Likewise Software has released Likewise Open 5.3 and Likewise Enterprise 5.3, both of which support Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopard"), enabling those systems to be integrated with Microsoft Active Directory. Likewise Open allows computers running Mac OS X Snow Leopard to authenticate with an organization's existing Active Directory. Likewise Enterprise builds on the authentication engine of Likewise Open, making it easy for IT managers to authenticate users, control access to applications and data, centrally manage settings with group policies and create reports for regulatory audits, according to Manny Vellon, chief technology officer and co-founder of Likewise. In addition, Likewise Enterprise is the only solution to provide 100 percent native support for Apple's Workgroup Manager application, he adds. Users can find the new Likewise Open software download at www.likewise.com/download, and the Likewise Enterprise trial at http://www.likewise.com/register . The new software includes...

Apogee, manufacturer of AV and computer related products, has released the Kanex Mini DisplayPort with Digital Audio to HDMI adapter for the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Mini, and iMac. This new adapter (US$59.99) is the latest addition to the current line of Kanex Mini DisplayPort adapters (http://kanexlive.com/products/item.aspx?id=3495). It provides digital audio and video through the use of the Apple minijack. The Kanex Mini DisplayPort with Digital Audio to HDMI adapter features a USB 2.0 input able to supply power to the adapter. It also supports HDMI 165 MHz, 1.65Gbps per channel, and like the first generation adapter, it supports HDMI resolutions of up to 1080p and 8 bit per channel. The Kanex Mini DisplayPort with Digital Audio to HDMI adapter is also able to support uncompressed audio such as LPCM, but can also support compressed audio DTS Digital such as DTS-HD and Dolby True HD formats. Previously, Mac users only had two options when it came to obtaining audio from...

MakeMusic (http://www.finalemusic.com) has announced the simultaneous release of Finale NotePad 2010 and an updated, free-of-charge Finale Reader. Both music notation software packages support current operating systems and provide compatibility with files created with Finale 2010, MakeMusic's music notation software program. Finale NotePad 2010 offers an introduction to the world of music notation. Available as a download for US$9.95, or purchased on disc for $19.95, NotePad lets anyone create, play, print, save and share music notation. Notes can be entered with a mouse, a MIDI keyboard, or by opening MIDI files. Music plays back with the nuance of Human Playback and can be heard via the 128-plus included sounds or through an external MIDI device. NotePad also fosters collaboration as it can edit, play, print and save files created with other Finale music notation products. NotePad 2010 includes several new features, including improved percussion notation and enhanced documentation,...

Blue Microphones (http://www.bluemic.com), which specializes in microphone technology and design, has introduced the Eyeball 2.0, its next generation web camera with a built-in microphone. Featuring a higher-quality lens and 2-megapixel camera, Eyeball 2.0 is a plug-and-play webcam with professional-class, digital audio, according to William Merchan, vice president, Sales, Blue Microphones. The Eyeball 2.0 sports a resolution at 1600 x 1200 pixels and an optical sensor. It features driverless installation for plug-and-play use with either Mac or PC systems. Its camera-off privacy position allows the HD lens to retract into the high-fidelity microphone unit. You can position the webcam thanks to its design and rubber monitor adapter. The Eyeball 2.0 has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of US$79.99. It's available at Amazon.com, Apple retail stores and Fry's Electronics stores. Also available now, Blue's wired condenser microphone, Snowball, is getting a new look. The...

Vicomsoft (http://www.vicomsoft.com) has released InterGate Policy Manager 9.3, an update to their server based web filter, app filter and network monitoring tool for Mac OS X. InterGate Policy Manager is now Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopard") compatible and also available for purchase via the eSellerate system. The software provides a granular level of filtering for web content, peer to peer, telephony and instant messaging apps, comprehensive logging and more. It's centrally managed, so requires no client computer software. It can be integrated into any existing network with little or no configuration changes. InterGate Policy Manager requires Mac OS X 10.4 or higher. It's Universal Binary, so runs natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs. Contact Vicomsoft for pricing options.

OtterBox (http://www.otterbox.com) has introduced two new cases for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS: the Commuter and Commuter TL Series. Fusing elements from the Defender and Impact Series, the cases were designed to "highlight the true beauty of the iPhone in three slender, yet sturdy layers," according to the folks at OtterBox. First, a self-adhering screen cover protects from scratches, while the touch screen remains completely functional. Second, a silicone skin wraps over the device to protect corners from bump and shock. Dust intrusion is reduced with the use of silicone plugs over audio port and dock connector. Finally, a smooth, one-piece, custom molded polycarbonate shell hugs tightly around the silicone allowing the case to easily into a pocket or purse. The new Commuter Series offers optional, interchangeable color shells and the Commuter TL comes in a variety of color choices. Both Commuter and Commuter TL Series cases come with a microfiber cleaning cloth and installation...

