Accounted 2.0 for Mac OS X adds over 50 new features
Oranged Software (http://www.oranged.net/") has released Accounted
2.0, an update to their accounting package for Mac OS X (10.3 or
higher). The upgrade purportedly has over 50 new features.
Two new report types have been added to the reports window. These
reports are common accounting reports that have been requested by
users. Profit & Loss reports allow you to view net income over a
specific period of time. The new Cash Flow report shows cash
activities and changes over a set period.
This upgrade also adds multiple currency features. Just like in
Studiometry, you can have Accounted automatically grab exchange rates
from the internet and save exchange rates on a per-item basis.
Another feature is the ability to import your currencies and exchange
rates from Studiometry, giving the sync capabilities between the two
programs more power.
New Tax Accounts allow you to manage and track incoming and outgoing
taxes via any standard account type in Accounted. You can create
split...
ATTO introduces 6Gb SAS RAID storage controller
ATTO Technology (http://www.attotech.com), a provider of storage
connectivity and infrastructure solutions for data-intensive
computing environments, has announced a new addition to their
FastStream Storage Controller line.
The FastStream SC 8200 is a storage controller that provides
6-Gigabit SAS host connectivity and 3-Gigabit SAS/SATA drive
connectivity with RAID protection and advanced storage management
features. It's provided in two versions; an external
rackmount/desktop appliance and an embeddable RAID controller
targeted at OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and systems
integrators.
The FastStream product line provides a variety of features, 4KB
sector size support to address partitions larger than 2TB, Media
Error Handling which minimizes workflow interruptions caused by
imperfect media, SES Management and Monitoring and non-block device
pass-through that allows users to connect devices such as tape and
optical drives alongside their disk storage, according to Tom...
GeoNova Publishing releases new travel apps for iPhone, iPod...
GeoNova Publishing has announced a new iPhone/iPod touch travel
application, Discovery Guide Map Washington, DC, the first in a
series of guides that also includes Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Las
Vegas, Manhattan, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, and San
Francisco.
The company's new city Discovery Guide Map applications are designed
for intuitive reference by first-time visitors to major U.S.
destinations, offering mobile access to interactive downtown maps.
Each app features a "Locate Me" button that marks the user's exact
location with a red pin on a city map.
These maps also show the locations of all the attractions in town.
Every attraction location is hot-linked to its web site, giving
tourists quick access to online information from their mobile devices
as they explore a new city.
New Discovery Guide Map iPhone/iPod touch apps for U.S. cities sell
for US$1.99 on the Apple App Store. More info about the new
applications is available at
http://GeoNovaGroup.com/ProdServ.aspx?catId...
RGB Light and Kandalu Software launch Klite for Mac users
RGB Light and Kandalu Software have announced their collaboration for
the launch of Klite (http://www.kandalu.net/uk/klounge/klite/), a new
video and photo player for Mac users. The companies say that it
implements a new h technology that will enable you to optimize space
without loosing out on performance.
The player will allow you to convert any video file to the new codec
JPDMovie (JPDM), purportedly enhancing your picture definition and
saving up to 30 percent on memory space compared to the H264 standard.
Photo formats supported are: CPD vs. lossless PNG format (30 percent
reduction in size); GPD vs. Lossless JIFF format (15 percent
reduction in size with better color definition); and JPD vs. Lossy
JPEG format (25 percent reduction in size with the same PSNR). The
video format supported is JPDM vs. Lossy video format (30 percent
reduction in size with improved image quality.
Klite will be released on April 15. A public beta is available for
download. An upcoming professional...
Monotype Imaging adds more than 100 fonts to its collection
Monotype Imaging (http://www.monotypeimaging.com), a provider of text
imaging solutions, has added more than 100 fonts to its Monotype,
Linotype and ITC typeface collections. The typeface collections range
from an update of a classic industrial design to fonts that offer
unique personalities, the company says.
The fonts include the Azbuka typeface family that consists of 20
fonts that cover a wide range of "flavors," from extra light to extra
dark, and the Bernard Philpot's ITC Bolthole typeface, which seems to
exude a "grumpy" demeanor. All the fonts can be previewed and
licensed from the company's e-commerce sites: Fonts.com,
Linotype.com, ITCFonts.com and Faces.co.uk.
Tunewear launches TuneSonic Crystal earphones
Tunewear (http://www.tunewear.com) has launched its first earphone
product, TuneSonic Crystal. Featuring Crystallized Swarovski
Elements, the TuneSonic Crystal is designed for use with iPods and
other portable music players.
It's also compatible for listening to other devices such as iPhone
3G, portable gaming devices, notebook computers, portable DVD players
and more. With three color options, TuneSonic Crystal is available in
Black Onyx (black with black rhinestone), Chrome Silver (silver with
clear crystal) and Crystal Pink (pink with clear crystal).
The TuneSonic Crystal uses a shielded cable and a 24k gold-plated
3.5mm stereo mini-jack to reduce noise and enhance sound clarity,
says says Tunewear founder and CEO Hideki Francis Onda. It costs
US$$49.95. Available in three styles, the TuneSonic Crystal includes
the earphones as well as four sets of eartips.
