Mobis releases Just Mobile Xtand for iPod touch
Mobis Technology (http://www.just-mobile.com), a manufacturer of
mobile accessories, has announced the global launch of Just Mobile
Xtand, a full metal and rotating stand for the first and second
generation iPod touch. It's designed to provide a hands-free viewing
experience.
The Xtand is made of aluminum and offers 360 degrees of rotation, an
adjustable viewing angle, cable management and non-slip feet. It will
be available in November for US$39.
Centrify delivers Mac OS smart card log-in to Active Directory
Centrify Corp. (http://www.centrify.com) -- a provider of Microsoft
Active Directory-based auditing, access control and identity
management solutions for non-Microsoft platforms -- has released
Centrify DirectControl 4.2 for Mac OS X, which adds smart card-based
login to Active Directory for single sign-on to Windows-integrated
services and applications.
Centrify leverages the PKI infrastructure provided by Apple and works
with both Common Access Cards (CAC) and Personal Identity
Verification (PIV) cards as well as with other cards that support the
Apple TokenD interface such as the .NET smart card from Gemalto. With
this capability, government agencies and other organizations can use
smart cards for interactive login from the Mac to all services in the
organization whose access is controlled from Active Directory, not
just the local computer, says David McNeely, director of product
management for Centrify.
DirectControl effectively turns a Mac, UNIX or Linux system into an
Active...
Image competition results announced
LightWork Design has announced the winner of the latest LightWorks
Image Competition.
The winning entry came from Kheang Chrun. He lives in New Zealand,
where he does freelance illustration work, mainly of cars. He uses
trueSpace software with its integrated LightWorks rendering engine.
"One major feature of trueSpace which sets it apart from other mid
range 3D graphic authoring tools is the fully integrated LightWorks
rendering engine," he says. "To achieve photorealistic renderings of
cars, I need a render engine which can accurately reproduce materials
specific to cars such as glass for the lights, chrome, metallic paint
and so on. The LightWorks render engine has a collection of shaders
that allow me to quickly and easily achieve the effects I want. The
LightWorks multi-layer paint is one of the most versatile shaders I
have ever used as it allows me to effortlessly reproduce the look of
the ultra-high gloss paintwork of today's cars."
In addition, runners up prizes have been...
CoverScout 3 adds revamped interface, more
equinux (http://www.equinux.com) has released CoverScout 3, an update
of the software for completing album covers in iTunes. It has a
revamped interface and more.
The interface of CoverScout 3 is based upon the principles of Cover
Flow. Its intuitive and familiar interface make it easy for anyone to
flip through their music library and find all their missing cover
art, says equinux CEO Till Schadde. CoverScout scans your music
library as soon as the application is launched showing all covered
and uncovered tracks. It searches for appropriate cover art on the
Internet, which it can automatically apply to entire albums or
individual tracks.
CoverScout searches multiple music archives like Amazon, WalMart and
Google Image Search simultaneously. It can also be adjusted to
include additional search sources. In the integrated cover editor,
each album cover can be edited with pixel precision, rotated,
cropped, scaled and the colors can be adjusted. CoverScout even
offers the option to...
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.1, Camera Raw 5.1 updates available
Adobe has released updates to Photoshop Lightroom and the Photoshop
Camera Raw plug-in, both available immediately as free upgrades for
Lightroom 2 and Photoshop CS4 users.
The releases provide added raw file support for 15 digital cameras
including the Nikon D90, Nikon D700, Canon EOS 50D and Canon EOS
1000D. The Lightroom 2.1 update also includes improvements to
Photoshop integration, performance with 64-bit Mac OS X 10.5
("Leopard") computers, and Keyword migration from Lightroom.
In addition, Adobe has released a new set of camera profiles
available on Adobe Labs. The camera profiles are targeted at
improving Adobe's default raw processing and emulating the color
rendering provided by camera manufacturers. The update includes added
support for the Leica M8, Canon EOS 50D, Canon G9, Nikon D90 and
Pentax models. Camera profiles are the visual starting point for the
raw processing workflow.
The 15 new digital cameras supported in Lightroom 2.1 and Camera Raw
5.1 include the Canon EOS...
TuneWear announces PRIE Ambassador SideHook for iPod touch 2G
TuneWear is shipping the PRIE Ambassador SideHook for the iPod touch
2G, a new line of leather cases for iPod touch 2G. The cases are
available in the TuneWear online shop (http://store.tunewear.com/) at
a suggested retail price of US$49.95.
The PRIE Ambassador SideHook for iPod touch 2G has a hook to the side
so that it can also be used as a stand for watching video. The hook
can be used to attach the iPod touch 2G to a belt loop or bag, or can
be removed entirely. The case also has a cardholder on the back, big
enough for a driver's license or commuter card.
All sensors, ports and buttons remain open and available on the iPod
touch 2G. TuneFilm, a clear protective film for iPod touch 2G, covers
the Multi-touch display and is included free. The PRIE Ambassador
SideHook is available in three different colors: black with red
stitching, black with white stitching or caramel brown with yellow
stitching.
QuickLicense 3.0 includes AddLicense tool
Excel Software (http://www.excelsoftware.com) has updated
QuickLicense, a system for managing the licensing of Mac OS X and
Windows software, to version 3.0. The upgrade includes an application
programming interface for complete developer control and the
AddLicense tool to wrap compiled applications within a protective
license with no programming required.
Unicode text enables the developer to customize the user interface to
support any language. An application can even replace the runtime
Activation dialog. A vendor can securely blocked or unblocked an
activated license. Individual features can be securely enabled when
purchased by a customer.
