Newer Technology (http://www.newertech.com) has announced the NuGuard Keyboard Cover for 11-inch and 13-inch 2010-2011 MacBook Airs. They're available now for $11.99. The discount represents a savings of 33% off NewerTech's $17.99 retail price. NuGuard Keyboard Covers feature a smooth silicone surface. The form-fitting sheet is molded to cover each key and the space between each key for protection against key wear, food/drink spills, and dust/hair clogging. MacBook Air users can customize the look of their notebook with four color choices: black, white, pink or red.

Canon says the Pixma MG8220, MG6220 and MG5320 Wireless Photo All-In-One inkjet photo printers now support AirPrint wireless printing for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. AirPrint allows users to wirelessly print photos, emails, web pages and other documents without the need to install device drivers, saving time and making for a seamless user experience. It will be supported by the majority of Pixma inkjet printers launched from this point forward, according to the folks at Canon. AirPrint works with the iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPod touch (3rd generation and later) using iOS 4.2 or later. For more info go to http://www.usa.canon.com/airprint .

OptiTex (http://www.optitex.com/) and DAZ 3D (http://www.daz3d.com/) have teamed up on Dynamic Cloth Engine plug-in for Mac OS X. Enhancing the existing capabilities of DAZ Studio 4, OptiTex’s virtual clothing solution allows anyone to load in a DAZ 3D figure of their choice and apply dynamic clothing sets to them. With this tool, creativity can be brought to life through real-world cloth simulations and a user’s ability to quickly alter any clothing’s fabric type, garment size, or stylistic variation, says Dan Farr, founder of DAZ 3D. Available as a free download, DAZ Studio provides a solution for budding 3D artists as well as professional 3D designers, photographers, filmmakers, animators and illustrators. With the addition of this new dynamic clothing plug-in, users can work with virtual actors to create images and animations of any genre "with a level of realism that was previously unavailable to the general public," says Farr.

QNAP Systems has announced its first 12-drive 2U rack-mountable Turbo NAS models with up to 36TB storage capacity: the TS-EC1279U-RP and TS-1279U-RP, powered by Quad-core Intel Xeon CPU and Dual-core Intel Core i3 CPU respectively. Both models feature optional 10GbE networking and can achieve breakthrough data throughput of over 1,000MB/sec and 100,000 IOPS using 10GbE. They're designed for high-end SMB and data center environments demanding efficient and large capacity storage solutions, and continuous up-time for mission critical applications. The TS-EC1279U-RP and TS-1279U-RP are now shipping. You can learn more about the new models and other QNAP Turbo NAS lineup at http://www.qnap.com .

There's now a Mac version of our Excel Everest's training tutorial for Excel. It costs US$34.95. Excel Everest is an interactive, fun, and engaging Excel training course that's used by Google, Pepperdine University, and others to teach Microsoft Excel in an interactive way. Discounts and site licenses are available for businesses and academic institutions.

Apple has posted ProApps QuickTime Codecs for Mac OS X 10.5.6 or later and QuickTime 7.6 or higher. This update adds the following video codecs for use by QuickTime-based applications: Apple Intermediate Codec; Apple ProRes; AVC-Intra; DVCPRO HD; HDV; XDCAM HD / EX / HD422; MPEG IMX; and Uncompressed 4:2:2. Apple says the update is recommended for all users of Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, or Compressor 4.

Apple has updated its pro-level video apps, Compressor and Motion, to versions 4.0.1 and 5.0.1, respectively. Compressor 4.0.1 improves overall stability and performance. The US$49.99 software adds power and flexibility to Final Cut Pro X export, according to Apple. You can use it to customize output settings, work faster with distributed encoding and tap into a set of delivery features. Motion 5.0.1 also improves overall stability and performance. Designed for video editors, the $49.99 software lets you customize Final Cut Pro titles, transitions and effects or create your own animations in 2D or 3D space.

