Blackmagic Design ships DaVinci Resolve 10
Blackmagic Design has released DaVinci Resolve 10, available now for download free of charge for all existing DaVinci Resolve customers. It's an on set, editing and color correction solution for Mac OS X, Windows and Linux
DaVinci Resolve 10 is an upgrade that includes innovative on set tools, new editing features, support for OpenFX plug-ins and more, according to the folks at Blackmagic Design. Also available for download is the free DaVinci Resolve Lite edition for both Mac OS X and Windows. DaVinci Resolve Lite now includes the addition of Ultra HD resolutions and additional GPU support.
DaVinci Resolve 10 has been developed to simplify the integration of different software tools used in the film and television industry, allowing timelines to be moved into and out of DaVinci Resolve and other edit software such as Final Cut Pro, Avid and Premiere Pro. For more info go to www.blackmagicdesign.com .
IK Multimedia announces iLoud wireless portable speaker
IK Multimedia, which specializes in mobile music creation apps and accessories, is says the iLoud, a portable stereo speaker designed for studio monitor quality on the go, is now available from music instrument and consumer electronics retailers worldwide.
The iLoud boasts 40W RMS of power, an onboard DSP processor and a bi-amped 4-driver array of neodymium loudspeakers. About the size of an iPad and only 6cm (2.3 inches) thick, the speaker fits into a laptop bag or backpack.
The iLoud is powered by a Li-ion rechargeable battery with smart power-management features that reduce its power consumption so that it can be used for up to 10 hours without recharging. It's priced at US$299.99 and is available now from the IK network of music and electronic retailers around the world. For more information, go to www.ikmultimedia.com/products/iloud .
Washing Machine for Mac OS X now available in four new languages
Intego, a provider of security products and performance utilities built exclusively for Mac users, has released Washing Machine 2014 in four new languages; German, French, Spanish and Japanese.
The complete product functionality is active in all new languages, with exception of support, which is offered in English, French and Japanese. Designed to optimize Mac efficiency, Washing Machine 2014 seeks out and removes large, unneeded files, frees up hard disk space, speeds up the operating system, organizes the dock and desktop, and lets users create Smart Folders for quick access to frequently used files.
Washing Machine 2014 is compatible with OS X 10.6 or higher including Mavericks. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for Washing Machine 2014 starts at US$29.99. For more info go to www.macwashingmachine.com .
Apple releases GarageBand 10.0.1 for Mac OS X
Apple has released GarageBand 10.0.1 for Mac OS X. GarageBand is Apple's app for learning, playing, recording, mixing, and sharing music.
Apple says version 10.0. addresses "a number of minor issues" along with minor tweaks and performance enhancements. It's a free download at the Mac App Store.
Samsung HDD Division ships 'world's thinnest' 2TB...
Seagate Technology says its Samsung HDD division is shipping the new 2.5-inch Spinpoint M9T. At 9.5 mm thin, the company says it's the world’s thinnest 2TB hard drive.
Offered in capacities of 1.5TB and 2TB, the Spinpoint M9T mobile drive gives OEMs [original equipment manufacturers], channel system integrators and consumers a thin, high-capacity storage solution ideal for external storage, notebook integration and upgrades, desktop, and gaming system applications, according to Dave Frankovich, senior product line manager, Samsung HDD. The Spinpoint M9T includes a SATA 6Gb/s interface and microactuation to ensure fast, consistent hard drive performance, along with NoiseGuard and SilentSeek technologies to deliver ultra-quiet operation, he adds.
The hard drive is currently available in the Samsung Portable product line, which includes the M3 Portable and P3 Portable external drives, as well as with select partners. Learn more at http://samsunghdd.seagate.com .
Addonics announces WiFi Drive Adapter
Addonics Technologies (www.addonics.com) has released a network device for the wireless sharing of an USB drive or micro SD card or for using as a wireless hot spot for connecting wireless devices to the internet.
The WiFi Drive Adapter is designed for numerous applications, including wireless file sharing on USB drives or micro SD cards, streaming music or video to a tablet, smart phone, MP3 player or notebook. To set up you attach a USB drive or insert a micro SD card into the WiFi Drive Adapter. The data on the USB drive or the micro SD card becomes accessible wirelessly.
The WiFi Drive Adapter can also be used for setting up a shared Internet connection by multiple wireless devices such as notebooks, smart phones or tablets to the Internet in a hotel, office or any place where only one Internet connection is available. To create a wireless hot spot, connect the WiFi Drive Adapter to a Local Area Network with an Internet connection.
The Addonics WiFi Drive Adapter supports the...
Apple: we'll restore some missing iWork features within six...
