Apple restates pledge for safe working conditions
Apple restated its pledge to provide safe working conditions for workers assembling of its products after environmental groups in China released a report criticizing the tech company for failing to be transparent about its suppliers, reports "IDG News" (http://macte.ch/JcG1Z).
"Apple is committed to ensuring the highest standards of social responsibility throughout our supply base," Apple spokeswoman Carolyn Wu said in a statement. The company requires all suppliers to sign up to Apple's code of conduct before the contracts are made. Compliance is then monitored through factory audits and measures to correct violations, says IDG.
Apple has recently beenranked last out of 29 global technology companies in terms of responsiveness and transparency to health and environmental concerns in China, according to a Beijing-based nonprofit group -- as reported by "Bloomberg Businessweek" (http://macte.ch/sxl1j).
BT Group Plc and Hewlett-Packard Co. were among the highest ranked companies, Ma...
Apple releases new Brother printer, scanner drivers
Apple has released new Brother printer and scanner drivers for Mac OS X 10.6.
Both require Mac OS X 10.6 or higher. You can find the drivers here (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3669#brother). Or you can obtain 'em via the Software Updates component of Mac OS X's Systems Preferences app.
Christofle, LaCie reveal Galet USB Key
Christofle and LaCie have introduced Galet, an USB key with design by Christofle, a French luxury brand. It costs US$139 and comes with 4GB of storage.
Here's how it's described: "Hand-crafted in France, each piece is individually plated with precious silver through Christofle’s 150 year-old silvering process. Then it is carefully inspected for a smooth finish and radiant polish, which guarantees its excellence. The Galet is assembled and hand packed in a charming gift box at LaCie’s factory in Paris, ensuring each Galet represents the finest presentation and quality. Once the process is complete, the result is a timeless gift that will bring convenience and luxury to one’s daily life."
The Galet includes LaCie’s Private-Public software with password protection. The Galet is available in Christofle boutiques worldwide, as well as the LaCie Online Store (http://www.lacie.com).
TimeTag is new time sheet app for Mac OS X
Capparsa has debuted TimeTag (http://www.capparsa.com) at the Mac App Store. It's a personal time sheet application that allows you to create and use descriptive tags to track the time spent on your day's activities.
Time Tag avoids the long list of time records and instead automatically and intelligently groups together hours by activity. This allows the user to know where his day went without the need for a calculator and spreadsheet app.
TimeTag, originally an iOS-only app, was completely re-designed for the Mac. You can categorize tags, so a group of tags can be "Being Productive" or "Leisure Time."
TimeTag also features a filter that allows the user to pull up a specific subset of records. There can be combined with the export feature, which lets you export all or some of your records for use in other apps.
Time Tag requires Mac OS X 10.6.6. It costs US$4.99 and is available exclusively through the Mac App Store in the Productivity category.
Akvis NatureArt adds Frost effect
Akvis (http://www.akvis.com) has upgraded Akvis NatureArt -- a tool for "imitating the magnificence of natural phenomena on your digital photos" -- to version 2.0.
In addition to the six nature effects previously offered by NatureArt (Rain, Sun, Water, Lightning, Clouds, and Fire), version 2.0 offers a new nature effect: Frost. The Frost effect allows you to adorn an image with an openwork of frost crystals. Also in the new version is the possibility to save/load selections.
What's more, version 2.0 of NatureArt introduces the ability to create new images. The New Image dialog provides a choice of default presets for creating your own postcards, posters, and other projects. You can create nature scenes from scratch, such as converting a blank background into a sea view or a night sky with scattered, glistening stars. You can even draw a unique picture with the help of NatureArt's effects.
Akvis NatureArt is available in two editions, as an independent program (standalone) and as a...
TinyBooks Pro now a native Mac OS X app
Ken Winograd and Space-Time Associates (http://www.winograd.com) has updated TinyBooks Pro, its Mac accounting and bookkeeping program, to version 7.0.5. It's now a native Mac application and requires an Intel-based Mac running OSX. (Rosetta is no longer required.)
The new TinyBooks Pro also includes Quarterly Bottom Line Reports, TypeAhead Comments, support for keyboard navigation, mouse scroll wheels, easier backups, resizable windows, and more.
TinyBooks Pro is a single-entry bookkeeping and accounting system designed for sole proprietors, home and other small businesses, and family finances. To use you enter your expenses and income, and TinyBooks Pro does the rest. Current and year-to-date on-the-fly totals are continually displayed. Fully automatic bar-charting of all expense and income accounts make the determination of monthly trends intuitively obvious, according to the folks at Space-Time Associates.
TinyBooks Pro 7.0.5 is exclusively for Intel-based Macs and is available...
Sync iTunes across devices and user libraries with SuperSync 4.0
SuperSync 4.0 (http://www.supersync.com) has been rebuilt from the ground up to let users sync iTunes libraries across multiple computers and accounts. Now you can access and merge music and video with another SuperSync library, computer, hard drive, network volume, iPhone, iPad, or iPod.
