BusyCal, BusySync, and the new MobileMe Calendar
Apple recently announced that all MobileMe members must upgrade to the new MobileMe Calendar by May 5. If you're a BusyCal or BusySync user (http://www.busymac.com), upgrading to the new MobileMe Calendar may require significant changes to your calendar sharing workflow and affect other members of your workgroup.
The new MobileMe Calendar functions as a CalDAV server and requires all calendars you wish to sync between your Mac and iOS device to be hosted on MobileMe. This allows you to sync calendars between multiple Macs and iOS devices through the cloud from any location. It's ideal for single users, families, and small workgroups provided everyone uses MobileMe as their cloud server.
However, if you're sharing calendars with others in a large workgroup it may not be practical for all users to use MobileMe as their cloud server. In that case, your organization may wish to consider other cloud syncing solutions that support Macs and iOS devices such as Google Calendar, iCal Server,...
Case-Mate debuts accessories for the iPad 2
Case-Mate (http://www.case-mate.com) has unveiled a collection of cases for the iPad 2.. The collection includes seven new accessories that will be available starting in late March:
The Pop! case (US$49.99) is co-molded materials of plastic and soft rubber unite to create a hard case with a soft touch. A built in stand extends for an l viewing screen or remains hidden to create a flat back cover. A
The $34.99 Simple Slab is a two-toned protective case that "strips the iPad 2 down to its truest geometric form, a rectangle. The angular case looks unforgiving but is actually squishy and grippy.
The high-profile Leo case ($99.99) unfolds into a portable workstation. Made of leather and nylon, Leo comes equipped with a grip handle for a carry solution. Secured with a zipper closure, the textured embossed case features an adjustable viewing stand and provides storage for a notebook and pens.
The $49.99 Venture protects the iPad while on the go and doubles as a secure stand. The cover...
Marware C.E.O. Hybrid Case for iPad 2 available for pre-order
Marware says its C.E.O. Hybrid for iPad 2 is now available for pre-order (http://www.marware.com/ipad-kindle-cases-and-covers/iPad-2-Cases/C-E-O-H...). The sequel to the original iPad case is a fusion of the traditional hard shell case and soft fabric folio case.
The protective lid doubles as a stand and adjusts into multiple angles for displaying, viewing, typing or using FaceTime. The C.E.O. Hybrid sports an integrated hand strap, reinforced grip corners for maximum hold, a secure closure and added corner protection.
The Marware case allows access to all iPad 2 buttons and ports and has a camera hole cutout on the back. It's available in black.
Strata launches Design 3D SE in Mac App Store
Strata (http://www.strata.com) has released Strata Design 3D SE in the Mac App Store for US$49.99. It provides the essentials for getting started in 3D design, with 3D modeling and texturing tools, advanced lighting features, environments, and Strata's Raydiosity rendering engine.
Users can create from scratch or choose to utilize prebuilt scene templates, models, textures and effects, or import models from other 3D modeling programs and download sites like Google 3D Warehouse. Strata Design 3D SE was developed using a large subset of the tools and the same user interface found in Strata's professional 3D modeling and animation software, Strata Design 3D CX.
Strata 3D University extends the Strata Design 3D SE offering with professional online video training in 3D modeling, texturing, lighting and rendering, allowing subscribers to learn Strata Design 3D SE at their own pace. A subscription the Strata 3D University starts at $0.99 cents for the first two weeks of training and...
OWC Data Doubler replaces optical bay with more internal storage
Other World Computing (http://www.macsales.com) says its OWC Data Doubler optical bay drive mounting solution adds 133% more internal storage capacity than the factory offers to the new 2011 MacBook Pro models announced by Apple last week.
The OWC Data Doubler enables new MacBook Pro owners to replace their infrequently used optical drive with a second hard drive or SSD for upgrading the main drive bay up to 1TB storage capacity and/or adding up to 750GB additional capacity in the optical drive bay for a total of 1.75GB of total internal data storage and backup capacity, create an internal RAID, or create other customized internal data storage configurations.
The US$75 OWC Data Doubler is available for immediate ordering at http://eshop.macsales.com/owcpages/datadoubler/ and comes complete with all required hardware, a step-by-step Mac notebook model specific installation guide and free online "how to" installation videos.
New 'Class on Demand' webinar available
Larry Jordan details mixing techniques in Soundtrack Pro, as well as innovative ways to create high-definition Blu-Ray discs in Final Cut Pro, Roxio Toast, and Adobe Encore in this week's "Class on Demand Legends Series" webinars.
An expansion of the current Class on Demand training lineup, "Class on Demand Legends Series" provides an exclusive "inside look" at the inner workings of influential industry experts and figureheads. This week, Jordan explores the process of audio mixing and creating Blu-ray disks with "Advanced Audio Mixing Techniques in Soundtrack Pro" and "Create a Blu-ray Disk for HD Video."
