Gome to start selling Apple Watch online on Aug. 28
Gome, a Chinese company that sells home appliances and consumer electronic products, will start selling the Apple Watch online on Aug. 28, the Chinese language site ZOL reports (as noted by BrightWire.com, a global investment newswire).
Gome's offline stores will start offering the wearable a week later, the article adds. The Apple Store on Alibaba's Tmall shopping site started selling Apple Watch on August 6, Sina Tech reported earlier.
The latest iOS apps for Aug. 24
Here are some of the latest apps available at the Apple App Store for the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and/or Apple Watch.
Alex Melman has released AudioBrain. Available in free and US$4.99 versions, the app uses techniques to help arouse under-active brain regions, namely the ones used for processing audio data. Through the use of classical poems, users are able to enliven their remembering process, according to Melman.
Mezmedia has announced Bamba Clock, the eleventh in the Bamba series of educational apps for kids. With the $2.99 app, kids learn to tell the time on an analog clock via a pirate-themed adventures.
Imperative Software has introduced Meetings for the iPad. It enables the recording of notes, agenda items, actions, remarks and more. The free app has a limit of 20 meetings, but customers may make a one time in-app purchase of $24.95 to remove the meetings limit.
inCreWave has launched Jawzle Bali - Jigsaw Puzzles for the iPad. The $0.99 app features puzzles from the island...
Multiclock is a new sync box for Mac OS X, Windows
E-RM Erfindungsbüro has announced multiclock — a multi-channel, multi-format sync box that builds a musical bridge between DAWs and external (MIDI, DIN Sync/sync24, and analogue modular) musical gear. It converts clock signals for integration into digital production workflow.
Multiclock is compatible with Mac OS X and Windows. Connectivity comes courtesy of four corresponding DIN sockets, fully configurable to transmit MIDI Clock (MIDI), DIN Sync/sync24 (DIN) or analogue clock (analog) on each channel.
Multiclock is available for approximately US$521 for the classic version and $603 for the USB version. For more info go to http://tinyurl.com/n9kprav.
LinkOptimizer 4.9.47 for Adobe InDesign improves conversion to...
Zevrix Solutions has announced LinkOptimizer 4.9.47, a maintenance update to its workflow automation solution for Adobe InDesign.
LinkOptimizer allows users to reduce the size of InDesign links and speed up processing by automatically eliminating excess image data, performing essential image adjustments and convert colors and file formats. The new version streamlines conversion of InDesign links to JPEG by automatically flattening image layers prior to the conversion.
LinkOptimizer can be purchased from the Zevrix website (www.zevrix.com) for US$259.95 (there's a "lite" version for $179.95). A demo is available for download. The update is free for LinkOptimizer 4.x users and $130 to upgrade from previous versions. LinkOptimizer requires Mac OS X 10.6-10.10 and Adobe InDesign and Photoshop CS3-CC 2015. Mac OS X 10.11 will be supported upon release.
AppLinX is new app analytics app for Mac OS X
Atlantia Software has rolled out AppLinX 1.0.0 (http://tinyurl.com/nd9sbq3) for Mac OS X. It's designed to simplify the process of creating and distributing iTunes App Analytics links.
With AppLinX, you can create campaign link right from the Mac menu bar. All links are saved to and synced via iCloud, are searchable, and available to be added to the clipboard with a single click. The app even lets iTunes Affiliate Program members enter their token to have it automatically appended to every link.
AppLinX requires OS X 10.10 or later. It costs US$9.99 and is available worldwide exclusively through the Mac App Store in the Developer Tools category.
InSili.co introduces Objective-C to Swift converter for OS X
InSili.co has introduced iSwift, an Objective-C to Swift converter for Mac OS X. It offers automatic as-you-type conversion of your Objective-C sources to Apple's Swift language along with a full-featured Objective-C editor.
It provides a way to convert and translate your existing Objective-C files, Cocoa or iOS, to Swift on the fly, making Xcode project migration a lot easier, says InSili.co's Chief Software Architect Ioannis Zafeiropoulos. iSwift, with its intuitive approach, can help minimize the time needed for converting old Objective-C projects to the new Swift language, or simply make learning Swift fun, he adds.
iSwift requires OS X 10.7 or alter. It's available for US$9.99 at the product website (http://iswift.org).
Ibidex releases Petri on the Mac App Store
Ibidex (http://www.ibidex.com/ ) has introduced Petri 0.8 for Mac OS X (10.9 or later), a local multi-player shooting game using smartphones as controllers.
Suitable for all ages, Petri is available to play with up to 16 players. Using Ibidex's multi-player connectivity, anyone with the free universal Ibidex iOS or Android controller app can join the game.
"We wanted to build something that allows large groups of friends to play together. Not strangers," says Steve Olesansky, CEO of Ibidex. "The solution was simple, once we thought about it. Why not use smartphones - the most accessible controller in the world? Ibidex multi-player technology uses your own device to draw everyone in the room into an inclusive and shared experience."
For a limited period of time, Petri 0.8 is free and available worldwide through the Mac App Store in the Games category. It will be priced at US$6.99 after the introductory period. The Ibidex controller app is available for free on the Apple App Store and...