Recosoft Corp. (http://www.recosoft.com) -- the developer of the PDF2Office family of products, PDF2ID tool for InDesign cross platform file format conversion solutions and PDF converters - is shipping PDF2ID Standard 2.0 and PDF2ID Professional 2.1. The upgrades are ready for Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopard"), as well as Windows 7. They also include additional refinements further easing the PDF-to-InDesign conversion process. PDF2ID provides a direct, transparent process for PDF document data retrieval and reuse within InDesign. It's been engineered to provide seamless integration with Adobe InDesign to eliminate the necessity to acquire and install additional PDF data recovery tools. PDF2ID 2.1 is available immediately in the following configurations: US$299 for the standard configuration; $399 for the pro version; $129 for a standard upgrade for version 1.x standard licensees; and $159 for upgrades for 1.x pro licensees).

Nvidia (http://www.nvidia.com) has introduced its next generation CUDA GPU architecture, codenamed "Fermi." An entirely new ground-up design, the "Fermi" architecture is the foundation for the world's first computational graphics processing units (GPUs), delivering breakthroughs in both graphics and GPU computing, according to Jen-Hsun Huang, co-founder and CEO of Nvidia. Presented at the company's inaugural GPU Technology Conference, in San Jose, California, "Fermi" delivers a feature set that accelerates performance on a wider array of computational applications than ever before, he adds. Joining Nvidia's press conference was Oak Ridge National Laboratory who announced plans for a new supercomputer that will use Nvidia GPUs based on the "Fermi" architecture. "Fermi" also garnered the support of organizations including Bloomberg, Cray, Dell, HP, IBM and Microsoft. Huang says that, as the foundation for Nvidia's family of next generation GPUs namely GeForce, Quadro and Tesla, "Fermi"...

Electric Butterfly has announced the publication of "The Developer Sketchbook for iPhone Apps" (http://www.developersketchbook.com/) by Dave Wooldridge. It's available on Amazon.com for US$19.99. The Sketchbook is designed to enable iPhone developers to quickly mock-up their next iPhone app. Its grid-based design templates provide visual guidelines for the accurate size and placement of commonly used elements. The Sketchbook includes: 100 pages of 320 x 480 grids for portrait user interface design; 100 pages of 480 x 320 grids for landscape user interface design; 200 pages of flowcharts for outlining an app's navigation; 100 pages of square grids for app icon design; and dedicated space on every page for detailed notes.

Eltima Software has released Flash'in'App 2.5 (http://mac.eltima.com/cocoa-framework.html), a Cocoa framework which lets developers load and fully manage Flash movies right within Mac applications. The upgrade is revved for Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopad"). This framework contains a set of classes, which provide application with the ability to load, play and manage any SWF files right within this application. The application can communicate with SWF file via External API, FSCommands and Variables. Implementing Flash'in'App in application extends its functionality in several time. Flash is able to handle sounds, video and images. With Flash'in'App application will be able to work with all these media files too. Additionally, Flash'in'App allows creating custom-shaped windows and running your Windows Flash-enabled applications' GUI on Mac. With Flash'in'App users can easily create amazing Flash interfaces for any of Mac applications, add a tutorial or anything else. In fact all the...

HyperOffice (http://www.hyperoffice.com/demos) has announced HyperBase, "cloud-computing" software tools that give business users the ability to collect, manage and analyze web-based data -- and share it with teams, customers, partners and suppliers. Users of HyperBase can create online database management applications for automating common business tasks, such as managing events, tracking inventory and sales leads, user and customer surveys, and processing support tickets, says Farzin Arsanjani, president of HyperOffice. HyperBase is an alternative to Microsoft Access and other traditional database software, he adds. "It moves this data to the web, where it can be shared with colleagues, managers and clients anywhere on the planet, using public web sites, private Intranets and mobile devices, including smartphones," Arsanjani says. ""HyperBase is tightly integrated with and adds significant new power to HyperOffice." HyperOffice is online messaging and collaboration software....

JNSoftware (http://www.jonn8.com/) has updated EntourageABMenu, a Mac OS X tool for utilizing an Microsoft Entourage address book data through a system-wide menu, to version 1.5.8. The upgrade adds support for Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopard"), as well as implementing minor code and interface updates. EntourageABMenu provides access to your contacts' phone numbers, email, postal addresses, URLs and notes. Selecting a menu item will trigger an action such as displaying the content in large type, copying it to the clipboard, creating a new email, dialing the phone (accomplished by running a customizable AppleScript), or showing an address on a map using any of several online mapping services. Phone dialing requires the use of additional software such as Jon's Phone Tool. EntourageABMenu requires Mac OS X 10.4.9 or later. It costs US$15.

