iSkysoft releases DVD Creator for Mac, Windows systems
iSkysoft Studio (http://www.iskysoft.com_ has released DVD Creator for Mac OS X and Windows systems. iSkysoft DVD Creator helps users design their personal DVD menus and burn DVDs out of various video formats.
DVD Creator for Mac helps to burn downloaded movies, self-made videos, and slideshows into a DVD disc, DVD Folder, ISO or DVD media file that can be played with the Apple DVD Player directly. It offers editing functions, slideshow building techniques, and lots of animated DVD menu templates.
DVD Creator for Mac costs US$49 for a single user license. It's compatible with Mac OS X 10.5 or higher running on an Intel-based Mac.
PhoneAgent update for Mac OS X adds support for new Sony phones
MacMedia (http://www.macmedia.sk) has updated PhoneAgent for Mac OS X -- a tool for Phonebook, SMS, MMS, Themes and Wap management -- to version 1.6.2. The update adds support for Sony Ericsson Jalou, Naite, Elm, Hazel, Yari, Zylo phones.
PhoneAgent offers phonebook management, SMS management, the ability to compose MMS messages and uploading them to to the phone, and more. You can create and edit your own themes and upload them to your phone. You can downloading pictures, sounds and themes from a phone and send pictures, sounds, games, themes and other files directly to the phone. Plus, you can upload bookmarks from Safari to the phone.
PhoneAgent costs approximately US$37. Upgrades from versions prior to 1.5.2 are $12; upgrades from versions after 1.5.2 are free. PhoneAgent requires Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later.
QuickerTek offers improved Apple Juicz battery for MacBook Air
QuickerTek (http:www.quickertek.com) is offering the third generation of its Apple Juicz external battery (US$399.95) for the Apple MacBook Air. This product design now exclusively uses the standard MagSafe power adapter (that comes with the MacBook Air) to recharge the external battery.
This is the very first and only external battery for the MacBook Air with two female USB ports, according to the folks at QuickerTek. These ports can simultaneously charge any
USB device that can gets power via USB. The Apple Juicz External Battery also features proprietary circuitry for the iPhone, iPod touch or iPad or any 30-pin iPod, while chargiing and power all models of the MacBook Air laptop.
It also sports circuitry for fail-safe protection. Additional features include temperature control and charge/discharge rates monitoring, cell balancing and a fuel gauge indicator that when pushed tells how much "Juicz" is left in the battery.
Konnet unveils Apple-certified ReflexDock Pro
Konnet Technology (http://www.konnetonline.com) has announced the US$59.99 ReflexDock Pro, charging dock with audio and video connectivity for the iPod/iPhone and compatible with the new iPhone 4.
With it users can charge, sync, and transmit any audio/video content from their iPhone 3G, 3GS or 4 to their big screen TV -- all without needing to remove the protective case. Designed for those who want to watch downloaded movies, videos, and shows on a larger screen, the ReflexDock Pro allows you to view a mirrored image of your iPod app content on your TV via the AV Out connection cable (included in the package).
The ReflexDock Pro features Advanced Sound Reflection Design, which enhances speaker quality when the iPhone is docked, according to Christine Custodio of Konnet. The curved panel design also improves mic reception, she adds.
TRENDnet 450MBps router available
TRENDnet (http://www.trendnet.com) has released a 450Mbps Wireless N Gigabit Router, the US$199 TEW-691GR. Three external antennas broadcast on the 2.4GHz spectrum.
Three spatial streams per antenna produce a record 450Mbps theoretical wireless throughput. Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna technology boosts wireless coverage, signal strength, and throughput speed. One Gigabit Wide Area Network port and four Gigabit Local Area Network ports offer wired throughput performance.
Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) integrates other WPS supported wireless adapters at the touch of a button. The router is compatible with IEEE 802.11n and backward compatible with IEEE 802.11g/b/a compliant devices.
Mobile Edge unveils EVO Backpacks for computers
Mobile Edge (http://www.mobileedge.com) has unveiled the EVO Backpacks for computers. They're available for laptops up to 17-inches, such as the super-sized MacBook Pro.
The EVO features 16 interior and exterior pockets for travel accessories and personal items. An interior workstation holds memory cards, flash drives, business cards, pens and pencils, plus a there's a media pocket for your iPod or MP3 player.
Another Mobile Edge exclusive feature is their Cool-Mesh padded back-panel and shoulder straps designed for user comfort over prolonged use, says “We are very excited to add the new EVO Backpack to our growing product assortment,” said G. David Cartwright, president & CEO, Mobile Edge. A ruggedized bottom panel was added to protect the backpack from moisture, dirt and grime and for overall durability.
The EVO also features a zip-open water bottle carrier that will hold various size liquids. The backpack is available in four accent trim colors: black with a silver...
Live Interior 3D update adds new attic improvements
BeLight Software (http://www.belightsoft.com) has released Live Interior 3D 2.3, an update to its interior design software for Mac OS X that lets users create house, office and apartment interiors with 3D walk-throughs.
