Mobile Edge (http://www.mobileedge.com) has released its eco-friendly ScanFast 2.0 Collection of laptop bags. The company teamed up with DuPont,  incorporating DuPont’s polymeric material Sorona as the main material for their new cases.   This material is produced partially with Agricultural Feedstock (corn stalks) that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 63 %when compared to typical petroleum based Nylon or Polyester production, according to G. David Cartwright, president and CEO of Mobile Edge. The Sorona fibers are soft and extremely stain resistant with high strength and stiffness qualities, he adds. In 2008, the TSA announced guidelines that allow travelers with properly designed carrying cases to pass through security checkpoints without removing their laptops.  Mobile Edge responded by creating the ScanFast Collection, constructing each case to provide an unobstructed security scan of the laptop. The new ScanFast 2.0 Collection consists of a briefcase, traditional messenger bag...

AppMania has rolled out Demolition Master for Mac 1.0 (http://appmania.org/), now available in the Mac App Store. The game requires an Intel-based Mac, Mac OS X 10.6.6 and costs US$0.99. Here's how the game is described: "Demolition Master aims to be the most explosive game adapted for Mac OS X platform. Your goal in each mission is to demolish a construction with an explosive. Experience an exciting adventure in nine locations throughout the Earth as well as in three locations on the new planet, the Moon. "Overall there already are 12 colorful locations and 180 unique levels, and their number will grow with every new update. Impressive explosions, curious locations worldwide together with charming music, adrenaline, and hunger for victory are among the feelings that the 'Demolition Master for Mac' will create for you." Demolition Master for Mac 1.0 is available all over the world exclusively through the Mac App Store in the Games category at the price of $0.99 USD (or the equivalent...

Xeric Design has updated EarthDesk (http://www.xericdesign.com/earthdesk.php), its real-time dynamic desktop map, and has also made the application available in the new Mac AppS tore. EarthDesk replaces your static desktop with an image of the Earth showing current sun, moon and city illumination, as well as real-time global cloud coverage, allowing you to track hurricanes and other weather systems on your Macintosh desktop. The software operates silently in the background, keeping your desktop updated while you work. U EarthDesk requires Mac OS X 10.5 or higher. Single user copies may be purchased from the Xeric Design web site for US$24.95 Upgrades are available for $12.95 for licensed users of version 4.x and $17.95 for licensed users of versions 1, 2 and 3. For more information and to download an evaluation version, go to the product web site. EarthDesk is also available in the Mac AppStore for $24.99, where it can be purchased, downloaded and installed, in one step.

Houdah Software has released Tembo 1.1, an update of the friendly" find utility for Mac OS X, available at the Mac App Store. Tembo is for designed to make the searching (and finding) of files, mail messages, bookmarks and more as easy as possible. Version 1.1 sports a refined user interface that uses less screen real estate. It also adds menu items to limit search to file names or text content, keyboard shortcuts and basic AppleScript support Tembo is sold exclusively through the Mac App Store for US$14.99 and requires Mac OS X 10.6.6 or higher.. A demo version is available from the product web site (http://www.houdah.com/tembo/). Initially, you'll find Tembo to have been inspired by the original Spotlight interface as we knew it under Mac OS X Tiger. Search results are grouped by categories. Preferences allow for categories to be enabled, disabled and reordered. Tembo may list up to 2.500 search results within each group. There are filters appropriate for the context designed to...

eMedia Music Corp. (http://www.emediamusic.com) says Bass Method 2.0 software for bassists and aspiring bassists, will be released in March at an estimated price of US$59.95. It will come on a hybrid CD that's both Mac and Windows compatible. A new Instant Feedback in Bass Method 2.0 "listens" to your playing through the computer's microphone and highlights correctly played notes. There will also be full-screen lessons and remastered video. The 140-plus lessons start with the basics, such as tuning the bass, and move on to playing simple bass lines and catchy rhythms with fills, syncopation and shuffle rhythms. They continue on with reading tablature and standard music notation. A new theory chapter covers intervals, scales and triads. Featuring more than 30 vdeos and over 200 songs and exercises, eMedia Bass Method 2.0 will include folk, rock, country, and songs i made famous by Bob Dylan, Steve Miller Band, Los Lobos, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Grateful Dead, and many more....

MaBaSoft (http://www.mabasoft.net) has updated its World Clock Deluxe time tool to version 4.7.3 In the new version,  daylight-saving time information for Fiji, Israel, Morocco, and Western Sahara has been updated. With World Clock Deluxe you can display multiple clocks in a horizontal or vertical palette, in the menu bar and in the Dock, show Coordinated Universal Time and Internet Time, assign labels and colors to clocks, calculate date and time conversions across different time zones and show the current weather all over the world. The software is Universal Binary and runs in English, German, Dutch, French and Italian. World Clock Deluxe requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later and runs natively on both PowerPC-based and Intel-based Macs. It costs US$19.

Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro, a class-action firm, is investigating claims that Apple’s iPhone 4 was manufactured with a defective glass casing, making the screen prone to scratches and shattering during normal use. The investigation was sparked by consumer reports that the phone’s new aluminosilicate glass components scratch easily and shatter when dropped from even small distances. Within the first week of the iPhone 4’s release, some consumers began to express concern that the new glass casing made the device prone to scratches during normal use. Apple, in some instances, charged consumers to repair the broken or scratched glass, media reports contend, according to Hagens Berman. The firm says it's investigating these consumer and media complaints to determine if Apple failed to live up to its requirements under a variety of consumer protection laws including its obligation under express warranty. It is also investigating iPhone 4 advertising and marketing materials to determine if...

After months (years?) of speculation, it's finally happened. Verizon Wireless and Apple has announced that the iPhone 4 will be available on the Verizon Wireless network beginning on Thursday, Feb. 10. Qualified Verizon Wireless customers will be given the exclusive opportunity to pre-order iPhone 4 online on Feb. 3, ahead of general availability. The iPhone 4 on Verizon will have all the features of the AT&T version plus it will include new Personal Hotspot capabilities, allowing customers to use iPhone 4 to connect up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices. “We are pleased to introduce millions of wireless users to the industry leading iPhone 4 on the nation’s most reliable network,” Lowell McAdam, president and chief operating officer of Verizon, at a special press event. “This is an important step for the industry as two great companies join forces to give wireless customers one of the most important technological additions to the mobile landscape this century.”  “Verizon Wireless...

In addition to carrying the iPhone, Verizon Wireless will sell a version of the iPad that can connect directly to its CDMA network. Verizon will get an embedded chip in the iPad for use on its network, Francis Shammo, chief financial officer of Verizon Communications, the parent of the wireless unit, said in an interview, reports "Bloomberg Businessweek" (http://macte.ch/6Hchs).. IPad users currently need an extra device to connect to Verizon’s network. Shammo didn't say when the change may happen. Verizon Wireless, the biggest U.S. mobile-phone carrier, began selling the iPad in its stores in a package with its credit card-sized Wi-Fi device in October for US$629.99 to $829.99. Apple, which introduced the iPad in April, offers versions of the tablet that connect directly to AT&T’s network. Most of the phones in the US use GSM or CDMA technologies. AT&T, which has previously been the exclusive wireless carrier for Apple in the US, uses GSM, as does T-Mobile. Verizon, Sprint,...

Creativity Different (http://www.creativitydifferent.com) has introduced the mBrace, an accessory for your Macbook Pro. It's designed to improve the comfort and convenience of carrying a notebook around the office, on campus or anywhere you take your Mac. Made from Acetal plastic and Uretek fabric, the mBrace easily and securely attaches to a Macbook without affecting any of its typical uses, according to Terrance Kirkwood, founder of Creativity Different. You can leave it on your Macbook Pro all the time because even with the mBrace attached, the Macbook Pro still fits nicely in most bags and sleeves with no problem, he adds. It even fits with most covers and cases attached. But just in case, the mBrace detaches as effortlessly as it attaches to your notebook, says Kirkwood. And as a bonus, when attached the handle can rest underneath the Macbook Pro to provide an angled keyboard and ventilation prop. For pricing options go to http://macte.ch/Cr8H9 .

Apple CEO Steve Jobs will join News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch on stage at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art to reveal iPad newspaper, "The Daily," according to a "Mashable" report (http://macte.ch/84d7p). When? Probably on Jan. 19, but that may change, the article adds. Of course, neither Apple nor News Corp. have confirmed when (or if) the event is happening. "The Daily" will have no web or print edition. The only way to get it will be on the iPad, where each edition will cost US$0.99.

Freecom (http://www.freecom.com) has unveiled the Mobile Drive Mg, a mobile hard drive designed specifically for the Mac. Encased in an ultra-lightweight and strong magnesium enclosure, the Mobile Drive Mg is an ideal match for the MacBook, according to Jelle Stalpers, Apple business development manager for Freecom At 10mm, it's also the thinnest mobile hard drive available in the world, he adds. Interestingly, the drive sports an USB 3.0 interface -- and Macs don't support USB 3.0. However, it's backwards-compatible and will work with all USB 2.0 enabled computers and notebooks. The Mobile Drive Mg will only be available through Apple Premium Resellers in a range of three different models. The models are 320GB for approximately US$103, 750GB for $155, and 750GB for $168.

