MacTech News

MacTech News

Apr 01
Prizmo update for Mac OS X offers iPage curvature correction,...
Creaceed has released Prizmo 1.5 (http://www.creaceed.com/prizmo/features.html), an update of its application for scanning everything thanks to a digital camera. The upgrade offers iPage curvature correction for improved OCR results, support for PDF documents as input files, improved OCR result previewing and camera tethering. 
Scanning with Prizmo is not limited to documents. As Prizmo corrects lens distortion and perspective, they can scan almost everything: common documents (invoices, receipts) as well as less usual documents (boards, giant advertisements); documents of all sizes (regular formats like US Letter, US Legal, and custom); portrait and landscape documents; indoor and outdoor photographs. Prizmo requires Mac OS X 10.5.6 or later. It costs US$39.95 and is available in English, French and German on Creaceed's web site. A fully functional, time-unlimited trial version is available. The demo version generates watermarked images. Student and educational discounts are offered...
Apr 01
OCRKit upgrade for Mac OS X adds support for more languages
OCRKit (http://ocrkit.com/), a text recognition app for Mac O X 10.4 or higher, has been updated to version 1.1. The new version adds support for new OCR languages: Polish, Russian, Turkish. There's also control for color detection. Additionally, version 1.1 improves automatic color detection and the embedding of certain image files. OCRKit transforms images and PDF files into searchable PDFs. With built-in OCR it allows for editable PDF files via drag and drop. And you can find 'em with the Mac's built-in Spotlight desktop search. OCRKKit comes with support for several OCR languages, including English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish, and even more user-interface translations: English, Dutch, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Simplified-Chinese and Traditional-Chinese. It's designed for Intel Macs only. OCRKit costs approximately US$56, though version 1.1. is a free update for registered users. A demo is available for download.
Apr 01
STM offers new ochre Scout laptop, iPad bags
STM Bags (http://www.stmbags.com) has released ochre flavored versions of its laptop shoulder bag. The new color compliments the olive colorway and adds a lighter spring flavor to the STM line of 14 ounce poly cotton canvas bags. The Scouts are available in three sizes: extra small (iPad and 11-inch screens), small (13-inch screens), and medium (15-inch screens). Pricing depends on the size. The bags sport an interior laptop section with soft brush lining and high density foam. Front utility pockets hold keys, cords and mobile devices without unclipping the front panel. The Scots are made of water resistant poly cotton canvas fabric.
Mar 31
Music industry sources: no iTunes Replay before the third...
Music industry sources told "CNET" (http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-20001480-261.html) this week Apple has informed label managers that a streaming music service is unlikely to be ready before the third quarter. Some had hoped such a service might arrive when Apple unveiled the iPad tablet in January, but it didn't. "CNET" says that same month, Apple executives spoke to the major record labels about enabling people to store their music on the company's servers and access their songs with web-enabled devices. At that point, music-industry insiders speculated that Apple's new service might debut early this year. "Besides a later-than-hoped-for start to Apple's streaming, all of this also means that music -- which has typically played an important role in most of Apple's culture-changing devices -- will be bumped to the sidelines with the iPad," says "CNET." Last year Apple has bought Lala, which, in September 2008, unveiled "the first and only free fully licensed service to instantly...
Mar 31
OneSpring releases rapid prototyping kit for the iPad
OneSpring has released an updated version of the visualization templates for Apple-branded mobile devices, including the iPhone, iPod touch and, now, the iPad. It offers a way to define software projects from mainframes to web sites to mobile applications. The iPhone and iPad simDK gives business analysts and user experience professionals a way to quickly prototype the look, feel and behavior of iPad applications, including screen transitions, typing, sliding, etc., before any code is written, according ot Robert Grashius, chief visualization officer for OneSpring. This approach clarifies requirements, saves time during product ideation, and speeds up delivery of applications, he adds. The iPhone & iPad SimDK is offered by OneSpring at no cost and is available for immediate download by visiting onespring.net. It requires iRise 7.3 or above. iRise is an enterprise visualization solution.
Mar 31
Apple releases AirPort Base Station Update 2010-001
Apple has posted released AirPort Base Station Update 2010-001, which brings the Airport Utility to version 5.5.1. The update -- which requires Mac OS X 10.5.7 or later -- addresses two bugs and includes a security fix. The security patch addresses an issue that would have allowed an unauthorized user to connect to an otherwise restricted network. You can obtain the update via the Software Updates component of Mac OS X's Systems Preferences app.
Mar 31
Apple canceling non-US iPad orders
Consumers and companies that have pre-ordered US iPads from outside the US are receiving e-mails from Apple canceling their orders in order to facilitate demand of real US consumers, according to MobileGamesBlog.com ("http://blog.mobilegamesblog.com/2010/03/apple-cancels-foreign-ipad-pre-orders.html). Those orders (coming mainly from web sites like MyUS, Borderlinx and Shipito) that have been canceled will receive a full refund on their credit cards, the article adds.
Mar 31
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers doubles iFund to $200...
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB) has announced the doubling of its iFund to US$200 million of venture capital for applications for Apple's iPhone OS family of products, including iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.  Established in 2008 as a $100 million investment pool, the original iFund is now fully committed across 14 companies. iFund companies have been supported by an additional $330 million from follow-on investors.   KPCB (xhttp://www.kpcb.com) also announced iFund-supported companies have more than 20 applications in development for the soon-to-be-released iPad, with 11 available at first ship on April 3. KPCB noted the iPhone has created an inflection in mobile content consumption and the iPad will lead the next wave of innovation in mobile computing. The iFund is increasing its investment dollars to back entrepreneurs and build companies that focus on these areas. Particular areas of interest on iPad include entertainment, communication, social networking, commerce,...
Mar 31
Ross Video to release CWDM fiber solutions at NAB 2010
Ross Video (http://www.rossvideo.com will be releasing a range of CWDM optical transmitters, optical muxes and optical demuxes to allow customers to fully utilize available bandwidth on their existing fiber connections. Releasing at NAB 2010 are eight dual CWDM transmitters for a total of 16 optical wavelengths, a four channel MUX/DMX with expansion port, an eight channel MUX/DMX and an eight channel MUX/DMX with expansion. The flexibility of these solutions allows end users to combine up to 16 channels in groups of four onto a single fiber link, says Eric Goodmurphy, gear marketing product manager, Ross Video. openGear is an open-architecture, modular frame system designed by Ross Video and supported by a diverse range of terminal equipment manufacturers. The platform offers clients the freedom to choose technology from a wide range of products to meet the needs of a broadcast, production, or distribution facility while maintaining a compatible openGear frame infrastructure, he adds...
Mar 31
Voila for Mac OS X now supports higher quality videos
Global Delight has updated Voila (http://www.globaldelight.com) -- an image capturing, annotating and sharing tool that sports the ability to capture a region from the screen in rectangular, circular, polygonal or free hand form -- to version 3.0. Users will now be able to record high-quality videos of their desktop, among other feature additions. Features such as image resizing, single-click sharing across FTP, SFTP, Flickr and YouTube, customization with regard to capturing and exporting options are among the many additions made. The app also sports a revamped look. Voila offers full screen capture, timed capture or a menu capture. In addition, the software is integrated with a blend of annotating tools like texts, arrows, callouts, sprays, stamps and more. Additionally, you can share your work via email or iPhoto. Voila runs on Mac OS X 10.5.2 or later. It costs US$39.95. Upgrades from previous versions are $15 through the second week of April; after that, it's $18.
Mar 31
NewerTech introduces iFolio carrying case for the iPad
Newer Technology (NewerTech) NewerTech has introduced iFolio, a custom handcrafted carrying/protection case for the new iPad being introduced April 3. Made in the US from premium imported black or red Brazilian leather, it's available in black or red leather colors. The iFolio for the iPad is available for pre-order at a special introductory price of US$99.99 (it's normally $129.99) from NewerTech's exclusive distributor, Other World Computing at http://www.macsales.com/ifolio . All pre-orders and regular orders of the NewerTech iFolio will begin shipping April 5.
Mar 31
PDFpen for Mac OS X gets maintenance update
SmileOnMyMac has updated PDFPen (http://www.smileonmymac.com/PDFpen/download.html), its PDF editing and form-filling tool for Mac OS X, to version 4.6.1. Text resulting from OCR (Optical Character Recognition) is now positioned more accurately for selection and highlighting. An occasional problem with sheet-fed scanners has been corrected, as well as an issue with drawing text annotations. Other minor improvements and fixes have also been made. 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 versions of either application are $25, and free to users who purchased after June 1, 2008. Upgrades from any version of PDFpen to PDFpenPro 4.0 are $50. PDFpen 4.6.1 and PDFpenPro 4.6.1 require Mac OS X 10.4 or later. An Intel 1.8GHz processor or above is recommended for OCR. Demo versions are available for download.
Mar 31
AT&T, Apple reportedly working on network issues
AT&T executives have reportedly been working with Apple to resolve the issues regarding its highly criticized network issues. iPhone users have long complained about dropped calls and slow data connections. Now, as rumors circulate (again) that Verizon iPhone is in the works, AT&T is reportedly working with Apple on improving network communication. AT&T executives flew to Apple's campus last year to assure Apple CEO Steve Jobs that they were working to resolve the issues and instruct Apple handset designers on wireless networking, AT&T Chief Technology Officer John Donovan told "The New York Times" (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405270230473910457515407278419861...). In mid-December, AT&T executives set up a 100-day plan to dramatically improve the company's network in densely-populated cities, he said. It's long been understood that AT&T's exclusivity deal with Apple would eventually end. If that end coincides with the release of a Verizon iPhone...
