New Take Control eBook helps Mac users solve permissions...
Mac users who have long been at the mercy of arcane permissions from Mac OS X's Unix underpinnings can now regain mastery of their Macs with "Take Control of Permissions in Snow Leopard," the latest title in the Take Control library about Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopard").
Written by Unix guru and Mac aficionado Brian Tanaka, the 91-page ebook mixes how-to details and troubleshooting tips with just a certain amount of theory as it explains permissions in relation to how to keep files private, copy files to and from servers effectively, work with accounts and groups, configure ACLs, set the Ignore Permissions option for external disks, repair default permissions, and delete those files that just won't die. The ebook may be purchased for US$10 at http://www.takecontrolbooks.com/snow-leopard-permissions .
For those who want to learn advanced concepts, the ebook also delves into topics like the sticky bit, symbolic versus absolute ways to set permissions, and how to work with bit masks. In...
Speed Download for Mac OS X speeds to version 5.2.16
Yazsoft (http://www.yazsoft.com) has released Speed Download 5.2.16, the latest version of its Mac OS X download manager that combines four products: a download manager with auto-resuming downloads, a secure FTP client, a file sharing utility with full encryption, and .Mac/iDisk/WEBDAV connectivity.
The upgrade offers offers optimized performance, better compatibility and more. Speed Download requires Mac OS X 10.5.8 or higher. It costs US$25 for a single-user license. Speed Download is available in US English, French and Polish localizations.
MultiBrush 5.0 sports Artistic Tool palette, more
Akvis Software has released Akvis MultiBrush 4.0 (http://akvis.com/en/multibrush/index.php) for Mac and Windows systems. The app lets you retouch damaged photos and enhance portraits.
Version 5.0 includes a new Artistic Tools palette with tools such as Oil Brush, Roller, Felt-tip Marker, Chalk, Artistic Pencil, Artistic Spray, and Artistic Eraser for adding artistic effects to images. The Standard Tools palette has been expanded and improved. There's a new Spray tool, and new parameters for selecting the color of pencils and brushes. You can change the shape of a pencil and the angle of brushes. Also the parameters of the Smudge tool have been changed.
MultiBrush now lets you edit an image in layers. In the Layers palette, layers can be added, reordered, their visibility can be switched on or off, and they can be arranged in groups. There are two kinds of layers, raster and artistic, which can be edited by the standard and artistic tools, respectively. The layer Blending Options...
Monkeybread Software releases DynaPDF 2.5
Monkeybread Software has released version 2.5 of the REALbasic DynaPDF plug-in (http://www.monkeybreadsoftware.de/realbasic/plugin-dynapdf.shtml), which adds professional PDF support to REAL Studio. With it you can reate, import and modify PDF files on Mac, Windows and Linux systems.
This includes features like PDF split and merge, fonts embedding and text extraction. With DynaPDF 2.5 such features are added as support for OpenType fonts, improved font handling, better colorspace support and functions to use external signatures. All this features are available in the version 10.2 MBS REALbasic DynaPDF Plugin. Available with the download are more than 50 example projects to show you how to use the plug-in with REAL Studio.
With the recent introduction of the Starter license, the entry license is available for US$199. Also available are Lite, Pro and Enterprise licenses with more professional features, as well as academic licenses for students and teachers. The 2.5 upgrade is free of...
RIM overtakes Apple in smartphone shipments
According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics (http://www.strategyanalytics.com), global smartphone shipments grew 50% year-over-year, to reach 54 million units in the first quarter of 2010 (Q1 2010). This was the strongest period of growth for almost three years and smartphones continue to lead the handset industry out of recession, according to the research group.
"The global smartphone market will head in two broad directions this year," says Neil Mawston, director at Strategy Analytics. "Some smartphone vendors, such as Nokia, will chase growing mid-tier volumes in emerging markets such as China and India. Other brands, such as Motorola, will focus on mature markets like the US and explore a new wave of services beyond Internet browsing and email such as high-quality video and navigation."
RIM shipped 10.6 million smartphones worldwide in Q1 2010, beating Apple’s record 8.8 million units during the quarter. RIM has become the largest mobile device vendor of North...
Adobe ships Creative Suite 5
Adobe has announced the availability of the Adobe Creative Suite 5 product family, which the company says has more than 250 new product features.
The Adobe CS5 product family is powering the creation of content and applications for the upcoming releases of Flash Player 10.1 and Adobe AIR 2, which are optimized for high performance on mobile screens and designed to take advantage of native device capabilities for a richer, more immersive user experience, according to John Loiacono, senior vice president of Creative Solutions at Adobe. Featuring integration with online content and digital marketing measurement and optimization capabilities for the first time, Creative Suite 5 products include access to signature Omniture technologies, to capture, store and analyze information generated by web sites and other sources.
Adobe Creative Suite 5 products also integrate with Adobe CS Live, a set of five innovative online services that accelerate key aspects of the creative workflow and enable...
Electronics Recyclers CEO: iPad a smashing success
John Shegerian, chairman and CEO of Electronic Recyclers International (http://1800recycling.com), a recycler of electronics and e-waste, has issued a statement about the success of the iPad. In his statement, he refers to the iPad as a “perfect example of a future trend” of the electronic waste recycling and urban mining industries.
