The latest Skype for Mac version (http://www.skype.com) has gone "Gold," meaning users can now take advantage of the improved interface and other features like group video calling.  Group video calling is available as part of a premium package, that also includes live chat customer support. You can try it out for free for seven days, and then purchase either a day pass starting at US$4.99 or as a monthly subscription for $8.99 per month. New users receive a 7-day free trial.

System Support Products has announced Key Holder 2.0 (http://www.sspi-software.com/keyholder_macx.html), an update to their password account storage application for Mac OS X. Each account, the account name, user, password, Internet URL, and a memo field for miscellaneous notes can be kept in the app. The Key Holder account window is compact and can be shown in a vertical or horizontal orientation. In version 2.0, the application is re-written as a Universal Binary for native execution on both Intel and PowerPC processors. Multiple account files can now be open simultaneously The account window now has an optional user-customizable tool bar. Key Holder 2.0 replaces the find command with a tool bar search field that filters the account list. The Memo field size has been increased to three lines and now includes a scroll bar as necessary. Also, the Memo field will expand with window size when the window is in horizontal orientation Key Holder requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later. It's...

Vinotekasoft (http://www.vinotekasoft.com) has unveiled a new version (2.5) of Vinoteka, wine cellar management software for Mac. It features complete synchronization with the iPhone/iPod touch application Vinoteka Touch 1.5. You can now synchronize both applications and transfer data to your iPhone/iPod touch in few clicks. Vinoteka Touch 1.5 is available on the Apple App Store for $5.99; a "lite" version is available for $1.99. Vinoteka for the Mac requires Mac OS X 10.5 or higher. It costs US$49.90 for a single user license.. Family and business packs are also available.

Microsoft has announced a free, 30-day trial of Microsoft Office For Mac 2011. It includes Mac OS X versions of Word, Powerpoint, Excel, and Outlook A full 900MB trial of Microsoft Office for Mac can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/mac/trial . After 30 days you'll be prompted to purchase the software, which costs US$119.99 for the student version, $149.99 for the family pack, and $199.99 for the business version.

R.W. Baird & Co. analyst William Power says in a note to clients -- as reported by "All Things D" (http://digitaldaily.allthingsd.com/20110127/verizon-iphone-sales-potenti...) -- that 23.8 million Verizon iPhones may be sold during their first year of availability. Power says this is a “directional number” and not a forecast, adding that a recent Baird survey of 1,000 smartphone users support his prediction. According to the survey: ° Twenty-nine percent of current Verizon feature phone owners said they will “probably” or “definitely” upgrade to the Verizon iPhone in the next three months. The carrier has roughly 64 million postpaid feature phone users, so that’s 19 million potential iPhone upgrades, assuming eligibility. ° Twenty-five percent of Verizon’s current smartphone users said they will “probably” or “definitely” switch to the iPhone. That’s 4.8 million additional potential iPhone sales, again assuming eligibility. That's a grand total of 23.8 million potential Verizon...

Apple has released iTunes 10.1.2 with performance and stability improvements. It also adds support for the upcoming Verizon iPhone. You can obtain the download via the Software Updates component of Mac OS X's Systems Preferences app.

Mike Lawrence, executive director, Computer-Using Educators (CUE) offered a "Macworld Presentation" session on Wednesday about "Apple's Role in Ubiquitous Learning." Among other tidbits he says he thinks Apple will monetize the iTunes University in the future to bring an a la flavor to education. In a nutshell, he predicts iTunes University -- a distribution system for everything from lectures to language lessons, films to labs, audiobooks to tours -- will evolve into something like the iTunes Store for education. You'll be able to choose one course at one school and one course at another (perhaps even at the high school level) and combine them all into one education package using digital courses and digital textbooks. Lawrence says the age of the computer lab and classroom computer has passed, as students are increasingly carrying their computing devices in their hands, pockets and backpacks. The freedom, flexibility and power that these developments usher in are transformative for...

