Comm-Unity Networking Systems has released a new version of CNS Menu, written from the ground up to support the latest versions of FileMakerPro. This version also adds a new way of defining menus using JSON. NS Menu allows you to place hierarchical menus anywhere on a FileMaker Pro layout. When a menu item is chosen, the script of your choice is performed. Menus can have any number of sub-menus and can be displayed with a variety of styles and bullet marks. CNS Menu is available immediately at http://cnsmenu.cnsplug-ins.com/ for both macOS and Windows. A demo is available for download. If you purchased CNS Menu anytime from July 6, 2016, until now, you can install this latest version free of charge. If you purchased CNS Menu anytime between July 6, 2015, and July 5, 2016, you can renew your license for 50% off the current price. If you purchased CNS Menu anytime before July 6, 2015, you can renew your license for 25% off the current price. For new users, CNS Menu prices range from a...

Maintain has announced Cocktail 10.4 (Sierra Edition), the latest maintenance update for users running macOS Sierra. Cocktail is a general purpose utility for macOS that lets users clean, repair and optimize their Macs. Version 10.4 adds the ability to perform essential system maintenance with a click of a button. It also fixes compatibility issues with macOS Sierra 10.12.6 and contains a number of other bug fixes and interface improvements. Cocktail (Sierra Edition) requires macOS Sierra 10.12 to run. It costs $19 for a single user license and is available for download from the Maintain website (http://www.maintain.se/cocktail).

Apple has released the sixth iOS 10.3.3 beta and the sixth macOS 10.12.6 beta. They’re available in both developer and public betas. If you're not already signed up for the public beta program, you can do so at https://beta.apple.com/sp/betaprogram/ . The public beta program is free, but remember: beta software is unfinished software so use with care. The developer version can be downloaded from the Apple Developer Center.

AirBeamTV has launched version 2.0 of their macOS screen mirroring apps for smart and connected TVs. The apps support all major TV brands, including Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic, Philips, Android TV, Fire TV, Roku and Chromecast. Users now have the option to play video files directly from Macs to TV. The new modern user interface provides a better look and feel, and easier and faster access to all the settings, according to Jan van Ottele, co-founder and CEO of AirBeamTV. The 2.0 upgrade is free for existing AirBeamTV customers. For new users the cost is $9.99. The app requires macOS 10.10 or higher and is available at the Mac App Store (http://tinyurl.com/y9ogcpzn).

Zevrix Solutions has announced Graphic Inspector 2.3, a feature update to company's quality control solution for images and vector files. The utility is deigned to solve the problem of quickly finding files with specific resolution, color, spot channels, fonts and other attributes. The app can also search metadata, report image compression, and save search criteria in workflow specific presets. Version 2.3 lets users find images with specific bit depth and adds a new search operator for numeric values. Graphic Inspector can be purchased from the Zevrix website (www.zevrix.com) for $19.95. It’s free with purchase of PDF Checkpoint or InPreflight Pro for Adobe InDesign. A demo is available for download. Version 2.3 is a free update for users of version 2.x and $10 for earlier versions. Graphic Inspector requires macOS 10.5-10.12 (some features require macOS 10.7 or later).

On July 4, 1776, the United States declared its independence from Britain. Today MacTech and MacNews is closed in honor of Independence Day, the Fourth of July. We hope all our readers have a great day and that peace and freedom will flourish throughout the world.

Zevrix Solutions has announced LinkOptimizer 5.1, a feature update to company's workflow automation solution for Adobe InDesign. The tool allows to speed up processing and reduce the size of InDesign links by eliminating excess image data. The software can also perform image adjustments, convert file formats and help repurpose InDesign documents for web and mobile devices. Version 5.1 lets users open images with an app of user's choice and reveal them in Finder directly from LinkOptimizer. LinkOptimizer can be purchased from the Zevrix website (www.zevrix.com) for $259.95 (there's a "lite" version for $179.95. A demo is available for download. The update is free for LinkOptimizer 5.x users and $130 to upgrade from previous versions. LinkOptimizer requires Mac OS X 10.7-10.12 and Adobe InDesign/Photoshop CS5-CC 2017.

Zevrix Solutions has announced BatchOutput PPT 2.2.1, a feature update to company's output automation solution for Microsoft PowerPoint. The utility solves the problem of printing and saving of multiple presentations to PDF and offers batch processing, PDF security, image compression, variable file names and mores. The new version ensures that BatchOutput PPT restores the system's default printer after the processing of Word files is done if this option is selected in the Mac system preferences. BatchOutput PPT can be purchased for $19.95 from the Zevrix website (www.zevrix.com), as well as from authorized resellers. A demo is available for download. BatchOutput PPT requires macOS 10.5 - 10.12 and Microsoft PowerPoint 2008, 2011 or 2016.