Shegerian said that Apple’s massively popular tablet device is the kind of significant innovation that creates enormous new opportunities across multiple industries while it triggers the public to discard older devices now rendered obsolete by the newer, user friendly technology the iPad provides.
“It’s a rare occurrence, but once in a while a consumer electronics product comes along --he flat screen television for example – that captures the imagination and interest of the public so well that the product immediately becomes a ‘must have’ item and part of modern culture,” says Shegerian. “Apple’s iPad is such an item. We at ERI marvel at visionary...
Electronics Recylers CEO: iPad a smashing success
John Shegerian, chairman and CEO of Electronic Recyclers International (http://1800recycling.com), a recycler of electronics and e-waste, has issued a statement about the success of the iPad. In his statement, he refers to the iPad as a “perfect example of a future trend” of the electronic waste recycling and urban mining industries.
Shegerian said that Apple’s massively popular tablet device is the kind of significant innovation that creates enormous new opportunities across multiple industries while it triggers the public to discard older devices now rendered obsolete by the newer, user friendly technology the iPad provides.
“It’s a rare occurrence, but once in a while a consumer electronics product comes along --he flat screen television for example – that captures the imagination and interest of the public so well that the product immediately becomes a ‘must have’ item and part of modern culture,” says Shegerian. “Apple’s iPad is such an item. We at ERI marvel at visionary...
Witch for Mac OS X conjures up version 3.1
Many Tricks has released version 3.1 of Witch (http://manytricks.com/witch), its window switching utility for Mac OS X. The new version adds a couple of new features, improves on many behaviors, and fixes a few bugs.
In version 3.1, the Witch panel appears after a very short delay, so it can be used (as with Command-Tab) to toggle between two open windows without seeing the Witch panel flash onscreen. A major memory leak has been identified and plugged. Witch no longer uses increasing amounts of RAM over time, and uses less RAM overall than version 3.0.
Updated help files explain all of Witch 3's features. Version 3.1 handles Parallels' windows more gracefully when Parallels is running in Coherence or Crystal view modes. Hidden windows are now shown with a translucent icon, so they can be easily identified at a glance.
Witch 3.1 is a free update for all Witch 3 users. Witch 3 is US$19 for new users and $8 for users of Witch 2.x.
Zevrix releases LinkOptimizer 4.2 for InDesign
Zevrix Solutions (http://www.zevrix.com) has released LinkOptimizer 4.2, an update of its workflow automation solution for Adobe InDesign. The new version gives users access to two more Photoshop resampling methods and addresses a compatibility issue.
LinkOptimizer lets you reduce InDesign job size and speed up processing by eliminating excess image data and performing essential image adjustments.
LinkOptimizer Light 4.2 can be purchased from the Zevrix Solutions web site for US$239.95 , as well as from authorized resellers. LinkOptimizer works with Mac OS X 10.4.2-10.5 and InDesign CS-CS4.
Version 4.2 is free for LinkOptimizer 4.x users and a $95.98 to upgrade from previous versions. A demo is available for download.
Apple updates Aperture to version 3.0.3
Apple has released version 3.0.3 of Aperture (http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1040) its software for professional photographers. This update improves overall stability and fixes issues in a number of areas.
According to Apple, the key areas addressed include:
° Applying adjustments such as Retouch or Chromatic Aberration;
° Creating and using Raw Fine Tuning presets;
° Viewing, adding and removing detected faces;
° Switching target printers and paper sizes when printing;
° Duplicating Smart Albums;
° Repairing and rebuilding Aperture libraries;
° Reconnecting referenced files;
° Working with GPS track files in Places;
° Searching for keywords in the Query HUD or Keyword Controls.
Aperture 3.0.3 is a 69.4MB download. It requires Mac OS X 10.5.8 or higher.
Fetch for Mac OS X updated to version 5.6
Fetch Softworks (http://fetchsoftworks.com/) has updated the Fetch transfer app to version 5.6. The upgrade automatically resumes uploads, downloads, and mirror operations, to ensure that network glitches and server hiccups do not stand in the way of successful FTP or SFTP transfers.
Fetch 5.6 is a Universal binary, compatible with Mac OS X 10.4 or later. Fetch is free to try for 15 days, and a single-user license is US$29. Upgrades to version 5.5.2 are free for customers who purchased Fetch after Jan. 28, 2009; otherwise, upgrades are $10. Free licenses and upgrades are available for educational and charitable use.
Annual WebObjects Conference to be held Aug. 27-29
The WebObjects Community Association and BoxOffice Tickets have announced 2010's World-wide WebObjects Developer's Conference (http://www.wowodc.com), the annual conference dedicated to WebObjects, Apple's enterprise-class web application development framework.
This three-day event will be held Aug. 27-29 in Montreal at the Hotel Gouverneur Place Dupuis. Sessions and Hands-On Labs will be led by WebObjects experts from around the world.
The past few years have seen substantial new development surrounding WebObjects, one of Apple's most mature and time-tested technologies, says Pascal Robert, event organizer and Steering Committee member. Its behind-the-scenes roll in the iTunes music store and the App Store have driven development both by Apple and the global WebObjects community, bringing substantial updates to existing functionality and dramatic new features that keep WebObjects on the cutting edge of internet-enabled application development, he adds.