As noted by "Macworld" (http://tinyurl.com/k2lhvmj), Apple says it will restore features that went missing in the latest iWork apps within six months. Among the biggest complaints regarding the Mac versions of Pages, Number, and Keynote was the lack of AppleScriptability.
“In rewriting these applications, some features from iWork ’09 were not available for the initial release,” says Apple’s support document (http://tinyurl.com/ke6h3fp). “We plan to reintroduce some of these features in the next few releases and will continue to add brand new features on an ongoing basis.”
Browser Care 2 for Mac OS X sports revamped interface
Browser Care, an application that allows you to keep your browsers clean and under control since navigating accumulates files on your Mac, has been updated to version 2. The upgrade sports a complete redesign, revamped interface and speed improvements.
You can see Browser Care 2 in Action www.browsercare.com It's available exclusively from the Mac App Store for US$3.99.
Apparent Corp. says you'll 'flip' over its new...
Apparent Corp. has introduced the Doxie Flip flatbed scanner. It's a battery-powered, cordless scanner that flips over to capture photos, memories, creative ideas, and notebooks.
The Doxie flip is cordless and uses battery power and flash memory. It captures images with the press of a single green button without the need for a computer.
The Doxie Flip features a transparent scanning window that lets you see through to your original as you scan. It's available for US$149. For more info go to www.getdoxie.com .
Dot Hill launches 12Gb SAS arrays, more
Dot Hill Systems, a provider of SAN storage solutions, has released new AssuredSAN 4004 storage models, based on the company’s ninth generation RAID architecture.
The Dot Hill AssuredSAN 4004 Series is available in a variety of configurations for SSD, 2.5-inch HDD and 3.5-inch HDD, including highly versatile AssuredSAN 4824 and AssuredSAN 4834 converged interface models. Each AssuredSAN converged interface storage array includes two four-port controllers and can be easily configured in the field with eight 16Gb Fibre Channel ports, eight 10Gb iSCSI ports, or a combination of four 16Gb Fibre Channel and four 10Gb iSCSI ports. IT managers often use Fibre Channel for the storage network within the data center, and iSCSI for replication and other data management services outside of the data center.
These storage arrays are fully backward-compatible with 8Gb/4Gb Fibre Channel and1Gb iSCSI networking solutions such as switches and host bus adapters. AssuredSAN 4524 and AssuredSAN 4534...
Infinite Peripherals announces an iPad mini-compatible POS...
Mobile point-of-sale (POS) device provider Infinite Peripherals (IPC) has introduced the Infinea Tab M, amobile POS device compatible with the iPad mini. It meets retailer needs for a lightweight, portable solution with ample screen space to transform the customer experience and increase traffic to positively impact conversion rates directly on the sales floor, according to Infinite Peripherals President Andrew Graham.
The Infinea Tab M with Lightning connector adds a 1D or 2D barcode scanner and magnetic stripe reader to the iPad mini, so retail associates can conduct customer checkout from anywhere in the store. It offers Bluetooth and RFID reader options.
In addition to POS, the Infinea Tab M can be used for expediting inventory management, asset tracking, ID verification, lead tracking, inspection/work flow, dispatch, time/labor and lab and healthcare. Software development resources and tools are available for the product so customers can program scanner and reader functions into...
Apple-Tracker web site shuts down
Apple-Tracker, a website that "scraped data from Apple in order to let users know what iPad Air models were in stock near them" has been shut down by the company via a Digital Millennium Copyright Act takedown notice, reports "AppleInsider" (http://tinyurl.com/l4rx5ml).
The letter, sent by the law firm Kilpatrick, Townsend and Stockton LLP, accuses the site of having used "page-scrape" tools to "access, acquire, copy or monitor" data from Apple's website. Prior to its shutdown, the tool gained interest as a means for shoppers to determine which new iPad Air units were in stock at their nearest Apple Store locations.
G-Tech announces two new external storage solutions
G-Technology has announced two new portable external storage solutions. The G-DRIVE slim and G-DRIVE mobile are now available with 7,200 RPM hard disk drives (HDDs).
When compared to 5,400 RPM-based HDD models, these external drives deliver up to 20-40% faster data transfer rates for quicker access to photos, videos, music and documents, says Mike Williams, vice president and general manager, G-Technology.
The US$89.95 G-DRIVE slim is a portable drive designed for the MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air. It sports a 7mm z-height, 7,200 RPM, hard drive — the Travelstar Z7K500 — and USB 3.0 interface, the G-DRIVE slim delivers transfer rates of up to 125MB per second, nearly 23 percent faster than other 5,400 RPM-based external drives. The $139.95 G-DRIVE mobile features an USB 3.0 interface and a 1TB, 7,200 RPM HGST Travelstar7K1000 mobile hard drive.
