rubiTrack update for Mac OS X adds complete equipment management...
Toolsfactory software has released rubiTrack 2.2 (http://www.rubitrack.com), an update of the GPS enabled activity tracking software for the Mac OS X. The upgrade adds complete equipment management and automatic equipment tracking. rubiTrack automatically tracks total mileage, total duration, usage count and provides automated maintenance warnings.
rubiTrack 2.2 also brings additional improvements for importing an even wider range of input formats including equipment data. Plus, it improves performance of chart and track view, adds usability features to the track view and fixes issues of previous releases.
Utilizing the latest Mac user interface technologies, rubiTrack lets you display, analyze and organize your outdoor activities. rubiTrack is for runners, bikers, walkers, hikers, skiers and everyone else who logs GPS data. rubiTrack reads tracks from GPS enabled fitness devices like the Garmin Forerunner, Garmin Edge and compatible devices.
rubiTrack is compatible with Mac OS X 10.5...
Kensington introduces three new iPad accessories
Kensington has announced three new iPad accessories. The US$24.95 PowerBolt Micro Car Charger for iPad (http://us.kensington.com/html/17712.html) lets you charge your iPad, iPhone or iPod while on the go.
The $9.99 Kensington Reversible Sleeve (http://us.kensington.com/html/17157.html) is designed to protect your iPad and look good doing while doing it. A soft neoprene construction provides cushioning that protects against bumps and scratches. The Reversible Sleeve is slim enough to slip into a backpack or case.
The $19.99 Kensington Sling Bag for iPad (http://us.kensington.com/html/17711.html), which is pictured, lets you slide in your iPad, sling it over your shoulder and head out. It has room for your iPad and some essentials.
FmPro Migrator upgrade adds Database to Rev conversion feature
.com Solutions has announced FmPro Migrator Platinum Edition 5.5.7 (http://www.fmpromigrator.com/products/fmpro_migrator/index.html) with a new Database to Rev conversion feature.
The Database to Rev Conversion Service generates a Rev database front-end application from FileMaker Pro and Microsoft Access database files. This feature y converts layouts, scripts, relationships, and value lists into a Rev database application for building Mac OS X, Windows, Linux desktop apps, web browser revLets or revMobile apps.
FmPro Migrator Platinum Edition is priced at US$600 per developer and includes a copy of FmPro Migrator Platinum Edition for both MacOS X (Universal Binary) and Windows platforms. Existing FmPro Migrator Developer Edition customers may upgrade to FmPro Migrator Platinum Edition for $400.
Vinotekasoft uncorks Vinoteka 1.6.3 for Mac OS X
Vinotekasoft has uncorked Vinoteka (http://www.vinotekasoft.com) 1.6.3, an update of their wine cellar management software for Mac OS X. The upgrade offers improvements of the German localization and bug fixes.
Vinoteka costs US$34.90 for a single user license. You can get a family pack for $79.90 or a business pack for $109.90. Version 1.6.3 is a free update for registered users.
Adobe has released Flash Builder 4
Adobe has released Flash Builder 4 (http://www.adobe.com/products/flashbuilder), a new suite of web development tools that replaces Flex Builder. It costs US$699; upgrades from previous versions of Flex Builder are $299.
Adobe Flash Builder 4 is designed to help software developers rapidly develop cross-platform rich Internet applications (RIAs) and content using the open source Flex framework. It includes support for intelligent coding, debugging, and visual design and features powerful testing tools that speed up development and lead to higher performing application.
Adobe Flash Builder 4 is available for Mac OS X and Windows. A demo is available for download.
TaskCard for Mac OS X adds file attachment feature, more
The Alchemist Guild has released the latest version (1.3) of TaskCard (http://www.taskcardosx.com), a task management application for Mac OS X. Among other various improvements, the new version includes two long awaited features: file attachments and the ability to drag cards onto other sheets.
Attachments let you add any file on your Mac to a card like a normal task so you can keep references to them along side your notes. Files can be dragged from the Finder or other applications onto a card then appear with their icon and file name like a normal task. If you need to view or edit the attachment simply double-click on the attachment and it will be opened like it was double-clicked in the Finder. Optionally, if you want to reveal the file in the Finder click the arrow icon next to attachments name.
Also, the new version adds the ability to drag cards to other sheets. Dragging a card over the sheets thumbnail image will shrink the card over the sheet and move it completely when dropped...
PrintSprint update for Mac OS X adds support for local photo...
Blue Lamp Software (http://bluelampsoftware.com/printsprint/) has updated PrintSprint, a Mac OS X utility for users who want prints from their digital photos, to version 1.5. The upgrade adds support for the local printing of your photos and corrects wallet sized photos to 2.5 x 3.5 inches
According to the folks at Blue Lamp Software, PrintSprint makes it simple to select photos, set the print size, quantity, and crop and then generate your order. It never modifies your originals and it works with your organizational system so it doesn't matter if you're using iPhoto, Aperture or have your photos on your hard drives or CDs.