Intuit has announced QuickBooks 2010 for Mac. Due in late October at a suggested retail price of US$199.95, it's designed to give small business owners new tools that help them be more productive and profitable with the simplicity they expect from a Mac product. It has over 40 enhancements. Kiran Patel, executive vice president and general manager of Intuit's Small Business Group, says QuickBooks 2010 sports a faster setup process. It reduces the number of set-up screens from 30 in the previous version to two. The upgrade also gives users insights to make smart business decisions with customizable, at-a-glance financial reports and graphs, and makes it easier to process credit card payments and track billable hours with integrated add-on services. In addition to getting paid, business owners can pay their employees with Intuit QuickBooks Payroll for Mac, an integrated add-on online payroll service. It helps users manage everything from paychecks to W2 forms, including federal and...

LaCie (http://www.lacie.com) has announced high-end speakers, modeled after Cabasse's loudspeaker technology -- the LaCie Sound2 Speakers, design by Neil Poulton. Cabasse is an acoustic engineering company. The speakers are designed for use with any computer system or A/V device. Coupled with Cabasse's loudspeaker driver support, the LaCie Sound2 Speakers provide premium sound quality to computers, according to Alexis Kobassian, Product Manager.. Additionally, users can use the line-in connection to experience the same high-quality sound from audio/video devices like iPods and portable multimedia players, he adds. To use the LaCie Sound2 Speakers, you just plug them into a Mac or PC USB connection or line-in port on a peripheral device, and they're ready to go. No driver installation is necessary. Also, for added functionality, the LaCie Sound2 Speakers come with a built-in USB cable and volume control. The LaCie Sound2 Speakers can provide 30W total peak power output and an expansive...

ManiacTools (http://www.maniactools.com) has released MIDI to MP3 Converter for Mac OS X (10.5 and higher). The US$29.95 app lets you convert MIDI files into into WAV or MP3. By using "SoundFonts," it can purportedly surpass the capabilities of a particular sound card, producing tunes that sound better, compared to the computer's usual output. Several SoundFonts can be used simultaneously, so the user is able to assign individual SoundFonts to each instrument instead of using ready-made General MIDI sets. In other words, the program turns a usual home computer into a powerful synthesizer with a potentially unlimited number of instrument samples, according to the folks at ManiacTools. Using SoundFonts, MIDI to MP3 Converter will convert a five-minute MIDI file into MP3 in a few seconds. The program has a built-in ID3 tag editor and can supply converted files with important information, like title, artist etc. It will accept MIDIs that are dragged and dropped into its window....

Nvidia has released a public beta of the PGI CUDA-enabled Fortran compile. Developed in collaboration with The Portland Group , it's the first Fortran compiler compatible with Nvidia CUDA -enabled graphics processing units (GPUs). A compiler is a software tool that translates applications from the high-level programming languages used by software developers into a binary form a computer can execute. Developers are invited to download the beta CUDA Fortran compiler for Mac OS X, Windows and Linux systems from The Portland Group web site (http://www.pgroup.com/support/downloads.php). The PGI CUDA Fortran compiler requires the CUDA Software Developers Kit (SDK) which is available from CUDA Zone (http://www.nvidia.com/cuda). PGI compilers are recognized in the HPC community for delivering world-class performance across a wide spectrum of applications and benchmarks, according to the folks at Nvidia.

Cocktail 4.4 (Tiger Edition), a general purpose utility for Mac OS X, has been released. This version (http://cocktail.maintain.se) fixes various bugs discovered in the previous release. Cocktail (Tiger Edition) is now distributed as freeware and doesn't require a license. The update is strongly recommended for all users of Cocktail (Tiger Edition). It's distributed as a Universal Binary and runs natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs.

SmileOnMyMac has updated PDFPen (http://www.smileonmymac.com/PDFpen/download.html), its PDF editing and form-filling tool for Mac OS X, to version 4.5. The upgrade -- free to registered users of PDFPen 4.x -- incorporates the Nuance Communications OmniPage Capture SDK OCR (Optical Character Recognition) engine for improved accuracy when performing OCR on scanned text documents. PDFpen uses version 15.5 of the OmniPage OCR engine. It replaces the Tesseract open source OCR engine in PDFpen on Intel-based Macs. In addition to the OCR improvement, PDFpen 4.5 includes other new features. Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopard") users can now scan directly into PDFpen from Image Capture or TWAIN scanners. SmileOnMyMac also added a new text highlighting tool which selects and highlights text in a single action. PDFpen costs US$49.95, and PDFpenPro is $99.95. Family pack licenses, which cover up to five computers in one household, are $74.95 for PDFpen and $129.95 for PDFpenPro. Upgrades from earlier...

