FoldersSynchronizer ready for Lion
SoftoBe (http://www.softobe.com has updated FoldersSynchronizer, its Mac OS X tool for backing up and synchronizing files, folders and disks, to version 4.1. It now runs on 65-bit Intel machines on Mac OS X 10.7 ("Lion").
There's still a 32-bit version available for Power PC and Intel Macs running Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6. FoldersSynchronizer is an US$40 app for Mac OS X and Mac OS 9 that synchronizes and backs-up files, folders and disks. The user can choose one or more pairs of files, folders or disks and then they will be synchronized or backed-up.
FoldersSynchronizer lets you organize your sync and backup in several sessions to save to a file for a later reuse. On each session you can apply special options like Timers, Multiple Folders, Filters, Exclude Items, Auto-Mount local and remote volumes, launch your own AppleScripts, set how to resolve conflicts, execute an incremental or an exact copy, and include locked files.
FoldersSynchronizer lets you specify global settings like...
Shortcuts for Mac OS X gets built-in AppleScript editor
Nulana has released Shortcuts 1.4 (http://nulana.com/shortcuts), an update to its productivity application for Mac OS X. The upgrade adds a built-in editor for AppleScript and Shell script shortcuts. What's more, the application user interface is now available in eight languages, including Chinese and Italian.
Shortcuts allows users to create, manage, and see their favorite shortcuts in one location. You can reconfigure shortcuts and choose other apps or keyboard keys.
Shortcuts can be set for: applications, folders and files; system actions, shell scripts, AppleScripts, and web site. If a new shortcut conflicts with a system one, application asks you either to choose another combination or to override the system shortcut.
Shortcuts requires an Intel-based Mac running Mac OS X 10.6 or higher. It costs US$9.99 and is available worldwide through the Mac App Store in the Product
Disk Alarm for Mac OS X adds detailed menu bar
Pomcast.biz has announces Disk Alarm 1.2.1 (http://diskalarm.com), an update to its disk monitoring utility for Mac OS X. The upgrade offers a detailed menu bar that shows you at a glance the space left on your volumes. It also adds support for Japanese and Brazilan Portuguese.
Disk Alarm will let you know in advance how much free space is available for your Mac to run smoothly. It alerts you whenever any of the volumes reaches the space left you specified. The menu bar item now allows you to display the sum of the available free space.
Disk Alarm requires Mac OS X 10.6.6 or higher and is compatible with Lion. Disk Alarm 1.2.1 normally US$3.99, but is being offered (for a limited time) at 50% of the price. Disk Alarm is available worldwide exclusively through the Mac App Store in the Utilities category.
AppDelete optimized for Lion, 64-bit performance
Reggie Ashworth has updated AppDelete (http://reggie.ashworth.googlepages.com/appdelete), an application deleting app for Mac OS X, to version 3.2.2. It's been optimized for Mac OS X 10.7 ("Lion") and offers 64-bit performance.
Via drag 'n drop, AppDelete will delete any chosen app with all of its associated items that belong to that application. You'll no longer have to hunt through their system to find and delete these items manually.
You can drag any item that can be uninstalled onto AppDelete: applications, widgets, preference panes, plug-ins, screensavers, etc. You can also activate AppDelete in many ways: dragging items onto main window, onto dock icon, selecting in menu, right-clicking using AppDelete workflow, and throwing items in the trash.
When the preview screen appears you can uncheck any items you would like to exclude. You also have several choices: delete the items, log only the items, or archive (copy) the items to a .zip file for safekeeping or reinstall at a later...
Official cause of Jobs' death: respiratory arrest caused by...
"Bloomberg" is reporting (http://macte.ch/CkxMH) that Steve Jobs died at home in Palo Alto, California, of respiratory arrest caused by a pancreatic tumor at about 3 p.m. on Oct. 5, according to his death certificate. The Santa Clara County Public Health Department in San Jose, California, issued the document Monday.
Respiratory arrest was listed as the immediate cause of death, with "metastatic pancreas neuroendocrine tumor" listed as the underlying cause, according to the certificate. Jobs’s death occurred five years after the onset of the tumor, according to the certificate.
"Bloomberg" notes that no autopsy was performed. Jobs was buried at a non- denominational cemetery in Santa Clara County on Oct. 7.
MacTech Conference 2011: Special post-event presentation added
MacTech Conference for Apple Developers and IT Pros, Nov, 2-4, 2011 in Los Angeles, has announced both its evening activities as well as a special post-event presentation by Code 42 Software about evaluating and deploying Enterprise backup, and giving the first public look to their next major release.