PrintSprint requires Mac OS X 10.5 ("Leopard") or higher. A demo is available for download. PrintSprint costs US$19.95, but version 1.5 is a free update for registered users.
Over 190,000 iPads pre-ordered
After Apple began taking pre-orders for the iPad, 190,000 orders were placed within the first week. That rate slowed to 5,000 per day as Apple begins offering school discounts, reports "Fortune" (http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2010/03/20/ipad-week-1-19000...).
Apple racked up pre-orders at the rate of more than 25,000 units per hour early Friday, March 12, when the iPad went on sale, according to the team tracking order numbers at Investor Village's AAPL Sanity board. By Sunday, the initial frenzy had cooled, reports "Fortune." The pre-order rate slowed to 30,000 units per day on Monday, 10,000 on Wednesday and 5,000 on Thursday.
The iPad -- now available for pre-order -- is due to hit the stores April 3. At least the Wi-Fi only versions will; the Wi-Fi + 3G model will hit US store sleeves in late April. In addition, all models of iPad will be available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK in late April.
The Wi-Fi iPad...
Worldcloud announces FileMaker hosting
Worldcloud (http://www.worldcloud.com), a provider of cloud computing and dedicated server solutions, has announced the availability of FileMaker 11 hosting on both shared and dedicated platforms.
Drawing on the native capabilities of FileMaker 11 Server Advanced, hosting of FileMaker is now possible via your own Java control panel, with access to all features of the database engine, including upload database, open/close, view logs, monitor connections. disconnect users, define schedules/scripts, send messages and access to the php Site Assistant. When hosted at worldcloud.com, users will also immediately benefit from the improved Instant Web Publishing (IWP) capabilities of FileMaker Server 11 Advanced, according to Kris Keppl of Worldcloud.
Hosting packages are available in 1-4, 5, and 15 database quotas, as well as Dedicated Server single, dual and triple server deployments for FileMaker Server 11 Advanced. All packages are available on 30 day free-trial."
CosmoPod Safari extension update sports new QT movies...
Cocoamug Software, developers and publishers of great Mac software, has released CosmoPod 4.3 (http://www.cocoamug.com/cosmopod/index.html), an update of the Safari extension that lets you download Flash videos from web sites such as YouTube, Vimeo, DailyMotion, etc.
The upgrade sports a new QuickTime movies interpreter that just works with tutorial movies and trailers from Apple. Also, the CosmoPod toolbar button now features a menu.
CosmoPod can automatically convert downloaded files to an Apple device friendly format, tag them and add them to iTunes. Additionally, you can convert most video already on your hard drive via drag and drop so can be used as a tool to import your DVD collection to your Mac, iTunes, AppleTV, and iPhone.
CosmoPod costs US$12. Version 4.3 is a free update for registered users of version 4.x. CosmoPod 3 and earlier users can upgrade for $3.90.
Everything HerePlus releases 13-port USB external hub
EverythingHerePlus has released a 13-port Hi-Speed USB 2.0 External Hub (http://www.everythinghereplus.com/electronics/13-port-hi-speed-usb-2-0-e...). It costs US$33 and is available in black and white.
Fully USB 2.0 compliant and USB 1.1 backward compatible, it supports low, full, and high speed USB devices and works with any system that supports the USB specification. One of the 13 downstream ports is on top of the unit, and folds down for access to portable USB thumb Drives.
Providing 13 downstream ports in total, these hubs features plug and play installation and transparent operation. This hub comes with a free power supply with a four ampere capacity, and USB 2.0 cable to connect to a host computer.
Jobs joins Schwarzenegger to promote organ donor registry
Saying a liver transplant saved his life, Apple CEO Steve Jobs helped convince California lawmakers to draft organ donation legislation, unveiled at Stanford's Lucile Packard Children's hospital Friday morning, reports the "Silicon Valley Mercury News" (http://www.mercurynews.com/business-headlines/ci_14710378).
His decision to go public with his transplant to help others was applauded by the Governor, Arnold Schwarznegger, who is advocating for passage of the bill.
The bill, SB 1395 by state Sen. Elaine Alquist, D-San Jose, requires Californians who are applying for or renewing their drivers license to affirmatively accept or decline becoming a donor. The current system takes a more passive approach, merely providing a pink sticker to affix to a license, says the "Mercury News."
The legislation would also create the nation's first "living donor registry," allowing altruistic people to sign up to offer one of their kidneys to a sick person. Kidney donation is relatively safe and does...
March 27 is deadline to submit first iPad apps for approval
If you're a developer planning an iPad app and want it to be available on April 3 (when the iPad hits stores), you need to have it to Apple by March 27, 5 pm (Pacific).
Apple is encouraging developers to "submit your iPad app now for an initial review by the App Review Team and receive feedback on its readiness for the grand opening." Developers should build and test their iPad app using iPhone SDK 3.2 beta 5 available on the iPhone Dev Center (http://developer.apple.com/iphone/index.action). Only iPad apps built with iPhone SDK 3.2 beta 5 will be accepted for this initial review.
