Apple is bringing on a new general contractor to finish its multi-billion-dollar "spaceship" building at Apple Campus 2, "amid questions about whether the huge project remains on track for a late-2016 completion," reports the Silicon Valley Business Journal (http://tinyurl.com/oubp2ku). Rudolph & Sletten Inc., a veteran Silicon Valley builder, will complete the ring-shaped structure’s interior build-out, the article says, quoting unnamed "multiple people with knowledge of the situation. Until now, a joint venture of DPR Construction Co. and Skanska USA, which is heading up the project, was expected by many in the construction industry to take it through to completion.

In a note to clients — as reported by Barron's (http://tinyurl.com/ob8bgmz) — UBS analyst Steve Milunovich says his research indicates that people aren't that interested in the Apple Watch. At least not yet. "Search interest has deviated lower relative to an index of 30 consumer electronics introductions and the first iPad and iPhone releases—the week of launch, the Watch is about 20% of iPad and iPhone interest," says Milunovich. "We now think about 7% rather than 10% of the expected iPhone 5/6 average installed base of 430 million in F16E is likely to buy a Watch." Still he says that UBS is "long-term bullish" on the Apple smartwatch. Milunovich’s evidence comes from an index of search requests: "We created an index of search interest for 30 consumer electronics launches in the US as well as for the first iPhone and iPad (Figure 3). The initial value is based on search interest at the time the product was announced," he says. "The Apple Watch had been performing in line with the...

Japan Post Group, IBM and Apple have announced an initiative aimed at improving the quality of life for millions of Japanese senior citizens. Built on the global partnership Apple and IBM announced last year, the new initiative will deliver iPads with IBM-developed apps and analytics to connect millions of seniors with services, healthcare, community and their families. After piloting iPads and apps custom developed for the elderly, Japan Post Group will expand the service in stages with the objective of including four million to million million customers in Japan by 2020. Today more than 33 million seniors make up about 25% of Japan’s population, projected to grow to 40 percent over the next 40 years. "We are joining with two of the world’s most respected leaders in technology to bring our elderly generation into the connected world, expand our businesses by deepening relationships, and discover new ways to strengthen the fabric of our society and economy," says Taizo Nishimuro, CEO...

St. Clair Software (http://tinyurl.com/2gm24v) has released Default Folder X 4.7.1, an update to their utility for Mac OS X. Default Folder X enhances the file dialogs in all Mac OS X applications. Its custom keyboard shortcuts put your favorite and recent folders at your fingertips. It provides fast navigation to your files, convenient previews, integrated Spotlight tagging, and more. Version 4.7.1 fixes a bug in Mac OS 10.10.3, as well as offering a number of feature improvements. Default Folder X 4.7.1 requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher. It's is a free update for existing version 4 users. It costs US$34.95 for new users.

Some American Airlines flights were grounded as an app issue with the on-board iPads used by pilots made it impossible to take off, reports the Verge (http://tinyurl.com/pxsdkm2). "Some flights are experiencing an issue with a software application on pilot iPads," American Airlines spokesperson Andrea Huguely told The Verge. "In some cases, the flight has had to return to the gate to access a Wi-Fi connection to fix the issue. We apologize for the inconvenience to our customers. We are working to have them on the way to their destination as soon as possible." Another spokesperson said that the issue affected "a few dozen flights" across the airline. "We've identified the issue, we've identified the solution, and we are working on it right now," he told the publication. In 2012 American Airlines became the first commercial carrier to receive FAA approval to use the Apple iPad in the cockpit during all phases of flight.

Bare Bones Software (www.barebones.com) has announced BBEdit 11.1, an update to its professional strength HTML and text editor. The new version introduces built-in support for Git and for EditorConfig. In addition, the BBEdit 11.1 update also introduces a new CSS/SCSS language module, a new Arrange submenu and a new Save All in Window command, plus enhanced command-line tools and INI support, refined navigation, file management and preferences, and more. BBEdit 11.1 requires Mac OS X 10.8.5 or later. This update is free of charge to all BBEdit 11 customers. For new uses the cost is US$49.99 for a single user license.