SuperSync eliminates duplication by allowing merging across user accounts and libraries. Users now have an "all access pass" to their iTunes content, says SuperSync President Brad Lowe.
SuperSync 4.0 is available for purchase online for as US$29 for a two-pack, $39 for a five-pack, and $49 for a 10-pack. SuperSync 4.0 is a free upgrade for all current SuperSync owners.
Troi Automatisering releases URL Plug-in 2.5 for FileMaker Pro...
Troi Automatisering has announced the availability of Troi URL Plug-in 2.5 for FileMaker Pro 11.
Troi URL Plug-in can help you fill in forms on the Internet, all from FileMaker Pro. It also retrieves data or images from web sites. Version 2.5 adds compatibility with Windows 7 and with FileMaker Pro 11. It also adds new features like improved proxy support and image handling and more.
A fully functional demo version of Troi URL Plug-in 2.5 is available for downloading from Troi's web site (http://www.troi.com/software/urlplugin.html).
Troi URL Plug-in 2.5 works with FileMaker Pro 9, 10 and 11. The plug-in can also be used with runtimes created by FileMaker Pro Advanced 9, 10 or 11. The plug-in is available for Mac OS X 10.5.7 or higher, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home Edition (SP 3), Windows Vista or Windows 7.
Licenses cost US$69 per user. Details on developer licenses and multi-user discounts can be found on theTroi Automatisering web site.
Troi URL Plug-in 2.5 also works...
MultiMode update fixes text macro related bugs
Black Cat Systems has updated MultiMode (http://www.blackcatsystems.com/software/multimodeOSX.html), a Mac OS X application that lets your Mac decode several different modes of non-voice communication often heard on shortwave, to version 6.2.3. This version corrects some bugs related to text macros.
MultiMode is an US$89 application that lets your Mac decode and transmit several different modes of non-voice communication often heard on shortwave and ham radio. It allows you to decode and display Morse Code, RTTY, FAX, SSTV, ACARS, PSK31 and many other modes on your Mac, without any extra hardware. MultiMode now also allows you to transmit in most of the modes of operation.
MultiMode Lite is also available, which offers reception of CW, RTTY, and FAX modes only. MultiMode Lite is ideal for sailors who need to be able to view weather charts and reports, but don't need the extra modes, or transmit capability.
Apple releases iMovie 9.0.2
Apple has released iMovie 9.0.2. It's a 27.52MB download and requires Mac OS X 10.6.3 or later.
This update improves overall stability and fixes an issue that could cause audio playback to be out of sync. According to Apple, the update is recommended for all users of iMovie '11.
You can download it via the Software Updates component of Mac OS X's Systems Preferences app.
Cropmark numeric keypad offered for Bluetooth Macs
Other World Computing (http://www.macsales.com) has announced the US$39.99 Cropmark LMP Bluetooth Keypad for Apple wireless keyboard users. Cable/driver free and plug-and-play ready, it adds the numeric capability missing from Bluetooth-enabled Mac keyboards for the entering of figures, tables, and calculations.
The 28-key Cropmark numeric keypad is designed for anyone who works with numbers, such as small business owners, accountants, restaurateurs, financial analysts, stock brokers, bookkeepers, and spreadsheet users. Designed with the same cylindrical base and brushed aluminum finish as the Apple keyboard, the Cropmark LMP Bluetooth Keypad includes a custom linking connector that snaps in, integrating the keypad with the Apple Wireless Keyboard.
It features a full set of number keys, including forward delete, page up, page down and five additional function buttons. Scissor-type membrane keys are designed to provide comfort typing and reduced typing fatigue. The keypad can also...
'Woz' to do ESC 'fireside chat'
Apple co-founder Steve "Woz" Wozniak will give a "fireside chat" on Tuesday, May 3, at 9 am, as part of the ESC [Embedded Silicon Systems] Silicon Valley 2011 conference (http://esc-sv09.techinsightsevents.com/), which will be held May 2-6 in San Jose California.
The Embedded Systems Conference is a global electronics industry event for the design engineering community with demonstrations, speeches and technical training classes and accreditation opportunities. You can get more info and register at http://www.embedded.com/esc/sv .
MacTech Conference acquires US NSConference
"MacTech Magazine" (http://www.mactech.com) and iDeveloper TV (part of The Mac Developer Network Limited) has announced that "MacTech" is acquiring the US version of NSConference and merging it into MacTech Conference: For Apple IT Pros and Developers.
While iDeveloper TV will continue to operate NSConference UK independently, NSConference organizers will now be a part of the MacTech Conference team. The yet-to-be-announced MacTech Conference 2011 is slated for fall 2011.
NSConference UK will be held March 21-23 in Wokefield Park outside of London. The sold-out event focuses on sessions presented by some of the world's top Mac OS X and iOS developers.
