Subject 13 game available for Mac OS X
Microids and developer Paul Cuisset have released Subject 13, a combination adventure/puzzle game, for Mac OS X and Windows.
In Subject 13, the player embodies Franklin Fargo, a discreet physics professor. Franklin leads a lonely and bitter life since Sophie, her fiancée, was killed during a robbery. One morning, he wakes up in a scientific abandoned underground plant with only one link with the outside world: a voice that calls him "Subject 13". His goal is to escape from this place where he is being held captive and to find out more about the reasons of his imprisonment.
Subject 13 costs US$13 for a limited time, then the price goes to $20. It's available here (http://store.steampowered.com/app/322970).
Smith Micro rolls out Anime Studio 11
The Productivity and Graphics group of Smith Micro Software (mysmithmicro.com) has announced the latest version of Anime Studio software, which is designed to streamline production for studios and professional artists who create complex animations.
The new Frame-by-Frame feature of Anime Studio 11 lets artists switch between traditional animation techniques and more automated bone-rigging techniques. New and enhanced drawing and painting features provide a natural feel and raster-like characteristics with life-like results, according to the folks at Smith Micro. Key features of Anime Studio 11 include:
° Frame-by-Frame allows artists to immediately switch between bone-rigging and a frame-by-frame workspace;
° Layer Referencing propagates changes from one design layer to all related layers, even across multiple documents;
° Animated Shape Ordering extends the ability to rearrange shapes anywhere within an animation timeline rather than adjusting each full frame independently;
° ...
PopChar X 7.1 for Mac OS X offers extended support for emojis...
Ergonis Software (www.ergonis.com) has released PopChar X 7.1, an improved version of the company's tool for finding and inserting special characters and exploring fonts.
With PopChar, thousands of special characters are only a few clicks away. Version 7.1 offers improved support for emoji characters, comes with an improved installer, and offers many other enhancements and fixes. This update also introduces a new shape finder, which lets you find special characters simply by drawing their shape.
PopChar X 7 requires Mac OS X 10.6 or newer. It can be purchased securely on the Ergonis Software website. The upgrade to PopChar X 7.1 is free for anyone who owns a license for PopChar X 7 or purchased a license for PopChar X 6 on or after March 1, 2014. Upgrade paths are available for customers who purchased their license before that date.
IDC: tablet growth will continue to slow in 2015
Worldwide shipments of tablets and 2-in-1 devices are forecast to reach 221.8 million units in 2015, a decline of -3.8% from 2014, according to IDC (www.idc.com).
The new outlook follows two consecutive quarters of declining sales and represents a modest downward revision from the previous forecast of 234.5 million units and 2.1% year-over-year growth in 2015, notes the research group. While IDC expects overall sales to decline in 2015, some segments of the product category are poised to experience strong growth.
"We're seeing cellular-capable tablets and 2-in-1 devices experience important growth in certain parts of the world and we think this represents a huge opportunity for the entire tablet ecosystem," said Jean Philippe Bouchard, research director, tablets, IDC. "Those cellular-connected devices fill multiple needs for vendors and carriers around the world; they offer a quick solution to price and margin erosion, and when compared to smartphones, they offer a less expensive way...
Escape Motion releases new watercolor, acrylic painting app for...
Escape Motions (http://www.escapemotions.com) has released Rebelle, a watercolor and acrylic painting application for Mac OS X. Its watercolor simulation is based on a real-world color mixing, blending, wet- diffusion, and drying.
Rebelle mimics the way natural media interacts with the canvas and itself. Users can paint, smear, re-wet dried colors, blow wet washes across the paper, tilt the paper to create water drops and runs and create countless fantastic watercolor effects. Wet tools — watercolors, acrylics or ink pen — can be combined with pastels, pencils, airbrush many other dry-media tools and effects.
Rebelle is available for US$59.99 at the Escape Motions website. A Mac App Store edition will be available soon.
TextExpander 5 for Mac OS X suggests new snippets
Smile (www.smilesoftware.com/) has released TextExpander 5, an update to its to typing shortcut tool for Mac OS X Yosemite.
TextExpander 5 helps you type faster by making suggestions of frequently typed phrases to abbreviate and save time. It also helps to remind you of forgotten snippets as you type. Version 5 adds support for JavaScript for Automation, and JavaScript which works in the iPad and iPhone version of TextExpander. The refreshed stats display shows you how much time TextExpander has saved you.