Mar 31
Greenpeace criticizes iPad, cloud computing
In a new report "Cloud Computing and its Contribution to Climate Change," the environment group, Greenpeace (http://www.greenpeace.org), has criticized the iPad, cloud computing and "IT's growing carbon problem." "Here's part of what they have to say: "Whether you actually want an iPad or not, there is no doubt that it is a harbinger of things to come. The iPad relies upon cloud-based computing to stream video, download music and books, and fetch email. Already, millions access the 'cloud' to make use of online social networks, watch streaming video, check email and create documents, and store thousands of digital photos online on popular web-hosted sites like Flickr and Picasa. "The cloud is growing at a time when climate change and reducing emissions from energy use is of paramount concern. With the growth of the cloud, however, comes an increasing demand for energy. For all of this content to be delivered to us in real time, virtual mountains of video, pictures and other data must...
Mar 31
Encoding.com adds HTTP live streaming encoding for iPad, iPhone...
Encoding.com, a global provider of studio-class online video encoding services, has announced support for HTTP Live Streaming for Apple’s iPhone, iPod touch, and the iPad mobile devices. HTTP streaming enables publishers to provide users with a better video experience by continuously adapting the video stream in real-time to match the user’s available bandwidth, says Encoding.com CEO Jeremy Farber. Encoding.com is excited to bring Apple’s new capability to the five hundred customers currently in its roster, he adds. Starting with iPhone OS 3.0 and QuickTime X, video producers can deliver streaming audio and video over HTTP from an ordinary web server for playback on iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad mobile devices. This is called HTTP Live Streaming and supports both live broadcasts and video on demand. Because it uses HTTP, most edge servers, media distributors, caching systems, routers and firewalls support this type of streaming.
Mar 31
TinyBooks for Mac OS X gets maintenance update
Ken Winograd and Space-Time Associates (http://www.winograd.com) has updated TinyBooks Pro, its Mac accounting and bookkeeping program, to version 7.0.4. The upgrade improves the importing of old TinyBooks documents, improves the built-in help text and error messages and improves the Recur Dialog. TinyBooks Pro is a single-entry bookkeeping and accounting system designed for sole proprietors, home and other small businesses, and family finances. To use you enter your expenses and income, and TinyBooks Pro does the rest. Current and year-to-date on-the-fly totals are continually displayed. Fully automatic bar-charting of all expense and income accounts make the determination of monthly trends intuitively obvious, according to the folks at Space-Time Associates. TinyBooks Pro 7.0.4 is exclusively for Intel-based Macs and is available now. TinyBooks (the non-Pro TinyBooks) is still available for those running on older PowerPC Macs or those running Mac OS 8.x. or 9.x TinyBooks Pro 7.0.4...
Mar 31
Apptix introduces Apptix Hosted Exchange for Apple
Apptix (http://www.apptix.com) -- a provider of hosted Microsoft Exchange email, Microsoft SharePoint and VoIP services for businesses worldwide -- has launched Apptix Hosted Exchange for Apple, a new hosted offering that provides native integration of Apple-based communications applications with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007.   The service provides full business-class Exchange support for all Mac computers running Mac OS X 10.6.x ("Snow Leopard").  ActiveSync mobile service is also included with each Exchange mailbox for use with the soon-to-be launched iPad, as well as any iPhone or iPod touch (with Wi-Fi access) mobile digital devices. "Apptix Hosted Exchange for Apple gives our customers all the features and functionality of hosted Microsoft Exchange, but without the need for software outside of native Mac applications," says James Bond, vice president of Software & Product Development for Apptix. "Our customers can now use Apple Mail, Apple iCal, Apple Address Book...
Mar 31
Kyte announces iPad support
Kyte (http://www.kyte.com) -- an online, mobile and social video platform for live and on-demand content -- has announced an SDK (software development kit) for developing Kyte-powered iPad apps for distribution through the AppleApp Store, as well as web-based support for the iPad through a new, universal embed code that outputs HTML5 video. The new SDK and HTML5 support provides media companies and marketers with the flexibility and choice to build native iPad applications, or extend compatibility of their new or existing Kyte-powered websites to the iPad, says Gannon Hall, chief operating officer, Kyte. In addition to its robust online video platform, Kyte gives organizations the ability to add social and interactive capabilities to video content and to natively distribute that content across the iPad, iPhone/iPod touch, BlackBerry, Android and Nokia platforms, he adds. Hall says that aAdditional key features of the Kyte SDK for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch include: ° A binary API (...
Mar 31
CinemaView Duo dual display extender announced
CinemaView (http://www.cinemaview.com) has announces its new Duo dual display extender for Apple computers using the Mini DisplayPort video port. The Duo works with either two 24-inch Apple LED Cinema Displays, creating a total 3840x1200 pixel display space, or with two CinemaView 24 LCD displays, creating a total 3840x1080 pixel display space. The CinemaView Duo has one male Mini DisplayPort plug that connects to a Mac, and provides two female Mini DisplayPort ports into which two identical Mini DisplayPort equipped monitors can be connected. The Duo analyzes the individual screen resolution of each connected display, adds the two together, and sends a composite "extended" resolution signal to the Mac -- up to 3840x1200 pixels. The CinemaView Duo is available for prepaid pre-order for US$149, including ground shipping to USA and Canada destinations. These pre-orders will ship to customers on or before April 28.
Mar 30
Apple releases QuickTime, iTunes, iPhoto updates
Apple has released updates for QuickTime, iTunes and iPhoto. You can obtain 'em via the Software Updates component of Mac OS X's Systems Preferences app. QuickTime 7.6.6 addresses 16 security issues on both the Mac and Windows platforms. iTunes 9.1.0 has five security fixes and adds support for iPad syncing and iBooks organizing and syncing. iPhoto 8.1.2 adds iPad support and boasts syncing improvements.
Mar 30
Dot Hill introduces AssuredSAN appliances
Dot Hill (http://www.dothill.com), a provider of storage solutions and software for OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), open storage partners and system integrators, has expanded its channel program with the introduction of its next-generation AssuredSAN disk-to-disk data protection appliances targeted at small-to-medium businesses (SMBs).   The Dot Hill AssuredSAN 3000 Series, based on the company’s new 3000 Series storage platform announced in February, features a suite of disaster recovery applications, including Dot Hill’s new AssuredRemote remote replication software. The Dot Hill AssuredSAN 3000 Series is available through Dot Hill channel partners now. List prices are expected to start at US$20,200 for a dual controller Fibre Channel system fully populated with 500GB SATA drives.
Mar 30
Flash Media Encoder 3.1 for Mac OS now a free download
Adobe has announced that Flash Media Live Encoder 3.1 for Mac OS X is now a free download. You can grab it at http://blogs.adobe.com/flashmedia/2010/03/flash_media_live_encoder_31_fo... . Features include: the ability to perform up to three simultaneous encodes; saving to local file during encoding; auto-adjust (helps manage the stream quality to stay live under poor network conditions); and support for H.264 and VP6 codecs. Flash Media Live Encoder is designed for content owners who want to stream live events like concerts, sporting events, web casts, and news.
Mar 30
Seton Hill undergrads to get MacBook, iPad
Beginning in the fall of 2010, all first year undergraduate students at Seton Hill University (http://www.setonhill.edu) will receive a 13-inch MacBook and an iPad. They'll have complete access to these mobile technologies for classes as well as at all times for personal use. After two years, Seton Hill will replace the laptop with a new one -- one that students can take with them when they graduate. The university says the technology is designed to allow students to stay in touch with professors, advisors, and classmates, research any topic at any time, engage in hybrid and fully on-line courses, and access a whole host of Seton Hill technology services. Seton Hill is a Catholic university rooted in Judeo-Christian values. It's located in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
Mar 30
Bloomsbury planning digital books for the iPad
Book publisher Bloomsbury is planning digital editions of its books for the iPad, reports "The Guardian" (http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/mar/30/bloomsbury-books-harry-po...). "It has not come to the UK yet, so that is a piece of business yet to happen, but I can certainly say that the iPad looks like a very exciting platform indeed," Bloomsbury CEO Nigel Newton told the publication. "Obviously it is the most important development in ebooks in recent months, so we will certainly be talking to Apple." The iPad will come with an iBookstore app. will feature books from major and independent publishers. The free iBooks app lets you buy books from the iBookstore. Once you’ve bought a book, it’s displayed on your Bookshelf. Just tap it to start reading.
Mar 30
Apple overtakes Wal-Mart in market cap
Apple is now the third largest company in America by market cap, having overtaken Wal-Mart for the number three position.  At $236.86 the market cap of Apple is roughly US$214.75 billion, compared to Wal-Mart at $55.95 with a $212.9 billion market cap, according to "24/7 Wall Street" (http://247wallst.com/2010/03/30/value-shock-apple-larger-than-wal-mart-m...). On an enterprise value including debt, Wal-Mart still maintains the lead over Apple as it has over $36 billion in long-term debt versus only about $5 billion for Apple, and Apple’s longer-term liabilities are not even real debt issuance, the article adds. Our favorite tech company will probably never reach the top spot when it comes to US market cap status in the U.S. as ExxonMobil's market cap is $317 billion -- and that's with shares closer to a 52-week low rather than an all-time high.  Still, "24/7 Wall Street" says "there is one challenge and one that the Apple lovers would absolutely love." Microsoft sits with a market...