LightWork Design releases LightWorks 8.0
LightWork Design has released LightWorks 8.0
(http://www.lightworkdesign.com/features/lightworks_80), a update of
the software for integrated rendering in advanced 3D graphics
applications. The upgrade boasts progressive rendering, a "'view
through walls" feature, tone mapping, complex reflectance shaders
The aim in introducing the progressive rendering feature is to
provide a more positive workflow experience within the rendering
application, according to the folks at LightWork Design. Previously,
using OpenGL to preview final renders had limitations in terms of
lighting and materials, in that it limited the number of lights
possible as well as the representation of the materials.
This meant that setting up a scene to get the final image became a
very iterative process. LightWorks progressive rendering provides a
solution to this by giving immediate feedback of the final image with
a fast preview of the lighting and materials within the scene.
Users often need to have a complete...
Puzzle Lab releases Leeloo's Talent Agency game
Puzzle Lab (http://puzzlelab.com/") has released Leeloo's Talent
Agency, a new time management game for Mac OS X and Windows with
elements of hidden object tasks.
Here;s how the game is described: "Leeloo dreams of becoming an
actress, but her parents make her study Economics. So she decides to
run her own talent agency in order to apply her business skills in
the fascinating world of cinema.
"Leeloo's parents were both actors, but not very successful. They
played minor roles only and did not want their daughter become an
actress. By her parents' wish she got a degree in Economics, still
dreaming of the world of cinema. Leeloo could not play in movies, but
her practical skills would be of great help in running a talent
agency near Los Angeles. This is the prehistory - and now you are in
charge of Leeloo's talent agency!
"Acting as Leeloo, you have to perform two types of tasks to get
through each level. Time management part is devoted to casting, and
hidden object part -- to shooting...
ActiveState's Komodo IDE 5.1 enhances team developer toolkit
ActiveState Software has released Komodo IDE 5.1 today. Komodo IDE
5.1 builds upon the award-winning integrated development environment
with new and improved features for developers working in small teams.
With the new release of Komodo IDE comes improved navigation. The
introduction of the History feature lets users browse though the
files and buffer locations they've been editing recently with just
forward and back buttons and a drop list in the toolbar. Find
Highlighting enables visual markers for find/search matches,
independent of the syntax coloring information. Hyperlinks adds new
code intelligence: Ctrl+mouse-hover will hyperlink interesting
regions in the text--more than just "Go to Definition" links. And a
new "fast open" dialog eases opening the files within a current
working directory, files within the current project, recently
opened/closed files as well as switching to a currently opened file.
The release of Komodo IDE 5.1 also includes support for a new
platform: Linux/...
Vuzix now works with iPhone in 3-D
Vuzix Corp. (http://www.vuzix.com) has announced iPhone compatibility
for its AV eyewear cable, according to Vuzix CEO Paul Travers. Every
"Works with iPhone" product is designed for optimal connectivity with
the iPhone and is certified by Vuzix to meet Apple performance
standards.
He adds that, the cable is the first on the market that supports 3-D
video in the following formats: side by side, interlaced and all
three major anaglyph modes. The cable will be available bundled with
the Vuzix iWear AV230XL and available as an upgrade for all current
Vuzix Video Eyewear customers for US$39.95.
NotePrinter released for iPhone, iPod touch
NotePrinter is a new app for the Phone and iPod touch. It costs
US$0.99 and is available at thr Appl eapp Stoe
(http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=306325...).
NotePrinter enables iPhone and iPod touch users to write formatted
notes with embedded images, file them in different category folders,
add photos or contacts, format text and print your notes as well as
email or transfer them to a Mac or PC. To copy text or a photo, users
touch and drag horizontally to select text or images, and press the
copy button, then paste.
Nova media unveils iCON 225, a 3G modem for Mac OS X
Nova media has unveiled the iCON 225
(http://www.novamedia.de/e_pages/e_produkte_icon_225.html), a 3G USB
modem for Macs. The iCON 225 supports HSDPA connections with up to
7.2 Mbit/second download speeds as well as quad-band EDGE and GPRS.
"The iCON 225 supports the fast HSDPA protocol in all 2100 MHz
networks, which are common in Europe and Asia," says Jan Fuellemann
of nova media. "In most other countries, EDGE and GPRS are supported
which offer speeds up to 220 Kbit/second in downloading data and up
to 120 Kbit/second in uploading data."
The iCON 225 includes the Internet connect wizard, launch2net, for
Mac OS X. This software offers a one-click connection to the Internet
without the need to enter configuration details.
The iCON 225 is available today from nova media for approximately
US$158. It requires Mac OS X 10.4.11 or higher. A lanyard and an USB
extension cord comes with the modem.
iNetMania released for iPhone, iPod touch
TechPad Productions, a social media research and online publication
company, says its first game, iNetMania
(http://www.inetmaniagame.com/), is now ready for download for the
iPhone and iPod touch! It is available for a limited-time promotional
price of US$2.99 (regularly $4.99) from the Apple App Store:
http://itunes.inetmaniagame.com/
iNetMania is based upon TechPad's board game, ServerMania, which
features players competing to build a successful web hosting company
and finish with the most money at the end of the game. iNetMania uses
a similar format and rule set as the award-winning board game, but
instead of a web hosting company, your goal is to create a successful
web site.
In iNetMania, you compete with up to three other players (either in
hot-seat mode with human controlled opponents or an intelligent
computer-controlled AI) all the way from the start-up phase to the
finish line, with plenty of highs and lows (or "Spikes and "Slumps")
along the way.
