Source R&D has released the the US$149.99 Warpia Easy Dock (http://www.warpia.com/Product_Guide-Easy_Dock.pdf), which will allow users to wirelessly connect their Mac (and PC) laptop to any traditional desktop setting.  Based on wireless technology from Wisair, a provider of single-chip based Wireless USB solutions, the Easy Dock consists of a USB dongle that connects to your laptop and a receiver that connects to your monitor, mouse, keyboard, and speakers. Your laptop will instantly recognize the dongle and begin submitting a wireless signal to the receiver, transmitting the image with a resolution of up to1400x1050 to your monitor’s screen, according to Marc Levaggi, of Source R&D.  It supports up to 1400x1050 resolution and HD video up to 720p. The Easy Dock works with Mac OS X 10.5 and higher, as well as Windows 7, Vista, and XP.

UniPrint (http://www.uniprint.net) has launched UniPrint Version 7.0.  Incorporating an enhanced printer driver, UniPrint Version 7.0 is the first printing solution that significantly improves overall printing quality, speed, manageability and security for Mac users working in a 32- or 64-bit physical or virtual desktop environment, according to Arron Fu, vice president, Software Development, UniPrint. The new version introduces a completely redesigned central management console. UniPrint can now centralize the task of managing server licenses. With the new management console, system administrators can utilize any machine that has a UniPrint component installed to apply a single license file on the designated license server, and also monitor license usage in real time from any remote location. UniPrint 7.0 also introduces a number of new features that make printing simpler and faster for the user, says Fu. This includes a unique Printer Profiler tool that allows system administrators...

Araelium Group has released Querious (http://www.araelium.com/querious), an US$29 database management application for Mac OS X. It includes the ability to view, edit, and search data, manage table schema, indexes, queries, and users, and ships initially with a native connector to MySQL 5. Direct, SSH, and SSL connections are all supported. The Querious interface features a design enabling fluid navigation between viewing data, editing schemas, writing queries, and administrating users, according to Seth Willits, creator of the software. Tabbed windows allows multiple active views at the same time including multiple sessions and query results. Data searches are done with the built-in Records Filter placed above the records view, or with full SQL queries. Queries are kept in a history, or saved as favorites in user-defined folders. Previously saved queries can be modified. Data can be exported as SQL, CSV, Tab, and other formats. Full backups can be exported with optional table create...

Toon Boom Animation has announced the upcoming release of Toon Boom Animate 2 (http://www.toonboom.com/products/animate/), an update of the animation software that lets you publish animation for all types of media, from online to HDTV. Version 2.0 will offer: distribution of character parts to layers; adjustment of velocity on multiple character parts; creation of richer-looking ambiance; SWF export with effects; direct import of scanned drawings (TWAIN); and text capability. Animate can handle such formats and jobs as vector, bitmap, symbols, pegs, camera, morphing, inverse kinematics, advanced lip sync and more. It enables users to create traditional and bitmap animation as well as combine both styles. Users can access lip-sync and cell swapping tools. Buy Toon Boom Animate 2 is available now at the special pre-launch price of US$549.99 until March 21. As of March 8, all new clients will receive a Toon Boom Animate 1 product code. Their Animate 2 product code will be automatically...

MacVector has released MacVector 11.1. This release as been designed to consolidate and "tweak" the new features and changes that have been made over the last four major releases. MacVector 11.1 is designed to simplify and speed up many common workflows as well as providing better integration with Mac OS X and improving performance, according to MacVector President Kevin Kendall.  Changes include increased interactivity between different views of a sequence, drag and drop of files and sequences between windows and dialogs, Growl support for the job manager, many performance enhancements and literally hundreds of other interface tweaks. MacVector 11 pricing can be found here: http://www.macvector.com/Buy/11201995.html . Version 11.1 is a free update for registered users of version 11.

Monkeybread Software has released version 1.0 of the MBS SQLite Extension (http://www.monkeybreadsoftware.de/realserver/). The MBS SQLite Extension is three things in one: a plug-in for the REAL Server from REALsoftware; a plug-in for SQLiteManager from sqlabs; and an extension for SQLite that you can use in all SQLite based database engines including the REALSQLDatabase class in REALbasic. SQLite Extension supports Mac OS X, Windows and Linux. Example projects for REALbasic are included for both REALSQLDatabase class and REALSQLServerDatabase class. You can test the plugin for free up to 10 minutes per launch in a demo mode. Licenses are available for approximately US135 9 per developer with one year of free updates.