Mar 30
Analyst: Apple to sell 300,000 to 400,000 iPads this weekend
Bernstein analyst Toni Sacconaghi is telling clients that he expects Apple to sell between 300,000 and 400,000 iPads over launch weekend–including pre-sales. But he figures the device will sell five million in its first full year at market and 6.8 million in fiscal year 2011, according to "All Things D" (http://digitaldaily.allthingsd.com/20100330/ipad-expectations-“over-zealous”/?mod=ATD_rss). "We note that the initial iPad launch will be a US only launch and will not include 3G models; we suspect that total (including pre-sales) first weekend sales will be slightly higher than the original iPhone’s first weekend (270K), given the iPhone had a similar price, and was US exclusive (although it did not offer pre-orders),” Sacconaghi told clients. "Our analysis suggests that iPhone sales run rates have fallen significantly (i.e., by a factor of 4x – 9x) following launch weekends; we think a drop-off in sales at the high end of this range is likely appropriate for the iPad, given that...
Mar 30
Fuel Collective releases Permute for Mac OS X
Fuel Collective has released Permute (http://fuelcollective.com/permute), an US$14.95 media conversion tool for Mac OS X 10.6.x ("Snow Leopard"). It offers drag and drop video conversion with presets for devices such as the iPhone, Apple TV and XBox. You can also modify the existing presets. Permute is 64-bit and can convert .dvdmedia and VIDEO_TS folders to ISO files for better media center support.
Mar 30
MacFamilyTree sprouts version 5.7
Synium Software has released version 5.7 of MacFamilyTree (http://www.synium.de/products/macfamilytree/index.html). The new version introduces a completely overhauled source management, as well as the new facts feature. Hair color, eye color and more are now stored. Also new: audio and video recording using a webcam and the all new Family Group Sheet or the improved Kinship Report. You can now navigate through the three-dimensional representation of your family data and dive into your family history. MacFamilyTree 5.6 also sports an extended and much improved media management. Select persons on your family pictures and assign them to entries in your database. MacFamilyTree 5.7 requires Mac OS X 10.4.11 or higher. For new users the cost is US$49. It's a free upgrade to registered users of version 5.x. Upgrades from versions prior to 5.0 are $25.
Mar 30
Elan wants to ban Apple products
Elan Microelectronics Corp., a Taiwanese maker of chips and touch-screens, has asked a U.S. trade agency to ban the import and sale of some Apple products, including the iPad, because of alleged patent infringement. "BusinessWeek" (http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-03-30/elan-files-itc-complaint-aga...) reports that Elan’s complaint was filed yesterday with the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington claims Apple “knowingly and deliberately” used Elan’s technology, while continuing to introduce infringing products The petition also seeks to ban imports of the iPhone and iPod touch products, Elan said in the complaint. Elan sued Apple in April 2009 , alleging infringement of two of its touch screen patents, The lawsuit alleges that Apple products -- including its MacBook, iPhone and iPod touch -- use technology that infringes on two of Elan’s patents.
Mar 30
Apple releases Security Update 2010-002 for Leopard
Apple has released Security Update 2010-002 for Leopard. It's a 78.39MB download and requires Mac OS X 10.5.8. Apple says Security Update 2010-002 is recommended for all users and improves the security of Mac OS X. Previous security updates have been incorporated into this security update. You can obtain it via the Software Updates component of Mac OS X's Systems Preferences app.
Mar 30
Trailrunner for Mac OS X jogs to version 3.0
Trailrunner (http://www.trailrunnerx.com), a Mac OS X solution for folks doing long distance sports, has been updated to version 3.0. The user interface has been redesigned from the ground up. This includes the management of routes, the local track network and the new diary. TrailRunner can now display maps specially created and geared towards to runners, bikers and any other outdoor enthusiasts. With TrailRunner you can plan workout routes on a geographical map, export the route directions as small NanoMaps onto an iPod and import workout data from the Nike + iPod sports kit back into the workout diary. Other features are an exercise plan, .Mac weblog publishing, a GPS, GPX and KML import/export, an integrated map and elevation data download from global mapping services like USGS topo maps. TrailRunner is donationware. You can download the software, and, if you like it, make a donation to the developer.
Mar 30
KeyCue update for Mac OS X adds open interface
>Ergonis Software (http://www.ergonis.com) has released KeyCue 5.0, an update of the keyboard shortcut "cheat sheet." The new version adds an open interface that enables third party products to use KeyCue for displaying custom keyboard shortcuts, regardless whether the shortcuts are visible in the menu or not. KeyCue detects and displays an instant overview of all shortcuts. Until now, KeyCue could show only keyboard shortcuts that are visible in a program's regular menus. Version 5 also comes with a new technique for easy installation and update and offers further improvements, like an option to specify on which display the shortcut table shall appear. KeyCue 5.0 requires Mac OS X 10.4 or Mac OS X 10.5. It's Universal Binary so runs natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs. The upgrade to KeyCue 4.5 is free for anyone who has purchased KeyCue in the last two years. For new users the cost is US$29 for a single user license. Instead of purchasing KeyCue by itself, customers can get...
Mar 30
Economy-x-Talks releases Clipboard Link for Mac OS X
Economy-x-Talks has released Clipboard Link (http://clipboardlink.economy-x-talk.com) for Mac OS X (10.3 and higher) The app enables you to share the contents of the clipboard of your computer with other computers on the same local network. You can copy a text or picture on one computer and paste it on any computer connected to your network and running Clipboard Link. To use the software, copy a text or picture from any window first and start Clipboard Link. Now start Clipboard Link on another computer on your local network. The name of your first computer will appear in the Clipboard Link window on the second computer. Click the Copy button next to the name of the first computer. The clipboard of the first computer has now been transferred to the second computer. Clipboard Link costs approximately US$11. A demo is available for download.
Mar 30
Keyboard Maestro update for Mac OS X adds MIDI triggers, actions...
Stairways Software (http://www.stairways.com) has released Keyboard Maestro 4.2, the new version of its productivity enhancer for Mac OS X. The upgrade adds MIDI triggers and actions, as well as an Execute Macro action, editing macros from the status menu or floating palette and more. Using Keyboard Maestro's macros you can: control applications, windows, or menus; insert text; open documents, applications or URLs; execute scripts; control the system or iTunes; and more, all with the touch of a key, click of the mouse, periodically or at specific times, when an application is launched or running, or even over the Internet using Keyboard Maestro's built in web server. Using Keyboard Maestro's Program Switcher and Window Switcher you can cycle through applications or windows, closing, hiding, launching, and more. The software lets you close or hide multiple windows or applications. Using Keyboard Maestro's Clipboard Switcher, you can select from a number of named clipboards, storing...
Mar 30
Boris FX announces new Boris Continuum Unit: Shaders
Boris FX (http://www.borisfx.com), a developer of integrated effects technology for video and film, has announced that a new Boris Continuum Unit, Shaders, is now available. The Boris Continuum Shaders Unit includes 13 Boris Continuum Complete filters and transitions that take advantage of Apple’s real-time FxPlug architecture. Among the included filters are a full suite of keying and compositing tools, film effects, glow effects, 3D perspective filters and transitions, and an all-new Flicker and Shake filter. The Boris Continuum Shaders Unit allows editors to view animated previews of presets and saved effects in an effects browser window. Presets can be viewed in real-time using actual clips from the timeline. 
The Boris Continuum Shaders Unit supports Apple Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Express, and Motion. The Shaders Unit is the latest addition to previously-released Boris Continuum Units: Chroma Key, Pan and Zoom, UpRez, Motion Key, Lens Flare, Film Look, Glitters, Optical...
Mar 30
Keynote Hub launches with three Keynote themes
Keynote Hub (http://www.keynotehub.com), a new Keynote theme store, is offering three new themes for Keynote. Keynote is the presentation creation component of Apple's US$79 iWork suite. The three new themes -- Brownstone, Esquire, and Simplicity -- are focused on the fundamentals of color, typography, and layout, according to the folks at Keynote Hub. Brownstone is inspired "by the timeless elegance of New York's brownstones." Esquire is "bold, powerful, and a bit whimsical." Simplicity is a minimalist theme, "with a simple but powerful style." All three themes are available in 1024x768 screen resolution, come with over 20 master slides, and are priced at US$19 each.
Mar 30
MacSpeech updates MacSpeech Scribe
MacSpeech (http://www.macspeech.com) has updated MacSpeech Scribe, the a personal transcription solution for the Mac, to version 1.0.1. It's a maintenance update with some bug fixes. With MacSpeech Scribe, those running Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopard") can transcribe their recorded voice into written text with up to 99% accuracy, in a single button click, according to Andrew Taylor, founder and CEO of MacSpeech. The app automatically creates an individual speech profile, in one of 13 different English dialects, from an initial recorded sample of the person's voice. A single MacSpeech Scribe license can create and use up to six individual voice profiles, each compatible with all accepted audio file formats. MacSpeech Scribe accepts audio files in .wav, .aif, .aiff, .m4v, mp4, or .m4a formats. When composing a letter or other document by voice, users can include spoken punctuation, and MacSpeech Scribe will automatically include the punctuation marks in the output text. Audio file...
Mar 30
MMQuery plug-in ready for FileMaker Pro 11‚Ä®
Comm-Unity Networking Systems has released MMQuery 1.1 (http://mmquery.cnsplug-ins.com/), an update of the plug-in for FileMaker Pro that lets you work with your data through the calculation engine. The upgrade This new version brings full compatibility with FileMaker Pro 11 plus several new functions and features. MMQuery allows you to perform SQL queries on your own database or use the helper functions in the plug-in to do the same types of queries without actually having to know SQL. MMQuery requires FileMaker Pro 7.0v3 and above to function properly. The plug-in won't under previous versions of FileMaker Pro. If you have FileMaker Pro 7.0 but have not updated to 7.0v3, you can obtain a free update from FileMaker, Inc's web site. A single-user license for the client version of MMQuery is US$35. To use the Server Edition of MMQuery, you'll need to purchase at least a 10-User license.  A 10-User License is $172. If you own a 1.x license of MMQuery, the upgrade to 1.1 is free.  