The new version lets you turn attic space into more than just storage space for dusty boxes of forgotten belongings. Now any attic can be transformed into a full-fledged, habitable loft thanks to the addition of loft walls.
Navigating around multi-level projects has become more realistic in the Consider Collisions mode. When turned on, you can climb staircases and cannot walk through objects or walls. Also, the import of Google SketchUp files has been improved.
Live Interior 3D is normally available in Standard (US$49.95) and Pro ($129.95) editions. Version 2.4 is a free update for registered users of version 2.x.
Live Interior 3D is Universal Binary so runs natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs. It works with Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.5.
Calories update for Mac OS X lets you create sync account
danholt4mac (http://www.danholt.de/danholt4mac/index.html?/businesscardcomposer/index...) has updated Calories, a nutrition tracking and analysis utility for Mac OS X 10.5 ("Leopard"), to version 2.5. Now Calories users have the option to create their own, cost-free Calories Sync Account.
The Calories Sync Service allows to synchronize multiple Calories v.2.5 installations with each other. All your foods and meals, weight data and activities will be synchronized within all connected Calories 2 installations. This feature is the basis for the upcoming Calories2Go iPhone client, Cal2Go, which is waiting for approval by Apple .
Calories 2.5 is fully compliant to support Cal2Go and the Sync Service. The new version also now offers the ability to share foods, especially custom foods. Simply drag out a food from the daily diet list view to the desktop or any other folder. Distribute the food file by mail or over the network. Import is done by drag and drop, too.
Calories is targeted at...
WebOS interface designer returns to Apple
WebOS interface designer Rich Dellinger has left the company (which has been acquired by HP) to rejoin his former employer: Apple.
Dellinger, who was instrumental in developing Palm’s core Mojo app framework as well as the webOS notification system, has returned to Apple, where he worked from 1999 to 2006. As the senior user interface designer for Apple in 2005-2005, Dellinger:
° Designed applications for Apple software products and was responsible for prototyping interfaces, creating animations, developing visual designs, designing icons, and devising new features for future products.
° Worked with other user interface designers on multiple iterations of each design, with guidance from the top levels of Apple's executive team.
° Delivered finished graphics and animation specifications to engineering for implementation.
° Developed numerous interaction and visual design explorations for Apple's iPhone product.
° Helped to design applications such as Photo Booth, Front Row, and iCal...
Foxconn wants Apple, Dell to pay for pay raises
Foxconn Technology Group says its customers -- which include Apple and Dell -- will have to pay more after it increased wages in China by nearly two-thirds following several worker sucides, reports the "Associated Press" (http://www.manufacturing.net/News-Foxconn-Wants-Apple-Dell-To-Pay-For-Wa...).
The comments from Taiwan-based Foxconn came at an annual general meeting Tuesday in Hong Kong, where protesters accused the company and Apple of poor corporate ethics. The 30 demonstrators held signs saying, "Workers are not machines. They have self-esteem," outside a hotel function room where shareholders of the group's Hong Kong-listed arm were meeting, notes the "AP."
The company last week announced the second in a series of raises that would increase pay by up to 65% at its factories in the southern city of Shenzhen. The company employs 300,000 people there making iPhones and other goods for Apple, Dell, Sony, HP and Nokia.
AdMob comments on Apple's new terms of service for app...
AdMob -- one of the world's largest mobile advertising networks -- has posted a response from AdMob’s founder Omar Hamoui on its blog (blog.admob.com) in response to Apple’s updated Terms of Service for iPhone app developers. The blog post follows:
"Apple proposed new developer terms on Monday that, if enforced as written, would prohibit app developers from using AdMob and Google’s advertising solutions on the iPhone. These advertising related terms both target companies with competitive mobile technologies (such as Google), as well as any company whose primary business is not serving mobile ads.
"This change threatens to decrease -- or even eliminate -- revenue that helps to support tens of thousands of developers. The terms hurt both large and small developers by severely limiting their choice of how best to make money. And because advertising funds a huge number of free and low cost apps, these terms are bad for consumers as well.
"Let’s be clear. This change is not in the best...
Apple announces Design Awards for WWDC 2010
Apple has announced the Apple Design Awards for 2010, which honor the "best iPhone and iPod apps" (in the past, it honored Mac OS X apps as well). This year’s winners included:
° The Financial Times iPad Edition from "The Financial Times"
° Doodle Jump from Lima Sky;
° Brushes from Steve Sprang:
° TabToolkit from Agile Partners;
° Articles from Sopheistication Software;
° 20 Minute Meals from Zolmo;
° Star Walk for the iPad from Vito Technology;
° Real Racing from Firemint;
° Flight Control HD from Firemint;
° Pinball HD from OOO Gameprom.
The candidates nominated by developers (although Apple reserved the right to pick its own choices). Winners were chosen for design, innovation, performance and technology adoption.