REAL Software (http://realsoftware.com), creator of REALbasic, a cross-platform development tool for creating software for Mac, Windows and Linux, is now shipping REALbasic 2009 Release 4. This release offers 97 improvements and 39 new features, including a new report editor, which will be included in all versions of REALbasic, and build automation, a feature exclusive to REAL Studio. The new report editor allows developers to visually create a layout for printing by dragging and dropping labels, fields, images and more. Reports can be created to print a single page or multiple pages. The layout is divided into sections (header, body, footer as well as grouping sections for reports that have sorted data). The new build automation feature of the Project Editor is only available in the REAL Studio Edition. With Build Automation developers can now automate the most common functions of building their applications without having to write IDE scripts. REALbasic Personal Edition for Mac,...

Intelligent Assistance has updated their Sequence Clip Reporter to version 1.5, even though the application has been available for less than two months. Thanks to a "massive amount" of customer feedback, "we were able to add the features they asked for, moving Sequence Clip Reporter forward to a new version," says Intelligent Assistance' CEO Philip Hodgetts. Sequence Clip Reporter takes an XML export from your finished, edited Final Cut Pro Sequence and generates usage reports as an Excel spreadsheet on selected video and/or audio tracks. As well as all the features of version 1 -- Clip name, Sequence start and end times; source in and out and durations, plus comment fields -- version 1.5 adds these features: ° A completely revised interface; ° Video and audio tracks are identified with different colored text (settable); ° Reports can be limited to specified audio and video tracks; ° Estimated total duration for each reel is reported; ° Additional sheets can be generated for a reel-by...

Smith Micro Software has released StuffIt Deluxe 2010 for Mac (http://www.smithmicro.com/stuffit/mac). The new Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopard") compatible release includes StuffIt Connect, a new cloud-based file transfer service that lets users share large files without the hassle of email attachments or FTP. StuffIt continues to provide compression technology, of course. It works with virtually all files and compression formats, such as Zip. StuffIt Deluxe 2010 eliminates the constraints of email attachments by automatically redirecting large files to the new StuffIt Connect web service, according to Matthew Covington, senior director, Product Management of Smith Micro Software. Recipients receive invitations via email that contain a link to the hosted file, which lets them download shared files. Users can access and create invitations to share content from any Internet-connected device, including iPhones and other smartphones. StuffIt Connect protects files with 512-bit RC4 encryption...

Freeverse has released the Fairy Trails app (http://freeverse.com/fairytrails), an augmented reality game for the iPhone and iPod touch, leveraging the latest technology in iPhone OS 3.1, including camera and compass access. It's available for US$1.99 at the Apple App Store (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=331011...). Here's how the game is described: "Shake the device to power the detector and then scan your surroundings for magical creatures. Fairy Trails uses the camera and compass of iPhone 3GS to merge the real world and game world in spectacular ways. For iPod touch users, a stunning forest setting is rendered for the fairies to inhabit."

QNAP Systems (http://www.qnap.com) has unveiled a new network appliance described as a set-top player crossed with a NAS server. The NMP-1000 Network Multimedia Player bridges the gap between the home network and the living room, says Meiji Chang, CEO of QNAP Systems. It works with Mac, Window, Linux, and even UNIX-based home networks. The NMP-1000 solves the dilemma of how to centrally store, manage, and playback growing amounts of digital content spread around the home on multiple computers, he adds. It incorporates an internal hard disk drive that catalogs digital pictures, videos, music, and other content from computers on the home network and can play them back in a home theater with the included remote control. The new NMP-1000 connects to the home network via wired Ethernet (wireless adapter ready) and to an HDTV via HDMI or Component interfaces, or composite and S-Video interfaces for standard-def TVs. The NMP-1000 is capable of playing back smooth Full HD 1080p video. It...