Ableton releases Live 8 and Suite 8
Ableton Live 8 and Ableton Suite 8 (http://www.ableton.com), updates
of the real-time music creation applications, are out now. Two new
instruments, Collision and Latin Percussion are also available -- and
both are included in Ableton Suite 8.
Live 8 and Suite 8 add new techniques, effects and workflow
improvements. These include a new groove engine, revamped warping
techniques, live looping, five new effects (including the Ableton
Vocoder), crossfades in the Arrangement View, group tracks and a
reworked MIDI editor.
Ableton Suite 8 includes all that, plus a sound library and a variety
of instruments, including a wide range of synths, a sampler, electric
and acoustic drums (new: Latin percussion), mallets (new: Collision),
numerous sampled instruments and a new Operator.
The boxed version of Ableton Suite 8 costs US$849 and includes
Ableton Live 8, sound library, 10 Ableton instruments including
Session Drums and Essential Instrument Collection 2, and a printed
manual. The...
Concrete Software releases Nintaii for iPhone
Concrete Software (http://www.concretesoftware.com) has released
Nintaii, a mobile puzzle game for the iPhone and iPod Touch.
Originally published by Mobigloo, a top developer of mobile content,
Concrete Software brings this game to the world of the iPhone and
iPod touch.
Here's how Nintaii is described: "Nintaii is a brain twisting puzzle
game of rolling blocks and switches. Be ready to roll your block over
the course of this 100 level challenge. Just like most of the
greatest puzzle games, Nintaii has a simple concept and yet proves to
be very challenging, electrifying and attractive. The Japanese term
'nintai' means patience, perseverance, or endurance.
"The objective of the game is to tumble a rectangular block through
each stage and deposit it into the square hole at the end. Switches,
road blocks and arrows are located in many levels. Switches are
activated by having the block stand on it."
MEI releases CLS 3.8 and ClassForce 3.8
Managing Editor Inc. (MEI), an Adobe premier development partner and
a leading provider of software solutions for the publishing industry,
today announced the release of Page Director Classified Layout System
3.8 and ClassForce 3.8. The two releases represent the latest
versions of MEI's popular programs for automated and semi-automated
classified layout.
CLS is MEI's customizable rules-based classified layout solution. The
program reads advertising text and image files, builds a runsheet of
the classified items, examines the liners and display ads against
user-defined rules, and then flows them to pages. Based on the same
technology, ClassForce is MEI's cost-effective, semi-automated
classified layout system for small to mid-size publications.
While the two products are tailored to different levels of electronic
classified pagination, each includes the same new features in version
3.8. Both CLS and ClassForce are now Intel-native applications;
contextual menus have been added to...
Amidio releases Star Guitar for the iPhone, iPod touch
Amidio (http://amidio.com/) has released Star Guitar, an US$3.99
iPhone/iPod touch application that enables the user to play automatic
guitar rhythms, both strumming and picking types. It's based upon
patented one-screen interface "StarChords," which allows immediate
selection of 144 chords.
Those chords can be strummed in a manual way (thanks to the
"SmartStrumming" technology), or automatically. All sounds are
generated in realtime with the new "SampleMagic" technology.
Almost any song can be played on Star Guitar with just 10-20 screen
taps, according to the folks at Amidio. There are 22 different guitar
rhythm patterns (pop, reggae, jazz, ballad) in Star Guitar 1.0 and
the library is extendable. There are three guitars by default:
Acoustic Silver, Mellow Jazz, and Electro Chorused.
Users can also use voice recorder and record guitar and voice
simultaneously. Among the features are: .WAV export; a built-in Wi-Fi
server; direct export to Intua Beatmaker; overdub recording; loading...
Bare Bones ships LottoCal for Mac OS X
Bare Bones Software today has released LottoCal
(http://www.barebones.com/products/lottocal/), a new Mac OS X utility
that adds the current winning lottery number and four-day forecast of
winning lottery numbers to iCal on the Mac and to the iPhone or iPod
touch.
LottoCal creates calendars that contain info on current and predicted
winning lottery numbers in user-specified locales. The LottoCal
system preferences panel allows the user to choose their favorite
U.S. locations.
Once set, LottoCal obtains the current day's lottery winner and four
days of winning lottery numbers, and presents the information in iCal
as all-day events, with additional details available in a single
click. These calendars and events can synchronize to other computers
or to your iPhone or iPod touch along with the rest of your iCal
data, using MobileMe (or iTunes) syncing.
Otto Matic: Alien Invasion comes to iPhone, iPod touch
Pangea Software (http://www.pangeasoft.net/") has released Otto
Matic: Alien Invasion is for the iPhone and iPod touch. Originally
developed for the Mac, Otto Matic is one of Pangea's most recognized
titles with over two million copies distributed worldwide. It's
available at the Apple App Store for US$4.99,.
Here's how the game is described: "The year is 1957 and a fleet of
flying saucers from Planet X have come to Earth. These saucers are
under the control of the evil Brain Aliens who are abducting helpless
humans and taking them away to strange alien worlds to become slaves
of The Giant Brain.
"Otto Matic the robot is given the job of saving Earth from the
attack of the Brain Aliens. His rocket ship will take you to each of
the alien planets where you must save as many humans as you can
before the Brain Aliens abduct them. Once The Giant Brain has been
defeated and peace has been restored to the galaxy, you will return
to Earth with your human cargo where they will be freed."
