MacTech News

MacTech News

Sep 24
Toon Boom unveils Studio 6
Toon Boom Studio (http://www.toonboom.com) has released Toon Boom Studio 6, a new version of its 2D animation software that adds bone rigging features. As a bonus, Toon Boom Studio 6 comes with several bone-ready templates that users will be able to incorporate into their own projects. Valued at US$29.99, this template pack speeds up the animation creation process. In addition, Studio 6 includes a 62 minute How To Video that covers step by step instructions on how to create bone animation. This How To Video is offered for a limited time only to all Studio 6 customers and is valued at $59.99. You can buy Toon Boom Studio 6 now at the special pre-launch price of $279.99instead of $329.99, valid until Sept. 30. Upgrades from version 4.5 and 5 to version 6 can be purchased at $99.99.
Sep 24
Target to carry iPads starting in October
Target will begin carrying four models of the iPad next month, starting at $499. The nation's second-largest discount chain says it will start selling touchscreen tablet computer starting Oct. 3, according to "Forbes" (http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2010/09/24/business-technology-hardware-a...). The announcement was made at a Target media conference in Minneapolis, where the company is based.
Sep 24
HyperImage for Snow Leopard now a Tumblr client
KavaSoft has released HyperImage 3.5 (http://www.kavasoft.com/HyperImage/), an update of the US$25 Mac OS X app that lets you download images from web sites. It's now a full featured Tumblr client. Tumblr is a community for blogging and reblogging photos. HyperImage helps you do everything you can do on the Tumblr web site. Just enter the address of a Tumblr blog, and HyperImage will download all of the photos HyperImage includes a built-in image browser. You can skip over unwanted images and choose which links to follow. With HyperImage you can also include or exclude images with certain names and choose which image formats to download. HyperImage is available for US$25. You can try it for free, and images downloaded with an unlicensed copy will contain a watermark. HyperImage requires Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopard") and is 64-bit optimized.
Sep 24
DiGi launches iPhone 4 in Malaysia
Malaysian communications provider DiGi Telecommunications has launched a new range of tariff plans in the monarchy to accompany the availability in the country of Apple's iPhone 4, it said, reports "MIS Asia" (http://mis-asia.com/news/articles/digi-launches-iphone-4-in-malaysia-wit...?). “We are thrilled to bring iPhone 4 to our customers,” said DiGi head of marketing, Albern Murty. “Malaysians are fast becoming regular users of mobile Internet, and now with iPhone 4, we expect to see a strong upward trend as customers enjoy the features of the new iPhone."
Sep 24
11.6-inch Apple laptop coming?
Quanta has reportedly landed orders for 11.6-inch MacBooks from Apple, reports "DigiTimes" (http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20100923PD222.html). Shipments of 11.6-inch MacBooks are expected to top 400,000-500,000 units in 2010, the article says. Quanta is expected to ship a total of 13-13.2 million notebooks in the third quarter, says "DigiTimes." That's down 3-5% from 13.7 million units shipped in the second quarter. The company shipped 3.6 million notebooks in July and 4.4 million units in August.
Sep 24
Macgamestore taking pre-orders for Assassin's Creed 2...
Macgamestore.com has begun taking pre-orders for UbiSoft's Assassin’s Creed 2 Deluxe Edition (http://www.macgamestore.com/detail.php?ProductID=1612) for the Macintosh. The game, which is scheduled to be available on Oct. 4,, is available for pre-order as a digital download for 34.99. It requires Mac OS X 10.5 or higher. Assassin’s Creed 2 Digital Deluxe Edition includes Assassins Creed 2 and three bonus maps. You can explore some of the Renaissance’s most prestigious monuments to reveal secret treasures in three special in-game maps: Palazzo Medici, Santa Maria Dei Frari, and the Arsenal Shipyard. Here's how the game is described: "Assassin’s Creed 2 is the follow-up to the title that became the fastest-selling new IP in video game history. The highly anticipated title features a new hero, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, a young Italian noble, and a new era, the Renaissance. "Assassin’s Creed 2 is an epic story of family, vengeance and conspiracy set in the pristine, yet brutal, backdrop...
Sep 24
Info needed on account management software for the Mac
Our next Category Review will look at account management software for the Mac. If you use or know of such goodies, drop me a line (dsellers@applecentral.com) no later than Wednesday, Sept. 29. Migration Kits appear on Friday and round-up Mac solutions for specific industries and areas as dentistry, engineering, sales, etc. Also, if you have a particular migration topic you'd like us to cover, drop me a line, as well.
Sep 24
Raskin update improves rendering quality, more
Raskin Software (http://raskinformac.com/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=createsend&utm_cont...) has updated its self-titled Raskin application – a zoomable single surface Finder alternative for Mac to version 1.1.1. The upgrade improves the rendering quality of files and text displayed at smaller sizes, adds interface improvements and fixes several user reported issues. Raskin is designed to simplifiy interaction with your computer files. Version 1.1 uses Apple’s OS X Quick Look function. “Quick Look was the number one requested feature among our growing user base,” says Raskin co-founder, Michael Rosewich. “It lets you scroll through multi-page documents, run slide shows and watch full-screen video without opening the file. Quick Look is a natural fit. It saves users even more time and that’s why it’s the first feature we’ve added.” Raskin costs US$49.95 for a single-user license and requires Mac OS X 10.6.3 or higher. A 30-day demo is available for download. Version 1.1.1 is...
Sep 24
Multisite update for iWeb provides better feedback, more
Clarkwood Software's (http://clarkwood.com) Multisite for iWeb 2.0, a Mac OS X utility for users of iWeb, has been updated to version 2.5.3. iWeb is part of Apple's iLife suite of software. Apple built iWeb to manage a site going to a single server. If you need to build several sites that go to more than a single web server then Multisite solves your dilemma, according to the folks at Clarkwood Software. It also speeds up iWeb’s publishing by putting sites into individual files behind the scenes so you don't have to publish every site each time. Multisite 2.5.3 provides better feedback for cases where iWeb was renamed. In cases where a folder isn't created it now displays the path. Version 2.5.3 also improves: internal counts when tracking number of sites; permission checking in the file system; licensing feedback; and the automated build process for better version number coordination. Multisite for iWeb costs US$19.95, though version 2.5.3 is a free update for registered users. It...
Sep 24
Mac Shutdown X for Mac OS X gets maintenance update
Pomola Software has updated Mac Shutdown X (http://pomola.com/products_macshutdown/macshutdown.html), a Mac OS X utility for shutting down a Mac on a specified event or on a specified date and time, to version 1.5.4. It's a maintenance update with some bug fixes. Mac Shutdown X costs US$20. Version 1.5.4 is a free update for registered users. The software is Universal Binary so runs natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs. It requires Mac OS X 10.4 or higher.
Sep 24
App Tamer update for Mac OS X improves efficiency
St. Clair Software has released App Tamer 1.0.1 (http://www.stclairsoft.com/AppTamer/), an update of the app for Mac OS X 10.5 and higher that gives you control over your applications so you can save battery and CPU power.The new version increases efficiency and addresses several issues that have been reported since version 1.0 was released. Some Mac applications, especially web browsers, continue running tasks or animations even when they're supposed to be idle in the background. This can consume valuable processing power and reduce battery life. App Tamer's AutoStop capability automatically pauses these applications when you switch away from them, and then restarts them when you click back to them. This frees your CPU and reduces power consumption, according to the folks at St. Clair. App Tamer shows the average percentage of your processor(s) being used by each app, and graphically displays a history of CPU usage. You can enable AutoStop for any application, as well as change its...
Sep 24
Flux web page creation app gets History feature
The Escapers has released Flux 3.1 (http://theescapers.com/flux2/), an update of the Mac OS X app that allows drag 'n drop creation of web pages without the need of knowledge of XHTMLICSS (though you can twiddle with the code if you like). The upgrade introduces a new History feature to allow reversing experimental changes or mistakes. Snapshots can be easily created using a keyboard shortcut. Also, a new palette manages the complete history of your web page. Users of both Flux 1 & 2 are entitled to an upgrade for £34.99, and new users can pay only £69.99 for a single user license, or £99.99 for a family license.
Sep 23
Apple, Sector Labs battle over 'Pod' trademark
Apple and a startup called Sector Labs (http://www.sectorlabs.com/) are apparently going to do legal battle over the 'Pod' trademark, reports "Gadget Lab" (http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/09/apple-goes-to-trial-with-startup-...). Sector Labs is developing a video projector dubbed the Video Pod -- and Apple doesn't like that moniker. Apple and Sector Labs are undergoing a paper trial, in which each party has 30 days to gather and present evidence in paper form, to be submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Apple filed its 873-page paper on Sept. 20, and Sector Labs’ testimony begins Oct. 18, the article adds. “My team started working on the Video Pod in 2000, and it took us years to go from prototype to funded,” Kokin told "Gadget Lab." “At that time, Apple didn’t even enter our minds as a competitor. Now it’s 2010 and I still don’t think Apple is interested in video projection, but I’m supposed to rename our product because Apple also uses ‘pod’?” The VideoPod...
Sep 23
Apple now world's second business company by market value
Apple has overtaken PetroChina Co. to become the second-biggest company in the world by market value, lifted by investors betting on growth prospects for the Mac, iPhone, iPod and iPad, reports "Bloomberg" (http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-09-23/apple-becomes-world-s-second...?). Apple, valued at $265.8 billion, trails Exxon Mobil Corp., which was worth $313.3 billion as of 2:53 p.m. (Eastern). PetroChina is valued at $265.5 billion. “There’s no reason at all Apple can’t grow much, much bigger,” Jane Snorek, an analyst with Minneapolis-based First American Funds (which has more than $100 billion under management, with Apple as its largest technology holding) told "Bloomberg." Apple still has a small portion of the market for phones and computers, she said.
