JixiPix releases Aquarella watercolor software for Mac OS X
JixiPix Software (www.jixipix.com) has introduced Aquarella, its new, US$7.99 artistic software solution for Mac OS X (10.6 and higher).
Aquarella offers digital artists and photographers a way to create realistic watercolor paintings with all the details true to traditional watercolor media. Featuring a "wet" algorithm, Aquarella can achieve a truly wet and natural appearance, according to the folks at JixiPix. The app boasts a collection of colorful washes and a series of control sliders that allow the fine-tuning of each watercolor creation.
29 free fonts released by 128bit Technologies
128bit Technologies has introduced 29 new fonts to its Free Commercial Use Mac Fonts collection. You can now download all 45 free fonts by visiting the company's MacAppware website (http://www.macappware.com).
All fonts are in OpenType font format and include a 10-computer commercial use license to use in any home or business design project. All fonts are in OpenType font format. Free Commercial Use Mac Fonts support Mac OS X 10.1 and later, and Windows XP and later.
MacDaddy releases Mac Backup Guru for Mac OS X
MacDaddy has announced Mac Backup Guru 1.0 for Mac OS X (10.7 and higher), a utility designed to back up files and disks. With a single Start button, the user can sync the contents of any Source with its backup Destination.
Disk backups of startup drives are bootable with Mac Backup Guru. If there's any inconsistency in the size or modification date between any files, the Source file replaces the outdated Destination file. Following the initial cloning, syncs take minutes instead of hours, according to the folks at MacDaddy.
Disk backup via cloning requires that the entire contents of the Source overwrite the entire contents of the Destination drive. Disk backup via sync requires that only the changes since that last backup overwrite the appropriate part of the Destination drive. Backup via sync requires that the initial backup be cloned, but all subsequent backups can be synced.
Syncing ignores the vast majority of files that are identical on the Source and Destination, and it...
IK Multimedia releases iLoud, a portable speaker for musicians
IK Multimedia has announced iLoud (www.ikmultimedia.com/iloud), portable, battery-powered stereo speakers designed for musicians. There are two models -- the iLoud (US$299.99) and iLoud MINI ($199.99) -- which will be available later this year.
The iLoud model offers 40W RMS of power, and its little brother, iLoud MINI, a robust 12W RMS. The speakers are equipped with onboard DSP, for maintaining accuracy and efficiency at all volume levels, and custom-designed neodymium loudspeakers.
The iLoud is equipped with a bi-amped 4-driver array, and the iLoud MINI with a pair of full-range speakers. The enclosures feature bass-reflex and passive radiators construction.
iLoud also offers the possibility to connect a guitar, bass or dynamic microphone directly to the speaker and process the sound with a multitude of real-time effects apps. Both iLoud models support Bluetooth operation. Users can stream music to them from any compatible mobile device such as an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad for...
Mac OS X software updates for Jan. 22
Here are the latest updates for Mac OS X apps:
Reggie Ashworth (www.reggieashworth.com) has announced VidConvert 1.4, an update to his video converter for Mac OS X. The new version starts the addition of additional languages with French and Portuguese and more to come.
Postbox Inc. (http://www.postbox-inc.com) has revved Postbox, its email client, to version 3.0.7. It's a maintenance update with some bug fixes.
Steve Barrett (http://www.liv.ac.uk/~sdb/ImageSXM/) has updated Image SXM -- which lets you load, display, and analyze scanning microscope images -- to version 194-1x. RHK Technology XPMPro SM4 images now display image types that are more descriptive of the image data. Files with specific suffixes can be now opened by dragging on to the Image SXM icon, regardless of their file type. Also, two arrays have been added that hold the XY coords of points that are guaranteed to be inside the objects found by particle analysis.
Snail (http://www.snailapp.com) -- a time management...
Apple rumors for Jan. 22
Here are the latest Apple-related rumors from the blog-o-sphere:
"The latest rumors out of Asia claim that Apple will launch three new smartphones in 2013, including a next-generation iPhone, a cheaper model handset and a surprise large-format device with a 4.8-inch screen tentatively dubbed the 'iPhone Math'." -- "AppleInsider" (www.appleinsider.com)
"Apple forced Google's hand on Android." -- "ReadWrite Mobile" (www.readwrite.com)
"Apple again seen cutting iPhone 5 panel orders." -- "iDownloadBlog" (www.idownloadblog.com)
"Thorsten Heins, chief executive of Research In Motion, said on Monday that the embattled BlackBerry maker must ensure that its forthcoming BlackBerry 10 models are successful before the company can consider strategic alliances, such as licensing its software or even selling off its hardware production." -- "AppleInsider" (www.appleinsider.com)
Potatoman Seeks the Troof released for the Mac
Pixeljam Games has introduced Potatoman Seeks the Troof 1.0 for Mac OS X (10.6 and higher). It's availalble for US$2.99 in the Mac App Store.