Quark partners with IBM
Quark (http://www.quark.com) has teamed with IBM Enterprise Content
Management (ECM) to enable the broad adoption of XML across the
enterprise by integrating Quark XML Author with IBM FileNet Content
Manager.
By eliminating barriers previously associated with the creation of
DITA-based XML, Quark makes it possible for any IBM FileNet Content
Manager user working in Microsoft Word to author intelligent content
that can be reused and delivered to multiple channels or formats,
says Ken Bisconti, vice president of Products and Strategy, IBM
Enterprise Content Management. "By integrating Quark XML Author into
IBM FileNet Content Manager we are helping enable customers to unlock
the value of their business content to reduce costs, increase
productivity, improve quality of service, and gain competitive
advantage," he adds.
Bisconti says the ability to author, manage, and reuse structured
content enables critical business needs, such as managing
intellectual property, complying with...
Quickoffice showcases office suite for the iPhone
Quickoffice, Inc. (http://www.quickoffice.com), a provider of mobile
office productivity software, will unveil what it says is the first
complete Office suite to provide native Microsoft Word and Excel
editing for the iPhone, Quickoffice for iPhone, at CTIA, April 1-3,
2009, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Quickoffice is the first iPhone application to include robust
document and spreadsheet editors, along with file access and content
management functionalities, according to Gregg Fiddes, vice president
of sales and strategic partnerships at Quickoffice. It offers a range
of functionality including font formatting, content selection,
bullets and cut, copy and paste within Word documents, he adds.
Users can also modify documents in landscape mode to leverage a wider
keyboard. With mathematical and statistical functions, including
advanced Excel formulas for spreadsheet processing, consumers can
revise inputs and recalculate, insert and resize rows and columns
within the application...
Opera browser adds Opera Face Gestures
Opera Software has unveiled its newest feature to be included in
Opera 10 -- Face Gestures. Opera Face Gestures enable anyone with a
webcam to control their browser moving only their face. Based on the
same architecture as Opera's Mouse Gestures, the technology grew out
of a collaborative project between Opera and the Norwegian
Intelligence Service (NIS) to create advanced facial-recognition
technology using only JavaScript, HTML and CSS.
"In 2001, we introduced Mouse Gestures in Opera 5.1. At that point we
knew we were on to something," says Jon von Tetzchner, Opera CEO. "We
already had keyboard shortcuts in the very first version of Opera,
but once we introduced voice control in Opera 8 we had only one input
mechanism left--the face. Opera Face Gestures represent the next
frontier in browser control."
Opera Face Gestures include more than 45 controls, from opening new
tabs to restoring sessions to navigating through a web page. Opera
Face Gestures are so advanced you can compose and...
Cocktail 4.3.3 (Leopard Edition) has been released
Maintain (http://www.maintain.se) has announced the release of
Cocktail 4.3.3 (Leopard Edition). This version contains major
improvements on the clear potentially harmful files procedure, adds
clearing of the latest (F and G) variants of the RSPlug trojan horse
and clearing of the Inqtana.C worm. The update is highly recommended
for all users of Cocktail (Leopard Edition).
Cocktail 4.3.3 (Leopard Edition) is distributed as a Universal Binary
and runs natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs. Cocktail 4.3.3
(Leopard Edition) requires Mac OS X / Mac OS X Server 10.5 or later
and is tested for compatibility with Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server
10.5.7.
Cocktail 4.3 (Tiger Edition) for Mac OS X 10.4.x and Cocktail 3.7
(Panther Edition) for Mac OS X 10.3.x are available for download from
our website.
Cocktail is an award winning general purpose utility for Mac OS X. It
is a smooth and powerful digital toolset with a variety of practical
features that simplifies the use of advanced UNIX...
Extensis Suitcase Fusion 2 adds Tiger compatibility
Extensis has released Suitcase Fusion 2 version 13.1, adding support
for Mac OS X 10.4 ("Tiger") to its single-user professional font
management product. Current Suitcase Fusion 2 users on Mac OS X 10.5
or higher will receive this maintenance update at no cost, which also
includes a variety of desktop, plug-in manager and other
enhancements.
All current users of Suitcase Fusion 1 (version 12) are eligible for
upgrade pricing. English, French, and German versions of Suitcase
Fusion 2 v13.1 are now available for download from the Extensis web
site (http://www.extensis.com/SuitcaseFusion2).
Built on the platform used for the Extensis Universal Type Client,
Suitcase Fusion 2 brings together "ground-breaking technology with a
sleek modern interface," says Brian Berson, general manager at
Extensis.
Suitcase Fusion 2 not only continues the tradition of professional
font management capabilities, but also focuses heavily on the
creative aspects of typography. By using Suitcase Fusion 2's...
DAZ 3D releases Girl 4 3D figure
DAZ 3D has unveiled a new version of its 3D figure, the Girl
4(http://www.daz3d.com/i/3d-models/the-girl-4?cat=842&_m=d), complete
with customizable body shaping, increased texture map resolution and
improved joint rigging. Created from DAZ 3D's fourth-generation
Unimesh, the Girl 4 is fully compatible with all Victoria 4, Victoria
4 Elite and Aiko 4 head and body shapes, textures and poses.
Originally created by 3D graphics and games artist Kim Goossens, the
Girl is used by hobbyist and professional artists as a muse for
magazine and album covers, fan art and the like. In addition to her
vast compatibility with all DAZ 3D models and hundreds of add-on
products available in the DAZ 3D online store, the Girl 4 is fully
ready to animate within DAZ Studio, Carrara and Poser.
