21 March 2002
Tokyo Japan
Steve Jobs opened Mac World Expo in Tokyo, Japan today with a keynote that seemed to draw something back to Apple that had been missing for a while.. Although he had given a speech just over one month ago in San Francisco, Jobs came to Tokyo with goodies in hand. His keynote brought cheers and applause from the crowd with his introduction of the 10gb iPod and the Cinema Display HD or High Definition as well as iPhoto and iMovie.
Not much had been expected of this speech by Jobs and most analysts based this on past Apple Computer Inc. history where once items had been announced at one show, the next show would be a repeat.
Thus on another nice sunny day in Tokyo, Steve Jobs stepped into the fray facing his legions of loyal fans and worshipers. It would be this group of people who would really be the ones who would say in the long term whether he accomplished the task of wowing the crowds and bringing about the technological advancements which Apple Computer, Inc. always claims to bring forth.
At 9:00 sharp, the long lines of Press began to clamor for the space in the assigned areas at the front of the arena, while the thousands of people lined up outside hoping to get a glimpse of the man that they look to for guidance in the world of computing. Within 20 minutes, 6000 people had jammed into the arena and began to look around for Steve’s entrance
The keynote speech started about 20 minutes late with Steve Jobs quietly and without much fanfare walking onto the stage and promptly introducing the Adobe Systems Co, Ltd. people including Executive Vice President of Adobe Systems, Shantanu Narayen.
Adobe In Design 2.0
Shantanu took over the reigns of the keynote with a handshake with Steve Jobs and started into his introduction of the latest version of In Design. Version 2.0 has the look and feel of a truly great graphics design system with the images appearing very crisp and sharp even during the manipulation through zooming in or out. The crop utility was prominently displayed throughout the 5-minute time slot.
After showing what could be done with the newest version of InDesign, Shantanu then switched his focus to HTML and GoLive version 6.0. The page he had worked on in In Design looked as if it belonged in the Go Live. Adobe Workgroup Server was also shown to be working in the background all with absolutely no problem and in such a manner in which you would believe that Adobe has gone all out in the integration and interconnectivity of their packages.
Products:
• Adobe InDesign ver. 2.0
• Adobe Go Live Ver. 6.0
• Adobe Photoshop Ver. 7.0
Company Information
Adobe Systems Incorporated 345 Park Avenue San Jose, California 95110-2704 USA
Tel: 408-536-6000 Fax: 408-537-6000
Ergosoft
Ergosoft’s latest version of the Japanese language input system EGBridge version 13 for Mac OS X was both eye opening and inspiring. Common names, which in the past have only been allowed to use 2 or 3 kanji in some cases, now have over 20 possibilities.
Yoichi Erikawa, the CEO of Ergosoft delivered his speech in Japanese and was as upbeat about his product as any in the show. He brought laughter and cheers from the crowd when he showed that the common name Watanabe which used to only have 3 or 4 variations of kanji could now have well over 20 variations.
Although it has been several years since Ergosoft actually introduced a new product, their EG Bridge and EZWord products are now unrivaled in Japan. Apple has also set up licensing agreements with Ergosoft to provide the input system with each Japanese iMac sold. This gives the machines an input system that in most cases would cost thousands of dollars for absolutely no additional cost to the end user.
Ergosoft also introduced their EGWord Pure version 7.0, which includes more than 20,000 characters known as Kanji. This means that almost any character that is known is available in this software.
These latest products not only bring the company back to the forefront of Japanese input systems but it also brings the companies products into the Mac OS X line which was absolutely pertinent to it’s survival.
Products:
• EGWORD Ver.12 for Mac OS X/9/8.6
• EGWORD PURE Ver.7.0 for Mac OS X/9/8.6
• EGBRIDGE Ver.13 for Mac OS X
Company Information
K.K Ergosoft
1-23-3 Minowacho, Kohoku-ku
Yokohama, Kanagawa
Japan 223-8535
TEL：+81-45-565-3330（Main） FAX：+81-45-565-3331
*www.ergo.co.jp
*You will need Japanese fonts installed in order to view this web page
File Maker Mobile
The next demonstration was performed by Dominique Goupil of Filemaker, the database software subsidiary of Apple Computer, Inc.. His introduction of the newly created Filemaker Mobile brings to popular database to all of the platforms. Including the ever expanding NTT Docomo I-Mode platform as well as the Nokia Cell Phone.