Office 2008 12.2.5 for the Mac released
Microsoft has released Office 2008 12.2.5 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2028864), an update of the productivity suite for the Mac.
According to Microsoft, this update fixes vulnerabilities in Office 2008 that an attacker can use to overwrite the contents of your computer's memory with malicious code. This update also fixes issues that prevent the custom dictionary from including words from different languages.
Investment corporation donates MacBooks to Social Justice High...
Rothschild Investment Corp. will be donating a MacBook to each of the 22 graduates of Social Justice High School in Chicago who participated in Roosevelt University’s Upward Bound college preparatory program.
Upward Bound is a federal program managed by Roosevelt University that helps first-generation high school students understand the importance of post secondary education. In celebration of its 100th anniversary in 2008, Rothschild gave the program an Apple Mobile Learning Lab complete with laptop computers, printers, scanners and state-of-the-art educational software.
Established in 1964, Upward Bound provides high school students with a wide range of experiences, from weeklong mini-terms at Roosevelt University to immersion in the college atmosphere through tours of college campuses. Roosevelt University is a private university with 7,300 students studying at campuses in the Chicago Loop and northwest suburban Schaumburg and online.
Free Mac OS X app optimizes mobile art assets
Kode80 has released Image Crushr (http://kode80.com/osx-apps/image-crushr/), a free Mac OS X application for developers and designers of mobile software. It improves image quality, optimizes memory usage and enables previewing of images outside of the device, says creator Ben Hopkins.
"While working on HoloToy for the iPhone and iPad I realized that the common problem of color reproduction on low bit depth devices still didn't have a readily available solution so I built Image Crushr," he says. "It has been a great tool in my workflow and I hope it will be as useful for other developers and designers".
Image Crushr enables anyone working with mobile devices such as smart phones or portable gaming systems to compare and optimize their art assets. It requires Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopard").
1Password update for Mac OS X compatible with Safari 5
Agile Web Solutions has updated 1Password (http://1password.com), a password manager for Mac OS X, to version 3.2. The upgrade is compatible with Safari 5 and includes other usability improvements and bug fixes.
1Password 3.2 is compatible with Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6. It's a free upgrade for users of version 3.x. For new users the cost is US$39.95 for a single-user license and $69.95 for a family license (five users).
Bodega for Mac OS X gets revamped app updater
IDFusion Software has announced Bodega 1.1 (http://appbodega.com), an update of its "corner store" for Mac apps. The new version boasts a completely revamped application updater.
Bodega 1.1 now keeps tabs of nearly all applications installed on the user's Mac. So long as an application is a part of the Bodega library or supports the open source Sparkle auto-updater framework, Bodega will keep continuous tabs on its version. When a new version for such an application becomes available, Bodega notifies the user and makes it extremely intuitive and easy to download the update. In the majority of cases, Version 1.1 even automatically installs the update for the user.
Also new with Bodega 1.1 is the Wishlist feature. With it, users can keep track of any application they want, for any reason whatsoever. Users can, for example, use the Wishlist to track applications they've downloaded via Bodega and are considering for purchase. Users can also use the Wishlist feature to bookmark product...
AppDelete for Mac OS X updated to version 2.2.4
Reggie Ashworth has updated AppDelete (http://reggie.ashworth.googlepages.com/appdelete), an application deleting app for Mac OS X, to version 2.2.4. The new version fixes an issue where AppDelete might not launch on older Macs. Other miscellaneous improvements are included as well.
Via drag 'n drop, AppDelete will delete any chosen app with all of its associated items that belong to that application. You'll no longer have to hunt through their system to find and delete these items manually.
You can drag any item that can be uninstalled onto AppDelete: applications, widgets, preference panes, plug-ins, screensavers, etc. You can also activate AppDelete in many ways: dragging items onto main window, onto dock icon, selecting in menu, right-clicking using AppDelete workflow, and throwing items in the trash. When the preview screen appears you can uncheck any items you would like to exclude. You also have several choices: delete the items, log only the items, or archive (copy) the...
Beta of doc, file management solution for the Mac available
CHL Software has announced a beta release of their new document and file management product: DocMoto. It's a document and file management system designed specifically for the Mac platform.
CHL Software believes that all enterprises need some form of document and file management, but for Mac users this has traditionally meant having to use a browser based system primarily designed for Windows, says company spokesperson Neil Cameron. DocMoto can store any kind of digital file not just documents. Images, video and even email are all supported.
In its standard form DocMoto delivers revision control, notifications, searching and Meta tagging , as well as other common document management features. CHL expects most corporate users to modify DocMoto to suit their working practices more precisely, says Cameron.
Registration to obtain a pre-release version of DocMoto is now available from CHL's web site (http://www.chlsoftware.com). Just remember: beta software is unfinished software, so use...
Flickery update for Mac OS X tweaks the Share Menu
Eternal Storms (http://www.eternalstorms.at) has updated their flickr client, flickery, for Mac OS X 10.5 or higher to version 1.9.1. The upgrade sports improved upload and download. Also the Share Menu now includes option to copy the URL of a selected item to the pasteboard.
