Here’s a look at what’s interesting that have been announced in the first day at Macworld 2009.

Google introduces Picasa for Mac

Google released a Mac version of Picasa that helps you manage and edit your photos which you can upload to the Picasa Web Albums. Prior to that, Mac users could only upload via an uploader or an iPhoto plugin. This new app will pitch itself against iPhoto which comes with every copy of OS X. However given that iPhoto might be updated after tomorrow’s keynote address, it will be tough fight for Picasa.

You can read up some first looks at – TechCrunch, LifeHacker, Ars Technica, CNet.

Currently still at beta, Picasa for Mac is available for free now (download) and also note that it only runs on Intel Macs only.

BusyMac announces BusyCal

BusyCal is like iCal but on steroids, with integrated calendar sharing and synchronization with Google Calendar, across LAN with other BusyCal users via Bonjour and also with your iPhone via iTunes or MobileMe. It can also allow multi-user editing and offline editing, support for ToDos to help in your GTD process. Plus other fanciful things like adding graphics, live weather and sticky notes.

BusyCal is available in Spring 2009 for US$40 per computer and the Beta will be released soon. Or if you’re a BusySync user, you can upgrade to BusyCal for just US$10.

Roxio ships Toast 10

Toast has reached version 10 and Roxio’s still pumping in much features and goodies into it even though with hard disk media cost dropping and the growth of digital media, not many are actually burning CDs or DVDs. Although OS X has Disc Utility that helps you to easily burn data or iTunes to burn music into CD/DVDs an, Toast’s easily to use interface makes backing up fast and fuss-free. Burning movie files into DVD is also pretty much plug-and-play.

New features in Toast 10 includes extracting clips from DVDs, saving streaming web videos and audio and then converting them for playing offline on TV or your iPhone and iPod Touch. Toast also extended its streaming capabilities of videos to your Mac or your iPhone and iPod Touch and many more.

There is a Standard version at US$79.99 and also a Pro version at US$129.99 that has added tools like SmartSound Sonicfire Pro to create custom soundtrack, BIAS SoundSoap SE for cleaning up of audio files, FotoMagico to create HD photo slideshows and LightZone to enhance your photographs.

Just for the fun of it, MacBook Wheel

Apple Introduces Revolutionary New Laptop With No Keyboard

I’ll update this when more announcements are made, while tomorrow will probably be focused on the keynote address.

Share this if you liked it:

•