Miraizon announced today that its current versions of Cinematize® products, Cinematize 2 Pro for Macintosh Version 2.03 and Cinematize 2 for Macintosh Version 2.07, have been tested and certified to be fully compatible with Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard. Free updaters to the latest versions are available for download at: http://www.miraizon.com/support/downloads.html Cinematize 2 and Cinematize 2 Pro are award-winning DVD movie clip extractors that allow you to extract audio, video, and subtitle clips off of DVDs and convert them into formats compatible with popular applications including QuickTime, FinalCut, iMovie, iDVD, PowerPoint, iTunes, Apple TV, and even an iPod. The extracted clips can be used to create best-of movie clip collections, multimedia presentations, movie clips for viewing on an iPod or Apple TV unit, or movie clips for posting on web sites including YouTube. Cinematize 2 includes everything you need to start extracting from DVDs, while Cinematize 2 Pro includes many...

Absoft Corpo. (http://www.absoft.com) -- a developer of compilers, debuggers and software development tools for high performance computing -- has announced general availability of the new Absoft Pro Fortran 11.0 for x86 and x64 based Linux systems. Release 11.0 is the first of Absoft's high-performance, auto-parallelizing Fortrans to include support for OpenMP multi-core parallel programming standards and optimizations for AMD's six-core Opteron (Istanbul) and Intel Xeon (Nehalem) processors. Absoft's Fx3 graphical debugger has also been upgraded to support OpenMP threads and the Absoft multi-platform IDE, has added an OpenMP control feature among other improvements. Supported environments include RHEL 8, SuSE 3, Ubuntu, Fedora and Mandrake. Pricing starts at US$599. Pro Fortran v11.0 also adds a new scheduler, which has demonstrated performance increases of up to 10% in resource-constrained environments, according to Wood Lotz, president of Absoft. SSE4/4.2 instructions are supported...

Zevrix Solutions has released PDF Checkpoint 1.0, a PDF workflow automation solution. It preflights, exports as images and splits multiple PDF files. It lets users review and analyze preflight results quickly and easily, according to the folks at Zevrix. The program is equally suitable to process hundreds of files as well as single PDF documents. PDF Checkpoint checks fonts, colors, images and metadata of multiple PDF files and lets users instantly identify potential problems according to user-defined preflight profiles. Preflight profiles let users check PDF for specific attributes, such as image resolution, color model, PDF/X compliance and others. PDF Checkpoint can also route PDF into success/error folders according to preflight results and generate preflight report for each file. With PDF Checkpoint, you can export PDF pages into TIFF, JPEG and other formats as RGB, CMYK or Grayscale images. You can specify image resolution and scale. You can also split multipage files into...

Aquafadas (http://www.aquafadas.com) has updated BannerZest, a flash presentation tool for professional and amateur web designers, to version 2.0. The upgrade adds 10 new banner themes (of which three are exclusive to the Pro version), the ability to add a sound file, the ability to publish a banner in a single .swf file (Pro version only), the addition of theme presets and the ability to publish banners in an iPhone compatible format (Pro version only). With BannerZest you can turn your pictures into a flash slideshow. BannerZest doesn't require you to know or even possess Flash, according to the folks at Aquafadas. It uses the concept of themes, which work like templates. BannerZest comes in two versions: a standard edition (US$49) and a pro version ($129). The Pro version has all the features of the standard version, plus some advanced editing options, workflow enhancements and specific pro templates. Customers who purchased BannerZest on or after Aug. 1 will receive a...

Newer Technology (http://www.newertech.com) has announced the US$12.99 NewerTech FireWire 800-400 Adapter to provide plug and play connection of FireWire 400 devices to the latest Mac Pro, MacBook Pro 17-inch, Mac mini, iMac, and other computers with FireWire 800-only support. The NewerTech FireWire 800-400 Adapter solves the dilemma of how to use existing FireWire 400 devices with the latest Macs, as well as eliminates the hassle of determining which cable type and length to buy, according to the folks at NewerTech. The adapter plugs into a computer's FireWire 800 port via a 9-pin male (FW800) connector. The other end of the Adapter features a 6-pin female FireWire 400 connector.

Sassafras Software (http://www.sassafras.com) has released a new version (6.2) of K2 KeyAuditor & KeyServer with new tools for optimizing, automating, and simplifying the management of software assets throughout an enterprise. K2 6.2 integrates new measurement metrics into application usage tracking so that re-allocation of unused software licenses (and the K2 client it- self) can become fully automatic based on usage patterns. The set of built in reports can then be scrutinized for trend analysis, migration planning, and for license contract renewal negotiations. Many of the routine K2 client and license re-allocation tasks will no longer require attention, resulting in greater optimization of software budget and personnel resources, according to John Tomeny, vic president of Business Development, Sassafras Software. K2 is a cross platform Software Asset Management (SAM) solution for managing software license entitlements throughout an enterprise. It tracks, controls, and reports...