Sessions and hands-on labs will...
Adobe CEO offers rebuttal to Steve Jobs' Flash comments
In an interview with the "Wall Street Journal," Adobev CEO Shantau Narayen offered a rebuttal to Apple CEO Steve Jobs' thoughts on Flash (http://www.macnews.com/2010/04/29/what-steve-jobs-really-thinks-about-flash). You can read the entire article at http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/04/29/live-blogging-the-journals-interv..., but here are some highlights.
Narayen says:
° Adobe believes in open content and support for multiple operating systems, while Apple/Jobs is apparently concerned about technology that works across multiple platforms.
° The technology problems that Jobs mentions in his essay are "really a smokescreen," as more than 100 applications that used Adobe's software were accepted in the Apple App Store.
° If Flash is crashing the Mac OS as Jobs claims, that has something to do with the "Apple operating system."
° Jobs' claim that Flash is a battery drainer is "patently false."
Jobs named to the '2010 TIME 100' list
Apple CEO Steve Jobs has been named to the "2010 TIME 100" (http://www.time.com/time/specials/bestworst/0,32232,1984685_1984745_1985...), TIME Magazine's list of "the people who most affect our world." It's his fifth appearance on the list.
Jeff Koons, an artist living in New York City, offered these thoughts on Jobs for the TIME list: "Apple's core ideal has always been to make people's experience of computing as accessible and pleasurable as possible. As a young man, Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO, decided to be the Beatles of computing. I once said that I make what the Beatles would have made if they made sculpture, and I can appreciate how Steve, 55, applies their ethos of optimism to his work. The tools he has given us, from the Macs at my studio to the iPhone in my pocket, are like clean, new windows, fitting between our selves and our work elegantly, naturally and unobtrusively. It's great to see Steve stay true to his vision. I can imagine some young artist saying today, 'I make...
Hollywood Strings virtual instrument ships
EastWest/Quantum Leap is shipping its Hollywood Strings (http://www.soundsonline.com/hollywood-strings) virtual (software) instrument. It's a collection of orchestral string instruments with multiple finger positions for all sections, including open strings.
The range of positions purportedly allows composers to realize the true voicing and emotional content of a string section. Vibrato intensity and extensive dynamics, including five dynamics of up- and down-bowed sustains and notes, are also controllable by the composer. Multi-dynamic true legato has been sampled for all sections in three different categories: slurred, portamento and bow change.
Hollywood Strings comes supplied on a pre-configured hard drive. The list price is US$1,695; an introductory price of $1,495 expires May 15.
Matchback Magic conjured up for Final Cut Pro
Intelligent Assistance has released Matchback Magic (http://assistedediting.com/MatchbackMagic/), software that adds matchback information to Final Cut Pro media files to make them very robust through many postproduction workflows, according to Intelligent Assistance CEO Philip Hodgetts.
“With Matchback Magic it doesn’t matter if an editor or assistant renames clips or file names, or even if they lose reel name or Timecode reference," he says. "The conform to master media will still happen correctly.”
Matchback Magic adds metadata into the media file that's carried with the file, regardless of what happens inside Final Cut Pro or to the file. At the end of the editorial process, Matchback Magic extracts that information and provides either a fully conformed (to the original high quality media) Final Cut Pro Sequence, or an ALE file for conforming a Cinema Tools database, or even an Excel spreadsheet for manual conforming.
The Matchback Magic demonstration version, freely downloadable...
Arobas partners with eMedia Music on Guitar Pro 6
eMedia Music Corp. (http://www.emediamusic.com) has announced a new distribution agreement with Arobas Music to release Guitar Pro 6 in the US and Canada. New features in version 6 include an improved Real Sound Engine (RSE) with realistic playback of your scores using over 100 sounds sampled from instruments and over 50 real-time pedal effects such as overdrive, distortion, wah-wah, chorus, delay and more.
Other features include: a revised user interface (including full screen mode); Parametric Equalization on each track; piano grand staff; new notation symbols such as rhythm, slash, simile marks and multi-measure rest; configurable tones; tap tempo; jazz fonts and more. In addition to writing scores, Guitar Pro 6 is a designed as a tool for beginning and accomplished guitarists alike to improve their skills, compose or simply accompany themselves.
Guitar Pro 6 will be available at computer and music retail stores nationwide in May at an estimated retail price of US$59.95. It's...
Atlona releases new HDM to Mini DisplayPort Converter
Atlona Technologies (http://www.atlona.com) has introduced the AT-HD620, an HDMI to Mini DisplayPort Converter capable of up-converting incoming video signals to dual-link resolutions up to 2560x1440.
The US$279 converter -- due to ship May 1 -- solves compatibility issues that have been plaguing HDMI users looking to take advantage of the technologies offered in new Mini DisplayPort displays, such as the 27-inch iMac and the 24-inch Cinema Display, according to the folks at Atlona. The new AT-HD620 will scale any HDMI input to match native resolution of either display.