AKVIS releases Wedding Pack II
AKVIS (www.akvis.com) has released Wedding Pack II, an US$17 collection of frame designs for use with the AKVIS software. It includes 100 ready-to-use frames, 50 horizontal and 50 vertical templates.
The picture frames can help you decorate moments of your wedding day or of your relatives' or friends' marriage ceremony. Some of the templates let you place two photos and combine them into a collage.
With the release of the new set, AKVIS now offers 22 themed packs. Among them you'll find special event sets, four seasons sets, and more.
The frame packs can only be used with the free AKVIS Frames or the AKVIS ArtSuite (available in standalone, home and business versions). the programs: AKVIS Frames (available for free) and AKVIS ArtSuite (Standalone/Home Deluxe/Business). On the Mac platform, the software requires OS X 10.6 or higher.
EasySplitMerge for Mac OS X gets 'self-uniting...
321Soft has released EasySplitMerge 2.0.2, an update to its file splitter and merger for Mac.
EasySplitMerge enables you to split any files regardless of size or type into smaller chunks, then join them together to recreate the original file so that you can move them between systems or email them. Version 2.0.2 adds "self-uniting functionality' to the spanned set, When EasySplitMerge splits your file into pieces, it can also make a small self-uniting program.
This small program is able to join the piece files together in order to restore the original file. If you want to rejoin the pieces later without this software, you just mark the checkbox for "Add Self-Joining Functionality to the split files set".
EasySplitMerge costs US$19.95 for a single-user license. It requires Mac OS X 10.7 or higher. For version 2.0.2 users the upgrade is free. A fully-featured trial of EasySplitMerge is available for download at the product website (http://tinyurl.com/ovtkajc) .
Easy Cut Studio for Mac OS X revved to version 4.092
Easycutsudio (www.easycutstudio.com) has released Easy Cut Studio 4.092, an update to its cutting software for your electronic cutting machines, plotters, vinyl cutters. It works on Mac OS X and Windows.
The app is designed to let you create your own designs, plus cut and draw/edit shapes for beautiful customized projects. It works with your installed TrueType and OpenType fonts, as well as thousands of free TrueType Fonts, including
Dingbat/Wingding Fonts.
Easy Cut Studio lets you manipulate an image and place it on the mat where you would like. You can size, move, flip, rotate, stretch, slant, and scale images and letters. It supports import vector image formats, including SVG, PDF, EPS, WPC, and etc. The app also has an auto trace feature to make vector images from raster graphics.
Easy Cut Studio supports various electronic cutting machines, including Bosskut Gazelle, Craftwell eCraft, BlackCat Cougar/Lynx, Foison, GCC, Pazzles Inspiration, Roland, Silhouette SD/CAMEO/Portrait,...
Watermarker 2 for Mac OS X adds annotations, pixellate feature,...
Reactiv Code has announced Watermarker 2 (http://tinyurl.com/ombs3j6) for Mac OS X, an update of the professional utility for customizing images with a variety of watermarking options.
The folks at Reactiv Code say it was necessary to completely re-write Watermarker from the ground up using the latest OS X 10.10 technologies to accomplish "ambitious" feature set. Thanks to these new technologies, not only is Watermarker fundamentally faster but it also has new features like the Photo Editing extension that allows you to watermark images from other apps, such as Mac OS X Mail.
Other new features include the ability to: overlay custom text on photographs; use a logo or image as a watermark; apply a customizable strike through an entire image; annotate with shapes; pixellate sensitive portions of photographs; batch rename images with patterns, and more. Watermarker 2 also has a revamped user interface.
The app is available at the Mac App Store and from the product website. It costs US$...
QuickerTek releases USB-C Cigarette Lighter Charger and USB...
QuickerTek (www.quickertek.com) has announced two new products: the USB Type-C Cigarette Lighter Charger and USB Expander for the 2015 12-inch MacBook.
The US$24.95 Cigarette Lighter Charger (pictured) features an LED indicator with a filtered and fused four foot cable. The $19.95 USB Expander is a hub that plugs into the MacBook's USB connector to expand it to four USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports. It allows you to sync and charge their iPhone, iPad and most, if not all, USB devices to their 2015 MacBook.
The Cigarette Lighter Charger is an automotive and airline type cigarette adaptor that powers and charges the laptop with a Type-C USB connector. It'is an auto-polarity adaptor, meaning fully reversible and can charge the MacBook as quickly as Apple's 30 Watt OEM charger. It also features a filtered and fused four foot cable.
Apple raises $16 billion in bond deal in Australia
Apple has raised A$2.25B (about US$1.6 billion) with a debut "Kangaroo" bond issue, smashing the record for the largest-ever corporate bond deal in Australia, reports Seeking Alpha (http://tinyurl.com/nf5txnz).
The company sold A$1.15B of seven-year notes at a yield of 110 bps more than swap rates and A$1.1B of four-year securities at a 65 bps spread, bringing its total debt issuances over the past two years to $50B. Apple had only sold U.S. currency bonds until last November, but has since expanded to euros, yen, pounds, Swiss francs and Aussie dollars, notes Seeking Alpha.