Strata (http://www.strata.com), the company adding the power of 3D to the designer's toolset, today released Strata Foto 3D CX 2. This new version of Foto 3D makes it even easier to create 3D models from photographs, allowing the use of image sets taken from video as well as still images. Foto 3D's patented technology has revolutionized model creation of real-world objects and version 2 takes this technology to another level. Strata Foto 3D CX allows the use of a standard digital camera to capture real-world objects as fully textured 3D models. Foto 3D is ideal for difficult to model objects like organic shapes, soft forms and hand made items. A plug-in for Adobe's Photoshop is included which integrates Foto 3D's model creation with Photoshop's image and 3D model manipulation capabilities. New in Strata Foto 3D CX 2 is the ability to use images taken from a variety of sources, including aerial photographs, frames taken from video, and pictures of objects too large to fit within a...

Avid (http://www.avid.com) has released the Digidesign Eleven Rack for guitar players. It's a standalone hardware unit that combines a guitar amp and effects processor with a computer recording audio interface, to create a recording and performance solution. It will be available later this month at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of US$1,259. It's bundled with Pro Tools LE studio mixing software. Avid says that Eleven Rack provides guitarists with three distinct solutions in one product that: ° Replicate everything guitarists love about vintage and modern amplifiers without the hassle of storing or maintaining them; ° Create the ability to record incredible guitar tone without needing to re-record a great performance due to bad tone; ° Reproduce tones captured in the studio in live performances with unprecedented ease and flexibility.

Recordare LLC has released version 5 of its Dolet plug-in for the Finale music notation program. The plug-ins serve as "universal translators" between music notation applications. The Dolet 5 for Finale plug-in reads and writes MusicXML 2.0 and Open Score Format 1.0 files for translations available between music notation programs. Dolet 5 for Finale adds support for Finale 2010, including Finale 2010's new percussion and chord features. What's more, it moves beyond the MusicXML support provided with Finale 2010 by including support for the Broadway Copyist font family. Dolet 5 for Finale also improves import from Sibelius 6 files, adding support for importing new features such as feathered beaming, jazz articulations, and German chord symbols, according to Recordare CEO Michael Good. More than 30 new and improved features have been added in version 5, compared to the previous version 4.8. MusicXML 2.0 features such as part name accidentals and per-part measure numbering are now...

The "Take Control of Mac OS X Backups" (http://www.takecontrolbooks.com/backup-macosx) by Joe Kissell has been updated to its fourth edition. The 196-page tome is available for US$15. Kissell offers advice "that goes far beyond the false security of simply turning on Time Machine or copying a few files to CD." He says the ebook helps readers pick the best backup strategy for their needs, complete with an at-a-glance comparison of different backup strategies (low-cost, easy, safest), along with advice for backing up digital photos and other media. The ebook has an appendix aimed at readers who want to create their own backups using Unix on the Mac command line, explains how to backup Sindows volume for those who run Windows on their Macs, and comes with coupons for $30 off Data Backup and 10% off CrashPlan.

IntelliScanner Corp. (http://www.intelliscanner.com) has announced IntelliScanner Classic, an US$99 smart barcode scanner that automatically organizes, books, movies, and media. By scanning the retail barcode, IntelliScanner automatically identifies the items users' scans using popular online media databases, pulling down the title, creator, cover artwork, and more. IntelliScanner's included media organization software lets you: organize books, movies, music, and video games: create lists of favorite titles, track lending, create virtual bookmarks, and generate insurance reports for a safe deposit box. It works with Mac OS X and Windows XP/Vista and requires an available USB port. For teachers and students, IntelliScanner Classic is available at a special price of just $79. IntelliScanner's built-in Smart Lists and Web 2.0 sharing tools let educators share their classroom's media collection online for access by students and parents at home. Plus, IntelliScanner's free iPhone web app...

Projectur (http://www.projecturf.com/), a provider of on-demand project and collaboration management software designed for small to medium-sized businesses, will be rolling out Projecturf 2.0 -- a new project collaboration tool. And it's Mac compatible. Pricing starts at US$29.99 per month. Projecturf 2.0 maintains the web-based project management software's signature navigational scheme and features, including unlimited file storage with no cap on users or project managers, sections specifically created for developers and designers, and almost no learning curve, according to the folks at Projecturf. Version 2.0 purportedly takes advantage of the recent advances in browser-side programming languages to deliver a fast product that eliminates clicks and provides immediate feedback. A new ticketing/bug tracking system that contains ticketing numbers, open/closed ticket logs, timecard integration, and the ability to upload screenshots. There will also be a section to store and share...