With the AT-HD620, a host of new image enhancing technologies are available to users looking to connect an HDMI source to an MDP display. The unit features an HDCP compliant HDMI input, as well as a Mini DisplayPort input that functions as a pass through for Mini DisplayPort sources. This unit can switch between the two inputs, allowing users to use both a connected Mini DisplayPort computer such as a MacBook Pro,...
Plugable Technologies announces USB display, docking solutions
Plugable Technologies (http://www.plugable.com) has launched two new USB graphics products enabling expandability of any laptop or desktop system with a spare USB port.
The UGA-125 (US$49.99) enables multiple VGA, DVI, or HDMI monitors or projectors to be added to any system via USB 2.0 (one extra display supported per adapter). Each display can extend the desktop or mirror other displays. The UGA-125 is designed for multi-taskers who want to see and work with several applications or documents at once, including programmers, designers, writers, office managers, day traders, customer service and sales personnel, etc.
The second product in the UGA-125 family, the UGA-125-HUB ($59.99), also includes a matching bus-powered 4-port USB 2.0 hub. This provides a solution for docking any laptop to an extra display, keyboard, and mouse. Unlike proprietary docking stations, the hub solution works with any brand of computer, using standard USB 2.0 connectivity and components. Note that docking...
iAds to cost $1 million at launch?
Apple plans to charge close to US$1 million for ads on its mobile devices this year and perhaps even more to be among the first, ad executives told the "Wall Street Journal" (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870364830457521241150098304...). The execs say they're used to paying between $100,000 and $200,000 for similar mobile deals.
The "Journal" says Apple is making waves on Madison Avenue with its price tag, which comes with initial demands for greater control over advertisers' marketing campaigns. "It's a hefty sum," says Phuc Truong, managing director at Mobext, a mobile marketing business owned by Havas SA whose clients include Sears, Choice Hotels, Amtrak and Volvo. "What Apple is trying to do is certainly above and beyond what's been done in the past."
At the April 8 unveiling of iPhone OS 4.0, Apple debuted iAd, Apple’s new mobile advertising platform, which "combines the emotion of TV ads with the interactivity of web ads," Apple CEO Steve Jobs said. Today, when...
SWF & FLV Player for Mac updated to version 3.8
Eltima Software has released SWF & FLV Player for Mac 3.8 (http://mac.eltima.com/swf-player.html), an upgrade that offers improved downloading of online Flash movies and videos option.
SWF & FLV Player is a Flash movies and videos player that facilitates watching them on a Mac/ The app is available in two versions: free and Pro (USS$19.95); the latter features a number of extra options.
Free Flash Player has such movie control options as forwarding and rewinding SWF and FLV files, zooming the movie in and out, fitting it to current window size or restoring to original one. SWF & FLV Player also lets you create and manage playlists and obtain detailed information about SWF and FLV files (size, SWF version, frame rate, shapes/morphs/fonts/ActionScripts/sounds, etc.).
The pro version of SWF & FLV Player adds: the ability to save online Flash movies or videos with the external resources they use; a full-screen mode; the ability to take a screenshot of any moment of the...
FMC offers 'Train-the-Trainer' courses
Future Media Concepts (FMC) -- a digital media training organization for postproduction, broadcast, and content creators -- has announced the latest additions to its Mac IT Academy curriculum: Apple's Snow 303 T3: Mac OS X Security and Mobility 10.6 and Xsan 301: Xsan 2 Administration "Train-The-Trainer" courses.
Launching in April and May, these "Train-The-Trainer" courses, offered only by select training companies worldwide, will incorporate FMC's manufacturer authorized training curriculum. Available at select FMC branch locations beginning in April the four-day "Snow 303 T3: Mac OS X Security and Mobility 10.6" course prepares Apple Certified training professionals for implementing and delivering Apple's Snow 303 course.
The Snow 303 T3 course is designed for Apple Certified Trainers looking to add the ability to deliver the Snow 303, Security and Mobility course to their repertoire. It covers DNS, VPN, firewalls, certificates, and proxy servers, as well as being able to...
CC File Converter for Mac OS X changes color profile of image...
Economy-x-Talk has released CC File Converter (http://www.color-converter.com), an utility for Mac OS X 10.4 and later to change the color profile of image files. Some graphics editing software packages call this the color mode, color space, or mode.
For example, images can be in GIF, JPEG, PNG or TIFF format. Additionally, colors can be defined by a CMYK, RGB or other color space. Pictures may print slightly dark on some printers, while slightly brighter, or with a more intense red, on other printers. Devices often need their own color profile. Many people change the color settings of their computer screen, which in Mac OS X implies the creation of a custom color profile.
With CC File Converter you can convert picture files to make images look more similar on different computer screens and different printers, even in different software packages. It has the capability to automatically find all color profiles that are available on your hard drive. There's no need to adjust installed...
SmuginPro is new plug-in for Aperture
NZWidgets has released SmuginProForAperture (http://nzwidgets.com/smugin/SmuginProForAperture/SmuginProForAperture.html), a new plug-in for Aperture, Apple's software for pro photographers. The plug-in allows the uploading of images to the SmugMug photo and video sharing site.