Sep 23
Apple to open Spokane retail store on Sept. 25
Apple is set to open a new retail store in Spokane, Washington, on Saturday, Sept. 25, at 10 am. Apple Store River Park Square (http://www.apple.com/retail/riverparksquare/) is located at 808 West Main Avenue, Spokane, Washington 99201. The grand opening will start at 10 am. Regular store hours will be Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm. Apple Store Haywood Mall will be the company's 304rd retail store. Apple plans to open another 17 or so during this fiscal year, with about half of those outside the U.S.
Sep 23
iHub Basic syncs Macs, iDevices wirelessly
Nova media (http://www.novamedia.de) has unveiled iHub Basic for Mac OS X. The US$29.95 software syncs contacts and calendars automatically and wirelessly between Macs, iPhones, iPads and iPod touches in any local network. The software installs on a Mac and shares selected calendars, contacts and address book groups. Other Macs and iOS devices on the same network can access and edit any shared data. iHub Basic doesn't require any additional client software as it uses the open standards CalDAV and CardDAV which are supported by default by Mac OS X and iOS. "Thanks to iHub Basic, there is no need to store sensitive on any far-away cloud service," says Jan Fuellemann, spokesperson of nova media. "In addition, the user does not have to use a cable and run iTunes just to add an appointment in the calendar or to change an address. And of course, there is no need to buy any expensive server solution to sync contacts and calendars any more." iHub Basic runs as an invisible server application...
Sep 23
iPhone tops customer satisfaction list for fourth consecutive...
For a fourth consecutive time, Apple ranks highest in customer satisfaction among manufacturers of smartphones with a score of 800 on a 1,000-point scale, and performs particularly well in ease of operation, operating system, features and physical design, according to the J.D. Power and Associates' (http://www.JDPower.com) 2010 U.S. Wireless Smartphone Customer Satisfaction Study. Motorola (791) and HTC (781) follow Apple in the rankings. The study measures customer satisfaction with traditional wireless handsets and smartphones across several key factors among owners who have used their current mobile phone for less than two years. In order of importance, the key factors of overall satisfaction with traditional wireless handsets are: operation (30%); physical design (30%); features (20%); and battery function (20%). For smartphones, the key factors are: ease of operation (26%); operating system (24%); physical design (23%); features (19%); and battery function (8%). What's more, the...
Sep 23
Low brand loyalty among BlackBerry users may be fueled by...
Companies that force employees to use BlackBerries may be indirectly hurting the brand by fomenting low user loyalty, according to the latest Crowd Science study into smartphone brand loyalty. Only 35% of survey respondents whose smartphone choices were foisted on them by corporate mandate said they were "very satisfied" with their brand, compared with about 60% of users who exercised at least some choice in their smartphone purchases. BlackBerries were much more likely -- in two out of three cases -- to be the smartphone brand chosen by companies for their employees, the study found. About one-fifth (19%) of BlackBerry users had their phone chosen for them, compared with just 4% each of Android or iPhone users. In a related finding, Crowd Science found that one-third of BlackBerry owners use their phones mostly or only for business purposes, compared with just 20% of all smartphone users. "Combine the low satisfaction levels of users of corporate-mandated smartphones with the fact...
Sep 23
Logo Design Studio Pro update doubles number of included...
Macware has updated Logo Design Studio Pro (http://www.macwareinc.com/products/LDSPro/overview.html), a vector based logo design application for Mac OS X, to version 2.0. The upgrade doubles the number of included logo templates and SVG graphic objects, adds new design options, improves overall usability, and fixes all bugs reported from the previous version. Logo Design Studio Pro lets you design logo objects, then add or change text, shapes, color gradients and more to get the look right. Vector design tools allow you to scale logos to any size without losing their sharpness and clarity. You can even make your logo background transparent to blend in on any web or print-based project. Logo Design Studio Pro is Universal Binary so runs natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs. It requires Mac OS X 10.4 or higher. The software costs US$59.99.
Sep 23
SOHO Business Cards 3.0 gets new smart templates, more
Chronos (http://www.chronosnet.com) has updated SOHO Business Cards, the business card software for Mac OS X, to version 3.0. New featurs include: ° 70-plus smart templates; ° An artwork browser that manages artwork and makes it searchable; ° A font preview mode for previewing fonts in a list or animated fashion; ° Curved & spiral text; ° A Paste and Match Style feature to match the style of text nearby; ° The ability to hold down the space bar and drag the mouse to scroll the canvas; ° A Trim To Card feature to hide objects outside the card for a quick preview; six new Smart Shapes; the ability to resize multiple objects together without grouping; the ability to edit bezier shapes; and 20 iScrapKits containing 974 graphics. SOHO Business Cards is a business card kit that comes with: 13,000-plus designer-quality photographs, photos of objects and vector clip art images; 50 Bitstream commercial-grade fonts; 3,000-plus ready-made designs; and 100-plus super-masks. SOHO Business...
Sep 23
Raidon releases new internal, two-bay, 3.5-inch RAID storage...
Raidon Technology (www.RAIDON.com.tw) has released the iR2620, an internal, two-bay, 3.5-inch RAID storage module offering RAID 0 and RAID 1 functions, with an integrated RS232 port for connection to industrial controls and IPC facilities.    The iR2620 integrates with the Raidon self-developed RAID chip and gives stable RAID 1 real-time backup to help maintain continuous operation of the system, according to the folks at Raidson. Its front panel LCD display provides initial  configuration and status monitoring. The iR2620 is made available for data integration through the embedded RS232 port to facilitate with the management demands of industrial control systems. System status is provided via e-mail notification from the RAIDGuide software to instantly report any malfunction which may occur.   The iR2620 is designed to fit into two of the 5.25-inch CD-ROM bays with swappable trays and can be installed into any general IPC case. This RAID storage module also supports hot-swap and auto...
Sep 23
'Take Control of PDFpen 5' book released
Only days after Smile's release of PDFpen 5, TidBITS Publishing has published "Take Control of PDFpen 5" by Michael E. Cohen. PDFpen 5 is a low-cost alternative to Adobe Acrobat, offering key PDF editing and manipulation features in an elegant interface. The 132-page ebook, which was created in collaboration with Smile, is available for US$10 at http://www.takecontrolbooks.com/pdfpen-5 . In "Take Control of PDFpen 5," Cohen first provides an overview of the PDF format. He then gives readers a tour of PDFpen's tools and navigation. After getting the basics out of the way, Cohen turns to more in-depth features.
Sep 23
Verizon CEO hopes for an iPhone on the company's upcoming...
He said nothing about an iPhone for the company's current network, but said he hopes Apple will come around and allow Verizon to sell the phone for a new network it is building, reports the "Associated Press" (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100923/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_verizon_iphone?). The "4G" network hasn't yet opened for service and won't be complete next year. "We don't feel like we have an iPhone deficit. We would love to carry it when we get there, but we have to earn it," Seidenberg said. "I think 4G will accelerate the process, and any other decisions Apple makes would be fine with us. Hopefully, at some point Apple will get with the program."
Sep 23
UAE's Etisalat announces iPhone 4 price plans
Etisalat, the leading telecom service provider in the UAE [(United Arab Emigrates-, has announced the price packages for the iPhone 4. According to "Trade Arabia" (http://www.tradearabia.com/news/newsdetails.asp?Sn=IT&artid=186234), Eisalat’s 3G mobile broadband network covers 99% of UAE’s populated area and provides customers with speeds of up to 21 Mbps. Customers can subscribe to the iPhone 4 with several voice and data plan options on a one-year contractual basis. "Trade Arabia" says the plans are "value-packed with a number of free minutes, SMS and data per month, suited to varying customers’ needs." Customers also have the opportunity to get iPhone 4: 16GB for free if they subscribe to Package 3, which includes unlimited data, along with 500 minutes of voice calls and 125 SMSes.
Sep 23
Apple CEO is 42nd richest American
According to the annual list of the 400 richest Americans, Apple CEO Steve Jobs is 42nd on the list with a net worth of US$6.1 billion. Last year he had a net worth of $5.1 billion. 
The CEO only draws one buck a year in salary, but makes a bundle of cash from Apple stock options. Globally, Jobs ranks 136 on the list of billionaires, according to "Forbes." Here's what "Forbes" has to say about Jobs: "In January he unveiled Apple's iPad tablet amid a media frenzy; the device has so far beaten the hype with more than 3 million sold since April. In May Apple's market cap overtook Microsoft's to become the most valuable tech company in the world. Despite a super-publicized antenna problem, Apple's latest iPhone sold 1.7 million units 3 days after launch. Majority of fortune comes from Disney; as largest shareholder owns about $4.4 billion of stock. Reed College dropout founded Apple 1976." Bill Gates is ranks number one among the 400 riches Americans with a net worth of $54 billion. Also...
Sep 23
Analyst: Apple will sell 21 million iPads in 2011
In a note today to clients, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster raised his iPad sales estimates for 2011 from 14.5 million to 21 million units. Among other things, he thinks that Apple will begin selling the tablet device in Target stores, along with over 1,000 Best Busy, in time for the holiday season. Jaffray also thinks the international roll-out of the iPad will pump up sales. The tablet is now offered in more than 20 countries. Finally, the analyst thinks iPad sales will be helped by Apple's increasing presence in the enterprise market.
Sep 23
Snowtape for Mac OS X can now record multiple stations at once
Vemedio has updated Snowtape (http://www.snowtape.com) for Mac OS X -- which enables users to listen and record live Internet radio with the touch of one button -- to version 2.0. You can now record from multiple radio stations in the background at once. Snowtape 2 also introduces Recording Schedules. You can program the new recording engine to record at a certain time in the future or to record a favorite weekly show. Snowtape even wakes up the Mac, starts itself and records the show. After it has finished the Mac goes to sleep again. The editor has been re-imagined from the ground up. Not only has Vemedio added audio waveforms but also zooming, scrolling and selecting. Extracting individual tracks form a recording is now also possible because Snowtape uses Last.fm Audio Fingerprints to identify a song based on the audio samples. What's more, Snowtape 2 now fully supports the AirTunes protocol and is able to stream radio and recordings to an Airport Express or an Apple TV. The Apple...