Ohanaware has announced HDRtist NX 1.1, an update to the company’s High Dynamic Range Imaging software. It provides128-bit image processing utilizing multi-core processors and accelerated graphics hardware. HDRtist NX sports a large live editor with a split view, providing near real time performance while the images are being edited. One-Click Styles allow you to pick and choose a pre-made style. (you can also create and share your own). Version 1.1 supports RAW images from Apple’s Photos app, a new RAW processor, and several optimizations. HDRtist NX 1.0 (http://www.machdr.com) requires macOS 10.11 or higher. It costs $29.99.

Apple Taipei 101 opens Saturday at 11 a.m., bringing Apple’s products, services and in-store experiences to customers in Taiwan for the first time. At the heart of every Apple Store is the drive to educate and inspire in a space where the community can come together to learn. Apple Taipei 101 will host new “Today at Apple” programs, including more than 60 free hands-on sessions designed for customers of all ages to take their creative skills to the next level around topics including photography and video, art and design, music, coding and more. Earlier this month Apple announced the location with a barricade of hand-cut fabric by Taiwanese artist Yang Shih-Yi that depicts the Banyan tree, a traditional meeting place. Stickers of Yang Shih-Yi’s design are now available on the App Store for iMessage. Unveiled today, the store features Apple’s latest store design. The Forum, centered around the video wall, is a vibrant gathering space and home to the new “Today at Apple” sessions....

MyScript (www.myscript.com) has announced the enhanced MyScript Developer portal. The redesigned platform better enables developers to build next-generation applications that leverage digital writing across all popular OS platforms, according to Pierre Laporte, executive vice president, technology enablement, MyScript. The enhanced developer program eliminates the cost of entry for developers and reduces application time-to-market. Developers experience no cost to gain access to MyScript’s digital writing technology and to test the applications prior to release, says Laporte. The digital writing toolkits include:   ° MyScript Cloud Development Kit (CDK), which provides cloud-based recognition services and high-level web components to quickly integrate handwriting recognition into web applications.   ° MyScript Application Toolkit (ATK), which delivers high-level components and widgets to leverage handwriting recognition into native mobile applications. °  MyScript Software...

CS Odessa (www.conceptdraw.com) has announced a Tilt and Turn Windows Solution for ConceptDraw Pro 11, which is now available in Solution Park for $25. The Tilt and Turn Windows solution is a tool for window designations that specify style of window and its operation. Windows for homes and commercial applications come in a large assortment of functional styles and many forms of operation. The Tilt and Turn Windows Solution lets you specify the exact type of window that will be used in any situation. ConceptDraw Pro is compatible with macOS and Microsoft Windows and retails for $199. It’s included in ConceptDraw Office 4, which retails for $499.

Norbert M. Doerner has rolled out NeoFinder 7.1, an update of the macOS software for keeping track of digital files, photos, songs, movies, fonts on hard drives, USB sticks, servers, Blu-ray disks, DVD-ROMs, CDROMs, and any other digital media. The new version includes enhanced video cataloging, better workflow integration ("Open with..." menu and lossless image rotation), integrated Dropbox cataloging, and full support for Affinity Photo and Affinity Designer. The tool can now open any files with any programs — if the programs “understand” the file format. NeoFinder 7.x — which requires macOS 10.7 and higher — is a paid upgrade to licensed users of NeoFinder 6.x and CDFinder. Upgrade price starts at $19. Cross-grades for users of competing applications (DiskLibrary, FileFinder, CatFinder, Canto Cumulus, Disk Tracker, DiskCatalogMaker, Atomic View, iView Media Pro, Extensis Portfolio, and more) are available. A free NeoFinder demo version can be downloaded from the NeoFinder...

Apple has released the fourth beta version of watchOS 3.2.3, as well as minor developer's updates for iOS 11 and tvOS 11. They can be be downloaded from the Apple Developer Center.

MacFly Pro LLC (www.macflypro.com) has introduced MacFly Pro 1.0, a subscription-based Mac maintenance product. The “personal tech assistant” purportedly learns, with every use, from the user's habits for everyday tasks, software preferences and adjusts its recommendations accordingly. At the end of the day, your Mac gets a personalized maintenance treatment, according to the folks at MacFly Pro. It consists of two major parts. Cleaner can clean user and system caches, broken application data, media leftovers, and unneeded mail attachments. Manager handles old files on your Mac or finds any photo duplicates on the Manager page. MacFly Pro 1.0 pricing starts at $3.33/month for a yearly package. Early bird access to MacFly Pro is available with seven-day free trial option.

Zevrix Solutions has released Package Central 1.9.19, a feature update to company's packaging workflow automation tool for Adobe InDesign. The software automates InDesign packaging with hot folder processing. Package Central offers email notifications, variable packages, PDF export and more. Version 1.9.19 makes it easier to specify multiple addresses for email notifications, and addresses processing errors on some network servers. Package Central can be purchased for $149.95 from the Zevrix website (www.zevrix.com). A demo is available for download. Package Central requires macOS 10.7-10.12 and Adobe InDesign CS5-CC 2017.