According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics (http://www.strategyanalytics.com), global smartphone shipments grew an impressive 75% annually to reach a record 94 million units in the fourth quarter of 2010. Apple maintained its small lead over RIM, while Nokia continued to underperform. “Global smartphone shipments grew a healthy 75% annually to reach a record 94 million units in Q4 2010," says Tom Kang, director at Strategy Analytics. "Apple was once again the fastest growing brand among the big three smartphone players, as it almost doubled volumes on an annual basis, maintained a small quarterly lead over RIM, and captured 17% global marketshare.” Neil Mawston, Director at Strategy Analytics, adds: “Global smartphone shipments reached 293 million units during full-year 2010, almost doubling from 151 million in 2008 and 175 million in 2009, highlighting the rapid growth of this high-value segment. The big three hardware vendors of Nokia, RIM and Apple were less dominant...

Other World Computing (http://www.macsales.com) has announced at this week's Macworld Expo the OWC Media Center Solution for the 2010 Mac mini to address the growing need of consumers wanting to search, navigate, consume, store/backup, and sync digital content from multiple content sources and devices with one easy to use solution. The OWC Media Center Solution includes installing the Plex digital media management platform onto a customer’s 2010 Mac mini, upgrading the mini with 4GB of OWC RAM, and bundling all the necessary hardware -- including an OWC Mercury Pro Qx2 storage solution, OWC Slim portable CD/DVD/Blu-ray disc burner, Elgato EyeTV Hybrid tuner or HD DVR, and Apple Remote -- to deliver a plug and play Mac mini based home theatre/entertainment solution. The OWC Media Center Solution for 2010 Mac mini will be demonstrated live at the Macworld Expo in OWC’s booth #513. Pricing and ordering information for the custom configured bundle for 2010 Mac mini will be announced by...

Independent software developer Reggie Ashworth has announces VidConvert 1.0, a new video converter for Mac OS X. It will convert just about any type of video into one of the a varityof formats, allowing you to create videos for your iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple TV. To use you add a file, select a format and a quality, and click convert. Optionally you can change your save folder from the main window. For advanced users you can select the Advanced quality if you choose to allow such options as custom Frame Rate, Bit Rate, etc. But for most users simply choosing Normal or High quality should be sufficient. After your conversion is finished simply add more files or quit VidConvert and the job is done. Supported formats include iPhone, iPod, iPad, QuickTime, .mp4, MPEG-1 and 2, DivX, Xvid, and audio only formats such as .mp4 and .m4a. VidConvert can add iTunes compatible videos directly to your iTunes library for convenience and for syncing with your iPhone, iPod, or other iDevice. It's...

Green Onions Supply has expanded its lineup with a new keyboard skin: the iVeil Hybrid Keyboard Protector for Apple iPad Keyboard Dock. It's on display at this week's Macworld Conference & Expo. iVeil Hybrid Keyboard Protectors combine custom-molded silicone with an enhanced surfacing material. The upper side's smooth surface coating allows for a more comfortable typing experience that losely matches the feel of an uncovered iPad Keyboard Dock, while underneath, it retains the excellent anchoring and durability of silicone, say the folks at Green Onions. This model of the iVeil Hybrid Keyboard Protector will soon be available from different e-tailers. You can find more info at http://www.greenonionssupply.com/kbhbipad.html .

Code by Kevin has released NameFind 5.0, an update to its Mac file-search tool. It's a tool that provides file-searching capabilities on Mac OS X. You can find files by name. Enter a search term, specify your search directory, and run the search query. NameFind will present a list of all files that match the search name.   NameFind is designed to be an alternative to the Mac's built-in Spotlight search technology. It uses a different file search algorithm to find files, either on your entire hard drive or in a specific directory. Version 5.0 of NameFind now runs Mac OS X 10.6 or higher to run. It's for Intel Macs only (32-bit or 64-bit); PowerPC processors need not apply. The new version sports a completely different file search algorithm that no longer depends on external Unix tools. NameFile is now written as a multi-threaded program for speed and responsiveness. You can now access system functions (sound alerts, AppleScripts) via Cocoa API's instead of external Unix tools....

Digital publishing company PixelMags (http://www.PixelMags.com) has launched its 2.0 tools portal, technology that allows publishers to take full control of their digital content from pricing to delivery as well as integration with Apple’s approval system. PixelMags’ new 2.0 tools portal offers publishers range of customizable tools that allow for real-time interactivity. Tools include drag and drop web, e-mail, phone and address hotlinks, videos directly from YouTube with additional options for customization through HTML5, all in real-time. PixelMags built the “Ads by PixelMags” advertising network to allow publishers to take full advantage of their extended reach created by the PixelMags 2.0 publishing platform, says PixelMags founder and COO Ryan Marquis. This new advertising network was built specifically for the magazine industry, he adds.