Sep 23
UA releases EP-34 Tape Echo plug-in
Universal Audio (http://www.uaudio.com/support/uad/downloads/index.html) has released the EP-34 Tape Echo plug-in for the UAD-2. It gives guitar players and mix engineers the tape delay effects of vintage Echoplex units, now on the UAD-2 powered plug-Ins platform for Mac and PC systems. Universal Audio President Matt Ward says you only need to listen to classic recordings from Jimmy Page, Brian May, Chick Corea, Eddie Van Halen, Eric Johnson and Andy Summers to hear the Echoplex sound in action, according to the folks at UA. Unlike other Echoplex emulations, the EP-34 is the first plug-in that targets specific behaviors of both the EP-3 and EP-4 Echoplexes. The EP-34 Tape Echo plug-in is available as part of the new UAD Software 5.7.0 release. In addition to the EP-34 Tape Echo, 5.7.0 includes the now officially licensed dbx 160 Compressor/Limiter plug-in. UAD Software 5.7.0 is available as a free download.
Sep 23
Akvis Retoucher update adds new feature to the Stamp tool
Akvis has released Akvis Retoucher 4.5 (http://akvis.com/en/retoucher) for Mac OS X and Windows systems, an update of the app for restoring damaged photos by removing dust, scratches, stains, and by reconstructing the missing parts of a photo automatically. The new version adds a new feature to the Stamp tool. Now it's possible to mirror a clone horizontally and vertically. It can be helpful, for example, when you need to add a mirror of the restored object to water, glass, etc. Akvis Retoucher is available in plug-in and  standalone versions. The plug-in version is compatible with Adobe Photoshop CS5 64 bit. The software runs on Mac OS X 10.4 and higher and Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/Win7. AKVIS Retoucher sells for $87. A demo is available for download.
Sep 23
"REALbasic Developer Magazine" available in book format
"REALbasic Developer Magazine" (http://www.rbdeveloper.com/) is reprinting the last year's issues into a bound book that will be shipping in October. Through Sept. 30 the book may be pre-ordered for $37.50, 25% off the normal price of $49.99. Current subscribers can save even more with an additional subscriber discount. The 384-page book contains the full contents of year 8 of the magazine (issues 8.1-8.6, Nov. 2009-Oct. 2010), and features a full-color cover, black ink interior, and perfect-binding. Those interested should place orders today on the REALbasic Developer web site. A bimonthly publication focused on instructing users of the REAL Studio development environment, "REALbasic Developer" is a source of REALbasic instruction, tutorials, and programming advice. Subscriptions in digital format (PDF) are $49.99 per year. Individual printed issues may ordered via MagCloud. More information is available at the RBD web site. REAL Studio, formerly REALbasic, is a cross-platform...
Sep 23
GTA to bring iPhone 4 to Guam on Sept. 24
GTA TeleGuam (http://www.gta.net) says it will launch iPhone 4 in Guam on Sept. 24 with a range of service plans tailored for iPhone customers. Full pricing will be announced soon. "Customer response to iPhone in Guam has been overwhelming and we are confident the unique features of iPhone 4 will be received with great excitement by our customers," says Roland Certeza, executive vice president of sales for GTA TeleGuam. "GTA customers will find it easy and affordable to enjoy the great new innovations of iPhone 4 with our range of plans and pricing."
Sep 23
Roku introduces new line of HD streaming players
Roku (http://www.roku.com), makers of the Roku streaming player, has introduced its new product lineup. With up to 1080p HD streaming support and Instant Replay, the new players are shipping immediately at prices starting from US$59.99. All models feature high-definition playback as well as support for older, standard definition TVs. There are three new Roku models: the entry-level Roku HD at $59.99; the Roku XD with Wireless-N and 1080p, and the top-of-the-line Roku XDS, which adds dual-band wireless technology and extensive connectivity options for home entertainment systems. All Roku players deliver a large collection of streaming entertainment available for the TV, including over 100,000 movies and TV shows from Netflix and Amazon; Video On Demand; live and on-demand baseball from MLB.TV; music from Pandora, MP3tunes, MOG, and RadioTime; photo and video sharing from Flickr and Facebook; plus news and entertainment from thousands of sources around the world. The $59.99 Roku HD...
Sep 23
New York Apple specialist offering workshops for retail biz
Tekserve, New York City's largest independent Apple specialist, will hold a day of workshops supporting retail businesses. The event will be held on Sept. 30 at Tekserve's Manhattan retail location. It is the latest in their ongoing program, Tekserve Means Business, aimed at small- and medium-sized business and focusing on practical, affordable productivity and security solutions from Tekserve and Apple. Four workshop sessions will be held throughout the day at noon, 2, 4, and 6 p.m. A networking reception will be held before the 6:00 p.m. session. To register, or for more info, visit: tekserve.com/meansbusiness .
Sep 23
Melodyne for Mac OS X goes 64-bit
Celemony (http://www.celemony.com) has announced 1.2 of its Mac compatible Melodyne editor, Melodyne assistant and Melodyne essential. The update brings full 64-bit compatibility and various optimizations.   With version 1.2, the new Melodyne generation joins the currently select ranks of plug-ins capable of running native in modern 64-bit hosts. For users, this means primarily that Melodyne is more robust and runs more smoothly during the editing of more extensive projects, accoring to the folks at Celemony. Broader host compatibility, various workflow improvements -- such as in the handling of transfer storage paths -- and a number of bug-fixes round off version 1.2. Naturally, compatibility with 32-bit hosts is maintained. Version 1.2 will appear in October and is free for registered users.
Sep 23
WHDI and WirelessHD establish wireless HD market
Wireless high-definition (HD) video technologies represent the next frontier in consumer electronic (CE) connectivity,replacing the nest of wires in the living room with high-bandwidth wireless technologies capable of transmitting HD video streams, according to a new study by Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com). The primary candidate technologies include: wireless home digital interface (WHDI), WirelessHD, and Wireless Gigabit (WiGig). WHDI and WirelessHD are new, uncompressed HD video transmission technologies, each of which is primarily promoted by start-up chip companies. Although each has significant potential, both face significant market obstacles. WiGig has broad-based industry participation, but silicon is still a long way from the market, says Research and Markets.
Sep 22
Avid unveils new line-up of music tools
Avid (http://www.avid.com) has introduced a set of tools -- including the new Pro Tools Mbox family, the M-Audio MobilePre, Pro Tools SE bundles and M-Audio Oxygen 88 keyboard controller -- for a range of musicians who are seeking to create, record and mix music at home or on the road.   According to Avid, new features in the third generation of the Pro Tools Mbox family -- Pro Tools Mbox Pro, Pro Tools Mbox and Pro Tools Mbox Mini -- include: re-designed hardware with pro features delivering best-in-class audio and the flexibility to compose using Pro Tools LE or your DAW of choice For first-time Pro Tools users and emerging artists with an interest in musical composition, editing and production, the new Avid Recording Studio, Avid KeyStudio and Avid Vocal Studio systems provide everything needed to create and record music at home, including new Pro Tools SE software and proven M-Audio hardware.   With Pro Tools SE software included, the new Pro Tools SE Family serves as an...
Sep 22
Apple updates iWork apps for the iPad
Apple has released version 1.2 updates to its three iWork apps for the iPad: Pages, Numbers and Keynote. They're available at the Apple App Store. According to Apple, the updates offer improvements to file-format support and file transferring, add the ability to transfer files to and from remote servers and beef up support for exporting files in Microsoft Office-compatible file formats. They also support transferring documents to and from iDisk, a feature of Apple's MobileMe US$99-per-year suite of online services/tools.
Sep 22
Apple releases LED Cinema Display Software Update 1.0
Apple has posted LED Cinema Display Software Update 1.0 (http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1107). It provides support for the 27-inch LED Cinema Display. It's a 75.79MB download and requires Mac OS X 10.6.4 or higher. LED Cinema Display Software Update 1.0 can be obtained with the Software Updates component of Mac OS X's Systems Preferences app.
Sep 22
NBC not likely to join rental program for new Apple TV
NBC Universal Chief Executive Jeff Zucker says the network isn't likely to follow rivals to make its TV shows available for new US$0.99 rental service unveiled earlier this month in conjunction with the new Apple TV, reports "Reuters" (http://www.reuters.com/article/idCNN2219136720100922). "We do not think 99 cents is the right price point for our content. ... We thought it would devalue our content," Zucker said at a Goldman Sachs investor conference. And he noted that NBC shows are already available for $1.99 for download at iTunes. The new $99 Apple TV was introduced on Sept. 1 and should ship within the next 2-4 weeks. With it you rent a TV episode for $0.99, and you have up to 30 days to start watching and then 48 hours to finish it -- or watch multiple times.
Sep 22
Android OS grows in business market, but iOS stays strong
ChangeWave's (http://www.changewave.com) latest corporate spending survey shows that the big winner in the business smart phone market this quarter is the Google Android Operating System, though Apple's iOS still remains strong. When the research group asked respondents which mobile operating system their company currently provides, the Android OS (16%) was the clear momentum winner, registering a six point jump in market share since a previous survey in May. All told, over the past nine months the Android OS has seen a five-fold increase in corporate market share. At the same time, Research In Motion’s OS still holds the dominant share of the corporate market, but it has dropped three points since May in terms of current share. The Apple iOS remains strong, ticking higher by one point. Going forward, 35% of respondents report their company plans to buy smart phones next quarter one point less than previously.