Each "Class on Demand Legends Series" webinar is priced at US$34.99. For more information about the "Legends Series," including a full list of available webinars, go to http://www.classondemand.com/legends/ .
Disk Drill is new data recovery software for Mac OS X
CleverFiles Software has announces Disk Drill, a data recovery solution for Mac OS X. It helps recover lost data, deleted files, and also strives to prevent unexpected data loss. It lets you recover from HFS/HFS+, FAT, NTFS and other file systems -- even from initialized and formatted disks.
Disk Drill 1.1 offers support for Apple-related data like PAGES, MOV, etc), scanning session management, live preview while scanning, iPod recovery (non-iOS devices only), portable mode and more. It also features S.M.A.R.T. monitoring and now helps you prevent hard disk's failures by constantly checking a number of parameters provided by hard drive manufacturers.
If your disk gets unmounted by itself during scanning due to bad blocks, or produces ticking noise and is likely to go offline for good before you get all your data back from it, Disk Drill lets you back-up any disk into DMG, which can be mounted in your Mac for delayed recovery. The main difference here is the fact that this disk...
PDF Studio 6.6 released with new tool chest, more
Qoppa Software, which specializes in PDF tools, has updated PDF Studio (http://www.qoppa.com/psindex.html), a PDF editor, to version 6.6. The upgrade adds a tool chest, custom stamps, annotation groups, Microsoft Word import, native file dialogs, and more.
PDF Studio maintains full compatibility with the PDF Standard and supports the latest PDF format. You can: manage digital IDs and trusted certificates for digital signatures; batch preflight to preflight to verify PDF/X compliancy for multiple documents at once; and batch crop to crop multiple documents at once and change the margins for crop box, bleed box, trim box or art box.
PDF Studio is available for Mac, Windows and Linux platforms. PDF Studio comes in two flavors: PDF Studio Standard at $60 and PDF Studio Pro at $95.
Avenza releases MAPublisher 8.4 for Adobe Illustrator
Avenza Systems has released MAPublisher 8.4 for Adobe Illustrator. The latest version of this mapmaking software used to produce high quality maps from GIS data for both print and electronic distribution now includes a thematic mapping feature called MAP Themes.
Like the name implies, it produces dot density maps and uses stylesheets to symbolize choropleth maps based on various types of data classification. In addition, it can create custom charts using data attribute values.
Other new features and enhancements of MAPublisher 8.4 for Adobe Illustrator include:
° New thematic mapping features including support for pie and bar charts and dot density maps;
° New import services: Web Feature Service (WFS) and Web Map Service (WMS);
° Support for import formats including GPX and Microsoft Excel;
° Import support for Esri ArcMap documents (.mxd).
Esri Basic Personal Geodatabase format support is now available for the Mac. A new MAPubilsher Image feature type makes importing georeferenced...
CTM releases FoxTrot Professional Search 3.1, Server for Mac OS...
CTM Development (http://www.ctmdev.com) has released FoxTrot Professional Search 3.1.2, an update to their networked document indexing and retrieval solution for Mac OS X. The new version offers enhanced preview displays with additional document types with FoxTrot's usual occurrences highlighting and document-level search, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Pages, Numbers and Keynote documents, as well as iCal events, Address Book contacts, and Mail messages.
There are several user interface improvements. FoxTrot Professional Search 3.1.2 also offers: optimized concurrent updating of indices (using the Indexing menu); partial index updating; and enhanced AppleScript support
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...
Drink More Water trickles to the Mac App Store
iLifeTouch has introduced Drink More Water 1.1 (http://ilifetouch.com/DrinkMoreWater) in the Mac App Store. It requires Mac OS X 10.6.6 or later, costs US$1.99 and is found in the Health & Fitness section.
Drink More Water allows you to keep track of exactly how much water you have consumed in a day. It also allows you to keep track of your water consumption for the entire week and provides you with your weekly average.
Drink More Water was designed to be so simple that no language component is needed to understand how to use the app. Look at the screenshots, and you're ready to use this water tracking device immediately, according to the folks at iLifeTouch.
Digital Heaven announces public beta of Final Print 2.0
Digital Heaven (http://www.digital-heaven.co.uk) has announced a free, time-limited public beta release of Final Print 2.0, a tool for browsing and printing Final Cut Pro projects.
It allows the user to view a list of clips, markers or the content of a bin with up to 10 columns of information. Version 2.0 adds the option of printing clips inside sequences, support for colored markers and the ability to load items directly from projects currently open in Final Cut Pro.
This new version also adds numerous features and enhancements including: a completely redesigned interface; the ability to load projects directly from Final Cut Pro 7; support for viewing clips within sequences; the ability to have multiple XML files or projects open at once; and the ability to filter current display by colored markers and video/tracks.