Both drives are Time Machine compatible and are bus-powered so you don't need to add an external AC power supply. For more info go to...
KeyCue 7.1 for Mac OS X adds new attributes for custom themes
Ergonis Software (www.ergonis.com) has released KeyCue 7.1, an update of the company's "keyboard shortcut cheat sheet" for Mac OS X.
KeyCue 7 introduced a new look with customizable themes, column headings for shortcut groups, arbitrary textual descriptions for shortcuts, and further great new features. Version 7.1 continues along this path by adding new attributes for custom themes. What's more, it improves the search feature with a mouseless way to enter the search field.
KeyCue 7.1 requires Mac OS X 10.5.8 or higher and is fully compatible with Mavericks. The upgrade to version 7.1 is free for anyone who owns a license for KeyCue 7 or purchased a license for KeyCue 6 on or after Jan. 1, 2013. Upgrade paths are available for customers who purchased their license before this date. For new users the cost is US$19.99 for a single user license. A demo is available for download.
Apple posts iTunes 11.3, updated AirPort Utility
Apple has released iTunes 11.1.3. It fixes a problem with the equalizer and, "improves performance when switching views in large iTunes libraries." The new version is available via Software Update or at the Mac App Store.
Apple also updated its Airport Utility for iOS. The update of the app that lets users manage their AirPort Extreme Base stations and Time Capsules adds iOS 7 compatibility, and 64-bit support for the iPhone 5s, iPad Air, and unreleased Retina iPad mini. It's available at the Apple App Store.
PlusUS gives us the LifeLink smartphone cable
PlusUs has released the LifeLink, which it says is the world's thinnest, most compact smartphone cable. It's about as thick as two credit cards.
The LifeLink's patent pending design lets it expand from the length of a credit card to more than double the length (seven inches), so you can access your device while charging and synching. Its red cable is toughened with heavy-duty Teflon to offer durability while still allowing 360 degree maneuverability and the ability to open to double its size.
LifeLink is available for all Apple devices (Lightning and 30-pin) and Android / Blackberry devices (Micro USB). It will retail for US$24. For a limited time it's available for pre-order at getlifelink.com for US$14 with the coupon code "getlifelink." The price will continue to rise during the pre-order campaign. The product ships this winter.
Twelve South unveils the BookBook Travel Journal for the iPad
Twelve South has presented the BookBook Travel Journal, an all-in-one leather travel case for an iPad and a variety of accessories that go with it.
Inside this vintage book-style case you will find a soft-lined sleeve to store your iPad, plus a dozen adjustable elastic bands and pockets to organize your power adaptor, cables, stylus, headphones and more. Slide open the dual zippers on this travel case and you'll find four pockets, five elastic bands and a plush-lined compartment for an Apple tablet.
It "disguises" your iPad and accessories as a vintage book, keeping everything inside safely out of sight to those around you. Compatible with iPad Air, iPad mini and all previous iPad models, BookBook Travel Journal is available now for US$99.99 at twelvesouth.com .
Shade 3D for Unity now OS X Mavericks compatible
Mirye Software has introduced its Shade 13 product line of professional 3D modeling, rendering and animation tools. They're now compatible with Mac OS X Mavericks.
Shade 13 offers modeling, animation, rendering and effects. It's designed for 3D artists, designers and film makers. New features include Advanced FBX Support, Vertex and Edge Beveling Tools, Shade Replicators, Render History and more.
Shade 3D for Unity for Mac OS X users can get an US$50 discount on purchasing Shade 3D commercial products by following a specific set of feedback directions on the Mirye Software website (www.mirye.net).
Disk Order revved for Mac OS X Mavericks
LikeMac Group has rolled out Disk Order 3.2.5, the latest version of its dual pane file manager for OS X. The new version is ready for Mavericks.
Specifically designed to be a replacement for the OS X Finder, Disk Order features a dual pane file manager, supports FTP, Dropbox, archives browsing and more. It ships with number of plugins, such as iPhone/iPad Browse, Quick View and others.
Version 3.2.5 also adds such features as Quick Look, selection with right mouse button, and more. Registration is US$24.95. A demo is available for download at the product web site (http://likemac.ru/english).
Parallels announces Parallels Business Solutions
Parallels has announced Parallels Business Solutions. They're designed to provide businesses the tools necessary to succeed in a mixed Mac and Windows world.
