Zevrix Solutions (http://www.zevrix.com) has announced BatchOutput 3.7, an update to its professional solution to automate printing and exporting to various formats from Adobe InDesign. The upgrade offers a new way to combine automatic output and digital delivery. With BatchOutput 3.7, the final output files such as PDF, EPS and JPEG can be automatically sent to FTP and local destinations using File Courier, a professional digital delivery solution from Zevrix with advanced features. BatchOutput automates InDesign output workflow of printers, ad agencies, service providers and publishing houses. With the software, users can select the files to output and adjust the settings, instead of opening and printing each document manually. For example, BatchOutput can be left to output hundreds of InDesign files overnight, and the completed job can be picked up next morning. BatchOutput also allows users to output InDesign documents as single pages, update links automatically, and output files...

Fast-teks (http://www.fastteks.com), an on-site computer services company, and Gillware Data Services (http://www.gillware.com), an online data backup provider, have teamed up to offer a unique remote backup solution to Fast-teks’ customers.   Gillware’s Remote Backup technology is a multifaceted business-grade backup solution designed to protect mission critical data from permanent loss, says Fast-teks Chief Technology Officer Christopher Tain. Data are backed up remotely using secure Internet connections.

PacketVideo has updated its TwonkyBeam (http://www.twonkymedia.com) connected home solution to version 1.21, adding support for Mac and Firefox users. Firefox and Mac users can now beam media from sites such as YouTube, Flickr and Last.fm to connected devices throughout the home. Separate downloadable versions of TwonkyBeam are now available for PC users running the Internet Explorer browser, Mac users running the Firefox browser, and PC users running the Firefox browser. What's more, as of version 1.21, the software now supports more high definition YouTube videos, beaming the highest resolution video available on YouTube pages. When HD video is unavailable, TwonkyBeam automatically selects the next highest quality level for streaming to devices. Additionally, TwonkyBeam now works better than ever with an expanded number of devices such as Yamaha MusicCAST2 wireless multi-room music systems, and hundreds more. And users can now beam music from sites such as Last.fm to PlugPlayer...

Apple has hired Matt Casamassina of IGN to serve as the global editorial games manger for its iTunes App Store, reports "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com). Casamassina got started in covering gaming when he launched N64.com, a site that was later bought by IGN, the article adds. After 13 years of reviewing games and covering the industry, he's known to many readers in the gaming industry as a prime source for information about Nintendo. In a blog posting (http://mouthonfire.com/?p=34d), Casamassina had this to say: "Anybody who has read my work through the years will know that I’ve long been a huge Nintendo fan, but if there is one company that could entice me away from covering Mario and Zelda it’s the one owned by Steve Jobs. Beginning early May, I will join Apple as global editorial games manager, App Store. In a nutshell, I will be leading the charge for games on the App Store, so whether you browse through iTunes, iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad, the games content you see...

SugarSync -- makers of the SugarSync file sync, backup and file sharing service, -- say they now host more than two petabytes of user data. “This significant milestone highlights the trend toward mainstream adoption of combination cloud sync/back up services,” says CEO Laura Yecies. “It also validates the scalability of our infrastructure and service." SugarSync also released a handful of key statistics to further illustrate its growth. From March 2009 – March 2010, the amount of customer data added on a daily basis to SugarSync’s private secure data centers more than quintupled, from 1 terabyte/day to 5 terabytes/day. Average inbound traffic multiplied from 189 Mbps/day to 743 Mbps/day. As an incentive for new customers to try all of SugarSync’s new features, the company also announced a special offer: new users can earn an extra free 1GB of space simply by sharing on social media which feature encouraged them to download the service. SugarSync’s referral program also offers users...

RE:Vision Effects (http://www.revisionfx.com) has announced that FxPlug versions of FieldsKit and ReelSmart Motion Blur are now available, and that new FxPlug versions of Twixtor and DE:Noise have been released. The Effections bundle for Final Cut Pro has also been updated. FieldsKit (US$89.95 and now up to version 3.0) uses proprietary field reconstruction and adaptive motion techniques to build full frames from fields. You can upgrade the FieldsKit After Effects-compatible version to the FxPlug version for $29.97. Version 3.0 adds support for 8-bit and 10-bit YUV and floating point processing. It's compatible with Final Cut Pro 6.03 and up and Final Cut Express 4.0.1 and higher. ReelSmart Motion Blur (RSMB) automatically adds more natural-looking motion blur to a sequence. It's designed to give video a more film-like feel, and is also useful to reintroduce motion blur for blue or green screen shoots where a fast shutter is necessary to pull a good key. Now up to version 4.0, the...