Sep 22
FMC announces new iPhone, iPad development courses
Future Media Concepts (http://www.FMCtraining.com), an Apple Gold Level training Center, is expanding its Mac IT Academy offerings with two workshops for creating, publishing and selling iPhone and iPad applications.   The workshops are taught in small class size to maximize student/instructor interaction and provide the most conducive learning environment, according to the folks at Future Media Concepts. The teaching methodology consists of a combination of instructor demonstration and hands-on supervised practice sessions. Contact Future Media Concepts for times and pricing.
Sep 22
Only half a million iPad owners using AT&T's network?
AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson says that about a half a million iPad owners use the company's network to connect the Apple tablet computer to the Internet, reports "Reuters" (http://www.reuters.com/article/idCAN2116253420100921). And one analyst says that's a lower number than expected. AT&T, is the only U.S. operator providing cellular connectivity for iPad. Pacific Crest analyst Steve Clement told "Reuters" that the half a million figure could indicate that many iPad purchasers aren't bothering to connect the device to the Internet using the AT&T network. Since operators such as AT&T are expecting strong growth from gadgets such as tablet computers, this trend could mean the device category will represent less business than expected, he said. "Half a million at this point would seem low," Clement told "Reuters." Samsung Electronics is banking on several carriers, including AT&T, to help sell its new table device, the Galaxy Tab.
Sep 22
Accused Apple supply manager proposes $600,000 in bonds
The Apple supply manager charged with selling company secrets for more than a million dollars in kickbacks has proposed posting a bond of more than US$600,000 from foreign bank accounts to be released from jail, reports "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com). Paul Devine has offered $612,407 apparently held in foreign bank accounts for bail, the article adds. The Apple global supply manager, has been accused of trading confidential Apple information in return for more than $1 million in payments, bribes and kickbacks. He purportedly had over $150,000 stored in shoe boxes in his house. Devine had a further $20,000 worth of foreign currency in his possession, according to Department of Justice Attorney Michelle Kane.
Sep 22
Ethernet Alliance Forum to explore next gen system design
Industry experts from companies such as Google, Cisco, VMware, NetApp and Intel will present on the impact Ethernet networks of the future will have on system and component design at a Technology Exploration Forum hosted by the Ethernet Alliance (http://www.ethernetalliance.com) on Oct. 5 in Santa Clara, California. 
The continued evolution of Ethernet technology raises many questions about the future of network and system design. This one-day event, open to both Ethernet Alliance members and non-members, will provide the opportunity to explore these questions with members of the Ethernet community. Specific areas of discussion will include energy efficiency in Ethernet networks, higher Ethernet speeds, Internet data center, cloud computing and virtualization standards, and impacts on storage networking. Forum attendees are invited to an informal networking reception following the event, where they will have the opportunity to meet the presenters, John D’Ambrosia, the program chair,...
Sep 22
LensPack is new collection of video editing tools
Noise Industries (http://www.noiseindustries.com) has announced that FxFactory development partner SUGARfx has released a new collection of video editing tools and plug-ins in the form of LensPack, "lens effects with a twist." FxFactory powered plug-ins are designed by Noise Industries and their development partners to extend the visual effects capabilities of Adobe After Effects, Apple Final Cut Pro, Apple Motion and Apple Final Cut Express applications. SUGARfx’s latest boasts capabilities for users looking to distort, straighten, magnify, loupe, and purposely flaw pristine video footage. Priced at US$99, it comes with five image enhancement and distortion tools. Optico improves and increases normal lens distortion when shooting in wide-angle mod. Horizon Line straightens footage with an auto-rotation tool. Distorium distorts footage to make it appear as if it is “literally” coming out of the screen. Loupe automatically emulates the magnification effect in any part of your video...
Sep 22
Multi-Format sues Apple for patent infringement
Another day, another lawsuit. A New Jersey-based company named Multi-Format is suing Apple for patent violation. Apparently, the lawsuit concerns the sale and enabling of downloaded video content like movies and HDTV programming on iTunes to all of Apple's hardware including the iPhone, iPad and Apple TV, reports "Patently Apple" (http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2010/09/apple-sued-for-the-s...). Multi-Format is seeking a "reasonable royalty" from Apple and has further asked the court to consider tripling the damages accessed if the damages are not found by a jury, the article adds. Multi-Format Inc is a private company categorized under Motion Picture Producers and Studios and located in Little Ferry, NJ.
Sep 22
Digital Video Expo returns to Pasadena Convention Center next...
NewBay Media says the Digital Video Expo (http://www.dvexpo.com) is opening its doors next week at the Pasadena Convention Center, where the conference will run from Tuesday, Sept. 28, through Thursday, Sept. 30, with two days of exhibits on Sept. 29 and 30. According to David Williams, conference chair, Digital Video Expo, and editor, "DV Magazine," highlights of this year’s Digital Video Expo include: ° Apple Certification Training from Weynand Training International; ° Multiple educational tracks focusing on web & mobile video, DSLR filmmaking, 3D production, and editing; ° Full-day workshops including Lighting, Canon 5D/7D Training, Digital Cinematography Training, and RED POST The Easy Way; ° Free Lighting Master Classes with cinematographers from the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), led by veteran director of photography George Spiro Dibie; ° Keynotes by leading filmmakers, including Greg Le Duc, Bernie Laramie, Keefe Kaupanger-Swacker, Tom Funk, and Robert...
Sep 22
Aqua Connect announces over 60 features in Mac Terminal Server
Aqua Connect (http://www.aquaconnect.net) has announced support for over 60 features and options in their Mac terminal services solution. The Aqua Connect Terminal Server supports the latest Mac OS X features such as Core Animation and Core Image, along with greater compatibility with Apple’s Workgroup Manager. Aqua Connect Terminal Server can now utilize more of the functionality of Apple’s Workgroup Manager, including the ability to create a Simple Finder in Mac OS X. A Simple Finder will allow administrators to deliver single or specific applications to users while also disabling the other functions of the desktop. Simple Finder is the easiest way for administrators to present application virtualization in OS X terminal services, says Renee Mehrian, executive vice president of Aqua Connect. The Aqua Connect Administrator Tool was developed to complement Workgroup Manager’s features. The Administrator Tool is capable of customizing specific user environments to increase performance...
Sep 22
Ableton introduces Amp for Ableton Live 8 users
Amp (http://www.ableton.com/amp) is a new Ableton 8 audio effect designed to add warmth and drive. Co-developed with Softube, Amp delivers the sound and simplicity of legendary amplifiers and cabinets, according to the folks at Ableton. Amp comes with Cabinet, a separate effect that provides a selection of classic guitar cabs, with optimized mics and mic positioning. Ableton has also included a range of sounds that transform Ableton’s instruments and effects with Amp’s new sonic character. These include Instrument and Effect Racks, Live Clips and over 400 presets. Amp is included with Ableton Suite 8 and is available separately for US$129 from the Ableton web shop. Live 8 users can also take advantage of a free collection of new Instrument and Audio Effect Racks that use Amp's technology when they download the latest Live update, 8.2.
Sep 22
Analyst: Apple revving up for Verizon compatible, CDMA iPhones
Analyst Jeffrey Fidacaro with Susquehanna Financial Group said in a note to investors -- as reported by "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com) -- that Apple is expected to build its first three million Verizon-compatible CDMA iPhones in December. If true, this underscores rumors that Apple is eyeing an early 2011 launch for a Verizon-compatible CDMA iPhone. Quoting "contacts in the company's overseas supply chain," Fidacaro adds that the device is on track for an early 2011 launch. The analyst puts total GSM and CDMA iPhone production for the quarter at between 21 and 22 million. If it actually happened, this would be the first time Apple has produced a version of the iPhone for a CDMA wireless network, which is different from AT&T's GSM technology. In cellular service there are two main competing network technologies: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). Both boast "3G" standards, or 3rd generation technologies. As noted by...
Sep 22
Over one million iPhones sold in South Korea
Sales of the iPhone passed one million within about nine months of its debut in South Korea, reports "Yonhap News" (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/techscience/2010/09/19/8/0601000000AEN20...). KT Corp., the local carrier for the iPhone, said that 1.02 million iPhones were activated as of Aug. 16. Furthermore, KT says it expects iPhone sales to reach 1.2 million in early October. The company received 350,000 advanced orders for the iPhone 4, the latest model from Apple, which arrived in the country Sept. 10.
Sep 22
DEVONthink products ready for upcoming iPhone/iPad app‚Ä®
DEVONtechnologies (http://www.devon-technologies.com) has updated all editions of its information manager, DEVONthink, and its note-taking application, DEVONnote, to version 2.0.4. The new releases of DEVONthink and DEVONnote have been prepared to work with the upcoming DEVONthink To Go for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, as well as with DEVONagent 2.5. DEVONthink To Go lets users take their data with them on their device and add new documents on the go. In addition, DEVONthink Pro Office 2.0.4 comes with a new "Import, OCR, and delet"' folder action for easy integration of e.g. network scanners, improves the reliability of the built-in text recognition, and improves the integration with DEVONagent 2.5, which is about to be released later this year. DEVONthink Pro and Pro Office 2.0.4 allow the user to add reminders for documents to Hog Bay Software's Task Paper and connect to Third Street Software's Sente 6.0 through an updated smart template. Many other templates, e.g. the...
Sep 22
AirWatch Mobile Device Management 5.12 available for iOS 4.x...
AirWatch (http://www.air‐watch.com), a provider of enterprise-grade Mobile Device Management (MDM) software, today has announced the commercial availability of AirWatch 5.12. This new version of the AirWatch solution includes mobile device management capabilities for iPhone and iPod touch devices using iOS 4. It's available in three delivery options: Software as a Service (US$2 per device per month), a dedicated software appliance ($30 per device) and software deployed on premise behind a corporate firewall (with pricing starting at $4,995). Delivery options allow for flexibility to transition easily across the different models. According to AirWatch CEO John Marshall, iOS 4’s expanded enterprise integration technologies, coupled with the AirWatch MDM solution, let organizations deploy and manage both corporate- and employee-liable iPhone and iPod touch iOS4 devices; protect sensitive corporate data; secure access to enterprise resources; monitor compliance with corporate policies;...