There's just one day left for the latest MUPromo bundle. You can download it at here now. Included apps are:Toast 11 Titanium* ($99.95) - The newest version of the venerable multimedia suite is the best way to burn CDs and DVDs, prepare your media files for playback on iOS devices or the Web, digitize your old records and tapes to audio CDs or MP3s, capture audio from any application, stream TV programming from your TiVo, create disc labels, and more. With the optional Toast 11 High-Def/Blu-ray Disc Plug-in (normally $19.99, but available to bundle buyers for $9.99), Mac users can finally burn data and movies to Blu-ray discs, as well as HD video to standard DVDs. Data Rescue 3 ($99.00) - The #1 utility for recovering data from a crashed drive or accidentally deleted files, with more top ratings and reviews than any other. Included in our bundle are both the stand-alone app and a bootable DVD image, so you'll be able to use Data Rescue's full capabilities, even on your startup volume...

Macs topped the American Consumer Satisfaction List for the eighth year in a row. The report covers customer satisfaction with personal computers, major appliances, and electronics (televisions and BD/DVD players). One year after climbing 4% to a record-high score of 78 on ACSI’s 0 to 100-point scale, customer satisfaction with personal computers flattens out. The industry itself is in a state of rapid change, with technology advances accelerating amid shifts in consumer preference, according to the research group. As the demand for traditional desktop computers weakens, the tablet computer market is skyrocketing -- led by the iPad. Apple’s record of customer satisfaction preeminence in the personal computer industry continues unabated in 2011, as the company adds another point to its already exceptional score, according to the ACSI (http://www.theacsi.org).. At 87 (+1%), Apple outdistances its nearest competitor by nine points. "In the eight years that Apple has led the personal co...

Smith Micro Software has released Poser 9 and Poser Pro 2012, updates of the character animation solutions. They sport new tools including Vertex Weight Map Rigging support and Subsurface Scattering. Smith Micro is offering special pricing for the products through Sept. 30. Poser 9 is valued at $249.99. New Poser 9 users can save 20% and existing Poser users can upgrade for $99.99. Poser Pro 2012 is valued at $499.99. New Poser Pro 2012 users can save 20%, existing Poser users with a serial number can side grade for $199.99, and current Poser Pro users can upgrade to Poser Pro 2012 for $159.99. Go to http://www.smithmicro.com/poser for more details.

Some Netflix users are having problems with the Apple TV -- including Yours Truly. I was able to sign in to my account with no problem, see my viewing history, see my Instant Queue, browse titles and more. However, when I tried to play anything (say an episode of "Friday Night Lights"), I was treated to the "spinning wheel of death" for a few seconds, then got an error message. The message would say "An error occurred loading this content. Try again later" or "Netflix is currently unavailable; try again later." This only happened with the Apple TV/HDTV combo; there was no problem using Netflix on my Mac or iPad. I had fewer than the maximum six playback devices currently authorized to play streaming content. Also, there were no problems streaming content from other providers like YouTube and Vimeo. If you're experiencing the same thing, first try doing an Apple TV reset to factory defaults. This also forces the device to download the latest firmware. That solved my problems. However...

BulyPix's Burn It All is now available at the Macgamestore (http://www.macgamestore.com). The puzzle game requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher and costs US$4.95. Here's how the game is described: "Burn It All gives you control of three different little Flames as they venture through over 125 stages of brain-rattling puzzles, from the molten depths beneath the Earth’s crust to the Top of the World. They’ll use their unique fiery abilities to burn through all sorts of objects, avoiding water and gas, dealing with underground monsters, blowing things up, and even putting time in a loop to make their way back home, where their father, The Sun, awaits! "You’ll use clever strategies to burn through everything on your way, swiveling around until only smoke and ashes remain. With each of the Flames’ Pyro-Powers, there’s nothing you can’t burn through!"

DeepClock (http://aperio-lux.com.ua/Application/iClock.aspx) -- a Mac OS X compatible analog clock you can place anywhere on your desktop -- has been updated to version 1.0.1. It's a maintenance update. You can place deepClock on your main monitor or you can move it to a secondary monitor. The program offers nine clock styles for you to choose from. The program offers nine clock styles for you to choose from. It requires Mac OS X 10.7 ("Lion") or later and an Intel-based mac. deepClock costs US$0.99 and is available worldwide through the Mac App Store in the Utilities category.