The Apple App Review Team will review your app on iPad and email you details about the readiness of your app.
Bookmakers: iPad's debut unlikely to outdo that of the...
The odds are stacked against the iPad reaching sales of one million as quickly as the iPhone did, YouWager.com, an online bookmaker says.
The iPhone, which went on sale in June 2007, took 74 days to get to the one million mark. The iPad, a tablet device that debuts on April 3, has a 72 percent probability of taking longer than that, according to YouWager.com, which began taking bets on the topic this week.
"No matter what they put out on the market, there’s going to be large sales, but with this particular product, we don’t think it’s as practical as the iPhone,” Brian Sanz -- who works on wagering, auditing and research development for YouWager.com -- told "Bloomberg" (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=conewsstory&tkr=AAPL%3AUS&sid=apJ...).
What's more, "Bloomberg" reports that Paddy Power, Ireland’s biggest bookmaker, has open betting with 3-to-1 odds that iPad sales will surge past six million in 2010. On the other end of the spectrum, the firm has 8-to-1 odds that...
iPad ad during the Academy Awards gets mixed reviews
The Brandweek Buzz Report by YouGov (http://www.brandweek.com) is a weekly consumer perception report that analyzes the most talked about brands based on buzz. In evaluating the ads broadcast during the recent Academy Awards, Apple's iPad ad received mixed reviews.
Apple took the wraps off its first commercial for the iPad. The ad featured a highly syncopated overview of everything the device to the tune of “There Goes My Love” by The Blue Van.
When the product was first unveiled in January, the consumer reaction was quite mixed. That seems to have carried over two months later, according to BrandWeek. The new ad gave Apple a short-lived shot in the arm with adults over 18, sending the brand from a buzz score of 35 the day after the Oscars to 38.5 a couple of days later. However, perception has been rocky since then, with the brand’s buzz score now at 32.4, reflecting the public’s indecision about the product, says BrandWeek.
Imation to ship multi-terabyte magnetic tape
Imation (http://www.imation.com) is ready to begin shipping its Imation LTO Ultrium Generation 5 tape cartridges, with nearly double the storage capacity, increased data transfer rates, and a new partitioning functionality over the prior tape generation.
This follows certification by the Measurement Analysis Corporation (MAC), an independent testing board for compliance verification testing, and the LTO Technology Provider Companies: HP, IBM Corporation and Quantum Corp. Imation previously announced that it was the first company to obtain the license to develop and manufacture this new multi-terabyte LTO 5 tape.
With a native capacity of 1.5 terabytes and 3.0 terabytes of compressed storage, data transfer rates of up to 280 MB/second compressed, data encryption, and new partitioning functionality to enhance file control and space management, the LTO 5 format offers significant improvements over prior LTO tape generations, according to Subodh Kulkarni, chief technology officer and...
SongGenie for Mac/iPhone/iPod updated to version 2
Equinux has updated SongGenie (http://www.equinux.com/us/products/songgenie/index.html), a software application designed to analyze, detect and label music data, to version 2.0 The upgrade automatically searches online for lyrics, which can be displayed on your iPod or iPhone.
SongGenie constructs an acoustic fingerprint of each track and, based on specific characteristics, detects the appropriate artist name, song title and album title. It automatically identifies tracks containing incomplete or incorrect information. It even detects music titles for tracks with no artist, album or song title information; titles that were digitalized without extra information and are therefore called, for example, "Title 01" and additional characters that suggest incorrect names like an underline.
Using an acoustic fingerprint, SongGenie determines which track to work on and intuitively inserts the correct information in its user interface. With just a click, the appropriate description text is...
Bharti Airtel to sell iPhone 3GS in India
India's Bharti Airtel says it's entered into an agreement with Apple to sell the iPhone 3GS in India .
According to "The Wall Street Journal" (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870358090457513118396274628...), no launch date has been announced. Bharti Airtel already sells the iPhone 3GS, but, so far, hasn't sold the faster version of the Apple smartphone.
Security researcher to reveal Mac OS X security holes
Security researcher Miller is planning to reveal "no fewer than 20 zero day security holes within Mac OS X" at CanSecWest, reports "Engadget" (http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/19/charlie-miller-to-reveal-20-zero-day-...).
According to Miller: "OS X has a large attack surface consisting of open source components, closed source third-party components and closed source Apple components; bugs in any of these types of components can lead to remote compromise ... Mac OS X is like living in a farmhouse in the country with no locks, and Windows is living in a house with bars on the windows in the bad part of town."
In other words, Apple users are "safer" (due to the lack of work that goes into hacking them), "but less secure," notes "Endgadget."
What's more, Miller told Heise Security that the attack surface of OS-X is so wide you can land a 747 on it, sideways. There are bugs in the open source components and vulnerabilities in the closed source third-party and Apple components, he claims.