Here's how the game is described: "Potatoman Seeks the Troof 1.0 is a challenging potatosophical platforming adventure from Pixeljam, the creators of Dino Run and Gamma Bros. Make your way through dry deserts, mysterious forests, busy cities, the tallest mountains and ultimately through your innermost consciousness in search of the ultimate answer! Go forward, seek, and discover The Troof!"
The download link is at http://tinyurl.com/axot2lt .
QuickerTek announced Solar Juicz charger for Apple laptops
QuickerTek (www.quickertek.com) has released the 62 Watt Solar Juicz solar power charger (US$99.99) for the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.
The 62 Watt Solar Juicz purportedly has an efficiency of more than 39% over QuickerTek's previous Solar Juicz model. Faster charge time is provided by higher wattage (62 watts vs 55 watts of previous model).
The 62 Watt Solar Juicz also comes ready to use right out of the box with both an Apple Magsafe 1 and an Magsafe 2 power cable. It also charges QuickerTek's line of Apple Juicz external battery products.
Mac OS X software updates for Jan. 21
Here are the latest updates for Mac OS X apps:
SintraWorks (www.sintraworks.com) has announced PDF Nomad 1.6, an update to its PDF editor made especially for Mac OS X 10.7 Lion and up. The new version adds four languages to its user interface (French, German, Portuguese and Dutch) and adds the ability to view and edit PDF document attributes.
MaBaSoft (www.mabasoft.net) has revved Application Wizard -- which provides fast access to your applications, documents, folders, and disks -- to version 3.3.3. It's a maintenance update with some bug fixes.
Sight Control (http://mactaris.blogspot.tw/p/webcam-settings.html), an app that lets you take control of your iSight camera, is now up to version 1.2. You can now save/load the settings. Also, settings of the camera will be stored automatically and restored the next time the app is launched.
SuperSync (www.SuperSync.com), which gives you access to your music library anywhere, has been upgraded to version 5.0.4. It's a maintenance update.
DaVinci Resolve 9.1 adds support for Retina displays
Blackmagic Design (www.blackmagicdesign.com) has announced a major release of DaVinci Resolve 9.1, the latest update to the color correction tool.
DaVinci Resolve 9.1 enables customers to use Resolve with Apple’s Macbook Retina technology. The new version also features support in XML for FCP X Audition, a feature in FCP X that provides the ability to stack and scroll through multiple shots in a single location in a timeline, allowing Resolve users to transfer files between the systems for a highly efficient workflow.
Improvements in mixed frame rate XML integration will allow better workflows between Resolve, FCP X and Final Cut Pro 7 projects. DaVinci Resolve 9.1 also supports improvements for Avid AAF, Sony XAVC and AVC-Intra files and a number of audio and performance improvements.
The new version also includes an enhancement for the CinemaDNG file format, as used by cameras such as the Blackmagic Cinema Camera. DaVinci Resolve now includes a CinemaDNG Input Device Transform (IDT...
South Korean consumers drop lawsuit against Apple
Twenty-nine South Korean consumers have decided not to go ahead with their class-action lawsuit against the electronics manufacturer for allegedly violating their privacy with its location tracking feature, says the "Yonhap News Agency" -- as reported by "ZDNet" (http://tinyurl.com/awzzdcc)
In August 2011 South Korea's communications regulator fined Apple's local operation 3 million won ($2,830) for what it said was the illegal collection of iPhone user location information. The Korea Communications Commission announced in a statement that it's ordered Apple Korea to pay the fine for violating the country's location information laws.
The 29 consumers mentioned above filed their suit in 2011. Each wanted 800,000 won (US$757) in damages after claiming the iPhone's location recognition feature tracked and stored personal data without their consent. However, they dropped the case due to difficulty in proving that their privacy was actually violated, according to the "Yonhap News Agency."
Tim Cook must field questions in anti-poaching hearing
At a hearing in San Jose, California federal court on Thursday, U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh ordered Apple CEO Tim Cook to be questioned by plaintiff attorneys for four hours in regards in an anti-poaching proceeding, reports "Reuters" (http://tinyurl.com/ant9em8).
Internal emails show that executives at tech companies such as Apple and Google believed that an agreement to refrain from poaching each other's workers would bring real financial benefits, the article adds. Koh must decide whether the lawsuit can proceed as a class action, which would give the plaintiffs more leverage to extract a large settlement, notes "Reuters."
Last May Joseph R. Saveri of the national plaintiffs' law firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, says Siddharth Hariharan, a former software engineer at Lucasfilm and founder and CEO of InEarth, today filed a class action lawsuit charging that several of the nation's leading high-tech companies -- including Apple -- violated antitrust laws by conspiring to...