The Girl 4 base product is available for immediate download at the
DAZ 3D online store for US$29.95. DAZ Platinum Club members may
purchase the Girl 4 for $1.99. Corresponding product bundles range in
price from...
Zero260 announces three photo sharing apps for the iPhone
Zero260, a new mobile experience studio, has launched its first
family of iPhone applications around the concept of "Feedds." Feedds
are the a way for a mobile user to share and view photos with other
mobile users.
The Feedds debuted today include: PhotoFeedd, for people who like to
view and share their everyday life experiences; TravelFeedd, for
people who want to share their travel adventures; and CarFeedd, for
enthusiasts who like to view and share pictures of cool rides.
Built around simplicity, Feedds allow users to create a personal
topic and share their photos in less than a minute. All three are
immediately available from the Apple App Store
(http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=304563...).
Blue Lamp Software releases PrintSprint 1.0 for Mac OS X
Blue Lamp Software (http://bluelampsoftware.com/printsprint/) has
released PrintSprint 1.0 for Mac OS X. It's a Mac OS X utility for
users who want prints from their digital photos and is being offered
at an introductory price of US$19.95.
According to the folks at Blue Lamp Software, PrintSprint makes it
simple to select photos, set the print size, quantity, and crop and
then generate your order. It never modifies your originals and it
works with your organizational system so it doesn't matter if you're
using iPhoto, Aperture or have your photos on your hard drives or CDs.
PrintSprint requires Mac OS X 10.5 ("Leopard"). A demo is available
for download.
Pepid comes to the iPhone
Clinical and pharmacological information can be accessed vya the
iPhone now that now that Pepid
(http://www.pepid.com/iphone/default.asp) has come to the Apple
device.
With Pepid, physicians need to look no further than their iPhone to
find the answers to critical questions like, "what are the possible
diagnoses?" "what's the recommended prescribed drug?" "what's the
recommended dose?" or "are there any possible drug interactions?" and
"what is the best evidence available for treatment?" Previously the
answers to these questions could only be found though memory or by
looking up information in textbooks, but now it's available literally
at their fingertips.
"The iPhone was revolutionary when it was introduced. Now with Pepid,
it's become the preferred point-of-care tool that doctors and nurses
rely on," says Pepid President, John Wagner. "Currently, there are
numerous channel applications available. Some contain drug
information, some have minimal disease profiles, some have several...
MacVector, Inc. announces the release of MacVector 10.6.
MacVector, Inc. (http://www.macvector.com) has just released
MacVector 10.6. This release sees the introduction of a Vector NTI
database import function that allows MacVector to directly read
sequence data from databases created by Vector NTI Advance v10 or
earlier, even if the database resides on a Windows machine accessible
over a network. MacVector 10.6 reads all of the standard features
and annotations associated with each sequence. Also, since MacVector
follows the Genbank format for the features table and is always kept
up to date with the latest Genbank release, it has the added benefit
of migrating any old and deprecated feature information contained in
the Vector NTI file into the current nomenclature. Also included in
MacVector 10.6 are enhancements and optimizations to the Align To
Reference and Assembler alignment tools.
MacVector, Inc's President, Dr. Kevin Kendall said "Over the past few
months we have had many customers asking us to import their Vector
NTI files...
NewPCgadgets.com introduces Laptop Flip for Apple laptops
NewPCgadgets.com has introduced the Laptop Flip
(http://newpcgadgets.com/products/laptopflip/index.html), anUS$18.95,
2-in-1 space saver and riser for your Mac laptop. Now you can store
your laptop in the vertical position when not in use creating
additional space on your desktop.
In use, the the Laptop Flip raises the back of your laptop by
1.25-inches and is designed to improve your viewing and typing angle
and increasing ventilation. It's made of lightweight acrylic with a
non-skid rubber surface.
Toon Boom announces Animate Pro, Manager apps
Toon Boom Animation (http://www.toonboom.com/main/) has announced two
new products: Toon Boom Animate Pro and Toon Boom Manager. Animate
Pro Toon Boom builds upon Animate's feature set and delivers also
2D-3D integration, as well as scanning options and full compositing
capabilities with 50 built-in special effects.
Toon Boom Manager provides full tracking capabilities to monitor the
production progress in real time. They're parts of the new,
modularized Harmony Solution, which is designed for creating
traditional, paperless and cut-out animation, all integrated in a
network environment.
As a turn-key solution, the Harmony Solution also includes
consultancy services for implementation, custom training, production
assistance and custom development. Consultancy services play a
critical role in maximizing the benefits of the Toon Boom pipeline
from the beginning, and delivering projects of all sizes within
budget and schedule, says Joan Vogelesang, president and CEO of Toon
Boom.
Toon...
Genius announces new noise-canceling headphone
Genius (http://www.geniusnetusa.com) has announced a new headphone
designed to block outside sound for entertainment fans. The GHP-04NC
touts a sound blocking feature that cancels out background
distraction noise an purportedly allowing only the music to be heard.