Wintek blamed for iPad delay
Taiwan-based touch panel supplier Wintek has been blamed for a delay of iPad shipments, according to a Chinese-language report on the "Liberty Times."
Actually, the WiFi only version goes on sale April 3. All Apple originally said was they're go on sale in late March.
The "Liberty Times" report claimed that Wintek is facing a manufacturing bottleneck in its touch panel production, and its low yield rate for touch panels has hampered its shipments to Apple. However, according to "DigiTimes" (http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20100319PB202.html), in response to the report, Wintek, in a statement filed with the Taiwan Stock Exchange said that all of its operations have been running in line with its plans, and it declined to comment on individual clients or particular orders.
Ben-Q introduces new monitors
Ben-Q (http://www.benq.com) has extended its line of LED monitors with the addition of the 24-inch wide screen V2410T (US$319) and V2410B ($279). The former is targeted more to business users, the latter to home users.
According to the folks at Ben-Q, the V2410T is designed to cater for corporate users’ needs. It comes with a height adjustment function allowing users to adjust the screen’s height according to theirs. Unlike the CCFL technology used in the LCD monitors, V2410T and V2410B use energy efficient LED backlighting. In comparison to a CCFL monitor, V2410T and V2410B purportedly consume 44% less power -- and 56% less in Eco mode.
BenQ’s V2410T and V2410B’s LED backlit screens offer Full 1080p High-Definition at 16:9 aspect ratio and are enhanced with BenQ’s Senseye Human Visual Technology using its six proprietary calibration techniques. A "Display mode hot key", located on the right side of these monitors’ bezels, allows aspect ratios other than 16:9 to be displayed without...
'Demystifying iPhone & iPad App Development'...
"Demystifying iPhone & iPad App Development: A Non-Technical Overview for Decision-Makers and Idea People," a conference session given at the Macworld 2010 Conference & Expo in San Francisco in February, is now available online (http://www.paradeofprogress.com/macworld/) as a free video screencast.
Parade of Progress Productions, a Los Angeles-based design, development & consulting firm specializing in the iPhone, announced that it is making its Macworld session freely available, both for streaming and as a download.
"Because of the wonderful response to the content, we wanted to make the information available to a much larger audience," says Ron Diamond, principal of Parade of Progress.
The video is available in both a large format for viewing on the desktop, as well as a smaller format viewable directly on the iPhone and iPod touch.
Snow Leopard Server TechForum Virtual Events slated
Sewelltech and Apple are sponsoring free Mac OS X Snow Leopard and Snow Leopard Server Tech Forum Virtual Events. A total of 5 different topics and 12 different event times will be offered.
These one-hour sessions are free, include live demonstrations and Q&A, and begin at 11 a.m. (Pacific). You can register now at http://seminars.apple.com/go/wc/ent/SewellTech/ .
The Tech Forum Virtual Events are designed to teach learn how your organization can benefit from the power and flexibility of Snow Leopard and Snow Leopard Server. The Mac OS X Snow Leopard for IT sessions are designed for medium to large IT departments that want to learn how easy it is to deploy, manage, and secure Mac clients in a network environment. And the Snow Leopard Server events will introduce business users to the key features that offer simple and innovative ways to collaborate and share information.
Every event is offered more than once. These one-hour sessions are free, include live demonstrations and Q...
Apple releases Logic Pro 9.1
Apple has released Logic Pro 9.1.1 (http://www.apple.com/logicstudio/download/), an update of the music creation and audio production tool. The new version delivers improved compatibility and numerous fixes, according to Apple.
Logic Pro 9.1.1 requires Mac OS X 10.5.7 or later. For new users the cost is US$499.
Arkansas.gov becomes first state to offer mobile payments for...
With today’s launch of http://arkansas.gov/m, Arkansas is the first state to provide secure payment processing specifically for smartphone users. It's part of the official web site of the state of Arkansas.
Starting today, the Arkansas.gov mobile site features secure payments for three high-volume online government services: inmate trust account deposits; probation and parole supervision and restitution payments; and Pulaski County property tax payments. These mobile applications provide an option for users to access government services and are available on all smartphone operating platforms, including the iPhone, Blackberry, Google Android, Windows Mobile, and Palm, says Claire Bailey, chief information officer of the state of Arkansas.
The state’s decision to launch an optimized mobile version of Arkansas.gov was driven by the growing popularity of smartphone devices in the state. “We recognize that Arkansans are increasingly using their smartphones for everyday Internet access and...
5-Port FireRepeate-800 Pro is new FireWire 800 repeater hub
EveryThingHerePlus has released the 5-Port FireRepeate-800 Pro (http://www.everythinghereplus.com/electronics/unibrain-firerepeater-800-...), a FireWire 800 repeater hub. The US$102.25 device provides port expansion on FireWire 800 IEEE 1394b device chains.
Oriented towards industrial and machine vision applications, the FireRepeater-800 Pro provides the ability to connect up to five FireWire 1394b devices. Its metallic compact case is designed to minimize the risk of physical damage.