With flickry, you can browse flickr's photos, view and comment on pictures of your friends, or upload and manage your own photos and favorites. flickery offers three ways of viewing photos: the miniature-overview of the photos where you can see multiple pictures at a time; the full-window-view, which lets you view one photo at a time in detail; and the full-screen view.
You can upload photos to your flickr.com account, as well. The app also gives you the possibility of editing your photos before you upload them. flickery costs US$17.95, though version 1.9.1 is a free update for registered users. A 15-day, fully functional demo is available for download.
CyberDuck update for Mac OS X adds Google Docs support
Developer David Kocher has updated Cyberduck (http://cyberduck.ch/) -- an open source FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, Cloud Files andAmazon S3 browser -- to version 3.5. The upgrade featuressupport to store and retrieve documents from Google Docs.
Google Docs support allows you to access your documents from within Cyberduck. It allows you to: download documents to various export formats; upload documents to your Google Docs account for storage or choose to convert documents to Google Docs format; and optionally convert PNG, JPEG and GIF images to Google Docs text documents using optical character recognition (OCR). Users with a Google Apps Premier Account can upload arbitrary files not supported by any of the Google Docs editor application.
Cyberduck 3.5 requires Mac OS X 10.5 or later. It's freeware, but donations are encouraged to help fund further development.
WD rolls out WD TV Live Plus HD media player
WD has introduced the WD TV Live Plus HD media player, which makes it easy for Netflix members to instantly watch thousands of TV episodes and movies on the biggest screen in their home -- their HD television set. The new Netflix interface enables members to browse and add movies to their instant Queue on the Netflix Website right from their TV.
In addition to Netflix, the WD TV Live Plus HD media player also enables users to stream personalized Internet content from YouTube, Flickr, Pandora, Live365, as well as the MediaFly network that includes daily podcasts from CNN, NBC, MTV, ESPN and other online content providers. The onscreen menu brings together all of the users’ available media in a single interface, while the network capability enables users to stream movies from Macs or PCs, USB storage devices such as My Passport portable hard drives, My Book desktop drives, or network-attached storage such as WD’s My Book World Edition and WD ShareSpace to their HDTVs.
The WD TV Live...
FlyCast releases appMobi open source HTML5 app gallery
FlyCast has announced a new open source library of demonstration mobile apps that were created with HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript. As a supplement to Apple's HTML5 gallery, these demonstrations illustrate how new web technologies can be used to create world-class compelling mobile experiences, obviating the need for Adobe Flash on mobile devices.
The gallery can be viewed using an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch by navigating to http://appmobi.com/gallery . Created by FlyCast, appMobi is a cross-platform rapid mobile app development and deployment ecosystem. It offers users the ability to "develop once" using HTML and JavaScript, then deploy to a variety of devices and operating systems, including the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Android tablets and phones. Apps created with appMobi are native apps, fully compliant with Apple's SDK 4.0 terms of service.
Anticipating the upcoming release of Apple's iOS 4, with its ability to play streaming radio in the background, appMobi also released source...
Bodelin ships wireless ProScope for iPad, iPhone, iPod touch
Bodelin Technologies (http://www.bodelin.com/proscopehr/), manufacturers of the ProScope HR and ProScope HR2 high-res handheld digital microscopes, have released a wireless model for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.
ProScope Mobile is powered by three AA batteries and works on Wi-Fi. In fact, it creates its own Wi-Fi network and can be used simultaneously with up to 253 devices of any combination of iPad, iPod touch, or iPhone. ProScope Mobile utilizes an app called AirMicro (iPhone/iPod touch) and AirMicroPad (for the iPad) and is a free download from the Apple App Store.
ProScope Mobile users can view live images, freeze them and capture them to the Photo Album of their device. For Apple users, the photos go directly into iPhoto when synced with the base computer.
Like previous ProScope generations, ProScope Mobile users can select from a wide variety of lens magnifications from 0-10X, 30X, 50X, 100X, 200X and 400X. There are also adapters for analog microscopes and borescopes....
Dragster file transfer utility for Mac OS X revved to version 1....
Ambrosia has updated Dragster (http://www.AmbrosiaSW.com/utilities/dragster/), an US$19 file transfer utility for Mac OS X 10.4 ("Tiger") or later, to version 1.1.2. The upgrade, free for registered users, adds a New Folder button to the Save As dialog, fixes some bugs and more.
Dragster works via drag and drop and can send files via email, upload them to remote servers, copy them to your iDisk, or copy/move files anywhere on your local drives. Dragster lets you set customizable "shortcuts." There's a contextual menu component to Dragster, so you can right-click or control-click a file in any program, and send that file to one of the shortcuts you've set up. The utility fully supports Apple's Bonjour technology.
Dragster supports FTP, SFTP, SCP, SMB (Windows File Sharing), as well as AFP (AppleShare) for file transfers. It requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later.
