CNS Menu adds background and foreground font colors for menu...
Comm-Unity Networking Systems has updated CNS Menu (http://cnsmenu.cnsplug-ins.com) to version 1.1.10. This version -- for both Mac OS X and Windows systems -- adds support for background and foreground font colors for menu items, as well as fixes a few bugs dealing with mouse positions and mouse button presses.
CNS Menu allows you to place hierarchical menus anywhere on a FileMaker Pro layout. When a menu item is chosen, the script of your choice is performed. Menus can have any number of sub-menus and can be displayed with a variety of styles and bullet marks. Creating menus with CNS Menu can be as easy as handing the plug-in a return-delimited list of menu items to display. Your menu items can display one value and have a separate value that can be used in your scripts, so the end user can see useful information while the value can be an ID number.
This version is a free upgrade for anyone with a 1.x.x license. If you still have an older 1.0.x license, you will need a new license...
iPhone 3G is most recycled phone
Apple’s second-generation iPhone, the iPhone 3G, is the most recycled handset in the UK, according to phone recycling comparison site, Sell My Mobile.
"Telegraph" (http://macosg.me/2/he) says the iPhone 3G is the most popular phone to be recycled in the UK this month, with owners getting up to £170 in exchange for their unwanted iPhone. According to Sell My Mobile, the 8GB and 16GB models of the iPhone 3G, as well as the 16GB iPhone 3GS, the third-generation iPhone, were the most-recycled handsets in June.
Sell My Mobile said the average price offered to phone users for their unwanted handset was £77.75, but warned that there were big differences in the prices offered by different mobile phone recycling sites. Users looking to offload the 16GB model of the iPhone 4, for instance, could lose out on an extra £132 if they didn’t shop around for the best recycling price deal.
xcelMe announces free iPhone, iPad marketing webinar
xcelMe -- a provider of online iPhone/iPad development and marketing training -- has announced a free, one-hour webinar entitled "Secrets to Marketing you iPhone/iPad Apps."
Participants will learn from xcelMe's Jeff Hughes, a consultant and best-selling author, the key areas of focus "to successfully market your iPhone and iPad apps." The webinar will be held July 8 at 6 pm (Pacific). This event will not be recorded. You can register at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/491610778 .
SyncMate for Mac OS X adds Bonjour support, more
Eltima Software has updated SyncMate (http://www.sync-mac.com/), software for syncing data between a Mac to Windows Mobile handheld devices, to version 2.6. The new version adds Bonjour support.
It also adds 64-bit operation on Macs and support for multimedia syncing. Version 2.6 also syncs Safari bookmarks across the Mac and Windows versions of the web browser.
SyncMate lets you synchronize Favorites, Contacts, Calendar, Notes in mobile device with Bookmarks, Address Book, iCal, Stickies on Mac OS X. The software enables Internet sharing between the Mac and the mobile device. The connection can be made via USB cable or Wi Fi.
SyncMate is Universal Binary so runs natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs. It requires Mac OS X 10.5 or higher.
SyncMate is available in two editions. SyncMate Free Edition is a synchronizer for Mac and Pocket PC/smartphone devices that will help you keep all your documents, text messages, contacts, calendar entries and events and other stuff organized. With...
Monthly iPad orders surpass two million in July
Apple's monthly iPad orders to Taiwan makers surpassed two million units for July and the volume are expected to maintain above the level in the future, according to Mingchi Kuo, senior analyst for Digitimes Research (http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20100706PD214.html).
Apple is estimated to have outsourced 2.3-2.35 million iPads to Taiwan players in July with 58-60% for the Wi-Fi and 3G hybrid model despite Wi-Fi only models having stronger sales in the first half of 2010, Kuo added.
Semiconductor revenues will increase to $295 billion in 2011
International Data Corporation (IDC) expects global semiconductor revenue to reach US$274 billion, $295 billion, and $344 billion in 2010, 2011, and 2014, respectively, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8% over the 2009-2014 forecast period.
Strong double-digit personal computer semiconductor revenue growth in 2010 (greater than 35% year over year), primarily driven by mobile computer applications followed by strong growth in enterprise spending in 2011 and 2012, will help achieve a healthy CAGR of 12.2% (2009-2014) for the computing industry segment, according to the research group.
Double-digit semiconductor revenue growth in converged mobile devices (smartphones) is helping the Wireless Industry segment to achieve a record $59.3 billion this year. However, with average memory content in handsets stabilizing and continued pressure on pricing, high-single digit growth is expected to return in 2011 and 2012.
In the Industrial, Military and Aero, and Automotive Industry...
URL Extractor update adds Adjustable Server Timeout
Tension Software has released URL Extractor X 3.1 (http://pomola.com/products_urlextractor/urlextractor.html). Url Extractor X is a Mac OS X app for extracting emails address and generic URLs from files on the HD or directly from the web using a list of "starting" web addresses and working unattended after the startup.