The platform agnostic device provides five 9-pin (bilingual) FireWire 800 ports with a maximum throughput of up to 800 Mbps each. The hub utilizes FireWire 800 bus power or accepts an optional power adapter (sold separately) for use with devices requiring more power.
Repeater hubs provide bus flexibility in that they allow for daisy chaining and/or hierarchical (tree) bus configurations. Repeater hubs also provide a means to lengthen the distance between devices when a single FireWire cable's length...
NonlinearEducating.com site launches
MacProVideo.com, a supplier of software tutorial videos for Macs, has launched a new tutorial site called NonLinearEducating.com . This new site will focus on creating cross-platform versions of their software tutorials for both Mac and Windows computers.
According to company founder and Publisher Martin Sitter, “At macProVideo.com we created a method of teaching through videos called the ‘NonLinear Educating System.’ We’ve proven how effective this system is with our large base of Mac users, and we now seek to roll our educational system out the broader market of Windows PC users as well. With NonLinearEducating.com we’ve designed a cross platform educational environment that will appeal to both Mac and Windows PC users.”
NonLinearEducating.com launches with over 150 different titles and 450 hours of tutorial-videos available for software like Photoshop, Flash, Dreamweaver, Word, Final Cut Pro, Cubase, Pro Tools, Ableton Live, and Edius Pro. Tutorial-videos at NonLinearEducating.com...
Universal Audio releases EMT 140 Classic Plate Reverb
Universal Audio, a manufacturer of audio hardware and UAD-2 powered plug-ins for Mac and PC, has released the EMT 140 Classic Plate Reverb plug-in for the UAD platform.
It replicates the sonic signature of three different EMT 140 plates formerly installed at the Plant Studios in Sausalito, California, and is licensed and endorsed by EMT Studiotechnik as the world’s only authentic EMT plate reverb emulation, says EMT President Jules Limon. Available for US$199, the EMT 140 includes three distinct plate models and original EMT 80 Hz input Shelving Filters or custom aftermarket Martech Low-Cut Filters
The EMT 140 also sports Pre Delay, Low and High Shelving Filters, Wet/Dry Mix, Balance and
Width controls with Hard Bypass via the lighted EMT power icon. Plus, it includes Modulation controls to add additional movement to the stereo field.
The EMT 140 Classic Plate Reverb plug-in is available as part of the new UAD Software 5.6.0 release. UAD Software v5.6.0 is available as a free...
Intego releases Washing Machine 2 for the Mac
Intego (http://www.intego.com), the Mac security specialist, has released Washing Machine 2, a Mac OS X (10.5 and higher) app that cleans up files left behind by web browsers and other Internet programs.
Version 2, optimized for Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopard"), helps Mac users delete files that take up space or present privacy risks, created by a number of programs that access the Internet. Users can clean files quickly, manually or automatically, and use secure cleaning to ensure that the files can never be recovered, according to the folks at Intego.
Washing Machine 2 can clean five types of items: Bookmarks, Caches, Cookies, Download Histories, and Browsing Histories. It works with most web browsers, and many utilities or other programs that store information without users being aware. It even cleans up after some programs that users would never think are storing data. These files can take up several gigabytes, and can slow down applications and lead to longer time for backups....
Samsung introduces four new, color laser printers
Samsung (http://www.samsung.com) has unveiled its latest range of color printers for small to medium sized business users. They incldue the single-function Samsung CLP-670ND and CLP-620ND, and CLX-6220FX and CLX-6250FX multifunction printers.
The color printers include the Samsung TonerSave feature that allows users to monitor and limit toner usage for extended cartridge life and reduced cost per page. The printers also include a PowerSave Mode that reduces the cost of printing by lowering the temperature of the machine.
The Samsung CLP-670ND and CLP-620ND, and CLX-6220FX and CLX-6250FX feature Samsung’s Easy Color Manager. This application allows the user to apply color balance, brightness, contrast, and saturation to any image viewed on a computer monitor. Individual users can also create personalized color profiles, allowing a variety of color results from one machine.
Beyond color, the new printers feature Samsung Fine Edge technology, which makes font edges crisp and clear for a...
Rupert Murdoch: the iPad will rule all media
News Corp. chief, Rupert Murdoch says the iPad will rule the world. Well, if not the world, at least all media.
“All media is going to go on to the iPad, whether it be music or books or newspapers or movies, you’ll be able to get on your iPad… they’ll get better and better and you’ll be able to do more tricks with it," he says in an interview (http://distorted-loop.com/2010/03/18/rupert-murdoch-all-media-is-going-t...) with his own Fox Business Channel.
Murdoch also thinks that bigger iPads are in the works. "The iPad will be pretty small to start with , but there will be more iPads," he says. (The photo is courtesy of ScrapeTV.com)
-- Dennis Sellers
Amazon.com, publishers clash as the iPad looms
Amazon.com has threatened to stop directly selling the books of some publishers online unless they agree to a detailed list of concessions regarding the sale of electronic books, according to two industry executives with direct knowledge of the discussions, according to the "New York Times" (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/18/technology/internet/18amazon.html?ref=...).