Mozart (http://mac.rogame.com/pages/Mozart.html), an educational game for music students and enthusiasts, has been upgraded to version 2.0, adding support for Mac OS X 10.7 ("Lion"). During the game notes stream from the left to the right and have to be identified with one of the six provided instruments. The problem is that there are not only notes to deal with, but also all sorts of other entities that may explode, shift places or change the key signatures around for no reason at all. There are two basic instruments where either letters like C, D, E or tone syllables like Do, Re, Mi are assigned. Four advanced input instruments-- bass, guitar, mandolin and piano -- are also available. Mozart 2.0 makes a distinction between basic and advanced instruments. Advanced instruments are those based on real instruments like guitar or piano. These instruments now evaluate octaves (i.e. middle c will require a different input than c an octave higher). Additionally instrument positions come...

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has apologized for the recent lack of "respect and humility" in the way it separated its DVD and streaming services and the accompanying price hike. He says the company should have personally given a full justification to its members of why they're separating DVD and streaming, and charging for both. Hastings says that streaming and DVD by mail are becoming two quite different businesses, with very different cost structures, different benefits that need to be marketed differently, "and we need to let each grow and operate independently." So in a few weeks, Netflix will redub its DVD by mail service to "Qwikster." It will be the same website and DVD service that everyone is used to, he adds. It is just a new name, and DVD members will go to qwikster.com to access their DVD queues and choose movies. There will also be a new video games upgrade option, similar to our upgrade option for Blu-ray, for those who want to rent Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360 games. Hastings...

Abilene Christian University ini Abilene, Texas, has announced recent research findings from its ACU Connected mobile learning program that show how mobility is transforming teaching and learning. After three years of investigations and empirical research studies based on Apple's iPhone, iPod touch and last year, the iPad, ACU named time efficiency, increased independence, engagement and enhanced communication as mobility's emerging themes. Seven newly appointed ACU 2011-12 Mobile-Learning Fellows have launched six new studies to explore these themes in depth.   In a scientific study, ACU students who used an iPad to annotate text performed at a rate 25% higher on questions regarding transfer of information than their counterparts who used only paper.  A study of student iPad usage patterns is currently underway, conducted by Dr. Ian Shepherd, associate professor of management sciences, and Dr. Brent Reeves, associate professor of management sciences and computer science. This...

The iPhone 5 hasn't even been announced yet, and already Samsung is planning to ban its sale in South Korea, according to the "Korea Times" -- as reported by "CNET." Samsung is also countersuing Apple in Australia. Samsung will file suit against Apple for violating its patents related to wireless communications as soon as possible after the iPhone maker launches its follow-up to the iPhone 4. In that lawsuit, the Korea Times' sources say, Samsung will request the court ban all sales of the device. Meanwhile, Samsung has filed a counter claim in an Australia court, accusing Apple of infringing its wireless patents related to the company's iPhone and iPad products, notes "Reuters." The move comes after Samsung delayed the launch of its latest Galaxy tablet computer in Australia last month in the ongoing global patent dispute with Apple. Samsung filed the claim with the Federal Court of Australia, New South Wales Registery, on Sept. 16, a media statement released by Samsung Electronics...

On the heels of the success of MacTech Conference for IT Pros and Developers, and MacTech Boot Camps held all around the United States, MacTech has announced a new (third) type of event: MacTech InDepth -- a series of one day seminars each focusing on a single topic.  MacTech InDepth is a single-track, hotel-based seminar that is specifically geared to serve the needs of IT pros, consultants and techs looking for a deep dive on a single topic. The first MacTech InDepth will focus on Mobile Device Management, and will be in the City of San Francisco on Wednesday, Dec. 7. "MacTech Conference 2010 was an enormous success delivering amazing content and a quality conference to IT Pros and developers in the large organization, enterprise, and ISV markets," says aid Neil Ticktin, editor-in-chief/publisher, "MacTech Magazine." "MacTech Boot Camp events have been a terrific success in helping consultants grow their company and support small business. What's been really clear from the...

MokaFive (http://www.mokafive.com/), a company known for its virtualization- and desktop-management software, says its product suite is the ideal solution for companies that have standardized on a Windows operating system, but also want to meet the demand of a growing -- and increasingly vocal -- Mac constituency.   Third-quarter 2011 reports showed that Mac sales growth exceeded that of PC sales by more than 400%, according to industry-analyst firm Gartner Group (http://www.gartner.com), who reported in July that PC sales growth was a dismal 3.8% over 2010 -- a much smaller number than projected. The trend indicates that while other manufacturers’ sales seem to be suffering from a sluggish economy, the demand for Macs is unwavering. The brand appears to have become especially popular with mobile executives, whose requests are sure to hold sway with the IT departments assigned to them.   MokaFive Suite virtualizes the Windows operating system, abstracting it from the computer...