The latest iOS apps for Aug. 21
Here are some of the latest apps available at the Apple App Store for the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and/or Apple Watch.
PlayScreen has announced Whos The Candidate 1.0, a free photo trivia game for the iPhone and iPad. Who's The Candidate challenges players to recognize the announced and potential candidates in the 2016 presidential race.
PlayScreen has also released Whats The State 1.0, a free photo trivia game developed for iPhone and iPad devices. What's The State challenges players to recognize all 50 states, on a map or individually. There are 100 questions in total to improve anyone's geographic knowledge of the USA.
WeatherBrush LLC has introduced WeatherBrush. It's a free app that takes the guesswork out of daily styling by providing users with real-time weather data for their location, including current conditions, and both hourly and 7-day forecasts. The app offers a Diary feature that helps users learn how they should style their hair based on prevailing or predicted...
Apple launches 'benchmark' sized Australian corporate...
Apple has launched a "benchmark" sized Australian dollar corporate bond issue, its first ever sale in the currency, with order books "swelling to $1.2 billion within two hours," reports the Sydney Morning Herald (http://tinyurl.com/pg67qwy).
Fixed-income investors were notified on Thursday morning that the AA+ rated maker of the iPhone would launch a two-part "benchmark" bond sale - offering four- and seven-year bonds. The Sydney Morning Herald notes that a "benchmark"-sized bond issue typically refers to a raising of between $500 million and $1 billion. By 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, order books for the bond issue reached $1.2 billion, "a sign of strong demand for the offer," the article adds.
Paranormal Agency: The Ghosts of Wayne Mansion now haunting the...
G5 Entertainment has released Paranormal Agency: The Ghosts of Wayne Mansion for Mac OS X 10.7.4 or higher.
Here's how the game is described: "This spine-chilling hidden object adventure will tickle your nerves with plenty of chills, a ghostly storyline, approximately 100 vividly presented scenes for exploration, wonderful mini-games and splendid graphics.
"It all starts when your car crashes into a hooded figure at the gate of a stunning house. But, despite being a ghost hunter, you suspect pranksters are involved in most of the so-called paranormal events happening here. Now you'll have to search every corner of this estate, pick up useful items and solve tricky puzzles to determine if this is someone's wicked hoax … or a real ghost story!
"The gameplay offers you a number of tricky tasks, such as playing against experienced card players, sinking six billiard balls in each pocket with a single stroke and putting eight chess queens on the board so that none of them beats the other....
beaTunes for Mac OS X gets an updated interface, more
Tagtraum Industries (http://tinyurl.com/p36nk5v) has launched beaTunes 4.5, a new version of their music library management utility for Mac OS X and Windows.
The app is designed to fix fixing ID3 tags and automatically calculate musical key and tempo. Version 4.5 features an attractive new user interface designed to mesh with the Yosemite and El Capitan aesthetic. Side and status bars can now be hidden. Top-level user interface selectors (Library, Inspection, etc.) are located at the left edge of the application window, in order to remove visual clutter. And there are keyboard shortcuts for all top-level panes.
With beaTunes 4.5, copying a song from the Matching Songs panel to the current playlist is now also possible via a dedicated button, instead of having to rely on drag and drop. The upgrade adds the ability to write keys into the comment field using one of multiple built-in formats (others can be added via a plugin interface). In the key tag itself, beaTunes can now write...
CaptureSync for Mac OS X updated to version 1.1
Ben Software has released CaptureSync 1.1, an update to their multi-camera recording software for the Mac.
Supporting up to 16 video and audio inputs, CaptureSync takes video and audio streams and records them to a single file that contains all streams synchronized. It's designed for recording interviews, scientific experiments, psychological research, musical performances, presentations and sporting events, and more.
According to Ben Software, improvements in CaptureSync 1.1 over the previous version are:
° Improved synchronization of network video sources;
° A larger buffer for local devices to avoid dropped frames;
° A new option for uncompressed 16-bit and 24-bit audio capture;
° A new feature to split multi-track files for import into Final Cut Pro;
° Improved audio level meter
CaptureSynce costs approximately US$320 for a single-user license or $2,400) for a site license. It requires Mac OS X 10.7 or higher. A 30-day fully-featured trial of CaptureSync is available for download...
ExactScan Pro 2.60 for Mac OS X adds Panasonic document support
ExactCODE has announced ExactScan 2.60 (www.exactscan.com) with built-in driver to support professional Panasonic K-VS series document scanners for high-speed document scanning on the Mac.
The new built-in drivers support document scanning from Panasonic scanners ranging from the K-VS1046C to the KVS-4085CW. ExactScan is Mac OS X scan software with built-in drivers for well over 400 document scanners, including devices from Avision, Brother, Canon, Kodak, Fujitsu, Oki, Panasonic, Visioneer and Xerox.
ExactScan 2 is available for approximately US$88 and ExactScan 2 Pro for $110 online, the Mac App Store and several distributors and resellers world-wide. Upgrades to the Pro version are available for approximately $55, and from previous versions for $77.