Final Print 2.0 beta requires an Intel-based Mac with Final Cut Pro 5.1.2 (and later) for the creation of XML files. Final Cut Pro 7 is required for direct opening of...
Gartner: iPad cutting into mobile computer sales
The Gartner research group (http://www.gartner.com) is lowering its personal computer forecast for 2011 and 2011 based on expectations of weaker demand for mobile computers thanks to devices such as the iPad.
Gartner expects 2011 computer unit growth has been lowered to 10.5% and the 2012 growth reduced to 13.6%. However, the research group expects things to pick up over the long haul.
Gartner forecasts that global computer shipments will reach 387.8 million in 2011. For 2012, the research group is eyeing shipments totaling 440.6 million units.
Apple launches Joint Venture retail service
Apple has launched Joint Venture (http://www.apple.com/retail/jointventure/), a retail-based service. It's an extension of Apple’s current Genius Bar services aimed at small businesses and prosumers.
According to Apple, Joint Venture is a program designed to help you use your Mac, iPhone, and iPad to improve the way your business runs. The JV team will set up your new Apple products, train your employees to get the most out of them, and make sure everything stays working with dedicated support.
Apple says it will work with you from the beginning to make sure your new systems are up and ready to use, usually within 24 hours. "We’ll transfer your existing data -- including your mail, calendar, and address book -- from your PC or Mac, and install any additional software you’ve purchased from the Apple Retail Store or the Apple Online Store," the company says.
Apple will also activate your Joint Venture website so you can access every Joint Venture service -- schedule training, book...
Apple tops 'Most Admired Companies' list for fourth...
"Fortune" has revealed its annual list of the World’s 50 Most Admired Companies. Apple tops the list again, for the fourth year in a row.
Working with the Hay Group, "Fortune" surveys more than 4,100 executives, directors, and analysts across industries, who select the companies they admire most. Apple tops the list, followed by Google (No. 2) and Berkshire Hathaway (No. 3)
Of the nine traits the Hay Group surveys, only Apple preserved its pre-recession (2007) status as the top company for “innovativeness.” Goldman Sachs triumphed over General Electric in the “ability to attract, develop, and keep talented people," Amazon.com is now number one over Anheuser-Busch for “quality of products and services,” and Google replaced Berkshire Hathaway as the company most “valued as a long-term investment.”
In another sign of the “great shakeout,” Hewlett-Packard, Nokia, L’Oreal and AT&T have dropped off this year’s list. The most heavily represented categories on this year’s list are: ...
AT&T introduces new monthly billing option for tablets
AT&T has introduced new postpaid billing options for tablets. Beginning today, customers can choose between AT&T's existing prepaid billing options or the new postpaid plans.
The new plans can be added to customers' existing monthly wireless statements, offering the simplicity of a single monthly bill. For a limited time, customers who activate a new postpaid US$25/2GB plan will receive the first month free.
The new postpaid billing option will be available across AT&T retail locations, as well as att.com, Best Buy, Fry's, select Nexcom locations, and Walmart stores nationwide. Customers may choose from the following options.
° Postpaid: $14.99 for 250MB or $25 for 2GB. Customers on the 2GB plan who exceed their monthly data allotment will be charged $10 per 1GB of overage. Charges will appear on customers' monthly wireless statements.
° Prepaid: $14.99 for 250MB or $25 for 2GB. Customers on the 2 GB plan who exceed their monthly data allotment may choose to purchase an...
Apple posts video of yesterday's media event
Apple has posted the streaming video of yesterday's media event in which the iPad 2, iOS 4.3 and more was introduced. Apple CEO Steve Jobs returned temporarily from medical leave to host the event.
You can find the video at http://events.apple.com.edgesuite.net/1103pijanbdvaaj/event/index.html . Also introduced were iMovie and GarageBand for the iPad.
Apple drops price on original iPad; offers a refund, as well
Apple has dropped the price on the original iPad by US$100. However, if you recently bought an iPad 1 at the original price, Apple feels your pain.
The company will refund the $100 difference. However, this only applies if you've purchased an iPad within 14 days of yesterday’s announcement. You'll also need your receipt to get the refund.
Khronos releases Final WebGL 1.0 specification
The Khronos Group has released the final WebGL 1.0 specification to enable hardware-accelerated 3D graphics in HTML5 Web browsers without the need for plug-ins.
WebGL defines a JavaScript binding to OpenGL ES 2.0 to allow rich 3D graphics within a browser on any platform supporting the industry-standard OpenGL or OpenGL ES graphics APIs [application programming interfaces]. WebGL has the support of major silicon and browser vendors including Apple, Google, Mozilla and Opera with multiple browsers already shipping with WebGL implementations including the beta releases for Mozilla Firefox 4.0, all channels of Google Chrome 9.0, an Opera preview build, and Safari nightly builds.