The Alchemist Guild has released Warehouse 1.0 (http://www.warehouseosx.com), a task-based backup solution for Mac OS X. The US$9.99 offers a lightweight single window interface for backing up files from your Mac to any removable media device such as external hard drives, USB memory sticks or even other Macs connected on a network. Warehouse uses a task based system that lets you create an unlimited number of tasks each with source folders, destination location and an option of four backup modes. It lets you schedule tasks to run in the background (using a variety of scheduling options) so the application itself can usually remain closed while it backs up files while you work. Like TimeMachine, dated folders containing only changed files are incrementally backed up thus saving disk space. If you want to restore old archives browse them like other folders in the Finder and copy out files you want restored. With Warehouse, you synchronize the contents of two folders on any destination...

FileMaker (http://www.filemaker.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of Apple, has released FileMaker Pro 11, which sports such new features as charting, “on the fly” reporting, a new Quick Find capability, and tools for easier database creation. Also available today with new features is the entire FileMaker 11 product line, which includes FileMaker Pro 11 Advanced, FileMaker Server 11 and FileMaker Server 11. FileMaker Pro 11 offers a selection of dynamic professional-quality charts (pie, bar, area, and line), empowering users to visualize, evaluate and report on data within a new or existing layout, according to Ryan Rosenberg, vice president, marketing and services, FileMaker. For example, users can add a pie chart tab within a FileMaker Pro layout to see their sales depicted graphically any way they chose -- weekly, monthly, regionally and more.  FileMaker Charts can also be published to the web using FileMaker Pro Instant Web Publishing. FileMaker Pro 11 users can now create “on the...

Apple, Facebook, Twitter and HP declined to testify at the second session of the US Senate Judiciary Committee's second hearing on Human Rights and the Law, which looks at protecting privacy of individuals who use the Internet for political and commercial use. They declined, and Judiciary Chair Richard J. Durbin blasted the companies for this. According to a "ZDNet" report (http://government.zdnet.com/?p=7497), he had this to say: "The bottom line is this: with a few notable exceptions, the technology industry seems unwilling to regulate itself and unwilling even to engage in a dialogue with Congress about the serious human rights challenges the industry faces. "In the face of this resistance, I have decided that it is time to take a more active role. At our hearing two years ago, I indicated that Congress could step in if the industry failed to take concrete action to protect internet freedom. "Today I am announcing that I will introduce legislation that would require internet...

The latest release of Caedium (version 2.1) from Symscape for the Mac now supports Mac OS X (10.5 and higher) in addition to Windows and Linux. Also in this new release are various enhancements to 3D selection, the properties panel, and geometry creation for all platforms. Functionally the Mac version is identical to the Windows and Linux versions of Caedium. Version 2.1 also sports: improved 3D selection speed and shortcut key conveniences; a properties panel that switches tabs and expands new properties; the ability to import ASCII point sets as vertices and groups for spline fitting; and the capability to create a rectangular grid as the basis for geometry placement and construction. A 30-day demo is available for download. For pricing info go to http://www.symscape.com/products .

Eternal Storms (http://www.eternalstorms.at) has updated their flickr client, flickery, for Mac OS X 10.5 ("Leopard") to version 1.8. The upgrade adds Google Maps to the search functionality to bring more powerful searches to flickery users. With flickry, you can browse flickr's photos, view and comment on pictures of your friends, or upload and manage your own photos and favorites. flickery offers three ways of viewing photos: the miniature-overview of the photos where you can see multiple pictures at a time; the full-window-view, which lets you view one photo at a time in detail; and the full-screen view. You can upload photos to your flickr.com account, as well. The app also gives you the possibility of editing your photos before you upload them. flickery costs US$19.20, though version 1.8 is a free update for registered users.