Publicspace.net (http://www.publicspace.net/) says Better Rename 8, its music and photo renaming utility, is available on the Mac App Store. It's a tool that caters for the full range of file renaming tasks. Better Rename is the Mac App Store version of A Better Finder Rename, a file renaming solution available for the Mac. Its interface includes a instant preview feature. The tool features capture time and date extraction (EXIF JPEG and most RAW formats) for digital photographers, ID3 tag extraction for music lovers, regular expression support, plain-text file import for renaming from databases and many other advanced features. The new renaming engine introduced in version 8 is capable of handling large renaming jobs, such as file name conflicts, swaps and dependency cycles, according to the folks at Publicspace.net. The renaming engine leverages all the latest Mac OS X technologies by using a 64-bit multi-threaded garbage collected architecture based around Mac OS X's Core Data...

FileMaker product developer and innovator, 360Works has announced an update affecting all of their FileMaker plug-ins. SafetyNet, ScriptMaster, Scribe, SuperContainer, 360Works Email, FTPeek and WebAssistant were all updated, and logging is now consolidated to a single log file for all 360Works plug-ins. For more info go to http://www.360works.com .

The Canalys research group (http://www.canalys.com) has announced strong computer industry growth of 19% in the fourth quarter of 2010, with Apple climbing to third place in the market, thanks to iPad and Mac sales, as well as fast growth in Asia Pacific. The analyst company attributes the majority of Q4 market growth to the rising demand for pads, a new product category. Some research groups don't count tablets among personal computer sales, but I've long argued they should be included. Canalys thinks like I do. "Pads gave consumers increased product choice over the holiday season," says Canalys Analyst Tim Coulling. "While they do not appeal to first-time buyers or low-income households, they are proving extremely popular as additional computing devices." Canalys urges vendors to accept new market realities, by recognizing pads as an integral new component of the overall PC landscape. Unlike other analyst companies, Canalys incorporates pad shipments, such as the Samsung Galaxy...

According to the Apple web site, individual voice plans for the Verizon iPhone will be US$39.99 per month for 450 minutes, with 900 minutes available for $59.99 and Nationwide Unlimited checking in at $69.99. Family SharePlans begin at $69.99 for 700 minutes, with 1400 minutes ($89.99), 2000 minutes ($99.99) and unlimited ($119.99) also available. What's more, the "Associated Press" (http://macte.ch/5r8oi) has learned that some AT&T iPhone users on limited plans won't need to move to Verizon for "all-you-can-eat" data. "In an unadvertised loophole, AT&T has allowed subscribers who have had an unlimited data plan in the past to switch back," the article adds. That includes anyone who had an iPhone before June, when the limited plans took effect.

AltiGen Communications, a provider of software-based Unified Communications solutions, has introduced the iFusion SmartStation, a new docking station for the iPhone, at this week's Macworld Conference & Expo. Using Bluetooth technology, the iFusion extends a traditional telephone handset and hands-free speakerphone with amazing voice clarity to the iPhone, Niel Levonius, AltiGen’s director of Corporate Strategy. With the iFusion, you have access to a dock connector port for syncing or charging, and an audio line out port for connecting to powered speakers via an optional audio cable, eliminating the need for a separate dock. With support for A2DP Bluetooth streaming, users are able to enjoy their favorite iPhone music over the internal speakerphone, Levonius says. iFusion will be available in the US in April. Two models, in glossy white and glossy black finishes, will be priced at US$169. Pre-orders will be accepted, beginning Jan. 27, at http://www.thefusionphone.com .