Mar 30
Mail Forward for Mac OS X updated to version 5.0
System Support Products (http://www.sspi-software.com) has updated Mail Forward for Mac OS X -- e-mail forwarding application for AOL, Gmail, Hotmail, MSN, and Yahoo web mail accounts -- to version 5.0. Standard POP and IMAP e-mail accounts can also now be forwarded. A maximum of 20 different e-mail accounts can be entered into the app, each with its own forwarding address. A built-in scheduling feature permits mail to be forwarded automatically at a specified time interval.  A default forwarding address can be specified, simplifying initial set-up. Release 5.0 of Mail Forward is a complete re-write of the application, greatly enhancing its speed and reliability, according to the folks at System Support Products. Mail Forward for Mac OS X costs US$19.95. A 30-day free trial is available for download. Registered users of Mail Forward who have purchased within one year prior to this announcement will be provided with the new release free of charge. Other registered users will be...
Mar 30
iPad users will get one major OS upgrade for free‚Ä®
iPad users will have to purchase some OS updates aired with the release of the iPhone OS 3.2 software development kit, according to documentation accompanying the new SDK. As noted by "DailyTech" (http://www.dailytech.com/IPad+Users+Get+One+Free+Major+OS+Upgrade+and+Th...), the documentation has this to say: Apple will provide you any iPad OS software updates that it may release from time to time, up to and including the next major iPad OS software release following the version of iPad OS software that originally shipped from Apple on your iPad, for free. For example, if your iPad originally shipped with iPad 3.x software, Apple would provide you with any iPad OS software updates it might release up to and including the iPad 4.x software release. Such updates and releases may not necessarily include all of the new software features that Apple releases for newer iPad models." In other words, with the iPad, Apple will be giving users one free, major OS upgrade. After that users will be...
Mar 30
Canalys: iPhone OS has 15% of smartphone share
According to research firm Canalys, Apple's iPhone OS accounted for about 15% of smartphones sold last year, running third behind phones using Nokia's Symbian OS and Research in Motion's OS. Those own 47% and 21% of the market, respectively, according to "TheStreet" (http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/story/10713461/1/google-not-apple-to-rul...). While Apple has grown much faster than those two brands, it still lags by almost 10 million units, the article adds. Nokia's Symbian is selling more than twice the units of its closest competitor. But given that sales growth is in the low single digits, the big movers could overtake it sooner rather than later, says "TheStreet." Research in Motion and Apple could overtake Nokia in about three years based on current growth rates.
Mar 30
'Father of the iPod' leaving Apple
Tony Fadell, the "father of the iPod," is leaving Apple after nine years for "greener pastures," according to The New York Times. Fadell's departure from Apple has been gradual. In 2008, he stepped down as senior vice president of the iPod division, but has remained on Apple’s payroll as a special adviser to CEO Steve Jobs. He told "The Times" that he's moving on now to advise companies and pursue private investments with a focus on green technology. Fadell was the first member of the iPod hardware engineering team when he joined Apple in 2001. He was promoted to vice president of iPod engineering in 2004. He became senior vice president of the iPod Division in April 2006. Prior to joining Apple, Fadell was a co-founder, CTO, and director of engineering of the Mobile Computing Group at Philips Electronics where he was responsible for all aspects of business and product development for a variety of products. He later became vice president of business development for Philips U.S....
Mar 30
TechSmith updates Camtasia screen recording software
TechSmith Corp. (http://www.techsmith.com) has released Camtasia for Mac 1.1, an update of its screen recording products. The new version includes region capture so users can record only the area of the screen they choose, or select from a preset region. The new release also supports multiple monitor environments, the ability to pause and resume recording sessions, and the option to do voice-only recordings. Camtasia for Mac 1.1 is integrated with TechSmith’s Screencast.com hosting service for free video sharing and tracking. It requires Mac OS X 10.5.6 or later. Camtasia for Mac 1.1 costs US$99 for new users, but is a free upgrade for current customers.
Mar 30
WD announces 750GB notebook hard drives
Western Digital (http://www.wd.com) is now shipping 750GB of storage capacity in a standard-height 2.5-inch notebook hard drive. It's the industry's highest capacity to date in this form factor, says Jim Morris, WD's senior vice president and general manager of Storage Products. Designed for mainstream notebook computers, the WD Scorpio Blue 750GB hard drives utilize WD's 375GB-per-platter areal density and Advanced Format technology. WD Scorpio Blue 750 GB hard drives are shipping now through select distributors and resellers. The manufacturer's suggested retail price for the WD Scorpio Blue 750 is US$149. WD Scorpio Blue hard drives are covered by a three-year limited warranty.
Mar 30
Study: Kindle leads in brand recognition, but more folks plan to...
PriceGrabber.com explores eReader and eBook shopping trends in its latest "eReader and eBook Trends Consumer Behavior Report." The report reveals that while the Amazon Kindle is the brand leader in eReaders, more consumers plan to purchase the Apple iPad. The report includes survey responses from 1,631 online consumers from Feb. 8–25. While eReaders are still becoming mainstream, the Amazon Kindle leads its competitors in brand recognition, with 61% of consumers having heard of the Kindle. Fifty-five percent of consumers indicated that they have heard of the iPad. Thirty-four percent revealed that they have heard of the Sony Reader, and 28% of consumers have heard of the Barnes & Noble nook. The iPad will become the most sought-after device that can be used as an eReader in the coming year, according to the PriceGrabber.com study. While more consumers are familiar with the Kindle, the iPad is the most popular eReader among consumers planning to purchase in the next year. Twenty...
Mar 30
Study: College iPhone integration increases motivation, learning
GetYa Learn On (http://GetYaLearnOn.com) -- an educational software company that created the app called "Statistics I" -- has released empirical findings from a pilot study conducted during the fall semester of 2009 at Abilene Christian University (ACU) that shows positive effects of using and iPhone (or iPod touch) in the classroom. Students in an introductory Statistics class were given the new iPhone app, which was used to supplement the instructor's lectures and for studying and test preparation. Statistics I is based on a mobile learning platform that includes lessons, touch-screen simulations, calculators, decision making tools, quizzes, flashcards, formulas, and a glossary. (The Statistics I app has been converted into an iPad e-textbook and is under review by Apple for the upcoming device.) The results of the study were published in a white paper that was released today. The study provides evidence that GetYa Learn On's Mobile Learning Platform used in conjunction with...
Mar 29
'WSJ': Apple is planning a Verizon iPhone
Morgan Stanley analyst Ehud Gelblum thinks Verizon is passing on the chance to be an iPhone carrier in the US -- see http://www.macnews.com/content/verizon-pass-iphone -- but "The Wall Street Journal" (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304370304575152242601774892.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLETopStories( has a different take on the situation. The "WSJ," quoting "people briefed on the matter," says Apple is developing a new iPhone to debut this summer and also appears to be working on a model for Verizon Wireless. The people briefed on the matter told the "WSJ" that one of the new iPhones is being manufactured by Taiwanese contract manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., which produced Apple's previous iPhones. The model that has CDMA capability, used by Verizon Wireless, is purportedly being manufactured by Pegatron Technology Corp., the contract manufacturing subsidiary of Taiwan's ASUSTeK Computer.
Mar 29
Lulu's self-published books coming to the iPad
Electronic book publisher Lulu (http://www.lulu.com/) told its top authors over the weekend that their electronic books can be made available on Apple’s new iBookstore that is debuting with the launch of the iPad on April 3. According to "Digital Beat" (http://macosg.me/2/1t), Lulu said it would automatically convert books for submission to the iBookstore -- unless authors didn’t want their books published on the iPad. According to R.R. Bowker’s Books in Print database, some 276,489 books were published traditionally in the U.S. in 2008. Lulu alone published over 400,000 titles last year.
Mar 29
Best Buy limited to 15 iPads per store?
The Best Buy (http://www.bestbuy.com) stores that will be carrying the iPad when it goes on sale this Saturday will be limited to 15 per store, according to a TUAW report (http://www.tuaw.com/2010/03/27/exclusive-best-buy-playbook-for-ipad-leak...). The story quotes a "tipster" as saying that each store will be limited to 15 iPads in stock, and those WiFi-only iPads will be evenly distributed among the three price points. Apple says "most" of the 670-plus Best Buy retail stores in the US will carry the iPad.
Mar 29
Apple stocks are at all time high
Apple shares were up as much as 1.3% to $233.87 in morning trades. The stock has risen nearly 17% since the company first introduced the iPad at a media event in late January. "MarketWatch" (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/apple-shares-set-new-highs-on-ipad-fren...) notes that Apple stock has more than doubled from its level at this time last year, hitting an all-time high. The stock was up $1.19 at $232 Monday afternoon.
Mar 29
Self-published authors can see their work on the iPad
Self-publishing service Smashwords, Smashwords, a site where writers can publish their own e-books, as signed a distribution deal with Apple to put its books into the iPad iBookstore. This means that "unpublished authors can sell their work on the Apple iPad at virtually no cost," according to "DigitalBeat" (http://digital.venturebeat.com/2010/03/28/self-published-electronic-book...). To get books on the Apple store by launch day, Smashwords authors have to have their works submitted to Smashwords’ premium catalog by March 31. The book has to be in the EPUB format and have a big cover image. The iPad will come with an iBookstore app. will feature books from major and independent publishers. The free iBooks app lets you buy books from the iBookstore. Once you’ve bought a book, it’s displayed on your Bookshelf. Just tap it to start reading.