The new version adds an Adjustable Server Timeout preference for loading dat. There are also new functionalities via menu items and new keyboard shortcuts.
URL Extractor can extract thousands of URLs from the web starting from a single web page and using "cross navigation" and extraction. It requires Mac OS X 10.4 or higher and costs US$50. It's Universal Binary so runs natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs. Version 3.1 is a free update for registered users of version 3.0.
PDFpen for Mac OS X adds Evernote support
SmileOnMyMac has updated PDFPen (http://www.smileonmymac.com/PDFpen/download.html ), its PDF editing and form-filling tool for Mac OS X, to version 4.7. Tex The update adds support for Evernote, the multi-platform memory enhancing service.
PDFpen 4.7 features a "Save to Evernote" option in the File menu, which prompts the user to login and to set the name and note title for the PDF document. For convenience, PDFpen can save the user's Evernote login to the Mac OS X Keychain.
PDFpen costs US$49.95, and PDFpenPro is $99.95. Family pack licenses, which cover up to five computers in one household, are $74.95 for PDFpen and $129.95 for PDFpenPro. Upgrades from earlier versions of either application are $25, and free to users who purchased after June 1, 2008. Upgrades from any version of PDFpen to PDFpenPro 4.0 are $25.
PDFpen 4.7 and PDFpenPro 4.7require Mac OS X 10.6 or later. Demo versions are available for download.
Ruby on Rails bootcamp in Europe planned for August
Big Nerd Ranch Europe (http://bignerdranch.com/classes/ruby_ruby_on_rails.shtml) is holding a Ruby on Rails Bootcamp Aug. 23-27 It will be held in a retreat outside Frankfurt, Germany.
The five-day class, taught by Charles B. Quinn, is geared for developers, web designers, and project managers "interested in creating robust and efficient web-based, database-driven applications for the Internet, as well as developing stable intranet and extranet solutions." The class price of €2800 includes lodging, all meals, original instruction materials, 24-hour lab access, and ground transportation to and from the Frankfurt airport.
Participants save Euro 200 when signing up before July 19. Students are encouraged to bring independent projects to class, allowing for input from classmates and individual instructor attention.
'Consumer Reports': iPhone 4 signal issues aren't...
A new "Electronics Blog" at "Consumer Reports" (http://macosg.me/2/h6) says the iPhone 4's supposed reception problems aren't unique and that all phones are subject to interference from the human who is using them.
"And even if the alleged signal loss is real, there's an absence of hard evidence that iPhone 4 reception is problematic compared to past iPhones; indeed, there's evidence of just the opposite," Mike Gikas writes in the article. "... From my day of testing, I've determined that the iPhone 4 performs much better than the 3GS in situations where signal is very low, at -113 dBm (1 bar). Previously, dropping this low all but guaranteed that calls would drop, fail to be placed, and data would no longer be transacted at all. I can honestly say that I've never held onto so many calls and data simultaneously on 1 bar at -113 dBm as I have with the iPhone 4, so it's readily apparent that the new baseband hardware is much more sensitive compared to what was in the 3GS."
"Consumer...
Apple fourth on Experian Hitwise Hot 100 E-Retailer list
Apple ranks fourth in the latest UK Experian Hitwise Hot 100 E-Retailer list (http://www.hitwise.com/uk). Hitwise provides insights on how eight million UK Internet users interact with more than one million web sites, across 165+ industries.
Apple.com is listed above the retail sites of Windows manufacturers such as HP (ranked 24th), Dell (36th). iTunes ranks 66th. The top three on the list are Amazon, Argos and Play.com.
Experian Hitwise measures the largest sample of Internet users -- 25 million worldwide, including eight million in the UK. The company has developed proprietary software that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) use to analyze web site logs created on their network. This anonymous data is aggregated and provided to Hitwise, where it's analyzed to provide a range of industry standard metrics relating to the viewing of web sites including page requests, visits, average visit length, search terms and behavior.
Lenova exec: thank goodness Apple doesn't care about China
Apple is missing a huge opportunity in the Chinese market, according to Liu Chuanzhi, the head of Lenovo, the country’s leading computer maker. The company holds about 30% of its home market, which is one of the fastest growing globally and which is expected to become the world’s largest within a year.
Speaking of Apple’s chief executive, Lenovo’s founder and chairman, told the "Financial Times" (http://macosg.me/2/h7): “We are lucky that Steve Jobs has such a bad temper and doesn’t care about China. If Apple were to spend the same effort on the Chinese consumer as we do, we would be in trouble.”
Apple’s products are proving to be as desirable for Chinese consumers as for their international peers, but official channels for their sale are extremely limited, the article adds. The company has only a handful of flagship stores and authorized resellers in the country’s largest cities.
However, as noted by "Financial Times," Apple is set to open a new store in Shanghai this Saturday and is...