Sep 22
FileMaker Go for the iPhone, iPad lets you create PDFs, email...
FileMaker, Inc. (http://www.filemaker.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of Apple, has announced version 1.1 of FileMaker Go for iPhone and FileMaker Go for iPad, the apps that let users work with FileMaker Pro databases on iPhone or iPad. These updates are available free from the Apple App Store, and include enhancements for creating PDFs, sharing databases via email, and inserting photos in databases. Users can now produce PDFs directly from FileMaker Go and either save them on their mobile devices or email them. This feature lets mobile users save and distribute reports, create invoices, and share project status directly from their iPad or iPhone.   Another enhancement is the ability to save a copy of a complete database and email it directly from FileMaker Go. With this feature, iPhone and iPad users can exchange databases from their devices without needing to dock with a desktop or laptop.
 The update also delivers new ways to work more efficiently with photos and other media and...
Sep 22
Nokia releases Qt 4.7
Nokia today released Qt 4.7, the latest version of the cross-platform application and UI (user interface) framework. It's available for download now for all of Qt¬πs supported platforms, with upgrades for Nokia and customer solutions expected over the coming months. A key feature of Qt 4.7 is QML (Qt Meta-Object-Language), a declarative language that describes the interface of a program and how it behaves. The new version also includes performance improvements that make applications and user interfaces run faster and smoother. An updated Qt SDK is now available for download. It contains Qt 4.7, Qt Creator 2.0.1 and everything developers need to create applications and to re-use the code across the Qt supported platforms. It can be downloaded at http://get.qt.nokia.com .
Sep 22
EastWest announces Hollywood Strings Gold Edition
EastWest has followed up their Hollywood Strings Diamond Edition virtual instrument with the US$795 Hollywood Strings Gold Edition (http://www.soundsonline.com/hollywood-strings). Designed for film, television, and video game scoring, it provides all of the sounds from the Diamond Edition in 16-bit resolution and includes a single, mid-tree mic position, all articulations with the exception of bow-change legato, and does not include Divisi mics. The Gold Edition ships on multiple DVDs. It was designed to run on most music creation computer systems, and the system specifications are consistent with most other EastWest/Quantum Leap products.
Sep 22
PandaWare updates TimeCache, TimeCache Manager
The PandaWare Company (http://www.pandaware.com) has updated TimeCache -- its time and expense billing app for Mac OS X 10.3.9 and higher -- to version 8.0.10. The update offers improvements to reports, invoices and analysis charts, and several bug fixes. In addition, it provides support for several new features in TimeCache Manager, a companion application for workgroups that allows managers to consolidate billing information. TimeCache offers support for timed or manual entries, retainer billing, customizable invoices and reports, printing options, and flexible data entry options. It also offers tracking of all a user's computer activity, the ability to save fine-grained details with time and expense entries, can use Apple Address Book entries for client contact information, can produce charts of billable time and expenses, and can import from and export to iCal calendars. What's more, PandaWare has updated TimeCache Manager, allows for streamlined management of a workgroup's...
Sep 21
Adobe reports record revenue
Adobe (http://www.adobe.com) has reported strong financial results for its third quarter fiscal year 2010 that ended Sept. 3. In the third quarter of fiscal 2010, Adobe achieved record revenue of US$990.3 million, compared to $697.5 million reported for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 and $943.0 million reported in the second quarter of fiscal 2010. This represents 42% year-over-year revenue growth. Adobe’s third quarter revenue target range was $950 million to $1 billion. Adobe’s GAAP [Generally Accepted Accounting Principles] diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 were $0.44, based on 523.2 million weighted average shares. This compares with GAAP diluted earnings per share of $0.26 reported in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 based on 531.8 million weighted average shares, and GAAP diluted earnings per share of $0.28 reported in the second quarter of fiscal 2010 based on 533.3 million weighted average shares. GAAP operating income was $302.0 million in the...
Sep 21
Apple pulls in 39% of handset industry's profits
Michael Walkley of the Canaccord Genuity group says Apple 17 million mobile handsets in the first half of 2010, compared with 400 million handsets sold by Nokia, Samsung and LG. Yet he told clients -- as reported by "Fortune" (http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/09/21/pie-chart-apples-outrageous-share...) -- Apple pulled in 39% of the industry's profit during that period, more than the 32% earned by the world's three largest handset makers combined. "We are also impressed with Apple's ability to monetize its innovative products through selling high-margin consumer products that drive strong earnings results and growth trends for Apple shareholders," Walkley said. "A case in point is the mobile phone market, where most handset OEMs struggle to post a profit or even 10% operating margins (except RIM and recently HTC), while we estimate Apple boasts roughly 50% gross margin and 30%+ operating margin for its iPhone products."
Sep 21
LaCie announces new IPS display
LaCie (http://www.lacie.com) has announced the latest addition to its line of professional displays: the 24-inch LaCie 324i, featuring a 10-bit P-IPS LCD panel. It's designed for prepress, illustration, web design, and photographic workflows. The LaCie 324i color is rated at 102% NTSC and 98% AdobeRGB. With wide gamuts that are not disturbed by irregular patterns, digital artists can rely on true colors that maintain the integrity of their work, says Ahcene Tirane, Lacie product manager for displays. Its 178° viewing angle provides the same visual experience and quality from numerous axes, without distorting the picture or losing color, he adds. The monitor boasts an anti-glare panel and 1920 x 1200 resolution. If landscape isn't he desired display mode, you can pivot the LaCie 324i 90 degrees to portrait mode. The multifunction stand glides when raising, lowering, swiveling, tilting, or pivoting the display. The LaCie 324i has four display and video inputs, making it compatible with...
Sep 21
Last.fm comes to AppleTV
Version 4.2 of aTV Flash (http://firecore.com/atvflash) -- an US$49.95 USB flash drive that inserts into the Apple TV and will upgrade it to do various kinds of new things -- has been released.  This version -- a free update to registered users of version 4.0 -- brings a certified Last.fm app to the Apple TV. It allows you to experience your favorite music and includes support for streaming Last.fm radio, artist bios, artist artwork and scrobbling recent plays back to Last.fm. As always, aTV Flash includes support for additional media formats that are not typically supported by the AppleTV. These formats included DivX, Xvid, AVI, WMV, VIDEO TS (DVD files) and many more. Additionally it adds a fully integrated WebKit based web browser, and the ability to expand the storage capacity through the use of an external USB hard drive.
Sep 21
CalDigit VR mini now holds up to 2TB
A little over a year ago, CalDigit (http://www.caldigit.com) introduced the CalDigit VR min, a compact and bus-powered , two-drive RAID system with a quadruple interface.  The CalDigit VR mini is hasn’t gotten any bigger, but it can hold twice as much data and even outperforms the previous generation. The CalDigit VR mini now supports RAID levels 0, 1 and JBOD, supporting speeds fast enough for high definition video editing, according to the folks at CalDigit. Using eSATA, the CalDigit VR mini can reach speeds of over190MB/s.   It's only two inches tall and five inches long -- small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. The 1TB and new 2TB CalDigit VR mini cost US$499 and $599, respectively.
Sep 21
Macs continue to lead in computer customer satisfaction
ustomer satisfaction with personal computers surged 4.0% to match the industry’s all-time high of 78 in the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index. And Mac users were the most satisfied of all. Nearly all brands showed increases in satisfaction and no manufacturer declined. Lower prices, better service, and an emphasis on new, smaller systems and a variety of portable computers helped drive the improvement. However, Apple continued its dominance, leading the computer category by a wide margin for the seventh straight year. Customer satisfaction with Apple’s computer products, including the iPad, rose 2% to an ACSI of 86 -- the highest score ever for Apple. The company now has a 9-point lead over its nearest competitor. No other company in the ACSI has as formidable a lead within its own industry. Innovation and product diversification, along with strong customer service, have long been at the center of Apple’s success. At times, demand for Apple products has outstripped supply...
Sep 21
Germany: Apple, others must come up with data protection...
Germany's government has told Apple, Google and other providers of online map services to come up with their own guidelines on data protection by Dec. 7 or face new regulations on the market, reports "Total Telecom" (http://www.totaltele.com/view.aspx?C=3&ID=458750). 

Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said after a meeting between German officials and Internet executives that they had one last chance to adopt voluntary measures or Berlin would draw up legislation to protect consumers. Representatives of the companies involved didn't attend the news conference.

 The announcement came at the end of five hours of talks between de Maiziere, the federal justice and consumer protection ministers, data protection authorities and managers from firms specializing in online navigation services, according to "Total Telecom."
Sep 21
Apple shares hit all time high
Apple shares rose to a 52-week high of US$283.78 on Monday. That was an all-time high during yesterday's trading, before Apple closed at $283.23. As noted by "BusinessWeek" (http://macosg.me/2/vc), Apple's share price has been climbing steadily since the stock market lows of March 2009. Despite the fall in consumer spending during the recession, Apple has continued to sell more Macs, iPods and iPhones.
Sep 21
Toshiba rolls out Canvio Basics portable hard drives
Toshiba (http://www.toshibastorage.com) has unveiled the newest addition to its Canvio line of portable hard drive solutions: the Canvio Basics portable hard drive family. It's available in 320GB, 500GB, or 750GB models with prices at US$79.99, $99.99 and $119.99, respectively. The Canvio Basics sports a glossy black finish and soft, rounded edges. It has an internal shock sensor, ramp loading tchnology, and a three year limited warranty. The Canvio Basics pocket-sized form factor not only makes it easy to carry, but also conforms to Toshiba’s environmental efforts to reduce the quantity of materials used in production, according to Manuel Camarena, product manager for consumer storage at Toshiba Storage Device Division. In addition, the Canvio Basics’ packaging is made from 100% recyclable materials.