TextExpander costs US$44.95 at the Smile Store online. Upgrades for current TextExpander users to version 5 are $19.95.
Rayner Software updates NetShade for Mac and iOS
Rayner Software (www.raynersw.com) has released updates to NetShade for Mac and iOS. The iOS version of NetShade updates to 3.0, and the Mac version to 6.2.
NetShade is a Proxy and VPN app for Apple platforms. With NetShade, users can connect to the Internet via one of Rayner Software's 12 servers, or via a public proxy. Proxy servers allow access to overseas Internet content, and a VPN server adds encryption for security and privacy protection. Proxy and VPN apps are commonly used when traveling, or when using a public or insecure WiFi network.
NetShade 3.0 for iOS is a major rewrite of the app. Among the many changes in this version are a new VPN backend, a unified app for iPhone and iPad clients, and a new user interface. NetShade 6.2 for Mac includes a number of bug fixes and a new client/server communications system. This update intends to improve reliability for users on slow Internet connections.
NetShade is available with a year of Proxy access for US$29, or a year of Proxy...
OWC's iMac hard drive upgrades now extend to 8TB
Other World Computing (OWC) has announced that iMac owners can now upgrade their iMac to 8TB of storage while maintaining correct system fan control with the OWC in-line digital thermal sensor.
The new drive option, one of many upgrade options for the iMac from OWC, extends the iMac upgrade path and provides increased storage capacity with 23 percent lower energy consumption, according to Larry O'Connor, founder and CEO, OWC.
OWC upgrade kits (http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/imacdiy/) for iMacs provide the tools and equipment required to install a new hard drive or solid state drive in the Apple all-in-one. All OWC drive upgrade kits include a 14-piece toolkit, two suction cups for outer glass removal and a microfiber cleaning cloth. Solid state drive upgrade kits include a SATA data cable and an SSD power cable.
OWC hard drive upgrade kits include the OWC In-line Digital Thermal Sensor, which works though the iMac System Management Controller to eliminate excessive fan noise and...
Class action suit involving MacKeeper nears settlement
An Internet advertising campaign is planned to alert people to a proposed class-action settlement over MacKeeper, a security program for Macs accused of deceptive practices, reports the IDG News Service (http://tinyurl.com/ozmxorb).
ZeoBit, the developer of MacKeeper, was sued in May 2014 in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Filed on behalf of Pennsylvania resident Holly Yencha, the class-action suit alleges MacKeeper was deceptively marketed and did not fully function as advertised.
Under a proposed settlement, ZeoBicwill put US$2 million into a fund to reimburse customers but admit no fault, which is customary in class-action settlements. Once the settlement has preliminary approval from the judge in the case, anyone who bought MacKeeper will be contacted by email. In case some of those email addresses are invalid, an Internet advertising campaign is planned as well as a website, notes IDG.
Apple became the number one smartphone vendor in China for the...
Worldwide sales of smartphones to end users reached 336 million units, an increase of 19.3% during the first quarter of 2015, according to Gartner, Inc. (www.gartner.com). And Apple became the number one smartphone vendor in China for the first time.
Smartphone growth was led by strong smartphone sales in emerging markets (excluding China); the fastest growing regions were emerging Asia/Pacific, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East and North Africa. Due to these high-performing regions, the emerging markets achieved a 40 percent increase in sales during the first quarter of 2015.
"During this quarter, local brands and Chinese vendors came out as the key winners in emerging markets," says Anshul Gupta, research director at Gartner. "These vendors recorded an average growth of 73 percent in smartphone sales and saw their combined share go up from 38 percent to 47 percent during the first quarter of 2015."
Apple continued to exhibit a strong performance in the quarter, particularly in...
WD redesigns its My Passport Drives line-up
WD has introduced the new, redesigned My Passport Ultra portable hard drives and My Passport for Mac drives.
With the My Passport line now in its seventh generation, the My Passport Ultra and My Passport for Mac portable hard drives are now available in capacities up to 3TB and in four colors: black, white, wild berry, and blue. WD is also introducing a new optional accessory – the WD Grip Pack – a soft band, available in a variety of colors, which encircles the drive. It offers consumers a way to personalize their My Passport drives.