TSMC CEO hints at Apple deal
TSMC Chairman and CEO Morris Chang says the company achieved close to 100% market share on its 28nm chip process and should continue to succeed as wafer shipments triple this year, prompting market watchers to predict a crucial deal with Apple for its A series processors, according to "The China Times" -- as noted by "TNW" (http://tinyurl.com/a32pnkw).
According to the article, Chang’s comments led analysts in attendance to believe that TSMC has secured orders from Apple for its upcoming A series processors. Apple’s A6X chip is currently produced on a 32nm process by Samsung, but a reduction to 28nm could result in power savings and improved performance for future devices. Apple is also rumored to be moving away from Samsung for chip production as the two companies wage a global battle over alleged patent infringements.
Sharp drastically cutting back 9.7-inch iPad screen production?
Sharp has "nearly halted" production of 9.7-inch iPad screens as demand shifts to the smaller iPad mini reports "Reuters" (http://tinyurl.com/a49644e).
Sharp's iPad screen production line at its Kameyama plant in central Japan has fallen to the minimal level to keep the line running this month after a gradual slowdown began at the end of 2012 as Apple manages its inventory, the article says, quoting unnamed "industry sources with knowledge of Sharp's production plans." Not surprisingly, neither Apple nor Sharp had any comments.
Mac OS X software updates for Jan. 18
Here are the latest updates for Mac OS X apps:
St. Clair Software has rolled out App Tamer 1.3.2 (www.stclairsoft.com/AppTamer/), an update of the app that gives you control over your applications so you can save battery and CPU (central processing unit) power. The new version adds Retina display support.
Zevrix (www.zevrix.com) has revved LinkOptimizer Light -- which lets you reduce InDesign link size, convert colors and more -- to version 4.4.10. It fixes an issue in which the "Invalid page range" error could occur with no reason during analyzing on some international systems.
Peacockmedia has updated ClipAssist (http://peacockmedia.co.uk/clipassist/), which lets you access your frequently used text clips -- to version 3.1. The update adds a F-key button to the toolbar for assigning F keys (goes to the appropriate tab of preferences). It also adds optional visual feedback when using F keys (on by default) and flashes a head-up-display window to indicate clip is successfully copied...
Apple files petition for full U.S. appeals court
Apple has filed a petition asking the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which hears all appeals of U.S. patent infringement cases, for an "initial hearing en banc" on a judge's recent denial of a permanent injunction against Samsung, reports "FOSS Patents" (http://tinyurl.com/ayvjf7x).
The petition also suggests that such a full-bench hearing could address this case as well as the Galaxy Nexus preliminary injunction case, in which the court appears to be contemplating a full-bench rehearing, the article adds.
Last month Judge Lucy Koh, the federal judge presiding over the never-ending Apple/Samsung legal battle entered two crucial post-trial orders. She denied Apple a permanent injunction against Samsung despite a multiplicity of infringement findings by a federal jury in August and then denied Samsung a new trial on the grounds of alleged jury misconduct
This is all part of the ongoing, global legal battle. Apple and Samsung have filed more than 30 lawsuits...
Intel reports full year revenue of $53.3 billion
Intel (www.intel.com) has reported full-year revenue of US$53.3 billion, operating income of $14.6 billion, net income of $11.0 billion and EPS [earnings per share] of $2.13. The company generated approximately $18.9 billion in cash from operations, paid dividends of $4.4 billion, and used $4.8 billion to repurchase 191 million shares of stock.
For the fourth quarter, Intel posted revenue of $13.5 billion, operating income of $3.2 billion, net income of $2.5 billion and EPS of 48 cents. The company generated approximately $6 billion in cash from operations, paid dividends of $1.1 billion and used $1.0 billion to repurchase 47 million shares of stock.
"The fourth quarter played out largely as expected as we continued to execute through a challenging environment," says Paul Otellini, Intel president and CEO. "We made tremendous progress across the business in 2012 as we entered the market for smartphones and tablets, worked with our partners to reinvent the PC, and drove continued...
Tozai announces Lode Runner Classic for iOS
Tozai Games says Lode Runner Classic, a remastered version of the classic Apple II game, will be released worldwide on Jan. 17 for iOS and Android smartphones.
With all-new features and graphics, 150 throwback levels, and authentic gameplay designed specifically for today's technology, Lode Runner Classic will put a "delightfully retro" Lode Runner experience into the palm of any player's hand, says Scott K. Tsumura, Tozai co-founder.