Samsung: let's take this patent battle to the Supreme Court
Samsung plans to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to hear its appeal of a San Jose federal jury's 2012 verdict that found the South Korean tech giant violated Apple's iPhone patents, reports the San Jose Mercury News (http://tinyurl.com/p35escq).
In court papers filed Wednesday, Samsung moved to put its ongoing patent feud with Apple on hold while it presses its appeal to the nation's high court, the article adds. "The questions present issues of enormous importance to patent litigation and the scope of innovation, especially in high-technology industries," Samsung's legal team wrote.
In May the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit adjusted Samsung’s US$930 million penalty, related to its patent infringement suit with Apple. The appeals court decision removed $382 million in damages, but $548 million still remained. Samsung is now challenging $399 million of the balance, which is an award of its entire profits from products found to infringe Apple’s design patents, according to a...
Apple releases seventh beta of El Capitan for developers
Apple has made available the seventh beta of Mac OS X El Capitan to developers for testing purposes. It's available through the Software Update section of the Mac App Store and through the Apple Developer Center (https://developer.apple.com).
The new beta focuses on performance enhancements not new features. OS X 10.11 El Capitan is currently available to both registered developers and public beta testers. Apple plans to release El Capitan to the public in the fall.
Adobe debuts Captivate Prime, a learning management system
Adobe has introduced Adobe Captivate Prime (http://tinyurl.com/qhvf3f6), a self-service Learning Management System (LMS) that enables learning professionals to setup, deliver and track any form of learning.
This new cloud-based offering – which complements Adobe’s range of eLearning tools, including Adobe Captivate 9 (also introduced today) – enables specialists in learning and development, training and corporate human resources departments to take charge of the learning environments they manage and boost impact by developing skill-based learning programs.
Captivate 9 lets users go form storyboarding to responsive eLearning design. It offers a 25,000-plus asset store to enrich your content.
Adobe Captivate Prime is priced at US$48 per year per registered user and is exclusively available in the English language. Adobe Captivate 9 is now available worldwide. Updates from Captivate 8 and Captivate 7 (and earlier) are $499 and $1.099, respectively. Captivate 9 is also available for $29...
Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac launches with Windows 10 integration
Parallels has launched Parallels Desktop 11 for the Mac. The release includes a new version of the software for developers, designers and power users, Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition. It also includes Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition, previously known as the Enterprise Edition.
The new editions of Parallels Desktop for Mac benefit from speed improvements of up to 50%, Travel Mode which extends battery life up to 25 percent while on the go, support for Windows 10 along with OS X El Capitan readiness and a host of other features for both Windows and Mac users, says Jack Zubarev, Parallels president.
Parallels Desktop 11 empowers Mac users to run Windows 10 and leverage the advantages of Microsoft’s intelligent personal assistant, Cortana, when using both Windows and OS X. This is the first time that Parallels Desktop has ever made a Windows feature available for OS X applications. Parallels Desktop 11 also provides experimental support for OS X El Capitan prior to its...
Hon Hai reportedly cancels workers' November holiday for...
Hon Hai will cancel leave of employees at its plant in Zhengzhou, China, in November, for the launch of Apple's iPhone 6C, cnYES, a Chinese publication, reports (as noted by BrightWire.com, a global investment newswire).
Hon Hai Precision, trading as Foxconn Technology Group, is a Taiwanese multinational electronics contract manufacturing company. It’s headquartered in Tucheng, New Taipei, Taiwan. Quanta Computer is a Taiwan-based manufacturer of electronic and computer equipment.
cnYES says Hon Hai has recruited 100,000 workers to assemble the iPhone 6S/ 6S Plus at the Zhengzhou plant. According to the report, the company has started another round of recruiting as of Aug. 3 for the "iPhone 6C," an Apple smartphone with a four-inch display.
The latest iOS apps for Aug. 19
Here are some of the latest apps available at the Apple App Store for the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and/or Apple Watch.
Gryphos has announced BlockJockey, the first release of its Bitcoin blockchain navigator and information tool. It's an US$1.99 educational tool for the iPhone and Apple Watch designed to make exploring the Bitcoin blockchain fast and easy.
DopplerThePom has launched Custom Remote KeyPad. The $0.99 app allows the user to design custom control panels and use them to control a Mac wirelessly. For example, with a dial gesture on the iPad one changes brush size in Photoshop; or swipe on an iPhone to rotate a 3D model in Cinema 4D; single taps can issue any menu command in any app, or enter entire paragraphs of text, or run custom scripts.
Listen Sound has introduced Static for the iPhone and Apple Watch. The $2.99 app works with iTunes but also enables adding music to iPhone without using iTunes at all. Files can be imported using AirDrop, Dropbox, Amazon S3, and other...
CS Odessa Announces SysML Solution for ConceptDraw Pro 10
CS Odessa (www.conceptdraw.com) has announced a solution that allows individuals and teams to design and model systems.
The Systems Modeling Language (SysML) solution for ConceptDraw is a general-purpose modeling language library designed to describe systems engineering applications. It supports the specification, analysis, design, confirmation and validation of a wide range of systems and systems-of-systems.
SysML origin can be traced to an open source specification project. SysML is an extension of a subset derived from the Unified Modeling Language (UML). SysML is designed to provide a standardized way to visualize a system design. The SysML Solution is free to users of ConceptDraw Pro 10.