My Passport Ultra portable drives come in 3TB, 2TB, 1TB and 500GB capacities and feature 256-bit AES hardware encryption.. USB 3.0 compatibility provides fast data transfer rates of up to 5 gigabits per second, while being backwardly compatible with USB 2.0. My Passport for Mac portable drives are available in capacities of 3TB, 2TB, 1TB and also feature 256-bit AES hardware encryption with USB 3.0 connectivity.
Sold separately, the WD Grip Pack...
iOS bug lets someone crash your iPhone with a text message
There's an iOS bug that lets someone crash your iPhone by sending a text message from their own iPhone containing what appears to be a single line of seemingly innocuous Arabic script, according to AppleInsider (http://tinyurl.com/oa58zch).
When a text or iMessage (but not part of a normal Messages conversation) containing the text string is received and presented in the lock screen or as a drop-down notification, iOS consumes resources trying to render the message, ultimately causing a crash. Some suggest turning off Messages previews for Notifications, though AppleInsider says its tests haven't shown this to be effective. If Messages has already crashed, however, AppleInsider has confirmed that receiving a new message, sending out a picture from Photos or sending yourself a message through Share Sheets will stop the process.
Troi Automatisering releases Troi File Plug-in 8.0.1 for...
Troi Automatisering has released Troi File Plug-in 8.0.1 for FileMaker Pro 14. The update of the file management plug-in fixes some problems and improves several functions.
Troi File Plug-in is a very powerful tool for getting access to information outside the FileMaker Pro database. Any files or folders stored on the computer can be accessed through the functions of the plug-in.
A fully functional demo version of Troi File Plug-in 8.0.1 is available for downloading at Troi's Web site (http://www.troi.com/software/fileplugin.html).
Troi File Plug-in 8.0.1 works with FileMaker Pro 12, 13 and 14. The plug-in can also be used with runtimes from FileMaker Pro Advanced 12, 13 and 14. The plug-in is available for OS X 10.6.x or higher, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. Licenses cost US$99 per user.
Troi File Plug-in 8.0.1 also works with FileMaker Server 12, 13 and 14 as a server-side plug-in and as a plug-in used by the web publishing engine and WebDirect. To use this,...
Maintain serves up Cocktail 8.4 (Yosemite Edition)
Maintain has served up Cocktail 8.4 (Yosemite Edition), the latest maintenance update for users running OS X Yosemite.
Cocktail is a general purpose utility for OS X that lets users clean, repair and optimize their Macs. Version 8.4 adds ability to clear applications (App Store, Automator, Contacts, Dashboard, Dictionary, Game Center, iBooks, iTunes, Maps, Photos, System Preferences, Xcode) caches and adds compatibility with OS X 10.10.4. It also contains updated Automator actions.
Cocktail 8.4 (Yosemite Edition) requires OS X Yosemite 10.10 to run. Cocktail (Mavericks Edition) for OS X 10.9, Cocktail (Mountain Lion Edition) for OS X 10.8 and Cocktail (Lion Edition) for OS X 10.7 are available for download from Maintain website (http://www.maintain.se/cocktail). Cocktail 8.4 (Yosemite Edition) costs US$19 for a single user license and is available for purchase from the Maintain website.
PDFKey Pro for OS X locks, unlocks password-protected PDF docs
Briksoftware has announced PDFKey Pro 4.3 (http://pdfkey.com) for Mac OS X and Windows. It's an upgrade of the utility that locks and unlocks password-protected PDF documents.
PDFKey Pro removes editing and printing passwords by creating exact copies of PDF documents, but without the password. It instantly removes viewing passwords, but only if said password is provided beforehand. You can lock PDF files by creating perfect copies, but protected with either, or both, a viewing password and a password to restrict usage permissions (printing and copying) to the files.
PDFKey Pro 4.3 offers improved support for files with digital signatures, better compatibility with partially corrupted files, enhanced Mac OS X and Windows integration, and simplified usage of the integrated command line tools. It also adds German, French, Dutch and Polish localization
PDFKey Pro isn't designed to defeat DRM systems and will not decrypt eBooks or other DRM protected materials. It requires Mac OS X 10.7...
24U Releases 24U SimpleFile Plug-In 3.0 for FileMaker 14
24U Software (www.24usoftware.com/) has launched 24U SimpleFile Plug-In 3.0, an upgrade of the 24U SimpleFile Plug-In for managing files and folders directly from FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Server.