Keynote speaker Guy Kawasaki will open MacTech Conference 2011: a three-day, information-packed event that will have sessions and newly announced activities throughout the day and evening. This immersion conference is hotel-based, giving attendees the opportunity to not only learn from the best, but get to meet new people and spend time with their peers -- as well as see information and products they cannot see elsewhere. Information about the conference is at (http://www.mactech.com/conference)
Right after the close of the conference, codefortytwo software (a Platinum sponsor for MacTech Conference 2011) will be making a special presentation on-site. All conference attendees are...
Apple is planning private celebration of Jobs' life
Apple is planning a private celebration of Steve Jobs' life, according to "MacGeneration" (http://www.macgeneration.com). The site says CEO Tim Cook has sent the following email to Apple employees:
"Like many of you, I have experienced the saddest days of my lifetime and shed many tears during the past week. But I've found some comfort in the extraordinary number of tributes and condolences from people all over the world who were touched by Steve and his genius. And I've found comfort in both telling and listening to stories about Steve.
Although many of our hearts are still heavy, we are planning a celebration of his life for Apple employees to take time to remember the incredible things Steve achieved in his life and the many ways he made our world a better place. The celebration will be held on Wednesday, October 19, at 10am in the outdoor amphitheater on the Infinite Loop campus. We'll have more details on AppleWeb closer to the date, including arrangements for employees outside...
Analyst: iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS selling well
In a note to clients -- as reported by "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com) -- Canaccord Genuity analyst T. Michael Walkley says that, based on a series of checkes with US carriers, the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS phones are hot sellers despite the iPhone 4S getting all the attention.
When the iPhone 4S was unveiled last week, Apple announced it would sell a new 8GB version of the iPhone 4 for $99, while the iPhone 3GS would be free with a two-year contract. Both AT&T and Verizon lowered the prices of their 16GB and 32GB iPhone 4 models to US$150 and $200, respectively.
iPhone 4S pre-orders top one million in first 24 hours
Chalk up another winner for Apple. The company says pre-orders of its iPhone 4S have topped one million in a single day, surpassing the previous single day pre-order record of 600,000 held by the iPhone 4.
"We are blown away with the incredible customer response to iPhone 4S," says Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "The first day pre-orders for iPhone 4S have been the most for any new product that Apple has ever launched and we are thrilled that customers love iPhone 4S as much as we do."
The iPhone 4S will be available at all 245 Apple retail stores in the US beginning at 8 a.m. local time on Friday, Oct.14. Every customer who buys an iPhone 4S at an Apple retail store will be offered free Personal Setup service, helping them customize their iPhone 4S by setting up email, showing them new apps from the Apple App Store and more.
The iPhone 4S comes in either black or white and will be available in the US for a suggested retail price of $199...
Netflix apologies again; won't spin off DVD division
Netflix (http://www.netflix.com) has reversed course and says it won't rename its DVD-by-mail service, as previously announced. Members will continue to go to the Netflix web site for both unlimited streaming and unlimited DVDs.
Netflix said in a Sept. 18 blog post that its DVD-by-mail service would operate at Qwikster.com. Instead, U.S. members will continue to use one website, one account and one password for their movie and TV watching enjoyment under the Netflix brand.
"Consumers value the simplicity Netflix has always offered and we respect that," says Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings. "There is a difference between moving quickly -- which Netflix has done very well for years -- and moving too fast, which is what we did in this case."
In July Netflix ditched its US$9.99 monthly unlimited DVD-rental and streaming combination plan. The company separated DVD and streaming services into two separate plans, each priced at $7.99. A combo plan was announced, but at an increased...
iPhone 4S looking to break sales records
AT&T sold more than 200,000 the iPhone 4S in the first 12 hours and said it had seen "extraordinary demand," reports "Reuters" (http://macte.ch/XB19N).
The latest version of the smartphone was unveiled Oct. 4 and is available for pre-order only. It officially goes on sale Friday, Oct. 14.
The previous generation of the smartphone, the iPhone 4, was the fastest-selling mobile in Apple's history, with 1.7 million devices selling in the first three days. However, unlike then, the new iPhone 4S is now also available on Verizon and Sprint in the U.S.
Balloon Animals 3D floats onto the Mac App Store
Learn2Make has announced a new Mac OS X app, Balloon Animals (http://learn2make.com/balloon-animals-mac/), and is giving away the first 1,000 copies. Once the 1,000 downloads have been reached, the app will return to its normal price of US$2.99.
Balloon Animals 3D teaches users how to make balloon animals step-by-step with 3D animations. The user can zoom and rotate the balloons at any time. There are easy, medium and difficult shapes.
Balloon Animals 3D includes instructions for twisting 10 different animals and shapes from balloons. It also includes instructions for making the five most basic twists in balloon twisting.
Balloon Animals 3D requires Mac OS X 10.6.6 or later. It's available worldwide exclusively through the Mac App Store in the Education Category.