WebGL leverages the pervasive availability of OpenGL ES 2.0 graphics on almost all browser-capable desktop, mobile and embedded platforms and the recent developments in Web technology, including the massive increases in JavaScript performance, according to the folksat at the Khronos Group. The ability for Web...
Spiderweb Software releases Avadon: The Black Fortress for the...
Spiderweb Software has released Avadon: The Black Fortress (http://www.spiderwebsoftware.com/avadon/index.html), an indie fantasy role-playing game for Mac OS X.
Here's how the game is described: "Avadon is in epic adventure in a strange and dangerous world. You are a spy and warrior who must fight the enemies of your homeland. As a servant of the Black Fortress, your word is law. Gain power and influence, experience an exciting adventure, and battle a conspiracy to destroy your people.
"You are an agent of Avadon. The Black Fortress. Outside your lands, there are limitless threats. Barbarians. Fading, jealous empires. Titans and unspeakable horrors. The warriors and spies of Avadon are sent to keep them weak and divided. Your resources are unlimited, and all must obey you.
"But a dark time is coming. Assassins are killing Avadon's warriors, and hidden enemies plot to unite all of your homeland's foes. If you cannot discover and destroy this conspiracy, and soon, your people face...
Booq unveils the Booqpad Folio for the iPad 2
Booq has announced the Booqpad for iPad 2. It's available for pre-order at http://www.booqbags.com with eco-friendly and weatherproof versions for US$49.95 and a higher-end luxury option for $99.95. It will ship in late March.
The Booqpad is especially built for designers, writers, engineers, and creative professionals. The interior layout includes designated areas for a pen, stylus, cash, paper notepad, and, of course, the iPad 2. A pair of business card slots provide access to your cards, as well as a holder for the contacts you make during your day.
Designed symmetrically for right and left hand users, each Booqpad ships with a 50-sheet A5 notepad made from at least 30% post-consumer materials and printed with soy ink. Paper refills come in multiple options, all tailored for creative professionals on the go. Each notepad has a specific layout created with certain tasks in mind, including website development, app design, sketching, 3D art, and creative writing.
Notepad sheets are...
Kensington updating products for the iPad 2
Kensington says that several of its products for extending protection, productivity and power with iPad have been updated to meet the needs of the iPad 2.
The products are the Kensington Case (US$39.99) Kensington Virtuoso Touch Screen Stylus and Pen ($24.99), Kensington PowerBolt Micro Car Charger ($24.99) and Kensington PowerBolt Duo Car Charger ($29.99)
Kensington protection products for iPad 2 will be available at the Kensington web site (http://www.kensington.com). The Kensington productivity and power accessories for iPad are available now.
D-Link Hybrid Wireless-N PowerLine Router available
D-Link (http://www.dlinkshop.com) says its US$129.99 Wireless-N PowerLine Router (DHP-1320), a combination networking solution for extending wired and wireless home networks throughout the house by tapping into a home’s electrical wiring, is now available.
This combination IPv6-ready network solution merges PowerLine 200 Mbps technology with a Wireless-N router and Ethernet ports, offering consumers two connectivity options to extend home network coverage and enjoy high-bandwidth applications, including HD video content, multimedia, VoIP calls, and more.
Daniel Kelley, associate vice president of consumer marketing, D-Link North America, says the DHP-1320 extends wired and wireless networks to all devices in the home with optimal speed and bandwidth for a range of HD video-on-demand, gaming and other applications. Essentially turning a home’s existing electrical system into an Ethernet network, PowerLine’s extended coverage can be obtained without any drilling, difficult installation...
iMaginator 5 his the Mac App Store
Stone Design says iMaginator 5.0 (http://stone.com/iMaginator), the latest version of their image processing app for Mac OS X (10.6.5 or later) is now at the Mac App Store in the Photography section. It's being offered at an introductory price of US$9.99; it's normally $49.
iMaginator 5 offers access to over 125 effects, transitions, and filters. Users can layer images, paint and text, and apply, modify, and re-order multiple effects. You can crop, scale, rotate, flip, skew, change exposure and brighten images in real time, and then save processed images as TIFF or JPEG files, and even create QuickTime movies showing the effects changing over time.
You can mask images and erase or replace any set of colors. With iMaginator 5, you can replicate and reuse the base image any number of times.
Each overlayed image or text can have its own chain of sub-effects to create independent effects in different parts of the canvas. The "Add Sub Effects" feature allows any number of filter chains...
SteelSeries introduces new headsets for the iPad, iPhone, iPad
SteelSeries (http://www.SteelSeries.com) says the SteelSeries 7H and Siberia v2 Headsets will now be available to music lovers and mobile gamers to use with their iPod, iPhone and iPad.