Worldwide mobile application store downloads are forecast to reach 17.7 billion downloads in 2011, a 117% increase from an estimated 8.2 billion downloads in 2010, according to the Gartner research group (http://www.gartner.com). By the end of 2014, Gartner forecast over 185 billion applications will have been downloaded from mobile app stores, since the launch of the first one in July 2008. Worldwide mobile application store revenue is projected to surpass US$15.1 billion in 2011, both from end users buying applications and applications themselves generating advertising revenue for their developers. This is a 190% increase from 2010 revenue of $5.2 billion. "Many are wondering if the app frenzy we have been witnessing is just a fashion, and, like many others, it shall pass. We do not think so," says Stephanie Baghdassarian, research director at Gartner. "We strongly believe there is a sizable opportunity for application stores in the future. However, applications will have to grow...

Nuclear Nova Software has announced ASCII Art, its first graphics and media app for Mac OS X. It's 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, tif, and rtf files. A user editable character set adjusts the available characters to be used, while the maximum character width option controls the finished product size. Compatible source images include jpeg, png, gif, bmp, psd, tif, tga, jpg, tiff, and more. Output quality greatly depends on the input file. Often images such as clip art work better than sources such as digital pictures. ASCII Art requires Mac OS X 10.5. It's Universal Binary so runs natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs. The ASCII Art demo is feature limited and free to try. The full version of ASCII Art is US$19.95 and may be purchased through Nuclear Nova Software's web site (http://nuclearnova.com/asciiart.php). The paid version includes all...

Widget Press has introduced the next major version to its FormEntry family of Mac software. FormEntry for Mac, FormEntry Server and the all new FormEntry Touch have all been updated to version 2. These applications are designed exclusively for iOS, Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server, and allow for custom iOS form app creation and delivery to any iPad, iPhone and iPod touch device. Featuring a new Spin Wheel Picker, AirPrint, PDF creation and much more, FormEntry for Mac authors can develop form based applications for their iOS users. Once created on a Mac, the authors can send their forms over Wi-Fi to any iOS device to be completed. FormEntry for Mac was specifically developed for novices, students, and iOS gurus alike. FormEntry Touch 2.0 has an improved core and works on any iOS 3.1 or higher device. Users can work with form based application in native landscape or portrait orientations on the iPad. FormEntry Touch also adds the ability to update forms remotely, from anywhere on the...

Business software developer, Computech IT Services, have launched version 3 of their BusinessMan software for Mac OS X and Windows. The software allows companies to manage all aspects of their business from prospect first contact to invoice.   It's a modular, ERP system with CRM capabilities, estimating and invoicing modules, suppliers and inventory modules, a fully integrated email client and also an integrated resource scheduler. New modules in version 3 include a Project Management Module, with drag-and-drop Gantt charts, task, job and resource allocation, a bill of materials module (BOM) with the ability to build completed and ready-to-build assemblies from inventory.   Enhancements have been applied to virtually every other module in the system, including timeline views in the drag-and-drop resource scheduling module, inventory pricing options and promotional goods, Inventory can now be used as a resource for renting, or to allocate temporarily to a job.   Other features included...

AnyBizSoft has released a new version of PDF Password Remover for Mac. The new version empowers users to remove PDF password and restrictions on Mac OS X. With PDF Password Remover for Mac, users can copy or print the PDF files with unknown owner password (PDF files with copying or printing restrictions). As with AnyBizSoft PDF Password Remover for Windows, this new released Mac version is also not a brute force password cracker. Users need to have the authorization to get access the protected PDF files.   AnyBizSoft PDF Password Remover for Mac 1.0.0 is priced at US$29.95 for a single user license. A demo is available for download at http://www.anypdftools.com/pdf-password-remover-for-mac.html#262 .

St. Clair Software has released App Tamer 1.0.3 (http://www.stclairsoft.com/AppTamer/), an update of the app for Mac OS X 10.5 and higher that gives you control over your applications so you can save battery and CPU power. The new version offers more information about applications that are paused by its AutoStop feature. It also adds the ability to automatically hide paused applications. Version 1.0.3 also offers: better handling of downloads in Safari; and improved compatibility with Dreamweaver, Xcode, BBEdit, NetNewsWire, Cosmopod, and faster user switching. Some Mac applications, especially web browsers, continue running tasks or animations even when they're supposed to be idle in the background. This can consume valuable processing power and reduce battery life. App Tamer's AutoStop capability automatically pauses these applications when you switch away from them, and then restarts them when you click back to them. This frees your CPU and reduces power consumption, according to...