The company is pressuring publishers just as Apple is also preparing to sell digital books for reading on its iPad, the article adds. Five of the country’s six largest publishers — Macmillan, Simon & Schuster, Hachette, HarperCollins and Penguin — have already reached deals with Apple to sell their books through its iBookstore, which will be featured on the iPad. (The holdout is Random House.)
Under those agreements, the publishers will set consumer prices for each book, and Apple will serve as an agent and take a 30 percent commission. Ebook editions of most newly released adult general fiction and nonfiction are...
Apple Director Jerome York dies at age 71
Apple has announced the death of Apple Board member Jerome B. (Jerry) York. York, the chairman, president and CEO of Harwinton Capital, who joined Apple's Board of Directors in 1997.
He was the former CFO of IBM and Chrysler, and former vice chairman of Tracinda. He is widely acknowledged for his contributions at Chrysler and IBM during their turnarounds.
"Jerry joined Apple's Board in 1997 when most doubted the company's future. He has been a pillar of financial and business expertise and insight on our Board for over a dozen years," says Apple CEO Steve Jobs. "It's been a privilege to know and work with Jerry, and I'm going to miss him a lot."
Jerry York was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1938. He graduated from the United States Military Academy, and received an MS from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an MBA from the University of Michigan. Trained as an engineer, York worked his way up through Chrysler to become CFO.
Synology releases DS410 four-bay NAS server for small business...
Synology America Corp. (http://www.synology.com) has introduced the new DS410 DiskStation, a four-bay network attached storage server for workgroups and small businesses. Built on the company’s award-winning DiskStation Manager firmware, DSM 2.3, the new DS410 is faster than the DS409, its predecessor.
It offers many more features like encrypted file sharing, automatic backup to the cloud, desktop and network backup, multi-media streaming, surveillance, email and web hosting and more, says Heather Morford of Synology. The DS410 is the perfect solution to replace older PC servers, outdated tape backups and multiple other devices in the office or around the home, she adds.
The DS410 DiskStation holds up to 8TB of storage across four bays of hard drives. It sports an energy-savings design including hard drive hibernation, a smart fan and scheduled power on/off,. The DS410 test results show that when configured in RAID 5, the DS410 reaches 110 MB/Sec reading speeds and 54.9 MB/Sec...
Workamajig update to offer enhancements for Safari 4.0.5
Workamajig (http://www.Workamajig.com) is preparing to release a new WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) forms layout tool for Estimates and Invoices, and a new 'Workamajig Labs' Feature. Also included are enhancements for Safari 4.0.5.
Workamajig is integrated software for ad agencies and others in the creative and design industries. The upcoming version will allow any Workamajig user the ability to drag and drop fields and logos, include and exclude columns, use specific fonts, among many other client-requested features.
Using client feedback, Workamajig is adding a new concept called "Workamajig Labs," where Workamajig will release new features to its Project Management Software, and allow clients to turn these new features on when they're ready for them. What's Workamajig's update includes updates for Apple's Safari web browser version 4.0.4.
All updates are deployed using Workamajig's own Auto-Updater, which allows them to deploy updates to all hosted sites, and to clients'...
File Courier update for Mac OS X adds delivery of multiple files...
Zevrix Solutions (http://www.zevrix.com) has updated File Courier, a 5 digital delivery solution for Mac OS X (10.4.2 and higher) with timesaving options, to version 1.5. The upgrade introduces new features such as delivery of multiple files, file queue and interface improvements.
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...
TextExpander update for Mac OS X improves behavior of fill-in...
SmileOnMyMac (http://www.smileonmymac.com) has updated TextExpander, a Mac OS X utility that lets users define abbreviations for frequently-used text strings and images, to version 3.0.1. The new version improves the behavior of the new "fill-in"
snippets.
A fill-in snippet can have multiple blank fields in the snippet content that prompt for additional information to be entered manually in a window that opens when an abbreviation is typed. The fill-in window now supports Cut, Copy, Paste, and Select All keyboard equivalents. Fill-in snippets can now incorporate automatic date snippets.
The regular cost is US$34.95 for a single user license or $44.95 for a five-pack family license. A 30-day fully-functioning demo of TextExpander can be downloaded at the SmileOnMyMac web site. Upgrades to TextExpander 3.0.1 from earlier versions costs $15. Version 3.0.1 is a free update for registered users of version 3.0.
STM Bags offers new colors in neoprene laptop sleeves
STM Bags (http://www.stmbags.com) has announced five new colors (black, burgundy, magenta, teal and orange) of their glove neoprene laptop sleeve. The gloves are available in four sizes: extra small (10.2-inch screens), small (13-inch screens), medium (15-inch screens) and large (17-inch) screens.