The update adds new features, along with support for 64-bit FileMaker Pro 14 and FileMaker Server 12, 13, and 14. 24U SimpleFile Plug-In 3.0 brings support for running applications from the solution, compressing and decompressing files and folders, and introduces new options for file selection dialogs.
24U SimpleFile Plug-In is available as shareware. Users can install the plug-in and try it out for the period of 14 days free of charge. After this period, 24U SimpleFile Plug-In will stop working and require a registration code.
Licenses start at US$49 per user and $499 per server. Existing customers can upgrade to the new version at 50 % off the regular prices if placing order within 14 days upon release, and 30 % off if buying later. Customers who have bought 24U SimpleFile Plug-In...
PageMeUp for Mac OS X upped to version 1.2.1
Softobe has introduced PageMeUp 1.2.1 (http://www.softobe.com/pagemeup.html), an update to the layout editor for Mac OS X 10.9 or higher.
With PageMeUp, you create a document, choose its page format, size and background color, set the margins, bleed, custom guides, rows and columns and even apply RGB or CMYK ICC color profiles. Then you can drag, import or paste images and text onto the PageMeUp document and place/resize them on the page.
As of version 1.2.1, you can export your document to a widget. When exporting to PDF, PageMeUp now properly creates clickable text links with text-color and text-style you defined. The links on the PDF can open an URL with your default browser or send an email with your Email default application.
PageMeUp 1.2.1 costs US$9.99. It's available worldwide through the Mac App Store in the Graphics & Design category.
Brattoo Propaganda Software introduces PhotoBee for Mac OS X
Brattoo Propaganda Software has introduced PhotoBee (http://brattoo.com/propaganda/) for Mac OS X. It lets you scan your iMessages for photos and movies, and then download them to keep them along with the rest of your photos.
With PhotoBee, you can select which contacts you wish to scan, as well as choose the destination to save the files. The app will scan through all your messages in iMessages and list all found photos and movies so that you can browse them and choose which ones to save.
PhotoBee requires Mac OS X 10.8 or higher. It costs US$7.95. A demo is available for download.
MacPaw releases new platform for Mac app dev, distribution
MacPaw has released a new platform for app development and distribution that is an essential tool for selling apps outside Mac App Store: DevMate (http://devmate.com/).
It’s a two-fold platform designed to help developers with app distribution, collection of data, and analysis. DevMate consists of its SDK [software development kit] and its Dashboard. The SDK, DevMateKit, is designed to make it easy to integrate activations, update delivery, feedback collection, and crash report collection.
The Dashboard displays application data that gives developers a quick and complete overview of how their app is performing. According to MacPaw, developers can integrate the DevMateKit into their app to make it instantly ready for licensing, crash reporting, update delivery, tracking, and feedback collection.
Jony Ive promoted to Chief Design Officer at Apple
With the scope of his design work having gradually expanded over the last few years, Jony Ive, Apple's senior vice president for design, will now hold the title of Chief Design Officer, says Tim Cook in a company memo, as noted by 9to5Mac.com.
At the same time, Ive will hand over "day-to-day managerial responsibilities" for industrial and UI [user interface] design to execs Richard Howarth and Alan Dye on July 1.
Here's Cook's memo: "I have exciting news to share with you today. I am happy to announce that Jony Ive is being promoted to the newly created position of Chief Design Officer at Apple.
"Jony is one of the most talented and accomplished designers of his generation, with an astonishing 5000 design and utility patents to his name. His new role is a reflection of the scope of work he has been doing at Apple for some time. Jony’s design responsibilities have expanded from hardware and, more recently, software UI to the look and feel of Apple retail stores, our new campus in...
ChordsMaestro for Mac OS X adds support for left-handed users
Neonway has updated ChordsMaestro (http://neonway.com/apps/chordsmaestro), a music app for Mac OS X, to version 1.5.
The utility enables anyone to play and save chords of their favorite songs on seven different instruments. ChordsMaestro is designed for beginners, hobby musicians, music students, and fun to use for music lovers of all levels. The 1.5 update includes support for left-handed users, volume control, piano photos for right hand and images for flat sign representation.
ChordsMaestro 1.5 costs US$9.99 and is available worldwide through the Mac App Store in the Music category. It requires Mac OS X 10.7 or or higher.
Quincy for Mac OS X released
RoGame Software (http://www.rogame.com) has released Quincy for Mac OS X. It's a music composition tool with editing and playback capabilities, plus MIDI integration into sequencers and DAWs alike.