QuickLicense is used to configure hacker-proof evaluation, lease or
full licenses, then manage each license and customer data. It offers
developers control over how many days or executions are allowed,
which computers or users can run the software, the security features
that protect it and how the registration process works.
The QuickLicense...
OWC announces Blu-ray external drives with quad interface
Other World Computing (OWC) has introduced a line
of OWC Mercury Pro Blu-ray Quad Interface
external drive solutions
(http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/optical-drives/). The
first Blu-ray external drives on the market
offering a "quad interface" of FireWire 800,
FireWire 400, USB 2.0, and eSATA, the OWC Mercury
Pro drives feature 4X Blu-ray disc write speed
for burning up to 1GB of data per minute and a
data transfer rate up to 150MB per second.
Immediately available for Mac and Windows
systems, and priced starting at US$499.99, the
Mercury Pro Blu-ray external drive solutions are
targeted to consumers with large amounts of
High-Def or other video, photos, music, and data
files that they want to archive or retrieve using
optical media. Mercury Pro Blu-ray drives read
and/or write virtually all optical media,
including Blu-ray, HD-DVD, DVD-RAM, and CD-R/RW.
Pricing for OWC Mercury Pro Blu-ray Write and
Read external drive solutions are:
° OWC Mercury Pro SW-5583, $499.99. It...
Absoft offers Fortran Xcode plug-in for Intel Macs
Absoft Corp. (http://www.absoft.com), a provider of Fortran tools for
Mac OS systems, has announced an Xcode plug-in for Fortran
development under Xcode 3.1 on Intel-based Macs. The plug-in is
compatible with Absoft's newly released Pro Fortran 10.2, and will be
included free of charge as part of the Pro Fortran distribution.
Absoft is releasing the Xcode plug-in as an alternative to their
multi-platform IDE for Fortran and C++ development. The company says
that Apple's Xcode is excellent for C/C++, but wasn't designed as
Fortran aware, and therefore is limited as a Fortran development
environment.
Absoft's Fortran Xcode plug-in adds Fortran functionality, which
allows Absoft's 32-bit and 64-bit Fortran compilers to be used within
Xcode. Access to Absoft's Fx3 debugger, MRWE application framework
and third party libraries is also supported. Using Absoft's Xcode
plug-in, customers can build mixed Fortran or Fortran/C++ programs as
MRWE applications, terminal applications or libraries.
MacDev 2009 coming in April 2009
The Mac Developer Network (MDN) with Steve Scott and Tim Isted will
be hosting the UK's only independent Mac developer conference, MacDev
2009 (http://www.macdeveurope.com/), on April 16 and 17, 2009.
The conference is designed for experienced Mac developers "who want
to spend two days together geeking out while being educated by some
of the world's top Mac developers." It will be held at the Conference
Hertfordshire de Havilland Campus.
Booking opened to MDN members on Oct. 20; it will open for everyone
else Nov. 1. The Mac Developer Network was founded in 2007 by Scott
to provide high quality podcasts , screencasts and video training to
the Mac developer community. MDN is an effort to help promote the
development of applications to run on Apple's Mac OS X operating
system and the iPhone.
Virtual Programming releases Brain Jogging for iPhone, iPod touch
Virtual Programming (http://www.vpltd.com) has released Brain Jogging
for the iPhone and iPod touch. The game costs US$3.99 and is
available at the Apple App Store.
Here's how the game is described: "Train your response times, your
mind and improve your effectiveness with different tasks. Check your
mental arithmetic, tinker the given motive from geometric figures or
sharpen your mind with a memory game.
Don't want to take on a challenge before you are trained? Repeat the
training classes as many times as you like until you feel ready.
Improve yourself with Brain Jogging! Challenge and training mode
three difficulty levels Comprehensive evaluation of every game you
played."
99Games releases Chess for iPhone, iPod touch
99Games has released Chess (http://www.99games.in/pressroom.html) for
the iPhone and iPod touch. It's available in a "lite" (US$0.99) and
"pro" ($3.99) version at the Apple App Store.
Here's how the games are described: "Chess Lite is for beginners and
those players who want to hone their chess skills by learning a few
tricks and Chess rules. This edition contains medium level
complexity, a 2D theme and a demo game played by the iPhone, thus
grooming the user to becoming a pro player.
"Chess Pro is for seasoned Chess players who know the rules of the
game and want to be challenged with three levels of complexity and
three variants such as Regular, Suicide and Losers. This edition has
the option to choose 3D themes for the coins and boards.
"Both editions make use of a professional strength Chess engine with
playing strength over 2750 ELO. Intuitive controls make the
user-experience a lot more electrifying thus gripping the user to the
game totally! Highlighting previous move, next...
24x7digital introduces PhotoCopy 1.0 for Leopard
24x7digital has released PhotoCopy 1.0
(http://www.24x7digital.com/photocopy), an iPhoto to Flickr mirroring
utility for Mac OS X 10.5 ("Leopard"). The app is designed
specifically to help protect media assets.
You select which iPhoto albums to share, and let PhotoCopy do the
rest. It uploads all of the photos in the selected album(s) to Flickr
and arranges them in matching sets. PhotoCopy also copies important
image information from iPhoto, such as title, date, time, rating,
keywords and description.
One of PhotoCopy's features is its ability to mirror selected iPhoto
albums to Flickr sets. It compares the current iPhoto library with
the users Flickr account and figures out what changes to make and
ensures they both match. Whatever is done to an album in iPhoto,
whether adding, deleting, reordering, or editing images, PhotoCopy
will make the same changes to the matching Flickr set automatically.
