Monochrome 3.4.1 now available in the Mac App Store
Einstein's legacy (http://www.einsteinslegacy.com) has announced Monochrome 3.4.1, a feature update to their post-processing application for macOS.
It converts batches of images to grayscale, giving you control over the conversion and post-processing effects. You can create a consistent set of output images that can be shared and printed in a variety of ways. Version 3.4.1 contains a collection of bug fixes, a new user interface and more than two dozen new image effects.
Monochrome 3.4.1 requires macOS 10.11 or higher and costs $19.99. It’s available worldwide exclusively from the Mac App Store in the Photography category.
New System Clock for macOS by B-Eng available
B-Eng has introduced System Clock, the company's new system monitor and information utility for macOS.
It displays various system information as well as general data on a configurable clock surface. The design is that of an analog clock with additional hands for CPU load, battery state and memory usage. Additional weather information and weather forecast are embedded at the bottom of the clock face, with an icon for the current day and for three days in advance.
System Clock requires macOS 10.12 or newer. It costs $1.99 and can be purchased from B-Eng online (http://www.b-eng.ch).
LinkOptimizer for InDesign can now Include Image Color Mode in...
Zevrix Solutions has launched LinkOptimizer 5.0.19, a feature update to the workflow automation solution for Adobe InDesign.
The app allows users to 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 5.0.19 lets users automatically include the image color mode in the variable name of optimized link file.
LinkOptimizer can be purchased from the Zevrix website (www.zevrix.com) for $259.95 (there’s a “lite” for $179.95. A demo is available for download. The 5.0.19 update is free for LinkOptimizer 5.x users and $130 to upgrade from previous versions. LinkOptimizer requires macOS 10.7-10.12 and Adobe InDesign / Photoshop CS5-CC 2017.
Apple Dubai Mall opens April 27
Apple has premiered its newest store in the Middle East, Apple Dubai Mall, with a 186-foot curved storefront and balcony overlooking Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain.
Envisioned as a space for the community to gather, learn and be entertained, Apple Dubai Mall will serve as a venue to watch the spectacular evening fountain shows and host Apple’s new global in-store experience, "Today at Apple," said Angela Ahrendts, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail.
Like many of Apple’s other significant stores, Apple Dubai Mall aims to be open and transparent, blurring the barriers between inside and out, to erase the boundaries between the store and the community, she adds. To mitigate Dubai’s climate, Foster + Partners designed eighteen 37.5-foot-high motorized “Solar Wings” that respond to the ever-changing environmental conditions.
When the sun is at its hottest they cool the store, and in the evenings they open to welcome everyone to the public terrace. Inspired by the traditional...
‘Today at Apple’ launches in May
Apple has announced plans to launch dozens of new educational sessions next month in all 495 Apple Stores ranging in topics from photo and video to music, coding, art and design, and more.
The hands-on sessions, collectively called “Today at Apple,” will be led by highly-trained team members, and in select cities world-class artists, photographers and musicians, teaching sessions from basics and how-to lessons to professional-level programs.
“At the heart of every Apple Store is the desire to educate and inspire the communities we serve,” said Angela Ahrendts, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail. “‘Today at Apple’ is one of the ways we’re evolving our experience to better serve local customers and entrepreneurs. We’re creating a modern-day town square, where everyone is welcome in a space where the best of Apple comes together to connect with one another, discover a new passion, or take their skill to the next level. We think it will be a fun and enlightening experience for...
Matrox Video unveils X.mio3 and DSX LE4 developer products
Matrox Video (www.matrox.com) is introducing a new full-height form factor with regular size BNC connectors to their lineup of developer products. Available as the X.mio3 FH and DSX LE4 FH, the cards support four reconfigurable IOs plus genlock capabilities simplifying connection compatibility and providing flexibility for system integrators.
The full BNC version of the X.mio3 FH provides multichannel IO with hardware based video processing in a half-length PCI express card. The full BNC connectors support four reconfigurable IOs, from SD to 4K, along with support for AES/EBU, LTC and GPIO to provide for versatile connectivity, says Alberto Cieri, Matrox’s senior director of sales and marketing.
The multi-channel hardware processing accelerates compute-intensive operations including motion-adaptive de-interlacing, up/down/cross scaling and mixing/compositing for all resolutions, including 4K. Likewise, the full BNC DSX LE4 FH provides multichannel IO in a half-length PCI express card...
MovieBriefs 3.0.1 now available in the Mac App Store
Einstein's legacy has released MovieBriefs 3.0.1, an upgrade of the video transformation app for macOS. It creates a contact sheet that summarizes all or part of your movie.