FileMaker Inc. (http://www.filemaker.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of Apple, says that, starting today, those purchasing FileMaker Go for iPad or iPhone may purchase FileMaker Pro for US$149 more than half off the retail value of $299.   Since its debut in July 2010, FileMaker Go has become the top-selling business database app for iPhone and iPad. Customers who purchase FileMaker Go for iPhone ($19.99) or FileMaker Go for iPad ($39.99) from the iTunes App Store between Jan. 11 and June 17 will be able to download FileMaker Pro 11 from the online FileMaker Store for $150, a 50% discount.   The FileMaker Go apps let customers work remotely with FileMaker Pro databases on the iPhone or iPad to manage a range of tasks, including customer relationship management, on-site event registration, management of inventory or tracking project status while traveling. Businesses can use more than 30 built-in Starter Solutions or create their own solutions using FileMaker Pro and then run them on...

Artbeats, which specializes in the production of high quality stock footage, has released their Stereoscopic 3D (S3D) stock footage library. The initial offerings include a variety of nature shots, plus the first S3D aerial stock footage available to the royalty-free market. New 3D content will be added monthly, including pyrotechnic, city scene, establishment, winter scene and additional aerial collections, says Phil Bates, Artbeats president and lead cinematographer. Artbeats is the first production company to utilize Pictorvision's gyrostabilized eclipse 3D aerial rig, capturing aerials of downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Long Beach and the shores of Catalina, he adds. Artbeats' S3D stock footage is offered as QuickTime movie files with formats that include HD stereo pairs (both sides squeezed horizontally into a single HD frame), separate HD Right and Left views and 4K versions (when shot on RED). Available via the company's web site (http://www.artbeats.com/S3D),...

In collaboration with iPresentee, iWebTemplate has added five new themes to be used with iWeb, the web site building component of Apple's iLife suite. The new themes are Happiness, Personal Page, Black Style, Old Fence and Village. The new iWeb templates can be customized. Over 150 iWeb templates are now available at iWebTemplate. The new themes includes an installer to make sure the themes end up in the right place. The templates require Mac OS X 10.4.3 or higher and iWeb 2.0 (iLife '08) or iWeb 3.0 (iLife '09 and iLife '11). Each new iWeb theme is available for US$10. Samples and more info are available at the iWebTemplate web site (http://www.iwebtemplate.com).

Smartphone use continues to rise among both consumer and business segments, according to TNS (http://www.tns-us.com) research group, which has released results compiled from TNS BusinessWave. The study shows the iPhone gaining traction in the enterprise arena. TNS BusinessWave confirms that smartphones are an increasingly important tool for the business market. The advance of new operating systems, capabilities and mobile applications that improve employee productivity, have resulted in steady growth in the market, particularly within the past year.  Smartphones now represent more than half of all handheld wireless devices used by corporate liable wireless users, up 22% from a year ago, while penetration of other wireless phones has declined.   This trend is noted across businesses of all sizes and industries; growth is most rapid among the smallest businesses, but smartphone penetration remains highest among the largest companies.  In addition, smartphone penetration is strongest...

In a note to clients -- as reported by "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com), J.P. Morgan analyst Mark Moskowitz says the Verizon iPhone could carry a slightly higher price tag than the AT&T version when it's announced on Tuesday (keep in mind that Apple hasn't confirmed this). In order to be compatible with Verizon's network, the redesigned device must include an internal CDMA radio, which the analyst says is a more expensive component than the UMTS technology found in the current AT&T-compatible iPhone. "The key differentiator is the cost of CDMA-related components," Moskowitz says. "While the acquisition price of the iPhone could be slightly more expensive for subscribers on Verizon, we think that there will be offsets, specifically network performance ... If Verizon can avoid network performance issues during and after a potential iPhone roll-out, then we expect a multi-year growth spurt in U.S. iPhone sales, as meaningful levels of AT&T iPhone subscribers could...

IBM earned more U.S. patents in 2010 than any other company, topping the list of patent winners for the 18th year in a row. Apple broke into the top 50 for the first time, reports "NetworkWorld" (http://macte.ch/ADm2Z). With 563 patents granted, Apple earned the No. 46 position in IFI’s count. Other tech vendors earning spots on the top 50 list include Cisco, which placed 17th with 1,115 patents, and SAP, in 42nd place with 649 patents. IBM secured 5,896 patents last year, according to data from IFI Claims Patent Services. Samsung Electronics was the second most prolific patent winner, with 4,551 patents received in 2010. Microsoft placed third with 3,094 patents, followed by Canon (2,552), Panasonic (2,482), Toshiba (2,246), Sony (2,150), Intel (1,653), LG Electronics (1,490) and HP (1,480). The top 10 list is nearly unchanged from 2009, says "NetworkWorld." Only the ninth-place recipient is different: LG Electronics displaced last year’s No. 9 patent winner, Seiko Epson Corp., the...