Manuscript is new writing solution for Mac OS X
Black Mana Studios (http://www.blackmana.com) has introduced Manuscript 1.0, an app that encourages creativity by working through a logical process of steps. It requires Mac OS X 10.6 or later, costs US$39.99, and is aavailable worldwide through the Mac App Store in the Productivity category.
Manuscript is designed to be a complete writing solution that takes you from a story idea to a complete ebook novel, ready to be sold on Apple's iBookstore and Amazon's Kindle stores. Its writing steps take you from pitch to publication.
Manuscript for Mac will help you organize your plot lines, keep track of your characters, and give you the tools to get your thoughts flowing straight to paper, without delay, according to the folks at Black Mana Studios. When your manuscript is complete, it allows you to export your work into a number of formats including Word, PDF, and the popular eBook format ePub.
GarageTunes is new collaborative music app for OS X
Iwascoding has released GarageTunes (http://www.iwascoding.com/GarageTunes/), a collaborative music player application
for Mac OS X 10.6 and higher. It's available at the Mac App Store for an introductory price of US$4.99..
According to the folks at iwascoding, GarageTunes finds all the music files on connected hard drives without the need to maintain a special library or pointing it to a certain directory. Plus, it shows all music files on other Macs running GarageTunes in the same network in a single view. Finally, any Macs on the local network can be instructed to play songs stored on any other Mac running GarageTunes.
Finale 2012 adds new ScoreManager, more
MakeMusic has released Finale 2012 (http://www.finalemusic.com/default.aspx), a new version of the Mac OS X music notation software that lets you create, publish and share music.
The new release introduces ScoreManager, which intelligently controls the way music looks and sounds, according to Karen van Lith, MakeMusic president and CEO. Finale 2012 also includes Unicode font support, additional Garritan sounds, and several advances facilitating greater collaboration.
Finale 2012 costs US$600 for new customers ($350 for academic users). A site license for five or more users is $150 per seat.
Third Rail System available for the iPhone 4S
Now for the iPhone 4 and 4S (and subsequent phones by simply swapping out the Smart Case), the US$89.99 Third Rail System (http://www.ThirdRailMobility.com) is purportedly the world’s thinnest battery-enabled protective case that allows you to add extra power when you need it, and remove it when you don’t.
Initially for the iPhone 4, and compatible with both GSM and CDMA models, the Third Rail System is comprised of a protective case (Slim Case) and a universal, removable battery (Smart Battery). The super lightweight Smart Battery slides on to the Slim Case when power is needed, and can also serve as a stand-alone universal charger for other devices (via micro USB).
Functioning as a protective case, a power case, a portable external charger and a power hub for charging multiple devices at one time, this universal power system replaces all existing charging accessories.
Fantasy Football app kicks onto the Mac App Store
Marvel Apps has introduced Fantasy Football 1.0 (http://www.marvelapps.com/) for Mac OS X (10.6 and higher). It costs US$1.99 and is available worldwide exclusively through the Mac App Store in the Sports category
The sports app provides Pro Football Fantasy trends and is designed to help the user optimize his line-up to win his league. Fantasy Football is designed to be placed adjacent to your web browser to maximize screen real estate and make critical adds and drops from your fantasy team.
You can scroll up and down to help you make decisions. Fantasy Football 1.0 lets you review the top starters, top adds, top owned, top dropped and injuries.
Hydra photography software ready for Lion
Hydra -- Mac OS X software that gives human eye perception to photography by creating high dynamic range (HDR) images from a series of regular photographies -- has been updated to version 3.0. The upgrade is compatible with Mac OS X 10.7 ("Lion").
Hydra 3 also adds an optimized powerful Tone mapper with 12 presets, ghost artifact removal, an image crop feature and the ability to export to Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Lightroom, Aperture, Mail. The Pro version also adds scope-based image processing (color, brightness, and distance tolerance) and batch processing.
Hydra can create HDR images either from DSLRs or traditional point-and-shoot cameras, according to Raphael Sebbe of Creaceed. The software uses a number of regular photographies with different expositions (darker and lighter photos) to create a superior one which is much closer to what one's eye can see, he adds. This image is also known as a high dynamic range, or HDR, image because a single photography can't represent the...
Apple's Dave Marra to appear at next MacBUS meeting
The next meeting of The Macintosh Business Users Society of Greater Philadelphia (http://www.macbus.org/) will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 6:30 pm.
This month's meeting will feature Dave Marra, senior systems engineer for Apple. He'll discuss and demo IOS 5, iCloud, new apps, the new iPod touch, the iPhone 4S and Mac OS X 10.7 ("Lion").