QuickerTek adds an external battery for the iPad
QuickerTek (http://www.quickertek.com/) has announced the US$249.95 Apple Juice" external battery for the iPad. It uses the Apple 10 watt USB charger that comes with the iPad to charge the battery.(or any USB charger), so there's no extra AC power wall wart adapter to lug around.
The Apple Juicz External Battery for the iPad purportedly recharges the device in three hours and has two female USB ports that can simultaneously charge any USB device as well as having the propriety circuitry for the iPhone, iPod touch or any 30-pin iPod while being used to charge and power all models of the iPad.
The Apple Juicz users Li-ion Polymer high capacity 9400 mAh batteries, which will recharge in access of 2000 times. They sport safety circuitry for protection along with temperature and charge/discharge rates, cell balancing and a fuel gauge with a LED indicator showing how much Juicz is left in the battery.
Cisco, Apple agree on iOS trademark
Cisco (http://www.cisco.com) has agreed to license the iOS trademark to Apple for use as the name of Apple’s operating system for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. The license is for use of the trademark only and not for any technology.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced the name change from iPhone OS to iOS during his Monday keynote at the 2010 Apple Worldwide Developer Conference. However, "IOS" (note the difference) has been Cisco's core operating system name for nearly two decades. It's network infrastructure software.
Cisco designs and sells consumer electronics, networking and communications technology and services. Headquartered in San Jose, California, the company has more than 65,000 employees and annual revenue of US$36.11 billion as of 2009.
O'Reilly releases 'FileMaker Pro 11: The Missing...
O'Reilly Media has released "FileMaker Pro 11: The Missing Manual," a 928-book to guide readers through the use of FileMaker Pro 11. It costs US$39 for a print edition and $31 for an ebook version.
According to the folks at O'Reilly, the manual helps you get started, build your database, and produce results, whether you're running a business, pursuing a hobby, or planning your retirement. It's written by Suan Prosser and Stuart Gripman.
Prosser a former journalist and a current FileMaker Certified Developer and has developed FileMaker databases for more than 15 years. Gripman is the founder of Crooked Arm Corp, a full-service FileMaker Pro consulting and development firm based in Berkeley, California. A FileMaker Certified Developer, he has written for both "Macworld" and "MacLife." For more info about the book, including table of contents, index, author bios, and more, go to http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/0636920002642 .
WD introduces My Book Studio LX drive
WD (http://www.wd.com) has introduced its new My Book Studio LX external hard drive, which offers aFireWire 800 interface and features an aluminum case designed to complements any iMac, Power Mac G5 or MacBook Pro.
The Studio LX sports a customizable e-label that enables users to personalize their media collection and identify critical information about the drive, such as the contents and remaining capacity, without having to boot up their computer and plug in the drive. The My Book Studio LX drives also support USB 2.0.
My Book Studio LX drives offer automatic, continuous backup through WD SmartWare software and also sync with Apple Time Machine software. They offer 256-bit hardware-based encryption for data security, along with password protection.
Available now at select retailers and the WD online store, the new My Book Studio LX drives are formatted for Mac and come in capacities of 1TB and 2TB. for US$199.99 and $269.99, respectively.
NewerTech announces MAXPower eSATA 6G PCIe 2.0 RAID Controller...
Newer Technology (http://www.newertech.com) has announced the NewerTech MAXPower eSATA 6G PCIe 2.0 RAID Controller Card, a mass storage solution for adding two SATA 6Gb/s ports -- along with port multiplier support for adding up to 20TB of desktop storage with RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 -- support to Mac Pros and PCs with an open PCIe slot.
The NewerTech MAXPower eSATA 6G PCIe 2.0 RAID Controller Card is available immediately at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of US$99 from NewerTech’s exclusive distributor, Other World Computing (OWC), as well as through the retail channel. It’s compatible with Mac OS X 10.5 and later and Windows 2000 and later and comes backed by a three-year warranty.
In addition to supporting any standard single or dual eSATA interface equipped storage solution, the NewerTech MAXPower eSATA 6G PCIe 2.0 RAID Controller Card also supports port multiplier enclosures. Now Mac Pro or PC users with machines offering an open PCIe slot can connect up to 10 drives (up to...
Boris FX introduces New AAF Transfer Plug-In for Avid Media...
Boris FX (http://www.borisfx.com) has announced Boris AAF Transfer, a new plug-in designed for the transfer of Apple Final Cut Pro sequences to Avid Media Composer. Boris AAF Transfer uses Avid’s new AMA (Avid Media Access) architecture to transfer Final Cut Pro sequences without the need for transcoding or rewrapping.
Boris AAF Transfer will be available in Q3 2010 for an MSRP of $299 USD or an MSRP of $399 USD when bundled with the Boris XML Transfer plug-in for Adobe After Effects. Boris AAF Transfer will support Apple Final Cut Pro 6 and higher and Avid Media Composer 4 and higher.