The resulting image can be inspected or shared. The 3.0.1 update introduces a new workflow for creating on-demand summaries, a new project format, better high-resolution drawing and improved social media connectivity.
MovieBriefs requires macOS 10.11 or later. It costs $9.99 and is available worldwide exclusively from the Mac App Store in the Video category.
IGG Software releases Banktivity 6 for macOS
IGG Software has announced Banktivity 6 (https://www.iggsoftware.com/banktivity/), a new version of its personal financial manager for macOS.
The new version, designed from the ground up, brings requested features like workspaces, tags, quick reports, new Portfolio feature and other improvements. It makes it easier for customers to take control of their finances, says IGG President and founder Ian Gillespie.
Workspaces is a new feature that allows customers to put any account, budget, report or other view, side-by-side. Tags allow users to see and analyze spending habits across categories. Quick Reports let users see summarized information about their finances quickly and easily.
Find is a new, document-wide search feature. Portfolio is a new feature that gives quick access to the performance of investments.
Banktivity 6 costs $64.99. Customers upgrading from version 5 purchased either directly from IGG Software or the Mac App Store qualify for upgrade pricing of $29.99....
PDF Checkpoint can now split PDF files with automatic page...
Zevrix Solutions has announced PDF Checkpoint 1.7.21, a feature update to the PDF preflight and conversion solution.
The utility automatically preflights, saves as images, splits and optimizes multiple Adobe PDF files. The software can also convert PDF colors and helps users easily prepare files for print, web and mobile devices. Version 1.7.21 introduces automatic file renaming when splitting PDFs into pages in situations where files with original names already exist.
PDF Checkpoint can be purchased at the Mac App Store and Zevrix website (www.zevrixcom) for $39.95. The update is free to licensed users. A demo is available for download. PDF Checkpoint requires macOS 10.7-10.12.
CloudMounter 2.0 adds OpenStack Swift storage system support
Eltima has released CloudMounter 2.0 (http://cloudmounter.net/), an update to the Mac app that mounts cloud services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive and Amazon S3 on your Mac and connects to WebDAV, FTP/FTPS/SFTP servers.
This allows for access and management of data stored on them via Finder as if it were kept on your Mac's hard drive. Version 2.0 adds support for the OpenStack Swift storage system.
CloudMounter is compatible with macOS 10.10 and higher and costs $29.95. A demo is available for download.
Typinator 7.2 for macOS adds Citrix support
Ergonis Software has announced Typinator 7.2, an improved version of their text expander. The upgrade sports a new technique for fine-grained adaptations to applications that need special handling of expansions and improved timing and context validation. The new version also adds support for Citrix.
Typinator 7.2 requires macOS 10.6 or higher and can be purchased on the Ergonis Software website (www.ergonis.com). The upgrade to Typinator 7.2 is free for Typinator 7 license owners and for anyone who purchased a license for Typinator 6 on or after Jan. 1, 2016. Upgrade paths are available for owners of older licenses.
Cisdem Mac Data Recovery 4 adds optimized scanning algorithm
Cisdem has released Cisdem Data Recovery 4.0 for Mac. It’s an update of the tool to help you recover accidentally photos, documents, video, music, archive, and more.
The upgrade adds two new scan modes (Quick Scan and) Deep Scan, 20-plus new file formats and optimized Mac data recovery efficiency for some formats. A promotion for Mac Data Recovery 4 is running through May 4. A single-user license costs $44.99 during the period (the regular price is $49.99). Go to https://www.cisdem.com/data-recovery-mac.html for more info.
QNAP announces new NAS product
QNAP (www.qnap.com) is now shipping its Thunderbolt 3-connected TVS-1282T3 storage solution powered by the latest Intel 7t gen Kaby Lake multicore processor.
It provides a Thunderbolt 3 connection to the latest generation MacBook Pro (or Thunderbolt 2 with adapter) and personal computers fast enough for ingest and editing of 4K video, and the traditional NAS/IP-SAN convenience for file sharing, backup, and cloud access for clients and creative teams to collaborate on projects, says Erick Oliveros, marketing manager for QNAP.
It sports 12 drive bays (eight 3.5" HDDs and four 2.5" SSDs) and two M.2 SSD slots. This equates to over 80TB of fast storage (with 10TB HDDs) which can be accessed via four Thunderbolt 3 ports or two 10GbE Ethernet ports (four 1 GbE ports also on board). The TVS-1282T3 comes with either an Intel Core i5 3.4Ghz or Core i7 3.6Ghz processor and up to 64GB of RAM. The new TVS-1282T3 is currently shipping in the US and Canada markets.