SteelSeries CEO Bruce Hawyer says the alternative designs have been collaborated to meet Apple’s performance standards; both featuring a single 3.5mm jack for combined audio and voice and an inline remote that controls audio and call controls. Each headset includes SteelSeries’ signature features including original designs for long lasting comfort, optimized soundscapes, and a retractable microphone to be used while answering calls or stored in the left earcup while just listening to music.
The SteelSeries 7H Headset has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of US$129.99. For iPod, iPhone and iPad users, the Siberia v2 will be available in white with an MSRP of $99.99.
Arten Science announces SMSRelay text messaging suite
Arten Science has released the SMSRelay Suite (http://www.smsrelaysuite.com/) for Mac OS X and Windows. It's a company wide text messaging solution with bulk sending capability.
SMSRelay Suite consists of three programs that cater to your SMS messaging requirements. SMSBatch allows you to send the same SMS message to groups of people. SMSRelay can send SMS messages created from many types of software. In addition ContaxCRM integrates with SMSRelay Suite, letting you send SMS messages directly from your Contact record, knowing that the history of the message will be saved against the contact.
SMSRelay is available to buy now. SMSRelay is priced at approximately US$170 for a site license; a demo is available for download. For a limited time, by way of an introduction to SMSRelay, you can use the coupon code, SMS40, to get a 40% discount on the purchase price of SMSRelay.
Zevrix automates printing, PDF production from Microsoft Office
Zevrix Solutions (http://www.zevrix.com) has announced BatchOutput Office Suite, a collection of output automation applications for Microsoft Office on Mac OS X.
The suite consists of three programs, which automate printing and PDF production from Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. In addition to batch printing, BatchOutput lets users carry out automated professional PDF production directly from Office applications, eliminating the need for post-processing.
BatchOutput Office Suite can be purchased for US$89.88 from the Zevrix website as well as from authorized resellers. The suite's applications can be also purchased separately for $39.95 each. Demos are available for download. BatchOutput Office runs on Mac OS X 10.4.2 and higher and works with Microsoft Office 2008 and 2011.
DMG Master For Mac OS X updated To version 2.3.2
Tension Software (http://pomola.com) has updated DMG Master software to create standard Disk Image Archive recognized by any Mac, to version 2.3.2. The upgrade offers a new layout for the Image menu and new commands.
DMG Master costs US$20, though version 2.3.2 is a free update for registered users of version 2.0. It's Universal Binary, so runs natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs. DMG Master requires Mac OS X 10.5 or later.
Keynote Themes Plus releases 10 new themes
Keynote Themes Plus (http://www.keynotethemesplus.com) has disclosed 10 new Keynote themes for use with Keynote, the presentation creation component of Apple's US$79 iWork suite.
The themes are Alphabet, Blue Lines, Butterfly, Cubics, Icy Water, Orange Blue, Ornaments, Rainbow, Rectangles and Vortex Mosaic. All the presentations made using the new Keynote themes can be transferred to an iPad.
There are five sizes available for each theme, including HD. They are: 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x720, 1680x1050 and 1920x1080. To use them, you need iWork '08 (Keynote 4.0) or later.
Twenty Keynote Themes can be purchased for US$19.99. Ten Keynote Themes are available for $23.99. A package that unites all 30 Keynote Themes is $29.99. Each single theme with a moving background costs $11.99, while the static ones are $7.99 each. Three Keynote themes are offered for free.
SPL, BrainWorx to product plug-ins
Universal Audio (UA), a manufacturer of audio recording hardware and software, has announced an agreement wherein two German-based companies, SPL (Sound Performance Lab) and Brainworx, will become third party audio plug-in developers for the UAD Powered Plug-Ins platform.
SPL and Brainworx are also working with Universal Audio to finalize a software development kit (SDK) that will allow other select developers of professional audio plug-ins to create software for the UAD Powered Plug-Ins platform, and to sell these plug-ins via UA’s online store -- located at http://www.uaudio.com/store.html .
TrailRunner mini, RaceBunny let you carry planned routes on an...
Berbie Software (http://trailrunnerx.com/mini/?utm_source=prmac&utm_campaign=prmac_trm120 ) says TrailRunner mini 1.2 and RaceBunny 4.3 are now available at the Mac App Store and Apple App Store, respectively.
TrailRunner mini is a route planning app for runners, bikers and hikers. You can name, rate, flag, comment and colorize collected routes. RaceBunny is a GPS tracking application for the iPhone. With RaceBunny users can display routes created in TrailRunner mini and follow their course. TrailRunner mini is based on the openStreetMap project.
TrailRunner mini is available on the Mac App Store for US$19.99. RaceBunny is available on the App Store and is free.
Tembo 1.3 For Mac OS X adds AppleScript access to search results...