I wasn't sure if we'd see Light Peak on Macs this year. But now I think we will, at least late in the year. In an interview with IDG News Service David Perlmutter, executive vice president and general manager of Intel's Architecture Group, said the interconnect technology is ready for implementation, reports "Computerworld" (http://macte.ch/86vfk). "The copper came out very good, surprisingly better than what we thought," Perlmutter said. "Optical is always a new technology which is more expensive." Perlmutter declined to comment on when devices using Light Peak would reach store shelves, saying shipment depended on device makers. Intel has in the past said that devices with Light Peak technology would start shipping in late 2010 or early this year. For the majority of user needs today, copper is good, Perlmutter said. But data transmission is much faster over fiber optics, which will increasingly be used by vendors in Light Peak implementations, notes "Computerworld." Light Peak...

Apple will scrap a 10% restocking fees for customers returning products to its retail stores, according to Internet reports, reports "NetworkWorld" (http://macte.ch/HbElU). The policy, expected to take effect Tuesday, coincides with an event from Verizon, where it's expected it will be announced that the company will begin carrying the iPhone. Currently Apple's store policy is to automatically charge 10% of a product's retail price, known as a restocking fee, when you choses to return a previously opened product. The amount is charged as a fee for Apple to refund the customer and restock the merchandise. "9 To 5 Mac" (http://macte.ch/oGfxQ) reports that from Tuesday, Apple will cease the restocking fee practice from its retail chain. The 14-day return period will still apply, but if you want to upgrade one of the products you bought within a few days of purchases, you won't have to pay an additional 10 percent of its price. Apple hasn't commented officially on this matter; however, "...

Yazsoft has released Unblunder 1.0 (http://yazsoft.com/products/unblunder/), their new recovery solution for Mac OS X. It was developed specifically to help protect against accidental data loss by offering Mac OS X a "Recently Deleted" feature, giving you time to recover files before they're gone forever. Unblunder uses Mac OS X's UNIX underpinnings to hang on to files after the Trash has been emptied. When started, it runs quietly in the background and stays out of your way, according to the folks at Yazsoft. For optimal file recovery and peace of mind, Unblunder needs to be running before an accident happens. By default, trashed files over 250 MB in size linger for five minutes and smaller files are kept for a day. Of course, you can tweak all these settings to match your work style. Unblunder requires Mac OS X 10.5 or later. It costs US$10 for a single-user license, thought it's included for free with every purchase of ShareTool and/or Playback. A demo is available for download.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide says Starwood Preferred Guest members can now connect with the company's customer service agents using FaceTime, Apple's video calling feature on iPhone 4, the new iPod touch and Macs. To launch a video call, SPG members call 1-866-500-0369 from their iPhone 4, new iPod touch or Mac. A SPG customer service representative will answer ready to handle any customer service inquiry, such as making or changing reservations, booking award stays, checking account balances, or providing more information about Starwood’s 1000 hotels and resorts across the globe. “Starwood Hotels is proud to offer face-to-face video calling for SPG members with FaceTime,” says David Godsman, vice president Global Web Services. "Apple's innovative technology allows us to provide a meaningful, personalized experience that will resonate with our most loyal customers.” FaceTime works over Wi-Fi on the iPhone 4, the new iPod touch and Macs running Mac OS X 10.6.4 and later.

PowerSurge Publishing has just released URL Union 1.00 for Mac OS X, Windows and virtually all versions of Unix. The app manages a user's collection of URLs with the ability to import, merge and publish them in a variety formats. URL Union can import from Delicious.com and Yojimbo, as well as other more common sources. The app can also publish a bookmarks collection in a series of HTML files that can be read by any Web browser.   URL Union is written in Java. A demo version of the program can be downloaded from the PowerSurge Publishing web site (http://www.powersurgepub.com). Registration is US$12 for a single-user license.

Wolverton Apps has announced SkyWriting 1.0 (http://www.skywritingapp.com/) on the new Mac App Store. The app, which requires Mac OS X 10.6.6 and higher, lets users simulate writing with smoke in the sky over various backgrounds, such as well known city skylines, palm tree lined beaches, and famous landmarks. The smoke then realistically drifts away in real time, in some cases staying behind the foreground features of the image so as to appear as real-life skywriting. SkyWriting has been popular on the iPad platform, at one time holding the #11 spot in entertainment iPad apps in the United States. Recent updates have added features allowing users to use their own pictures as backgrounds, to slow or speed up the wafting of the smoke, or save a snapshot to send to friends via email. In addition to the features of the iPad and iPhone versions, such as colored smoke, the Mac version brings a new feature called "sky typing," where the user can type on the keyboard and the letters will be...