With PhotoCopy's ability to mirror files, users don't have to log-in
and maintain their...
Ekim Software releases BuildMate 1.1 for developers
Ekim Software (http://www.ekimsoftware.com) is shipping BuildMate
1.1, an update of the free, cross-platform build process automation
tool for REALbasic projects. The upgrade adds the ability to copy
framework files into the application automatically.
It also offers greater control over Plist files in the built
application. Version 1.1 also builds correctly, even if the project
is already open in REALbasic.
BuildMate allows you to set properties and constants in a project
with static and dynamic values from the build configuration file,
moving the resulting built applications to a builds directory. Many
different situations, like running a schedule to perform nightly
builds to reducing a complicated build process down to a single
command, can benefit from the use of BuildMate, therefore saving
developers a lot of time, according to the folks at Ekim.
The app lets you: build multiple projects from a single configuration
file; set constant and property values before building; copy...
DAZ introduces Michael 4
DAZ has introduced version 4 of Michael
(http://www.daz3d.com/i/3d_models/overview?_m=d"), its 3D male. It's
derived from high-resolution real-life human photography and body
scans that are combined with the fourth generation unimesh and
improved rigging and body contours.
Built to use the same add-on technology as his counterpart Victoria
4, Michael 4 allows characters of different proportions and shapes to
be loaded, morphed and mixed, providing a platform for character
generation. Michael 4 comes complete with multiple head shapes to
alter age, weight and ethnicity characteristics, along with skin
texture maps showcasing enhanced irregularities such as pores,
freckles, veins and muscle striations. The added utilization of DAZ
3D's new high-end Character Setup Tools grant Michael 4 more
realistic joint movement while eliminating distortion in each pose,
says DAZ 3D's president and co-founder, Dan Farr.
Available free of charge for all registered DAZ 3D users, Michael 4
is now...
Kerio MailServer 6.6 Brings Resource Scheduling &...
KERIO MAILSERVER 6.6 DELIVERS INDUSTRY'S ADVANCED RESOURCE SCHEDULING AND
FAST MIGRATION PATH AWAY FROM EXCHANGE
Latest Version of Award Winning Groupware Brings Enhanced Collaboration,
Improved Mobile Support, and New Kerio Exchange Migration Tool
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- October 21, 2008 -- Kerio Technologies, Inc. today
announces the immediate availability of Kerio MailServer 6.6, which
includes resource management and a new tool for migrating users and data
from Microsoft Exchange. With this release, Kerio now offers a
comprehensive range of collaboration tools to make teamwork effective. To
help organizations transition from Microsoft Exchange, Kerio introduces
Kerio Exchange Migration Tool (KEMT) to further simplify migrating email,
calendars, contacts and tasks to a Kerio MailServer running on a Mac,
Windows or Linux.
Kerio MailServer 6.6 now includes resource scheduling, which allows users
to easily view, subscribe, delegate and reserve shared resources such as
conference rooms...
Enfocus introduces PitStop Extreme
Enfocus has announced the availability of anew addition to the
PitStop product family. PitStop Extreme is a standalone PDF editor
for checking and correcting PDF files. PitStop Extreme also
incorporates Enfocus' preflighting engine and Certified PDF
technology to prevent editing errors and safeguard the file.
PitStop Extreme is standards-compliant, including PDF/X and the Ghent
PDF Workgroup specifications. Its familiar editing environment means
a limited training requirement. And it operates in both Mac OS X and
Microsoft Windows environments.
PitStop Extreme will be demonstrated at Graph Expo, North America's
largest printing trade show scheduled for Oct. 26-29. Once the
product has been released, interested parties can visit the Enfocus
website (http://www.enfocus.com) to download a fully functional trial
version. Fully functional trial versions of all other Enfocus
products will be available as well; these products may also be
purchased online.
PitStop Extreme will be priced at US...
Vampyr Story game coming to the Mac
A Vampyre Story (http://www.vampyrestory-game.com) is a new adventure
game for the Mac from Virtual Programming; it will be released in the
fourth quarter of the year. The game has been developed by Autumn
Moon Entertainment, a company founded by ex- LucasArts employee Bill
Tiller.
Here's how the game is described: "This new point and click adventure
tells the tale of the beautiful, gifted opera singer Mona De Lafitte,
whose life is brought to an abrupt end by the vampire baron, Shrowdy
Von Kiefer. Trapped in Draxsylvania Castle and doomed to a miserable
existence as a creature of the night, Mona decides to run away to
fulfill her dream of singing at the Paris Opera.
"A number of challenges await the elegant opera singer as she comes
to terms with her new vampire nature and learns to harness the
supernatural abilities she has acquired. Froderick, a witty and
mischievous bat, joins Mona on the quest to realize her dream,
helping unravel brain teasing puzzles and adding humor to the...
Craft Animations introduces new animation tools for the Mac
Craft Animations
(http://www.craftanimations.com/index.cfm?objectid=27B47796-AC74-49F2-5BC...)
has introduced Mac OS X versions of its Craft
Director Tools for users of Autodesk's Maya.
Tools is a process-driven animation suite based
on neural networking, artificial intelligence and
autonomous control systems.
Craft Animations' co-founder and chief technical
officer, Luigi Tramontana, says Craft Director
Tools offer an entirely new way of animating by
quickly and accurately directing the physical
motion paths of objects such as cars, planes and
helicopters. Craft Director Tools extend creative
possibilities by eliminating the time-consuming
tasks of key framing and scripting, he adds.
Craft Director Tools include:
° Craft Camera Tools, which provide users with cinematic results in real time.