This means that databases are now available for all user platforms allowing catalog shopping and other user database manipulation from any location in the world.
The seamless integration of the cell phone into the Mac OS X environment with complete database support is one of absolute need with nearly 6 million units sold annually in Japan alone. According to Dominique, this is currently a licensing agreement with NTT Docomo only in Japan and will not be applied to the other cell phone lines within the country.
Products
• Filemaker Mobile
Company Information
Filemaker
5201 Patrick Henry Drive
Santa Clara, Ca. 95054
Tel: (408) 987-7000
Web: www.filemaker.com
Final Cut Pro 3.0
Mike Evangelist’s display of the newly released Final Cut Pro 3.0 had the look and the feel of a professional Hollywood moviemaker. The coloration control systems built into this version of the most popular movie making software were top notch as were the controls over the actual content.
No longer is the long wait for the rendering of the frames necessary with Final Cut 3.0. Pasted items are rendered immediately and available for viewing or listening. This cuts much of the production time that was necessary in previous versions.
The crispness of the video and the easy integration of both sound and effects are an absolute joy to find in a commercially available product. Many of the features in this release are usually only available in higher end products.
When Mike announced that this package was available immediately and that it even worked on the Powerbook, he brought the crowd to its feet. The applause for this product was unparalleled throughout the keynote. And with a retail price of $999 USD, it is sure to be in more movie studio production facilities within the coming year.
Product:
• Final Cut Pro Ver. 3.0
Company information
Apple Computer, Inc.
1 Infinite Loop Cupertino, CA 95014 Tel: 408.996.1010
Web: www.apple.com
Apple Helps Star Wars Come To Life
The first part of this demonstration was showing how Apple Computer, Inc has helped Lucas Film, Ltd. to bring almost impossible items to the big screen. The robots in movie were shown in various forms and state of being destroyed. This brought out applause from the audience and even a bit of laughter.
Although Dan Gregoire was feeling a bit under the weather; he didn’t lose a step as he went through the shots that Lucas was using in the upcoming Star Wars Episode II.
The rotations and the different views available in the demonstration were unseen in any other mainstream machine and software.
At the end of the demonstration, Dan brought out the real kicker for the machine with the full trailer for Star Wars Episode II, “Attack Of The Clones”. Once the short started, the audience gasped at the look and feel of the movie. It was obvious that the room was not only filled with Mac fans but with Star Wars fans as well. If this trailer is indeed representative of the finished movie, it should be one for the ages.
The room broke into applause the likes of which had not been seen up until this point at the end of the showing.
The iMac
Steve Job’s introduction of the new iMac was all but assumed as he had actually announced it some time ago in the US, but the commercials that he announced were both brilliant and funny and brought roars of laughter and awe from the 6000 plus attendees.
As Steve started into his show about his new software suite on the iMacs, he had a few other points that he obviously wanted to make. As he said, “I have good news and bad news)
As to production, he announced that Apple was now in full production of the iMacs to the tune of 5,000 units per day. This brought some cheers although it was obviously muted. At the same time he tried to dispel the myths that Apple was only shipping the iMacs to their own stores by outright denying that this was the case. Whether his denial had any effect on those who believe otherwise or bnot, we will probably never know but it was a good ploy on his part. This part was supposed to be the good news but it seemed to come off as almost all bad news.
The second point that he wanted to get out was the pricing of the machines. While the economy has been week globally, machine sales have slipped. This was the point where Steve put a graphic of the pricing schemes on the projector and started talking in a manner that was difficult at best for him.
When he said that Apple would be raising prices as of the 21st of March, he announced it to a room of complete silence. No one had been expecting this bomb and the manner in which it was announced had a very negative effect on the people in the hall.
Once He had gotten through this bit of turbulence, the moved on to the delivery of the machine. He commented that the machines would be delivered as quickly as Apple could produce them. Although it sounded good, it will remain to be seen whether this will quell the rhetoric from the retailers.
Steve then turned his attention back to his bag of goodies and the good news.
iPod
Steve really mad a major splash when he brought out the best of his toys in the iPod. As he announced the introduction of a 10gb model, he also announced the new price structure of the two models.