ConceptDraw Pro is compatible with Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. It retails for US$199, and will open and save files that are in Visio 2013 format. Also, ConceptDraw Pro 10 is included in ConceptDraw Office v3 which retails for $499.
AKVIS Enhancer for Mac OS X updated to version 15
AKVIS has released AKVIS Enhancer 15 for Mac OS X and Windows. The tool offers a method to fix dark pictures, increase contrast and brightness, adjust tones. The new version provides superior image processing for Improve Detail mode and other changes.
AKVIS Enhancer is image enhancement software that operates in three modes: Improve Detail, Prepress, and Tone Correction. It detects detail in underexposed, overexposed and mid tone areas of a photo with uneven exposure. It offers an individual approach to every part of the image. Version 15 brings new functionality, significant improvements and optimizations.
Existing Enhancer users may check which versions they can update to for free in their account in the Customer Room at www.akvis.com. Users, whose license is not valid for 15, can get the latest version for US$14.95. New users can evaluate all features of the product during the trial period without registration.
The software runs on Mac OS X 10.6 and higher. It's available as a...
Blackmagic Camera Setup 2.6 released
Blackmagic has released Blackmagic Camera Setup 2.6. It's available at http://tinyurl.com/pwgwjz3 .
This software package allows you to update your Blackmagic Camera to the latest software release for new features, bug fixes and other enhancements. Make sure that your camera is plugged into mains power before running the software update.
Blackmagic Camera Setup 2.6 adds support for the new URSA Viewfinder, support for the URSA Viewfinder, and an option to display timecode input by tapping on the timecode display. There are also performance enhancements and improvements.
QuickerTek produces external battery for the MacBook
QuickerTek has announced the 2015 Type-C MacBook External Battery (http://tinyurl.com/omewbse) for Apple's 12-inch MacBook with Retina display.
The US$2.99 battery's base unit charges the MacBook for eight extra hours of run time. It also includes a light weight 3D case, allowing QuickerTek to custom build the battery in any size. PCM and Smart Charging protection is included in the design so cells won't overheat, over or under charge.
Instead of LED indicators, this battery includes a button which can be pushed by the user, and the battery will send a message via Bluetooth 4.0 LE to their iPhone, iPad or MacBook displaying the charge status. You can use this product in conjunction with QuickerTek's new 30 Watt 2015 Type-C MacBook Solar panel.
Nuance introduces Dragon Anywhere
Nuance Communications has announced Dragon Anywhere, a cloud-based mobile application available this fall for iOS and Android that delivers Dragon’s voice dictation and documentation productivity capabilities to mobile devices for the first time.
Designed for the mobile workforce, Dragon Anywhere brings professional-grade continuous dictation to iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, enabling users to create and edit complete reports and documents, capture detailed notes, and more, while on the go. This new, cloud-based mobile app empowers field workers, lawyers, social workers, insurance adjusters, public safety officers, and other professionals to keep up with documentation demands even when they are away from their desks.
Dragon Anywhere offers a cross-device experience, enabling Dragon users to access documents saved to a preferred cloud service from their desktop. Customized vocabularies and auto-texts are also shared across an entire Dragon experience with Dragon Anywhere’s...
Company of Heroes 2 advancing to the Mac on Aug. 27
Feral Interactive has announced that World War II real-time strategy game Company of Heroes 2 will be released for Mac and Linux via Steam on Aug. 27 with the Mac App Store version to follow shortly afterwards. It's developed by Relic Entertainment and published by SEGA for PC,.
Here's how the game is described: "Players will direct their troops through fast-paced real-time battles in the brutal fight to turn the tide of World War II. From the desperate defense of Stalingrad to victory in Berlin, they must defeat a tenacious enemy and survive the deadly cold of the Russian winter.
"Objective-based missions challenge players to maneuver soldiers, guns, and tanks across feature-rich environments to scope out the battlefield, secure targets and destroy enemies. Players will navigate hazardous terrain, take advantage of cover and overcome the freezing temperatures and treacherous ice that can make the difference between crushing defeat and hard-won victory."
DLC for the Steam version of...
Apple Music Festival brings live performances to fans in...
Apple has announced that Pharrell Williams, One Direction, Florence + The Machine and Disclosure are among the headliners at the 2015 Apple Music Festival at London’s Roundhouse this September.
Apple will broadcast performances to music fans around the world for free, which can be viewed live and on-demand on Apple Music. The Apple Music Festival lets fans get even closer to their favorite performers with coverage on Beats 1 alongside backstage news and footage straight from the artists on Apple Music Connect.
"We wanted to do something really special for music fans this year," says Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. "The Apple Music Festival is a greatest hits set of ten unbelievable nights featuring some of the best performers on the planet appearing live and interacting directly with their fans on Connect and Beats 1."
The Apple Music Festival takes place over 10 nights from Sept. 19 to Sept. 28. UK residents can apply to win tickets on...