° Craft Vehicles, which allow artists to create
realistic and accurate simulations for in-motion
vehicles.
° Craft Accessories, which add the finishing
touches to productions by simulating and...
Yamaha ships AudioGram, offers rebate
Yamaha Corporation of America (http://www.yamaha.com) is now shipping
their new AudioGram 6 and AudioGram 3 Computer Recording Systems.
Recently named Best in Show at the annual NAMM music trade show,
these audio interfaces are designed to turn a computer into a tool
for recording from virtually any microphone, instrument or audio
device.
In addition, the company is offering a $20 rebate on the AudioGram
when purchased with a qualifying Yamaha keyboard, guitar, or bass.
Packaged as complete computer music solutions, the AudioGram Series
bundle together a hardware interface with software for recording and
producing music. Recording music from instruments, microphones, CD
players or MP3 players involves installing the included 48 track
Audio/MID music-production application, CuBase AI, on your computer
and connecting the audio interface using the USB cable provided.
The AudioGram 6 features 2 XLR combo inputs with preamps, two stereo
inputs, one-knob compression for dialing in the...
Ramjet offers memory for MacBook, MacBook Pro
Ramjet now carries DDR3-1066 RAM for the new aluminum MacBook and the
black bezel MacBook Pro. The new MacBooks and MacBook Pros have two
slots, and memory is to be installed in matched pairs.
Users will remove the two original 1GB modules and replace them.
Ramjet offers a 4GB kit, containing two 2GB modules for US$139.
These modules are fully compatible with the latest Apple firmware,
and are SPD configured for the MacBook and MacBook Pro. These Ramjet
4GB kits are shipping now, and come with a lifetime warranty.
MacBook 4Gig DDR3-1066 Kit
http://www.ramjet.com/ItemDescription.asp?Item=MBAL4G
MacBook Pro 4Gig DDR3-1066 Kit
http://www.ramjet.com/ItemDescription.asp?Item=MBP4G
Speck ships PixelSkin cases for 2G iPod touch, 4G iPod nano
Speck (http://www.SpeckProducts.com) has released versions of its
PixelSkin case for the 4G iPod nano and 2G iPod touch PixelSkin's
lightweight, form-fit design with slightly thicker corners helps
protect your iPod from bumps and scrapes, while the textured tile
pattern provides a comfortable, tactile sensation in your hand and a
no-slip grip, says says Irene Baran, CEO of Speck.
The case offers access to all ports, controls and sensors, while the
front raised ridge detail recesses the screen to protect it while
faced down. The PixelSkin for iPod nano 4G (US$19.95) is available in
Licorice Black, FD&C Blue #1, Key Lime Green, Candy Pink, Wildberry
Blue, Marshmallow White, Lemon Drop Yellow, Frosted Sugar, Mango
Orange and Fruit Punch Red.
The PixelSkin for iPod touch 2G ($24.95) will be available in
Licorice Black, Blueberry Blue, Sherbet Pink, Huckelberry Purple,
Marshmallow White, Spearmint Green and Corncob Yellow.
Zevrix releases BatchOutput Server for Adobe InDesign output
Zevrix Solutions has released BatchOutput Server
(http://zevrix.com/BatchOutputServer.php), an output workflow
automation solution for Adobe InDesign. The software automates
printing and exporting to PDF and PostScript by processing InDesign
files from network-based hot folders.
BatchOutput Server is designed to automate, simplify and streamline
output workflows of publishing houses, printers, prepress service
providers, ad agencies, magazines and newspapers. With the software,
production and layout artists, prepress operators, proofreaders,
retouchers and designers copy files to hotfolders that reside on the
network. BatchOutput Server automatically outputs the files from its
dedicated station using hotfolder settings, and will auto-activate
document fonts as well.
BatchOutput Server also allows for a single set of output settings
for an entire workgroup. Production managers and operators can
monitor all BatchOutput Server activities from their own workstations
using the BatchOutput...
Intelliscanner Comic Edition organizes comics automatically
IntelliScanner Corp. has introduced the US$129 Comic Edition
(http://www.intelliscanner.com/products/comics), a solution for
organizing comic and media collections automatically. Comic Edition's
IntelliScanner barcode reader and included comic management software
provide details on each comic using an Internet-enabled database and
AutoFill technology.
Available for both the Mac and PC, it also includes several bonus
features for managing media, searching collections on an iPhone and
sharing collections online. It sports a database of over 250,000
comics.
The database automatically downloads detailed information on each
comic, including the title, date, writer, penciller, inker, editor
and a picture of the comic book cover. Database access is free to all
Comic Edition users with no subscriptions or renewals required.
Comic Edition bundles IntelliScanner's USB barcode reader and comic
database software. Users can scan the barcode from a printable comic
tag to pull up comic records, add...
Vizio launches new lines of LCD displays
Vizio (http://www.vizio.com) has announced four newFull HD 1080p LCD
flat panel displays in 32-inch and 37-inch sizes. The VOJ370F
(US$849.99) and VOJ320F ($649.99) are the first of the exclusive
decor-colored "Java" product line with colored bezel and stand
treatments designed to integrate into contemporary styling of today's
homes.
Vizio has also released two additional Full HD models based on the
popular VIZIO "VO" series of products. The VO32LF-32-inch LCD and
VO37LF-37-inch LCD are now Full HD 1080p that cost $849.99 and
$649.99, respectively.