Built based on the "superposition principle," The GHP-04NC is
designed with an inverted version of the noise signal to cancel
outside noise when two identical sound waves combine. This result is
destructive interference, the most effective way to cancel noise from
low-frequency sources.
The GHP-04NC uses a 40mm unit driver. The padded swivel ear-cup can
be adjusted to fit any face contour and the soft headband sponge and
leather ear pad are designed for long time wear. It helps fade away
background noise for up to 50 hours of uninterrupted enjoyment on two
AAA Alkaline batteries. Priced at US$49.99, the GHP-04NC comes
complete with a 6.3mm dual-plug stereo adapter that can connect to a
variety of flight audio sources and a...
Sorenson Squeeze 5 bundled with latest Avid editing software
Sorenson Media today announced that Sorenson Squeeze 5 is being
shipped with the latest versions of Avid Technology's
(http://www.avid.com) suite of video editing applications, including
Avid Media Composer (version 3.5), Symphony (version 3.5) and
NewsCutter (version 7.5) software. Sorenson Squeeze 5 enables
independent editors, producers and filmmakers who use Avid video
editing software to deliver video in all of the most popular video
formats with advanced encoding options.
Sorenson Squeeze 5 makes it possible for users to output content in a
wide variety of formats, including Flash, QuickTime, RealMedia,
Windows Media, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4. The software can also
encode in HD for MPEG-2, Flash, VC-1, and H.264 formats, says Peter
Csathy, CEO of Sorenson Media.
Through the Avid software interface, video editors are able to send
their video files directly to Sorenson Squeeze 5 for encoding and
compression without having to export intermediate files. The software
allows users to...
Envivio announces Elite Compression for optimizing mobile TV
Envivio (http:www.envivio.com), a provider of compression solutions
for Three Screens video convergence, has introduced Elite
Compression, an enhancement for its 4Caster C4 and M2 mobile TV
encoders. This new compression tier is tuned to optimize the media
playback experience on today's most popular mobile devices, according
to Boris Felts, vice president of Product Marketing at Envivio.
Elite Compression will debut at CTIA Wireless 2009 in Las Vegas from
April 1-3. It will be available to participants in Envivio's Mobile
Streaming trade up program, which offers discounts up to 35 percent
to operators who replace their existing software encoders with the
Envivio 4Caster C4 before May 31.
Elite Compression bridges the performance gap that currently exists
in the mobile streaming market by targeting the many mass market
mobile devices which use their central processor to decode media
content, says Felts. While H.263 and MPEG-4 Simple Profile
compression are well matched to the...
IDG World Expo announces new dates for Macworld 2010
Macworld Expo 2010 (http://www.macworldexpo.com) is scheduled to take
place February 9 - 13, 2010, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco,
IDG World Expo announced today. Responding to feedback from the Mac
community of exhibitors, attendees, media and fans of the show, IDG
World Expo is ushering in a new era for the event by shifting the
show dates away from their historical early January timing. The new
dates will give exhibitors and attendees more breathing room between
the busy holiday season and the world's largest event focused
specifically on Apple products.
"Macworld is the largest global Mac-centric event of the year, and we
are focused on making 2010 the most productive, efficient and
content-rich event possible for our community of exhibitors,
attendees and media," said Mary Dolaher, chief executive officer of
IDG World Expo, the owner of Macworld. "For 25 years, Macworld has
been the pre-eminent event focused solely on the Apple products
ecosystem, and, with the recent...
TNA Wrestling comes to iPhone, iPod touch
Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling and Longtail Studios have
announced TNA Wrestling
(http://www.tnawrestling.com/content/view/1397/84/) for the iPhone
and iPod touch. It's available for download immediately on the Apple
App Store forYS for $4.99.
Here's how the game is described: "Get ready to experience Total
Nonstop Action anytime, anywhere! Once players create their own
custom wrestler, they can jump into the ring against 15 TNA greats,
including AJ Styles, Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe and Sting, and compete in
eight different match types such as Tag Team, Iron Man, Gauntlet and
Lumberjack. The goal is to make it from unsigned rookie to TNA World
Champion, while unlocking new moves, forging ring alliances, creating
rivalries and making decisions outside of the ring that will affect
what goes on inside of it."
AKVIS Sketch 8.6 released
AKVIS Softwareannounces the release of AKVIS Sketch v.8.6 for
Windows and Macintosh. The software converts photos to pencil
drawings and watercolor paintings. Version 8.6 improves the way a
photo is converted into a watercolor painting and fixes the
compatibility bug that caused the Sketch plugin to crash on Macintosh
computers+Photoshop CS3,CS4. It also improves plugin compatibility on
Windows and adds support of 32 bit images to the plugin (earlier
available only in the standalone version). Upgrade for registered
users is free.
AKVIS Sketch is an award-winning program for conversion of photos
into pencil sketches and watercolor paintings. Make any photo look
like a B&W or color drawing, imitate the technique of graphite or
color pencil, charcoal or watercolor painting.
The program works in an entertaining way. It allows observing the
conversion of a photo into a drawing/watercolor in real time and even
interrupting the process when the required result is achieved.
Once you...
Zevrix improves print queue handling in BatchOutput for InDesign
Zevrix Solutions today has released BatchOutput 3.5.1, a maintenance
update to its popular solution to automate printing and exporting
from Adobe InDesign. BatchOutput lets users accomplish their tasks
faster and with less resources by automating and simplifying the
output from InDesign. The new update allows changing the output job
name in printer queue when printing from non-admin accounts.