Microvision (http://www.microvision.com), a developer of ultra-miniature projection display products, has announced the opening of its web store for U.S. customers for the Showwx laser pico projector. Microvision plans to begin taking on-line orders through its web store at 12 noon (Eastern) starting on March 24 for the "Made for iPod" device. Microvision is introducing two product offerings in the U.S. -- the Standard Edition Showwx and the Limited Edition Showwx promotional bundle. The laser pico projector Standard Edition comes with accessories and an optional VGA dock to connect to a variety of mobile devices. The iPhone-sized Standard Edition is priced at $549. To celebrate the introduction of the world’s first laser pico projector based on Microvision’s PicoP technology in the United States, Microvision is offering U.S. customers an opportunity to purchase a $999 Limited Edition Showwx bundle. It comes with a personalized splash screen bearing the name of its owner, Showwx with...

Panasonic has announced the Lumix DMC-G2, which it says is the world's first digital interchangeable lens system camera with a movable LCD that allows for touch-control. It's the successor to the Lumix G1, which was the world's first Micro Four Thirds digital camera. The touch-control shooting lets the user adjust auto focus (AF) by touching the subject on the 3.0-inch, 460,000-dot high-resolution LCD. The Lumix G2, also shoots 720p High Definition video using the AVCHD Lite format, and joins the Lumix G10, also introduced today, as the latest models in the Lumix G Micro System. With the touch-screen operation, users can even snap a photo by touching the Lumix G2's screen.  Additionally, the touch-screen operation can be used not only for shooting but also during playback.  Users can touch one thumbnail viewed among many to see the full size of the desired photo.  Also, to view images one-by-one, photos can be dragged across the screen to browse as though flipping the pages of a book...

LogMeIn Pro2 for Mac is now available, giving Macs the freedom to be accessed from virtually anywhere, using an Internet-connected web browser or an iPhone. With this newest version of LogMeIn Pro2, MacBooks, iMacs and Mac Pros can now be accessed by their users for work or play, in the office or out, from anywhere with an Internet connection. It sports secure file transfer and folder synchronization, printing from a remote Mac to a local computer over the web, on-demand desktop sharing with a remote user, and more. Whether Mac to Mac, Windows to Mac, or iPhone to Mac, Macs can be accessed and used from virtually anywhere, regardless of the user's location. Pricing starts at US$69.99 per year per Mac, with multi-computer discounts available. To set their Mac free, users can sign up for a free, 30-day trial at http://www.LogMeIn.com/welcome/Pro4Mac .

Hot on the heels of an announced release date (Saturday, April 3) for the iPad, Apple's stock has hit a record high of US$219.70, besting a previous high of $215.59, which it hit on Jan. 5 of this year. Before today, Apple has been trading in a range between $190 and $215 since last October. Apple’s market cap is approaching $200 billion (it's $199.17 billion).

By Fabio M. Zambelli At the CeBit tradeshow for the digital industry held in Hanover this week,Apple won four iF product design awards: a silver award for the iPod nano and three gold awards. The gold awards were for the for iPod shuffle, 13-inch MacBook Pro and 24-inch LED Cinema Display. This year International Design Forum chose their favorites from 2,486 products submitted by the 1,016 entrants from 39 countries. 778 entries were awarded the renowned design seal of approval of the iF product design award. You can read more here: http://www.setteb.it/?p=8357TARGET= . "setteB.IT" is an Italian language web site for Mac users.

Apple has lowered the price of annual enrollment in the Mac Developer Program (http://developer.apple.com/programs/mac/) from a minimum of US$499 to $99. The Mac Developer Program offers a range of technical resources and support for developers and IT professionals innovating with Mac OS X. Among them are pre-release versions of the latest software, developer forums, development videos and technical support.

St. Clair Software has updated Default Folder (http://www.stclairsoft.com/DefaultFolderX/index.html), its utility for enhancing Open and Save dialogs in Mac OS X, to version 4.3.6. The new version addresses issues with Mac OS 10.6 ("Snow Leopard"), Mac OS 10.4 ("Tiger"), Google Chrome and PhotoMechanic, as well as providing smoother and more consistent operation overall. Default Folder X 4.3.6 is a free update for existing users who purchased a license or upgrade on or after June 1, 2007. The upgrade is US$14.95 for users who bought their copies before that date. Default Folder X costs $34.95 for a new license. Installers are available now in English and German and will be released shortly in Japanese, French, and Danish.