The VOJ370F 37-inch LCD and VOJ320F 32-inch LCD sets provide PIP/POP
viewing, 1920 x 1080 native resolution with a 6500:1 contrast ratio
with DCR, 6.5ms refresh rates, a 178-degree viewing angle and high
500 nits brightness. Vizio's updated VO series 37-inch VO37LF and
32-inch VO32LF LCD sets provide Full HD 1920 x 1080 native resolution
with a 6500:1 contrast ratio with DCR, 6.5ms refresh rates, a wide
178-degree viewing angle and high 500...
Premium leather Flight Jacket launched for the MacBook series
MacCase (http://www.mac-case.com/) has launched the Premium Leather
Flight Jacket, an US$169.95 portable protection solution for the
MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. The Flight Jacket is a
vertically-oriented, streamlined design with minimal bulk.
The compact case has several storage pockets for accessories and a
removable, customized pouch for the MacBook Air Super Drive or AC
adapter for the larger MacBook Pro models. The Flight Jacket can be
transported in three different modes -- by handle, by shoulder strap
or as an optional backpack. The Flight Jacket expands MacCase's
Premium Leather Collection.
The Premium Leather Collection utilizes the warmth and softness of
the material that's purposefully juxtaposed against the coolness of
the machines they carry, according to Michael Santoro, chief creative
officer at MacCase. The entire Premium Leather Collection boasts
contrasting white stitching, stainless steel finished hardware and
embossed logos. The Flight Jacket is...
Mark/Space Announces Fliq Application for iPhone
Mark/Space Announces Fliq Application Now Available on Apple App Store
Los Gatos, CA.--October October 20, 2008--Mark/Space, developer of the
award-winning synchronization software 'The Missing Sync,' today announced
its new Fliq application is available on the Apple App Store. Fliq is a
free social networking application that allows iPhone and iPod touch users
to instantly send, or "beam", photos and contacts to one another.
"Fliq offers real-time social networking between friends in close
proximity," said Brian Hall, CEO of Mark/Space. "There's no emailing,
texting or instant messaging configurations to set because Fliq is a
stand-alone app that allows users to sync up to share photos and contacts
with anyone else on the same Wi-Fi network."
Fliq makes it fun and easy to send pictures from your photo albums and
Camera Roll. Plus, Fliq lets you easily exchange contacts and take them
with you.
Fliq is available free worldwide from Apple's App Store on iPhone and iPod
touch or at (http...
MacSpeech Dictate v1.2
MACSPEECH, INC. SHIPS FIRST MAJOR UPDATE TO MACSPEECH DICTATE
-- New Spelling Mode Facilitates Dictation of Unusual Words; New Phrase
Training Provides Increased Recognition Accuracy Based On Usage --
SALEM, N.H., October 20, 2008 - MacSpeech, Inc. today released MacSpeech
Dictate v1.2, the first major update to the premier speech recognition
solution for the Macintosh. Now for the first time, MacSpeech Dictate
customers can dictate any specific word, no matter how obscure, by spelling
it letter-by-letter with the new Spelling mode.
The new version 1.2 update also introduces Phrase Training, which helps
increase accuracy even more as one uses MacSpeech Dictate. The MacSpeech
Dictate 1.2 update is also a maintenance release that fixes reported issues
and introduces a new "Move" command for easier verbal editing of a
document. The MacSpeech Dictate 1.2 update is free of charge and now
available for registered customers, using the "Check for Updates" feature.
"MacSpeech Dictate 1.2 makes...
Tiffen Dfx 2.0 digital filter software available for Photoshop...
In conjunction with Adobe's release of its Photoshop Creative Suite 4
for Windows, Tiffen (http://www.tiffen.com) has announced the
availability of a new Dfx 2.0 plug-in specifically for Adobe CS4
owners wanting to take advantage of 64-bit capability.
The new Tiffen Dfx v2.0 plug-in for Adobe CS4 includes the same
exclusive multiple masking and layering capabilities found with other
Tiffen Dfx v2.0 plug-ins for Photoshop and Aperture, as well as its
stand-alone application. All of the Tiffen Dfx 2.0 editions are
available for the Mac or Windows and feature more than 1,000 new
filters and effects including: Ambient Light, Close Up Lens, Dot, Eye
Light, Flag, Gobo, HFX Star, Haze, High Contrast, Ice Halos,
Rainbows, Sepia, Sky, Soft Contrast, Soft Light, Warm Center Spot,
Warm Polarizer, Water Droplets, Wide Angle Lens and 812 Warming.
You can choose from a palette of more than 2,000 standard, exclusive
and special effect filters that simulate Tiffen's optical
equivalents. These can all...
Escape Studios offers Pixar's RenderMan fundamentals course
Escape Studios (http://www.escapestudios.com) has announced that its
new New York facility is offering a five-day Pixar's RenderMan
Fundamentals course. Taught by Escape tutor, Bhamik Patel, Pixar's
RenderMan Fundamentals course will provide students with a foundation
in the primary rendering technology used in film, visual effects and
animation production.
Pixar's RenderMan Fundamentals course runs Monday through Friday,
Nov. 17-21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Due to limited availability it's
recommended that interested students register quickly.
Pixar's RenderMan Fundamentals course begins with an introduction to
the software, including the development of RenderMan, its primary
capabilities, its impact on feature film development and how it
differs from other renderers on the market. The course continues with
an overview of the tools included in RenderMan Studio, ending with an
exercise where the students apply all of the techniques that they've
learned to solve problems typically...
Creaceed updates Vocalia speech recognition for iPhone
Creaceed has updated Vocalia (http://www.creaceed.com/vocalia/),
their English speech recognition tool for iPhone, to version 1.1. The
upgrade adds large address book support (up to about 5,000 contacts)
and offers faster launch time.