At $499, the new model is not only appetizing but is also a good deal. The newly announced address database software (downloadable for free from Apple) will also make the larger of the two models more appealing to those people who currently carry other data minders.
iMovie, iPhoto, iDVD, iPlayer
iPhoto is easy to use, seamless with the others. Camera input to view is single click. With the roll function available in the software, it makes it easier than ever to keep track of your photos and when the photos were taken.
iMovie is a charm drawing video input directly from the camera and allowing on the fly editing and production. Although this package will not replace the professional Final Cut Pro 3.0, it will however, give the average home users a very nice editing facility with which they can display and produce their home movies like never before.
iDVD and iPlayer are two packages which work very much in conjunction with each other. With the single click functionality of both ripping and CD burning, these facilities not only add value to the users experience but the also give you a very quick response for what up until now has been a very difficult chore at best.
The nicest feature about the new suite of software packages are that they either come with the machine’s OS or are available for free from the Apple Computer Inc. web site.
Cinema Display HD
The second toy which Steve Jobs introduced was the latest model of it’s world class Cinema Display line of flat panel displays. The Cinema Display HD (short for High Definition) was brought out of the bag but at a price of almost $4000 per unit, it will be out of many people’s budgets.
The HD introduces the worlds first 1900 x 1200 pixel display. With the display being 23 inches, it will take up more space but what you get for that extra inch over the standard 22 inch display is well worth the extra inch
Blue Tooth
The proudest moment for Steve Jobs during this keynote speech was his introduction the new technology Blue Tooth. This is the technology based on the 802.11 wireless protocols, which even Steve Wozniak has mentioned as a new direction of his own new company. Although much has been made of the security problems associated with the protocol, Apple Computer Inc. is continuing with the project and is expected to introduce the completed package soon.
What has been made available now is the adapters which connect to the USB port of the iMac. These adapters are currently available from the Apple web site for $49 each.
Other items which will be made available in beta form is the software as well as the Sony™ Clio® adapter as well as the Cell Phone adapter.
Steve was extremely pleased with this item as he announced it, he said ““Apple was the first to build in Ethernet, one of the first to build in USB, the first to build in FireWire, and the first to build in 802.11 wireless networking.” He seemed to draw on something that had been written in the heyday of Apple. (This author wonders what Woz would have though of it all.)
Whether Apple is able to maintain its innovative edge in the economic crunch will remain to be seen although the new products definitely go a long way in restoring some of the glory of the 1980’s to the company.
Product:
• iMovie
• iDVD
• iPlayer
• iPhoto
• Blue Tooth
Company information
Apple Computer, Inc.
1 Infinite Loop Cupertino, CA 95014
Tel: 408.996.1010
Web: www.apple.com
A Final Look
While the keynote by Steve Jobs was more than enlightening and actually brought about some really interesting tidbits to the Apple world, the Exposition itself was not as successful.
Upon conclusion of the keynote, many of the users moved into the exposition hall expecting a grand show. But what they found was a grand showing by Apple and a few other vendors and then 3rd rate booths set up by most of the related vendors. One other item that was very noticeable was that there were very few vendors who actually forked out the 400,000 JPY ($3600 USD) for the booths.
The one area that actually drew more users than almost any area in the entire exposition hall was the Apple Users Groups. These groups had items on display that were both innovative and interesting.
There were items which were novelty and some which didn’t even have anything to do with computers other than the case or the logos, but for the most part, these user groups were well organized and used their space and time in the exposition well.
Without a good selection of items at the show, the attention span of the average person seemed to be about 15-20 minutes playing with each of the Thus once most people had spent their 15-20 minutes playing with the Apple toys such as the iMovie and the iPod, they headed directly for these user groups to get information about people like themselves rather than going to a booth and collecting brochures on products that were both out of reach and not applicable to what they did.
While this author’s time spent in the exposition halls reached the 3 hour mark (lunch included), it was definitely a let down for those who have attended other expositions in past years. But it seems that we are not alone. The total attendance for the show actually was down by about 4.1 percent this year or a total of 173,385 over the 3-day show. This was well below the expected 180,000 people that had been expected to attend.
One of the items that may have worked against this year’s show was the fact that the first day of the show was a national holiday however; the following day was a normal working day for most Japanese. The downfall of the economy may have also had quite a bit to do with the scant number of vendors displaying their wares at the show.
Mac World Expo Tokyo 2002
International Data Group.
IDG Japan Inc
Kimiko Niwa (Public Relations Manager)
3-4-5 Hongo
Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo
Japan 113-0033
Tel: +81-3-5800-3989
Fax: +81-3-5800-3979
Web: www.idg.co.jp