Jolly Rover game sails onto the Mac
Macgamestore.com has released Brawsome's new adventure game, Jolly Rover (http://www.macgamestore.com/detail.php?ProductID=1476) for Mac OS X (10.4 and higher), through its web site. This high seas point-and-click experience will follow the adventures of Gaius James Rover, a dog who just wants to star in the circus like his dear old dad.
Here's how the game is described: "Following the tragically comedic death of his father, young Gaius, who insists on using his middle name James, goes to live with his uncle, a wealthy plantation owner on a small Caribbean island. While practising a particularly tricky juggling move, he accidentally taints a barrel of rum with tobacco, creating a potent and addictive brew which he coins Jolly Rover, one of the most prized substances in the Caribbean.
"Alas, the wealth of Jolly Rover sales only manages to fill the pockets of his uncle, and Gaius longs for action and adventure and, more importantly, the opportunity to start his own circus and follow in...
R10Cipher file/text encryption solution adds 'Decrypt Only...
Arten Science has updated R10Cipher (http://www.artenscience.co.uk), a cross platform encryption/decryption tool, to version 4.0. It can run in a "Decrypt Only" mode that doesn't require any purchase.
R10Cipher supports drag and drop multiple file encryption, and decryption by double clicking a file to recreate it with its original filename. R10Cipher takes text or files and encrypts them. These files can be Word files, Excel files, MP3 files -- almost any kind of file.
Its encrypted files can be copied elsewhere, even to a different operating system and unencrypted by anyone in possession of the shared key that was used for the encryption. If encrypting text, this Cipher Text can then be copied into an email, saved as a file and attached to an email or just copied elsewhere. The recipient can use R10Cipher to open the file and view the encrypted contents, assuming they're in possession of the Shared Key that was used to encrypt the document in the first place.
If encrypting a file...
MBS releases Transparent Screensaver 2.3 for Mac OS X
Monkeybread Software (http://www.monkeybreadsoftware.de/) has released Transparent Screensaver 2.3, an update to their screensaver utility for Mac OS X. The utility adds a variable transparency overlay screensaver to the list of screensavers in Preferences.
With the screensaver running at 50% the effect is one of dimming the desktop and all open windows; 0% is black; 100% is completely transparent. With the screen lock option engaged, the user can continue to view their iChat Buddy List, iTunes Library, or any open process or window, while waking their computer from screen saver mode is password protected. If the user wishes to remain logged in to their computer, but prevent others from using it, he can lock the screen.
Version 2.3 makes Transparent Screensaver Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopard") compatible; it also works with Mac OS X 10.5 .
MBS Transparent Screensaver 2.3 for Mac OS X is currently available as shareware, which is free to test for 30 days. A license is available from...
DVDxDV Pro now offers standard def to high def conversion
DVDxDV Pro (http://www.dvdxdv.com) has been updated to version 2.1, which fixes some glitches introduced in version 2.1. The upgrade converts standard definition DVDs into high definition 1080i video suitable for use in Final Cut Pro, Avid Media Composer, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere and iMovie HD.
Version 2.0 added direct export from DVD to Apple TV. Used in the television and film industry, DVDxDV Pro converts DVD to high quality Quicktime movies for editing in Final Cut Pro, Avid, iMovie, and more. In addition to the Apple TV, DVDxDV Pro version will convert DVD video directly to the 5G (video enabled) iPod and the iPhone. The software costs US$80; version 2.1 is a free update for registered users of version 2.x.
ATTO announces line of 6Gb/s SAS/SATA RAID adapters
ATTO Technology, which specializes in storage connectivity and infrastructure solutions for data-intensive computing environments, has announced the immediate availability of its ExpressSAS 6Gb/s SAS/SATA RAID adapters.
The ExpressSAS R60F (16 port internal), R680 (8 port external), R608 (8 port internal), and R644 (4 port external/4 port internal) feature ATTO’s RAID stack and incorporate Marvell Technology Group’s 88RC9580 RAID-on-Chip (ROC) processor technology. The adapters are available in four different port configurations, and there are 6Gb/s SAS/SATA HBAs available in five different port configuration.
For more information on ATTO’s ExpressSAS 6Gb/s SAS/SATA RAID Adapters visit: http://www.attotech.com .
Analyst: iPad partly to blame for drop in netbook sales
In a note to clients today, analyst Katy Huberty of Morgan Stanley has raised her iPad sales estimates from six million to 10 million units for 2010 and her Apple price target from US$310 to $332.
As reported by "Fortune" (http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/06/08/hello-ipad-goodbye-netbook/?sourc...), she told clients:
° The iPad is on track to become the fastest ramping mobile Internet device out of the gate and one of the most popular in history.
° Early iPad usage patterns validate the tablet as a computing device. It's already overtaken the web browsing share of devices like the iPod touch.
° It's at least partially responsible for a sharp drop in the growth of netbook sales, which decelerated to -13% year-over-year in the month of April, from +45% in the first quarter of 2010.