Promise Technology adds new solutions to Pegasus, VTrak products
This week at NAB 2017, Promise Technology (www.promise.com) will showcase a range of solutions for creative professionals, from the independent editor to the largest media and entertainment organizations.
Promise will debut the Pegasus3 M4 Thunderbolt 3 RAID storage with flash devices and VTrak EFA 5310, an all-flash array storage system optimized for high bandwidth and extremely large data ingest rate. Additionally, Promise will showcase how its Apollo Cloud personal cloud storage device and VSkyCube hyperconverged system can be integrated into creative workflows. Promise's complete range of solutions will be on display at the company's product showcase at the NAB 2017 in Las Vegas (booth SL6821) from April 24 - 27.
Magma ExpressBox 3T-V3 with Thunderbolt 3 connectivity announced
One Stop Systems (www.onestopsystems.com) has introduced the ExpressBox 3T-V3, an expansion chassis with three full length PCIe slots. It features plug and play installation and 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 is designed to match the throughput available with Thunderbolt 3 and the majority of PCIe cards on the market today. The expansion chassis contains three PCI Express slots connected to the computer through a Thunderbolt 3 cable. Price and availability will be announced at a later date.
New developer betas of iOS 10.12.5, iOS 10.3.2, watchOS 3.2.2...
Apple has seeded the fourth betas of macOS 10.12.5 an iOS 10.3.2 and beta four of watchOS 3.2.2 for developers. The new beta versions can be downloaded through the Apple Developer Center or through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store.
Ombre 1.0.1 is now available in the Mac App Store
Einstein's legacy (http://www.einsteinslegacy.com) has introduced Ombre 1.0.1, an image transformation tool developed exclusively for macOS. It’s a creative tool for web designers, graphic artists and photographers.
Ombre lets you add radial or linear color gradient overlays to your images without altering the originals. You can drag'n drop (or copy) high-resolution images directly from the software to your application or the Finder. You can create new images using a background process while you continue to work on other projects.
Ombre requires macOS 10.11 or later. It costs $5.99 and is available worldwide from the Mac App Store in the Photography category.
Output Factory for InDesign revved to version 1.6
Zevrix Solutions has announced Output Factory 1.6, a feature update to its output automation solution for Adobe InDesign.
The software automates printing, exporting and preflighting from InDesign. It offers batch processing, export as single pages, layer versioning, variable file names, multi-format output and other time-saving features. Version 1.6 lets users easily reprint previously processed files directly from history, or convert them to PDF, EPS, HTML and other formats.
Output Factory 1.6 can be purchased from the Zevrix website (www.zevrix.com) for $169.95. There’s a “lite” version for $120, and a server version for $700. A demo is available for download. BatchOutput users can upgrade to Output Factory for $85. Output Factory requires macOS 10.7-10.12 and Adobe InDesign CS3-CC 2017.
DEVONthink To Go 2.1.3 uses new declutterer, brings automation
DEVONtechnologies has updatesd DEVONthink To Go, the iOS companion to DEVONthink for Mac, with enhancements and bug fixes.
Version 2.1.3 uses DEVONtechnologies' new decluttering service for clipping web pages and adds new settings for PDFs. It also improves automation with new URL commands and x-callback-url support. A new smart group lists items with comments, and email attachments are now shown separately so that they can be viewed and shared. The Apple Pencil support has been improved too.
DEVONthink To Go 2.1.3 costs $14.99 and is available worldwide exclusively through the Apple App Store in the Productivity category. Some features require a one-time in-app purchase. Customers find more information about the apps on the DEVONtechnologies website (http://www.devontechnologies.com).
AppGameKit DLC released to capture GameGuru assets
The Game Creators (www.thegamecreators.com) have released GameGuru Loader for AppGameKit providing a way to convert and load GameGuru levels into AppGameKit.
GameGuru Loader lets you link the building features of GameGuru with the smart coding commands of AppGameKit. Its editor allows you to create 3D scenes and assets such as terrains, skies, vegetation, buildings and everyday objects. Now all these assets can be converted and then loaded in and displayed in AppGameKit.
GameGuru Loader allows you to go mobile too. It includes a converter that scans all your GameGuru media, and optimizes it to a format ideal for mobile use.
BatchOutput for Microsoft Word adds new options to manage...
Zevrix Solutions has announced BatchOutput DOC 2.5, a feature update to its output automation solution for Microsoft Word.