Jive Software (www.jivechime.com) has released Jive Chime, an app that connects coworkers in real time. It's available for Mac OS X, iOS, Windows and Android systems. Employees can instantly start 1:1 or group conversations with coworkers, teams and departments, whether at their desks or on the go, says Elisa Steele, CEO and president, Jive Software. An employee can start a conversation from their phone while on the go and then easily pick up the conversation from their desktop later on. Any employee can connect with anyone inside their company without needing their email or phone number saved as a contact. 
Employees can set notification preferences according to their individual needs to stay in the loop without getting bombarded by alerts. People can create and name Jive Chime groups, add and remove coworkers from conversations, see when messages are read and when team members are responding, and send team chimes as needed. IT organizations can leverage new administration features...

CS Odessa (www.conceptdraw.com) has launched a new ATM UML Solution in ConceptDraw Solution Park. Developed exclusively for banking industry software specialists who design and build ATM solutions and systems. The new solution is designed to turn ConceptDraw Pro into an effective UML diagram creator with image libraries enabling you to visually represent ATM processes, as well as any type of banking system. The UML solution for banking is comprised of 14 libraries which contain 182 objects. ConceptDraw Pro is compatible with Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows and retails for US$199. It's also included in ConceptDraw Office 3, which retails for $499.

LastPass, a password manager, has launched an app for the Apple Watch.   The iOS app, which is part of LastPass’ Premium service, provides quick access to passwords and data stored in the Vault to ensure users always have their passwords no matter where they are or which device they are using. "Consumers need access to passwords and secure information wherever they are and on whatever device they are using," says Joe Siegrist, CEO and co-founder of LastPass. "The launch of the Apple Watch is significant because it provides another channel for LastPass to provide our users with the important data they need every day. With just a few taps of the wrist, LastPass users can see their password information in a simplified format without ever having to take out their phones or computers." The LastPass app for Apple Watch ensures users always have their passwords on hand with access to the data stored in their LastPass Vault. They can look up passwords on the go or find information written in...

Zevrix Solutions (www.zevrix.com) has unveiled LinkOptimizer 4.9.41, a feature update to its workflow automation solution for Adobe InDesign. LinkOptimizer allows users to reduce the size of InDesign links and speed up processing by eliminating excess image data, performing essential image adjustments and converting file formats. Version 4.9.41 adds an option to automatically remove all alpha channels from images during Photoshop processing. LinkOptimizer can be purchased from the Zevrix website for US$259.95 (a "lite" version is available for $179.95). A demo is available for download. Version 4.9.41 is a free update for LinkOptimizer 4.x users and a $130 upgrade from previous versions. LinkOptimizer requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher and Adobe InDesign and Photoshop CS3-CC 2014.

CleverFiles (www.cleverfiles.com) has released Disk Drill 2.4.417, an update of its Mac OS X data recovery solution. The app sports a set of file recovery tools that can undelete files from almost any device: internal and external hard drives, memory cards, USB flash drives, mountable cameras, iPods and more. Version 2.4.417 adds a number of new file signatures to the database, including LWS (LightWave 3D Scene File), LWO (LightWave 3D Object File), ALS (Ableton Live Set File), SKETCH (Sketch vector drawing) and others. It also improves recovery of update file formats for Apple Numbers, Pages and Keynote. Disk Drill is available in basic, pro, and enterprise versions. The first is free; the latter two cost US$89 and $399, respectively.

Quark Software has released QuarkXPress 2015 (www.quark.com/2015), an update of the graphic design and page layout software. It adds 64-bit architecture, industry-verified PDF/X-4 output, fixed layout interactive (app-like) eBook production, as well as an array of user-requested features. QuarkXPress is sold as a perpetual license, which means users make a single purchase and aren’t locked into an ongoing subscription. With its 64-bit architecture, QuarkXPress 2015 can now use all the RAM available on a user’s computer to deliver performance improvements across the board from file handling and layout rendering to PDF export. Quark has also added multi-threading to the QuarkXPress text engine to further increase performance. By using PDF/X-4 output, designers can maintain transparency to enable smaller files, faster output and higher quality print output. The exported PDF/X-4 files are certified by the same technology used inside Adobe Acrobat. QuarkXPress 2015 builds on its automation...