A general Mac troubleshooting Q&A session will also be held. Attendees are encouraged to bring questions and invite friends or coworkers who may find the meeting beneficial.
MacBUS was the first user group in the United States to focus on the business and professional uses of the Macintosh operating system. The group of approximately 75 members meets this month at:
Giant Food Store
315 York Road 2nd Floor Conference room
Willow Grove, Pennsylvania 19090
Meetings are usually held on the last Tuesday evening of each calendar month. To inquire about presenting, or to suggest a meeting topic, please contact the MacBUS board at macbusboard@gmail....
'Learn -- Lion Edition' available from TheMacU.com
Now available at TheMacU.com and the Mac App Store, "Learn -- Lion Edition" is an app from with over 80 HD training videos. This course covers all the basics of Mac OS X 10.7 ("Lion") along with some more advanced content.
The course looks at ways to perform basic file and folder navigation to how to best use applications like iCal, Mail, Safari, iTunes and Address Book. Each video is presented in HD video at 1280x720 resolution. Go to http://www.TheMacU.com to learn more and view several free sample lessons. You can download Learn -- Lion Edition for US$6.99.
Taco HTML Edit 3 adds Lion features, more
Taco Software (http://tacosw.com/) has released Taco HTML Edit 3, the latest edition of its HTML and PHP editor for Mac OS X. For Mac OS X 10.7 ("Lion") users, the upgrade adds support for Autosave, Versions, Resume, and Full Screen.
With Autosave, documents are automatically saved while they are edited; it's no longer necessary to manually save documents. Versions complements Autosave by allowing users to view and restore previous versions of a document.
Taco HTML Edit 3 provides a new interface for error checking, and can find errors in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP. The new CSS error checker is based on the working drafts of the W3C CSS3 specification. PHP error checking now executes the PHP code, just like for previewing a PHP document. This allows both syntax and runtime errors to be reported by the error checker.
The Navigator, new in Taco HTML Edit 3, shows an outline of your HTML, PHP, JavaScript, or CSS document, allowing you to move to a different location. Links to other...
Default Folder for Mac OS X gets Typinator support
St. Clair Software has updated Default Folder (http://www.stclairsoft.com/DefaultFolderX/index.html), its utility for enhancing Open and Save dialogs in Mac OS X, to version 4.6. The upgrade addresses compatibility issues with Mac OS 10.6 and 10.7 and adds support for Typinator.
Default Folder X 4.6 is a free update for registered users of version 4.x. The upgrade is US$14.95 for users who bought their copies before June 1, 2007. Default Folder X costs $34.95 for a new license. Installers are available now in English and German and will be released shortly in Japanese, French, and Danish.
Convert InDesign CS5.5 To Quark 9 with Markzware ID2Q 6
Markzware has announced ID2Q 6, an update to its Quark XTension for Mac OS X and Windows.
ID2Q 6 enables design professionals to convert InDesign CS5.5 to Quark 9 content, while preserving the elements and formatting of the original QuarkXPress document, including page positioning, color models, fonts and styles, images and more. Once installed, to convert InDesign, select "convert InDesign document" from the QuarkXPress Utilities menu.
The software upgrade ID2Q 6 Quark Xtension is available at the ID2Q Store (http://markzware.com/products/id2q/) with pricing for new users starting at US$199 per single-user seat. It requires Mac OS X 10.5.8 or higher.
Marble Arena 2 rolling onto the Mac
Brightside Entertainment has announced the upcoming release of Marble Arena 2 (http://www.marble-arena.com/), their free, physics-based, 3D marble game for Mac, Windows and Linux systems. It will be released on Dec. 13.
Here's how the game is described: "Featuring vibrant HD graphics, fun and addictive gameplay, and an easy-to-use built-in editor for creating custom levels, Marble Arena 2 promises 50 mayhem filled levels. The game will test the player's rolling skills on several types of surfaces and make use of a multitude of physics contraptions in fun and sometimes headache inducing ways.
"Players will be pitted against sneaky A.I. controlled marbles in single player games, bent on getting in your way every chance they get, and against each other in multiplayer games of up to 32 participants. The game will offer players the possibility to upgrade their marble stats, and choose from a multitude of skins to completely personalize the experience. The built-in editor will allow easy...
Jobs laid to rest in private funeral
The funeral for Steve Jobs is taking place Friday, reports "The Wall Street Journal" (http://macte.ch/1eBR7), quoting an unnamed person familiar with the matter.
The funeral is characterized as a small private gathering, this person said. The person wouldn't say where or when the event was taking place, citing respect for Mr. Jobs and his family's privacy, says the "WSJ."
Color Splash Studio splashes onto the Mac
Color Splash Studio (http://www.macphun.com/colorsplash) is a new Mac app designed to offer let you create photos with selective colors. It requires Mac OS X 10.6 or later, costs US$0.99 (for a limited time) and is available at the Mac App Store in the Photography category.