Parallels Business Solutions — which include updates to Parallels Management Suite and Parallels Desktop for Mac Enterprise Edition, plus the just-released Parallels Access app for iPad — enables IT departments to maintain compliance and control while still embracing the technology employees need, according to said Kim Johnston, Parallels vice president of marketing. IT professionals can protect their investments in Windows-based applications because now they can deliver them on Macs, leverage existing Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) infrastructure and skills to fully manage Macs and virtual machines, and unleash productivity by giving employees the freedom to use any Mac or PC app remotely as if it was made for an iPad.
Johnston says that Parallels Desktop for Mac Enterprise Edition features include:
° The...
Reggie Ashworth announces VidConvert 1.5.1
Reggie Ashworth has released VidConvert 1.5.1, a Mavericks update to his video converter for Mac OS X. It will convert just about any type of video into one of the many popular formats of today.
Supported formats include iPhone, iPod, iPad, QuickTime, .mp4, MPEG-1 and 2, DivX, Xvid, and audio only formats such as .mp3 and .m4a. VidConvert can add iTunes compatible videos directly to your iTunes library for convenience and for syncing with your iPhone, iPod, or other iDevice.
VidConvert 1.5.1 will run on Lion, Mountain Lion, and Mavericks. It costs US$7.99 for a single user license. A demo is available for download. For more info go to www.reggieashworth.com/vidconvert .
PFiddlesoft PFAssistive and PFEvent Taps framework updated
PFiddlesoft has updated both of the PFiddlesoft Frameworks, the PFAssistive Framework and the PFEventTaps Framework. The PFiddlesoft Frameworks are two Cocoa frameworks for writing assistive applications for persons with disabilities using Apple's Accessibility and Quartz Event Taps APIs [application programming interfaces] on Mac OS X.
The PFAssistive Framework was updated to version 3.3.0 and the PFEventTaps Framework was updated to version 1.3.6. The PFAssistive Framework now supports the new accessibility features added in Mavericks.
PFiddlesoft has also posted two free developer utility projects, Accessibility Testbench and PFAssistive Testbench, complete with source code. Both of these projects show developers how to implement the new security mechanism in OS X 10.9 Mavericks for granting access to assistive applications to monitor and control the computer using accessibility features.
The frameworks are written using Objective-C. They support the Intel 64-bit architecture using...
GT Advanced Tech to supply Apple with advanced sapphire material
GT Advanced Technologies has announced a multi-year, US$578 million contract with Apple to supply advanced sapphire material, reports "AppleInsider" (http://tinyurl.com/nxzugev).
Apple's investment is a prepayment funding the accelerated development of GTAT's "next generation, large capacity" Advanced Sapphire Furnace, which is designed to produce high quality sapphire material at a breakthrough low price, the article adds. Apple's infusion of capital is critical for GT because production from the new ASF equipment is initially expected to generate much lower margins than the company has historically earned.
GTAT (www.gtat.com) specializes in crystal growth equipment solutions for the solar, LED, and consumer electronics industries. The company "produces high quality sapphire material in our Salem, Massachusetts factory for a wide range of markets that demand the highest quality material including LED, industrial, optical and specialty."
Audioengine introduces new desktop speakers
Audioengine has announced the Audioengine 2+ Premium Powered Desktop Speakers. They cost US$249 per pair.
The Audioengine 2+ Premium Powered Desktop Speakers sport a built-in digital-to-analog converter (DAC). They allow you to bypass your computer's headphone output and send music directly through USB for improved sound.
An output to connect a subwoofer is included and you can even go wireless with a W3 adapter. Using a similar analog design as the Audioengine 5+, the A2+ power amplifiers are built inside the left speaker. For more info go to www.audioengineusa.com .
iDevices introduces the iGrill mini
iDevices has announced the release of their compact version of the iGrill: the iGrillmini. It's an US$39.99 Bluetooth Smart meat thermometer.
The newest addition to iDevices’ repertoire of Bluetooth app-enabled products, iGrillmini boasts such new features as Bluetooth Smart technology for food monitoring, a proximity sensor for low energy consumption, and a 150 hour battery life. It's about a quarter the size of the original iGrill and sports a more rugged exterior with a smart LED indicating the "doneness" of food.
Enolsoft rolls out PDF to Word with OCR for Mac
Enolsoft Co has announced a new OCR app: PDF to Word with OCR for Mac, which fully supports Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks. This new released PDF OCR app — which fully supports Mavericks — is designed to help Mac users convert native and scanned PDF to editable Word.
It offers support for converting PDF 1.0-1.7 to the Word format on Mac OS X 10.7-10.9. You can convert both native PDF and PDF from scanner to searchable and editable Word (*.doc / *.docx) files.