The tool automates printing and exporting of multiple documents to PDF, and allows to carry out professional PDF production directly from Word. It offers batch processing, image compression, PDF security, variable file names and other options. Version 2.5 gives users an option to overwrite duplicate PDF files or assign unique names to preserve existing documents.
BatchOutput DOC can be purchased for $39.95 from the Zevrix Solutions website (www.zevrix.com), as well as from authorized resellers and the Mac App Store. A demo is available for download. The update is free for users of version 2 and $20 from version 1. BatchOutput DOC requires macOS 10.6-10.12 and Microsoft Word 2008, 2011 or 2016.
MetaRaw extends functionality of Adobe Camera Raw under macOS,...
The Plugin Site (www.ThePluginSite.com) has announced version 2.50 of MetaRaw, which is the first version that is also available for the Mac.
MetaRaw extends the functionality of the Adobe Camera Raw plug-in in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. It lets you open camera RAW files with Adobe Camera Raw, which are normally not supported by it, and allows applying Adobe Camera Raw to image layers.
In Photoshop Elements MetaRaw provides automatic lens correction and chromatic aberration removal features for Adobe Camera Raw. Additionally MetaRaw includes its own raw converter, which has some advantages over Adobe Camera Raw.
MetaRaw 2.50 now offers a version for macOS 10.6 and higher, which works in Photoshop CS3 to CC 2015 and Photoshop Elements 8 to 15. A future update will include support for Photoshop CC 2015.5 and 2017. With version 2.50 of MetaRaw 145 new camera models were added to the compatibility list, which now consists of more than 990 camera models.
MetaRaw requires Adobe...
L-com launches 900 MHz UP-series omni-directional antennas
L-com Global Connectivity (www.L-com.com), a manufacturer of wired and wireless connectivity products, has released a new line of Omni-directional antennas for use with 900 MHz wireless LAN, SCADA, wireless video links and 900 MHz cellular band applications.
The 900 MHz UP-series antennas are low-profile, high-performance, Omni-directional antennas designed for the 900 MHz ISM band. They feature an integral N-female-type connector and a slim, 20 mm diameter, white, UV-stable, fiberglass radome for added durability. These antennas are designed with a sealed, aluminum end cap and drain holes at the base to help prevent condensation build-up inside the antenna, which helps ensure reliable performance, says L-com Product Manager Mark Blackwood.
These antennas feature a rugged, industrial-grade design for all-weather performance. They include a mast mounting kit that consists of an extruded aluminum bracket and a pair of U-bolts for installation on masts up to 2.0" in diameter. To ease...
ATTO Technology ships new ThunderLink devices
ATTO Technology (www.atto.com) has launched new ThunderLink Thunderbolt 3 connectivity devices for both 16GB and 32GB Fibre Channel. The new devices allow customers to take full advantage of the increased bandwidth of Thunderbolt 3 with speeds of up to 2750 MB/s.
They sport ATTO’s proprietary Advanced Data Streaming (ADS) and MultiPath Director technologies. The introduction of ATTO’s 3322 Thunderbolt 3 to 32Gb Fibre Channel device and 3162 Thunderbolt 3 to 16Gb Fibre Channel device also enables users to future-proof their infrastructures, taking full advantage of 4K workflows while also benefitting from the latest generation of Fibre Channel connectivity.
SFP+ modules are included and have been tested for interoperability. The ThunderLink devices — compatible with macOS and Windows — come with a configuration tool to manage and monitor Thunderbolt products and ATTO HBAs from a single pane of glass.
ATTO’s new ThunderLink devices will be on display and used in live demonstrations in...
Aircharge to support iPhone wireless integration
Aircharge and the BMW Group have signed a global deal to provide an exclusive, customised Wireless Charging Case for iPhone to take full advantage of the new in-car wireless ecosystem, which debuted in the new BMW 5 Series Sedan earlier this year.
The 2017 BMW 5 Series is the first car on the market to be released with a completely wireless infotainment solution, meaning iPhones are able to wirelessly integrate with the BMW iDrive system by connecting to the car over Bluetooth instead of through a traditional Lightning cable.
Integrating the smartphone into the vehicle's system allows the iPhone to be operated directly via the screen in the car, the iDrive Touch Controller, voice commands or gestures, avoiding potential distractions whilst at the wheel. Where heavy usage of apps, navigation and music may translate in a drained battery at the end of the drive, the addition of wireless charging solves this issue by keeping the device fully powered whilst in operation.
With Apple yet to...