For those who aren't familiar with it, Lode Runner's frantic action takes place in static, maze-like levels, where a single player dodges enemies while running and climbing platforms to reach and claim stacks of gold. Jumping and shooting foes is forbidden, but blocks can be blasted to access lower platforms or trap pursuing enemies.
Although the gameplay remains true to the original Apple II version, there are plenty of new features to enhance the experience, says Tsumura. In addition to two new game modes (Expedition and Time Attack), Lode Runner...
Analyst: iPad sales may be lower than expected
In a note to clients -- as reported by "CNET" (http://tinyurl.com/anm2ffs) -- J.P. Morgan analyst Mark Moskowitz says iPad sales for the last fiscal quarter may be lower than expected due to constrained supplies -- though this is part of a short-term "blip."
He thinks unit sales of the iPad and iPad mini combined will be lighter than expected for the final quarter of 2012. Moskowitz is now predicting unit sales of 18.4 million, down from his previous forecast of 20.1 million.
"Our research indicates that near-term supply constraints impacted iPad sell-in activity during the seasonally-stronger holiday season," the analyst says. "Supply did not improve until early December. In our view, it was a supply, not demand issue."
Survey: Nexus 7 tops iPad in December sales in Japan
Google's Nexus 7 is gaining market share in Japan and topped Apple's iPad in a survey by the BCN research group -- as reported by "CNET" (http://tinyurl.com/bhlzg9n).
Based on a survey of 2,400 consumer electronics stores in Japan, Google's Nexus 7 tablet had 44.4% of the market versus the iPad's 40.1%. The survey was done by BCN in December.
Amazon MP3 Store optimized for iPhone, iPod touch
Amazon.com has announced the launch of the Amazon MP3 store, which is optimized specifically for iPhone and iPod touch. iOS users can discover and buy digital music from Amazon’s 22-million song catalog using the Safari browser.
Customers also have access to favorite Amazon features like personalized recommendations, best-seller lists and Amazon customer ratings. Music purchases are automatically saved to customers' Cloud Player libraries and can be downloaded or played instantly from any iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Kindle Fire, Android phone or tablet, Roku, Sonos home entertainment system, or any web browser, giving customers the freedom to enjoy more music, from more devices than any other major cloud music service.
Customers can begin shopping the Amazon MP3 store from their iPhone and iPod touch web browsers today at http://www.amazon.com/mp3.
Mac OS X software updates for Jan. 17
Here are the latest updates for Mac OS X apps:
Smile (www.smilesoftware.com) has released PDFpen 5.9.4, an update to its PDF editor for Mac OS X. The update improves performance by reducing memory usage.
Pomcast.biz has launched Comments.app 1.0.2, software for viewing your WordPress blogs comments. Version 1.0.2 is a maintenance update.
SourceTree (http://www.torusknot.com), a tool for working with Git and Mercurial, has been updated to version 1.5.7.1. It fixes a default branch selection in the Git push dialog when only a subset of branches should be selected, for example when using the 'current' branch push option.
Maintain (http://maintain.se/cocktail) has served up Cocktail 6.3 (Mountain Lion Edition), the latest maintenance update for users running Mountain Lion. Cocktail is a general purpose utility for OS X that lets users clean, repair and optimize their Mac. This version adds OS X 10.8.3 compatibility and ability to clear the Quarantine Events database.
Dutch court: Galaxy tablets don't infringe Apple patents
A Dutch court, citing previous decisions in British courts, has ruled that some Samsung's Galaxy tablets don't infringe an Apple design," reports "Reuters" (http://tinyurl.com/9wv4avu). The ruling by a district court in The Hague concerned the rounded corners of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 8.9, and Galaxy Tab 7.7.
This is all part of the ongoing, global legal battle. Apple and Samsung have filed more than 30 lawsuits against each other across four continents. For example, Apple alleges that Samsung copied the slide-to-unlock technology of its iPhone and iPad devices.
Drobo releases its 5N networked storage device
Drobo is shipping what it says is its fastest and most technologically advanced networked storage device: the new Drobo 5N.
The 5N utilizes Drobo’s technologies, including "traffic light" management; the ability to automatically keep data in a protected state, even withstanding disk drive failures; mix-and-match disk drive support and expansion of system capacity by adding or hot-swapping drives on-the-fly with zero downtime.
Pricing for the Drobo 5N begins at US$599. It's available almost everywhere technology products are sold, including Amazon, B&H Photo Video, CDW and the online Drobo store at www.drobo.com .
Apple introduces installment payment plans in China
Apple has introduced installment payment plans for buyers of iPhones and MacBook laptops in China as it struggles to compete with low-cost devices in the world’s largest computer and mobile-phone market, according to "Bloomberg" (http://tinyurl.com/abrru64).