Some Apple App Store accounts reportedly compromised
Compromised Apple App Store accounts have been abused by rogue developers to boost their ranking and increase their sales, according to a report at "The Register" (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/07/05/itunes_app_store_manipulation/).
Hijacked accounts were reportedly used to buy multiple copies of previously obscure Vietnamese-language eBooks, in an apparent bid to game the iTunes ranking system. The eBooks concerned have been pulled from Apple's store and the account of seller Thuat Nguyen of mycompany has been suspended.
EU legislation could force Apple to change software policies
Neelie Kroes may also launch a probe into interoperability between various smartphone platforms, including iPhone, reports "Rethink Wireless" (http://www.rethink-wireless.com/2010/07/05/apple-face-eu-probe-new-antit...).
Kroes has already fined Microsoft $1.4bn for lack of software openness, and is now focusing on whether smartphone vendors comply with new European interoperability rules. Kroes specifically named Apple's App Store as an example of a closed environment.
"We need to make sure that significant market players cannot just choose to deny interoperability with their product," he says. "This is particularly important in cases where standards don't exist ... This is not just about Microsoft or any big company like Apple, IBM or Intel. The main challenge is that consumers need choice when it comes to software or hardware products." Under these rules, Apple could face investigation into its barring of third party development suites, such as Adobe Flash, an issue already...
iWeb SEO Tool for iWeb updated to version 1.9
Rage Software has released iWeb SEO Tool 1.9 (http://www.ragesw.com/products/iweb-seo-tool.html), an update of their utility for iWeb users to optimize their web sites for search engines. It's free for all iWeb users. (iWeb is the web creation component of Apple's iLife suite.).
Version 1.9 now allows iWeb blog pages to be properly optimized for search engines and will work with iDisk syncing enabled. Previous versions required iDisk syncing to be disabled in order to use all of iWeb SEO Tool's features.
With iWeb SEO Tool users can add page title tags, meta tags and alternative image text without having to mess with the underlying HTML code. Combined with Rage Software's suite of search engine optimization (SEO) software, iWeb users can now compete fairly with all other web sites for top search engine rankings, the company says.
'NY Times': Apple working on Apple TV overhaul
Quoting "several people familiar with Apple’s television-related efforts," "The New York Times" (http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/02/apple-hopes-to-re-enter-the-liv...) says the company is working on an update to its Apple TV and software, and will offer a completely redesigned interface for it.
Said folks told the "Times" it's not clear whether Apple will create an entirely new product as well as update the software. They also said Apple might base a new television design on its iOS operating system, which is on the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
"Another person, who recently left Apple and was involved with the company’s television group, said some of the more advanced work on the next version of the TV is not taking place within the Apple TV group, but within another design group in the company -- this could signal an entirely new product," says the "The Times." "If Apple does use the iOS software, it would allow people to download applications like the Netflix app, which...
LapWorks releases multi-adjustable notebook stand
LapWorks has released the Mantis Notebook Arm (http://www.laptopdesk.net/mantis-notebook-arm.html), a configurable support stand for any notebook computer. It's supported by a single pedestal that's broken into three sections with adjustable locking hinge joints.
This design allows it to be configured as tall as a standing lectern or as low as floor height or anywhere in between. The Mantis also can be cantilevered over a bed to support a notebook.
It has rubber tipped supports to grip any laptop so that it stays secure while in use. The Mantis Notebook Arm is available now at LapWorks. It retails for US$209.95, but is on sale for $189.95 with free shipping.
imToo offers iPhone Transfer Plus for Macs, PCs, iPhones
ImTOO (http://www.imtoo.com) has released iPhone Transfer Plus (iPhone 4 compatible) for the Mac and PC, an upgraded version of its previous iPhone Transfer. The US$39.95 app allows users to transfer media from iPhone to a computer and computer to an iPhone.
According to the folks at imToo, the main purpose of iPhone Transfer Plus is to help users better manage their media. It will also allow transfer of media from iPhone directly to iTunes. In case a computer crashes and loses all the music in one’s iTunes library, iPhone Transfer Plus can recover iTunes’ library by transferring iPhone/iPod music directly to computer or iTunes.
It has a built-in DVD, audio, and video converter. iPhone Transfer Plus will convert and transfer DVDs and videos for any iPhone, iPod touch, or iPod. The iPhone Transfer Plus’ built-in DVD ripper lets one rip DVDs directly to iPhone. The program will automatically adjust video size and resolution according to best fit any iPhone, the option to customize and...
DriveSavers data recovery ready for iPhone 4
DriveSavers, which specializes in data recovery services, has announced that the company’s data recovery services are available for iPhone 4 users and its iOS operating system.
"Apple consistently innovates how consumers interact with technology and the iPhone 4 is no exception," says Scott Gaidano, president of DriveSavers Data Recovery. "Since the launch of the first iPhone, consumers have grown to depend on these smartphones daily -- storing precious videos, photos, and contact information. Our 25 years of experience recovering data from Apple have positioned us as the logical choice for expert data recovery."