Apple’s iPhone shipments to Japan more than doubled in the past year, capturing 72%of the country’s smartphone market, reports "Bloomberg" (http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-04-23/apple-iphone-captures-72-of-...). Shipments of the iPhone, which began selling in Japan in July 2008, climbed to 1.69 million units in the year ended March 31, per Tokyo-based MM Research Institute Ltd. said in a report yesterday. That raised the total to 2.3 million, Hideaki Yokota, an analyst at the research firm, told "Bloomberg." The iPhone helped smartphone sales more than double last fiscal year in Japan as shipments of regular mobile phones shrank, according to the report. Smartphone shipments will probably exceed three million units in the 12 months started April 1, even as the overall market is forecast to contract for a third year, per MM Research.

Equinux (http://www.equinux.com) has expanded its TV software The Tube to version 2.9.6. which supports several new TV receivers. In addition to existing DVB-T/DTT devices from Hauppauge and PCTV, The Tube users can also now use the Nova-S USB digital satellite television (DVB-S) TV receiver with their Mac. With The Tube 2.9.6 Mac users can now watch and record digital and analog TV via DVB-T, DVB-C, DVB-S and  analog cable, while chatting live with other viewers via TubeTalk. Browsing through the many TV stations is made easier with an integrated channel search function that allows you to flick through channels using keyboard shortcuts (channel number + Enter). Users of The Tube in the US can now use the electronic program guide from Tribune. The Tube contains a plug-in for the TMS Data Direct TV service, and users can manage their channel lists via a web interface. The Tube 2.9.6 now supports 42 TV receivers from several manufacturers. In addition to Hauppauge's Nova-S receiver,...

CinemaView (http://www.cinemaview.com) says its new US$399, 24-inch LCD display for Mini DisplayPort Macs is now shipping. It works with any Mini DisplayPort equipped Mac and provide a full HD 1920x1080 work space that connects natively, without adapters. Since Apple transitioned its entire Mac product line to the new Mini DisplayPort jack for connecting external displays no manufacturer has offered plug-compatible display products. Also, no display maker has adopted Apple's current industrial design theme of aluminum, black, and glass in products aesthetically matched to current Macs, according to the folks at CinemaView. The new CinemaView includes a 4-port powered USB 2.0 hub, and an all-in-one cable that provides Mini DisplayPort, USB 2.0, and DC power. Its UniFrame Aluminum construction is designed to match the look of current Apple computers.

"MarketWatch" (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/apple-passes-microsoft-for-second-place...) is reporting that Apple, as of Thursday, overtook Microsoft and became the second-largest company, in terms of market capitalization, on the S&P 500 . Apple trails Exxon Mobil, according to Standard & Poor's index services unit. However, "MarketWatch" notes that the S&P 500 is float-adjusted, so it doesn't use the full market basis for Microsoft. Apple's float-adjusted market cap reached US$241.5 billion, surpassing Microsoft Corp.'s index market value of $239.5 billion, said Standard & Poor's. Exxon still remains in the top spot on the S&P 500 with a market cap of more than $300 billion. What is market capitalization? It's an estimation of the value of a business obtained by multiplying the number of shares outstanding by the current price of a share.

In this week's poll, we're asking what product you'd like to see Apple concentrate on next. The poll is located on the right hand side of the home page beneath the Macsimum Opinion column. In our last poll, we asked if you still needed an optical (CD/DVD drive) on your Mac. Seventy-eight percent of you said "yes," and 22% said "no."

Zevrix Solutions (http://www.zevrix.com) has updated File Courier, a digital delivery solution for Mac OS X (10.4.2 and higher) with timesaving options, to version 1.5.4. The upgrade fixes a bug in which files could not be processed by dropping them on the File Courier icon. File Courier delivers files and folders to FTP and local destinations and sends automatic e-mail delivery notifications. The e-mail messages are based on variable templates and contain the detailed info about the item and its location. The software can also create a low-res version of a PDF file and attach it to e-mail, compress folders and protect deliveries with password. File Courier is designed to automate and simplify the process of preparing, sending and confirming delivery to free up users from time consuming, tedious manual tasks which can also lead to mistakes and miscommunication between a sender and a recipient, according to the folks at Zevrix. With File Courier, users only need to drop a file or a...