Adobe has announced Photoshop Elements 8 (http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshopelmac/) for Mac and Windows, providing automated and intelligent photo-editing technology across both platforms. The newest version of the consumer photo-editing software is the perfect complement to iPhoto for consumers who want to go beyond the basics and tell amazing stories with their photos, says Doug Mack, vice president and general manager of Consumer and Hosted Solutions at Adobe. For media management, Mac users have access to all the features in Adobe Bridge CS4 software, which provides quick organization with a custom viewing workspace and full-screen preview with one-click close-ups. Keyword tags and a variety of search options are designed to simplify photos quickly. Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac now includes all of the intelligent photo-editing options as the Windows version. In addition to Photomerge Exposure, Recompose and Quick Fix previews, Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac features Scene...

Kensington Computer Group (http://www.kensington.com) has introduced a new car mount with amplified sound for use with any iPhone navigation application. The US$39.99 mount allows iPhone users to easily navigate while driving, as well as double the volume of turn-by-turn directions from navigation applications. The Kensington Windshield/Vent Car Mount with Sound Amplified Cradle for iPhone acoustically increases speaker volume without additional battery drain to the iPhone, allowing drivers to navigate while keeping their eyes on the road, according to Federic Frappeau, Kensington global product manager. The sounds amplifying cradle mounts in seconds to a vehicle windshield or vent and holds an iPhone securely even on the roughest terrain, he adds. Compatible with any navigation application for iPhone, the cradle will be carried in all Apple stores beginning in early November 2009. Kensington has also introduced eight new products to help users boost the everyday performance of their...

Equinux has released Barbeque for the iPhone and iPod touch. It's available for US$0.99 at the Apple App Store (http://www.equinux.com/goto/barbecueforiphone). Barbeque lets you virtually grill on your Apple device. Barbecue grill-meisters can prepare their steaks, sausages, ribs and kebabs as well as select the perfect place setting. User's can even choose the perfect tablecloth before they serve their creations to friends via Mail as a humorous greeting card, Twitter or Facebook.

.com Solutions has introduced FmPro Migrator Platinum Edition 5.25 wth Microsoft Access to FileMaker Pro Migration License Feature The recently introduced Access to FmPro migration feature previously added to FmPro Migrator Developer Edition has been the most successful product launch ever for the FmPro Migrator product line, according to the folks at .com Solutions. No, in response to customer requests, FmPro Migrator Platinum Edition has been introduced with simplified product licensing for Access to FileMaker database migrations. FmPro Migrator Platinum Edition includes all of the features of FmPro Migrator Developer Edition, but also includes a license key for enabling Access to FileMaker migrations for an unlimited number of Access database files for the duration of the license key. The included Access to FmPro license key processes up to 250 forms/reports for a one-year period of time (an US$2,500 value). For more info about the Access to FmPro Migration feature, including an...

Tri-Edre has released Taptap (http://www.tri-edre.com/english/taptap.html) for Mac OS X 10.5 ("Leopard") and higher. It's an US$9.95 utility available at any time to launch applications, files, and URLs and access notes and addresses. To use it you tap twice on the Command key (or the shortcut of your choice) to access any of your applications, files and folders you selected, your browser bookmarks or cards from your Address Book, your password protected notes, etc. According to the folks at Tri-Edre, Taptap has been designed to facilitate access to data contained in the Mac and includes a variety of tricks such as: ° The possibility to add descriptions and keywords to applications; ° The presence of a disk browser, and contextual menus displaying the contents of folders and allowing access to files and contents; ° The ability to add notes protected by a password. A free demo version is available. It gives you access to all features, but for a limited time.

Zevrix Solutions (http://zevrix.com) has released LinkOptimizer Light 4.1.2, an update of its low-cost version of its workflow automation solution for Adobe InDesign. The upgrade is compatible with Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopard"). It also addresses several performance and stability issues related to InDesign clipping paths, link status and international system support. LinkOptimizer Light allows to reduce InDesign job size and speed up processing by eliminating excess image data and performing essential image adjustments. The new version has more than 20 new features and improvements, including settings presets, detailed logs and a redesigned user interface. LinkOptimizer Light 4 can be purchased from the Zevrix Solutions web site for U$159.95 , as well as from authorized resellers. A demo is available for download. LinkOptimizer Light works with Mac OS X 10.4.2-10.5 and InDesign CS-CS4.