Apple says its Board of Directors has authorized an increase of more than 50% to the company’s program to return capital to shareholders. Under the expanded program, Apple plans to utilize a cumulative total of US$200 billion of cash by the end of March 2017.  As part of the revised program, the Board has increased its share repurchase authorization to $140 billion from the $90 billion level announced last year. In addition, the company expects to continue to net-share-settle vesting restricted stock units. The Board has also approved an increase of 11% to the company’s quarterly dividend, and has declared a dividend of $.52 per share, payable on May 14, 2015 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 11, 2015.  From the inception of its capital return program in August 2012 through March 2015, Apple has returned over $112 billion to shareholders, including $80 billion in share repurchases. To assist in funding the program, the company plans to continue to access the...

Anawiki Games (http://www.anawiki.com) has announced Avalon Legends Solitaire 2 for Mac OS X (10.6.5 or higher). It costs US$9.97. Here's how the game is described: "The sequel's story begins shortly after the events of the original game. Having saved King Arthur's life, the Druids of Avalon have formed a close alliance with Camelot and maintain a permanent presence in Arthur's court in the form of the Royal Druid, Mallard. A time of peace follows, only to be interrupted by a goblin invasion. With Camelot lying in ruins and Arthur away at war, the player takes on the role of Mallard as he seeks to gather resources and rebuild the kingdom. "Although the solitaire mechanics stick close to the model established by the first game, Avalon Legends Solitaire 2 introduces a great deal more gameplay in between the levels. By beating solitaire levels, the player earns the three resources needed to rebuild Camelot: Gold, Food and Materials. The player must then choose carefully how to prioritize...

Griffin Technology has released the US$29.99 WatchStand (store.griffintechnology.com/watchstand), a dock that provides a place to charge and display the Apple Watch. The WatchStand displays the Apple smartwatch on a sleek pedestal, and can be placed on any nightstand, tabletop or desktop for daily charging. It houses the Apple-provided magnetic charging cable in an angled cradle that keeps it ready to charge at all times. For initial assembly, the user simply feeds the magnetic charging cable through the center of the post. To charge each day, you lay the Apple Watch against the cradle. The magnetic connector snaps itself onto the back of the watch and begins charging. The WatchStand is compatible with all versions of the Apple Watch and holds it at an easy viewing angle as it charges. Accommodating both semi-flexible and fully flexible bands, the WatchStand displays and charges Apple Watch vertically or horizontally. Since the Apple Watch and iPhone go hand in hand, the WatchStand’s...

Apple will announce the financial results for its fiscal second quarter today. A conference call with analysts and the press will be held at 2 p.m. (Pacific) time. KGI’s Ming-Chi Kuo, one of the most reliable analysts, has his Apple numbers ready, as noted by "9to5Mac" (http://tinyurl.com/nbcub2l). The analyst projects iPhone, iPad, and Mac shipments to be 58.2 million, 10.1 million, and 4.5 million respectively. He also estimates that Apple Watch shipments are currently at 631,000 units.

A poll by SurveyMonkey of 505 people conducted since April 8 found that just over 4% said they were "extremely likely" or "very likely" to buy Apple Watch, reports CNBC(http://www.cnbc.com/id/102617561). About 74% said they were "not at all likely" to buy the smartwatch. Three percent said they planned to buy the watch on the first day of sales (which is today). "Look, it's early. I think that's what the poll results say. People didn't have a lot of great reasons" to buy it, SurveyMonkey CEO Dave Goldberg told CNBC's "Squawk Box." Nearly one-third of respondents said they would most often use Apple Watch to tell the time. That's the top use mentioned for the product.

Apple has updated its TestFlight app to version 1.1.1, adding support for Apple WatchKit apps embedded inside beta iOS apps. TestFlight lets you install and beta test apps on an iOS device. After a developer invites you to beta test their app, you can install new versions as they become available. TestFlight also allows you to provide feedback to developers on the features you are testing in the prerelease apps you’ve been invited to. With TestFlight 1.1.1, developers can deploy beta versions of their iOS apps without removing the Watch extensions. It's a free download at the Apple App Store.