Payments on purchases costing from 300 yuan (approximately US$48) to 30,000 yuan made via the company’s Chinese website can be spread over as long as two years, according to the site. The plan, which requires a China Merchants Bank Co. (600036) credit card, has fees ranging from zero to 8.5%.
Apple, Samsung file joint stipulation
Apple and Samsung have filed a joint stipulation with the United States District Court for the Northern District of California concerning the addition of new products, or new product versions, to the second case pending between these parties in that district, reports "FOSS Patents" (http://tinyurl.com/bzregvu)
The process to amend the infringement contentions again most recently made headline news when Apple withdrew claims against the Galaxy S III mini on the basis of Samsung's representation that it does not sell that particular device in the U.S., the article adds.
This is all part of the ongoing, global legal battle. Apple and Samsung have filed more than 30 lawsuits against each other across four continents. For example, Apple alleges that Samsung copied the slide-to-unlock technology of its iPhone and iPad devices.
Apple, Amazon ordered to meet March 21 in 'app store'...
U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Laporte says Apple and Amazon must have to attend a settlement discussion on March 21, with executives present who are in a position to be able to negotiate a binding agreement regarding the ongoing battle over the use of "app store," reports "TechCrunch" (http://tinyurl.com/ayvoape).
Earlier this month Amazon.com won a dismissal of a of a claim by Apple Inc. that the online retailer’s use of the term “app store” for Android device software constitutes false advertising, reports "Bloomberg" (http://tinyurl.com/aox784e).
U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton in Oakland, California, granted Amazon’s request to toss the claim. She said in an order that she found "no support for the proposition that Amazon has expressly or impliedly communicated that its Appstore for Android possesses the characteristics and qualities that the public has come to expect from the Apple APP Store and/or Apple products."
Last year Apple sued Amazon, saying the online retailer...
Coladia announces Fall Trilogy Chapter 3: Revelation for OS X
Coladia's The Fall Trilogy Chapter 3: Revelation for Mac OS X is available for download. It's the last episode of the saga The Fall Trilogy.
Here's how the game is described: "In the previous two chapters, you made it through some strange adventures. First, you were a temple explorer in Asia, and then you were a secret agent in a modern building. Each time you woke up in a new place on a mission that was unrelated to the previous one.
"You solved many enigmas that helped you get some of your memory back. You wake up this time in a Victorian house and a letter from the lady urges you to take care of her husband. Can you face the new challenges, find answers, and come to a revelation?
The Fall Trilogy runs on Mac OS X 10.6 and higher. It can be purchased for US$9.90 at http://www.coladia.com .
WetFish Software revs Chronos for OS X to version 2.0
WetFish Software (http://wetfish.de) has released version 2.0 of their time tracking application Chronos for Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion.
The new version is completely redesigned. It also boasts usability improvements such as an improved CSV export with more filter and customization options, archiving of projects and flagging of invoiced time.
Chronos 2.0 is available on the Mac App Store for US$3.99 until the end of the month. Afterwards it will cost $5.99.
Mac Data Recovery Guru for Mac OS X revved to version 2.0
Mac OS X File Recovery has released Mac Data Recovery Guru 2.0, its data recovery utility for Mac OS X 10.7 or higher.
Mac Data Recover Guru can recover all common file types from any kind of device, due to user error, accidental formatting, hardware malfunction, or any other cause of data loss that does not involve overwriting the original file. Now available in the Mac App Store or directly from the publisher the app features a demo mode, allowing users to preview which files can be recovered before deciding to purchase.
Mac Data Recovery Guru 2.0 costs US$99 and is available directly from the Mac OS X File Recovery website (http://www.macosxfilerecovery.com/). A free demo version is also available.
Paragon releases Sloved 'shell' app for Mac OS X
Paragon Software Group, a multi-platform software developer of dictionaries and reference applications, has announced a free Slovoed "shell" app that gives access to 115 new versions of Slovoed dictionaries for 30 world languages on Mac OS X.
Paragon says it's developed a new way of accessing dictionary content at the Mac App Store, allowing users to test any of its 115 dictionaries free of charge before determining which one to buy. Navigation within the app catalog allows users to search for the dictionary that will best suit their language level, skills and needs. Multiple dictionaries can be used in the same shell, with switching between them.
The Slovoed shell is free and available at https://itunes.apple.com/app/id524941905. Dictionary prices start at US$9.99.
Mac OS X software updates for Jan. 16
Here are the latest updates for Mac OS X apps:
Twocanoes Software (www.twocanoes.com) has released Winclone 3.7. New to Winclone 3.7 are enhancements to contextual information, French language support and minor bug fixes. Winclone allows users to create an exact snapshot of Windows on the Boot Camp partition and restore snapshots to the Boot Camp partition.