WD Red Pro Drives now available in 6TB
WD has expanded its WD Red Pro hard drive line with the release of 5TB and 6TB capacities. The WD Red Pro family is designed for NAS (network attached storage) systems having up to 16 drive bays and serving businesses with more expansive storage needs than the standard WD Red drives.
Shipping now, WD Red Pro 5 and 6 TB drives leverage an enhanced design and 128 MB cache to deliver data transfer rates of 214 megabytes per second (MB/s). WD's NASware 3.0 features technology promoting data protection, high NAS performance and integration, says Cindi Grace, senior vice president of the WD storage technology group.
Equipped with a multi- axis shock sensor, the drive automatically detects subtle shock events and, along with dynamic fly height technology, adjusts each read-write function to compensate and protect the data, further protecting the drive in large 1- to 16-bay NAS environments. Firmware enables integration, data protection and optimal performance for systems operating in the...
Speedo, Misfit partner to introduce Swim Tracker in Apple Stores
Misfit and Speedo are launching a Speedo-branded activity, swim, and sleep tracker: Speedo Shine. It will initially be available in retail exclusively at Apple stores worldwide September 1, as well as on misfit.com and SpeedoUSA.com for US$79.99.
Proprietary lap counting algorithms embedded in the device’s firmware track a swimmer’s lap count and works for all stroke types. Speedo Shine syncs with the Misfit app for iOS and Android and displays laps and swim distance, along with calories burned and points earned. The device will soon also work with Speedo’s personalized swim tracking app, Speedo Fit.
Speedo Shine is made out of aircraft-grade aluminum and is offered in new light silver color, Pure. Like the original Misfit Shine, Speedo Shine is waterproof to 50 meters. The device is meant to be worn both in and out of the water, and also tracks walking, running, cycling, and light and deep sleep.
Two zero-day vulnerabilities found in Mac OS X
An Italian teenager has found two zero-day vulnerabilities in Mac OS X operating system that could be used to gain remote access to a Mac, reports the IDC News Service (http://tinyurl.com/nmvps79).
Eighteen-year-old Luca Todesco posted details of the exploit he developed on GitHub. The exploit uses two bugs to cause a memory corruption in OS X’s kernel, he wrote via email.
The memory corruption condition can then be used to circumvent kernel address space layout randomization (kASLR), a defensive technique designed to thwart exploit code from running. The attacker then gains a root shell.
The exploit code works in OS X versions 10.9.5 through 10.10.5. IDG says it's fixed in the latest beta version of El Capitan.
Sprint customers can now upgrade their iPhone anytime
Sprint has unveiled iPhone Forever. Starting today, new and upgrade eligible Sprint customers can get an iPhone for just US$22 per month with iPhone Forever.
Anytime customers don’t have the latest Apple smartphone they're eligible to upgrade. They bring their iPhone to a Sprint store and upgrade on the spot. iPhone Forever is available on any eligible Sprint rate plan and upgrade eligibility is always included in your price. Qualified customers can get a 16GB iPhone 6 model at Sprint branded retail stores, Sprint.com, 1-800-Sprint-1, Best Buy and Target.
Through Dec. 31, 2015, customers on any other carrier or existing Sprint customers who are upgrade eligible and turn-in any smartphone will get a promotional rate of US$15 per month on a new iPhone. When they upgrade to the latest iPhone after Dec. 31, their monthly lease rate returns to current lease pricing, $22 per month.
New or existing customers who are upgrade eligible can bring in any smartphone and get a 16GB iPhone 6 model...
Australian banks aren't on board with Apple Pay
Australian banks aren't on board with Apple Pay yet as they're not willing to give give Apple a slice of the US$2 billion a year they earn in interchange fees, which are paid by merchants for use of payments infrastructure, according to The Sydney Morning Herald (http://tinyurl.com/q8j8xnt).
In the United States, Apple is believed to earn about 15¢ on every $100 of transactions. It is understood Apple has been asking for the same amount of interchange fee in Australia, says the SMH. The article says that Australia's big banks won't agree to this level given that interchange fees in Australia are about half the US level – equivalent to an average of 50¢ $100 of transaction compared with about $1 for $100 of transaction fees in the US.
Apple announced Apple Pay in September 2014, describing it as “a new category of service designed to transform mobile payments with an easy, secure and private way to pay.” It works with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus through a NFC antenna design, a...
Winmail Viewer for Mac OS X revved to version 3.0
Enolsoft (www.enolsoft.com) has released Winmail Viewer 3.0, an update of its tool for opening and reading all the contents of a Winmail.dat file, including the text (RTF, TXT and HTML encode) and attachments.
It also enables users to preview, export and save the attachments that a Winmail.dat file contained. Winmail Viewer 3.0 gets optimized performance, a tweaked user interface, and the ability to display the Winmail.dat files' attachment in two modes: thumbnail and information.
It also adds support for reading all the contents of a Winmail.dat file, including the text(RTF, TXT and HTML encode) and attachments and a support tab to view, open and read multiple Winmail.dat files simultaneously.
Winmail Viewer 3.0 is available at the Mac App Store in the Productivity category. It costs US$0.99.
QuickerTek creates Solar Power option for MacBook
QuickerTek has announced the US$299, 30 Watt 2015 Type-C MacBook Solar Panel (http://tinyurl.com/omewbse). It features the USB 3.1 adaptor cable which powers and charges the 12-inch MacBook with Retina display.