Sonnet Technologies (www.sonnettech.com) has released the US$250 Sonnet DX Thunderbolt Adapter for Avid Media Composer Mojo DX and Avid Nitris DX. Formerly built by Sonnet and offered by Avid, the DX Thunderbolt Adapter is now marketed exclusively by Sonnet to users of Avid's Mojo DX digital video capture, editing, monitoring, and output system and Nitris DX high-performance SD and HD broadcast news editing system. With the DX Thunderbolt Adapter, media professionals can leverage these Avid solutions with Avid editing software on any Avid-qualified, Thunderbolt-equipped computer, says Greg LaPorte, vice president of sales and marketing, Sonnet Technologies. The DX Thunderbolt Adapter delivers performance for two streams of uncompressed 10-bit HD video with eight audio streams. With ultralow latency and high sync accuracy, the adapter enables editing workflows that are faster and more efficient than ever, he adds.

Maintain has served up Cocktail 7.8.1 (http://cocktail.maintain.se) Mavericks Edition, a new version of its Mac OS X utility. This version adds ability to clear Dictation & Speech and Help caches. It also contains miscellaneous bug fixes and improvements as well as updated Automator actions and Help files. Cocktail is a general purpose utility for OS X that lets you clean, repair and optimize your Mac. Its features are arranged into five categories that help you manage various aspects of your computer. Cocktail 7.8.1 Mavericks Edition requires OS X Mavericks to run. When unregistered, Cocktail runs in demo mode and will expire after the tenth launch. Registration is US$19 for a single user license or $39 for a family license that covers up to five computers.

Qoppa Software (http://www.qoppa.com/) has released PDF Studio 10, an all-in-one PDF editing software for Mac OS X. The new version adds PDF Optimization, Overlay Comparison and Conversion to HTML5. The Optimizer function provides options for users to reduce the file size of PDF documents before sharing or publishing them. Images can be downsized and compressed, unused and duplicate objects removed, and data streams compressed. PDF Overlay Comparison view allows visual comparison of drawings and blue prints by overlaying two documents and highlighting the differences using complementary colors. PDF Studio costs US$129. A demo is available for download.

Adobe has announced an update to its Creative Cloud Photography plan (https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography.html) with the release of an all-new Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC that's faster and sports new tools to edit, enhance, organize and showcase photos. Creative Cloud Photography also includes mobile capabilities: automatically syncing photos with Lightroom CC on the desktop, Lightroom on mobile devices lets users access and edit their entire catalog of photos on iPad, iPhone as well as Android smartphones and tablets. A $US9.99 per month, Adobe’s photography plan is targeted to photographers of every level. According to Winston Hendrickson, vice president of Digital Imaging Products, Adobe, new features in this release include: ° HDR Merge, which lets you create natural-looking or surreal images from extremely high-contrast scenes by combining multiple shots taken with different exposure settings into a single raw high dynamic range image; ° Panorama merge, which lets...

FileMaker Inc. (www.filemaker.com) says its FileMaker Go for iPad and iPhone app has surpassed 1.5 million downloads from the Apple App Store. The FileMaker Go for iPad and iPhone app is part of FileMakers lineup of desktop, server and iOS software for creating custom business solutions that run on iPad, iPhone, Windows, Mac and web browsers. The FileMaker Go for iPad and iPhone app is downloadable for free from the Apple App Store. FileMaker, Inc., an Apple subsidiary, delivers software to create custom business solutions for iPad, iPhone, Windows, Mac and the web. Millions of people, from individuals to some of the worlds largest organizations, use the FileMaker Platform to streamline their business processes, manage information and boost overall productivity.

Cristallight Software has launched iBarcoder 3.7.4, an update to their barcode generator for Mac OS X (10.7 and higher). With the app, users can create any number of customized, colorful barcode labels in their own style, in any size, or shape. The app can create Datamatrix and QR Codes. Version 3.7.4 features added codes and other enhancements. iBarcoder 3.7.4 costs US$49.95 and is available directly from the Cristallight website (www.cristallight.com) or through the Mac App Store in the Business category. Full versions include a lifetime license with complimentary upgrades and tech support. A demo is available from Cristallight Software