DriveSavers Data Recovery Advisors are available 24/7 to help users recover files from an iPhone 4, should data loss occur. DriveSavers iPhone 4 data recovery services are now available to consumers worldwide. To learn more about DriveSavers and our iPhone data recovery services, to to http://www.drivesaversdatarecovery.com .
Black Cat Systems releases Elmer version 8.0.0 for Mac OS X
Black Cat Systems says Elmer 8.0.0, has been released for Mac OS X. This version includes the new Technician Class question pool, which went into effect July 1.
Elmer creates sample tests to help you prepare for your amateur (ham) radio written examination. It contains all FCC question pools for each of the three written exams: Technician, General, and Extra Class.
Elmer will grade your sample test, showing you which questions were answered incorrectly. It will also indicate if you passed the exam. The app keeps track of quick questions give you difficulty, and custom tailors exams to emphasize these questions.
A demo copy of Elmer may be downloaded from the Black Cat Systems web site at http://www.blackcatsystems.com/software/elmer.html for US$24.99; versions for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch are also available.
Akvis updates five products
Akvis has released updates for five photo editing programs. Bugs have been fixed and 64-bit support has been added to the plug-in versions of these programs.
Akvis has updated Enhancer 11.5, Noise Buster 7.5, Coloriage 7.5, ArtSuite 6.5, and Magnifier 3.5. All are now compatible with Photoshop CS4-CS5 64-bit on Mac and Windows systems. For more info go to http://www.akvis.com .
Apple to announce quarterly finances on July 20
Apple plans to announce the financial results of its third fiscal quarter on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. (Pacific). The company will hold a live QuickTime stream of the event.
Analyst: Apple to enter the connected TV market in 2-3 years
In a report to clients, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster says Apple is "well positioned" to enter the connected TV market in 2-4 years. According to "Fortune" (http://macosg.me/2/h0), he cites several reasons to believe Apple is working on such a project. Among them:
° The Apple TV set-top box, which Apple still calls a "hobby," hasn't had a hardware update since it was released more than three years ago. Munster thinks we may soon see an updated, low-cost Apple TV set-top-box with updated software and possibly an App Store,
° The release of the new Mac mini with a built-in HDMI output is a sign that the company is trying to simplify the process of making the Mac the center of a home theater. "We see this as a small, intermediate step towards a larger move into the living room with an all-in-one, connected TV," Munster writes.
Munster thinks Apple could create an all-in-one, connected TV that doesn't require an extra box. As for the lack of standards, Apple could get around that...
Another lawsuit filed over iPhone 4 antenna problems
Another lawsuit has been filed regarding the iPhone 4's antenna problems. According to a "Boston Globe" report (http://macosg.me/2/gy), the law firm of Carp Law Offices LLC, has filed suit against Apple and AT&T.
The firm, representing an iPhone owner, is seeking an injunction to halt production of the iPhone 4 until Apple fixes defective phones it has already sold. Similar suits have been filed in California, Maryland, and New Jersey.
Apple says it sold over 1.7 million iPhone 4's so far. However, some folks are complaining that the phone has a defective built-in antenna that can’t receive cellular signals when the user’s hand covers the phone’s bottom left corner.
Apple posts letter regarding the iPhone 4
Apple has posted a letter regarding the iPhone 4. Addressed to "Dear iPhone 4 Users," it reads:
"The iPhone 4 has been the most successful product launch in Apple’s history. It has been judged by reviewers around the world to be the best smartphone ever, and users have told us that they love it. So we were surprised when we read reports of reception problems, and we immediately began investigating them. Here is what we have learned.
"To start with, gripping almost any mobile phone in certain ways will reduce its reception by 1 or more bars. This is true of iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, as well as many Droid, Nokia and RIM phones. But some users have reported that iPhone 4 can drop 4 or 5 bars when tightly held in a way which covers the black strip in the lower left corner of the metal band. This is a far bigger drop than normal, and as a result some have accused the iPhone 4 of having a faulty antenna design.
"At the same time, we continue to read articles and receive hundreds of emails from...
macProVideo.com offers new Logic & Final Cut Studio tutorials
macProVideo.com, a leading supplier of online software tutorial-videos, has announced two new training titles focused on Apple's video and audio editing applications, Final Cut Studio and Logic Studio.
The first tutorial is called "Final Cut Pro 105: Sound Editing in Final Cut Studio." This title is produced by Michael Wohl (one of the original designers of Final Cut Pro) and it shows you how to record and edit audio for your video productions.
The second tutorial is called "Logic 304: TNT3 -- Reloaded." This release marks the beginning of Volume 3 of macProVIdeo.com's monthly Logic "Tips 'N Tricks" (TNT) tutorial series by start Logic Pro trainer Steve H. By joining the TNT series you will get up to 30 minutes of Logic Pro tips, tricks, and workflow techniques tutorials delivered to your computer, iPhone, or iPad every month for an entire year.
