brought TiVoToGo video transfers to Mac owners, they’ve announced an updated Toast bundle that facilitates shipping video files to a TiVo. Whereas TiVoToGo enables one to download TiVo recordings to a computer, this new feature provides Mac users with a means of transmitting video from computer to television. However, this isn’t entirely new… Video transcoding and delivery have been available to PC TiVo Desktop Plus customers for some time and there’ve even been a few freebie community applications with this functionality.

In discussing the the new Toast software package with TiVo yesterday, it seems that any video capable of being viewed within the OS X QuickTime Player can be transcoded and transferred via the Mac2TiVo utility. However, the similarity to TiVo Desktop Plus end there… as the software will not monitor and transfer web video feeds.

Roxio Toast 10 with Mac2TiVo should be available later this month for $100. As with prior releases, I’d keep an eye out for coupon codes, rebates, and steep discounts through vendors like Buy.com.

Sling Media is on site at Macworld today and will be demo-ing authentic iPhone Slingbox software and Mac OS X HD streaming.

If you recall, Sling previously produced a (jailbreak) proof-of-concept SlingPlayer last summer for accessing home television content via iPhone. However, they’re finally ready to get legit with an SDK-produced client which they intend to submit to Apple for approval early this year (Q1). No word yet on cost. I imagine Sling’s still evaluating various price points, in light of Apple’s 30% cut and the small number of iTunes apps priced over $20. (All prior SlingPlayer Mobile clients have run $30 per license, after free 30 day trial.)

Also on tap (Q1) is OS X Slingbox PRO HD streaming. While Windows owners have enjoyed HD streaming these last few months, Mac users have been left out in the cold. That’ll be rectified shortly… via updates to Sling.com. Meaning, this is purely a web-based player - think browser plugin. I also have word that PC browser components will be updated to support HD streaming in the same time frame. No word yet on the possibility of updates to the desktop OS X software.

I expect to spend a decent amount of time with my Sling pals at the EchoStar booth from CES later this week. So standby for additional news, including Sling-capable DISH DVR (VIP 922s) updates and various hands on photos or video.

The Consumer Electronics Show is nearly upon us. And while the show floor of the largest US tech convention doesn’t actually open until Thursday, CES press events begin tomorrow in Vegas. As does the Steve Jobless Macworld in San Francisco.

Although we already know buzz and attendance are down this year, I’m looking forward to a stimulating experience and perhaps being surprised with some compelling new tech. Plus, 2009 marks the first CES in which I won’t be wearing dual hats of geek blogger and industry rep. I don’t anticipate providing a ton more coverage than in prior years. However, I am hoping for more sleep. In addition to the ZNF posts, also look for 140 character updates via Twitter while onsite. And, yes, Mari will be in attendance as well. If there’s anything specific you want us to check out, hit us in the comments or via email (contact@zatznotfunny.com).

We’re shooting for a daily summary, including post links and “tweets” … starting now:

Tweets

• I’ll be airborne (headed to Vegas) during the Macworld keynote. Who scheduled that flight?? #
• @jasonhiner Is this mathematically possible? Jobs: “I have given more than my all to Apple” #
• Sheesh, with all the CES announcements hitting yesterday, today, and tomorrow maybe I should just skip the show. #
• @cntrstg Can’t wait for my CntrStg Skooba bag. Was going to buy it, but so much cooler with this logo. I’m sure it’ll beat the CEA backpack. #
• @LanceUlanoff You sure you want to rely on pre-beta software (Windows 7) for a show of this magnitude? Then again, Vista UAC is pre-beta. #
• Dear PR People, keep the gadget news coming (with pics!) but I don’t give a crap about filling “regional sales manager” roles. (Hitachi) #
• All I keep hearing about is CES and Macworld. What about the Notorious B.I.G. movie and the return of Lost this month? Perspective! #
• With all this talk of CES, you’d think I’d have remembered to check in early this AM. Why are assigned seats so hard for Southwest to manage #
• More pre-travel prep - running a Time Machine backup. In case I drop my laptop. Though this would be the worst possible week for a failure. #
• @mgmgrand Sorry, MGM. But you’re too far down the strip for CES. And though you probably can’t tell, I try to avoid the buffet. #
• Dear <Manufacturer>, If you’d like me to look at the <Box> update prior to CES, you’ve got about an hour to get it to me. #
• I’m not expecting any downtime in Vegas, but I enabled my router for remote Slingbox viewing. Just in case <Vendor> doesn’t update <box> tonight. #
• Lightest I’ve ever traveled to Vegas… 13″ laptop and just one cell phone. But an extra BT headset, should Aliph run another Jawbone swap. #
• Ugh, another midnight embargo. (Macworld) Will hit it first thing in the AM while you all are sleeping and I’m alone at the airport. #
• @beergeek Seems like Yahoo has fumbled much of their digital home potential (and talent). But looking forward to seeing the new widgets. #