With PDF to Word with OCR for Mac, you can choose from 48 OCR recognition languages to convert multilingual PDF files. You can adjust the three OCR recognition areas (table, text and image) on each PDF page and then preview current page instantly to check the accuracy.
PDF to Word with OCR for Mac lets you convert PDF and common images (jpg/png/tiff/bmp/gif) to Word while preserving original tables, text, fonts, images, graphics and hyperlinks. You can convert multiple PDF documents at a time .
Enolsoft PDF to Word with OCR for Mac is...
Zevrix releases Output Factory Server for Adobe InDesign
Zevrix Solutions has announced Output Factory Server, a new output workflow automation solution for Adobe InDesign.
It automates printing and exporting from InDesign by processing files from watched hot folders and is a major upgrade of the company's program BatchOutput Server. Output Factory Server offloads InDesign's output to a central system leaving operator workstations free from the output process. It offers layer versioning, email notifications, preflighting and more.
Output Factory Server can be purchased from the Zevrix web site (www.zevrix.com) for US$699.95, as well as from authorized resellers. A demo is available for download. BatchOutput Server users can upgrade for $349.97. Output Factory Server runs on Mac OS X 10.6-10.9 and works with Adobe InDesign CS3-CC.
Perceptive Automation delivers WeatherSnoop plugin for Indigo
Perceptive Automation, a provider of Mac-based home automation software, has released version 2 of the WeatherSnoop plugin, an update to the plugin for the company's intelligent home control and automation server for Mac OS X.
With Indigo and data from WeatherSnoop, users can create complex automation scenarios based on environmental data such as adjusting lawn sprinkler run times based on rainfall. WeatherSnoop 3 lets your Mac interface directly to one of many popular weather stations or an Internet-based data source such as Weather Underground.
You can watch your weather come to life with instruments and gauges that show temperature, wind, rain, and more changing in real-time. Once your weather data is obtained from the selected source, it can be published to Internet-based weather services such as Weather Underground and the Citizen Weather Observer Program. Weather data is also available via an HTTP API using WeatherSnoop's built-in web server, so other applications can obtain...
Braven unveils 710 portable HD wireless speaker
Braven has released the Braven 710, a portable water resistant Bluetooth wireless stereo speaker crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum. It incorporates HD audio drivers, TrueWireless Technology and NFC.
TrueWireless Technology allows wireless pairing with a second 710 to create a right and left stereo sound. NFC enables linking with other NFC enabled devices by simply touching them or bringing them into close proximity.
The Braven 710 is equipped with a built-in noise canceling speakerphone and is capable for charging USB devices with its integrated power bank. It's IPX5 water-resistant, enjoys a mute functionality under Bluetooth Bridge to synchronize streaming audio from your device to a stereo system, and supports APTX technology. The 710 can also be daisy chained with additional 710 speakers to create a traditional hi-fi stereo system.
The Braven 710 is now available for US$169.99 in silver, graphite and blue. For more information go to www.braven.com .
MakeMusic releases Finale 2014
MakeMusic has released Finale 2014, the 25th anniversary edition of the music notation software for Mac OS X and Windows. It "represents the next step in assisting musicians to efficiently notate and share their music," says Karen VanDerBosch, CEO of MakeMusic.
Among Finale 2014’s technological investments is a completely new file format, offering great flexibility for the future, and allowing Finale 2014 users to effortlessly share files, back and forth, with users of the previous version of Finale, she adds. Other architecture enhancements include improved Apple OS X support and a new audio engine.
Finale’s Linked Parts feature, which provides a dynamic link between a score and the associated parts, has been enhanced to provide increased flexibility in areas where users may wish selected items to look different in the score than the parts. Dozens of additional world-class Garritan instrument sounds have also been added to Finale’s collection.
Finale 2014 is available at www....
MAXON announces updates to CineWare
MAXON (www.maxon.net) — a developer of 3D modeling, painting, animation, and rendering solutions — has announced upgrades to CineWare, now available in the latest version of Adobe After Effects CC. The upgrades are designed to deliver improved integration and performance between MAXON's 3D app, Cinema 4D, and Adobe's software.
The new updates to the CineWare workflow, available in After Effects CC, are designed to optimize performance and enhance creative capabilities in the video workflow. Last month, MAXON introduced CINEMA 4D Release 15 (R15) marked by enhancements to modeling, text creation, rendering and sculpting. Access to many of the new capabilities in R15 are also available in the latest version of After Effects CC. Additional information is available on the CINEMA 4D Broadcast and CINEMA 4D Studio pages.
Flavours 1.1 brings themes to Mavericks
Interacto Labs has announces Flavours 1.1 (http://flavours.interacto.net), now with OS X Mavericks (10.9) support.