SmuginProForAperture's features include: caption and keyword handling; hierarchical gallery selection based on category and subcategory; and manual or template based gallery creation. The plug-in adds custom fields to the Aperture metadata for exported images. The generated custom fields can then be used to create smart albums of all images that have been uploaded to SmugMug, or to a specific album.
Each image can be exported to a different gallery if required. You can choose whether to replace an existing image with a new version or add a second version of the same image to a new gallery. SmuginProForAperture uses Growl (if installed) for status notifications.
SmuginProForAperture 1.0 costs US$19.99. A demo is...
AnyBizSoft Studio announces release of PDF to Word for Mac
AnyBizSoft Studio, a provider of PDF solutions, has released PDF to Word for Mac (http://www.anypdftools.com/pdf-to-word-for-mac.html), an app that lets you convert PDF files into editable Microsoft Word files.
Tom Chande, CEO of AnyBizSoft Studio, says PDF to Word for Mac allows you to preserve original text content, images, layouts in the converted Word document. It supports batch and partial conversion mode. PDF to Word supports Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6 and Microsoft Word X/2004/2008, as well as encrypted PDF conversion.
It costs US$39.95 for a single user license. A demo is available for download.
What Steve Jobs really thinks about Flash
In case you hadn't noticed, Apple CEO Steve Jobs isn't a big fan of Adobe Flash, a multimedia platform that is popular for adding animation and interactivity to web pages. And in an online post (http://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughts-on-flash/) he tells why -- and why he doesn't want Flash on the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.
"I wanted to jot down some of our thoughts on Adobe’s Flash products so that customers and critics may better understand why we do not allow Flash on iPhones, iPods and iPads," Jobs says. "Adobe has characterized our decision as being primarily business driven – they say we want to protect our App Store -- but in reality it is based on technology issues. Adobe claims that we are a closed system, and that Flash is open, but in fact the opposite is true. Let me explain."
You can read his entire post for details, but here's a summary of his anti-Flash arguments:
° Flash products are 100% proprietary.
° Adobe has repeatedly said that Apple mobile devices cannot access...
IDC: worldwide microprocessor experience slight decline
A decline between a calendar year's fourth quarter and the next calendar year's first quarter is typical of seasonal demand patterns but this decline is less than normal. When compared to 1Q09, shipments in 1Q10 rose 39.0%. Total market revenue in 1Q10 fell 2.0% compared to 4Q09 and rose 40.4% compared to 1Q09.
"PC processor shipments typically decline around 7 to 8 percent going from fourth quarter to first quarter," says Shane Rau director of Semiconductors: Personal Computing research at IDC. "A decline of 5.6% is modest and wouldn't mean much by itself. However, after the huge rise in shipments we saw in the fourth quarter, it adds more credibility to market recovery and that the PC industry anticipates improvement in PC end demand in 2010."
Looking at market performance by computer form factor, mobile processors declined 6.3% quarter over quarter, desktop processors declined 5.1% quarter over quarter, and PC server processors declined 1.4% quarter over quarter. The overall market...
iPod.iTunes update ready for iTunes 9.1.1
CrispSofties (http://www.crispsofties.com/) has updated its iPod.iTunes music synchronization tool to version 4.5, which has been tweaked for iTunes 9.1.1.
iPod.iTunes does real add-synchronization, even in two directions if desired. The source can be either the iPod or the iTunes library. The software evaluates the source for songs, videos, podcasts and/or playlists that are not in the target and only adds these seamlessly, avoiding duplicates. Unlike iTunes' own synchronization iPod.iTunes generally does not delete content in the target. iPod.iTunes can also transfer song dependent data like "My Rating", "Last Played", "Play Count", album artwork, etc.
iPod.iTunes can be used for: keeping files and playlists on different Macs and iPods up to date; doing a full restore of songs, videos and playlists from iPod; reversing the accidental deletion of songs, videos and/or playlists in iTunes, if these are still on your iPod; transferring an iTunes library from one Mac to another via the...
HP to acquire Palm for $1.2 billion
HP and Palm have entered into a definitive agreement under which HP will purchase Palm, a provider of smartphones powered by the Palm webOS mobile operating system, at a price of US$5.70 per share of Palm common stock in cash or an enterprise value of approximately $1.2 billion. The transaction has been approved by the HP and Palm boards of directors.
“Palm’s innovative operating system provides an ideal platform to expand HP’s mobility strategy and create a unique HP experience spanning multiple mobile connected devices,” said Todd Bradley, executive vice president, Personal Systems Group, HP, in a press release. “And, Palm possesses significant IP assets and has a highly skilled team. The smartphone market is large, profitable and rapidly growing, and companies that can provide an integrated device and experience command a higher share. Advances in mobility are offering significant opportunities, and HP intends to be a leader in this market.”
And adding to the love-fest:
“We’re...
iPhone/iPod/iPad apps for April 28
Here are the latest iPhone/iPod touch/iPod/iPad apps announced. You can find 'em at the Apple App Store (http://www.itunes.com/appstore/).
Yellow Field Technologies and Coach Joe Beer has announced MyZones 1.0, exclusively for the iPhone and iPod touch. The US$3.99 app calculates training heart rate zones that can be used by runners, cyclists, triathletes from keen fitness enthusiasts to focussed racers. MyZones can calculate your personal zones from maximum heart rate, race HR data, or professional lab test results.