Comm-Unity Networking Systems has released POP3it Pro 4.1.6, an update of the email downloading and importing plug-in for FileMaker Pro. The upgrade fixes issues with decoding and understanding emails, fixes issues with checking email accounts, and adds functionality to the Full Source functions. POP3it Pro allows you to connect to a POP3 Email Server and download email directly into your FileMaker Pro database. The plug-in also allows you to import email directly from the mailbox storage files of email clients like Thunderbird, Eudora, and Apple Mail. POP3it Pro requires FileMaker Pro 7.0v3 and above to function properly. The plug-in won't load under previous versions of FileMaker Pro. If you have FileMaker Pro 7.0 but haven't updated to 7.0v3, you can obtain a free update from FileMaker's web site. POP3it Pro requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or above. The plug-in is Universal Binary so runs natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs. A demo version can be downloaded from the Pop3it Pro Pro...

Que Publishing is releasing three new Snow Leopard books plus a new book for Windows users switching to a Mac. "Mac OS X Snow Leopard On Demand" (http://www.informit.com/title/9780789739858) by Steve Johnson offers tightly focused coverage of the techniques Mac users need most on a day-to-day basis in a visual with step-by-step format. It's US$29.95. "Mac OS X Snow Leopard In Depth" (http://www.informit.com/title/9780789742292) is for any experienced Mac student seeking to deepen their understanding and master the features of the new Snow Leopard version of Mac OS X. Mac OS X expert Paul McFedries has packed this $39.95 book with useful intermediate-to-advanced level information. "Easy Mac OS X Snow Leopard" (http://www.informit.com/title/9780789740441) is a step-by-step, $24.99 book by to provide instant access to the tasks beginner-to-intermediate users need to master. Like all books in the Easy series, it's designed to teach visually: readers never have to work their way through...

LaCie (http://www.lacie.com) has updated its Portable DVD±RW Drive. Now with a sleek black finish, the drive includes new multimedia burning solutions. Featuring two versions, users can choose from the multimedia burning solution for Macs or PCs. The Windows version comes with Creator Suite 10, while the combined Mac and Windows version comes with Toast 9 Basic, as well as Creator Suite 10. Additionally, the drive is USB bus-powered so only one cable is needed to start burning CDs and DVDs. The 8x drive is less than an inch tall and weighs under a pound. It fits into a bag, backpack, or briefcase. The LaCie Portable DVD±RW drive is equipped with LightScribe, a technology that allows you to burn silkscreen-quality labels directly onto CDs and DVDs with a laser instead of a printer. The LaCie Portable DVD±RW will be available through the LaCie Store Online, LaCie Reseller+ and LaCie Corner, starting at the suggested retail price of US$89.99.

Speck (http://www.speckproducts.com), a designer and manufacturer of cases and bags for popular consumer electronics,has unveiled its newest family of notebook bags, packs and sleeves. This new generation of notebook carrying solutions features all-new colors, patterns and a host of design upgrades and enhancements. The new bags and packs include the: ° CorePack FLY Airport Checkpoint Friendly Notebook Messenger Bag, which holds up to 15-inch notebooks. It's an US$89.95 TSA/airport checkpoint friendly notebook bag. Adhering to the strict standards set by the TSA, the hinged design enables the bag to butterfly open to allow the storage and notebook compartments to separate and lay flat during screening. ° AftPack Notebook Backpack ($89.95), which holds up to 17-inch notebooks. It was designed to offer complete on-the-go storage and notebook protection. The backpack sports contoured, padded shoulder straps with tuck-away chest straps, vented body padding, and a quick-access notebook...

Mariner Software (http://www.marinersoftware.com/) has released Mariner Calc 2.0 for the iPhone. It's now available for US$6.95 at the Apple App Store. It's a free update for registered users of version 1.x. All of the new features in Mariner Calc 2.0 have been tested and function on the iPhone 3.0 and 3.1 operating system. Those features include: named range support; find and replace; sort ascending or descending; a password protected WiFi web based file server; settings for user info; settings for email options; settings for startup behavior; and a new temp file system for quick saves of large files. Mariner Calc takes advantage of almost two decades of spreadsheet experience on the Mac, according to Michael Wray, president of Mariner Software. It also introduces the ability to view and edit native Microsoft files (.xls format Excel 97 and up) on the iPhone. Mariner Calc includes 24 math functions, 18 finance functions, 17 trig functions, 13 statistics functions, 14 lookup functions...

Hyberbolic Software (http://www.hyperbolicsoftware.com) has released Tidy Up! 2.1.0, the latest version of their disk, file and folder processing utility for Mac OS X. Tidy Up! can find duplicate files and packages using any criteria. The new version adds compatibility with iTunes 9 and Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopard"). Tidy Up 2.1.0 requires Mac OS X 10.5 ("Leopard") or higher. Upgrades from version 1.x are $20.