Vocalia 1.1 also touts an improved acoustic model, more robust
phonetization and the dissplay of phonetization progress (now user
stoppable, with incremental saving). It has a group selection feature
to limit the extent of speech recognition and fixes some interface
bugs.
Available in the App Store for US$7.99, Vocalia is Creaceed's first
iPhone application. Relatives, friends, colleagues, neighbors,
restaurants and more are in the address books. Vocalia helps you find
the person or company you want to call or send an email to.
(I)"Macsimum News" is a Proud supporter of (a
href="http://planetgumbo.org/"TARGET="_blank")Planet Gumbo(/a), which
feeds the hungry. We urge you to help them in their efforts.(/I)
Zevrix releases BatchOutput Server for Adobe InDesign output
Zevrix Solutions has released BatchOutput Server
(http://zevrix.com/BatchOutputServer.php), an output workflow
automation solution for Adobe InDesign. The software automates
printing and exporting to PDF and PostScript by processing InDesign
files from network-based hotfolders.
BatchOutput Server is designed to automate, simplify and streamline
output workflows of publishing houses, printers, prepress service
providers, ad agencies, magazines and newspapers. With the software,
production and layout artists, prepress operators, proofreaders,
retouchers and designers copy files to hotfolders that reside on the
network. BatchOutput Server automatically outputs the files from its
dedicated station using hotfolder settings, and will auto-activate
document fonts as well.
BatchOutput Server also allows for a single set of output settings
for an entire workgroup. Production managers and operators can
monitor all BatchOutput Server activities from their own workstations
using the BatchOutput...
Freeverse and Strange Flavour release Plank for iPhone
Freeverse has released Plank, a steampunk styled, tilt-based puzzle
game for the iPhone and iPod touch. It's available for US$1.99 at the
Apple App Store
(http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=292554...)
Plank was developed by Strange Flavour, creators of the Apple Design
Award winning ToySight and Airburst and Airburst Extreme games.
Here's how the game is described: "Plank is the first iPhone puzzle
game where the gameplay is based almost exclusively on the
accelerometer. Tilt the steam powered hydraulic plank to catch
colored marbles and roll them to match each other as they fall. Too
many marbles and the plank will collapse under the weight, so you
have to match them fast.
"Watch out for all the amazing power-ups and specials, including the
'Shake' smart bomb! Just as you're starting to panic, shake the
device and one of your limited number of Shakes will destroy a whole
line of marbles. Other power-ups drop more marbles, make everything
faster, slower...
Hey Mac Software delivers Briefcase for iPhone
Hey Mac Software (http://www.heymacsoftware.com) says its Briefcase
file transfer software for the iPhone is now available at both the US
and Canadian iPhone App Store. It's expected to be available in
Apple's European app stores later this week and in their Asian app
stores by the end of November.
The product offers iPhone to iPhone file transfer and requires no
cables, no client software, no switching back and forth between the
iPhone and Mac, no network set up, and no typing of an IP address.
Briefcase is priced at US$4.99 and is available in 10 languages.
Concurrent with the launch of Briefcase is the release of Briefcase
Lite, a free version of the software that gives users access to all
of the most common features and functionality of Briefcase.
Using Bonjour technology, Briefcase enables users to quickly locate,
connect to and browse local machines that have Remote Login enabled.
Remote machines with their own internet address can also be accessed;
both WiFi and 3G networks are...
Azure Talon Software introduces iLaugh 1.0 for iPhone, iPod touch
Azure Talon Software (http://www.azuretalon.com/) has introduced
iLaugh 1.0, a joke database for the iPhone and iPod touch. It
contains an "endless database of hilarious jokes."
With sources containing a total of over 20,000 jokes, iLaugh supports
US English and requires iPhone or iPod touch 2.0. Azure Talon says it
will be releasing two, completely new sources soon.
iLaugh 1.0 costs US $0.99 and is available exclusively through
Apple's App Store
(http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=291699...).
Apatar announces connectivity to the SugarCRM open source suite
Apatar, a provider of open source software tools for the data
integration market, has announced connectivity to the SugarCRM open
source suite. It's platform independent, so runs on Mac OS X, Windows
and Linux systems.
The new SugarCRM connector is designed to integrate data between the
customer relation management system and a variety of third-party data
sources, allowing for this data to be filtered, validated, and
cleansed.
Provided with Apatar's drag and drop interface, the SugarCRM
connector doesn't require coding skills and can be deployed by almost
any business user. With the new SugarCRM connector, Apatar enables
its users to link customer information between databases (such as
MySQL, Microsoft SQL, Oracle), files (Microsoft Excel spreadsheets,
CSV/TXT files), applications (Salesforce.com), and the top Web 2.0
destinations (Flickr, Amazon S3, RSS feeds).
According to Gartner, corporate developers spend approximately 65
percent of their effort building bridges between...
Speck announces new iPhone cases
Speck has unveiled its Fitted case design
(http://www.speckproducts.com/content/fitted-for-iphone-3g) for the
iPhone 3G. It's designed to "provide the opportunity for iPhone
owners to show off their own signature style and personality," says
Bryan Hynecek, lead designer at Speck.
"In the design of Fitted, our team asked how we could really make a
fashion statement with a case and make it as elegant as any other
personal style choice," he says. "Why wouldn't people shop for cases
like they would for a watch, shoes or some other fashion accessory?
With Fitted, we're giving iPhone users that opportunity."
Available in an assortment of original fabrics, patterns and colors,
the Fitted case series brings a custom apparel look to the iPhone 3G.