MovieMerge+ 3.0.1 available in the Mac App Store
Einstein's legacy (http://www.einsteinslegacy.com) has announced MovieMerge+ 3.0.1, a feature update to the video combination tool for macOS.
It’s designed to help video content creators who need a tool for organizing and joining a collection of video clips together into a single movie. Version 3.0.1 includes a variety of user interface updates, gesture-based tray management, and new sharing and preview options.
MovieMerge+ 3.0.1 requires macOS 10.11 or later. It costs $9.99 and is available for $9.99 at the Mac App Store in the Video category.
CNS Plug-ins releases FTPit Pro 3.0
CNS Plug-ins has released FTPit Pro 3.0, an update of its FileMaker Pro plug-in that adds 64-bit support, a FTP over SSH option, and more enhancements.
FTPit Pro is a FileMaker plug-in that uses FTP to transfer files to and from your computer. You can use it to upload static web pages to a website, download database upgrades from a centralized server, or write a complete FTP client within FileMaker itself. You can transfer text directly to or from fields in your database, and you can upload files that reside in container fields.
The Server Edition of FTPit Pro allows you to install and use the plug-in on FileMaker Server with all its capabilities. For example, you can now do things like transfer database backups to an offsite server directly from the FileMaker Server machine, use the plug-in with Web Direct, or harness Perform Script On Server from FileMaker Go devices. Download a copy today to explore the many features of this plug-in.
FTPit Pro is available immediately at http://...
Mach Software Design introduces Alien News for macOS
Mach Software Design (http://machsoftwaredesign.com/) has introduced Alien News 1.0 for macOS, a news reader app. Built from the ground up for tab and Touch Bar support, Alien News provides unlimited windows and Reddit accounts.
Users can search with a single click, leave comments, view their private messages, view saved articles, even view recent user activity and more. If you have a MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, top news stories will automatically scroll across the Touch Bar, mimicking the scrolling headlines on television news programs.
You can browse your favorite subreddits and discover new subreddits and articles under the Explore View. Virtually every button you see in the app can be Command-Clicked to open it in a new Tab. You can also right-click to open articles, comments, web pages, and subreddits in new windows. What’s more, Alien News includes a Dark Mode that switches the entire application to black with a single click.
Alien News requires macOS 10.12 or higher and a...
Sonnet's Echo Express III-D, Echo Express III-R available...
Sonnet Technologies (www.sonnettech.com) has announced that its $899 Echo Express III-D (desktop) and $999 Echo Express III-R (rackmount) Thunderbolt-to-PCI Express (PCIe) three-slot expansion chassis are now shipping with full support for Thunderbolt 3.
With the new interface, both systems enable users of Mac® computers equipped with 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, such as the new MacBook Pro, to take advantage of Thunderbolt 3's 2750 MB/s of PCI Express bandwidth to support more fully even the most demanding, highest-performance adapter cards, says Robert Farnsworth, CEO of Sonnet Technologies.
The Echo Express III-D and Echo Express III-R Thunderbolt 3 Editions provide one x16 and two x8 PCIe 3.0 slots to support three full-length, full-height, single-width PCIe cards. The III-D and III-R Thunderbolt 3 editions support the use of every Thunderbolt 3- and macOS-compatible PCIe card available, including professional video capture, audio interface, 16Gb and 8Gb Fibre Channel (FC...
Splitt 1.1.1 is now available in the Mac App Store
Einstein's legacy (http://www.einsteinslegacy.com) has released Splitt 1.1.1, a feature update to the video splicing application for macOS.
The app lets you cut your movies into an arbitrary number of segments. Splitt features include organization, segment previews and precise navigation mode, which gives you frame-accurate control over the length of each segment. Version 1.1.1 features a new segment preview panel, individual segment sharing and greater feedback for preventing errant segment creation.
Splitt 1.1.1 requires macOS 10.11 or higher. It’s available for $9.99 at the Mac App Store in the Video category
Theme Inn revamps bundle for MS Office template app
Theme Inn (http://themeinn.com/) has announced Office Mill - Templates Bundle for MS Office 5.9.5, an update to the theme app for macOS.
It offers over 2,900 designs for Word documents, 320 spreadsheet templates for Excel, 210 slideshow themes for PowerPoint, and 2,000 images for illustrating just about any content. Version 5.9.5 features over 150 previously unreleased designs as well, as a new product icon.
Office Mill - Templates Bundle for MS Office requires macOS 10.10 or higher. It costs $39.99 and is available worldwide through the Mac App Store in the Productivity category.