Toronto (ON), Canada - Zevrix Solutions announces the release of
version 3.5.1 of BatchOutput, its popular professional solution to
automate printing and exporting from Adobe InDesign. BatchOutput
automates and simplifies InDesign output workflow of printers, ad
agencies, service providers and publishing houses.
With BatchOutput, users only need to select the files to output and
adjust the settings, instead of opening and printing each document
manually. BatchOutput lets users accomplish their tasks faster and
with less resources. For example, BatchOutput can be left printing or
exporting...
MobileRiser is new kickstand for iPhone or iPod
The MobileRiser
(http://newpcgadgets.com/products/mobileriser/index.html) is a new,
US$4.95 kickstand for an iPhone or iPod touch. It stands up your cell
phone, iPhone, iPod or other mobile devices for viewing at a 75
degree viewing angle.
It's designed to let you watch movies on your iPhone or iPod or just
see who's calling faster. The MobileRiser is less than 1/16 of an
inch thick, so doesn't interfere with carrying cases.
MonsterQuest game released for Mac OS X
Macgamestore.com has announced the availability of MonsterQuest for
the Mac (http://www.macgamestore.com/detail.php?ProductID=1127)
through its web site and digital download service, Mac Games Arcade.
The game was developed by Canopy Productions and digitalBrandplay.
Here's how the game is described: "Now, fans of the smash hit series
on HISTORY will have the chance to become a MonsterQuest investigator
-- in a compelling and mysterious adventure in search of amazing and
elusive creatures.
"In the spirit of CSI and X-Files, the MonsterQuest team uses modern
investigative techniques to pull back the shroud of myth, rumor,
hearsay, and superstition to reveal the facts and truth concealed
within. The MonsterQuest game will place the player in the heart of
these probing investigations.
MonsterQuest requires a Mac with Mac OS X 10.4 or later. A free
60-minute trial version is available for download from either
Macgamestore.com or the digital download application, Mac Games
Arcade. The game...
LightWorks enhancements in latest TurboCAD release
LightWork Design has released TurboCAD Pro v16
(http://www.turbocad.com), from IMSI/Design. It incorporates new
updated LightWorks functionality.
The new product release was announced earlier this week and rendering
enhancements within the release include LightWorks global
illumination, final gather and ambient occlusion - which facilitates
a simpler and faster creation of more accurate and realistic
renderings - as well as the addition of numerous new material
shaders. David Forrester, Managing Director at LightWork Design
commented, "We are pleased to see the addition of the latest
LightWorks technology within TurboCAD Pro and to see the real
advances that this makes to the product. We look forward to seeing
more TurboCAD entries within our LightWorks image competition in the
months to come as users take advantage of these improvements."
Bob Mayer, Chief Operating Officer at IMSI/Design added, "LightWork
Design's development and support staff were instrumental in providing
advice...
equinux integrates CoverScout, SongGenie ore closely
If the new iPod shuffle's announcements consist of only "track 01"
and "unknown album", SongGenie can quickly help determine the missing
track information by using acoustic fingerprints. iPhones and iPods
with screens will benefit from CoverScout's album cover search by
displaying the correct cover in the Cover Flow view. equinux
(http://www.equinux.com) has updated CoverScout and SongGenie and has
integrated them more closely together giving users a greater ability
to improve their music libraries.
SongGenie 1.1 delivers for each identified song all available music
albums as a selection. It can now apply all the details of already
identified tracks in one go - automatically if desired. If the
artwork for a track is missing, SongGenie starts searching in
CoverScout with just one mouseclick.
If CoverScout cannot find a cover due to missing track information,
it can be found by SongGenie with a mouseclick. This way brushing up
one's music collection will be a walk in the park. Typos...
Nemetschek North America announces Service Pack 3 for Vectorworks
Nemetschek North America has released its third service pack for the
Vectorworks 2009 product line (http;//www.vectorworks2009.net). In
addition to addressing several user origin shift problems,
improvements were also made to stairs, framing member objects, IFC
export, referenced and sheet layer viewports (including section
viewports), interactive drawing operations, and many other areas of
the application.
Currently, Service Pack 3 is available only for professional licenses
as a downloadable updater. To install the Service Pack, go to the
About Vectorworks dialog box in the Vectorworks 2009 application and
click Check for Updates.
Vectorworks 2009 was released on Sept. 15, 2008. The Vectorworks 2009
product line includes Vectorworks Designer, Vectorworks Architect,
Vectorworks Landmark, Vectorworks Spotlight, Vectorworks Machine
Design, Vectorworks Fundamentals, and Renderworks.
Meadows Publishing releases DesignMerge VDP for InDesign CS4
Meadows Publishing Solutions has released DesignMerge Pro for Adobe
InDesign CS4, supporting both Mac and Windows platforms. DesignMerge
Pro (http://www.designmerge.com/aboutplugins) will provide Adobe
InDesign users with variable data publishing, personalized printing,
and document automation features.
The modules work within the InDesign application, enabling
mail-merge, variable data printing, and document automation features.
The entire process is database-driven. DesignMerge can support
variable text, picture, article, and even complete InDesign layouts
and master pages.