MacTech Conference 2011 will be a US-based event that delivers content for both IT pros and OS X/iOS developers on the Mac. NSConference's head, Steve Scott ("Scotty"), will join the MacTech Conference 2011 team as Sessions Chair for the Developer Track working with Edward Marczak (who will continue to oversee the IT Track as well as...
Macworld 2011 will serve as launch pad for over 100 new products
Dozens of companies will showcase more than 100 new products next week at Macworld 2011, IDG World Expo, owner of Macworld 2011, announced today.
Each year, Macworld is the event of choice for Apple third-party product manufacturers to unveil and launch their newest products -- including software, hardware, peripherals, accessories and applications -- for the Apple products platform, says IDG. The Macworld 2011 First Looks program showcases these products for media and attendees to make it easy to locate innovations at the show.
Macworld 2011 will take place Jan. 26-29 at Moscone Center's West Hall in San Francisco. To register, go to https://register.rcsreg.com/r2/macsf2011/ga/clear.html .
SEC chair: Apple handling Jobs' medical leave appropriately
Former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Arthur Levitt, "once disinvited from joining Apple Inc.’s board amid differences over corporate governance, said the company has disclosed enough about CEO Steve Jobs’s health, reports "Bloomberg Businessweek" (http://macte.ch/qBihB).
Levitt, who headed the SEC from 1993 to 2001, told "Bloomberg Businessweek" the severity of Jobs’s cancer is well established and the board doesn’t need to share more details with the public.
“It’s easy to criticize the board, but I think the reality is that someone who owns Apple stock has got to be deaf, dumb and blind not to know that Jobs has an illness that can reoccur at any time,” he said in a telephone interview. “Jobs going on medical leave sends a message to the market. An intelligent investor should know the risks of Jobs having a relapse. For the board to opine on what the extent of the illness is right now I don’t think is really necessary.”
Quark launches iPad Publishing Service for QuarkXPress 8 users
Quark has introduced a new service that enables QuarkXPress 8.5 users to publish QuarkXPress content to the iPad. With its iPad Publishing Service for QuarkXPress, Quark will configure a starter iPad app with the customer's logos and colors, and enable the enrichment of QuarkXPress content, which can then be published to that app.
The new service is designed for anyone from the individual designer to corporate publishers and book, newspaper, and magazine publishers who are interested in reaching the digital market quickly with richly-designed, interactive content at a fraction of the cost of conventional app development and publishing, says PG Bartlett, senior vice president of product management for Quark. Customers that use the iPad Publishing Service starting in February 2011 will be able to easily migrate to App Studio for QuarkXPress later in 2011, he adds.
With the iPad Publishing Service for QuarkXPress, users can either convert existing print publications for delivery to the...
Apple sues Nokia in London
Another day, another lawsuit as the Apple-Nokia battle continues. Apple sued Nokia Oyj in the U.K. over claims that one of the h company’s European patents for scrolling technology on touch-screen handsets is invalid, reports "Bloomberg" (http://macte.ch/XeB0o).
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in the High Court in London, challenges one of seven Nokia patents asserted against Apple in a September 2010 lawsuit in Dusseldorf, Germany, Nokia spokesman Mark Durrant told "Bloomberg" in an e-mail.
“Nokia is confident that all of the 37 patents it has asserted against Apple” are valid, he said. “We are examining the filing and will take whatever actions are needed to protect our rights.”
The Apple-Nokia legal brouhaha has been underway for some time now. In November Nokia announced the filing of t another lawsuit against Apple, in Federal District Court in Wisconsin, regarding five of Nokia’s patents. Nokia said those patents are infringed by the iPhone and iPad 3G and involve technology that...
Digital music revenues grew 6% globally in 2010
Action to stop digital music piracy is gaining momentum worldwide, with implementation by ISPs of warnings and deterrent sanctions taking effect in three countries in 2010 and governments in other countries expected to implement measures in 2011, according to a new report by the IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry). The group represents the recording industry worldwide with some 1,400 members in 66 countries and affiliated industry associations in 45 countries.
ISP cooperation measures are now in place aimed at substantially reducing illegal file-sharing in France, South Korea and Ireland. Governments in several other countries, including the UK, New Zealand and Malaysia, are expected to implement new laws in 2011 and the European Union is reviewing its intellectual property enforcement legislation, says the IFPI.
An overview of the global digital music sector is provided in IFPI's "Digital Music Report 2011" The report shows that consumer choice for accessing...
Chinese environmental group blasts Apple
Apple ranked last out of 29 global technology companies in terms of responsiveness and transparency to health and environmental concerns in China, according to a Beijing-based nonprofit group -- as reported by "Bloomberg Businessweek" (http://macte.ch/sxl1j).
BT Group Plc and Hewlett-Packard Co. were among the highest ranked companies, Ma Jun, director of the Institute of Environmental and Public Affairs said in a phone interview today. Apple refused to confirm suspected polluters were among its suppliers and avoided taking responsibility for environmental problems related to its products, he told "Bloomberg."