Sep 21
Currency Assistant for Mac OS X rings up version 3.1.3
MaBaSoft has released version 3.1.2 of Currency Assistant for Mac OS X. In the new version of the conversion calculator (http://www.mabasoft.net/products/currencyAssistant.htm), you can now automatically look for rates on the other web sites if they're temporarily unavailable on your favorite source.  To automatically look for rates on the other web sites, select the "Try other sources if the rate isn't available on favorite web site" checkbox in the Rates Update pane of the Preferences window. The maximum precision of exchange rates has been increased in Currency Assistant. Rates can now have up to 12 significant digits. Also, rates updated from the IMF web site now have the same precision as the published rates. Currency Assistant lets you convert between 174 world currencies (all major circulating currencies plus the 16 Eurozone legacy currencies) and automatically updates exchange rates over the Internet using the rates published by the European Central Bank, the Bank of Canada,...
Sep 21
TinkerTool tweaked for Snow Leopard, iTunes 10
TinkerTool 4.2, a new version of the utility for accessing hidden preference settings in Mac OS X, is now available. The update adds a preference to make Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopard") and iTunes 10 use the standard window title bar layout and horizontally aligned window buttons. TinkerTool is an application that gives you access to additional preference settings Apple has built into Mac OS X. This allows to activate hidden features in the operating system and in some of the applications delivered with the system. TinkerTool is available for free and can be downloaded here (http://www.bresink.com/osx/TinkerTool.html). TinkerTool is Universal Binary so runs natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs. It requires Mac OS X 10.4 or higher.
Sep 21
Playrix launches Fishdom: Spooky Splash for Mac
Playrix Entertainment has launched Fishdom: Spooky Splash for Mac OS 10.4 and higher (http://www.playrix.com/games/mac/fishdom-spooky-splash.html). It costs US$19.95; a demo is available for download. Here's how the game is described: "Fishdom: Spooky Splash challenges players to complete tile-swapping levels and earn cash to create a Halloween-themed spooky aquarium of their own design. Players need to build up their spooky aquarium and create the eerie atmosphere of an underwater haunted house with witches, vampires and ghosts in it. While completing match-3 levels, they earn cash to buy exotic tropical fish and Halloween-themed ornaments." Features in Fishdom: Spooky Splash include: almost 100 themed fishies and accessories; an unlimited number of tanks to create and design; and a bonus screensaver.
Sep 21
Panasonic releases LUMIX GH2 digital camera
Panasonic (http://www.panasonic.com) has announced the LUMIX DMC-GH2, a hybrid touch-control camera featuring full High Definition (HD) video recording and compatibility with an interchangeable 3D lens. Compatible with the Micro Four Thirds System standard, the LUMIX GH2 is newly designed with an easy-to-hold grip and includes a refined image processing engine and sensor, full HD video recording, and the ability to take 3D photos with Panasonic's new interchangeable 3D lens. A dedicated button on the top of the camera lets users record videos while shooting photos (up to 14 megapixels) without changing any extra settings. The LUMIX GH2 can now record full HD 1920 x 1080 videos in 60i, doubling the sensor output from 25p/24p to 50p/60p. The camera also supports 1080/24p native mode at 24 Mbps, the highest in AVCHD format. The LUMIX GH2 will be available in black and silver models in early December in three different kit options for a suggested retail price of: US$899.95 (body only...
Sep 21
Playback Media Server gets new NGINX engine
Yazsoft has introduced Playback Media Server 1.7 (http://www.yazsoft.com/products/playback/information/), an update of their zero configuration media server for Mac OS X 10.5 and higher. The upgrade sports a new NGINX engine. Playback can share media stored in folders or even make entire disks available to a Playstation 3 or Xbox 360. No configuration is required. By default, it will share almost any content on the users system. And Playback automatically integrates with iTunes, iPhoto, and Aperture. Users can share all content from these applications transparently or choose specific playlists and albums. Those who like to tinker will appreciate Playback's built-in Access Control List (ACL) and bandwidth throttling. The ACL allows users to control which devices have access to their media. Bandwidth throttling limits the transfer rate from the computer to their UPnP device. This allows others on the network to do other Internet related activities, such as surf the web and check their...
Sep 21
moveAddict for Snow Leopard gets faster, lighter
Kapeli has announced moveAddict 2.0 (http://kapeli.com/moveaddict), an update of the Mac OS X app that offers the capability to cut and paste files (with merging folders as a bonus) to the Finder. feature to Mac's Finder. It works with the usual keyboard shortcuts for cut and paste. With version 2.0, moveAddict has been completely rewritten to make it faster and more lightweight than before. The Finder is now used to move the files, which means that users will see the usual Finder progress indicator dialog while transferring files, as well as be able to undo and stop transfers. A notification window and Finder file labels provide feedback at every stage. Original data remains untouched until the move gets safely registered by the Finder. What's more, moveAddict doesn't modify the Mac system in any way, it is just a small (5 MB) application. moveAddict requires Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopard"). You can download a free version that allows moving one object at a time and is otherwise...
Sep 21
Seagate debuts 1.5TB portable external drive
Seagate (http://www.seagate.com) has launched what it says is the world’s first 1.5TB, 2.5-inch portable external drive. Available immediately, the new 1.5TB FreeAgent GoFlex comes in black and has a suggested retail price of US$249.99. With 1.5TB of capacity people can now store and carry up to 60 HD movies, 750 video games, thousands of photos or tens of thousands hours of digital music, says Darcy Clarkson, vice president of Global Retail Sales and Marketing for Seagate. Shipping now in the United States and rolling out globally later this year, all 1.5TB GoFlex ultra-portable drives will ship with a USB 3.0 interface cable, accelerating the transfer speed of a drive up to 10x when connected to a USB 3.0 port, when compared to a USB 2.0 port. Unfortunately it will only run at USB 2.0 speeds on the Mac since it doesn't yet support USB 3.0. Each drive includes an NTFS driver for Mac, which allows the hard drive to store and access files from both Mac OS X and Windows computers...
Sep 21
Adobe announces Photoshop Elements 9
Adobe (http://www.adobe.com) has announced Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 software for Mac OS X and Windows systems. It's the latest version of the consumer photo-editing software to organize, edit, create and share photos. "The Content Aware Fill technology introduced with Photoshop CS5 is one of our most exciting innovations ever, so we're thrilled to be able to make it accessible to photo and video enthusiasts in this latest Elements release," says Kevin Connor, vice president of product management for Digital Imaging at Adobe. The content intelligence in the Spot Healing Brush analyzes what's in the image and de-clutters or repairs photos (like removing tourists from a crowded scene or an obstruction, such as a telephone pole) with a swipe of a brush, filling in the background. The same content intelligence synthesizes missing pixel information to create a panorama from multiple photos, without leaving any gaps or blank spaces. In addition, the new Photomerge Style Match turns drab...
Sep 21
Wolfram Research, Nvidia team up for integrated GPU programming...
Wolfram Research (http://www.wolfram.com) has announced a technical collaboration with NVidia (http://www.nvidia.com) to integrate GPU acceleration into Mathematica 8. Combining Mathematica's programming ease-of-use with the computational speed of the GPU-equipped hardware dramatically increases application performance and user productivity across industry, research, and education, according to Tom Wickham-Jones, Wolfram Research's director of Kernel Technology. He adds that Nvidia's GPU architecture can transform Mathematica's computing, modeling, simulation, and visualization performance, boosting speed by up to a factor of 100. Mathematica's CUDA GPU programming features along with its built-in examples for common application areas, such as image processing, medical imaging, statistics, and finance. Mathematica's CUDA programming capabilities will be showcased at the GPU Technology Conference Sept. 20-23 in San Jose, California.
Sep 20
iPhone rolling out in several countries this month
The iPhone 4 will be launched in South Africa on Wednesday, Sept. 22, by both the Vodacom Group and the MTN Group. reports Fin24. Other countries poised to get the iPhone 4 soon according to "Edible Apple (http://www.edibleapple.com/china-israel-thailand-and-slew-of-other-count...) include:
 ° Israel will get the iPhone 4 on Sept. 24 via Orange, Pelephone, and Cellcome. ° The Phillippines will get the iPhone 4 on Sept. 26 via Globe Telecoms. ° Turkey will get the iPhone 4 on Sept. 24 via Turkcell and Vodafone Turkey. ° Thailand will get the iPhone 4 on Sept. 24. ° Croatia will get the iPhone 4 on Sept. 24 via T-Mobile, ° The UAE (United Arabs Emirates) will get the iPhone 4 on Sept. 25 via Etisalat. ° Macedonia will get the iPhone on Sept. 24. ° Tunisia will get the iPhone 4 on Sept. 25 via Orange. The iPhone 4 will be available in Malaysia on Sept 26 in some areas, and nationwide on the 27th. And Russia will reportedly get the iPhone 4 sometime between Sept. 22 and 24th...
Sep 20
Survey: 23% of AT&T iPhone customers would go Verizon if...
"Silicon Alley Insider" (http://www.businessinsider.com/iphone-att-credit-suisee-2010-9?utm_sourc...) notes that a new survey from Credit Suisse says 63% of iPhone owners will stick with AT&T, even if it loses the exclusive right to sell the Apple smartphone. So where would AT&T iPhone owners go if they had a choice? Approximately 23% will join Verizon, while 3% will go to Sprint, and 2% will go to T-Mobile, says Credit Suisse.
Sep 20
iPhone users more likely than Android, Blackberry users to pay...
iPhone users download almost twice as many apps from its App Store as those who go to the Android Market or BlackBerry App World Store, according to a report by consumer measurement firm Nielsen. What's more, Apple App Store customers seem more open to paying for their apps, reports "InformationWeek" (http://www.informationweek.com/news/software/web_services/showArticle.jh...). The study found that for every two free apps they download, they generally pay for one. Android Market and BlackBerry App World customers, on the other hand, download more than 3.5 free apps for every one they buy. Least likely to convert from a free trial version of an app to a full, paid version are BlackBerry users, Nielsen's recently released State of Mobile Apps study found.