LaCie previews the 2big Dock Thunderbolt 3
LaCie (www.lacie.com) has previewed the next version of its 2big professional 2-bay RAID storage solution, which adds Thunderbolt 3 technology. Designed by Neil Poulton, it’s also a docking station that provides ports for connecting other devices.
Through a single cable, the LaCie 2big Dock simplifies and centralizes the desktop by directly connecting to a laptop, SD Cards, Compact Flash Cards and other devices. With up to 20TB of storage—a 25% increase over the previous version—the LaCie 2big Dock offers professionals enough space for large video and photo libraries including up to 650 hours of 4K 30fps footage or 200,000 raw images. With speeds of up to 440MB/s, users can transfer one hour of 4K footage in one minute.
Front-facing SD and CF Card slots allow users to directly ingest files off memory cards from a drone, DSLR, GoPro and other devices into Adobe Lightroom or Premiere Pro. The USB 3.0 hub charges a phone or connects a shuttle drive or digital camera to offload footage or...
Matrox announces new IP KVM technology
Matrox (www.matrox.com) has launched the Matrox Extio 3, which it describes as the world’s first IP KVM product supporting 4K60 4:4:4 video, keyboard, and mouse, as well as USB 2.0 and audio at low bit rates over standard Gigabit Ethernet. Complementing the current Matrox Extio and Avio product lines, the Extio 3 advances Matrox's offerings in high-performance KVM products for knowledge workers, says Caroline Injoyan, the company’s business development manage.
The Extio 3 is purportedly capable of providing 4K60 4:4:4, desktop-quality video at 5% of the bandwidth required by most other solutions available in the market today. It supports DisplayPort 1.2 connectivity with a maximum resolution of 3840x2160@60Hz in true color.
Compatible with existing network infrastructure, Extio 3 offers flexible deployment options; supporting both standard copper and fiber optic cabling. Integrable as a either a point-to-point or networked KVM extender, this new product creates a scalable and cost-...
Apple posts second public betas of macOS Sierra 10.12.5, iOS 10....
Apple has released the second public betas of macOS Sierra 10.12.5 and iOS 10.3.2 public beta number two. The former is a minor update that focuses on bug fixes and speed improvements.The latter offers under-the-hood bug fixes and security improvements.
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.
Deframe 2.1.1 is now available in the Mac App Store
Einstein's legacy (www.einsteinslegacy.com) has rolled out Deframe 2.1.1, a feature update to their video post-production utility for the Mac.
The app provides a way to extract, re-purpose and re-use the images and segments within your video assets. The 2.1.1 update introduces a number of user interface refinements, instant import for greater interoperability with the Finder and enhanced support for high-resolution imaging.
Deframe 2.1.1 requires macOS 10.11 or higher and costs $19.99. It’s available at the Mac App Store in the Video category.
Graphic Inspector now lets you choose your image editing app
Zevrix Solutions has announced Graphic Inspector 2.2, a feature update to its quality control solution for images and vector files.
The software solves the problem of quickly locating 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 2.2 lets users select image editing app of their choice instead of opening files with default program.
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. The 2.2 update is free for users of previous versions. Graphic Inspector requires macOS 10.5 and higher.
AKVIS releases NatureArt 9.0 for macOS, Windows
AKVIS (www.akvis.com) has released NatureArt 9.0 for macOS and Windows. It’s an update of the software for imitating natural phenomena on digital photos.
Version 9.0 provides better display capabilities by implementing a new interface with support for 4k and 5k displays. Additionally, the program offers full compatibility with Photoshop CC 2017.
On the Mac platform, NatureArt runs on macOS 10.7 and higher. The product is available as a standalone application and as a plug-in filter for image editors.
A NatureArt Home license sells for $72, a Deluxe license for $106, and a Business license for $189. One license key allows activating and using the software on two computers. A demo is available for download. Version 9.0 is a free upgrade for recent buyers, as well for those who bought “1 Year of Updates” during the last 12 month. Users whose license isn’t valid for the new version can get NatureArt 9.0 for $14.95.
Apple posts new developer betas of iOS 10.3.2, macOS Sierra 10....
Apple has released new developer betas of iOS 10.3.2 and macOS Sierra 10.12.5. Developers can download the beta through the Apple Developer Center or the Software Update mechanism in the App Store.
BudgetWrangler 1.8 update released for Mac and Windows
Sir Reel Pictures has released BudgetWrangler 1.8, a feature update to its personal budgeting and finance software for Mac and Windows. The upgrade boasts the use of multiple international currencies, as well as adds dozens of interface improvements.
