Of the products that were there, many seemed to be “coming soon,” and far less than ever before was really available to buy at the show. Overall, I walked away most of the cash that I came with, a couple of stickers, and a feeling of disappointment. I told my wife via text message that MacWorld was a lot like going to Fry’s, same size as the store, a lot of stuff that you would never buy, and shelf space showing stickers for stuff that you really wish you could buy.

So, what did I buy? Two items:

The “glif.” <link>  The Glif is a simple iPhone 4 accessory with two primary functions: mounting your iPhone onto a tripod and propping up your iPhone at various angles.  One of my favorite blogs had praised their design and after seeing it in person and realizing that it really is small and really useful.  The only downside is that it doesn’t work with any case, but the added functionality more than made up for any downside.  On the plus side, it is reported to be recyclable, made in the USA, and the packaging was minimal and some of the best that I have seen in a long time.  At the show price of $18, this seemed like a good deal.

The other “item” that I purchased was actually more of a kit, and that’s the Modulr <link> case for Apple’s iPad.  For $75 (show price), I purchased the modulr case and cover, slim mount, quick stand, shoulder strap, refrigerator mount (magnets) and hand strap.  Yes, that is about everything they offer at this point in time, but if I can get it all setup the way that I want it, I’m envisioning a lot of flexibility with how I use my iPad.  What I would say, like so many of the products out there today, the modulr case seems cheap to me.  Not in dollars, but in build quality.  It’s not terrible, but I consider the iPad an accessory and a piece of art.  I want whatever I am using with it to accentuate the product itself, even if I have to pay more for it.  That said, it fits well and does what it’s supposed to do.  We’ll see how well it holds up to use and if the practicality makes it outlive my beloved Apple case.

And that about sums up my experience at MacWorld 2011.  Too many cases.  Too much vaporware.  Not enough maturity in the market.  I sure hope for next year to be better, but I’d bet money that unless Apple decides to come back and pick up the show, it won’t be any more than another Fry’s store.

~geek

Pottery Barn (one of my favorite stores) is now selling the Piedmont iChair, which is being marketed as “one of life’s classic comforts.”  Come on, it’s a chair with some speakers built into the headrest.  Somehow I doubt that this is going to create the “first-rate listening experience” that is being claimed.  What I really think is that companies have gone too far followingthe fanfare that Apple has created with their star.

~geek