Color Splash Studio offers a variety of adjustable parameters for color layer, including saturation, hues, exposure, brightness, contrast and blur. You can choose between grayscale and sepia for a monochrome layer.
Color Splash Studio has adjustable parameters for the amount of monochrome layer. There's a selective blur for both color and monochrome layers and a customizable brush that lets you adjust diameter, opacity and softness
Color Splash Studio integrates with Aperture and iPhoto albums. It supports most image formats -- including RAW files and resolutions of up to 32 megapixels -- and boasts built-in sharing via Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, Tumblr or email.
Google, Samsung cancel event in respect for Jobs
Google and Samsung have canceled an event planned for next week where the companies were supposed to announce the first smartphone based on Android "Ice Cream Sandwich," reports "AllThingsD" (http://macte.ch/VYvxE). The move was made in response to the death of Steve Jobs.
Sources told "AllThingsD" that the companies felt it was the wrong time to hold a launch event, as the world continues mourning Jobs.
"Samsung and Google have decided to postpone the Samsung Mobile Unpacked event during the CTIA in San Diego, previously scheduled for Oct. 11," Samsung said in a statement. "Under the current circumstances, both parties have agreed that this is not the appropriate time for the announcement of a new product."
Apple University to teach execs to think like Jobs
"The LA Times" (http://macte.ch/506vt) says one closely guarded project at Apple is an executive training program called Apple University that Steve Jobs considered vital to the company's future: teaching Apple executives to think like him.
"Steve was looking to his legacy," a former Apple executive who spoke anonymously told the newspaper. "The idea was to take what is unique about Apple and create a forum that can impart that DNA to future generations of Apple employees. No other company has a university charged with probing so deeply into the roots of what makes the company so successful."
The "Times" quotes "people familiar with the project" who say Jobs personally recruited the dean of Yale's Business School in 2008 to run it. Joel Podolny's assignment: help Apple internalize the thoughts of its visionary founder to prepare for the day when he's not around.
Apple's revenues will exceed $100 billion in five years
Apple's revenues will exceed US$100 billion in five years, according to "The Future of Apple" report from the Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com) research group.
Since the turn of the century Apple evolved from a secondary computer company into the most potent force transforming media. It's the premiere digital media innovator as evidenced by the iPod, iPhone and, most recently, the iPad.
Basically each introduction defined a new product category or enabled an incipient one to cross the chasm into mass market acceptance, notes Research and Markets. More of the same is expected in the future, not only from products but also from transactional services, says the research group. Their report says that:
° Merely from existing product lines, Apple's revenues will exceed $100 billion in five years.
° Apple will introduce as yet unannounced products to address huge latent market opportunities in (1) the Digital Living Room and (2) media and transactional online services...
Teens want iPhones, iPads
The Piper Jaffray research group (http://www.piperjaffray.com) has completed its 22nd semi-annual “Taking Stock With Teens” survey, which indicates improving spending at the upper-income level and continued weakness for average-income teens. And it also bodes well for Apple.
Portable device spending continues to accelerate with 83% of teens reporting that they are likely to purchase a smartphone for their next device, up from 75% last fall and 81% in the spring. iOS gained market share on Android and it is the most desired operating system, with 36% of teens reporting that they are likely to buy an iOS device.
Thirty-eight percent of teens plan on buying an iPhone in the next six months, up from 33% one year ago. In the last year, iPhone market share among teens has risen from 14% to 23%. Twenty-nine percent of respondents own a tablet or have one in their household, and 22% expect to buy an iPad in next six months, which should benefit Apple given iPad’s dominant market position....
Tablets have 75% share of US ultra-mobile device shipments in...
Led by media tablets and more specifically Apple’s iPad 2, an estimated 37 million ultra-mobile devices (UMDs) will ship into the United States during 2011, according to ABI Research (http://www.abiresearch.com).
UMDs represent mobile computing devices on a continuum bordered by laptops and smartphones. The UMD category consists of four segments: ultra-mobile personal computers (UMPCs), mobile Internet devices (MIDs), netbooks, and media tablets.
The revenue value from vendor shipments of UMDs into US sales and distribution channels during 2015 is forecast to top US$24 billion, says ABI Research. About 75% of total UMD shipments in the US during 2011 are expected to be media tablets.
"While the near-term opportunity is all about media tablets, no UMD segment type has ever sustained a lead for longer than 36 months in any part of the world," says ABI Research group director Jeff Orr. "Is the next device trend beyond media tablets just around the corner?"
Netbooks continue to be an...