Mar 29
BBC iPhone apps postponed
The BBC says (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8593206.stm) its plan to launch iPhone apps for its news and sport content have been put on hold by its governing body. The BBC Trust has asked the BBC to postpone its plans while it looks into the business case for the new services. The free applications were due to be released in April but have met with criticism from groups who say they will skew the market for news apps. Several newspapers -- including the "Guardian" and "Daily Telegraph," already offer both free and paid-for apps. A spokesperson for the BBC Trust said that the body had decided to launch an assessment of the apps after "representations from industry."
Mar 29
Analyst says Apple will ship six million iPads this year
iPad suppliers are already raising their build rates in expectation of strong sales, thanks to encouraging pre-order rates, according to Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty. As reported by "All Things D" (http://digitaldaily.allthingsd.com/20100329/morgan-stanley-apple-will-sh...), she told clients that Apple’s manufacturing partners now expect to ship 2.5 million iPads between March and May, considerably ahead of her previous estimate of 750,000 for the June quarter. What’s more, they are now forecasting shipments of eight to 10 million iPads in calendar 2010, considerably more than prior expectations of five million-plus. Current Street consensus is for Apple to sell three to four million iPads, but Huberty figures the company will sell over six million iPads, notes "All Things D."
Mar 29
iPad Camera Connection Kit available for pre-order
Apple's Camera Connection Kit for the iPad is now available for pre-order. It costs US$29, and is due to ship in late April, around the same time as the iPad Keyboard Dock. The Camera Connection Kit gives you two ways to import photos and videos from a digital camera. It lets you import your photos and videos to iPad using the camera’s USB cable. Or you can use the SD Card Reader to import photos and videos directly from the camera’s SD card.
Mar 29
Apple releases Mac OS X 10.6.3
Apple has updated Snow Leopard to version 10.6.3. You can obtain it via the Software Updates component of the Mac OS X Systems Preferences app. According to Apple, general operating system fixes and improvements provided for: ° Performance of Logic Pro 9 and Main Stage 2 when running in 64-bit mode; ° Printing reliability; ° Sleep and wake reliability when using Bonjour wake on demand; ° A color issue in iMovie with HD content; ° Glowing, stuck, or dark pixels when viewing video from the iMac (Late 2009) built-in iSight camera; ° An issue in which the Finder reports a -36 error when copying directories to a drive formatted as FAT32; ° Reliability of photo screen savers; ° Compatibility issues with OpenGL-based applications; ° An issue in which shadows in PDF of Aperture book are black instead of gray; ° An issue in which the microphone level in iChat may not increase the volume after reducing it to prevent a feedback event; ° The reliability of certain third-party USB devices; ° The...
Mar 29
iPad to touch down Saturday at 9 am
The iPad will be available in all 221 US Apple retail stores and most Best Buy stores this Saturday, April 3, beginning at 9 a.m. Apple retail stores will offer a free Personal Setup service to every customer who buys an iPad at the store, helping them customize their new iPad by setting up their email, loading their favorite apps from the Apple App Store, and more. Also, beginning Saturday morning, all US Apple retail stores will host special iPad workshops to help customers learn more about the new product. What's more, Apple has already released a series of iPad tutorial videos. You can find 'em, in the QuickTime format, at http://www.apple.com/ipad/guided-tours/ . The iPad will be available in Wi-Fi models in the US for a suggested retail price of US$499 for 16GB, $599 for 32GB, and $699 for 64GB. The Wi-Fi + 3G models will be available in late April for a suggested retail price of $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32GB and $829 for 64GB. The iPad will be sold in the US through the Apple...
Mar 29
Brightcove announces support for HTML5 -- and the iPad
Brightcove, an online video platform, has announced the Brightcove Experience for HTML5, a framework for publishing and delivering interactive and advertising-supported web video experiences for HTML5-compatible devices. The new platform solution, available free of charge to more than 1,000 Brightcove customers in 42 countries, will enable media companies and marketers around the world to expand the reach of their online video initiatives to consumer devices such as the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, says Jeremy Allaire, Brightcove chairman and CEO. The Brightcove Experience for HTML5 fills the gap between the current playback capabilities of the emerging standard and what their customers need to operate successful online video businesses, he adds.

 The Brightcove Experience for HTML5 provides support for intelligent device detection, playlist rendering, and playback of H.264 encoded video content. Customers are using the Brightcove Experience for HTML5 today to build iPad-ready web...
Mar 29
Boingo Wireless to support iPad on first day of release
Boingo Wireless (http://www.boingo.com) says iPad owners will be able to choose between Wi-Fi access plans based on hourly credits or a monthly subscription to connect to its global network of 125,000 Wi-Fi hotspots as soon as they buy their tablet. “The iPad may be a new product, but it’s one with a familiar need: super-fast Internet in places where you’re likely to connect -- coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, airports,” says Dave Hagan, president and CEO for Boingo Wireless. “Right out of the gate, iPad users will have the ability to access Boingo Wi-Fi as a convenient and affordable alternative or add-on to 3G Internet access, especially for the first wave of users for whom Wi-Fi is the only connection choice.” Boingo boasts nearly 30,000 hotspots in North America and more than 125,000 hotspots around the world. The company offers Boingo Mobile, a US$7.95 per month subscription that gives the user unlimited Wi-Fi access worldwide. Those who only occasionally venture out into the...
Mar 29
Toshiba releases Canvio back-up solution
Toshiba (http://www.toshibadirect.com) has introduced the Canvio portable hard drive, a backup solution with up to 1TB of storage. It comes in five colors and four storage capacities, starting at 500GB. At the top capacity (1TB), the Canvio holds up to 285,000 digital photos, 263,000 digital music files, or 820 digital movies. It's smaller than a postcard and weighs six ounces. The Canvio product line is available in these flavors:Raven Black, Satin Silver, Liquid Blue, Rocket Red and Komodo Green. Suggested retail prices by capacity are: US$119.99 for the 500GB Canvio; $139.99 for the 640GB Canvio; $159.99 for the 750GB Canvio Plus; and $199.99 for the 1TB Canvio Plus.
Mar 29
Akvis ArtSuite 6.0 supports Frame Packs
Akvis has announced the update of Akvis ArtSuite to version 6.0. ArtSuite is a collection of versatile effects for decorating photos. The standalone version now supports Frame Packs of Hand Painted Photo Frames. Two new themed frame packs are also available. These frame packs contain frames which have been designed by artists specially for ArtSuite. Also new to version 6.0: support for 64-bit in the plug-in version, bug fixes, and a new installation program. A free frame pack containing 30 hand painted frames is also available as a separate download. The upgrade for registered users is free. The effects in version 6.0 are grouped as follows: ° Edge Effects (Photo Frames) allow generating a photo frame for a digital photo. It can be a classic frame with wood carving or a funny frame with some frogs along the border. ° Artistic Effects allow one to experiment with photos. For example, you can convert a photo into a B&W image and then add a color shade to it; replace colors in an...
Mar 29
QuickerTek releases new Air Carry handle for the MacBook Air
QuickerTek has announced the Air Carry Handle (http://www.quickertek.com/products/macbook_air_carry_handle.php) for the MacBook Air. It's an US$79.95 handle is made from non-flex aircraft quality aluminum. The Carry Handle is designed to ensure that the trim laptop doesn't slip and hit the floor, according to the folks at QuickerTek. The lightweight  handle is super strong and it's attached to the laptop by a stiff aluminum mount that uses the existing screw holes in the MacBook Air. New countersunk longer screws secure the Air Carry Handle to the Air. The finish of the aluminum complements the MacBook Air. The Carry Handle also elevates the MacBook Air to allow air underneath the laptop for better cooling when you go mobile for hours and hours. This slight angle adjustment also keeps the keyboard at a non-tiring position for many hours of use. Rubber feet on the Carry Handle prevent you from chasing your laptop around on a hard surface like a desk.
Mar 29
Pattern design simplified with Artlandia SymmetryShop 3
Artlandia has released version 3 of Artlandia SymmetryShop, an Adobe Photoshop plug-in for professional pattern design. SymmetryShop 3 is designed to provide multiple productivity enhancements and markedly simplifies the design workflow by making the plug-in functionality available as a floating Photoshop panel. SymmetryShop automatically creates the 17 mathematical types of symmetric patterns as well as drop and diamond patterns, grids, gradations, sateens, and other standard repeat systems. The plug-in keeps the image source available for unlimited iterations and refinements throughout any number of Photoshop sessions. The new version purportedly makes this core functionality more easily accessible and adds new features. As an improvement over previous versions, SymmetryShop 3 is available as a floating panel (similar to the Layers, Channels, Paths, and other standard Photoshop panels) and no longer requires the user to open a special dialog in order to create a pattern or change...
Mar 29
ArtOptimizer for Illustrator updated to version 2.3.4
Zevrix (http://www.zevrix.com) has updated ArtOptimizer, its workflow automation solution for Adobe Illustrator, to version 2.3.4. The new version allows you to process rotated images and improves the user interface. ArtOptimizer eliminates the excess image data of document links and performs image adjustments, reducing the size of an Illustrator job. In order to eliminate excess image data, the app automatically scales the images in Photoshop to match their dimensions in Illustrator, changes resolution according to the target resolution specified, and reimports images to Illustrator at 100%. In addition, ArtOptimizer can automatically convert image colors, apply sharpening filters, merge and delete layers, and run Photoshop Actions during processing. ArtOptimizer 2.3.1 can be purchased from the Zevrix Solutions web site for US$129.95, as well as from authorized resellers. A demo is also available for download. ArtOptimizer is available for Mac OS X 10.4.2 and higher and Adobe...