Twocanoes Software (www.twocanoes.com) has also given us Boot Runner 1.2, an update of its startup solution for multiple boot Macs. Version 1.2 offers French language translation, greater compatibility with third party drivers and various bug fixes.
VeprIT (http://veprit.com) has announced Photo Sense 1.9.0, a major update of its flagship product. Photo Sense is a photo editing software for Mac and iOS designed to make photos more attractive quickly and easily. Version 1.9.0 gives the user better control over the automatic processing, extends manual editing capabilities, improves the user interface, and more.
X-Rite (www.xrite....
Apple rumors for Jan. 16
Here are the latest Apple-related rumors from the blog-o-sphere:
"As rumors of an inexpensive iPhone model bound for a 2013 release gain momentum, fresh reports from upstream supply chain sources claim the purported handset's enclosure will be made of plastic by a company based in the U.S." -- "AppleInsider" (www.appleinsider.com)
"Apple is currently testing two prototype iPhones, claims Jefferies analyst Peter Misek. One of these is said to be Apple's next flagship model, nicknamed the iPhone 5S. The nature of the other phone is unclear, but could possibly be the rumored low-end iPhone. In any case Misek expects the 5S to be an incremental upgrade over the 5, and debut in June or July, even though the 5 and 4S were both fall releases." -- "MacNN" (www.macnn.com)
"Struggling PC maker Dell is reportedly in talks with at least two private-equity firms to take the company private." -- "AppleInsider" (www.appleinsider.com)
Apple sides with Ericsson in patent fight against Samsung
Apple has filed a statement on the public interest with the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) in connection with Samsung's ITC complaint against Ericsson, parts of which also apply to Ericsson's own complaint against Samsung while other parts are specific to Samsung, reports "FOSS Patents."
The letter argues that "an exclusion order based on any declared standard-essential patents (SEPs) that Samsung has committed to license on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms would contravene the public interest". In Apple's view, "the Commission should decline to institute the proposed investigation", or at least ensure that the judge to whom an investigation will be assigned is authorized to develop an evidentiary record and make a recommendation on the public interest issues involved. Read more at http://tinyurl.com/awrb7bh .
In December, Samsung asked for a ban to ban imports and sales of certain Ericsson products in the U.S., alleging that they infringe its...
Pragmatic Studio announces iOS programming courses
The Pragmatic Studio has announced the iOS Programming Studio, which will be held Feb. 11-14 in Reston, Virginia, and April 9-12 in Denver, Colorado.
Participants "will learn how to design and build high-quality iOS apps from start to finish using best practices and expert techniques," according to the folks at The Pragmatic Studio. Participants will spend four days with both Bill Dudney and Daniel Steinberg, two iOS development experts and book authors.
During the course you will: get hands-on experience building six example apps; learn how to use the iOS software development kit, as well as why things are the way they are and how to use that to your advantage; and learn the tools, techniques, and design principles the pros use. For more info go to http://pragmaticstudio.com/ .
FileMaker Design Studios scheduled for Oakland and Seattle
The Craft of FileMaker will be hosting their next two Design Studios for FileMaker Pro Developers March 5-7 in Oakland, Califorina and April 16th - 18th in Seattle, Washington.
This three-day training will be lead by veteran FileMaker Developer's Conference speaker, Don Levan, president of Vanguard Custom Software and founder of the Craft of FileMaker. Attendees will learn a formal process and set of practices for designing exceptional applications and interfaces.
On March 5-7, the Oakland Studio is being hosted by Beezwax Consulting in their new offices in downtown Oakland:
200 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
7th Floor
Oakland, California
On April 16-18, the Seattle Studio is being hosted by SeedCode, developers of FileMaker Pro Calendar Templates, at the Lake Union Crew on the Waterfront in Seattle:
11 E. Allison Street
Seattle, Washington
For more info go to http://fmcraft.com/ .
Redcort releases Virtual TimeClock ‘13
Redcort Software has released Virtual TimeClock ’13, an update of its Mac compatible software for managing employee time and attendance.
An all new Report Preview is designed to integrate and simplify employee timecard editing, formatting, and printing. All reports can now be printed or saved in unalterable PDF format for electronic storage or secure emailing to supervisors or payroll personnel. Sophisticated employee leave tracking is enhanced with new accrual reporting and options to automatically accrue employee leave on a daily or monthly basis.
Included with the new timecard management tools, Virtual TimeClock ’13 adds new leave award frequencies, updated accrual reports, benefit summaries, and easy access to timecard report settings. A complete list of Virtual TimeClock ’13 new features and a fully functional free trial of Virtual TimeClock software is available at the Redcort Software web site. Free trials are available for the Basic, Pro and Network Editions of Virtual...