Budget Wrangler 1.8 requires MacOS Yosemite or higher and Windows 7 or greater. For a limited time, it’s priced at $49.95 and can be downloaded from the product website (http://budgetwrangler.com).
PhotoStory 1.0.1 now available in the Mac App Store
Einstein's legacy (http://www.einsteinslegacy.com) has introduced PhotoStory 1.0.1, an image-to-video transformation app for the Mac. It turns a collection of images into a digital movie for use in promotion, storytelling or for creating time-lapsed applications.
PhotoStory features modern codecs, variable speed playback and a WYSIWYG [what you see is what you get] user interface. You can share the output movie using Vimeo, Facebook and other Internet services.
With PhotoStory, you can drag and drop images into the desired order for output or sort the collection according to name or date. Set the playback rate by hand or choose from almost 20 frame-rate-based preset options. Control the background color and placement of images within the frame of the output movie PhotoStory allows you to create new movies in a variety of formats for a range of devices and playback situations.
The app requires macOS 10.11 or higher. It’s available for $9.99 at the Mac App Store in the Video category.
Screen mirroring from Mac to Chromecast now available from...
The folks at AirBeamTV has released the Mirror for Chromecast app on the Mac App Store and on their website (https://www.airbeam.tv). Screen mirroring (sometimes called screen casting) allows you to see the screen of your Mac, or any external display connected to your Mac, on your TV.
The Mirror for Chromecast app works on Chromecast 1 and 2 devices and the new Chromecast Ultra. Because the connection between the Mac and the TV is based on Google Cast technology, the Mirror for Chromecast app also works on Smart TVs based on the Android TV operating system, such as the latest models from Sony and Philips, says Jan van Ottele, co-founder and CEO of AirBeamTV. Whatever you can play on your Mac, can also play on your Chromecast, he adds.
Mirror for Chromecast costs $9.99. A demo is available at the AirBeam TV website.
Synology introduces DiskStation DS1517+, DS1817+, and expansion...
Synology Inc. (www.synology.com) has launched the DiskStation DS1517+ and DS1817+, together with the Expansion Unit DX517. The scalable 5-bay and 8-bay tower servers offer a network-attached storage (NAS) solution for tech enthusiasts and small/medium-sized businesses.
The DS1517+ and DS1817+ include a PCIe slot, which allows users to install an optional 10GbE network interface card or Synology’s new M2D17 M.2 SATA SSD adapter. In addition, the DS1517+ and DS1817+ both come in 2GB and 8GB memory configurations, which can be upgraded to 16GB thanks to the accessible memory compartment.
Installing an additional network interface card allows enthusiasts and businesses to take advantage of up to two 10GbE ports to boost maximum throughput. When combined with the Intel Atom quad-core 2.4GHz processor and equipped with optional dual channel memory, DS1517+ and DS1817+ can deliver sequential throughput performance up to 1,179 MB/s reading and 542 MB/s writing speeds.
With the introduction...
Indigo Domotics debuts Indigo 7 for macOS
Indigo Domotics has released Indigo 7 (https://www.indigodomo.com/), an update to their smart home server for macOS. Included in this release is support for over 65 additional Z-Wave devices, including locks, thermostats, sensors, and lighting controllers.
Also new is improvements to the third party developer API (application programming interface), resulting in several new 3rd party plugins for integration with: LIFX, Nest, Philips Hue, Sonos, Amazon Echo, and Harmony Remotes. With Indigo, users can monitor and control lights, appliances, thermostats, locks, lawn sprinklers and dozens of other items found in the home.
Indigo 7 costs $249.95. Owners of some previous versions of Indigo are eligible for an upgrade discount. Also available is a demo version. Indigo runs on macOS 10.7 or greater.
Maintain serves up Cocktail 10.3.2 (Sierra Edition)
Maintain has served up Cocktail 10.3.2 (Sierra Edition), the latest maintenance update for users running macOS Sierra.
It’s a general purpose utility for macOS that lets users clean, repair and optimize their Macs. Version 10.3.2 adds the ability to disable caching in Safari, ability to show Other (users) button in the login window and ability to enable dark mode in Spotlight. It also fixes an issue where few settings were non-persistent and contains other stability improvements.
Cocktail (Sierra Edition) requires macOS Sierra 10.12 to run. It costs $19 for a single user license and available for purchase from the Maintain website (http://www.maintain.se/cocktail). A demo is available for download.