Newer Technology (http://www.newertech.com) has announced The Pad Protector 2, a lightweight leather folio/carrying case for the iPad 2. Available in choice of rich red, black or cognac top grain leather, it's designed to keep the Apple tablet protected and looking like new while providing typing/viewing comfort and complete access to all ports and controls. Available now, The Pad Protector 2 has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of US$39.95. It features a leather cover that discreetly fastens with slimline magnets that wake the user's iPad 2 up when the cover is opened and put it to sleep when it is closed.  The design includes front and rear camera cutouts for unobstructed images. In addition to supporting vertical and horizontal viewing, the cover also functions like a "kickstand," providing both comfort and stability when typing. Inside, the soft suede lining provides a scratch-free environment for an iPad 2. A side loading, full-framed holder keeps the iPad 2 in place...

Bioware has announced the upcoming release of new story based DLC for its fantasy RPG sequel, Dragon Age II: Mark of the Assassin. It will be available in October for US$9.99 and will require Mac OS X 10.6.6 or higher. Here's how the game is described: "Hawke meets a mysterious female Elvin assassin named Tallis, voiced by the talented Felicia Day, and joins her to steal an ancient relic from an Orlesian Baron in his well-guarded estate. A cross between Varric and Isabela, Tallis is a rogue who introduces a new fighting style to add more variety in combat. Get up close and personal with her deadly skills or stand back and pick off enemies with her ranged combat abilities. "Mark of the Assassin features new items, new enemies and monsters and new environments as well as giving players the opportunity to experience a new, tactical way to play with the return of Stealth gameplay. Plus, along with the new environments and monsters, you will learn more about the Orlesians and Qunari."

Monotype Imaging Holdings has expanded Fonts.com Web Fonts (http://webfonts.fonts.com/en-US) with the addition of over 900 fonts, including collections from 10 typeface foundries new to the site and new designs from the company's Monotype, Linotype and ITC libraries. More than 12,000 Web fonts are now available from Monotype Imaging's Web font service. Chris Roberts, vice president and general manager of e-commerce at Monotype Imaging, says the Calligraphics collection from Paul Veres features the Gargoyle family, an informal, friendly typeface. MyChristie from Christie Podioti brings the Noisetoy font, an experimental, art deco design. PeGGO Fonts, the foundry of Pedro González, features the Legan typeface, a Trajan-inspired design, and the PintassilgoPrints foundry, with the works of Ricardo Marcin and Erica Jung, offers handwriting fonts including the condensed, casual Amarelinha design. The Sardiez foundry from Sergio Ramírez brings the futuristic Systopie family, and Suomi, the...

DewDrop Studios (http://www.netuseapp.com/) has updated NetUse Traffic for Mac OS X (10.6.6 and higher) to version 1.2.2. The upgrade sports monthly usage estimates, notifications system, realtime usage stats in status menu and more. NetUse provides a way to monitor your network traffic on the Mac. Utilizing the SNMP feature of any modern Internet router or gateway, the software monitors and collects real-time Internet usage statistics for all the computers in your home or office that share an Internet connection. If you have a traffic cap on your Internet usage, NetUse will help to make sure you don't exceed your limits, says Andrei Grichine, founder of DewDrop Studios. Set your billing date and a monthly traffic allowance and NetUse will accurately show how much bandwidth you consume, he adds. NetUse costs US$7.99 and is available at the Mac App Store in the Utilities category.

A new Apple support document (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4885) talks about connection options for Thunderbolt Macs -- and mentions a "late 2011" iMac. Thunderbolt is a new high-speed computer connection technology that brings together high-speed data transfer and high-definition (HD) display on to a single cable. Running at 10Gbps, Thunderbolt technology can transfer a full-length HD movie in less than 30 seconds, according to Mooly Eden, general manager, PC Client Group, Intel. This Intel-developed technology is coming to market through a technical collaboration with Apple. The new Thunderbolt Display is available through the Apple Store (http://www.apple.com), Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price of $999 (US). The Apple Thunderbolt Display requires a Mac with a Thunderbolt I/O port. Here's what you can expect when you try to connect one or more Thunderbolt displays to a Thunderbolt capable Mac: ° Connecting a second Apple Thunderbolt...