One Stop Systems (OSS) has introduced the $999 ExpressBox 3T-V3 (http://tinyurl.com/ycjl4kwj), an expansion chassis with three full length PCIe slots. The EB3T-V3 is fully Thunderbolt certified and features plug and play installation. It can support any combination of x1, x4, x8 and x16 PCIe cards. The chassis features a hot-swappable cooling fan, and users can control fan speed and noise. The EB3T-V3 can provide up to 300W of power. The Magma ExpressBox 3T-V3 features a new PCIe Gen 3 backplane to better match the throughput available with Thunderbolt 3 and the majority of PCIe cards on the market, according to Steve Cooper, CEO of OSS. The expansion chassis contains three PCIe slots connected to the computer through a Thunderbolt 3 cable. You can add up to three PCIe cards to Magma ExpressBox 3T-V3.

Pioneer and Onkyo U.S.A Corp. have announces a new “Smart Mute” feature for the Rayz and Rayz Plus Lightning earphones (www.pioneerrayz.com), along with new Rayz Plus colors - black and rose gold - which are available exclusively at Apple.com and at Apple Retail stores worldwide for $99.95 and $149.95, respectively. Rayz Plus are Lightning earphones with an inline charging node that allows you to charge the iPhone and listen to music or talk at the same time. It uses Apple's newest Lightning audio technology, powered by Avnera's LightX platform. The new “Smart Mute” feature for Rayz and Rayz Plus automatically mutes the microphone when a user isn’t speaking and unmutes the microphone when the user begins speaking again. Users can get Smart Mute by downloading the latest Rayz app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch on the Apple App Store and performing a Rayz software update.

Felix Lisczyk has introduced SnipNotes (https://www.snipnotes.de/) for macOS, which extends the existing iOS app. It combines a configurable clipboard manager with an intelligent note-taking app. Users can save any content from their clipboard, websites and more. SnipNotes categorizes notes automatically based on their content and provides a set of actions for each type. SnipNotes takes advantage of many Mac technologies such as Handoff and the new Touch Bar. It requires macOS 10.12 or later. SnipNotes 1.0 for macOS is on sale for $3.99 until July 9 and $8.99 afterwards. The app is available worldwide exclusively through the Mac App Store in the Productivity category.

Apple has released second developer betas of iOS 11, macOS 10.13 High Sierra, watchOS 4, tvOS 11 and and Xcode 9. Developers can download the beta through the Apple Developer Center or the Software Update mechanism in the App Store.

Feral Interactive (www.feralinteractive.com) has released HitMan for the Mac. You can buy the game on the Feral Store for $59.99, or from Steam where HITMAN is currently 66% off. As Agent 47 you perform contract hits on powerful, high-profile targets in exotic locations around the world. Gameplay focuses on taking out targets in huge and intricate sandbox levels with complete freedom of approach. Hitman is rated “M” for blood, intense violence, sexual themes, strong language and use of drugs.

Eilert Janssen has announced Hej Stylus! 2.0 (https://hejstylus.com), an update to his macOS menubar application designed to make it easy for designers, illustrators and digital artists to configure and smooth out their stylus and graphics tablet output. The app acts as a control system for the user's graphic input. Version 2.0 offers a new pressure mapping function that takes the pressure output of a user's stylus and maps it along as either a linear or Bezier function. Hej Stylus! 2.0 requires macOS 10.10 or later and costs $15. A 24-hour free trial version of the app is available for download. Discounts are available for volume purchases.

CS Odessa (www.conceptdraw.com) has released a new transport hazardous warning solution for ConceptDraw Pro 11, which is now available in ConceptDraw Solution Park. The Transport Hazard Pictograms, as well as the GHS Hazard Solution, are a group of libraries that can be used to label containers, vessels, and work places of potentially dangerous contents. The Transport Hazard Pictograms Solution can be used to construct infographics, diagrams, warnings, and posters to comply with the OSHA HAZCOM Standard. The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) — developed and approved by the United Nations — contain a set of agreed icons, which transmit the information about the danger of various chemical goods. These icons are used at the storage, working and transportation of different chemicals and chemical materials. Depending on the purpose of application the icons are classified by types. The transportation of dangerous goods is comprised of a separate...

Pond5 (www.pond5.com) announced the availability of the Pond5 Add-on for Adobe Premiere Pro, a free plug-in available through the Adobe Premiere extension panel that makes royalty-free HD and 4K video as well as music and sound effects immediately accessible from directly within the NLE. There are more than seven million videos and over one million audio files that users can try out directly in any project, according to Jason Teichman, CEO of Pond5. Users can enter any search term to browse the collection, then narrow their search by price, duration, frame rate and more. Once a clip is selected, just drag it into the timeline to try it out. Content creators can edit, add filters and transitions, and experiment with as many clips as they like. All changes will be saved when the project is finalized. When an editor is happy with the files chosen, he or she can quickly replace low-res comps with hi-res files by purchasing directly in the app. All of the files will automatically be...