The case's form-fitting, two-piece snap together design creates a
personalized and tailored appearance that, combined with its interior
soft-touch polycarbonate hard-shell lining, offers protection. It
also sports custom-fit contours and openings...
OWC announces internal hard drive upgrades for new MacBooks,
Other World Computing (OWC) has announced a
selection of new 7200RPM and 5400RPM 2.5-inch
SATA internal hard drives in capacities up to
500GB for Apple's MacBook, MacBook Pro 15-inch,
and MacBook Pro 17-inch models. OWC 2.5" SATA
internal hard drive upgrades are available
immediately, with the most popular options
including:
° Hitachi Travelstar 5K320, 320GB 2.5-inch
5400RPM with 8MB cache, three-year warranty,
US$74.99 (price after $20 Hitachi sponsored
rebate);
° Hitachi Travelstar 7K320, 320GB 2.5-inch
7200RPM with 16MB cache, three-year warranty,
$109.99 (price after $20 Hitachi sponsored
rebate);
° Seagate Momentus 7200.3, 320GB 2.5-inch 7200RPM
with 16MB cache, five-year warranty, $119.99;
° Samsung Spinpoint M6, 500GB 2.5-inch 5400RPM
with 8MB cache, three-year warranty, $179.99.
To order or for more information on OWC Hard
Drive and Memory Upgrades for MacBook and MacBook
Pro, visit
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple_MacBook_MacBook_Pro/Upgrade
Native Instruments announces Traktor Pro, Traktor Scratch Pro
Native Instruments has\announced Traktor Pro and Traktor Scratch Pro,
the next versions of its digital DJ solutions with MIDI and time-code
control. Traktor Pro touts four full-featured decks, extensive sound
shaping and MIDI control options.
The new Traktor Scratch Pro combines the full-featured Traktor Pro
software with the Audio 8 DJ interface and a set of high-resolution
time-code records and CDs for responsive hands-on control through
turntables and CD decks. Traktor Pro introduces a new graphical user
interface that includes a completely scalable screen layout and cover
artwork support including the Crate Flick" feature that allows DJs to
visually browse their music library.
There are also advanced syncing functions in Traktor Pro. Precise
beat grids are now created automatically for all tracks, and the
"Sync Lock" function is designed to ensure that even multiple decks
and tempo-synced effects never drift out of sync. New "quantized
navigation" also allows DJs to jump between...
Scosche releases passPORT iPod/iPhone car integration system
Scosche Industries (http://www.scosche.com) has released its new
passPORT iPod/iPhone car integration system. The passPORT utilizes a
female pass-through connector to attach to any in-car iPod
integration system to charge all iPhone and iPod models, including
the iPhone 3G and the recently introduced nano 4G and touch 2G.
"The passPORT provides a seamless solution for anyone that wants to
listen to their new iPhone or iPod in their car through their
integrated audio system," says Kas Alves, vice president, sales and
marketing, Scosche Industries. "Scosche engineers developed a highly
sophisticated product that maintains all functionality including
audio, video and data of the iPhone 3G and new iPod models."
The passPORT is priced at $29.99 MSRP and is now on sale at Apple
stores. For additional information please visit
http://www.scosche.com/passport.
MacPractice, SUNI Medical Imaging offer native MacSensor solution
MacPractice (http://www.macpractice.com), developer of MacPractice
DDS, and Suni Medical, Imaging, a manufacturer of intraoral sensors
for use in dentistry, have collaborated to deliver a new MacSensor
solution, comprised of the recently introduced SuniRay sensor and
MacPractice DR (Digital Radiography/Photo) software, version 3.5.1.
The SuniRay sensor uses the latest CMOS technology to deliver
exceptionally high image quality with maximum diagnostic
capabilities, says MacPractice President Mark Hollis. SuniRay's ergon
omic design and rounded corners ensure easy positioning and optimal
patient comfort, he adds.
Suni's plug and play sensors are purportedly easy to install and move
from treatment room to treatment room. Since one size does not fit
all patients, a smaller size is available for children and adults
with special anatomical considerations.
A SuniRay Size #2 and #2 sensor kit including installation and
training is US$13,495 for Mac users. MacPractice DDS users will also...
SemantiNet announces Silverlight 2-based semantic web software
SemantiNet, which develops Semantic web technology, has announced its
first web-based product during the company's presentation at the
Jupiter Web 3.0 conference. headup is a new plug-in for Mozilla
Firefox on Mac OS X and Windows. It enables true semantic web
capabilities for the first time within any web page, fully in context
and unobtrusively via a displayed "+" symbol next to the relevant
content, the company says.
headup's engine retrieves "personalized, meaningful" information in
real-time about the data that specifically interest the individual
user. With this information, headup can contextually "understand" how
dispersed data across the web is related, and connect it in real
time. headup alerts the user via the "+" symbol that there is
additional information of interest that can be expanded for greater
detail and discovery.
As an example, browsing a music CD on Amazon can now show not just
Amazon's information, but also all of this -- all in the same
expanded window....
Plugs let you adapt any FireWire 400 connection to new MacBook
Synchrotech's 6F to 9M adapter plugs
(http://www.synchrotech.com/product-1394/firewire-400-800-cables-connecto...)
plugs let you deploy existing FireWire 400 devices and cables with
Apple's new MacBook Pro computers. Rather than purchasing new six to
nine pin cables to accommodate the new laptop's single high
performance FireWire 800 port, the adapter is designed to protect
existing investments in FireWire 400 peripherals and cables.
The 6F to 9M adapter allows for full 400Mbps operation. The device's
part number is CAB-FW8-6-9-CONV, and it retails for US$9.