"We originally thought that Apple, as a corporate citizen, would take a leadership role, but now we feel they ended up as the most obstructive," Jun said.
“Apple has had an extensive supplier auditing program since 2006 and we have lots of information available through our web site,” said Jill Tan, a Hong Kong-based spokeswoman for Apple.
Study: iPhone making big headway with smaller businesses
The small and medium business (SMB) market is fertile ground for breaking Research in Motion’s (RIM) corporate smart phone hegemony, new research by AMI-Partners (http://www.ami-partners.com) -- which specializes in IT, Internet, telecommunications and business services strategy, venture capital, and actionable market intelligence --indicates. Apple’s iPhone, in particular, is making headway, especially with smaller businesses (SBs).
“The wealth of applications available for the iPhone makes it an attractive option for SBs,” says Karen Nielsen, senior telecom analyst with AMI. “Small businesses are less apt to have in-house IT support, making the application-rich iPhone an attractive multi-use option. mployees are driving a dual/multiple smart phone model by purchasing their preferred brand for personal reasons, and then using it for corporate access.”
AMI’s new study, "2010 The Dynamics of Blackberry & iPhone Use -- U.S. SMB Market," shows a solid Blackberry position along with...
TriGeo: hackers will increasingly target iOS devices
Surges in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Poisoning will yield record-breaking malware outbreaks for businesses in 2011 according to TriGeo Network Security (http://www.trigeo.com/) , a provider of security information and event management (SIEM) technology for mid-market enterprises. The company says that, in addition to SEO poisoning attacks in 2011, companies should expect to see:
° Hackers increasingly targeting vulnerabilities in mobile devices – specifically the iPhone and the iPad. The consumerization of IT continues to present a significant risk to businesses. As new, popular mobile devices are introduced into the workplace, look for hackers to uncover new mobile device vulnerabilities that lead to increased data breaches.
° Data breaches at schools and hospitals yield record-breaking financial losses in 2011. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, educational and medical institutions accounted for more than a third of all data breaches in 2010, as well as some of...
Jawbone launches motion-controlled Bluetooth headset
Jawbone has unveiled the Jawbone ERA, a Bluetooth headset that delivers a HD audio experience. It boasts a 25% larger wideband speaker and builds on Jawbone's legacy of noise-canceling expertise with the latest version of military-grade NoiseAssassin 3.0 technology, says Jawbone CEO and founder Hosain Rahman.
The Jawbone ERA can detect your surroundings and adjust the inbound volume and intelligibility, whether you're in a restaurant, ball game or traffic to give you the clearest, richest sound, automatically without any user intervention. What's more, Jawbone has teamed with Fullpower-MotionX, which specializes in motion technology, to create what the company says is the first headset with a built-in accelerometer integrated with the patented MotionX platform.
Jawbone ERA detects your natural movements when you interact with it. Out of the box, users can "Shake Shake" the Jawbone ERA into pairing mode, and "TapTap" it to answer or end a phone call. And this is just the beginning...
GarageGames buys Torque assets
GarageGames (http://www.garagegames.com), a subsidiary of Graham Software Development, has acquired the assets relating to the Torque software division of InstantAction, and will be relaunching the Torque business
The resurrection of the GarageGames brand highlights the new company’s focus on the independent game developer community, according to CEO Eric Preisz. To celebrate the relaunch and return to its “indie” roots, GarageGames has reduced pricing across all its Torque on-line products to US$99 each for a limited time.
GarageGames' Torque products provide developers, regardless of size or experience level, an affordable way to create high quality games, says Preisz. The Torque line of products includes 2D and 3D solutions for the Mac/PC, iOS, Xbox 360 and Wii. Torque solutions offer features such as editing, rendering, a streamlined art pipeline, web publishing, multiplayer networking, and several state-of-the-art add-on tools.
Corner-A releases TheVideoDiary 2.0 for Mac OS X
Corner-A today has released TheVideoDiary 2.0 (http://corner-a.com/thevideodiary)for Mac OS X. TheVideoDiary allows you to capture video with your webcam and keep it organized as a personal video diary.
You can customize every diary entry to be video, text or both. Version 2.0 offers a library of diaries, password-protection, better user interface, tagging and quick preview with video thumbnails, as well as many more customizing options were also added.
TheVideoDiary 2.0 requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher. A webcam supported by Apple QTKit is required to capture the video with the app. It costs US$20 for a single-user license.
Frosty Dogs announces TaskSurfer for the Mac App Store
Frosty Dogs has announced TaskSurfer 1.0, the company's task management application in the Mac App Store. Featuring s synchronization across Macs and mobile devices, it's a task manager that fits GTD or tag-based systems.
Because a project-based GTD style doesn't suit everyone, TaskSurfer features a tag browser that lets the user focus on tasks that have been tagged with the user's custom tags. Tags can be used for categories, time, locations, people, and anything that can be typed.