Apple updates iMovie and Final Cut Pro X for the Mac
Apple has updated iMovie and Final Cut Pro X for the Mac. Both are available at the Mac App Store
The iMovie upgrade (version 10.1.5) is mainly a maintenance upgrade that fixes an issue which could add a red tint to video imported from some camcorders. It also addresses an issue which prevented some videos shot on iPhone from appearing in the import window and improves performance and stability. iMovie is Apple’s $14.99 videography tool for consumers.
Its prosumer sibling, Final Cut Pro X ($299.99), has been revved to version 10.3.3. It adds: the ability to expand the width of the Inspector to view and adjust effect parameters; faster redraw of audio waveforms when using clips that are being imported while recorded to disk; a Diamond icon in the Timeline Index to show when the user has modified display of roles in the timeline; more color options in the Role Editor; and several bug fixes and performance tweaks.
BatchOutput for Microsoft Excel can now split Workbook into...
Zevrix Solutions has released BatchOutput XLS 2.4, a feature update to its output automation solution for Microsoft Excel. In addition to batch printing and PDF conversion, the software lets Mac users carry out professional PDF production directly from Excel and repurpose Office spreadsheets for web and mobile devices.
Version 2.4 lets users split Excel workbooks into single sheet PDF files, improves application of PDF color tone filters and enhances memory management. BatchOutput XLS can be purchased for $39.95 from the Zevrix website (www.zevrix.com). It requires macOS 10.6 or higher and Microsoft Excel 2008, 2011 or 2016.
Hover Camera Passport available at Apple online, retail stores
Zero Zero Robotics has announced that its flagship flying camera, Hover Camera Passport (Passport), is now available exclusively on Apple.com and in Apple stores in five countries (U.S., Canada, China, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom) for $499.95. Additional countries and regions will be added next month.
It’s a self-flying camera powered by proprietary artificial intelligence. The Hover Camera Passport Apple-exclusive bundle includes a Passport, the flagship travel-friendly size flying camera, along with the essentials: two batteries, one charger, adapter and a carry bag. Starting in select Apple stores today, customers can see a demonstration of Hover Camera Passport in flight and the use of the facial recognition and gesture control features.
According to MQ Wang, founder and CEO of Zero Zero Robotics, the Passport is now compatible with Apple video editing software including iMovie and Final Cut Pro X. By connecting your Passport to a Mac, you can download your photo and video...
Apple updates TestFlight, its iOS app tester
Apple has released an update to TestFlight (http://tinyurl.com/m6928dj), its free iOS app testing platform that’s part of iTunes Connect. It now provides multiple build support, enhanced group capabilities, and improved tester management—making it even easier to test your apps.
TestFlight now lets you distribute and test multiple builds at the same time, so testers can choose from a number of builds to test. What’s more, TestFlight groups have changed.
Apple says you can now do more with them, like create groups of TestFlight users, and each group can test a different build. To get you started, Apple has added all of your existing external testers to the group “External Testers,” which you can edit at any time.
Testers can continue testing a build when it goes live on the App Store. Apple says this minimizes disruptions. iTunes Connect users can also access all active builds, letting them seamlessly compare different builds and you can easily resend invitations to testers who have...
Total War: WARHAMMER coming to the Mac on April 18
Feral Interactive says Total War: WARHAMMER for macOS, powered by Metal, Apple’s new graphics API (application programming interface) will be released on Tuesday, April 18. The game was developed for Windows PC by Creative Assembly in partnership with Games Workshop, and published by SEGA.
Here’s how the game is described: “Total War: WARHAMMER for Mac, a game of grand strategy and high fantasy, is the union of three forces: Creative Assembly’s Total War series, Games Workshop’s magical setting of Warhammer Fantasy Battles, and Metal, innovative technology from Apple that brings impressive performance and graphics to Mac games.
“A fantasy strategy game of colossal proportions, Total War: WARHAMMER combines an addictive turn-based campaign of skillful empire-building with explosive real-time battles as players strive to conquer all at the head of one of four mythic Races.
“The deep and rich universe of Warhammer opens a new era for Total War by taking the series into a magical realm of...
VPN Unlimited now features DNS Firewall
KeepSolid has announced an VPN Unlimited (https://www.vpnunlimitedapp.com/) update to the virtual private network service. It provides online security with encryption along with high connection speed and with no restrictions.
Featuring DNS Firewall, this new version blocks malware, ads and tracking web resources. In addition to a VPN service, now VPN Unlimited has features for browsing the web securely, privately and protected.
VPN Unlimited is a cross-platform service, available for macOS, iOS, Android, Windows, Windows Phone, Linux, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. For the first two platforms, it’s available at the Apple App Store and Mac App Store. It’s free, but does tout in-app purchases.