All of the features of Adobe InDesign are available when using
DesignMerge software, so features such as variable type-on-a-curve
are supported. DesignMerge also outputs the most popular variable
data printing formats, including PostScript, PPML, and Creo VPS. The
product is fully compatible with systems offered by Canon, Xerox, HP,
EFI, Ricoh, and Konica-Minolta, among others.
New ebook explains the Unix command line from a Mac point of view
For many Mac users, the Unix command line is a thing of mystery. It
offers unparalleled power, but forces users to give up the Mac's
graphical interface and requires a completely different mindset. To
enable Mac users to gain competence and comfort with the Mac's Unix
command line, the 111-page ebook "Take Control of the Mac Command
Line with Terminal" is now available.
Written by author Joe Kissell, the ebook starts with the fundamentals
and walks readers through more advanced topics as their knowledge
increases. To help readers put their new-found skills to use, Kissell
includes 40 real-life "recipes" for tasks that are best done from the
command line. The US$10 ebook is now available at
http://www.takecontrolbooks.com/command-line
Kissell has written many ebooks in the Take Control series, and he is
the author of "Take Control of Mac OS X Backups." He's also a
frequent contributor to Macworld and Senior Editor of TidBITS.
Freeverse to unveil Flick NBA Basketball for iPhone, iPod touch
Freeverse (http://www.freeverse.com) will launch Flick NBA
Basketball, the first NBA branded game available on the Apple App
Store during the 2009 NBA Playoffs which tip off April 18.
The new game, which is still in development, will feature dozens of
NBA players from all 30 NBA teams. By flicking a finger on the
touchscreen, players will have the opportunity to test their skills
in a variety of NBA style events and challenges. Choose your
favorite player, and compete against the computer or your friend.
Flick NBA Basketball promises to bring all the action and excitement
of the NBA to the palm of your hand!
Flick NBA Basketball will be the latest title in Freeverse's lineup
of Flick Sports games, joining Flick Fishing, Flick Bowling and the
upcoming Flick Baseball. Additional information on Flick NBA
Basketball will be available at launch.
WWDC 2009, June 8-12
Apple Worldwide Developers Conference 2009.
June 8-12 in San Francisco, Moscone West
The Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is the premier technical
event for developers and IT professionals innovating with Apple platforms.
Over 1,000 Apple engineers will be at Moscone West to present the latest
Apple technologies and provide you with code-level guidance. You'll learn
how to harness the power of iPhone OS, Mac OS X Snow Leopard, and Mac OS X
Server Snow Leopard in the most efficient and sophisticated way possible -
saving you time and accelerating your development. Bring your MacBook and
your imagination, and prepare to make your ideas happen.
Technical Sessions
At the heart of the WWDC experience are the technical sessions presented by
Apple engineers. Choose from a wide range of topics on developing,
deploying, and integrating iPhone OS and Mac OS X technologies. Sessions
cover introductory and advanced concepts so you can gain a solid foundation
if you are new to iPhone...
Mapajasi releases PocketFit Diet, Exercise products for the
Mapajasi has released PocketFit Diet and PocketFit Exercise for the
iPhone and iPod touch. They're available for US$1.99 each at the
Apple App Store.
PocketFit Diet
(http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=308463...)
has 48 healthy meals and snacks to help you with your eating plan.
PocketFit Exercise
(http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=308466...)
helps you plan you with a complete full body fitness workout and has
thousands of permutation.
Speck's Fitted case coming to the 2G iPod touch, 4G iPod...
Speck (http://www.speckproducts.com/content/fitted-cases) has
announced it's bringing its Fitted hard shell cases, already popular
on the iPhone 3G, to the iPod touch 2G and iPod nano 4G. Available in
a new assortment of female friendly materials, patterns and colors,
the new Fitted case series cost US$29.95,
The new patterns include BubbleSpotDot Aqua and CheeryPlum Purple for
the iPod nano 4G and the Lovely Roger White/Pink, Lovely Roger
Black/Grey and CheeryPlum Purple for the iPod touch 2G. The cases are
fashioned out of textured vinyl wrapped over a protective hard shell
case.
For a more dressed-up and refined look, Speck is also bringing the
Black Pinstripe, Tan Houndstooth and Black and White Plaid fabric
available in its Fitted for iPhone 3G case designs to both iPod
devices. Fabrics custom-tailored over a hard shell are used to create
a personalized appearance.
WD's My Book family of external hard drives now deliver 2TB
WD (http://www.westerndigital.com) expanded its My Book family of
external hard drives to include a 2TB capacity, the largest available
capacity in a single-drive system. The new 2TB My Book family
includes: My Book Studio Edition, My Book Mac Edition, My Book Home
Edition and My Book Essential Edition models.
Formatted for Mac computers, these drives are an ideal solution for
creative professionals and video editors, says Jim Welsh, senior vice
president and general manager of WD's branded products and consumer
electronics groups.The My Book Studio Edition is equipped with
FireWire 400/800, USB 2.0 and eSATA interfaces.
The My Book Home Edition is equipped with FireWire 400 and USB 2.0
interfaces. My Book Essential Edition offers an USB 2.0 interface.
The My Book Studio Edition, My Book Home Edition and My Book
Essential Edition 2TB external hard drives are available now at
select retail stores and online retailers. My Book Mac Edition 2 TB
external drives will be available next...