Using Snow Leopard's Core Location technology, tasks can be assigned to a location-based context, and tasks will be filtered as the Macbook moves from one location to the next. At home, office, or the coffee shop, TaskSurfer will show only the tasks appropriate for the current location.
TaskSurfer also provides the option to synchronize tasks with online task manager Toodledo. Tasks can be kept in-sync across Macs at home and office, and any device that supports syncing with Toodledo.
TaskSurfer is...
Corner-A releases TheVideoDiary 2.0 for Mac OS X
Corner-A today has released TheVideoDiary 2.0 (http://corner-a.com/thevideodiary)for Mac OS X. TheVideoDiary allows you to capture video with your webcam and keep it organized as a personal video diary.
You can customize every diary entry to be video, text or both. Version 2.0 offers a library of diaries, password-protection, better user interface, tagging and quick preview with video thumbnails, as well as many more customizing options were also added.
TheVideoDiary 2.0 requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher. A webcam supported by Apple QTKit is required to capture the video with the app. It costs US$20 for a single-user license.
EyePower Games launches Ink2Go 1.0.13 on Mac App Store
EyePower Games has launched Ink2Go 1.0.13 (http://ink2.eyepowergames.com) on the Mac App Store. It's a tool for presentation and communication.
Ink2Go allows its users to scribble notes and annotations on the desktop, regardless of the application that's currently active, to enhance the point of discussion in a presentation, in a meeting or during a live lecture. Users can toggle from a desktop view to a whiteboard view whenever an illustration of ideas and thoughts is needed.
As a desktop application, Ink2Go launches itself as a floating toolbar, that can be dragged to anywhere on the screen so that it doesn't get in the way of the presentation. On the toolbar are buttons for various functions, including pen, highlighter and eraser. Ink2Go also provides a function that allows its users to toggle from a desktop view to a whiteboard view whenever an illustration of ideas and thoughts is needed. And multiple pages of annotations are also supported.
The whole process of the annotation,...
Brain app available via Mac Game Store
UK-based independent games developer Chris Mayer today announces Brain App, the popular Mac brain training software, is available for purchase via Mac Game Store. The app presents a variety of rapid-fire math problems in quick succession to exercise the brain.
Brain App tracks progress and encourages users to improve day-by-day. Four Brain Exercise types have been included in the initial release of Brain App for Mac. A fifth exercise will be added via a free update in February. Brain App users can suggest new features and exercises on the Brain App Facebook Page.
Brain App requires Mac OS X 10.5 or higher. It's available for download from the MacGameStore.com (ttp://www.macgamestore.com/product/1727/Brain-App/), priced at US$4.95; customers may also opt for a DVD Backup of their purchase for $7.95.
The Support Group offers free FileMaker Go seminar
The Support Group (http://www.supportgroup.com/) has announced free, two-hour, live seminar on FileMaker Go that will demonstrate how FileMaker Pro users can have full access to all their data via an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch.
It will be offered on Wednesday, Jan. 26, from 10 am to noon (Eastern) at The Support Group's corporate facility in Natick, Massachusetts. The Support Group is one of the few firms chosen by FileMaker to be both a Platinum level member of the FileMaker Business Alliance and an Authorized training provider.
The class is described as appropriate for any level of FileMaker Pro user. Scheduled speakers are Matt O'Dell, systems engineer with FileMaker, and Chad Novotny, vice president, Technology for The Support Group, All participants must register in advance by contacting Greg Lekstrom at (866) 940-8400 x225.
Vitamin-R gets new time slice adjustment feature
Publicspace.net has announced Vitamin-R 1.41 (http://www.publicspace.net/Vitamin-R/index.html), an update of its Mac OS X (10.5 and higher) compatible productivity tool for creative professionals. The new version provides a way for users to adjust the duration of a time slice while it's running.
Vitamin-R is a collection of tools and techniques for managing attention and maintaining motivation. According to the folks at publicspace.net, it complements the task capturing and organizing features of modern to-do list managers by forcing you to concentrate fully on one task a time and keeping distractions at bay. It breaks down large, vaguely defined tasks into a series of short "time slices" of between 10 and 30 minutes, each with specific and actionable objectives.
Vitamin-R provides you with the "Now & Later Board," complete with FastType magic, to give you a place to quickly dump all those things that go through your head and allows to get back to the task at hand. It requires Mac...
iWebThemesPro extends collection, adds animated iWeb themes
iWebThemesPro (http://www.iwebthemespro.com/) has announced new "animated with Flash" iWeb themes for iWeb, the web site creation component of Apple's iLife suite. The new iWeb themes feature eight templates that include flash animation and static backgrounds.
Each theme incorporates a series of layered images that are customizable, replaceable, or removable. All themes incorporate backgrounds, so any web site can be filled with different amounts of information.
The themes require Mac OS X 10.4.3 or later and iWeb 2.0 (iLife '08) or iWeb 3.0 (iLife '09 or iLife '11). Each iWeb theme is available for US$9.99. The set of 25 iWeb themes may be purchased for $29.99.