Apple posts video of WWDC keynote
There's now an online video of the keynote address at the 2010 Apple Worldwide Developer Conference. CEO Steve Jobs delivered the keynote, introducing the iPhone 4 and iOS 4.
The keynote video is available in QuickTime and MPEG-4 format. You can download it at http://events.apple.com.edgesuite.net/1006ad9g4hjk/event/index.html .
Adobe offers Photoshop Lightroom 3
Adobe has released Photoshop Lightroom 3 for Mac and Windows, an update of the digital photography workflow solution that allows photographers to organize, enhance and showcase their images from one application.
The new version introduces a completely redesigned performance architecture that better handles growing image libraries and provides an unrivaled raw processing engine with noise reduction and sharpening tools to achieve the highest image quality, according to Kevin Connor, vice president of product management for Digital Imaging at Adobe. The 64-bit capable Lightroom 3 includes new features that optimize workflows and allow images to be shared in creative ways, including support for DSLR video files and tethered shooting on select cameras, he adds.
The import experience has been redesigned to be more intuitive, with added previews and default selections that give users quick access to sort through and find images. Helping streamline and adapt to photographers’ changing...
iSkysoft releases DVD and Video to iPad Converter
iSkysoft Studio (http://www.iskysoft.net/) has released its DVD to iPad Converter and iPad Video Converter, both available for Mac OS X and Windows. The iSkysoft iPad DVD and Video Converter helps iPad users convert DVD movies and almost any video format to an iPad friendly format.
With DVD to iPad Converter you can convert encrypted or homemade DVDs. With iPad Video Converter you can convert any popular video formats such as AVI, FLV, MOV, WMV, MKV, and more to iPad friendly formats.
DVD to iPad Converter is priced at $29 and iPad Video Converter is $25 for a single user license. Both iPad Converters for Mac are perfectly compatible with Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopard") and iPad Converters for Windows fully supports Windows 7.
Andy Ihnatko to keynote at 2010 MacTech Conference
The MacTech Conference for IT Pros and Mac developers, Nov. 3-5, 2010 in Los Angeles, has announced its keynote speaker -- Andy Ihnatko. MacTech Conference is a three-day,
session-packed event will have sessions and activities throughout the day and evening giving attendees the opportunity to not only learn from the best, but get to know others in the industry, says Neil Tickin, editor-in-chief and publisher of "MacTech Magazine."
"We're thrilled to welcome Andy as our keynote speaker," he says. "As an internationally beloved tech journalist (not to mention that he's the Chicago Sun Times' Technology Columnist), Andy is insightful, funny, and a pleasure to work with. The response to the conference is overwhelmingly positive. The keynote announcement makes it that much better."
The MacTech Conference will have two separate tracks: one focused on IT, and one focused on programming/development. Sessions will focus on both desktop and mobile, with appropriate levels of attention paid to...
Safari 5 supports extensions, has speed boost, more
Apple has released Safari 5, the latest version of their web browser. The new version features the new Safari Reader for reading articles on the web without distraction, a 30% performance increase over Safari 4, and the ability to choose Google, Yahoo! or Bing as the search service powering Safari's search field.
Available for both Mac and Windows, Safari 5 includes improved developer tools and supports more than a dozen new HTML5 technologies that allow web developers to create rich, dynamic websites, according to Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. With Safari 5, developers can now create secure Safari Extensions to customize and enhance the browsing experience, he adds..
Safari Reader makes it easy to read single and multipage articles on the web by presenting them in a new, scrollable view without any additional content or clutter, says Schiller. When Safari 5 detects an article, users can click on the Reader icon in the Smart Address...
Videos tout the iPhone 4
Apple has released videos praising the iPhone 4 and the new FaceTime technology. You can find 'em at http://www.apple.com/iphone/design/#design-video and http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/facetime.html#facetime-video .
The video features Apple execs talking about the new iPhone. Version 4 of the smartphone will go on sale June 23 with pre-orders starting June 15.
Apple to debut iAds on July 1
Apple will debut its iAd mobile advertising network on July 1 on iPhone and iPod touch devices running its iOS 4 software platform. iAds combine the emotion of TV advertising with the interactivity of Internet advertising, according to Apple CEO Steve Jobs.
iAd will kick off with mobile ad campaigns from leading global brands including AT&T, Best Buy, Campbell Soup Company, Chanel, Citi, DirecTV, GEICO, GE, JCPenney, Liberty Mutual Group, Nissan, Sears, State Farm, Target, Turner Broadcasting System, Unilever and The Walt Disney Studios. Apple has iAd commitments for 2010 totaling over US$60 million, which represents almost 50 percent of the total forecasted US mobile ad spending for the second half of 2010, says Jobs.
He adds that iAd, which is built into iOS 4, allows users to stay within their app while engaging with the ad, even while watching a video, playing a game or using in-ad purchase to download an app or buy iTunes content.
Developers who join the iAd Network can...