FileMaker classes coming to San Jose, California
FileMaker authors John Mark Osborne and Steven Blackwell are teaching the new FileMaker Training Series (FTS) and the Philosophy of Scripting for FileMaker Pro 11 in San Jose, California..
The FileMaker Training Series, which will be held Jan. 17-21, is the official training curriculum from FileMaker, Inc. It offers a series of 12 training modules that cover a set of topics designed to help you master the essentials of FileMaker solution development. This new series incorporates the many new features of the FileMaker 11 product line throughout the modules but stresses good programming skills for FileMaker 7, 8, 8.5, 9 and 10.
You can take the first three days or the last two days of the FileMaker Training Series. Or youcan take all five days and save US$500.
The Philosophy of Scripting, to be held Jan. 24-28, covers intermediate and advanced scripting and calculations over a five day period. Developed from the "Scriptology" book and CD ROM, these courses are aimed at in-house and...
J.P. Morgan ups Apple price target to $390
Apple has been added to J.P. Morgan's Analyst Focus List, and the price target for the "overweight" stock increased to $390 by December of 2011. According to "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com) Analyst Mark Moskowitz said it is the growth of the iPhone and iPad, "combined with untapped international opportunities for the Mac, that will send Apple's stock soaring to new heights."
The analyst is forecasting that:
° The iPhone 4 will finally push Apple past the 10-million-per-quarter threshold.
° Apple will sell 3.8 million iPads in the June quarter and 21.5 million in the company's 2011 fiscal year.
° Apple has great potential to grow the Mac market internationally.
China Mobile wants customized iPhone?
China Mobile, the country's largest telecom operator, is trying to convince Apple into making a customized version of the iPhone that would work on a network based on homegrown TD-SCDMA technology, reports "InformationWeek" (http://macosg.me/2/gx).
However, most observers aren't holding their breath since Apple hasn't even released a CDMA version of the iPhone, "though it is likely this will happen," the article adds. CDMA (for "code division multiple access") refers to any of several protocols used in second-gen and third gen wireless communications devices.
CDMA and GSM are the names of competing cellular phone standards. They're about equal in the U.S. in terms of users, but overseas there's only GSM other than a few places like Japan, India, and Korea. Out of the four national carriers in the U.S., two -- Sprint and Verizon -- use CDMA, the other two--AT&T and T-Mobile -- use GSM.
Rumor: Apple plans cloud capabilities for iTunes
"The Boy Genius Report" (http://macosg.me/2/gw) says that "one of our reliable Apple sources has just filled us in on some of the company’s iTunes plans, including cloud capability with capabilities broken down into three groups:
° Streaming music and movies from Apple’s servers to your computers, devices, etc.;
° Streaming music and movies from your home computers to your other computers, remote devices, etc.;
° Wireless iTunes syncing with devices.
If "Boy Genius" is right, this sounds like the much-rumored iTunes.com, aweb-based version of iTunes. The service -- if it is coming -- would likely be based on Apple's purchase of Lala six months ago. Lala -- which offered "the first and only free fully licensed service to instantly provide anywhere web access to an existing music library such as iTunes."
The goal is probably to allow Apple to implement a new iTunes feature that would allow users to stream their purchased media content remotely. In fact, rumors of such a service...
Filter Forge 2.0 released for Mac OS X, Windows
Filter Forge has released Filter Forge 2.0, an update of the plug-in for Adobe Photoshop allowing computer artists to build their own filters: textures, visual effects, distortions, patterns, backgrounds, frames and more.
With the second version of the software. Filter Forge 2.0 features full support for unlimited HDR colors, shadows via ambient occlusion, point and area lights, and dozens of new components to create filters from. Filter Forge is a Photoshop plug-in that lets users create a variety of realistic and abstract textures and effects.
Users can take instant advantage of over 7,100 free community-created filters in the online filter library at http://www.filterforge.com/filters/ or create their own filters in the visual filter editor by assembling them from components such as blurs, gradients, color adjustments, noises, distortions, or blends.
Flter Forge is available for Mac OS X and Windows platforms. It can be used as a stand-alone application or as a plugin for Adobe...
Opera Software introduces Opera 10.60 browser
Opera Software (http://www.opera.com/browser/next/) has released Opera 10.60, a new version of its web browser that's purportedly more than 50% faster than its predecessor on selected JavaScript tests.
In addition, it incorporates new web-standard features, such as Geolocation and WebM support for HTML5 video, as well as a polished and easy-to-use user interface. Opera 10.60 also sports HTML5 Appcache and Web Worker. Appcache lets you use different applications, such as word processor, image editor, spreadsheets and much more, in your web browser even when offline. Web developers can now also use HTML5 Web Workers for doing heavy calculations without making the browsing slower for the user.
Opera 10.60 makes search more efficient, introducing search suggestions for selected partners in the Speed Dial and search box, according to says Chief Development Officer Christen Krogh. You can test this in the beta with Wikipedia search.