This new solar product powers the MacBook battery for use even while charging the internal battery. Even when the MacBook battery is completely dead, the QuickerTek solar panel charges and powers the laptop simultaneously.
The Type-C MacBook Solar Panel is made with thin film photovoltaic creating a lightweight, foldable design. At only a hair over 11 inches x 6.5 inches folded, and at only 1.3 pounds, it's light but still powerful enough to charge the MacBook as quickly as an Apple AC charger, minimizing downtime.
Genealogy for Mac: MacFamilyTree 7.6 released
Synium Software has launched MacFamilyTree 7.6 (http://tinyurl.com/2563p63), an update to the genealogy application for OS X.
MacFamilyTree helps you collect and record facts and data about your family history and turns them into informative reports and charts. Version 7.6 offers a new source management, the person analysis report, and a new fractal ancestor chart. In addition to these new features, the upgrade also comes with other improvements.
MacFamilyTree 7.6 requires a Mac with OS X 10.7 Lion or later, though some features (for example Statistics Maps), are only available on OS X Yosemite. It's a free update for all customers of MacFamilyTree 7 and can be downloaded or updated at the Mac App Store. For new customers MacFamilyTree 7.6 is offered with 50% and sells for just US$24.99 until Aug. 30.
There's a mobile version of MacFamilyTree available, too. It's called MobileFamilyTree 7 and can be purchased separately at the Apple App Store.
Federal court says 'no' to Samsung's appeal
A federal appeals court has refused to re-examine Samsung's appeal of a 2012 jury verdict that found the company violated Apple's iPhone patents, reports the San Jose Mercury News (http://tinyurl.com/ota5wgt).
The U.S. Federal Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Samsung's bid to reconsider a previous ruling. This leaves the U.S. Supreme Court as the only legal option left for Samsung to try to overturn hundreds of millions of dollars in damages it now owes Apple.
Samsung had urged the Federal Circuit to rehear the case with its full 12-judge roster, arguing that a three-judge panel erred earlier this year when it left intact a jury's verdict that the South Korean tech giant's smartphones and tablets infringed on Apple's design patents.
In May the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit adjusted Samsung’s US$930 million penalty, related to its patent infringement suit with Apple. The appeals court decision removed $382 million in damages, but $548 million still remained. Samsung is...
IK Multimedia introduces SampleTank Custom Shop
IK Multimedia (www.ikmultimedia.com) has introduced SampleTank Custom Shop, a free introductory version of SampleTank 3, the sound and groove workstation application and DAW plug-in for Macs and PCs.
Now musicians, producers and engineers have a new way to explore over 14,000 samples, over 19GB of additional sound content and 3,700 loops, 1,200 MIDI patterns and over 500 instruments. SampleTank Custom Shop comes with a fully functional curated library of 30 instruments — including eight new instruments and the Grand Piano 1 SE — that can be edited, manipulated and customized .
SampleTank Custom Shop also lets users browse, purchase and play with the growing collection of SampleTank 3 Instruments available in the Custom Shop — like the new Alan Parsons Grand Piano, American Acoustic Guitar, Neil Peart Drums, Billy Cobham Drums, Future Synths and more — all from a standalone application or DAW plug-in. Prices for additional content start at US$29.99.
Graphic Inspector for Mac OS X can now search image metadata
Zevrix Solutions has announced Graphic Inspector 2.1, a feature update to its quality control solution for images and vector graphic files.
Graphic Inspector checks multiple files for potential problems according to user's workflow requirements saving the time and hassle of checking the documents manually. The new version lets users check image metadata for specific values using custom list of metadata tags, and introduces several other improvements and bug fixes.
Graphic Inspector can be purchased from the Zevrix website (www.zevrix.com) for $39.95, as well as from authorized resellers. Version 2.1 is a free update for users of version 2.x and $20 for licensed users of version 1. Graphic Inspector is free with the purchase of PDF Checkpoint or InPreflight Pro for Adobe InDesign. Trial is also available for download. It requires Mac OS X 10.7-10.10. Mac OS X 10.11 will be supported upon release.
RE:Vision Effects releases DE:Flicker with GPU support for...
RE:Vision Effects has announced DE:Flicker for Adobe Premiere Pro, with support now included when purchasing DE:Flicker for After Effects. DE:Flicker continues to be available for Final Cut Pro X and Motion, which requires a separate license.
DE:Flicker is designed to smooth out those annoying flicker and artifacts when shooting high frame rate or timelapse video. It not only fixes flicker from artificial light sources but also fixes flicker on multiple objects, even when those objects flicker at different rates. DE:Flicker also minimizes problems when shooting directly at light sources, causing them to "breathe" and change size when shot at higher frame rates.
DE:Flicker is a set of three plug-ins: one specially designed for problems within high frame rate footage; one specially designed for timelapse photography; and a third one that analyzes and then stabilizes the color and luminance levels of your footage and can be used before more specific processing with one of the other two...
Apple updates Mac OS X, iTunes, and iOS
Apple has released updates for Mac OS X, iTunes and iOS.