Pricing depends on the size. TM's glove protects your notebook from bumps dust and scratches and fits like a glove. The glove's "top-load" design allows for one handed access. For those who carry backpacks, the laptop can be removed without removing the sleeve. Moreover, all seams are double cross-stitched and taped. An internal "zipper guard" protects the laptop from any scratches and adds a bit more padding.
Inventors of Mac-BlackBerry Sync release PocketMac for...
PocketMac, the creator of the original Mac-to-BlackBerry sync solution, has released version 5.0 of PocketMac for BlackBerry (http://www.pocketmac.com/PocketMac_for_BlackBerry.php). It comes with a synchronization engine redesigned from the ground up for Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopard").
The new engine accounts for the new quicker synchronization speeds, according to Tim Goggin of PocketMac. Also included are simpler, clearer preferences, reorganized to accommodate the way users want to work, he adds.
PocketMac for BlackBerry 5.0 includes two-way sync with the Apple Address Book, iCal, Daylite, Entourage 2008, LotusNotes, iTunes, iPhoto and Stickies. In addition, as part of every sync, PocketMac for BlackBerry will back-up all of your BlackBerry's SMS texts, and your call history. A separate viewer application is also provided so that you can access this data from your desktop.
PocketMac for BlackBerry 5.0 costs US$19.97. It includes a complete 90 day money-back guarantee.
CheckUp update for Mac OS X gets updated user interface, more
App4Mac (http://www.app4mac.com/software/index.php) has updated CheckUp, a Mac OS X tool for checking the health and monitoring the behavior of a Mac computer (even from a remote computer), to version 2.6. The upgrade can detect the most common issues of Mac OS X and display details about how to fix them.
It also offers: enhanced alerts on disks or memory issues; better support of Macs with Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 processors; and improved support of Macs with Intel Xeon processors and hyper-threading. Version 2.6 also has an updated user interface.
A user license of CheckUp costs US$49 and can be installed on two computers. Version 2.6 is a free update for registered users. Discounts are available for education and volume licensing.
CheckUp Requires Mac OS X 10.4 or higher. A trial version of CheckUp is available at app4mac.com. Some features are free and will stay free like the Tools that allows you to repair authorizations of Mac OS X or run maintenance scripts.
Karelia iMedia browser ready for Aperture 3
>Karelia Software has updated its free iMedia Browser (http://www.karelia.com/imedia/), an utility to add the familiar "media browser" experience to just about any Mac application, to version 1.2.2. The upgrade is compatible with Aperture 3, the latest version of Apple's software for professional and semi-pro photographers.
Built from the ground up to resemble the media browser found in several Apple applications, the Karelia iMedia Browser is a stand-alone utility that can be used to access a user's library of photos, sounds, movies, or bookmarks.
The Karelia iMedia Browser allows users to browse their libraries of photos (iPhoto, Aperture, and Pictures folders); music (iTunes library, GarageBand songs, and Music folders); movies (from iTunes, iPhoto, and Movies folders), and bookmarks (from several leading web browsers). It can be activated either from the dock or from a small icon in the menu bar.
The Karelia iMedia Browser is Universal Binary so runs natively on both PowerPC...
Canto Cumulus sites offer web site/DAM hybrid
Canto (http://www.canto.com) has released Cumulus Sites, a new product that "bridges web site ease of use with the power and control of Canto Cumulus digital asset management." It offers a live asset delivery platform organizations can stylize to suit their identities, and customize to suit their file sharing and distribution requirements.
Cumulus Sites features a “login-free” mode that offers instant “guest” level access. Common permissions for guests include browsing of approved files, and downloads of watermarked-on-the-fly variants, though any access level can be defined. Cumulus account holders can gain higher access levels through an “anytime” log-in option. User actions can be tracked for usage statistics reporting from within Cumulus.
Sites users can share one or more files using a collection link feature. Links can include passwords and expiration dates, and they may be emailed or even added to PDFs, YouTube/ Facebook/Twitter pages, etc. for “viral” distribution benefits,...
iKit releases iPad Leather Folio Case
iKit (http://www.ikit.com) has released the US$S40 iPad Leather Folio Case. It's available in black and gray and comes with a screen protector and cleaning kit.
Made of genuine cow leather, the Leather Portfolio's slim padded design gives you access to all your functions and protects the device. It features an interior and exterior embossed design with secure access.
Amazon.com announces Kindle for Mac
Amazon.com has announced "Kindle for Mac," a free application that lets readers around the world enjoy Kindle books on their Macs.
The U.S. Kindle Store currently offers over 450,000 books, including New Releases and 102 of 111 New York Times Bestsellers. Kindle books can now be read on the Kindle, Kindle DX, iPhone, iPod touch, BlackBerry, PC and Mac, and, soon, the iPad. Customers in over 100 countries can go to http://www.amazon.com/kindleformac to download the Kindle for Mac application for free today.
Kindle for Mac features Amazon’s Whispersync technology that automatically saves and synchronizes bookmarks and last page read across devices. A customer can read some on their Mac, read some on their Kindle, and always pick up where they left off.