SplashData has rolled out SplashID, a new version of its $9.99 secure password manager for the iPad. It offers an interface for storing, organizing and accessing passwords, PINs, account numbers, frequent flier numbers, and any kind of information that needs to be readily available yet completely secure. It provides iPad users with both AES and Blowfish encryption, a password strength meter, a web browser plug-in with web form auto-fill and much more.
The Epilepsy Therapy...
Luca Visual FX releases Light Box 1.0
Noise Industries, developer of visual effects tools for the post-production and broadcast markets, says new development partner, Luca Visual FX, has released Light Box 1.0 for the FxFactory platform.
It's a collection of light and image enhancement tools designed to work inside Adobe After Effects CS3/CS4/CS5, Apple Final Cut Pro, Apple Motion and Final Cut Express. Light Box 1.0 includes nine customizable GPU-accelerated plug-ins and transitions.
Light Box 1.0 is available for $49 USD via the Noise Industries web site (http://www.noiseindustries.com). A trial version is also included with the FxFactory installer.
New iPhone to go on sale during WWDC 2010?
Apple could put its next-generation iPhone on sale during the World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC), "sources familiar with the situation" tell "Mashable" (http://mashable.com/2010/04/28/apple-iphone-launch/), the "Social Media Guide."
"Over the last two years, Apple has revealed both the iPhone 3G and the iPhone 3GS at WWDC," the article says. "However, the release of the actual iPhone hardware has traditionally come a few weeks after the announcement. Our sources say that Apple may break that tradition this year by shortening the timetable. An immediate release would also break another tradition: Apple fans camping out in front of Apple stores just so they can get their hands on the company’s newest product."
Indeed, the iPhone and the iPad are getting the lion's share of attention from Apple regarding WWDC, which will be held June 7-11 at San Francisco's Moscone West. Apple says "this year’s WWDC offers developers in-depth sessions and hands-on working labs to learn more about...
nova media unveils FrameLoader for Mac OS X
nova media has unveiled FrameLoader, software for synchronizing digital picture frames with Mac OS X. It features a one-click sync of iPhoto albums, iTunes playlists and custom media files.
FrameLoader will convert pictures, music and videos automatically into a format that can be displayed by the chosen digital fotoframe. It works with most digital picture frames, USB memory sticks and memory cards.
To select the media contents, FrameLoader displays a list of iPhoto albums and iTunes playlists. They can be checked or unchecked to be synced. Custom media files can be dragged and dropped into FrameLoader and selected accordingly. A click of the sync button starts the synchronization process and an activity monitor displays the details of the sychronization process.
FrameLoader features a SyncMonitor to synchronize media files automatically. Once the to-be-synced iPhoto albums and iTunes playlists are selected within FrameLoader, it's not necessary to open FrameLoader again to...
OWC lowers battery charging/conditioning station price
Other World Computing (OWC) has announced a price drop of up to 20% off on its entire line of NewerTechIntelligent Battery Charging/Conditioning Stations, which are designed to keep batteries in optimal charged condition for maximum "unplugged" usage.
Available immediately and starting at US$119.95, the NewerTech Intelligent Battery Charging/Conditioning Station is available for the a variety of Mac notebooks. For details go to http://eshop.macsales.com/search/charger+conditioner .
Apple acquires Siri, a 'mobile assistant' company
Apple has acquired Siri (http://siri.com), a mobile "assistant" app maker, heating up the Apple-Google competition. According to a pre-merger notification released by the Federal Trade Commission, and first noticed by Robert Scoble (http://twitter.com/Scobleizer/status/13015365163), the transaction apparently won't be held up by any antitrust reviews.
Here's how Siri describes itself: "Just like a real assistant, Siri understands what you say, accomplishes tasks for you and adapts to your preferences over time.
Today, Siri can help you find and plan things to do. You can ask Siri to find a romantic place for dinner, tell you what’s playing at a local jazz club or get tickets to a movie for Saturday night.
"Siri is young and, like a child taking its first steps, may be awkward at times. Siri may occasionally misunderstand things you ask it to do even within its range of understanding.
"Nonetheless, Siri will improve quickly by getting to know you better and understanding a broader...
Apple execs clean up in stock sales
Apple set a new record last Friday, closing at US$270.83 a share. And three Apple execs took advantage of that.
"Fortune" (http://macosg.me/2/6m) notes that "among the people lucky -- or prescient -- enough" to sell before the stock dropped to $256.41 in mid-morning trading Wednesday were three senior Apple officers: Scott Forstall, senior vice president for iPhone software; Mark Papermaster, senior vice president of devices; and Betsy Rafael, vice president, controller and chief accounting officer. According to SEC Form 4s filed Tuesday, the trio sold a total of 61,632 preferentially owned shares between Friday and Monday at prices ranging from $267.01 to $271.43 a share. Total proceeds: $16.5 million.
iTunes represents over 25% of digital, retail US music sales
Overall music sales declined by US$1.3 billion in 2009, but digital downloads grew $363 million to $4.3 billion. And Apple's iTunes represented more than a quarter of total digital and retail U.S. sales, notes "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com)
The figures come from a new Recording Industry in Numbers report from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. As reported by paidcontent.co.uk, global digital music sales grew 9.2% in 2009, and now make up over a quarter of total music income. This as the worldwide market decreased by 7.2%o $17 billion.