Sprint bringing unlimited data experience to the iPhone
Sprint has announced unlimited data pricing plans for the iPhone on the Sprint network beginning on Friday, Oct. 14.
New and existing customers can pre-order the iPhone 4S beginning on Friday, Oct. 7 at 12:01 am (Pacific). Beginning today, iPhone 4 with iOS 5 is available for US$99.99 through sprint.com/iphone.
'Our unlimited data plans are the perfect fit for iPhone customers," says Sprint CEO Dan Hesse. "Sprint’s unlimited data plans provide more value than metered plans from other carriers. Our customers can take advantage of the innovative features of iPhone without worrying about overage charges or surprises on their bill."
The iPhone 4S will be available from Sprint starting at US$199.99 for the 16GB model, $299.99 for the 32GB model and $399.99 for the 64GB model. The iPhone 4 will cost $99.99 for the 8GB model and is available now. These prices require a new-line activation or eligible upgrade and two-year agreement.
All iPhone models will be available to new and existing...
WD launches new wireless media player
Western Digital (http://www.wd.com) has introduced the next generation of its WD TV Live streaming media player, a Wi-Fi-enabled media player that delivers the Spotify music service.
WD TV Live features WD's newest user interface that delivers movies, TV shows, music and online services from companies like Netflix, Hulu Plus and Blockbuster directly to your TV. The new streaming media player connects to the Internet wirelessly or through an Ethernet connection, with the 802.11n wireless connectivity supporting Full-HD 1080p video resolution.
In addition to premium Internet content, WD TV Live allows users to enjoy personal media such as photos, video and music on their home entertainment systems by supporting a range of file formats for streaming content from any connected USB drive, digital camcorder or camera, network drive such as the My Book Live personal cloud storage, and any networked Mac or PC in the home.
Adding to the WD TV family's current content offerings from Netflix,...
Nuper is new blog subscription app for Mac OS X
Line Thirteen has released Nuper 1.0 (http://www.linethirteen.com/nuper/) for Mac OS X. It requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher, costs US$4.99, and is available worldwide exclusively through the Mac App Store in the News category.
Nuper lets you subscribe to your favorite blogs and keep tabs on all the latest headlines. A single click on any entry opens a new browser window and loads the chosen site for you. Nuper lists your favorite sites based on the time they were most recently updated.
You can read articles on the original website as was intended by the author, not in the confines of a news reader. To subscribe to a blog, type in the address of the RSS feed and Nuper will automatically subscribe to it. Don't know the address of the RSS feed? Just type in the address of the blog itself and Nuper will figure out the RSS feed for you.
Hercules debuts XPS 2.9 computer speakers
Hercules (http://www.hercules.com), which specializes in digital DJ controllers and a digital audio specialist, has debuted XPS 2.0 30 DJ Club, a pair of compact computer speakers inspired by the professional PA systems used by DJs. It will be available next month for US$59.99.
The wide metal grate protecting the central driver and the speakers' contrasting lacquered and matte finish also highlight their DJ personality. The Hercules XPS 2.0 30 DJ Club offers a "DJ touch" for fans who want to listen to music in the comfort of their bedroom or studio.
To ensure bass restitution, the XPS 2.0 30 DJ Club speakers are fitted with a port on their front face. All connectivity features and controls are located on the right satellite's front face, offering access to volume and tone adjustment buttons. They also feature a headphone output and an auxiliary input to connect an MP3 player. In addition, this amplified speaker system delivers 10 Watt RMS output.
Crazy Machine comes to Macgamestore
Viva Media's Crazy Machine is now available at the Macgamestore (http://www.macgamestore.com) It requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher and costs US$9.95.
Here's how the game is described: "Turn the crank, rotate the gears, push the levers, Use the catapult, explode it, or fly it. From grilling sausages with a pulley, gears, rubberbands and a candle to firing a cannon with a basketball, these wacky brain-teasers will light up your imagination with creative and addictive fun."
Crazy Machine has over 70 elements and 200-plus challenges. It also boasts 3D graphics and real time shadows.
Alien technology brings Android to Apple
Myriad Group AG (http://www.myriadgroup.com), which specializes in mobile technology, has unveiled Myriad Alien Dalvik 2.0, which will purportedly not only enable Android apps to run across non-Android smartphone platforms, but will now enable the Android ecosystem to be extended across multiple devices and screens such as tablets, e-books, TVs, automotives and even avionics.
Myriad will be showcasing Alien Dalvik 2.0 and its multi-screen strategy, demonstrating Android apps on an iPad for the first time at CTIA Enterprise & Applications 2011 next week.
"We have seen incredible momentum in Android adoption, but we are just scratching the surface," says Myriad Group CEO Simon Wilkinson. "Digital screens such as Internet-enabled TVs and in-vehicle displays, along with other consumer devices like tablets and e-books are proliferating at an astounding rate. Consumers are driving multimedia evolution and are demanding more converged multi-screen services. With Alien Dalvik 2.0, we are...