Mac OS X 10.10.5 concentrates on bugfixes and security issues, including the DYLD_PRINT_TO_FILE privilege escalation exploit. This update:
° Improves compatibility with certain email servers when using Mail ;
° Fixes an issue in Photos that prevents importing videos from GoPro cameras;
° Fixes an issue in QuickTime Player that prevented playback of Windows Media files.
Mac OS X 10.10.5 can be downloaded via the Updates tab at the Mac App Store.
iTunes 12.2.1 offers stability and performance improvements. For example:
° You can click on the Beats 1 banner to see what's currently on, or view a complete broadcast schedule so you never miss a show.
° You can now view a list of the artists you're following on Apple Music.
° An issue where iTunes loses its place when you go back to a previous page in Apple Music has been resolved.
° The upgrade addresses a problem where artists may be sorted incorrectly in My Music and an issue...
iHome HomeKit compatible 'iSP5 Smartplug' now available
iHome has released the iSP5 SmartPlug, the first product in the company’s new iHome Control series.
Named by Apple as a launch partner to make the first products compatible with their new HomeKit smart home technology, the iHome iSP5 SmartPlug is among the first HomeKit-enabled products now available to consumers on iHome.com and Amazon.com for US$39.99. Additional retail rollout will be hitting in the coming weeks in both the USA and Canada.
The iHome iSP5 SmartPlug allows consumers to use the free iOS iHome Control app to turn on and off small appliances such as lamps, fans, air conditioning and other home devices with ease from any location. iOS users may also use Siri to remotely control their devices. The design ecosystem of iHome Control allows users the ability to group several iHome SmartPlugs into individual “scenes” to manipulate multiple connected devices within a home.
Additionally the iHome Control app allows for the creation of “custom scenes” to control multiple...
Apple's Boot Camp adds support for Microsoft Windows 10
Apple has updated Book Camp with support for Microsoft Windows 10. that lets it install Microsoft Windows 10.
You need support software (drivers) installed with Boot Camp to use Windows 10. This software is automatically downloaded when you use Boot Camp Assistant. Boot Camp supports 64-bit versions of Windows 10 when used with a supported Mac.
Windows 10 is available from Microsoft as an ISO file, an installation DVD, and a USB flash drive. You need an ISO file of the 64-bit version of the Windows 10 installer to install Windows on your Mac.
If you don't have an ISO file, you can use Disk Utility to make one from your Windows installation DVD or USB flash drive. If you're installing Windows for the first time, make sure the Windows installer you're using is for a full installation (not an upgrade installer).
Simon 4.1 for Mac OS X includes redesigned web feature
Dejal Systems has announced Simon 4.1 (http://tinyurl.com/ydovrx), an update to the server monitoring tool for Mac OS X.
Simon checks web pages, FTP and DNS servers, local or remote ports or volumes, and many other kinds of services for changes or failures. HTML reports allow remote viewing of a summary and/or details of Simon monitoring. Version 4.1 includes a redesigned web feature, the ability to send custom headers and load dynamic content, and more.
Simon 4.1 requires Mac OS X Yosemite. It costs US$99, though it's a free upgrade for registered users of version 4.0. Upgrades from version 3.x are $49. A demo is available for download.
The latest iOS apps for Aug. 13
Here are some of the latest apps available at the Apple App Store for the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and/or Apple Watch.
Cullaboration Media has announced One Song Workout, a fitness app developed for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices. It automatically creates a high-intensity interval training exercise routine that is timed to fit any song from your iTunes account. Exercise repetition goals are automatically adjusted based on user feedback at the completion of a workout. One Song Workout is free, but does tout in-app purchases.
Baby Monitor 3G is an US$3.99 app for parents who want to stay in touch with their children, even when the little ones are sleeping. It's available for iOS, Mac and Android operating systems.
Comics publisher Contents First released TappyToon. The free app allows U.S. and international fans digital access to licensed comics and webtoons.
Michael Granzin has introduced Bam Bam Squid. In the game, you play squid that's combing through a coral reef rushing for a...
PDFpen 7.3 for Mac OS X improves scanning
Smile has released PDFpen 7.3, an update to its all-purpose PDF editing tool for OS X. This update includes improvements to scanning performance and reliability. It also prepares for the upcoming OS X El Capitan release.
PDFpenPro and PDFpen 7 work with PDFpen for iPad and iPhone 2, allowing editing across devices when used with Dropbox storage or iCloud Drive. PDFpen retails for US$74.95 and PDFpenPro for $124.95. Family Pack licenses, which cover up to five computers in one household, are $94.95 for PDFpen and $149.95 for PDFpenPro. Office Pack licenses start at $224.95 for PDFpen (five users) and $349.95 for PDFpenPro (five users).
Upgrades from earlier single user versions of either application are $30 and free to users who purchased on or after Aug. 1, 2014. Upgrades to PDFpenPro 7 from previous versions of PDFpen are $50. Upgrade pricing for Family Packs and Office Packs is found on the Smileweb store: http://smle.us/store
PDFpen 7 and PDFpenPro 7 require OS X 10.10 (Yosemite)...