Marware ships Eco-Runner for iPod nano 4G
Marware (http://www.marware.com) is shipping the US$34.99 Eco-Runner
for the iPod nano 4G. It's an environmentally friendly iPod carrying
solution that replaces neoprene with a special eco-friendly material.
Also, the wrist/armband case is designed to accommodate the new 4G
nano and the Nike+ Sport Kit receiver.
The armband extension strap allows this case to be worn either on
your wrist or your upper arm. It's available in gray with green
contrast.
ShaggyMac ships new screen protectors for new Apple laptops
ShaggyMac (http://www.shaggymac.com) is offering new screen
protectors for the newly launched unibody MacBook and MacBook Pro.
Designed specifically for each model, the ShaggyMac lays on the
keyboard surface and cushions/protects the screen while the lid is
closed.
Using the ShaggyMac will prevent marks and scuffs on the LDC surface,
the company says. In addition, the ShaggyMac Screen Protector is made
from an optical polishing cloth, which will keep the MacBook's glass
screen and glass trackpad clean. Both products are immediately
available for US$14.95.
IK Multimedia announces T-RackS 3
IK Multimedia has announced T-RackS 3 (http://www.t-racks.com), a new
mastering and mixing suite. It sports a suite of nine analog-modeled
and digital Dynamics/EQ processors comprised of three new analog and
vintage emulations (including models based on the Fairchild 670 and
the Pultec EQP-1A), two new digital processors as well as the four
T-RackS processors.
With the T-RackS 3's new configurable mastering/mixing chain you can
run up to 12 parallel/series processors. It sports a new, complete
built-in metering section with Peak, Perceived Loudness, Phase, and
RMS meters, plus a Spectrum analyzer with Peak, RMS and Averaging
indicators.
New standalone and plug-in versions available in the same package for
use in the most popular native DAWs. The The T-RackS 3 has a new
high-fidelity oversampling with transparency for high quality audio
processing throughout the entire signal path. It also touts new SCC
technology coupled with IK's DSM technology.
The T-RackS 3 has style-based presets...
OWC announces 4GB DDR3 memory upgrade kit for new MacBooks
Other World Computing (OWC) has announced a 4GB DDR3 OWC Memory
Upgrade Kit for Apple's new MacBook 13-inch and MacBook Pro 15-inch
models, which were announced yesterday and are just starting to
ship. OWC Memory is also available in modules and kits of up to 4GB
for all previous MacBook and MacBook Pro models, as well as for
nearly every current and past Apple computer model.
OWC Kit pricing for upgrading new MacBook and MacBooks Pros are
US$139.99 for a 4GB DDR3 Memory Upgrade Kit (a matched pair of 2GB
memory modules). OWC Memory is also available immediately for all
previous Core 2 Duo MacBook and MacBook Pro models, including the
still offered MacBook "White" 2.1GHz, in a 4GB DDR2 Memory Upgrade
Kit (matched pair of 2GB memory modules), priced at $69.99.
Additional memory savings are also available for customers who take
advantage of OWC's trade-in program, which provides $7.50 Cash Back
per 1.0GB Apple Factory Standard memory module.
In addition to memory, OWC offers MacBook...
Agenda for Mac OS X updated to version 4.0.5
Yenco has just has released Agenda 4.0.4
(http://www.yenco.com/agenda/), an update of the Mac OS X (10.4 and
higher) app that keeps track of your events and tasks, lets you enter
your thoughts, and create calendar or journal web sites. This update
fixes a bug with task import from iCal files.
Agenda 4 is a shareware application. You can evaluate it free for 15
times to try out its features and decide if you like it before you
buy it. Registration is US$40. Version 4.0.5 is a free update for
registered user of version 4.x.
Absoft advances Fortran Development on the Mac
Absoft Corp. has announced advancements for customers developing and
maintaining Fortran programs on Intel-based Mac OS systems. These
improvements affect three areas of code development and are
incorporated into Absoft's newly released Pro Fortran v10.2 for Mac
OS/Intel: 1) increased application speed, 2) superior debugging and
3) new tools for Fortran developers on Mac OS/Intel.
Wood Lotz president of Absoft says the primary increase in
application speed is a result of Absoft's support for the Intel's new
SSE4.1 vector instructions. And because not all Mac hardware systems
support SSE4.1, Absoft Pro Fortran v10.2 automatically determines
processor type and optimizes for SSE4.1 vector extensions when
appropriate. Absoft states that internal tests have demonstrated
SSE4.1 can increase speed up to 10 percent on several types of code
-- automatically, without code changes.
Improved Fortran debugging with Pro Fortran v10.2 is provided using
Absoft's latest Fx3 debugger with Apple's Xcode...
MAMA from Opera offers structural search engine
Opera Software has led a project to create a search engine that
tracks how web pages are structured on the World Wide Web. When
released publicly in the coming months, this engine will help browser
makers and standards bodies work towards a more standards-driven and
compatible web, the company says.
Opera has announced results from its MAMA (Metadata Analysis and
Mining Application) search engine, a brainchild of Opera engineers
that indexes the markup, style, scripting and technology used while
creating web pages. The MAMA search engine scours 3.5 million Web
pages, and the resulting data can answer questions such as "Can I get
a sampling of Web pages that have more than 100 hyperlinks?" or "What
does an average Web page look like?"--a dream come true for Web
developers.
MAMA will help web developers find examples of usage of features and
functions, look at trends and gather data to justify technology to
their clients or managers, says Snorre M. Grimsby, vice president of
Quality...