Wacom adds a splash of color to the Bamboo Stylus
Following the launch of its original Bamboo Stylus in April, Wacom (http://www.wacom.com) has announced its new range of colored pens matching Apple’s iPad Smart Covers.
Available in white, blue, green, orange and pink, the colored Bamboo Styluses are designed for note-taking, annotation, drawing, sketching and visual thinking. With the proven precision nib, Wacom now also offers exchangeable nibs to suit the usage needs of iPad owners.
Beside the soft standard nib, alternatives, such as more solid, robust nibs will soon be available on the market. The pen coating has a shiny, soft-touch finish.
Complementing the Stylus is Wacom’s Bamboo Paper app. The app, which is free of charge, is designed for realistic and intuitive note-taking and sketching. With the launch of Bamboo Paper’s free version, which is designed for desktop use with a Wacom tablet, all Paper notes can now be shared between an iPad, Mac and PC.
Available at Amazon and Wacom’s online store starting the final week of...
Sonnet announces new media reader
Sonnet Technologies has announced the DiO Pro CompactFlash and SDXC USB 3.0 Media Reader, which enables digital videographers and photographers to transfer files quickly from CompactFlash (CF), SDXC and SDHC memory cards on location, in the studio, or at the office.
With one slot each for CF and SD media, DiO has the ability to transfer data from the fastest professional memory cards at high speeds. This Sonnet reader exploits the 5.0 Gb/second SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface and is also backward-compatible with USB 2.0 (which is good for Mac users as Apple currently doesn't support USB 3.0). iO is compatible with Mac Pro and MacBook Pro computers using a Sonnet Mac OS X-compatible USB 3.0 adapter.
DiO is UDMA6-enabled and UHS-I-compliant for CF and SD media, respectively. As a result, Sonnet's high-performance memory card reader transfers data from currently available CF cards at up to 70 MB/second, and it supports at full speed the fastest available SDXC and SDHC memory cards, as well...
New book helps you take control of Mac OS X back-ups
Expanding on and modernizing the advice in its best-selling titles about backups, Take Control Books has published "Take Control of Backing Up Your Mac,"
a 228-page, US$15 ebook written by award-winning tech writer Joe Kissell.
Updated to cover Mac OS X 10.7 ("Lion") and all the latest hardware, software, and online service changes in the backup world, "Take Control of Backing Up Your Mac" describes how to design a reliable backup system, understand backup lingo, shop for hardware, choose backup software, operate Time Machine (and determine whether Time Machine is a good option and what to do if it's not), make backups, deal with any special backup needs, and recover lost data after a crash or other calamity.
For more info about the book, including table of contents and an author bio, go to http://oreilly.com/catalog/9781615420971 .
TNT to re-air 'Pirates of Silicon Valley'
According to "Reuters" (http://macte.ch/YHUyg) TNT has scheduled back-to-back re-airings Thursday night (8 and 10 p.m.) of "Pirates of Silicon Valley, the 1999 TV movie about the race between technology rivals Apple and Microsoft to build their computer empires.
"ER" and "Falling Skies" star Noah Wyle plays Steve Jobs, with Joey Slotnick ("Nip/Tuck") as his Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. "Dead Zone" and John Hughes movies alum Anthony Michael Hall is Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
"Pirates" follows both companies' histories. The movie, which earned five Emmy nominations, is based on the bestseller "Fire in the Valley" by Paul Frieberger and Michael Swaine.
Pondering Steve Jobs' legacy and Apple's future
Steve Jobs will certainly be missed. He was the master showman, the man who made (with apologies to John Travolta) the world's greatest comeback (and who led the company he co-founded to the greatest comeback in business history) and the one who thought different.
Jobs can't be replaced, but he's created a team that will carry on Apple's success. But more on that later. Jobs' passing has received the type of media coverage usually accorded only to world leaders.
The National Retail Federation President and CEO Matthew Shay released the following statement on news of the passing of Apple founder Steve Jobs.
"The National Retail Federation and the entire retail industry mourn news of the passing of Apple founder Steve Jobs, one of the most innovative leaders of our time who created an iconic retail brand through innovation and design. In a challenging economy, Jobs and the entire Apple team invented discretionary products that many Americans now consider necessities, from the iPod to...
TIME releasing special Steve Jobs commemorative issue
TIME is releasing a special commemorative issue on Steve Jobs to hit newsstands and tablet devices tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 7.