Black Cat Systems has updated DX Toolbox (http://www.blackcatsystems.com/software/dxtoolbox.html) -- a radio propagation/conditions analysis and forecasting tool for amateur radio operators, shortwave listeners, and other radio enthusiasts -- to version 3.6.1. This version fixes bugs with the DX Cluster window, and display of solar flux values. Several propagation forecasting charts are available in DX Toolbox to estimate signal levels and path conditions between any two points on the Earth. A grayline map of the world is also available. In addition to several propagation forecasting tools, DX Toolbox also gathers a variety of solar and geomagnetic information from real-time online sources, and presents them in charts and tables, DX Toolbox sells for US$24.99, though version 3.6.1 is a free upgrade for registered users of version 3.x.

Well, Apple said late March, but Saturday, April 3 is close enough, it seems. That's when the iPad will go on sale in the U.S. At least the Wi-Fi only version 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. Beginning a week from today, on March 12, US customers can pre-order both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G models from Apple’s online store (http://www.apple.com) or reserve a Wi-Fi model to pick up on Saturday, April 3, at an Apple retail store. The Wi-Fi iPad will set for a suggested retail price of US$499 for 16GB, $599 for 32GB, $699 for 64GB models. The Wi-Fi + 3G models will be available in late April for a suggested retail price of $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32GB and $829 for 64GB.  iPad will be sold in the US through the Apple Store, Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers.

Penguin books (http://us.penguingroup.com/) -- the U.S. affiliate of the internationally renowned Penguin Group, one of the largest English-language trade book publishers in the world -- is looking to be one of the strongest contenders when it comes to ebooks on the iPad, it seems. Recently, the company offered demos of upcoming books for the iPad. And, according to a report at "paidContent: UK" (http://paidcontent.co.uk/article/419-first-look-how-penguin-will-reinven...), "many of Penguin’s iPad books seem hardly to resemble “books” at all, but rather very interactive learning experiences, from its Dorling Kindersley and kids imprints --the Vampire Academy 'book' is 'an online community for vampire lovers' with live chat between readers, and the Paris travel guide switches to street map view when placed on a table." “The iPad represents the first real opportunity to create a paid distribution model that will be attractive to consumers,” CEO John Makinson said at the FTs Digital...

Tension Software has updated CryptoEdit (http://www.pomola.com/products_cryptoedit/cryptoedit.html), a Mac OS X program to create and edit protected encrypted documents, to version 1.5. In the new version saved documents remember their position and size. CryptoEdit can import from other documents in standard TEXT or RTF or RTFD (RTF + images) . Documents can also be exported as TEXT, RTF or standard RTFD (included images) CryptoEdit document are saved always encrypted for security purpose. Saving a document containing images will create on disk a single file with all the text and images encrypted in a single file. Any data the user puts in the document is encrypted and not redeable without the right password. CrytopEdit costs US$25, though version 1.5 is a free update for registered users.

Apple has topped the "Most Admired List" by "Fortune" magazine again. It's Apple's third year atop the llist. Here's what "Fortune" has to say about Apple: "With 250 million iPods, 43 million iPhones, and 32 million iPod touches sold to date, plus the promise of a game-changing iPad, Apple won this year's vote by the highest margin ever for a No. 1. Two more years as champ and Apple will match GE for most appearances in the top spot. "What makes Apple so admired? Product, product, product. This is the company that changed the way we do everything from buy music to design products to engage with the world around us. Its track record for innovation and fierce consumer loyalty translates into tremendous respect across business' highest ranks. "As BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer puts it, 'The whole world held its breath before the iPad was announced. That's brand management at its very best'."

Intel (http://www.intel.com) launched its first Intel Atom processor- based platform optimized for networked home and small office/home office (SOHO) storage devices. Home server and SOHO network-attached storage (NAS) devices based on the new Intel Atom processor- based platform act as centralized hubs that organize, manage, protect and share documents, photos, videos and music throughout the home and small office, according to Seth Bobroff, general manager, Intel Data Center Group, Storage. This makes it possible to keep digital content safe and available anytime, anywhere, he adds. With an up to 50% power reduction and improved performance1 compared to Intel’s previous generation of Intel Atom processors, the new Intel Atom processors paired with the Intel 82801IR I/O Controller enable vendors to deliver cost-effective, feature-rich and reliable systems that scale to support the demands of the evolving home and small office storage market, Bobroff says. The new platform features...