Mac Shutdown X now shuts down at end of a Chrome download
Pomola Software has updated Mac Shutdown X (http://pomola.com/products_macshutdown/macshutdown.html), a Mac OS X utility for shutting down a Mac on a specified event or on a specified date and time, to version 1.6.1. The upgrade provides shutdown at the end of Chrome download and fixes some bugs.
Mac Shutdown X costs US$20. Version 1.6.1 is a free update for registered users. The software is Universal Binary so runs natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs. It requires Mac OS X 10.5or higher.
PDFPen 5.2.1 available in Spanish
SmileOnMyMac has updated PDFPen (http://www.smileonmymac.com/PDFpen/download.html), its PDF editing and form-filling tool for Mac OS X, to version 5.2.1. The update adds Spanish localization and improves the Italian localization. It also fixes a performance issue with continuous viewing.
The changes in PDFpen 5.2.1 have also been made in PDFpenPro 5.2.1, the pro version that can also convert websites into PDFs, create fillable PDF forms, and construct document table of contents.
PDFpen costs US$59.95, and PDFpenPro is $99.95. Family pack licenses, which cover up to five computers in one household, are $74.95 for PDFpen and $129.95 for PDFpenPro. Upgrades from earlier versions of either application are $25, and free to users who purchased after Feb. 14, 2010. Upgrades from any version of PDFpen to PDFpenPro are $40.
PDFpen 5.0.2 and PDFpen Pro 5.0.2 require Mac OS X 10.6 or later. Demo versions are available for download.
Skysoft updates SyncPod for Mac
iSkysoft Studioh has upgraded SyncPod for Mac (http://www.iskysoft.com/syncpod.html). The upgrade "aims at revolutionizing" the way Mac users backup and share multimedia files, such as music, TV shows, and audiobook, videos, pictures, PDF and ePub e-books, to Mac, iPod, iPad and iPhone devices.
The new interface facilitates drag-and-drop file transfer. Also, the upgraded SyncPod for Mac comes with more user-friendly features.
SyncPod for Mac offers the ability to back-up your iOS device's content to your Mac and transfer multimedia files from Mac to Apple devices. It costs US$39 for a single user license. SyncPod for Mac requires an Intel-based Mac (32-bit or 64-bit) running Mac OS X 10.5 or higher.
Better Finder Rename gets new text moving actions
PublicSpace.net (http://www.publicspace.net) has released A Better Finder Rename 8.7.3, the latest version of its contextual menu plug-in that allows users to quickly rename multiple files. The new version adds new text moving actions.
A Better Finder Rename sports an 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 features.
A Better Finder Rename is US$19.95 shareware for a single user license. Family, business and enterprise licensing is also available. Customers may chose to include a "forever upgrade" with their purchase.
Batchoutput Server adds booklets imposition
Zevrix Solutions has updated BatchOutput Server (http://zevrix.com/BatchOutputServer.php), an output workflow automation solution for Adobe InDesign, to version 4.7. The new version adds the ability to impose booklets during printing directly from BatchOutput Server by using InDesign's Print Booklet feature. It also gives an option to ignore links on pasteboard when checking InDesign documents for missing images.
Under BatchOutput Server workflow, production artists and prepress operators simply submit files to hotfolders that reside on the network. BatchOutput Server automatically outputs the files from its dedicated station using hotfolder settings, and will auto-activate document fonts as well.
BatchOutput 4.7 can be purchased from the Zevrix Solutions web site for US$699.95, as well as from authorized resellers. A demo is available for download. BatchOutput 4.7 is available for Mac OS X 10.4.2 and higher, a Universal Binary, and works with Adobe InDesign CS-CS5.
Mobile developers rate AT&T best in North America
When asked by the Evans Data Corp. (http://www.evansdata.com) -- which conducts market research, market intelligence, and strategic planning in the software development industry -- to rank the capabilities that carriers offer to developers, those in North America ranked AT&T better than all competitors in four essential areas. AT&T was ranked best in Mobile Application Distribution by 37% -- almost twice as many Sprint, which was rated second in that category.
Twenty-six percent chose AT&T as having the best Tool Offerings -- almost a quarter more than T-Mobile, the next choice. AT&T also edged out Verizon as the carrier with the best Supported Technologies and the best Market Potential. When all four categories were combined, AT&T was selected as tops by almost twice as many developers than the next closest competitor, Verizon.
The Mobile Development survey is conducted twice a year and focuses on mobile development on a worldwide basis. It includes such as...
Columnist: time for Jobs to hand over the CEO title to Cook
The time has come for Apple CEO Steve Jobs to hand over the reins to the company’s No. 2 executive and Chief Operating Officer, Tim Cook, Therese Poletti writes in a column (http://macte.ch/TXNcm) for "MarketWatch." She says the need for Jobs to take another medical leave of absence makes this imperative.