However, digital sales were pretty much flat in the U.S.. There was only 1.1% year-over-year growth in 2009. Domestically, iTunes represents more than a quarter of all music sales, both digital and retail.
Analyst: Windows switchers double size of the Mac installed base
Needham & Company analyst Charles Wolf told clients in a note today that Apple's retail stores have attracted lots of users from the Windows world and play a pivotal role in the Apple-Microsoft competition.
"[The Apple Stores] have become a magnet in attracting Windows users to the Mac platform," says Wolf.
He says that -- as Apple Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer has said -- that Windows users purchased half of the 606,000 Macs sold in the stores during the March quarter, he added. Needham estimates that, since 2004, more than 18 million Windows users have switched to a Mac.
"Mac sales in the March quarter were almost four times higher than they were in the second quarter of fiscal 2004," wrote Wolf. He adds that Windows switchers have more than doubled the size of the Mac installed base.
The analyst said that same-store sales rose 8% in the March quarter of 2010, thanks to a 22.3% year-over-year increase in Mac sales, even though no new Macs weren't introduced during...
Microsoft, HTC patent agreement may affect Apple's lawsuit
Microsoft and HTC have signed a patent agreement that provides broad coverage under Microsoft's patent portfolio for HTC's mobile phones running the Android mobile platform. Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will receive royalties from HTC. And the deal may help HTC in its legal fight with Apple.
Last month Apple filed a lawsuit against HTC for infringing on 20 Apple patents related to the iPhone's user interface, underlying architecture and hardware. The lawsuit was filed concurrently with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and in U.S. District Court in Delaware.
"We can sit by and watch competitors steal our patented inventions, or we can do something about it," Apple CEO Steve Jobs said at the time. "We've decided to do something about it. We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours."
But when it comes to today's announcement, "HTC and Microsoft have a long history of technical and commercial...
TwelveSouth introduces BookArch for the iPad
Twelve South (http://www.twelvesouth.com) has introduced its first accessory designed exclusively for the iPad: the US$39.99 BookArc, which supports the iPad for comfortable viewing, charging, and hands-free use in either portrait or landscape positions.
The BookArc for iPad is made from heavy gauge steel. A soft silicone cushion enables the iPad to be viewed in four different positions. One side holds iPad with a tilted viewing angle, in both portrait and landscape positions. Turn the BookArc around, and it stores iPad upright in portrait or landscape positions. All available positions offer access to the Dock Connector for charging and syncing.
"The iPad is great in your hands, but it’s not always a 'handheld' product," says Andrew Green of Twelve South. "There are many situations where iPad is best used self-supported. That’s where BookArc for iPad takes over. The BookArc’s flexible positioning, especially in landscape mode, allows you to place and use iPad the way you want....
Harman Kardon Go + Play sound dock goes micro
Harman International (http://www.harman.com) has announced a new addition to the Harman Kardon Go + Play family with the new Harman Kardon Go + Play Micro. It will retail for US$399 and go on sale in May.
The Harman Kardon Go + Play Micro is a one-piece 2.1 iPhone and iPod dock and features a built-in subwoofer. It's designed for on-the-road travel or a day out at the beach. The Go + Play Micro sports four Odyssey drivers and an Atlas bass driver. Plus, it can stream video from web sites such as YouTube from a user’s iPhone or iPod directly to his or her television with a composite video connection.
Also, the Harman Kardon Go + Play Micro is one of the few iPhone docks on the market that has the capability to sync an iPod or iPhone directly to a computer through a USB connection when it's docked. Eight C batteries allow users purportedly provide up to 18 hours of continuous music playback. There's an eco-friendly “sleep” feature for conserving battery life. It also comes with an AC...
BenQ announces E1260 HDR camera
BenQ (http://www.benq.com) has announced the E1260 HDR (High Dynamic Range) camera. It sports 12 megapixels, a 28mm 4x optical wide angle zoom lens, the ability to shoot 720p movies, a 2.7-inch LCD screen, an advanced smart scene mode, a G-Sensor application and HDR image enhancement technology.
The E1260 comes with an upgrade on the advanced smart scene modes compared to its predecessors, automatically detecting up to 12 different scenes: Landscape; Portrait; Backlight; Backlight Portrait; Night Scene; Night Portrait; Macro; Sunset; Text; Foliage; Snow and Still Mode. Other features of the E1260 include: Auto Face Tracking; Blink Detector; Self/Love Portrait; Beauty Enhancer; Smile Catch; Smart Focus; File Management; Auto Rotation; 3 Second Prerecording and Super Shake-Free (S.S.F.).
The E1260 comes in “Metallic Gun-Metal Gray” and “Metallic Blue." It will be available worldwide in May. Pricing hasn't been announced.
It's official: Jobs will speak at All Things D
Apple CEO and Co-founder Steve Jobs will indeed appear at the eighth D: All Things Digital, in an interview on the opening night, "The Wall Street Journal" -- which sponsors the event -- confirmed today (http://kara.allthingsd.com/20100427/welcome-back-steve-apple-ceo-jobs-wi...).