I can’t say this is the news I was hoping for… but, as promised, Roku will be enabling another content provider on their Netflix box. And I hope this is just the first of several. Because Amazon Video on Demand in standard definition isn’t very compelling. Freebie content, such as YouTube or Hulu (with commercials), would be tolerable in SD. But I’m not paying to rent low def content in 2009. (That goes for you too, TiVo.) Also, it appears this artist formerly known as the “Roku Netflix Player” has been rebranded as the “Roku Digital Video Player.” If you’re more enthusiastic than I, look for Amazon VOD to arrive early this year. (via Engadget)

Leaving comments across the blogosphere…

Technology Predictions for 2009
TeleNav is already an excellent application on many handset platforms and carriers. For a more “dedicated” experience, I have a feeling the continually delayed Garmin Nuvifone will be too little, too late, and too buggy. So I’m going on the record and stating Apple will either introduce a new iPhone GPS, or more likely, will offer true GPS turn-by-turn software/directions to iPhone 3G customers. For a fee. (And may continue to lock out third parties, though we’ll see…)

GeekTonic Media Gadget Predictions for 2009
One one hand, I can see BeyondTV going away. But I wonder if the enterprise solution can sustain them. If not, what else does Rakesh have cooking? He’s one sharp dude and he knows how to network. But the broader economic conditions suck. Maybe he’ll surprise you with BTV5 instead.

TV Networks won’t abandon local broadcasts. The national companies and local broadcasters have different, and sometimes conflicting, business models. It’s kinda analogous to car manufacturers and dealerships.

If I hadn’t been stuck on the road this week, I would have done a 2008 wrap up. Oh well! As far as predictions, I generally try to stay away from that. Though I have no problem disagreeing with others. I’m still hoping for an Apple digital camera - if not, how about an iPhone HD with (higher resolution) picture and video capabilities.

Video Innovations We’d Love to See at Macworld Expo
There’s no “check mate” unless an AppleTV tuner handles digital cable. It’d certainly be more compelling than the current ATV, but it’s not going to replace a cable- or satellite-capable set-top box. Which is where most of us get our television programming these days.

TiVo Desktop Has Serious Bugs
Yeah, TiVo Desktop is a bastard child. I paid my money but never use it. Maybe we’ll hear of some updates in Vegas this week, but who knows. Although I’d like to see ALL of the ‘web video’ stuff handled in ‘the cloud’, if not natively on the box. Regarding ‘business deals’, I don’t think there are any. I think it’s just cross-promotional handshake agreements.

Switch to Windows Home Server in 2009?
I agree the new HP Windows Home Server units are compelling. But I’m waiting until after CES (and Macworld)… Bet Drobo intros something new and who knows what Apple’s cooking up.

Kevin Tofel’s purchase and coverage of the Kodak Zi6 pocketable HD video cam (MSRP $180) led to an impulse buy Friday morning on the way to Disney World and in preparation for CES. I shot a couple dozen clips, about an hour of video filling maybe half an 8GB SD card (~$20), under a variety of conditions. The device was dead simple to use, as was offloading 720p video (H.264) onto a Mac using the integrated USB connector. As expected, video quality was nice in daylight and when I managed to keep my hand/arm still during shooting. Low light quality wasn’t great, although better than I expected. The associated audio recordings were also better than I expected. However, the still photo capabilities were poor - on par with a middle-of-the-pack cell phone camera. Video colors look a bit hyper-realistic and, in addition to my unsteady hand, the Zi6 seemed to introduce periodic stutters. Below is a brief clip of some birds (YouTube link) outside during the day and here’s a night recording of some SpectroMagic.

What folks really want to know, of course, is how the Kodak Zi6 stacks up against the Flip MinoHD. As I didn’t have both cameras in my possession simultaneously, I can’t do a direct comparison of video quality. I’ve read a couple of blog posts suggesting the Zi6 provides somewhat better visuals, but I imagine results are similar. However, we do know is that the Kodak currently runs about $60 cheaper than the MinoHD on Amazon. Although, some of that saved cash would be invested in a SD memory card. The Zi6 has a larger display (2.4″) than the MinoHD (1.5″), but that results in a more bulky (although, still relatively compact) unit. The Zi6 has the benefit of accepting AA batteries, and ships with a pair that can be recharged… only when removed from the camera. Compare to the MinoHD, which has a built-in rechargeable battery. You lose the ability to pick up spare batteries, but again this design decision results in a smaller device… that can be charged via USB. Where I think the Zi6 really trumps the MinoHD is by providing macro mode for close-ups (critical for geek bloggers) and by offering essentially unlimited storage via SD cards.

So, what’s my verdict? At the end of the day, both the MinoHD and Zi6 are basic recording devices. Even though they capture high def video resolutions, the optics and options are decidedly low-end. What they have going for them is their simplicity, compact size, and attractive price point - excellent for casual and spontaneous video capture. And not all that different from features found in many digital still cameras.

Update: Kodak announced the Zx1 today, the heir apparent, ahead of CES. The ‘weather resistant’ cam boasts a sleeker, smaller enclosure and bundles an HDMI-out cable.