Apple has done it again with their new line up of iMacs.

I've looking forward to this release for months now, frantacly checking the web for sneak peeks at the new machine, and reading the feeds of every keynote Steve Jobs has given for a hint of the new hardware.

Honestly, I had begun to resent the iphone because it was slowing the down the release of my dream machine.

But finally the waiting to has finally paid off with the release of the new imac.


[Steve demonstrating on the new machine.]

But what has really blown me away, is the newest version of iLife, iLife 08.

iPhoto
- A new organization feature called "events" which seems to work similar to how one can capture video, by organizing the photos you import automatically, saving one from the stress of tagging photos later. Once it "in" its organized leaving you to enjoy your memories instead of having to remember where you put them.

- easy web uploading...much better than the current "mac friendly only" photocasting.

iWeb

- finally allows for personal domains and hosting without having to use .mac. (You could do this before, but with some hassle and a lack of carry over or some of the features... such as photocasting)
- live customizable web widgets... finally I can encorporate stuff from my various blogs without having to just build links... people can view them all from one page. Beautiful!


iMovie
- Super happy library management, that is faster than real time and works just as good as any of their still image organizers.
- publishes in HD
- direct to YouTube (thank you very much)
- publish right to ipod
- allows higher quality than DVD can even play
- quick rendering designed by a guy who wanted more features instead of a team who was run by a focus group... about time

.mac
- better service
- 10 gigs of storage available.... awesome!

garage band
- notation printing finally available
- garage band magic can change any basic recording into a different genre all together automatically for great experimentation!



All I need now is the $2k to do it, so my ministry can be ministering to students instead of slaving over a computer for hours on end.
Who knew Apple would be a minister's best friend?