Say hi to the iPhone 4
Apple today presented the new iPhone 4 featuring a new feature called "FaceTime" and a "Retina display," the highest resolution display ever built into a phone. In addition, iPhone 4 features a 5 megapixel camera with LED flash, HD video recording, Apple’s A4 processor, a three-axis gyro and up to 40%.
All this comes in a new design of glass and stainless steel that's purportedly the thinnest smartphone in the world. iPhone 4 comes with iOS 4, the newest version of Apple's (renamed) mobile operating system, which includes over 100 new features and 1,500 new application programming interfaces for developers.
iOS 4 features multitasking, folders, enhanced Mail, deeper Enterprise support and Apple’s new iAd mobile advertising platform. iPhone 4 will be available in the US, UK, France, Germany and Japan on June 24, starting in the US at US$199 for qualified buyers with a two year contract.
"iPhone 4 is the biggest leap since the original iPhone," says Apple CEO Steve Jobs. "FaceTime...
Apple now has 22% of eBook market
During his keynote address at the Apple Worldwide Developer Conference, CEO Steve Jobs said Apple now has 22% of the eBook market thanks to the iBookstore, which was introduced with the iPad and is now available for the iPhone and iPod touch.
Jobs says that users have downloaded more than five million books in the first 65 days of the iBookStore availability. That's about 2.5 for each device sold—in the first 65 days of iBooks’ availability. The 22% figure is based on reports from five of the six largest publishers on the app's share of their electronic sales.
When Apple announced the iPad, it also announced the new iBooks app for iPad, which includes Apple’s new iBookstore, a way to browse, buy and read books on a mobile device. And Apple has plans for the iBookstore beyond the US.
Notes from Steve Jobs' WWDC keynote
Steve Jobs has introduced the iPhone 4G. He says it's the biggest leap yet for the smartphone with over 100 plus features. He's talking about eight main features.
It has a new design with a glass front and rear. Jobs keeps using the word "precision" to describe the iPhone 4G. It's 24% thinner at 9.3 mm and is, per Jobs, the thinnest iPhone on the planet.
The iPhone 4G has a front camera, receiver home, micro SIM, camera with LED flash and a second mic for noise cancelation.
It has three "bands" in the stainless steal part of the structure of the phone -- which uses the stainless steel band as part of the system — so the bands separate the tech. It's made of stainless steel for strength.
Jobs says the iPhone 4G has a "retina display" and four timex the pixels in the same space. It has really sharp text and 326 pixels per inch. As for the retina display moniker, 300 pixels is the limit of the human retina, Jobs says.
Now the CEO is showing examples of the display resolution. It's demo...
The iPad 'guzzles network capacity'?
Wireless network provider Meraki has reported that iPad usage consumed more than half the network capacity of one installation despite accounting for less than 10% of the devices on the network, reports "InformationWeek" (http://www.informationweek.com/news/hardware/handheld/showArticle.jhtml?...).
Meraki reports that hat tests taken during a week in May compared the use of different devices on a network at MIT’s CSAIL network, the university’s largest interdepartmental laboratory. More than 300MB was transferred during the week by the average iPad user. iPhone users averaged 31MB and iPod Touch users averaged 12MB.
"InformationWeek" says "the results take on new significance" when compared with AT&T’s unveiling this week of metered data plans that include plans with 200MB and 2GB limits. The average 300MB that was recorded by iPad users in the week would indicate that AT&T subscribers with the larger $25 a-month data plan would come in under AT&T’s limit, although the $15...
Continually updated notes from Jobs' WWDC keynote...
Steve Jobs has introduced the iPhone 4G. He says it's the biggest leap yet for the smartphone with over 100 plus features. He's talking about eight main features.
It has a new design with a glass front and rear. Jobs keeps using the word "precision" to describe the iPhone 4G. It's 24% thinner at 9.3 mm and is, per Jobs, the thinnest iPhone on the planet.
The iPhone 4G has a front camera, receiver home, micro SIM, camera with LED flash and a second mic for noise cancelation.
It has three "bands" in the stainless steal part of the structure of the phone -- which uses the stainless steel band as part of the system — so the bands separate the tech. It's made of stainless steel for strength.
Jobs says the iPhone 4G has a "retina display" and four timex the pixels in the same space. Ithas really sharp text and 326 pixels per inch. As for the retina display moniker, 300 pixels is the limit of the human retina, Jobs says.
Now the CEO is showing examples of the display resolution. It's demo...
Evizone secure communications service is Mac compatible
A new subscription service, Evizone, can be used to secure communications between not only individuals, but workgroups as well. It's Mac and PC compatible.
By selecting workgroup members and setting the access and retention periods that Evizone will automatically enforce, all workgroup communications can purportedly be secured. The company says new subscribers can start communicating securely within 15 minutes of registering online at http://www.evizone.com .
Evizone provides personal subscribers with a 30-day free trial of the service. The standard service is available at US$24.95 per month per user with lower subscription rates available to large group accounts.