Mar 29
Decloner update for Mac OS X adds Safe Mode
PixelEspresso has released Decloner 1.2 (http://www.pixelespressoapps.com/decloner/), an update of the Mac OS X 10.5 ("Leopard") utility to find and delete duplicate files. The new version adds a Safe mode. Decloner can now move deleted files to a folder instead of Trash for added security; this also allows files to be removed from network volumes. Version 1.2 also adds: safeguards against deleting all copies of a file; new a Follow Aliases preference; a new message bar for error notifications; improved automatic file selection by date; and 64-bit support. Decloner uses a algorithm to determine if files are identical. The names of duplicate files are presented in a list to allow the user to select which files to delete, either individually or in bulk. Decloner can process large number of files on internal or external drives, and supports QuickLook and exclusion patterns. The user can inspect files and view their contents using Leopard's QuickLook feature. Decloner never deletes files...
Mar 28
Korean government wants iPhone users to be able to choose their...
The Korean government has asked Apple to allow Koreans to use their own choice of basic search platform on the iPhone, an official told "The Korea Herald" (http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2010/03/29/20100329...?). Currently, the default search engine is Google. The Korea Communications Commission, the country's telecom regulator, is looking into whether the practice restricts consumer choice, according to the "Herald." "We are considering whether Google as the default search engines restricts user choice ... If necessary, we will seek policy measures," the official told the publication. "Key is to give consumers the option to choose their mobile search engines."
Mar 27
MultiMode for Mac OS X now lets you adjust input gain
Black Cat Systems has updated MultiMode (http://www.blackcatsystems.com/software/multimodeOSX.html), a Mac OS X application that lets you Mac decode several different modes of non-voice communication often heard on shortwave, to version 6.1.0. This version adds the ability to directly adjust the input gain (volume) of sound devices. MultiMode is an US$89 application that lets your Mac decode and transmit several different modes of non-voice communication often heard on shortwave and ham radio. It allows you to decode and display morse code, RTTY, FAX, SSTV, ACARS, PSK31 and many other modes on your Mac, without any extra hardware. MultiMode now also allows you to transmit in most of the modes of operation. A lite version is also available which decodes CW, RTTY, and weather fax modes, which is ideal for the sailor and boating enthusiast. MultiMode Lite is also available, which offers reception of CW, RTTY, and FAX modes only. MultiMode LIte is ideal for sailors who need to be able to...
Mar 27
CosmoPod Safari extension update improves QT movie import ability
Cocoamug Software, developers and publishers of great Mac software, has released CosmoPod 4.3.1 (http://www.cocoamug.com/cosmopod/index.html), an update of the Safari extension that lets you download Flash videos from web sites such as YouTube, Vimeo, DailyMotion, etc. The upgrade mainly improves the application capability to import QuickTime movies. CosmoPod can automatically convert downloaded files to an Apple device friendly format, tag them and add them to iTunes. Additionally, you can convert most video already on your hard drive via drag and drop so can be used as a tool to import your DVD collection to your Mac, iTunes, AppleTV, and iPhone. CosmoPod costs US$12. Version 4.3.1 is a free update for registered users of version 4.x. CosmoPod 3 and earlier users can upgrade for $3.90.
Mar 27
Apple hiring for North Carolina data center
Apple is ramping up hiring for its North Carolina data center. Apple has posted 10 new jobs on its web site for Maiden, North Carolina, about 30 miles northwest of Charlotte. reports the "Associated Press" (http://macosg.me/2/1l). The positions include maintenance and electrical technicians, a shift supervisor, and site administrators. Another nine job openings in Charlotte and Hickory may be related to the data center, which is expected to employ about 50 full-time workers, says the "Associated Press." Last year it was announced that Apple would build a data center in Catawba County on the outskirts of Maiden. Maiden and Catawba County agreed to US$7.3 million in incentives for Apple in order for them to build the center there. The company will build a 500,000-square-foot facility along U.S. Highway 321. However, no one knows exactly what the data center will be used for.
Mar 27
Apple runs out of first-week delivery iPads
The ship date for iPad pre-orders, originally set to guarantee delivery by April 3, had been pushed back to Tuesday, April 12, and the the option to reserve an iPad for pick-up at an Apple Store has disappeared from Apple.com entirely, reports "Fortune" (http://macosg.me/2/1k). However, those who had pre-ordered before March 27 are still scheduled to get their iPads next Saturday. At least those who ordered the Wi-Fi only versions will; the Wi-Fi + 3G model will hit US store sleeves in late April. In addition, all models of iPad will be available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK in late April. The Wi-Fi iPad sells for a suggested retail price of US$499 for 16GB, $599 for 32GB, $699 for 64GB models. The Wi-Fi + 3G models will be available in late April for a suggested retail price of $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32GB and $829 for 64GB. iPad will be sold in the US through the Apple Store, Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized...
Mar 27
Apple CEO one of the 'most respected CEOs in the world'
Apple CEO Steve Jobs has once again made the "30 most respected CEOs in the world list by "Barron's" (http://online.barrons.com/article/SB126964409156568321.html?mod=BOL_hpp_...). "Probably the world's most valuable CEO is Steve Jobs of Apple, as shown by stock dips on news of his medical problems," Barron's says. "Apple recently hit a record, with a market value topping $200 billion, a reflection of the Street's confidence that a healthy Jobs (at least from what we can tell) continues to keep Apple ahead of the game. Jobs likely accounts for $25 billion or more of Apple's market value."
Mar 27
Apple now owns iPad trademark
Apple now owns the iPad trademark.  The trademark was filed by Fujitsu in March of 2003 for their iPad wireless handheld computing device used by retailers.  Records at the U.S. Patent and Trademark office show that the trademark was assigned to Apple on March 17, reports the Patent Authority (http://patentauthority.com/2010/03/apple-buys-ipad-trademark-from-fujitsu/). As of January, it was reported Apple had reportedly taken advantage of the fact that Fujitsu stopped responding to requests by the US Patent and Trademark Office, who declared the "iPad" name "abandoned," then began pursing it again last year. Apple had filed three petitions to extend the deadline to take the name away from Fujitsu.
Mar 27
Apple execs sell shares
More than a million restricted shares of Apple stock that seven of them were granted on Dec. 14, 2005 became fully vested Wednesday. The next day, with Apple opening at an all-time record high, four of them sold off all those shares pursuant, as the SEC Form 4 has it, to a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, reports "Fortune" (http://macosg.me/2/18). Chief Operating Office Tim Cook was the "big winner," the article adds. He sold 300,000 Apple shares at prices ranging from US$226.9 to $230.7, for a total of $68.8 million -- $32 million of which was set aside for taxes. "Fortune" reports that three other officers also dumped their restricted shares Thursday. Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer sold 200,000 shares and cleared $45.98 million. Ron Johnson, senior vice president for retail sold 200,000 shares and cleared $45.95 million. Phil Schiller, senior vice president of worldwide marketing, sold 150,000 shares and cleared $34.47 million. Three other senior staffers -- Serlet Bertrand (...
Mar 27
Apple looking for cellular technology software manager
A new job posting (http://jobs.apple.com/index.ajs?BID=1&method=mExternal.showJob&RID=35157...) shows that Apple is looking for a cellular technology software manager to manage the cellular protocol software team, responsible for the design, implementation and integration of layer 1-3 protocols for iPhone. According to Apple, the position will be responsible for ensuring appropriate cellular technology development and execution, KPI performances and interoperability of cellular technology on various platforms, R&D of new protocol and standards, as well as working with cross-functional teams to deliver the best customer experience on cellular. The person hired must have knowledge of: one or more multiple cellular technologies (WCDMA/UMTS, HSPA, HSPA+, LTE etc.) Apple is apparently ramping plans for advanced 3G and 4G coverage. The job listing may also hint at another US carrier in addition to AT&T either later this year or, more likely, in 2011.
Mar 27
Credit Suisse firm predicts Monster fiscal quarter for Apple
Credit Suisse has raised their Apple target from US$275 to $300, reiterated its Outperform rating and calling for a Monster quarter. According to "StreetInsider" (http://macosg.me/2/17), in a note to clients, the firm made these points: ° Apple's March quarter revenue and EPS (earnings per share) should be $12.26 billion and $2.57 billion, respectively. ° On a calendar basis, Credit Suisse expects respective revenues and EPS of $59.43 billion and $13.23 for 2010. For fiscal 2011, the firm is now looking for respective revenues and EPS of $65.34 billion and $14.55. For calendar 2011, they are now expecting revenues and EPS of $66.32 billion and $14.72, respectively. ° Apple will sell 1.08 million iPads in the June quarter, 4.81 for calendar year 2010 and 8.73 for calendar year 2011. ° In calendar year 2010, Apple will ship 7.41 million iPhones, and 52.36 million in calendar year 2011. ° Apple will move 11 million units in the March quarter. ° Mac estimates were already optimistic, so...
Mar 27
Vodafone Essar to sell the iPhone 3GS in India
Vodafone Essar, India's third-largest mobile operator says it will begin selling the iPhone 3GS in the country, effective immediately, reports "Reuters" (http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSSGE62P09C20100326?feedType=RSS&feedNa...). India's top mobile firm Bharti Airtel also said earlier this week it would start selling iPhone 3GS in the country as of today. The company has previously sold the iPhone 3G, but not the faster version of the Apple smartphone.
Mar 27
Apple owners nearly 40% more interested in the iPad than non-...