Flavours is a Mac application for changing the appearance of Mac OS X. It allows users to create, apply and share themes. The application features a local theme gallery and an online store where users can download and publish their theme creations. Shipping with an embedded intuitive WYSIWYG editor, it allows users to create their own themes.
Flavours 1.1 also adds several under-the-hood improvements (improved system stability, use less intrusive approach, and additional bug fixes and enhancements) and adds initial internationalization support (added Portuguese, more on the way).
Flavours 1.1 requires Mac OS X 10.7.3 or higher and costs US$19.90. It has full support for Retina displays.
Excel updates a suite of tools
On the heals of recent QuickLicense 7, Windows 8.1 and OS X Mavericks upgrades, Excel Software (www.excelsoftware.com) has updated a suite of protection and licensing tools.
QuickLicense Server 1.1 creates a floating license server for a protected application or document. DocProtect 3.0.2 generates a protected Mac or Windows application from popular document types.
QLRT Xcode 2.0 provides the QuickLicense 7 runtime system in a static library for Xcode developers. PluginFMQLRT 1.0.1 and PluginXojoQLRT 1.0.1 give FileMaker and Xojo developers a plugin with QuickLicense 7 features tested on the latest Mac and Windows operating systems.
QuickLicense Server 1.1 outputs a vendor-branded, floating license server system for protected applications with no programming required. QLRT Xcode 2.0 adds QuickLicense 7 features for Trial, Product, Subscription, Floating or Try/Buy licenses with a human managed or Internet automated activation system.
QuickLicense is used to configure all aspects...
321Soft Studio releases iPhone Data Recovery for the Mac
321Soft Studio has released 321Soft iPhone Data Recovery for Mac. The app works with most common data loss situations: accidentally deleted data, a damaged iPhone or a lost iPhone.
You can recover data from the iOS device and retrieve previous data by extracting it from iTunes backup files. 321 Soft iPhone Data Recovery is iOS 7 friendly.
It requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher and costs US$79.95. Learn more at http://tinyurl.com/mf8ckg7 .
PDFpen 6.1 Adds Support for Stamps, Pop-up Annotation Notes,...
Smile has released PDFpen 6.1, an update to its all-purpose PDF editing tool for OS X. The update adds support for stamps and includes a library of standard business stamps, including "Confidential" and "Approved" among others.
In PDFpen 6.1, users can now add pop-up notes to PDF annotations such highlighting and drawing objects. Support for the new Evernote Business notebooks has also been added.
The changes in PDFpen 6.1 have also been made in PDFpenPro 6.1, the Pro version that can also convert websites into PDFs, automatically create fillable PDF forms, and construct document table of contents. In addition, PDFpenPro 6.1 adds automatic URL detection and link creation.
PDFpen 6.1 works with PDFpen for iPad and PDFpen for iPhone, allowing seamless editing across devices when used with iCloud or Dropbox storage. Users who wish to use iCloud must purchase PDFpen 6 from the Mac App Store. (Apple restricts iCloud access to applications purchased via the Mac App Store.)
PDFpen retails...
'Talking' dictionaries exploit Mavericks'...
Paragon Software Group has rolled out an upgraded, but still free, version of their Sloved app for Mac OS X. The new version takes advantage of the enhance Dictation feature of Mavericks.
The upgrade offers access to 169 newly upgraded Slovoed dictionaries for 35 world languages. Multiple reference tools and languages can be used in the same shell, with easy switching between them. The dictation feature works both online and offline.
Sloved is available for free at https://itunes.apple.com/app/id524941905 . Dictionaries start at US$9.99.
Rapoo rolls out the E6300 wireless keyboard for the iPad
Rapoo has released the E6300 for the iPad, an "ultra-slim keyboard" with tactile keys. It pairs wirelessly with an Apple tablet via Bluetooth 3.0.
The compact keyboard is small enough to slide into your pocket or briefcase, says Bob Blankert, Global sales director of Rapoo. With full-size alpha-numeric keys, the E6300 allows the user to comfortably and quickly type for longer periods of time, he adds.
Each key has its own spring mechanism, and it’s arranged in a scissor key structure for a practical layout. The slim keyboard offers 80 keys including 15 iPad hot keys such as Homepage, Search, Picture Frame Mode, Play/Pause, Mute, Lock/Unlock, Copy, Paste and more.
The battery on the E6300 lasts up to one month before it needs to be recharged with the included cable. The Rapoo E6300 has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of US$49.99. It's available at walmart.com. and is available in black or white.
For more info go to www.rapoo.com .