Even in taking a medical leave, he said he will “be involved in major strategic decisions for the company.” Poletti says this leaves investors not knowing how Cook will run the company completely on his own. She says Jobs should become Apple's "chief visionary officer," giving Cooks the "autonomy he deserves."
Poletti also notes that Cook sounded like a CEO in Tuesday's conference call with analysts and press involving Apple's latest (and greatest) financial results. But as long as Jobs retains the title, Cook can't make many big decisions without him, she adds.
Also, "bviously Jobs is irreplaceable as the industry’s innovator, but he has more pressing matters today than being CEO of...
Multi-core processors coming to mobile devices
Over the next few years multi-core processors are expected to play an important role in enabling high-performance mobile computing at low-power consumption, according to a new report from Strategy Analytics (http://www.strategyanalytics.com). "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com) has reported that the iPad 2 will will pack a new version of Apple's custom A4 chip, with dual, faster graphics cores.
"Apple's next custom System on a Chip is expected to jump from the SGX535 (which has been used since the iPhone 3GS) to the new SGX543 graphics and video core, which is said to offer around twice the processing power at the same clock speed," says "AppleInsider." "The new graphics core also supports OpenCL, used to offload general purpose computing tasks on the GPU for fast execution
The Strategy Analytics research group says Samsung, Nvidia, Qualcomm, ST-Ericsson, Texas Instruments, Marvell, Renesas and Broadcom are well-positioned to capture market share in the smartphone multi-core...
Columnist: time for Jobs to hand over the CEO title to Cook
The time has come for Apple CEO Steve Jobs to hand over the reins to the company’s No. 2 executive and Chief Operating Officer, Tim Cook, Therese Poletti writes in a column (http://macte.ch/TXNcm) for "MarketWatch." She says the need for Jobs to take another medical leave of absence makes this imperative.
Even in taking a medical leave, he said he will “be involved in major strategic decisions for the company.” Poletti says this leaves investors not knowing how Cook will run the company completely on his own. She says Jobs should become Apple's "chief visionary officer," giving Cooks the "autonomy he deserves."
Poletti also notes that Cook sounded like a CEO in Tuesday's conference call with analysts and press involving Apple's latest (and greatest) financial results. But as long as Jobs retains the title, Cook can't make many big decisions without him, she adds.
Also, "bviously Jobs is irreplaceable as the industry’s innovator, but he has more pressing matters today than being CEO of...
Apple's financial results ease worries about Jobs'...
Apple’s 78% surge in profit has helped alleviate -- at least a bit -- concerns about the company’s future as CEO Steve Jobs takes a medical leave of absence and Chief Operating Office Tim Cook heads the ship.
On Tuesday Apple announced the financial results for its fiscal 2011 first quarter that ended Dec. 25, 2010. The company posted record revenue of US$26.74 billion and record net quarterly profit of $6 billion, or $6.43 per diluted share.
These results compare to revenue of $15.68 billion and net quarterly profit of $3.38 billion, or $3.67 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin was 38.5% compared to 40.9 % in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 62% of the quarter’s revenue.
Apple sold 4.13 million Macs during the quarter, a 23% unit increase over the year-ago quarter. The company sold 16.24 million iPhones in the quarter, representing 86%t unit growth over the year-ago quarter. Apple sold 19.45 million iPods during the quarter, representing a...
WEBSIWYG brings WYSIWYG font catalog to the browser
Insider Software has announced WEBSIWYG, a font-catalog web service that lets users view and request fonts residing on networked FontAgent Pro Servers.
It lets users browse and download fonts from enterprise font servers, while assisting administrators with font license allocation and compliance. FontAgent Pro Server customers can enable their users to preview all fonts available on their organization's font servers, without requiring them to install the actual font files.
By offering users the ability to preview fonts in any web browser, administrators allow them to explore their enterprise font server the same way they explore font vendor web sites. Using WEBSIWYG, authorized users can log into FontAgent Pro Server and see what fonts are available, filter their search results, and see expanded previews of the fonts they have selected.
To download a font from the server, users add it to their shopping cart with a click. When a user finishes shopping, WEBSIWYG sends an email request...
CadFaster demoed running on the iPad, iPhone
CadFaster (http://www.cadfaster.com/) says its CadFaster|Collaborate online software tool for the real-time annotation and co-viewing of 3D CAD models is being demonstrated on both the iPad and iPhone at SolidWorks World 2011.
CadFaster|Collaborate is the first online solution to be able to render large 3D models on a mobile operating system with full details and components in real-time, according to Raimo Kuismin, chairman, CadFaster. It was specifically developed to dramatically increase collaboration, productivity and effectiveness for architecture, engineering and construction (AEC), mechanical and plant design firms seeking the fast reading and smooth handling of complex and large CAD data files, he adds.
The tool allows distribution, annotation, and real-time co-viewing of diverse 3D designs using portable executable files that include CadFaster’s 3D engine. Annotations can be reviewed during the co-viewing session using pre-defined views.
Immediately available for both...