Houdah Software has released Tembo 1.3, an update of the friendly" find utility for Mac OS X. The new version sports:
° An option to specify the folder to search;
° Support of quotes to specify a phrase to search for;
° The ability to compute total sizes for folders;
° Shows begin dates for events registered with iCal;
° Wildcard support to filters in Messages & Bookmarks;
° AppleScript access to search results;
° Mac OS X Service to search a selected folder.
Tembo is designed to make the searching (and finding) of files, mail messages, bookmarks and more as easy as possible. It may list up to 2.500 search results within each group. There are filters appropriate for the context designed to help you sort through the list of results. Messages, for example, may be filtered by subject, sender and recipient.
Tembo is sold exclusively through the Mac App Store for US$14.99 and requires Mac OS X 10.6.6 or higher.. A demo version is available from the product web site (http://www.houdah....
Apple releases iTunes 10.2
Apple has released iTunes 10.2, which brings compatibility with the upcoming iOS 4.3 and improved home sharing support for browsing iTunes libraries from iOS 4.3 device. You can obtain the update via the Software Update component of Mac OS X's Systems Preferences app.
With iTunes 10.2, you can sync with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. And you can browse and play from your iTunes libraries with Home Sharing on any iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
iPhone/iPod touch/iPad apps for March 2
Here are the latest iPhone/iPod touch/iPod/iPad apps. You can find 'em at the Apple App Store (http://www.itunes.com/appstore/).
Oceanside Interactive has announced The Godfather: Empire for the iPhone and iPod touch. Based on Paramount Pictures’ iconic movie franchise, The Godfather: Empire -- free for a limited time -- lets players take on the role of a Corleone family member challenged with recruiting new associates, bringing down rival organizations, and building the most powerful organization in 1940’s New York.
Appnoose has released ITGO Matrix 1.0 the next evolution of its Interval Training app for the iPhone and iPod touch. The US$3.99 app is an interval trainer, adding programmable "pods" that store user definable fast and slow intervals in addition to the original ITGO features of programmable dual music playlists, voice and or beep prompts and vibration alerts. ITGO Matrix also introduces separate programmable warm up and cool down interval pods, Matrix repeat functionality...
Steve Jobs on hand to launch the iPad 2
Apple CEO Steve Jobs, currently on a medical leave, popped up today to introduce the iPad 2, with a new design that's 33% thinner and up to 15% lighter than the original iPad, while maintaining the same 9.7-inch LED-backlit LCD screen.
The iPad 2 sports Apple’s new dual-core A5 processor and now includes two cameras, a front-facing VGA camera for FaceTime and Photo Booth, and a rear-facing camera that captures 720p HD video, bringing the innovative FaceTime feature to iPad users for the first time. Though it is thinner, lighter, faster and packed with new features, iPad 2 still delivers up to 10 hours of battery life.
The iPad 2 is available in black or white, features models that run on AT&T’s and Verizon’s 3G networks, and introduces the iPad 2 Smart Cover in a range of polyurethane and rich leather colors.
“With more than 15 million iPads sold, iPad has defined an entirely new category of mobile devices,” Jobs said at a special media event launching the product. “While...
iOS 4.3 includes faster Safari performance, iTunes Home Sharing...
Apple has introduced iOS 4.3, the latest version of its mobile operating system. New features include: faster Safari mobile browsing performance with the Nitro JavaScript engine; iTunes Home Sharing; enhancements to AirPlay; the choice of using the iPad side switch to either lock the screen rotation or mute the audio; and the Personal Hotspot feature for sharing an iPhone 4 cellular data connection over Wi-Fi.
“With more than 160 million iOS devices worldwide, including over 100 million iPhones, the growth of the iOS platform has been unprecedented,” said Apple CEO Steve Jobs at a special media event today. “iOS 4.3 adds even more features to the world’s most advanced mobile operating system, across three blockbuster devices -- iPad, iPhone and iPod touch -- providing an ecosystem that offers customers an incredibly rich experience and developers unlimited opportunities.”
He said the Safari mobile browsing experience gets even better with iOS 4.3. The Nitro JavaScript engine that...
Random House makes 17,000 ebooks available on Apple’s iBookstore
Random House, , the largest trade book publisher in the US, has made its full catalog of 17,000 ebooks available on Apple’s iBookstore, including bestsellers by Stieg Larsson, John Grisham, Dan Brown, Danielle Steel, Laura Hillenbrand, Cormac McCarthy, Lee Child and many more.
Starting today, customers can pre-order upcoming releases from Random House including Lisa Gardner’s “Love You More,” Suze Orman’s “The Money Class” and Jean Auel’s “The Land of Painted Caves.” With the addition of Random House, the iBookstore now offers ebooks from all six major trade publishers and thousands of independent publishers, says Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of Internet Services.
“iBookstore customers have already downloaded more than 100 million books in less than one year, and we think they’ll love being able to choose from Random House’s incredible selection of titles to enjoy on their iPad, iPhone and iPod touch," he adds.
iBookstore customers can choose from a wide selection of illustrated...