Sep 20
Apple/Rovi deal points toward future Apple TVs -- and an Apple...
On Monday it was announced that Apple made a deal with a company called Rovi that could potentially see the firm's TV listings guide make its way to the Apple TV, according to Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster. Per a filing with the US Security and Exchange commission, Rovi Corp. -- a company that specializes in digital entertainment services -- has entered into a multi-year agreement with Apple whereby Apple shall license intellectual property from Rovi.  The specific terms of the license agreement are confidential. According to claims at the Rovi web site: ° Approximately 111 million subscribers and 91 million CE devices worldwide use their guidance technology. ° The Rovi content protection technology is on approximately nine billion DVDs and Blu-ray discs. ° More than 500 million devices are enabled with their protection technology. ° Rovi has active advertising rights in place with approximately 121 million guides worldwide. ° The company has a unique catalog of entertainment...
Sep 20
Apple posts Security Update for Snow Leopard
Apple has released Security Update 2010-006 Snow Leopard (http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1105). The company says it's recommended for all users and improves the security of Mac OS X. Security Update 2010-006 Snow Leopard is a 1.93MB download that requires Mac OS X 10.6.4. You can obtain it via the Software Update component of the Mac OS X Systems Preferences app.
Sep 20
Apple licensing intellectual property from Rovi
According to a filing with the US Security and Exchange commission (http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1424454/000142445410000030/form8-...) Rovi Corp. (http://www.rovicorp.com) -- a company that specializes in digital entertainment services -- has entered into a multi-year agreement with Apple whereby Apple shall license intellectual property from Rovi.  The specific terms of the license agreement are confidential. According to claims at the Rovi web site: ° Approximately 111 million subscribers and 91 million CE devices worldwide use their guidance technology. ° The Rovi content protection technology is on approximately nine billion DVDs and Blu-ray discs. ° More than 500 million devices are enabled with their protection technology. ° Rovi has active advertising rights in place with approximately 121 million guides worldwide. ° The company has a unique catalog of entertainment metadata for TV, movies, music and games that includes: more than 1.2 million TV series episodes since...
Sep 20
Bible goes high tech
The recently released print version of The Almighty Bible - Genesis (first book in the graphic novel series) has been welcomed with a positive reception from teens, tweens, parents and grandparents in both Christian and secular communities. Now the team behind this project has announced the release of an app for the iPad and iPhone. “It is our goal to create a tool that young people will be eager to revisit outside of Sunday school, youth group and Bible study sessions," says Kevin O’Donnell co-producer of the project and creator of the award winning “Liberty’s Kids” from PBS. Each page is also accompanied by illustrations and "Bblically accurate" condensed text that young people nine and up can follow. In addition to what the print version already offers, the app will provide the reader with narration, maps, glossary, historical commentary and other features. The first app in the series, Genesis,- will be released to the public on Oct 1 with a live debut of the app at the National...
Sep 20
BatchOutput Server update improves long queue handling
Zevrix Solutions has updated BatchOutput Server (http://zevrix.com/BatchOutputServer.php), an output workflow automation solution for Adobe InDesign, to version 4.5.6. The new version improves long queues handling and addresses several other issues. Under BatchOutput Server workflow, production artists and prepress operators simply submit files to hotfolders that reside on the network. BatchOutput Server automatically outputs the files from its dedicated station using hotfolder settings, and will auto-activate document fonts as well. BatchOutput 4.5.6 can be purchased from the Zevrix Solutions web site for US$699.95, as well as from authorized resellers. A demo is available for download. BatchOutput 4.5 is available for Mac OS X 10.4.2 and higher, a Universal Binary, and works with Adobe InDesign CS-CS4.
Sep 20
Quark to demo digital publishing to the iPad, iPhone at IFRA‚Ä®
Quark (http://www.quark.com) will be onsite at the IFRA Expo 2010 in Hamburg, Germany, on Oct. 4-6 in booth #1.551 to demonstrate digital publishing to the iPad, iPhone, desktops, and other digital devices. 

 The company is currently helping companies around the world publish content to the iPhone and iPad using Quark dynamic publishing software to automate the publishing workflow and prepare content for delivery to digital devices. Quark Publishing System users can instantly publish newsfeed content to Apple’s digital devices through a newsreader application that can be created using NewsGator’s TapLynx Framework.

 At the iFRA Expo, Quark will demonstrate how publishers using QuarkXPress can create digital media content that can be published to the Blio eReader, reading software that will soon be available on leading digital devices. Publishers in need of an application for iPad, iPhone and other leading digital devices can visit the Quark booth to discover what Quark customers are...
Sep 20
Report: USB 3.0 adoption will lag that of USB 2.0
Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com) says the adoption of SuperSpeed USB (3.0) will lag that of USB 2.0. The universal serial bus (USB) specification shipped in more than three billion devices in 2009, including the computer, computer peripheral, consumer electronics (CE), communications, and automotive segments. By 2012, the number of wired USB-enabled devices shipped will exceed four billion, according to Research and Markets. High-speed USB device shipments dominate the current market. However, in late 2009, the first 5Gbps SuperSpeed USB devices shipped. Initially, SuperSpeed USB will be found in computes and PC peripherals, such as external hard drives and flash drives, before migrating to portable devices requiring increasing amounts of storage, including digital cameras, portable media players, and high-end mobile phones. The primary limiting factor in SuperSpeed adoption is its integration into computer core logic chipsets, which is not expected until late...
Sep 20
Poll investigates spending habits of iPhone gamers
Games company Dreadnought Design has launched a research poll to investigate the spending habits of iPhone games consumers. The first in a series of research initiatives designed to better understand the characteristics of the fledgling iPhone games apps market, the poll invites iPhone gamers to declare how much they spend on new iPhone game downloads each month. There are five options to choose from, ranging from less than US$5 per month to $50 or more for big spenders. You can find the polls at http://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/DreadnoughtDesign/121001591273361?v=app_... . The poll will remain open until Oct. 31. After this date, the results will be collated and published on Dreadnought Design’s web site.
Sep 20
Pentax announces K-5 digital SLR
Pentax Imaging Systems (http://www.Pentaximaging.com) has announced the Pentax K-5 digital SLR camera, which is targeted to high-end prosumers with features such as a: 16.3 megapixel CMOS sensor; up to seven FPS to capture fast action shots.; and an 80-12800 ISO range, expandable to 51200, with improved noise performance overall. The K-5 can also record widescreen 1080p HD video at 25 FPS with sound via built-in microphone or external 3.5mm stereo microphone jack. It sports an 11 point SAFOX IX+ autofocus system with dedicated AF assist lamp and light wavelength sensor. It also has: native support for both Pentax PEF and Adobe DNG 14 bit RAW files; an in-camera HDR image capture; SDXC memory card compatibility (via firmware update); a weather-sealed and coldproof design; a 3-inch LCD with 921,000 dots of resolution; and more. The Pentax K-5 digital SLR will ship in October as a body kit only for US$1,599.95 or as a lens kit with the 18-55mm WR for $1,749.95. Pentax Imaging also...
Sep 20
Apple buys face recognition company?
Apple has purported acquired Swedish face recognition firm, Polar Rose (http://www.polarrose.com), according to a report from "Mac1" (http://mac1.no/artikkel/9307/apple-kjoper-svensk-fototeknologi). The company makes a "high performance, low level face detection and recognition library for custom integration." Polar Rose grew out of computer vision research -- the analysis of digital images and video -- at the Universities of Lund and Malmö in southern Sweden. The company is currently a team of 15, including computer science graduates, mathematics Ph.Ds, and a "technology-fascinated economist." Polar Rose was founded by Dr. Jan Erik Solem, chief technical officer, in November 2004. He holds the core patent around Polar Rose's technology, namely the ability to extract 3D features from a single 2D image. He's also an associate professor at the University of Lund's Mathematical Imaging Group, a position he holds on a part-time basis.
Sep 20
Analyst: Verizon iPhone won't hurt AT&T as much as...
AT&T was raised to “outperform” at Credit Suisse Group AG, which said Verizon's anticipated introduction of the iPhone in the first quarter won’t hurt AT&T’s business as much as investors fear, reports "Bloomberg" http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-20/at-t-raised-at-credit-suisse-gi...). “The impact from the loss of iPhone exclusivity should be substantially less than current valuations imply,” Jonathan Chaplin, a Credit Suisse analyst, wrote in a report sent to clients today. AT&T is currently the only U.S. company that offer the iPhone.
Sep 20
iPad sales to have 'slight' negative impact on Mac...
Although previous reports have stated the latter, strong sales of the iPad are expected to have a "slight" negative impact on Mac sales, particularly on the low-end notebook models from Apple, according to analyst Shaw Wu of Kaufman Bros. In a note to investors Monday morning -- as reported by "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com), he said overseas suppliers have indicated that the iPad appears to be "slightly cannibalizing" low-end MacBook sales. Otherwise, Apple is poised for a strong quarter in Mac sales, with numbers indicating the company could sell a record 3.8 million in the September quarter. Wu has adjusted his sales figures accordingly, notes "AppleInsider." He has forecast Apple to sell 5.7 million iPads in the September quarter, up from his previous prediction of 3.6 million. He has also slightly reduced his expected Mac sales to 3.8 million, down from 3.9 million, due to the apparent cannibalization of low-end MacBooks.