Krogh says that the interface in now more intuitive, as...
HoudahSpot for Mac OS X gets full set of tagging tools
Houdah Software (http://www.houdah.com/) has updated HoudahSpot, their Spotlight front end for Mac OS X, to version 3.0. The new version adds a full set of tools for tagging files as well as for finding tagged files.
Tags are non-hierarchical keywords assigned to files. They serve a similar purpose than folders. The crucial difference being that a file may be assigned several tags and be located by any of them.
HoudahSpot's tagging feature is based upon the OpenMeta technology, so is compatible with a growing number of third party tagging applications. The HoudahSpot Tray lists favorite tags as well as tags recently used by HoudahSpot or another OpenMeta tagging solution. Drag a file to a tag to assign it that tag. Drag a file to the file well to be presented with a window to enter any number of tags. Select tags and double-click to start a search. Hold down the option key while double-clicking to match any of the selected tags.
HoudahSpot is a Spotlight front-end for Mac OS X 10.5...
1Password for Mac OS X updated to version 3.2.5
Agile Web Solutions has updated 1Password (http://1password.com), a password manager for Mac OS X, to version 3.2.5. The upgrade includes multiple bug fixes and important improvements.
These include a change to the auto-submit feature -- which fills and submits login forms automatically -- to prevent the form from being instantly submitted if it contains a text field, as found in the comment areas of blogs such as The Unofficial Apple Weblog and others. This has been an issue for blog commenters in the past.
1Password 3.2.5 also brings usability and interface enhancements, including a new dialog with instructions for updating the browser plugins when it encounters an unknown version of a browser, such as the recent release of Safari 5. Among other fixes and changes, support for additional HTML5 form fields (url and number) is included, as well as fixes for display issues when re-typing an unlock password over a failed attempt.
1Password 3.2.5 is compatible with Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6...
Calcine for Mac OS X gets user interface improvements
Tension Software has updated Calcine (http://pomola.com/products_calcline/calcline.html), a modern version of the desktop calculator, to version 2.1. The upgrade offers user interface improvements and adds menu commands.
Calcline starts as a small window utility. Insert a mathematical expression to evaluate, and the software will do the work.
Calcline costs US$20, and requires Mac OS X 10.5 or later. Version 2.2 is a free update for registered users of version 2.x. For new users the cost is US$20. Calcline is an Universal Binary product, so runs natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs.
Knox for Mac OS X gets 'leaner and meaner'
Knox for Mac (http://agilewebsolutions.com/knox), an encryption and backup solution for Mac OS X 10.3 and Mac OS 10.4, has been updated to version 2.0.3, which adds full disk encryption for non-boot volumes. According to the folks at Agile Web Solutions, it's a "leaner, meaner version" with several changes and fixes.
Knox 2.0.3 brings a 50% reduction in the size of the application, as well as fixes to cut launch time in half and improve operation when running as a menubar application. Support for beta builds has also been added to Knox, allowing users to opt-in to the beta program. Version 2.0.3 also fixes an issue that caused users to be unable to turn off the auto-update feature, as well as minor text inconsistencies in the About Knox and Preferences > Version windows.
With Knox for Mac you can store your files in encrypted “vaults” and back them up to other Macs, servers or iPods. You can open and close vaults directly from the Vaults menu on your Mac. Knox’s encryption is...
Compartments for Mac OS X gets WarrantyGuard feature
LittleFin Software has updated Compartments (http://www.littlefin.com/compartments.html) for Mac OS X (10.5 and higher), to version 1.2. The new WarrantyGuard feature keeps track of all warranties and their expiration dates.
Compartments allows household items to be entered, searched and sorted by location, type, value or any custom tag. Drag and drop photos and other info can be added to each item listing.
The first step in using Compartments is to set up Locations, which are the places in which the user's items are stored. A Location can be a room, a house, a piece of furniture, a briefcase, or a safety deposit box -- any place that contains things to be cataloged. Next, the user creates an Item for each one of their possessions.
The Add Item dialogue box permits one or more of the following entries: item photo, item name and type, location, date acquired, estimated value, make and model, serial number, notes, and tags. Items can be an object, document, or computer file, and all...
New chips could mean a six-core iMac (but as for Blu-ray...)
Intel plans to launch several new desktop processors in the third quarter of 2010 to replace some previous models, according to "DigiTime" report (http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20100701PD209.html). The chips could conceivably find their way into new quad-core iMacs -- or perhaps a high-end, six-core version.
The report says later this month Intel will launch three processors including: the six-core Core i7-970, priced at US$885; quad-core Core i5-760 with core frequencies of 2.8GHz and priced at $205; and quad-core Core i5-870S for small form factor computers and priced at $351.
"DigiTimes" says Intel will launch the Pentium E5700 for $75 in early August and Core i3-560, Pentium E6800 and Celeron E3500 at the end of the month with prices of $138, US$86 and US$53, respectively.