Even though the iPad doesn’t officially become available for another week, awareness is strong among certain key demographic groups, according to a new report by The NPD Group, a market research company. The report report found that awareness is highest among current Apple owners, (82%), consumers with $100,000 or greater income (80%), and 18-34 year olds (78%). Those demographic groups are the ones with the most interest in buying an iPad. Only 18% of all consumers surveyed expressed a real interest in owning an iPad while 27% of 18-34 year olds and 24% of Apple owners said they were extremely or very interested. One of the main reasons Apple owners are interested in the iPad is because it’s an Apple product, says The NPD Group (which is no big surprise, is it?). Thirty-seven percent cited “liking the Apple brand” as a top reason for their interest in the iPad. That tied with “multi-touch screen”, which was also the number one reason driving interest among 18-34 year olds. The 18-34...
Mar 27
Apple juggles panel makers to avoid iPad delays
Taiwan-based TPK Touch Solutions has seen Apple shift orders for iPad-use projected capacitive touch panels to fellow maker Wintek because of TPK's delayed shipments, according to "DigiTimes" (http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20100326PD213.html), which quotes industry sources" on the news. Wintek has recently announced a plan to set up a touch panel module production line in Dongguan, southern China. The company is evaluating another plan to expand the capacity for front-end touch panel production, adds "DigiTimes." The iPad -- now available for pre-order -- is due to hit the stores April 3. At least the Wi-Fi only versions will; the Wi-Fi + 3G model will hit US store sleeves in late April. In addition, all models of iPad will be available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK in late April. The Wi-Fi iPad sells for a suggested retail price of US$499 for 16GB, $599 for 32GB, $699 for 64GB models. The Wi-Fi + 3G models will be available in...
Mar 27
Apple plans third Italian retail store, this one in Turin
Apple has begun to search for employees for its third retail store in Italy. It will be in Turin (Torino), a city in northern Italy. Turin was the site of the 2006 previous Winter Olympics. The story there will be the third after the one in Rome, which opened three years ago, and the one in Carugate (Milano), which opened last September. You can read more (in Italian) here: http://www.setteb.it/?p=8494 .
Mar 27
Radio Shack to become second-largest, third-party iPhone retailer
Radio Shack will soon become the second-largest third-party retailer of Apple's iPhone by storefronts when it launches a front-page promotion to celebrate the rollout of the touchscreen handset to thousands of its shops nationwide, according to an "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com) report. Starting March 28, the specialty electronics retailer will offer the iPhone in 3,000 of its 4,500 stores in the US, "completing a first-phase expansion that will see it leapfrog both AT&T and Best Buy in terms of the number of brick-and-mortar retail locations that will stock the device for walk-in activations, but not necessarily in terms of volume sales," the article says. Only big-box retailer Walmart will offer the device in more stores. "AppleInsider" says Radio Shack plans to promote the iPhone on the cover of its March 28 circular, at what it claims are the lowest prices ever offered for the touchscreen handset nationwide -- essentially US$5 off the manufacturer's suggested...
Mar 27
TechRestore offers 1TB hard drive upgrade for MacBooks, MB Pros
TechRestore (http://www.techrestore.com) has begun offering an US$329 1TB Drive Upgrade service for MacBook and MacBook Pro systems that includes same-day and overnight installation, data transfer and free shipping. The new 1TB laptop drive is compatible with 13-inch and 15-inch inch MacBook and MacBook Pro Unibody systems and the original MacBook Pro 17-inch models. TechRestore's high-speed same-day and overnight hard drive upgrade service includes installation by an Apple Certified Technician of the new drive into the users MacBook or MacBook Pro, data transfer from the old hard drive onto the new drive and Free return shipping. An exact clone of the users data is transferred to the new drive, ready for immediate use when their Mac is returned to them, says Shannon Jean, founder and president of TechRestore. Clients also have the option of having their old hard drive installed into an external enclosure.
Mar 27
Atlona Technologies releases new HDMI switcher
Atlona Technologies (http://www.atlona.com), a solutions manufacturer of audio video accessories, has released the newest addition to their HDMI switcher line with the 2x4 HDMI1.3 distribution amplifier, the AT-HD-V214. It has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of US$499.   Users looking to switch two sources to multiple HDTVs are often forced to purchase both switchers and splitters in order to accommodate both their two sources, and video amplification. The AT-HD-V214 is designed to address the matter. 
The AT-HD-V214 is a 2x4 HDMI 1.3 Distribution Amplifier designed to work as a splitter for all HD video applications. With two HDMI 1.3 Inputs this unit also boasts four HDMI 1.3 mirrored Outputs, allowing all outputs to switch to a specifically desired source.  
Atlona’s AT-HD-V214 allows any digital video source with HDMI outputs (such as: DVD, Satellite, Cable Box, PC, Xbox360, PS3 and more) to connect to upwards of four simultaneous HD displays. With the added HDMI1.3...
Mar 27
Larry Jordan Final Cut Studio newsletter for March released
Larry Jordan, digital media analyst and teacher of Final Cut Pro, has just released the March edition of his free monthly Final Cut Studio newsletter. Published each month for the last six years, each issue is packed with techniques, tips, and the latest industry news. The March issue includes over 42 pages of information covering all aspects of Apple's Final Cut Studio. Each issued is designed to help editors get the most out of Apple's Final Cut Studio. You can find it here: http://www.larryjordan.biz/newsletter .
Mar 27
Graphic Inspector update for Mac OS X addresses stability issues
Zevrix Solutions (http://www.zevrix.com) has updated Graphic Inspector, which checks entire folders of graphic files for potential problems, to version 1.7.3. The new version addresses stability issues related to metadata extraction routines. Graphic Inspector lets graphic professionals et crucial info on multiple graphic files instead of checking them manually. Users automatically get information on multiple raster and vector files. Graphic Inspector will display the file kind, color mode, resolution, compression, color profile, spot colors, fonts, metadata and other attributes. With its checkup presets, Graphic Inspector lets users create custom control settings and locate files with unwanted attributes. For example, users can make Graphic Inspector warn them about all files whose color mode is RGB, format -- JPEG, resolution is below 200 dpi, ICC profile doesn't contain "USWebCoated" etc. Graphic Inspector costs US$39.95. A demo is available for download. The 1.7.3 update is free...
Mar 26
CTM releases FoxTrot Professional Search 2.6, Server for Mac OS X
CTM Development (http://www.ctmdev.com) has released FoxTrot Professional Search 2.6, a 64-bit update to their networked document indexing and retrieval solution for Mac OS X 10.4.11 or higher. Developed with law firms, media and mobile professionals in mind, FoxTrot Professional Search locates documents and their content using multiple categorization of search results, ranked by relevance. Utilizing the latest Cocoa technologies, the application works directly with PDF, HTML, word processing, e-mail and multimedia metadata. FoxTrot Professional Search 2.6 and FoxTrot Search Server are available immediately. A single user license is priced at approximately US$133. A five-user license (which includes peer-to-peer sharing) is available for about $266. A 10-user license also includes FoxTrot Search Server for approximately $522. FoxTrot Professional Search 2.6 is available as a full-featured 30-day demo. FoxTrot Search Server is available as a full-featured 60-day demo. FoxTrot...
Mar 26
ADE to advocate for increased minority access to broadband...
he Alliance for Digital Equality (http://www.alliancefordigitalequality.org) leadership -- including Chairman Julius H. Hollis, Vice Chairman Manuel (Manny) A. Diaz and Senior Advisor Shirley Franklin -- traveled to Washington, D.C., this week to advocate for increased minority access to broadband technology.  Their trip follows the recent release of the Federal Communications Commission's National Broadband Plan, and served as an opportunity for the ADE leadership team to begin dialogue with key policymakers, thought leaders and the media regarding the plan's implementation. "Following the release of the FCC's National Broadband Plan, we hope to draw attention to the millions of un-served and underserved Americans who do not yet have Broadband Internet access," says Hollis. "There is still a digital divide that exists today. In fact, statistics suggest that African-Americans and Latinos are not making use of home broadband and Internet technology as extensively as the rest of the...
Mar 25
Apple releases iMovie 8.0.6
Apple has released iMovie 8.0.6, an update of the video editing component of the iLife suite. Apple says the update improves reliability when working with videos from Aperture and is recommended for all users of iMovie '09. You can obtain the update via the Software Updates component of the Mac OS X Systems Preferences app.
Mar 25
Apple updates Aperture to version 3.0.2
Apple has released version 3.0.2 of Aperture, its software for professional photographers. The update improves overall stability and fixes issues in a number of areas. You can find a list of all the changes at http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2518 . Aperture 3.0.2 requires Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later and Aperture 3.x.
Mar 25
Dragster file transfer utility for Mac OS X revved to version 1....
Ambrosia has updated Dragster (http://www.AmbrosiaSW.com/utilities/dragster/), an US$19 file transfer utility for Mac OS X 10.4 ("Tiger") or later, to version 1.1.1. The upgrade, free for registered users, fixes various issues and improves key functionality. Dragster works via drag and drop and can send files via email, upload them to remote servers, copy them to your iDisk, or copy/move files anywhere on your local drives. Dragster lets you set customizable "shortcuts." There's a contextual menu component to Dragster, so you can right-click or control-click a file in any program, and send that file to one of the shortcuts you've set up. The utility fully supports Apple's Bonjour technology. Dragster supports FTP, SFTP, SCP, SMB (Windows File Sharing), as well as AFP (AppleShare) for file transfers. It requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later.