There's much to talk to Jobs about, obviously, including the new iPad, the mobile market and the iPhone, its tense relationship with Google and the next innovations from the Silicon Valley computer icon, says Kara Swisher of the "Journal." It will be his first appearance in three years at the event.
Other speakers confirmed for the event -- with tickets priced at US$4,500 -- include Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, movie director James Cameron and AOL co-founder Steve Case. The event will be held in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, June 1-3.
iPad helps New York Forum go paperless
The New York Forum (http://www.ny-forum.com), to be held on June 22 and 23 in New York City, says that the global business gathering will be the first of its kind to go completely paperless. All participants will receive an iPad featuring the program, background information, schedule, and any other relevant materials.
The New York Forum is a global business leader meeting aimed at addressing the future of the global economy, including focusing on strategies to spur job creation and develop new business models. The first annual forum will purportedly bring together hundreds of international business leaders, entrepreneurs, sovereign fund managers, regulatory officials and academics for a series of results-oriented discussions, debates and dialogues, with a mission "that is both bold and urgent: to reinvent business models, to stimulate job creation and restore faith in the international economy."
App-making seminar slated for Clarendon, VA Apple store
Custom mobile app developer PointAbout Inc., event series Disruptathon, and entrepreneur hotspot 1410Q are hosting an app-making seminar at the Apple store in Clarendon, Virginia, on May 6 to help local businesses learn how to make iPhone apps.
PointAbout will be showing the local business community how to make iPhone apps for less than IS$300 by using http://www.AppMakr.com, a do-it-yourself, app-making service. Since its launch in January, more than 5,600 apps have been built using AppMakr.
The event will take place at the Clarendon, Virginia Apple store located at 2700 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington on May 6 at 7 p.m. It's scheduled after regular Apple store hours, so registration is required. To RSVP, visit http://appmakr.eventbrite.com .
TRENDnet ships 150Mbps mobile wireless N router
TRENDnet (http://www.trendnet.com) has announced the availability of the 150Mbps Mobile Wireless N Router. The US$99 device connects to the Internet by using either a traditional hard wired connection or by connecting with a compatible USB modem from a 3G/3.5G Internet service provider such as SprintT, AT&TT, or Verizon.
It comes withe a replaceable 2.5 hour lithium ion battery that purportedly offers four hours in idle mode. For long road trips, TRENDnet will also offer a Car Adapter, model TA-CC, to power the unit.
The compact router connects to the Internet from any 3G/3.5G cellular phone signal. No installation is required; you plug the 3G/3.5G modem into the router to share an Internet connection.
LogicalVue Software releases SQLite Studio
LogicalVue Software has released SQLite Studio for Mac OS X (http://www.logicalvue.com/products/sqlite-studio/). It's an IDE for software developers that use SQLite, the free, open-source, single-user database engine used by a wide variety of software.
SQLite Studio is designed for working with tables, views, indexing and triggers. It also has a full featured SQL editor with code completion and syntax highlighting.
With its tab-based design, SQLite Studio allows you to work with multiple tables and SQL queries. You can view: all tables, data, indexing, triggers and views; all database views; and all SQLite Pragmas.
A fully licensed version costs US$99.95. Site licenses are available for $299.95, and a trial version is available for download.
Public beta of Dejumble 2.0 for Mac OS X available
Thinking Code Software has released Dejumble 2.0 (http://www.dejumble.com) as a public beta. It's an update of their organizational application for Mac OS X. Just remember: beta software is unfinished software so use with care.
Dejumble provides a menu-bar-accessible view for collecting notes and tasks, as well as advanced features for searching and organizing to-do lists and notes. The 2.0 update features wiki-like syntax and formatting. Projects are defined as generalized, broad goals, and tasks and notes are grouped within projectsn. Dejumble accommodates informal projects such as simple reminder lists, but also supports more formal task management methods such as GTD.
Getting Things Done (GTD) differs from traditional task management theories that emphasize prioritization of tasks. GTD proposes a workflow process emphasizing control and perspective, with shifting priorities in the middle of activity.
Dejumble 2.0 requires Mac OS X 10.5 or later. The beta will be free until the...
Apple's brand value grows by 32%
Apple placed third in the fifth annual Millward Brown Optimor BrandZ Top100 Most Valuable Global Brands ranking (http://www.millwardbrown.com/Sites/mbOptimor/Ideas/BrandZTop100/BrandZTo...) released today. It ranks behind Google and IBM, but is ahead of Microsoft.
When most key financial indicators plummeted, the value of the top 100 brands rose by four percent in the last year to more than US$2 trillion. The BrandZ Top 100, commissioned by WPP, is the only valuation in the world that takes into account customers’ opinions on brands and demonstrates this with a dollar value.
“In the past, many companies were quick to cut their marketing spend during a down economy,” says Joanna Seddon, CEO of Millward Brown Optimor. “A new trend has emerged in the wake of the recession as more companies realized the importance of maintaining and even increasing budgets to support brand loyalty and engagement.”
Technology brands demonstrated their pervasiveness in our daily lives. Google leads as the...