However, things aren't looking good for Blu-ray on the Mac, even as an option. "MacRumors" (http://www.macrumors.com/2010/06/30/steve-jobs-suggests-blu-ray-not-comi...) says that reader "Siva" emailed Apple...
Apple posts iOS 4 Exchange Server sync fix
Apple has posted an iOS 4 Exchange Server sync fix (http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3398). Immediately after updating to iOS 4, some users may notice that Exchange ActiveSync Mail, Contacts, or Calendars don't sync, or sync very slowly. In addition, some Exchange Server administrators may notice their servers running slowly.
Apple says To work around this issue, users should install a configuration profile from Apple that increases the amount of time the iOS 4 device will wait for the Exchange Server to respond to its sync requests. For best results, the profile should be installed on as many iOS 4 devices at your company or home as possible.
Apple posts updated HP, Epson printer drivers
Apple has posted updated Hewlett-Packard and Epson printer drivers. HP Printer Drivers v.2.4.1 for Mac OS X v10.6 (http://support.apple.com/kb/DL907) includes the latest HP printing and scanning software for Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopard"_ It's a 387.47MB download.
Epson Printer Drivers v2.4 for Mac OS X v10.6 (http://support.apple.com/kb/DL900) installs the latest software for your Epson printer or scanner. It also requires Snow Leopard and is a 737.48MB download.
Logitech introduces two new headsets
Logitech (http://www.logitech.com) has announced two new headsets. The Logitech USB Headset H530 and the Logitech Laptop Headset H555 feature support for super wideband audio.
The lightweight Laptop Headset H555 folds flat and fits into the included case. The USB Headset H530 offers laser-tuned drivers. Both headsets are compatible with Logitech Vid HD, Skype 4.0 for Window® or later, and Skype 2.8 for Mac or later.
The Logitech Laptop Headset H555 is expected to be available later this month for US$59.99. The Logitech USB Headset H530 is also expected to be available in July for $49.99.
Apple sued over iPhone 4 antenna problems
Another day, another lawsuit. Apple is being sued over the antenna problems of the iPhone 4. The widely publicized problem is that some users see a degradation in the cell signal when they cover the lower left corner of the iPhone 4 with their left hand.
As reported by "All Things D" (http://digitaldaily.allthingsd.com/20100701/apple-att-sued-over-iphone-4...), the lawsuit was filed in federal court in Maryland Wednesday on behalf of a pair of Maryland residents who purchased two iPhone 4s each "only to find they suffered significantly reduced reception and performance when handled the way any reasonable person would handle a cell phone." The class action accuses Apple and AT&T (T) of knowingly selling phones with a defective antenna design.
"Plaintiffs were sold defective iPhone 4 units, which drops calls and data service when held in a manner consistent with normal wireless phone use,” the complaint reads. “Plaintiffs have experienced numerous dropped calls, and as a result,...
School district implements Mac terminal services thin client lab
Aqua Connect (http://www.AquaConnect.net), provider of an enterprise grade Mac terminal server, and 10ZiG Technology (http://www.10zig.com), which specializes in the development of thin clients and network appliances, have collaborated with Campbell Union School District in San Jose, California, to create new energy efficient Mac terminal services thin client labs.
Campbell Union School District's goal was to deliver green desktops for the Mac platform. To accomplish this, a central lab was implemented in the library for students to use throughout the day. The lab consisted of 10ZiG RBT thin clients that were deployed Mac OS X desktops through the Aqua Connect Terminal Server.
Previously, the students had been using legacy Macs in the library that had been in production for years. The student reaction to the new thin clients was so positive that the school district decided to put additional 10ZiG clients with Aqua Connect Terminal Server across the school in various classrooms.
"This...
QuickerTek releases carry handles for the MacBook, MacBook Pro
QuickerTek is shipping carry handles (http://www.quickertek.com/products/macbook_air_carry_handle.php) for all models of the Apple Unibody MacBook (aluminum and white) and MacBook Pro Unibody 13-inch, 15-inch and 17-inch laptops.
The carry handles are made from non-flex aircraft quality aluminum for strength and are priced at US$79.95. The handle is built with captive screws and attaches with a bracket mount that uses the existing screw holes on the back of the computer.
The design lays the handle out and the bracket elevates the MacBook, MacBook Pro or MacBook Air to allow better airflow underneath the laptop.
AdMob says Android catching up to the iPhone
According to a new report from AdMob -- which stores and analyzes handset and operator data from every ad request in its network of more than 15,000 mobile web sites and applications -- Apple's iOS (the operating system formerly known as iPhone OS) fell to 40%, while Google's Android is headed towards 30%.
The latest analytics reports done by the company show that Android continues to draw market share from the iOS. A year ago, the iPhone owned almost 50% of the smartphone market by web traffic while Android had only 5%, notes "Fortune" (http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/06/30/admob-android-continues-to-take-m...).
