Today Google announced the availability of SketchUp for MacOS (the Windows version has been available for a while). I have used SketchUp in the past, it's a very simple to use yet quite powerful 3D modelling application. If you have some basic ideas about 3D modelling and architectural design, you can produce quite accurate models very quickly. SketchUp has some smart tools which, unlike many other similar applications, are actually smart.

Of course, the cool new thing about Google's version of SketchUp is that you can import your model in Google Earth. You can design your home, and then put it on the map.

I think that sometime soon Google will introduce another application or integrate existing ones which will allow us to create characters to move in this real world.

Then we will move from Second Life to the Real World (a google [dot accent] ;-).

The identity transplant bewteen my old PowerBook and the new MacBook took about two hours, but it went smoothly and now all my stuff is on the new computer. Apple is definetly making upgrades a no brainer.

I must say that it feels fast. Browser, email, but even PhotoShop (which is not native), are extremely responsive. Yesterday I experienced the backlit keyboard. I have never had problems using other keyboards in the dark, but it looks pretty cool. The built-in camera is fun.

So far (but I have only used it for a couple of hours) the only issue I had with the new processor is that I haven't been able to see some ShockWave stuff because the plug-in is not up to date.

I'm considering dropping the dual computer set-up I have been using for many years: I've always had a powerful desktop computer hooked to a big screen for design work and a portable with email and the rest of my life. But now, this new MacBook seems to be faster than my desktop G5: I might end up hooking the MacBook to the 22" screen and start using a single computer. But I'm not sure about this step yet.

Tags: MacBook Pro