Mar 25
POP3it Pro for Mac OS X ready for FileMaker Pro 11
Comm-Unity Networking Systems has released POP3it Pro 4.1.8 (http://www.pop3itpro.com/), an update of the email downloading and importing plug-in for FileMaker Pro. The upgrade fixes some bugs and brings full compatibility with FileMaker Pro 11. 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. This version is a free upgrade for anyone with a 4.x license. All you need to do is download the latest version and install it. Your existing registration and settings will be imported into the new version. For new users a single user license for the client version of POP3it Pro is US$65. To use the server edition of POP3it Pro, you'll need to purchase at least a 10-user license for $319.
Mar 25
Analyst raises iPad sales estimate for fiscal 2011 from 5.5...
BMO Capital analyst Keith Bachman is predicting a 17% increase in Mac sales, a new iPhone in June and higher iPad sales than many expect. According to "Forbes" (http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2010/03/25/bmo-ups-its-ipad-...), he says that his initial estimate -- that Apple would sell 2.5 million units in fiscal 2010 and 5.5 million in fiscal 2011 -- was conservative. He's raised his fiscal 2011 estimate to 7.2 million — a 30.09% increase. The iPad -- now available for pre-order -- is due to hit the stores April 3. At least the Wi-Fi only versions will; the Wi-Fi + 3G model will hit US store sleeves in late April. In addition, all models of iPad will be available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK in late April. The Wi-Fi iPad sells for a suggested retail price of US$499 for 16GB, $599 for 32GB, $699 for 64GB models. The Wi-Fi + 3G models will be available in late April for a suggested retail price of $629 for 16GB, $729...
Mar 25
MyService Offers 1TB MacBook Pro hard drive upgrade
MyService (http://www.myservice.com) has announced a new 1TB hard drive upgrade for the MacBook Pro. These new Scorpio Blue drives by Western Digital are the largest mobile drives available. MyService has these drives in stock and the complete upgrade service is US$345. The price includes the new 1TB drive, round trip shipping, professional installation and data transfer. Your old hard drive is returned to you and can be used for backups. Since MyService is an Apple Authorized Service Provider, the 1TB upgrade won't void your Apple warranty. These drives are slightly higher than standard 2.5-inch drives but fit perfectly in all Unibody MacBook Pros, the 13-inch MacBook Unibody and the 17-inch (Silver Keyboard) MacBook Pro, according to the folks at MyService.
Mar 25
Maintain releases Cocktail 4.7.2 (Snow Leopard Edition)
Maintain has released Cocktail 4.7.1 (Snow Leopard Edition), the latest maintenance update of Cocktail (http://www.maintain.se/c) for users running Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopard"). The new version fixes some bugs and adds: a "Show full folder path in window title" setting; a "Don't remember open windows when logging out" setting; an "Enable Remote Disc access" setting; an "Enable Quick Look folder previews" setting; and an "Always show Quick Look preview" setting. This version adds compatibility with the upcoming Mac OS X 10.6.3 and ability to stop Cocktail from logging out, restarting or shutting down the computer at the end of a scheduled programme. The update also features improvements on the clear Adobe Flash Player caches and cookies procedure as well as overall performance improvements. Cocktail 4.7.2 (Snow Leopard Edition) requires Mac OS X/Mac OS X Server 10.6 or later and is tested for compatibility with Mac OS X/Mac OS X Server 10.6.3. Cocktail (Leopard Edition) for Mac OS...
Mar 25
iPad's iBookstore to feature books from the Gutenberg...
The iBookstore for the iPad will feature the Gutenberg Project catalog for free, according to the AppAdvice web site ("http://appadvice.com/appnn/2010/03/exclusive-ipad-ibooks-features-gutenberg-project-library/). The Gutenberg Project (http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page) is a free online digital library supported by volunteers. It already includes over 30,000 free eBooks from the public domain. The iPad will come with an iBookstore app. will feature books from major and independent publishers. The free iBooks app lets you buy books from the iBookstore. Once you’ve bought a book, it’s displayed on your Bookshelf. Just tap it to start reading.
Mar 25
Apple signs deal with Samsung for an extra three million iPad...
Apple will pay Samsung nearly a quarter of a billion dollars as part of a new pact that will see the Korean electronics maker become the second major supplier of 9.7-inch display screens for current and future versions of the iPad, reports http://www.appleinsider.com) -- quoting "The Korean Times". The deal will guarantee Apple a supply of an extra three million displays for the device -- which goes on sale April 3 -- over an unspecified amount of time. A high-ranking industry representative told "The Korean Times" that: "The most expensive component in the iPad is the display and touch-screen interface that costs $80 for all models. The 9.7-inch display is more than twice the size of the iPhone 3GS screen and costs five times as much."
Mar 25
Ooyala to launch video solution for the iPad
Ooyla (http://www.ooyala.com), a provider of end-to-end video platform applications and services, says it will support full video delivery to iPad when the Apple product launches on April 3. Ooyala's integration with iPad will help newspapers, magazines and other publishers create rich and engaging iPad experiences for their readers, all managed with the same Ooyala video platform they use for their web site, says Bismarck Lepe, president of Product at Ooyala. The company already helps publishers deliver video directly to the iPod touch, iPhones and other connected devices. An intelligent video embed lets the Ooyala player automatically recognize each device and adjust video quality and format for the best possible viewing experience, Lepe adds. This intelligent video embed has been a part of Backlot, Ooyala's video publishing platform, for over a year. Publishers who already deliver video to iPhone will be able to deliver video immediately to iPad. Other publishers should contact...
Mar 25
Easy Barcode Creation update for Mac OS X adds three improvements
Easy Barcode Technologies (http://www.easybarcodetech.com/ebc.html) has released Easy Barcode Creator 2.6, an update to the company's flagship product for Mac OS X and Windows. The new version adds three major improvements for users: ° Easy Barcode Creator now integrates directly with the latest versions of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator for one click barcode generation. ° The app can now launch much faster than before! ° It can now save POSTNET barcodes as grayscale TIFF images. Easy Barcode Creator generates vector EPS graphics for use in industry-standard desktop publishing products like Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop - or just import into Word or a drawing program. It costs US$128.
Mar 25
AdMob: iPhone accounts for 50% of smartphone requests in February
AdMob (http://www.admob.com) -- which stores and analyzes handset and operator data from every ad request in its network of more than 15,000 mobile web sites and applications -- says that, in February, smartphones accounted for 48% of its worldwide traffic/ That's up from 35% in February 2009. The strong growth of iPhone and Android traffic, fueled by heavy application usage, was primarily responsible for the increase, AdMob says. Although the share of feature phone traffic in AdMob’s network declined from 58% o 35% year-over-year, absolute traffic from feature phones still grew 31%. Mobile Internet devices experienced the strongest growth of the three categories, increasing to account for 17% of traffic in AdMob’s network in February. The iPod touch is the top mobile Internet device and is responsible for a vast majority of this traffic; other devices include the Sony PSP and Nintendo DSi. Highlights from the February 2010 AdMob Mobile Metrics Report include: ° The iPhone OS...
Mar 25
Layer Groups 2.0 InDesign plug-in available as public beta
DTP Tools is offering a public beta version of the new Layer Groups 2.0 plug-in with more than a doubled feature set. The plug-in is CS5 ready and upgrade from any previous version of Layer Groups and InDesign is free as all DTP Tools plug-in upgrades always are. The public beta offers a: listing of objects in the layer on current spread; a listing of objects in the layer in the document; and the ability import layers including structure and content from other documents The 14–days trial version , for InDesign CS – CS4, and for Mac OS and Windows, is available for immediate download at http://www.dtptools.com/layergroups ; just remember that beta software is unfinished software so use with care.
Mar 25
Today for iCal users beefs up Microsoft Exchange support
Second Gear (http://secondgearllc.com) has released Today 2.2, an update of the US$15 Mac OS X application for managing iCal events and tasks. The new version adds support for viewing and creating data using Microsoft Exchange, the collaborative email and calendaring solution used in many businesses. Exchange supports requires taking advantage of Mac OS X 10.6's native Exchange support in iCal and Mail. Today 2.2 also has several small user interface enhancements. For example, hovering over an event's title will now display its location and calendar colors are now apparent when creating new events or tasks. Today distinguishes between different events based on the calendar color you define in iCal. Assign a keyboard shortcut, and you can toggle Today's visibility in a split second. Adding new events and tasks can be accomplished in the same way. You can also schedule next week's meeting or a quick task in Today. No iCal required. It synchronizes calendar information from an iPhone...
Mar 25
Zevrix releases LinkOptimizer 4.1.11 for InDesign
Zevrix Solutions (http://www.zevrix.com) has released LinkOptimizer 4.1.11, an update of its workflow automation solution for Adobe InDesign. The new version addresses several performance and stability issues related to link analyzing, image processing and software compatibility. LinkOptimizer lets you reduce InDesign job size and speed up processing by eliminating excess image data and performing essential image adjustments. LinkOptimizer Light 4.1.11 can be purchased from the Zevrix Solutions web site for US$239.95 , as well as from authorized resellers. LinkOptimizer works with Mac OS X 10.4.2-10.5 and InDesign CS-CS4. Version 4.1.11 is free for LinkOptimizer 4.x users and a $95.98 to upgrade from previous versions. A demo is available for download.
 
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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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Greetings, and welcome to the new MacTech web site! Our home page is designed to be your Industry Dashboard -- so you can have a snapshot of all that's relevant in the industry in one easy location. Many readers tell us that because the information is updated so frequently, they are now checking the site multiple times a day. Here's a quick run down of the features on the new web site, which can be subtle. We truly hope you register so that we can keep you up to date about new features as they are implemented. And, please use the BETA button in the top right to provide us any feedback, suggestions or bugs. We love to hear from you.