Monotype partners with Google to offer new design tool to Web...
Monotype Imaging Holdings, a provider of typefaces, technology and expertise for creative applications and consumer devices, has teamed up with Google. A new, free public version of Monotype’s Typecast application can now be accessed through Google Fonts.
The goal is to help users create better quality Web typography, says Chris Roberts, vice president and general manager of Monotype’s e-commerce group. The premium version of the Typecast application enables typographic experimentation. In this new public version, users are able to select any font on the Google Fonts website and then follow the link to the Typecast application.
From there, designers can work with that font (and the complete Google Fonts library) on text of any length and use a wide range of type controls to build readable type systems through adjustments such as font size, weight and line spacing. Designers can also work with Web fonts side-by-side to see at a glance what’s working and what’s not. For more info go...
Realore Studios releases Northern Tale for the Mac
Realore Studios has released Northern Tale for the Mac. It requires Mac OS X 10.7 or higher and is available in the Mac Game Store for US$6.99.
Here's how the game is described: "Players' mission is to travel with Ragnar and his two assistants - a wise Druid and a powerful Exorcist — and help them save three sorcerer-princesses. Along the way players will revive the lifeless lands and fight off the dark servants of the evil witch. In Northern Tale players will discover the world rich in mythology, where they can control three different characters and color the black and white world. They will experience the story set in three season-themed episodes full of magical adventures and supported by detailed graphics and visual effects.
"The game features 47 beautifully crafted levels, including three bonus levels which users can unlock. In Northern Tale, there are several difficulty modes: normal mode (for experienced players who enjoy a good challenge), multiclick mode and a relaxed mode (...
Enolsoft PDF Converter for Mac OS X gets more accurate conversion
Enolsoft Co., a professional multimedia software developer, has upgraded PDF Converter with OCR for Mac to version 3, which adds support for adjusting three recognition areas (text, table and picture) in PDF files or common images with Optical Character Recognition technology.
Enolsoft PDF Converter with OCR for Mac is an 8-in-1 PDF converting program. It's designed to help Mac OS X users to convert both native and scanned PDF files into other popular documents (including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Text, Rtfd, ePub, HTML and Image) while preserving original tables, text, fonts, images, graphics and hyperlinks, as well as convert common images to editable document formats.
Enolsoft PDF Converter with OCR for Mac is available now through the Enolsoft website (http://tinyurl.com/n5jgy3y) with a retail price of US$79. A demo is available for download.
Reference Tracker for Mac OS X revved to version 2
Malkinware has announced Reference Tracker 2, an update to their academic reference manager and research tool for Mac OS X. The upgrade adds features such as Journal Article Search, Publication Lookup by DOI, the latest versions of the most popular styles like Harvard, APA, Chicago, MLA, and Vancouver, a styles editor to create custom styles, or modify any existing styles.
Reference Tracker is designed to help users keep track of publications they cite or make reference to in a writing or research project. With its Publication Lookup, all users need is an ISBN or DOI to create a full reference in their documents. If they don't have the ISBN or DOI to hand, Reference Tracker's Publication Search will find books and articles by title, author and other key terms. The app also has the latest versions of the most popular styles, including Harvard, APA, Chicago, MLA, and Vancouver.
The app creates formatted reference lists and bibliographies with a click. Formatted lists are fully editable...
AKVIS updates HDRFactory to version 4.0
AKVIS has released AKVIS HDRFactory 4.0 for Mac OS X and Windows. The software provides a workshop for the production of High Dynamic Range images.
In version 4.0 — a free upgrade for registered users — you can publish HDR images to the social services. The software creates HDR photos by combining several images of the same object taken with different exposure values.
For new users AKVIS HDRFactory 4.0 costs US$69. Go to http://akvis.com/en/hdrfactory/comparison.php for more info.
Star Walk 7.0 released For iOS 7
Vito Technology has released Star Walk 7.0, an update to their augmented reality app for spotting over 200,000 stars, planets, constellations, satellites and galaxies in the night sky.
The new version was specially designed for iOS 7 running devices and offers improved user interface and faster graphics. The app is useful for those looking forward to the ISON comet.
Star Walk is an interactive astronomy guide that shows celestial objects (stars, constellations, satellites, etc.) in the exact positions on the sky above you, providing comprehensive information about them. It helps anyone even remotely interested in astronomy find their way across the sky, determine where to look for any object, rewind or fast-forward time to see how celestial bodies move. It inspires curiosity about the Universe and helps understand amazing cosmic phenomena.
Star Walk provides users with a list of significant astronomy events for the nearest future. Tapping on event, you can read more on what you are...