Qoppa Software announces PDF Studio 8
Qoppa Software (www.qoppa.com) has announced a new release of PDF Studio, their cross-platform PDF desktop tool. PDF Studio 8 adds JavaScript support in PDF forms, faster rendering, improved text selection, and user interface improvements.
What's more, Qoppa has implemented a new tile based rendering approach that improves the user experience when working with graphically intensive PDF documents and much more. PDF Studio 8's new text model delivers enhancements in the way text is extracted, selected,and marked up in the application:
Text extraction and selection now support column detection in documents with multi-column page layout such as articles, magazines, and other publications. The new cursor-based selection and highlight tool follows the natural order of text within pages and handle selection across columns. An alternate rectangular selection mode is also available as a fall back to when selecting non-consecutive text on a page.
PDF Studio 8 offers new graphical skin options...
Amsys announces iOS security courses
Amsys, which provides iOS security courses in the UK, is taking its iOS training courses on the road starting in February, visiting eight cities across the UK for a two-day bootcamp.
iOS professionals, businesses and educational institutions are invited to attend. The nature of these courses provide businesses and their employees "with an invaluable insight and understanding into the correct processes and features of using iOS devices within the businesses, schools and universities," according to the folks at Amsys.
The agenda will cover key areas such as: creating and deploying configuration profiles; data security; network security; over the air enrollment; integration and management with Exchange Server; understanding the various deployment tools and methods available; and troubleshooting
Full details for the two-day course can be found at http://www.amsys.co.uk .
Russian Railways files lawsuit against Apple
Russian Railways has filed a trademark lawsuit against the iPhone maker. However, the reason isn't clear, notes "TechCrunch" (http://tinyurl.com/arc5qw3).
The public statement released by the RZD (Russian Railways’ abbreviation in Russian) only notes that the infringement relates to the RZD registered trademark, certificate number 341333, and the use of it in the “online Apple Store” in pictures. This may have to do with third-party apps in the App Store that use Russian Railway’s logo without permission, says "TechCrunch."
Belgian consumer protection group sues Apple
Belgian consumer protection organization Test-Aankoop has filed a lawsuit against Apple for not respecting local laws on warranties, reports "The Next Web."
All Apple hardware comes with a one-year limited commercial warranty, but the company is required under EU law to protect buyers with a minimum of two years protection on all consumer electronics. To extend coverage beyond one year, Apple customers are expected to purchase AppleCare.
Test-Aankoop argues that this practice doesn't comply with local laws, and also asserts that Apple isn’t adequately informing consumers of their rights. Read more at http://tinyurl.com/a4nlgbu .
SquidFX releases Borders plugin for Final Cut Pro X
Noise Industries has introduces Borders from SquidFX to FxFactory. It's an effects package designed exclusively for use in Final Cut Pro X and offers 27 preset border effects broken into two groups: basic borders and indented corners.
Border styles can be customized to the user's taste, including control over the width and roundness of Borders and corner flourishes. These effects work on HD video clips and still images of any size.
With SquidFX Borders, you can choose from a variety of corner shapes. It offers controls for border width, corner size and color and has optional built-in and build-out animations. You can customize effects including drop shadow, rough edges and soft edges
Borders is available at FxFactory for US$49. For more info go to http://squidfx.com/#borders .
iPad mini, fourth iPad will be available in China on Friday
Apple says the Wi-Fi + Cellular versions of iPad mini and the new fourth generation iPad with Retina display will be available in China on Friday, Jan. 18.
The iPad mini and the fourth generation iPad are currently available in more than 100 countries worldwide, including the US, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan and the UK.
The iPad mini with Wi-Fi + Cellular models come in black & slate or white & silver for a suggested retail price of US$459 for the 16GB model, $559 for the 32GB model and $659 for the 64GB model. The fourth generation iPad with Wi-Fi + Cellular models come in black or white for a suggested retail price of $629 for the 16GB model, $729 for the 32GB model and $829 for the 64GB model. Additionally, the iPad 2 is available for $399.
Mac OS X software updates for Jan. 15
Here are the latest updates for Mac OS X apps:
A free update for Calories to version 3.3 is now available from the danholt website (/www.danholt4mac.eu/english/65/65/181001/pdf.html) and the Mac App Store. The software now includes the ability to import data from the VitaDock app.
Mabasoft (www.mabasoft.net) has revved Gorilla, a currently conversion calculator, to version 3.1.8. The automatic update of the Bank of Italy rates has been restored after the Bank of Italy changed the location of the Last foreign exchange rates CSV file. Also, the old Zambian kwacha (ZMK) has been replaced by the new Zambian kwacha (ZMW). The new kwacha was introduced on Jan 1.