To produce this special issue, TIME stopped the presses on its previously planned issue in order to devote its cover and 21 pages of the full issue to Jobs’ life and career. The issue includes a six-page essay by Jobs’ biographer Walter Isaacson, a historical report on Jobs career by TIME technology reporters Harry McCracken and Lev Grossman and a photo essay by Diana Walker, who has been shooting Jobs for TIME since 1982.
The cover image is a photograph of Jobs taken by Norman Seeff in 1984. This is the seventh time Jobs has appeared on the cover of TIME. The magazine is increasing its print run for this special issue, which will be available worldwide.
Jobs' family issues statement
Steve Jobs’ family today made the following statement regarding his death:
"Steve died peacefully today surrounded by his family.
"In his public life, Steve was known as a visionary; in his private life, he cherished his family. We are thankful to the many people who have shared their wishes and prayers during the last year of Steve’s illness; a website will be provided for those who wish to offer tributes and memories.
"We are grateful for the support and kindness of those who share our feelings for Steve. We know many of you will mourn with us, and we ask that you respect our privacy during our time of grief."
Tim Cook, Apple offer ways to honor Jobs
Following the death of Steve Jobs, in an email to employees, new CEO Tim Cook wrote:
"I have some very sad news to share with all of you. Steve passed away earlier today.
"Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.
"We are planning a celebration of Steve’s extraordinary life for Apple employees that will take place soon. If you would like to share your thoughts, memories and condolences in the interim, you can simply email rememberingsteve@apple.com .
Apple has also set up a page honoring Steve Jobs. You can find it at http://www.apple.com/stevejobs/ and share your thoughts, memories and condolences.
Steve Jobs Passes Away
Statement by Apple's Board of Directors:
We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today.
Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve.
His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts.
From all of us at MacTech/MacNews: Our hearts and sympathy go out to the family, and to the community at large.
Jumptap: iOS has 31% of network data
Jumptap (http://www.jumptap.com), which specializes in targeted mobile advertising, has released its MobileSTAT Report covering network data for the month of August. Among the findings:
° Android, iOS and Blackberry mobile platforms continue to dominate the top three spots, and claim more than 90% of the market, based on August 2011 data from Jumptap’s network of more than 142M global users and 11 billion monthly ad impressions.
° At 47% operating system market share, Android maintained its leadership on the Jumptap network.
° Despite ranking second in market share to Google’s Android OS with 31%, Apple’s iOS continues to deliver the best direct response advertising performance with an industry-leading CTR of 0.71%.
° Three groups continued to exhibit the highest mobile click-through rates: users ages 45-74; those with income levels of more than $50,000; and males. A clear new challenge for advertisers is getting beyond CTR to connect with younger, less-affluent audiences whose...
iPad is Telltale Game's fastest growing market
Digital publisher Telltale Games (http://www.telltalegames.com) says it's "greatly expanding" its iOS offerings through the end of the year due to rapid revenue growth from publishing its games on Apple’s iOS devices.
“The iPad has been the fastest-growing revenue driver for us so far in 2011," says Dan Connors, Telltale co-founder and CEO. "With more than 30 million devices sold to date and analyst projections expecting another 54 million in 2012, we expect that trend to continue in the foreseeable future. Our expertise as a leading digital publisher for over seven years has us ideally positioned to exploit this momentum."
Telltale Games revealed today that it plans to release 30 new iOS episodic games before the end of the year. New products hitting the Apple App Store in the coming months, include Sam & Max Beyond Time & Space, the first cases of the new Law & Order game and a soon to be announced game series.
Cygnett rolls out iPhone 4S cases
Cygnett (http://www.cygnett) has launched their iPhone 4S case line-up. Among the new products are the Ripple, FlexiGel and SecondSkin II.
Making its debut on the iPhone 4S, the US$16.99 Ripple (pictured) provides scratch-resistant and impact-resistant protection and sports a wave-like surface. Made of TPU, the Ripple features raised edges that protect the touchscreen and corners.
The $14.99 FlexiGel offers all-over protection for your iPhone 4S. The TPU case hugs the contours of your phone, while the raised edges shield the touchscreen.
The $14.99 SecondSkin II is a soft silicon case. Moulded to fit your iPhone like a glove, the SecondSkin II is soft to the touch and has raised side edges protect the touchscreen.
Waterfield Design announces iPhone 4S cases
WaterField Designs (http://www.sfbags.com) has announced the US$39 iPhone Wallet -- a leather wallet with a window to see and hear the just-announced iPhone 4S, plus pockets for credit cards and cash.
Waterfield Desigsn has also announced the $25 iPhone Hint!, a slim leather sleeve also with an iPhone window and a pocket for credit cards. Both iPhone Cases are customized to fit the iPhone 4S and are available in brown or black, naturally tanned leather.
Both are available now for pre-order from WaterField Designs. They'll ship by Oct. 31.