Tidy Up ready for Mavericks
Hyperbolic Software (http://www.hyperbolicsoftware.com/) has announced Tidy Up 3.0, the latest version of the duplicate finder and disk tidying utility. The upgrade features a new interface and more. It's also ready for Mavericks.
Tidy Up locates duplicate items using a wide range of criteria including owner application, time created or modified, name, label, extension and content. Version 3.0 features include: the ability to search for duplicate folders by content; a priority option; the ability to compare only the representation data of the images; results shown as a grid or list; pre-definite smart baskets that show the files by kind; and more.
Version 3.0 of Tidy Up requires Mac OS X 10.6.6 or greater. For a limited time, it's on sale for 23% off its regular price of $39.
St. Clair Software revs Jettison for Mac OS X to version 1.3
St. Clair Software has released Jettison 1.3, an update to their Mac OS X application that automatically ejects external drives before your Mac goes to sleep. It eliminates the hassle of manually ejecting Time Machine backup drives, network server volumes and flash drives.
Just close the lid of your MacBook and Jettison does it for you! Version 1.3 now remounts SD cards as well as other drives when you wake your Mac back up and helps you figure out why some drives can't be ejected.
Jettison 1.3 requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher. It's a free update for registered users. For new users the cost is US$4.95. For more info go to http://www.stclairsoft.com/Jettison/index.html .
Next Issue for the iPhone is here
Next Issue Media, the first company to provide unlimited access to premium digital magazine content in the U.S., has announced the availability of its Next Issue app for the iPhone and iPod touch.
The app allows you to download issues of 120 magazines on your tablet, PC, and now, smartphone. Whether you’re on a Wi-Fi or 3G/4G connection, you can start reading articles immediately with Next Issue's progressive downloading. All files have been optimized for the iPhone.
You can share one subscription across five devices. You can download the app at the Apple App Store. For more info go to www.nextissue.com .
Avadon 2: The Corruption now available on Steam
Spiderweb Software says Avadon 2: The Corruption is now available for PC and Mac on Steam, GOG.com, and directly from the Spiderweb Software website.
Avadon 2 is an epic, indie fantasy role-playing adventure. As your people come apart in rebellion and civil war, outsiders are eager to take advantage of your weakness. Unless you act quickly, your homeland will fall.
You can find the game on Steam at http://store.steampowered.com/app/233310/ or GOG at http://www.gog.com/game/avadon_2_the_corruption . The price is US$9.99.
Cambridge Audio unveils the DacMagic XS USB DAC
Cambridge Audio has introduced the DacMagic XS, a pint-sized Digital to Analog Converter, which is designed to provide and instant upgrade to any computer’s sound output.
It connects to any USB port and "delivers the bass, clarity and power you've been missing from your digital audio, anywhere and everywhere," according to the folks at Cambridge Audio. What's more, the built-in headphone amp increases the punch of your headphones, purportedly delivering 10 times more power than most laptop soundcards can manage.
The DacMagic XS also features a volume control that can be adjusted at the tap of a finger. A LED shows current sample rate, so you always know if you're getting the right level of detail.
The DacMagic XS is available for US$189. For more info go to http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/dealers .
Atama announces Sesame key fob for the Mac
Atama has announced Sesame, a Bluetooth keyfob and companion application to secure your Mac. It lets you secure your Mac by starting the system screensaver whenever you walk away, using the small Bluetooth 4.0 keyfob in your pocket
This prevents anyone else from accessing files, Facebook and Twitter accounts, e-mail clients, and anything else that might be open. When you return to your desk, Sesame automatically unlocks the Mac.
It also supports Two-factor authentication — the combination of something the user knows with something the user has). This enables the unlocking of a Mac only through the combination of a button press and the system password.
Sesame is available for pre-order now for US$39.99 and will ship in late November. For more info go to http://www.atama.io/sesame .
Apowersoft's Audio Recorder now available for the Mac
Apowersoft Studio has released Apowersoft Audio Recorder, a recorder software especially designed for Mac OS X users. It allows you to record audio from any external or internal audio source.
Audio Recorder covers streaming audio, including your computer media sound, microphone sound and more. You can use it to grab an audio copy of whatever you want from Youtube, Skype, iTunes, Spotify, QuickTime player and other channels.
What's more, with the built-in recording scheduler, you can create schedule tasks so that it can complete recording even when you're not on the seat. While processing a soundtrack, Audio Recorder can even identify the information of it and tag the resulted audio files with title, artist, year, and album automatically.
The software is compatible with Mac OS X 10.6 or higher. It costs US$39.95 for a single user license. A demo is available for download at http://www.apowersoft.com/ .