By the way, AdMob is now a subsidiary of Google, which makes the Android operating system for mobile devices. I'm just sayin', is all.
-- Dennis Sellers
IDAPT i4 now compatible with the iPad, iPhone 4
IDAPT has released the new IDAPT i4, which charges up to four different mobile electronics simultaneously which helps eliminate cord clutter. It's compatible with the iPad and iPhone 4 as well as 4,000 different mobile electronic devices including BlackBerry, Nintendo DS, PSP, digital cameras, GPS systems, and Bluetooth products.
The IDAPT i4 has three charging ports and an additional USB charging port. It features an interchangeable tip system making it completely customizable. The “quick release” button allows for safe and easy ejection of the interchangeable tips, according to Jeremy Patay of IDAPT. Additional features include an LED display light indicating charge status and an on/off switch allowing users to economize energy use.
The IDAPT i4 is available in black, white or silver at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of US$59.99. The packaging includes these tips: miniUSB, microUSB, iPod/iPhone, Samsung 4, Nokia 2, and Sony Ericsson 2. Additional tips can be purchased at...
VinylStudio for the Mac spins to version 7.5
AlpineSoft has updated their vinyl-and-tape-to-CD-and-MP3 software, VinylStudio for the Mac, to version 7.5. The latest version can handle a much wider range of file formats including AIFF, FLAC, Apple Lossless, CAF, AAC, WAV, MP3, OGG and WMA.
It also includes many detailed user interface improvements, including the ability to import album cover art directly from a web browser via drag and drop and a number of new features (such as playing at reduced speed to pin down those hard-to-find clicks) requested by users.
VinylStudio is a software solution for digitizing vinyl LPs and tapes. It records your records and tapes, splits those recordings into tracks, removes scratches, tape hiss and more and burns both audio and MP3 CDs and DVDs. You can also play your recordings on your computer. VinylStudio can look up track listings over the Internet and copy tracks to your iPod or MP3 player.
VinylStudio comes with audio cleanup filters to remove clicks, crackles, tape hiss and more. All...
Winter Wolves releases Vera Blanc: Full Moon game for the Mac
Winter Wolves (http://www.winterwolves.com) has released Vera Blanc: Full Moon, the first installment in the Vera Blanc game series. It costs US$19.99 and is available for Mac, Windows and Linux systems. A demo is available for download.
Here's how the game is described: "Take on the role of Vera Blanc, a young and beautiful woman with an extraordinary power: the ability to read other people's minds! Daughter of Emmanuel Blanc, one of the richest people on Earth, she left her life of luxury to use her powers to work alongside paranormal detective Brandon Mackey. In this first episode, our heroine travels to a mysterious town in Germany deep in the Black Forest. A serial killer is on the loose, and all leads point to a werewolf as the culprit!
"The game plays like an adventure game or visual novel, but you'll have to make frequent choices and play several minigames that will influence the course of the story. The minigames range from the classic 'spot the difference,' to the more...
AccountEdge 2010 for the Mac released in Canada
Acclivity (http://accountedge.com/mac/) has released AccountEdge 2010, the latest version of their small business accounting software for the Mac, and AccountEdge Network Edition in Canada. Among the new features are integration with Sofa's web store Enstore, more detailed tracking of item information, profitability of a sale analysis, and bank deposit slip printing.
"AccountEdge 2010 comes with several considerable updates this year," says Tom Nash, Acclivity Managing Partner. "One of the new additions that we're excited to talk about is the integration with EnStore, the new web store developed by our Checkout partners, Sofa. This feature is appealing for anyone that wants to offer their customers a simple, elegant online shopping experience."
EnStore is a pay-as-you-go web store that integrates with AccountEdge. Products, images, pricing and other details are managed in AccountEdge and synced up to EnStore. AccountEdge pulls down new orders, customers, payments and taxes.
EnStore...
ToonIt! updated for Photoshop CS5
Digital Anarchy has announced a free update to their ToonIt! Photo cartooning plug-in (http://www.digitalanarchy.com/toonPS/main.html). Version 2.6 adds compatibility for Adobe Photoshop CS5 and 64-bit operation on Mac systems.
The update also adds many behind-the-scenes improvements, like background rendering, to make ToonIt faster and more responsive. ToonIt! Photo is used by photographers and digital artists to create a variety of cartoon styles, painted effects, and illustrated looks.
ToonIt! Photo for Photoshop is regularly priced at US$159, but is on sale for $89 until July 15. The plug-in works in Adobe Photoshop CS–CS5 and Photoshop Elements 6.0–9.0 and runs on Mac OS X10.3.9–10.6, Windows XP–7.0 and Vista systems.
A separate version for use in Apple’s Aperture is on sale for $79 (normally it's $129_. ToonIt! Aperture is also updated to version 2.6 for the render improvements. Current owners of ToonIt! Photo and ToonIt! Aperture should contact Digital Anarchy for free update...