Phase One (www.phaseone.com) has released Capture One Pro 7.0.2. It improves stability, fixes some bugs, and adds support for new models of Canon, Olympus, Fujifilm and Sony cameras, and includes new tethered support for Canon EOS 6D and Canon EOS M cameras.
Troi Automatisering (www.troi.com) has given us Troi Dialog Plug-in 5.5....
Apple rumors for Jan. 15
Here are the latest Apple-related rumors from the blog-o-sphere:
"Rumors of a more affordable iPhone for emerging markets took an interesting turn Friday, as the major news organization Reuters opted to rescind a story originally filed, based on comments allegedly made by Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller." -- "AppleInsider" (www.appleinsider.com)
"Apple has begun testing new Retina panels for its upcoming iPad mini 2, according to new reports." -- "Macworld UK" (www.macworld.uk)
"In an interview with All Things D on Thursday, Beats Audio CEO Jimmy Iovine said that he spent three years trying to persuade late Apple cofounder Steve Jobs to start a subscription-based streaming music service over a decade ago." -- "AppleInsider" (www.appleinsider.com)
"A number of resellers have run dry of Apple Thunderbolt Display inventory, suggesting the 27-inch monitor may be due for an upgrade, perhaps with a thinner design that takes cues from the latest iMacs." -- "AppleInsider" (www....
Samsung asks court to stand by its denial of a sales ban
Samsung has urged a U.S. appeals court to stand by its denial of Apple's request to ban sales of the Galaxy Nexus smartphone while Apple challenges its patent, reports "Reuters" (http://tinyurl.com/c6yl632).
In October, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit blocked Apple's bid for a pretrial sales ban. Apple has asked all nine active Federal Circuit judges to reconsider that decision, a process known as "en banc" review.
This is all part of the ongoing, global legal battle. Apple and Samsung have filed more than 30 lawsuits against each other across four continents. For example, Apple alleges that Samsung copied the slide-to-unlock technology of its iPhone and iPad devices.
Realore introduces Farm Mania: Hot Vacation for Mac OS X
Realore has released Farm Mania: Hot Vacation 1.0 for Mac OS X (10.6 or later), a time management title that was previously created for the PC.
It's the third installment in the Farm Mania series about farmer girl Anna. Farm Mania: Hot Vacation features improved graphics, new tasks and upgrades as well as new types of plants to grow. The action takes place in Australia, Egypt and China. There are total 59 levels, including 11 hidden object mini-games. The story can be enjoyed in two modes -- casual and arcade.
Farm Mania: Hot Vacation 1.0 costs US$6.99. It's available worldwide through the Mac App Store in the Games category (http://tinyurl.com/c55t99e).
Oracle releases Java 7 Update 11
Oracle has released Java 7 Update 11 of the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) to address a security vulnerability. You can download it at http://tinyurl.com/5vpclzw .
For Java 7, you'll need an Intel-based Mac running Mac OS X 10.7.3 (Lion) and above. Installing Java on a Mac is performed on a systemwide basis, for all users, and administrator privileges are required. Java 7 can't be installed on a per-user basis.
A 64-bit browser (Safari or Firefox, for example) is required to run Java 7 on Mac OS X. 32-bit browsers such as Chrome don't support Java 7 on the Mac platform. When your Java installation completes, you may need to reload (Command+R) or quit (Command+Q) your browser in order to enable Java in your browser.
Person crashes car into Lincoln Park Apple store in Chicago
An elderly person drove a Lincoln Town Car into the Lincoln Park Apple store in Chicago, Illinois, On Jan. 13 leaving one person with minor injures, reports the "Chicago Tribune" (http://tinyurl.com/d3qrnad).
Fire Department paramedics were called to the store at 801 W. North Ave. at about 6:30 p.m. this evening, Chicago Fire Department Spokesman Joseph Roccasalva said. Chicago police were on the scene and investigating the crash, said Chicago News Affairs Officer Joshua Purkiss. The driver was described as elderly, according to the "Chicago Tribune."
Mac OS X software updates for Jan. 14
Here are the latest updates for Mac OS X apps:
Chromium (http://www.freesmug.org/chromium), an open source web browser, has been revved to version 24.0.1312.52. The new version sports support for MathML.
CodeKit (https://incident57.com/codekit/about.php#navRibbon), a website building tool, has been upgraded to version 1.5.1. Markdown syntax is now fully supported in Haml files.
Houdah Software (www.houdah.com/) has tweaked HoudahSpot, their Spotlight front end for Mac OS X, to version 3.6.3. The upgrade restores compatibility with Mac OS X 10.5.
GI20Editor (web.tiscali.it/farello/gi20/index.html), a software editor for the Roland GI-20 GK-Midi guitar interface, is now up to version 2.1.0. The latest rev is now sandboxed for Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion.