In less than a month since the last Mac OS X release (10.6.3), Apple is apparently pushing forward with plans to update Snow Leopard to version 10.6.4. "iPhone in Canada" (http://www.iphoneincanada.ca/iphone-news/apple-to-begin-mac-os-x-10-6-4-...) says it has received reports that Apple is preparing to begin testing the next main revision of Snow Leopard. It's not known how long this build period will last. However, "if the last period is any indication, the 10.6.4 period could take us into the early summer of 2010," says "iPhone in Canada."

One of the hot rumors of the week is that Apple is considering buying ARM, a company whose chip designs are in the iPhone. But the US company's head honcho is squashing those rumors. CEO Warren East says that, with ARM's market capitalization at more than £3bn why fork out a fortune to own it when Apple and others can license the designs at a fraction of that? "Exciting though it is to have the share price pushed up by these rumours, common sense tells us that our standard business model is an excellent way for technology companies to gain access to our technology. Nobody has to buy the company," East told the "Guardian" (http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/marketforceslive/2010/apr/22/armholdi...).

NewPCgadgets (http://newpcgadgets.com/) has introduced the US$12.95 Vanity Plate for the iPad. It offers a custom look while providing contact information if you lose or misplace the Apple device. Its 1 x 2 inch stainless steel plate fits into any corner of your case and attaches with a double-sided acrylic adhesive. The Vanity Plate comes with two lines of text that you customize. NewPCgadgets has also introduced several other new products for the iPad including, the very iPad Pedestal Base. The $29.95 Pedestal Base has the same look and feel as the expensive acrylic bases that Apple features in their retail outlets. The $44.95 Security Case for the iPad is a form-fitting case that lets you lock your iPad to prevent access by co-workers, friends or classmates.

Apple will be hosting the 2010 iTunes Festival (http://www.itunesfestival.co.uk/) this summer at Camden’s Roundhouse in London. Over 60 artists have been invited to perform 31 consecutive nights. Every show will be recorded and made available on iTunes. The opening three nights have just been announced featuring the Scissor Sisters, Tony Bennett and Ozzy Osbourne. All of the other nights will be announced via Facebook, Twitter and email alerts over the coming weeks. Tickets for these shows are available for free to iTunes customers and fans through competitions. For details of how you could there be in person go to http://www.itunesfestival.co.uk/lineup.php .

Prime View International (PVI) may become a panel supplier for the iPad through its Korea subsidiary Hydis' fringe-field switching (FFS) technology, "market sources" have told "DigiTimes" (http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20100422PD215.html). Other Taiwan-based panel makers, such as AU Optronics, Chimei Innolux Corporation and Chunghwa Picture Tubes, with their VA (vertical alignment) and MVA (multi-domain vertical alignment) technologies, are unlikely to become Apple's suppliers in the mean time, the article adds. LG Display (LGD) is the major panel supplier for Apple's iPad, the sources told "DigiTimes." However, Apple has reportedly recruited more suppliers, including Samsung Electronics, which is starting to ship iPad panels this month. Seiko Epson has also purportedly become a panel supplier for the iPad, and may start shipments in April or May.

The iPad is already selling well in Asia even though it won't officially be launched there until the end of May. Specialty stores are obtaining the devices and reselling 'em at premium prices, reports the IDG News Service (http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9175913/Apple_s_iPad_sells_well_i...). The article says that the tablet device is on sale at two stores near the main electronics bazaar in Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan. Taiwanese consumers are paying a premium to get their hands on an iPad early. The two Taipei stores maintain identical prices, $800 for the 16GB model, $925 for the 32GB version and $1,020 for the 64GB iPad. Apple lists the U.S. retail prices at $499, $599 and $699, respectively. Estimates of how many iPads have been shipped or carried outside the U.S. range into the tens of thousands, and one analyst speculated the figure could be much higher, Allen Nogee, wireless technology analyst at market researcher In-Stat tells IDG.