According to Jay Marine, director, Amazon Kindle, with Kindle for Mac, readers can:
° Purchase, download, and read hundreds of thousands of books available in the Kindle Store.
° Access their library of previously purchased Kindle books...
iPad pre-orders averaging 10,000 per day
iPad pre-orders are now averaging 10,000 per day, according to Daniel Tello, a Venezuelan blogger-analyst who writes about Apple using the name "Deagol" (http://aaplmodel.blogspot.com/).
Tello has been tracking order numbers submitted by volunteers since March 12 at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern) when Apple began taking pre-orders for the iPad. By his calculations, which are based on a precise count of order numbers and an estimate of how many of them were non-iPad orders, Apple passed the 180,000 unit mark on Wednesday.
"I think sometime during Friday, perhaps before noon, the counter should roll to 200,000 units pre-ordered," he told "Fortune" (http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2010/03/18/ipad-pre-orders-1...).
Tello's tally doesn't include iPads reserved for pick-up at Apple retail stores on April 3.
At least the Wi-Fi only versions will; the Wi-Fi + 3G model will hit US store sleeves in late April. In addition, all models of iPad will be available in Australia, Canada, France,...
China Mobile wants to offer the iPad
China Mobile hopes to offer both the iPad and a version of the iPhone that supports China's homegrown 3G mobile standard, comments by China Mobile's top executive showed on Thursday.
As reported by "Computerworld" (http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9172598/China_Mobile_wants_iPad_a...), China Mobile is "interested in the iPad" and has told Apple it hopes to see a version of the iPhone that works with the government-backed 3G standard it is using, Wang Jianzhou, CEO and chairman of China Mobile Limited, said at a news conference.
Wang's remarks are the first from a Chinese company interested in offering the iPad, notes "Computerworld." And Apple hasn't even said whether it will sell the device in China.
Harman International to launch new products this spring
Harman International (http://www.harman.com) is introducing new products this spring across three divisions: home entertainment, mobile/in-car and multimedia.
For the movie buff and sound enthusiast at home, Harman brings to the market new 5.1 home entertainment solutions: the Harman Kardon HKTS 20 (US$699) and HKTS 30 ($899). It boasts a 200W powered, 200mm subwoofer and two-way loudspeakers. It includes a dual-driver center-channel speaker.
The JBL MS-8 ($799) product for the mobile category. It's a system integration digital processor that can purportedly optimize any vehicle’s performance in about 10 minutes. By following a step-by-step procedure, the MS-8 maximizes frequency response, bass performance, dynamics, clarity, detail and stereo imaging.
In multimedia, Harman brings back new, improved versions of time-honored favorites such as the brand-new Harman Kardon Go + Play Micro ($299), the JBL On Time 200P ($249), the JBL On Time Micro ($249) and the JBL On Stage Micro II ($129...
HTC outlines disagreements with Apple's lawsuit
Not surprisingly, HTC Corp. says it disagrees with Apple's legal actin=ons against it and has outlined those disagreements and reiterated its commitment "to creating a portfolio of innovative smartphones that gives consumers a variety of choices."
Earlier this month, Apple filed a lawsuit against HTC for infringing on 20 Apple patents related to the iPhone's user interface, underlying architecture and hardware. The lawsuit was filed concurrently with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and in U.S. District Court in Delaware.
"We can sit by and watch competitors steal our patented inventions, or we can do something about it," Apple CEO Steve Jobs said . "We've decided to do something about it. We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours."
But now "HTC disagrees with Apple's actions and will fully defend itself. HTC strongly advocates intellectual property protection and will continue to respect other innovators...
Apple releases Logic Pro 9.1.1
Apple has released Logic Pro 9.1.1 ("http://www.apple.com/logicstudio/download/), an update of the music creation and audio production tool. The new version delivers improved compatibility and numerous fixes, according to Apple.
Logic Pro 9.1.1 requires Mac OS X 10.5.7 or later. For new users the cost is US$499.
Apple Director Jerome York in Michigan hospital
Jerome York, a director of Apple and former chief financial officer of IBM and Chrysler Corp., is hospitalized and in critical condition in Pontiac, Michigan.
According to "BusinessWeek" (http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-03-17/jerome-york-apple-director-h...), York, 71, collapsed at his Rochester, Michigan, home Tuesday night, according to his wife, Eilene York, and was taken to Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital by ambulance. She said today that doctors told her that he suffered a massive cerebral hemorrhage.
“Jerry had the guts and brains to identify the needed changes at many of America’s greatest companies, including Chrysler, IBM, General Motors and Apple, helping them to reach their greater potential,” Steve Miller, a director of UAL Corp. who worked with York at Chrysler, told "BusinessWeek."
York has been CEO of Harwinton Capital (formerly Harwinton Capital Corporation), a private investment company that he controls, since September 2000. He's also been a director of Dana...