Sep 20
Acclivity releases international version of AccountEdge
Acclivity has released an international version of their accounting software for Mac small businesses, AccountEdge. The version is designed for countries that don't have a localized version of AccountEdge, with configurable sales tax and multi currency support. An international version of AccountEdge Network Edition is also available. "We have several localized versions of AccountEdge that separately support many different types of sales tax, including GST, VAT, and Sales Tax," says Tom Nash, Acclivity Managing Partner. "So we created a version that combines all tax types from our other versions." The international version of AccountEdge allows the user to create whatever tax is required for their country, with sales tax reports available to report on tax information for tax forms. The software has long supported multiple currencies. In this version of the software, the user doesn't need to lock in a currency. The user can select their home currency, and then set up as many...
Sep 20
Before Dawn Solutions adds remote back up and monitor to MacMini...
Before Dawn Solutions (http://www.beforedawnsolutions.com) has added remote backup and monitoring services to the Mac Mini Hosting & Colocation plans at their Denver, Colorado, hosting facility. The remote backup solution consists of 1GB of back-up space (more can be added at any time), that can be accessed via, SFTP, WEBDAV, rsync, or scp. The remote monitoring solution includes one URL or IP address, that's monitored via ping or wget every 30 minutes. Mac Mini hosting starts at US$35 per month.
Sep 20
Searchware Solutions announces Print Window 4.1 for Mac OS X
Searchware Solutions (http://www.searchwaresolutions.com) has released Print Window 4.1, an update of the window printing utility for Mac OS X. Print Window lets you generate and print file/directory listings of the currently selected Finder window or folder. Version 4.1 adds: the option to print only folders and not any files contained in the folders; the option to use QuickLook to generate icons for supported file types (Print Window Advanced Only); the option to bold names of folders in file listings; services support for Mac OS X 10.6 or greater; an option, when using the "File" format, to use the full Unix path of a file in place of the name Print Window works with the Mac OS X Finder. You can create and print a file listing directly from the Finder using several different methods, including a contextual menu item, the Dock menu or using a keyboard shortcut. Print Window 4.0 is available in two versions: Standard and Advanced. Both versions are available from within the same...
Sep 20
HP unveils new print solutions
HP (http://www.hp.com) has announced several new print solutions. The company introduced two content devices designed to serve the access and print needs of digitally connected consumers. In addition, HP is offering HP ePrint on all new HP Photosmart devices as well as direct printing from Apple iPad, iPod touch and iPhone devices with iOS 4.2.. The HP Photosmart eStation All-in-One combines the full features of an HP All-in-One with web browsing and access to HP print apps and widgets -- plus a detachable, 7-inch, full-color touchscreen. Additional features include access to Barnes & Noble’s eBookstore with more than one million digital titles, as well as one-touch access to customized content from Yahoo!, Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo! Messenger, Yahoo! Search and Yahoo! Weather direct from the display. Customers also can fax without the need of a phone line. The Energy Star qualified HP Photosmart eStation is currently available in select countries for US$399. The HP Envy 100 e-All-in-One...
Sep 20
Nuance launches Dragon Dictate for the Mac
Nuance Communication has unveiled Dragon Dictate for Mac 2.0, the newest addition to the Dragon family of speech recognition products that includes Dragon NaturallySpeaking for the PC and Dragon Mobile Apps.  Dragon Dictate for Mac -- the first major desktop product for Mac OS X from the Dragon family following Nuance’s acquisition of MacSpeech earlier this year -- makes it easier than ever to create documents and emails, search the web, navigate the Mac desktop, and interact with popular Mac applications -- all by voice, says Peter Mahoney, senior vice president and general manager for Dragon at Nuance. Dragon Dictate for Mac, version 2.0, improves on the accuracy and performance of MacSpeech Dictate 1.5, leveraging the new Dragon 11 engine, which also powers the recently-announced Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11 for the PC, he says. Dictate 2.0 offers a more streamlined set-up, revamped Mac user interface, and new voice commands for dictation, editing, navigation and proofreading....
Sep 20
RunRev introduces LiveCode software development platform
RunTime Revolution (http://www.runrev.com) has debuted its updated software development platform LiveCode, a massive step forward in compile-free programming and a new deployment pack for iPhone/iPad development. The cross-platform solution offers deployment packs for the Web, desktop, server and additional mobile platforms starting at US$99. Formerly the Revolution development environment, LiveCode enables real-time development with adaptations and modifications. LiveCode offers: compile-free coding; an English-like programming language; and cross platform development. It's a development platform that enables the creation of mobile applications, commercial software, enterprise IT solutions, in-house utilities, front ends, e-learning solutions and even school projects. Following in the heels of the revised Apple developer guidelines, RunRev introduces the pre-release version of LiveCode Deployment Pack for iOS g. The pre-release iOS Deployment Pack includes functionality for shake...
Sep 20
Share from Meeting is new screen sharing software
Hutchings Software has released Share from Meeting, screen sharing software optimized for meetings and presentations. It runs on your Mac, Windows or Linux computer and uses bandwidth you already pay for to share screens with participants in your online meeting. Participants can take turns presenting, whether they are on your local network or across the Internet. Besides being used for collaborative meetings, Share from Meeting is designed as a presentation tool for sales professionals and trainers. Sharing your screen lets you control the conversation, as participants need to watch in real time and can't jump ahead. S Share from Meeting is a client/server solution, where the "server" is deployed at a home or office. The server runs on low-end Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux systems, such as netbooks and decommissioned desktops. The server owner customizes the "client" with connection information, a logo, and usage agreement. Most home broadband Internet customers have adequate...
Sep 20
Everplay update for Mac OS X brings list mode, more
Snarb.tk has released Everplay 1.5 (http://snarb.co.uk/everplay.html), an update to the US$14.95 successor to their iTunes controller Cover Stream. The new version brings list mode, easy organizing of upcoming songs, library editing capabilities, improved full screen mode with Party Lock, and much more. Everplay plays music from your iTunes music library as well as from Last FM online radio services. It lets you browse, search and play your iTunes music library and playlists in one Cover Flow window. All this without launching iTunes. Play count and other iTunes metadata is automatically updated as soon as iTunes is launched by Everplay's background daemon. In addition to the standard media player features, Everplay also lets you create playlists on-the-fly using Everplay's song queuing feature (Jukebox mode). Other features not provided by iTunes include visual player notifications, global hotkeys, a mini controller on the desktop, Growl support, speech announcements, and a...
Sep 20
Mailplane for Mac OS X flies to version 2.2
Uncomplex gmbh has released Mailplane 2.2 ( http://mailplaneapp.com), a new version of the Google Mail client for Mac OS X. The upgrade adds support for Gmail's Priority Inbox, improved attachment downloads, integrated Rapportive and TrueNew plug-ins and more. Acting as a site specific web browser for Google's Gmail, Mailplane is a full fledged Mail client for the Desktop. It integrates the Gmail web interface into the Mac experience. It supports multiple Gmail and Google Apps accounts and lets you switch between accounts without the need to sign in/sign out from the Gmail accounts. With iLife integration, you can browse and attach files from your iPhoto and iTunes libraries. Downloads can be directly imported into iPhoto as well. The integrated screenshot tool lets you take and attach a window, screen or region. You can drag and drop files and images on the dock application icon, or any Mailplane window to create and upload attachments. With automatic photo optimization, image...
Sep 20
Cronette adds 'At Document Opening on Days' option
Tension Software has updated Cronette (http://pomola.com/products_cronette/cronette.html), a Cocoa task launcher for Macs and Mac servers, to version 1.4. A new "At Document Opening on Days" option allows a user to specify a task to be launched at document opening (or Cronette opening or Mac startup) if the day matches with the selected plan and for a specified maximum runs per day. Cronette lets you specify tasks to be launched automatically by the Mac. It can be used on unattended Mac Servers or also on regular Mac workstations for tasks to execute during the night or for recurring tasks to be performed on a regular basis. It provides different type of launch tasks: daily, weekly, monthly, yearly. Any task can be specified to launch different type of execution: open applications or documents from disk; open different type of URL; execute different type of actions: restart, shutdown, sleep; sending a message to the log; execute a complex UNIX command. Cronette costs US$30 for a...
 
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Introducing the App Hall of Fame!
App discoverability continues to be a real issue. With the fast churn of apps in the App Store, an app has only a few weeks of promotional life in it before it‚Äôs largely forgotten. There are a few things developers can do to fix that, but those... | Read more »
Gobliiins Are Coming
In the midst of the huge Q4 launch schedule, the cult classic, Gobliiins, as well as the rest of the trilogy, are being ported to the iPhone in all of their original glory. The Goblins trilogy was a quirky Atari/Amiga game series from the early 90‚Äôs... | Read more »
myPhoneDesktop – Chrome to iPhone Extens...
Anyone who has used myPhoneDesktop knows that it is a fantastic tool for streamlining your onscreen workflow. Instead of having to type line after line into your phone directly, you can use myPhoneDesktop to type from your computer directly into... | Read more »
Classes Review
Developer: Dustlab Price: $0.99 Version Reviewed: 2.4.7 iPhone Integration Rating: 3 out of 5 stars User Interface Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Re-use / Replay Value Rating: 3 out of 5 stars Overall Rating: 3.33 out of 5 stars | Read more »
AutoVerbal Talking Soundboard Pro helps...
Being able to speak and communicate with others is something that many of us take for granted. It‚Äôs not so easy for many folks though, in particular for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, as well as those who have suffered various brain... | Read more »
Pocketbooth Review
Developer: Project Box Price: $0.99 Version Reviewed: 1.0 iPhone Integration Rating: 4 out of 5 stars User Interface Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Re-use / Replay Value Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars Overall Rating: 4.17 out of 5 stars | Read more »
Get Your Roast Right With ‘Time To Roast...
Roasting meat, in the cooking world, is about as simple as it gets. The greatest roast recipe I‚Äôve ever found is from Michael Ruhlman‚Äôs website, with the recipe titled, ‚ÄúThe World‚Äôs Most Difficult Roasted Chicken Recipe.‚Äù | Read more »

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