6 to 6.5 million iPads expected to ship in Q1 2011
Shipments of the iPad are expected to be between 6 million and 6.5 million in the first quarter of 2011, on their way to 40 million for the calendar year, reports "DigiTimes" (http://macte.ch/vpbGG), quoting "sources from the supply chain."
The article adds that 300,000-400,000 units of iPad 2 -- expected to be unveiled today -- will be turned out in the initial batch. "DigiTimes" says that about 1-1.5 million units worth of iPad inventory were in the channel in January. Since Apple only ordered about 1.8-2 million iPads in January, it indicates that Apple is already set to phase out the first-generation iPad and let the iPad 2 take its place, the article adds.
Neatberry releases new image tool for Mac OS X
Neatbeery has introduced Smoke 1.0 (http://neatberry.com/smoke) for Mac OS X 10.6 and higher. The US$9.99 app offers an unique type of brush that renders graphics with simple mouse movements
You can vary number of parameters to change the brush behavior, color flow, blending mode, background, brush colors and more. This results in the ability to build abstract backgrounds, lighting texts, art-house drawings and more.
Smoke is Universal Binary so runs natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs. A demo is available for download.
Fournova introduces new Git client for Mac OS X
Fournova has introduced Tower 1.0, a new Git client for Mac OS X designed to make using Git easy and more efficient. Git is a free, open source, distributed version control system.
Tower works with the most popular tools and services for developers, according to the folks at Fournova. Repositories can directly be created and cloned on the leading Git hosting services, GitHub and Beanstalk.
To improve the working experience even more, users can choose between a wide range of diff and merge tools such as Kaleidoscope, TextMate, BBEdit, and many more. Tower is compatible with all Intel-based Macs running Mac OS X 10.5 or higher.
A free 30-day trial version with all features can be downloaded from the Tower website (http://www.git-tower.com/). A single-user license is available for US$59 and includes all future 1.x upgrades. Volume discounts are available, as well as discounts for students and educational institutions.
Study: iOS strong in mobile open source development
Black Duck Software (http://www.blackduckstore.com) -- a global provider of products and services for automating the management, governance and secure use of open source software -- have announced trends in mobile open source development platform choices that show Android leading the pack but Apple iOS still in the game.
Analyzing data from the almost 9,000 mobile free and open source software (FOSS) projects contained in the Black Duck KnowledgeBase, Black Duck found that of 3,800 new mobile projects started in 2010, the open-source Android leads as the platform of choice with 55% of the total. Apple's iOS is a close second with 39%, and other platforms had a 2% or lower share of new projects. While Android is open, iOS is not, indicating that FOSS developers support the most popular platforms, regardless of their openness. Beyond the two leading platforms, Windows, Palm and Symbian have two percent or less of new projects and MeeGo has only a handful.
The number of FOSS mobile...
Aquafadas president talks about the future of digital publishing
Claudia Zimmer is Aquafadas’ president and founded the company with Matthieu Kopp in 2004. Aquafadas started with video editing software and later became Europe’s leading solution provider for the creation and distribution of digital comic books, which can be consumed on video game consoles, computers, smartphones, and now tablets.
Long before tablets hit the market Aquafadas established its foundations for their latest development: An end-to-end publishing solution dedicated to digital publishing on tablets and smartphones. Aquafadas’ solution will be launched on March 17, at the Paris Book Fair and at a worldwide Web event.
In this interview Claudia Zimmer speaks about the importance of digital publishing across media and industries, the business challenges of digital publishing, and the technical obstacles presented by new tablets and mobile operating systems, and she provides insights on how Aquafadas' approach to digital publishing is different.
Digital publishing is on the...
Oddsmakers bet on Apple iPad 2 event
Will Steve Jobs make an appearance today at the Apple announcement? This is just one of the many rumors surrounding the big iPad 2 event, taking place today at 10 a.m. (Pacific).
With that in mind, Tony Harvey and his team of oddmakers at Bookmaker.com, an online sportsbook, have laid out the odds on what’s to come for the upcoming tablet. Here are the odds they've determined.
There will be three versions of the iPad 2
Yes -1500 (96%)
No +500 (17%)
A front and back-facing camera
Yes -1500 (96%)
No +500 (17%)
Slimmer, lighter and retina display
Yes -5000 (160%)
No +1000 (9.10%)
The iPad 2 will have a flat back
Yes +100 (49%)
No -160 (61.7%)
A wide-range speaker
Yes -130 (56%)
No -130 (56%)
The iPad 2 will have a USB port
Yes +200 (33.3%)
No -500 (83.3%)
The iPad 2 will have a dual-core CPU
Yes -500 (83.3%)
No +200 (33.3%)
Non-smudge screen & gyroscope
Yes -1500 (96%)
No +500...