Apple updates iDVD
Some have proclaimed it dead, but there seems to be life in iDVD yet. Apple has updated the DVD creation component of iLife to version 7.1.1. The update improves overall stability and ensures compatibility when sending slideshows from iPhoto '11 to iDVD.
Apple says this update is recommended for all users of iDVD 7. It's a 34.53MB download and requires Mac OS X 10.6.6. or later and iDVD 7. You can obtain the update via the Software Updates component of Mac OS X's Systems Preferences app.
Apple releases MacBook Air Software Update 2.0
Apple has released MacBook Air (Late 2010) Software Update 2.0 for the latest MacBook Airs. It's a 342KB download and requires Mac OS X 10.6.5 or higher.
According to Apple, this update resolves an issue with some MacBook Air (Late 2010) systems that prevents the system from sleeping. You can obtain the update via the Software Updates component of Mac OS X's Systems Preferences app.
Zhip up your iPhone, iPod touch
The Zhip (http://www.thezhip.com/) is a new, US$24.99, pocket-size mobile accessory that securely and anchors any mobile unit such as an iPhone and iPod touch to the back of any fixed surface for on-the-go viewing and access, delivers just that.
The Zhip (pronounced "zip") uses a "no-drop," three-foot extendable zip cord to anchor any smartphone to the back of a car seat: to entertain the kids while on the road with movies, music videos, and games; to the top of exercise equipment at home or at the gym to the back of an airplane seat to allow travelers to enjoy their own personalized entertainment selections; or to any desired fixed surface.
The Zhip expands to fit any handheld mobile device and features special retractable, "scratch-free" grip handles with protective padding that attach tightly around a phone or iPod touch. The unit is compact (it measures 27/8 x 13/8 x 3/4 inches) and can fit into a small pocket. Plus, the “unbreakable” Zhip is made from 100% polycarbonate "bullet...
Mobile payment debuts nationally at Starbucks
Starbucks has launched mobile payment in all U.S. company-operated stores, allowing customers to pay for in-store purchases with select smartphones, including the iPhone (and iPod touch).
This national program now includes nearly 6,800 company-operated stores and more than 1,000 Starbucks in U.S. Target locations. To experience mobile payment at Starbucks, customers just need to download the free Starbucks Card Mobile app.
In addition to the mobile payment capability, the app allows customers to manage their Starbucks Card account, check their card balance, reload their card with any major credit card (iPhone users can also use the PayPal feature), check their My Starbucks Rewards status and find a nearby Starbucks store with the store locator feature. Customers can pay with their smartphone by holding their mobile device in front of a scanner on the countertop and scan the Starbucks Card Mobile App’s on-screen barcode to make a purchase.
Victorinox adds Slim, Slim Duo, Secure SSD USB to device...
Victorinox (http://www.victorinox.com/), the brand behind the Swiss Army Knives and the Secure Pro USB devices, has launched new electronic additions to its technology range. Showcased at CES, the brand unveiled three new products: the Victorinox Slim, Victorinox Slim Duo and the Victorinox Secure SSD.
The Slim range includes advanced USB flash drive, which are available in flight friendly versions and feature data storage of up to 128GB. The Secure SSD is the world’s smallest 256GB solid state drive, according to the folks at Victorinox.
The products are waterproof, shock resistant and available in a range of colors, including red, blue, orange, pink, green and silver. The memory capacity is up to 64GB for the Victorinox Slim and 128GB for the Victorinox Slim Duo. Pricing hasn't been announced.
Seagate unveils new generation of SV35 hard drive
Seagate Technology (http://www.seagate.com) has begun shipments of the sixth generation of SV35, a 3.5-inch hard drive designed to meet the high demands of surveillance digital video recording, and of new high-capacity additions to the Pipeline HD family of purpose-built hard drives for consumer video applications.
Unlike solutions primarily designed for consumer video recorders, SV35 hard drives combine the high performance, capacity and reliability for the exacting workloads of video surveillance recording and network surveillance video recorders, according to the folks at Seagate. The Seagate SV35 now delivers up to 2TB of capacity to enable calable surveillance system storage design and is approved for 24x7 video surveillance applications with a MTBF of more than 1 million hours.
Pipeline HD is now available in 1.5TB and 2.0TB capacities. Performance-tuned for video recording and playback, Pipeline HD drives support at least 10 simultaneous streams of high-definition movie content...
Monotype Imaging unveils Carter Sans typeface
Monotype Imaging Holdings has introduced into its ITC collection the latest typeface by typeface designer, Matthew Carter. The eight-font Carter Sans family can be licensed and downloaded from Monotype Imaging’s Fonts.com, ITCFonts.com and Linotype.com stores. Carter Sans is also available for web site design from Fonts.com .
Recently, Carter was honored as a MacArthur Fellow for 2010 and was also inducted into the Art Directors Club Hall of Fame. Today, Carter and Cherie Cone run Carter and Cone Type, Inc. in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which produces and markets Carter’s designs.