Digiarty Software has released WinX DVD Ripper for Mac (http://www.winxdvd.com/dvd-ripper-for-mac/), DVD ripping software for Mac OS X users to rip both encrypted and non-commercial DVDs to Mac MP4, MOV, iTunes, iLife and portable devices like the iPod, iPad, iPhone, PSP, Apple TV, etc. It also lets users to extract audio from the DVD video files and save as MP3 format. This Mac DVD Ripper works for any DVD sources by removing the copy protections, even the new generation DVD copy protections which are widely used in the newly released DVD movies published by Disney, Paramount, Warner, etc., according to the folks at Digiarty. Besides the ability of ripping DVD to iTunes, MOV, MP4, it also purportedly allows users to make 1:1 DVD copy to hard drive with 100% original video, AC-3/DTS surrounding audio within five minutes. What's more, edit functions are also included in WinX DVD Ripper for Mac, so that users can customize personalized videos, such as the ability to select subtitles...

lynda.com, an online training provider of computer skills education for consumers, businesses and schools, has released the FileMaker Pro 11 New Features course to support the launch of FileMaker Pro 11. With the release of the updated database software, lynda.com has released a 2.5 hour course exploring the new tools and features with database professional and Authorized FileMaker Professional Trainer Cris Ippolite. He reviews many new features of the software, including the Favorite File Manager that allows for quick access to regularly used files, a Quick Find application for better search capabilities, a Manage Layout window allowing for value filtering to access layouts, and the Inspector tool for efficiently designing a database. To view the free segments of File Maker Pro 11 New Features Course, and for more detailed product information, please visit http://www.lynda.com/home/DisplayCourse.aspx?lpk2=61686 . Online Training Library membership plans start at US$25 a month.

Targus (http://www.targus.com) has announced new compact chargers for laptops, netbooks and other mobile devices such as smartphones, cell phones, iPads, iPods, MP3 players, and portable game players. They can charge multiple devices simultaneously at home, in the office, on the road, in an airplane, boat or car. The new line of laptop chargers are designed to be versatile as well as eco-friendly. With the Tips from Targus program, the chargers can be upgraded to work with other mobile devices in the household, or new laptops purchased in the future at no charge (shipping and handling fees apply).  In addition, the product has been designed with next generation technology to dramatically reduce the size and provide a flexible, modular platform for different types of usage modes and charging needs. The elimination of the AC cord, for example, not only reduces bulk when traveling, but also allows the power adapter to be out of the way when being used at home or the office, says Carolyn...

SmileOnMyMac has released PageSender 4.6 (http://www.smileonmymac.com/PageSender/), an update of its fax software for Mac OS X. The upgrade adds eight fax-via-email services, including Concord Fax and Rogers Business Internet Fax. PageSender 4.6 also fixes a possible hang when viewing incomplete received faxes, and features other minor fixes and improvements. PageSender 4.5 costs US$39.95 (though version 4.6 is a free update for registered users of version 4.x. Registered users of previous versions can upgrade for $20. A fully-functioning demo version is available for download.

CS Odessa, developer of ConceptDraw MindMap, a mind mapping product and part of ConceptDraw’s business suite, ConceptDraw Office, is now available with a Japanese language interface. All supported language interfaces are available within a single product and there's no need to download or install a specific language product variation. Support for each language version is released at the same time, so users may utilize full support at time of purchase. ConceptDraw MindMap for Macintosh currently supports English, German, French, and Japanese languages; ConceptDraw MINDMAP for Windows supports English, German, French, Russian (new) and Japanese languages. In addition, ConceptDraw MINDMAP includes built-in language dictionaries to support mind map content in other languages, such as Spanish and Portuguese. All customers of ConceptDraw MINDMAP 6 may receive a no-charge update to new language interfaces by downloading the most recent version of the product at http://www.conceptdraw.com/...

The Apple-Google competition just gets more interesting. Google has purchased startup firm Agnilux, a San Jose company founded by a number of defectors from P.A. Semi, the chip company Apple bought in 2008, according to a "peHUB" report (http://www.pehub.com/69556/google-buys-stealth-hardware-startup-agnilux/). On April 22, 2008, it was made public that Apple had agreed to buy a boutique microprocessor design company called PA Semi for US$278 million. The company was known for its design of sophisticated, low-power chips. Many of P.A. Semi’s chip developers stuck with Apple, but others -- including some system-level folks -- launched a stealth startup called Agnilux, funding it with proceeds from the Apple acquisition, says "peHUB." The article adds that Agnilux previously held strategic investment talks with companies like Cisco, Microsoft and Texas Instruments.  "We have not yet been able to confirm pricing terms, although assume it must have been a big deal to convince the Agnilux...