IMCapture lets you record video, audio calls from FaceTime
IMCapture has introduced IMCapture for FaceTime (http://www.imcapture.com/IMCapture-for-FaceTime/), a new product designed to record and save FaceTime conversations. It costs US49.95 for a single user license.
This Mac call recorder creates a universal platform for your recorded files, enabling you to convert all FaceTime conversations into different video formats. What's more, IMCapture for FaceTime engages an automatic recording feature as an option that enables to launch recording process by default as soon as the conversation has been started.
It requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher. IMCapture is Universal Binary so runs natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs.
DateLine now available on the Mac App Store
MachineCodex Software (http://machinecodex.com/software.php) has released DateLine 1.0 on the Mac App Store. It's a linear desktop calendar that costs US$7.99 and is found in the Productivity category.
With Dateline, you can see your events and tasks in a floating window. You can add a customizable hot key to quickly access the app. Dateline syncs with iCal, BusyCal and other Mac calendaring apps.
It's been localized for English, French, Italian, Japanese, German and Portuguese. Dateline has support for all calendar formats and locales. You can double click on a day to jump to your calendar app.
FolderGlance 3.0 adds a menu extra, context-sensitive script...
Yellow Lemon Software has updated FolderGlance for Mac OS X (http://www.scsc.no/products/folderglance/) to version 3.0. The new version adds a menu extra for access to files and folders from your menubar, and context-sensitive script support.
FolderGlance is an utility that enables users to browse files and dig into folders directly from the Finder's context menu. With Hover Previews, files can be previewed instantly from the Finder's context menu simply by hovering the cursor over the file of interest.
Files can be opened, moved, copied or opened with a custom application using a custom Open With menu. The custom Open With menu lets users tailor the applications that appear when attempting to open a file with a different application than the default.
Package and bundle contents can be viewed from the context menu. Using Custom Folders, users have access to their frequently used files and folders whenever they open the Finder's context menu.
A full license for FolderGlance is US$20...
Seagate ships 3TB Barracuda XT drive
Seagate (http://www.seagate.com) has begun shipments of its 3TB Barracuda XT hard drive. It delivers the highest available capacity for home servers and workstations, high-definition video editing and production systems, high-performance computer gaming systems and desktop computers, says Dave Mosley, Seagate executive vice president of sales, marketing and customer service.
Legacy computer BIOS designs and device drivers and older operating systems such as Windows XP are incapable of using hard drive capacities beyond 2.1TB. The upshot is that existing desktop drives with more than 2.1TB of storage capacity must be deployed with additional software or hardware and may also require extra device drivers to overcome this limitation.
The Barracuda XT hard drive combines a 64MB cache that optimizes burst performance in cache-intensive applications such as gaming and nonlinear video editing with Serial ATA 6Gb/second. The 3.5-inch, 7200RPM drive’s 3TB of storage capacity gives desktop PC...
Nuclear Nova Software releases ASCII Art through Mac App Store
Nuclear Nova Software (http://www.nuclearnova.com) says its ASCII Art for Mac OS X (10.5 and higher) is now available through the Mac app store. It's on sale for US$9.99 (normally it's $19.99). The software is Universal Binary so runs natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs.
ASCII Art is a generator that converts digital pictures into text art. You can output art to both black/white text and full color, with the ability to export plain text, HTML, TIFF and RTF files. A user editable character set adjusts the available characters to be used. ASCII Art offers real time previews.
Compatible source images include JPEG, PNG, GIG, BMP, TIFF, TGA, JPEG, TIF and more. Output quality greatly depends on the input file. Often images such as clip art work better than sources such as digital pictures.
Redpark console cable connects to iOS devices
Redpark Product Development (http://www.redpark.com/shop) is now shipping an US$69 Console Cable that connects the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad to console ports on Cisco routers, switches and firewalls. The Console Cable is a six foot long serial cable with RJ-45 connector, wired per Cisco specifications, and made for the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, iPod touch (second, third and fourth generation) and iPad.
To use the Console Cable, users must also download the Get Console app from the App Store. It costs $9.99.
The Console Cable, along with the Get Console app, allows field engineers to perform router maintenance, troubleshooting and disaster recovery operations directly on the Cisco console port using their iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. The Get Console App features logging, configuration repository, command and keyboard shortcuts and optional console sharing with remote web users.
skEdit available at the Mac App Store
Before Dawn Solutions (http://www.beforedawnsolutions.com) has announced skEdit 4.1.4, an update of their text/HTML editor. It's now available at the Mac App Store for US$34.99.
With a focus on web development, skEdit Text/HTML editor includes features to assist in the editing of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Perl, Python, ASP, Ruby/Rails, SQL, ActionScript and ColdFusion.
Version 4.1.4 includes some minor bug fixes, and updates the application to use the new support site, registration, and error handling. It requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher.