Quincy is a tool for the creation of image-based, interactive, live music. Compositions can be looped and react to mouse input during play. Quincy's core engine is a full implementation of Conway's Game of Life, capable of generating all possible Life variants including HighLife and Seeds. It comes with a Life editor, a large library of patterns, color mixer, features an adjustable grid size, random cell insertion and many display options.
Quincy requires Mac OS X 10.9 or later. It costs US$35.99 and is available worldwide exclusively through the Mac App Store in the music and education categories. Educational discounts are available. To celebrate this first release, Quincy is on sale through the App Store at a 30% discount until June 1.
New Accelsior S PCIe Card Brings 6Gb/s speeds to any system...
Other World Computing (OWC) has announced the Accelsior S, a new PCIe card with direct mount support for a 2.5” SATA 6Gb/s SSD. It enables PC, Mac Pro tower and Thunderbolt interface expansion chassis users to add additional storage.
Utilizing the PCIe architecture, the Accelsior S card offers both storage expansion and 6Gb/s speeds up to 550MB/s -- more than double the performance of SATA 3Gb/s. When equipped with the Accelsior S PCIe card and an SSD, Mac Pro tower and PC users can launch, capture, render and process I/O-intensive apps without long wait times, says Larry O’Connor, founder and CEO, Other World Computing. The Accelsior S PCIe card is also extremely easy to install--no drivers or software are required, he adds.
OWC’s new Accelsior S PCIe Card is available for US$57.75. For more information go to http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/SSDACL6G.S/ .
Remember our soldiers on Memorial Day
MacNews and MacTech will be running a limited update schedule today in honor of Memorial Day. Originally called Decoration Day, is a day to remember those who have died in our nation's service. Remember our soldiers, past and present, and have a safe and wonderful holiday.
iNotepad for OS X lets you write and manage multiple texts
Apimac has released iNotepad, a new app for Mac OS X that let you write and manage hundreds (or even thousands) of texts in one single document. With iNotepad, you have everything in one place.
You can write texts and format them as you like, enhance them with images and export them into various standard file formats. iNotepad features tools for organizing options, tag view, and more. You can find what you are looking for with basic or advanced search.
iNotepad is available today from the Apimac web site (www.apimac.com) at a cost of IS$24.99. Early adopters can get a 30% discount providing the coupon code "EARLYDSCNT877100" during the purchasing procedure. Owners of Apimac Notepad 9.9 are entitled a discount when purchasing the new app.
ArtHandler for Mac OS X gets new export functionality, more
Martin Walk has announced ArtHandler 1.4 (http://arthandlerapp.com), a new version of the artist's record book application for Mac OS X.
ArtHandler is built for artists who need to remember titles, dimensions and dates of their artworks. It archives images of each artwork and makes them accessible for future use. Version 1.4 brings export functionality and the possibility to set a default artist's name for all newly added artworks.
ArtHandler 1.4 costs US$14.99 and is available worldwide exclusively through the Mac App Store in the Graphics & Design category. It requires Mac OS X 10.9 or later.
Construction Estimator 1.1 released for OS X -
MICOM Software (http://www.micomsoftware.com) has introduced Construction Estimator 1.1, an update of the estimating program developed exclusively for Mac OS X.
Designed for professional contractors, homeowners and students alike, it can help users estimate materials and the cost of just about any project. Just press the button next to the function that you want to estimate, answer a few questions and the quantities and cost totals are displayed.
Construction Estimator 1.1 costs US$6.99 and is available worldwide through the Mac App Store in the Productivity category. It requires Mac OS X 10.7 or later.
FreeFileSync for Mac OS X revved to version 7
FreeFileSync (http://www.freefilesync.org) has released version 7 of its free, open source file synchronization utility for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. The new release runs under all modern versions of these operating systems, including Yosemite and Windows 10.
Version 7 supports media transfer protocol (MTP), making it easy for users to synchronize files and folders between their PCs and their iPhone, iPad, Android smartphone or tablet, digital camera, and other MTP devices. In addition to transferring image files, FreeFileSync's MTP support facilitates transfer of music files stored on digital audio players, text files stored on personal digital assistants (PDAs), and files on any device that supports the new MTP protocol.
ThinPrint brings Wi-Fi printing to iPhones, iPads
ThinPrint has released a new version of its free app ThinPrint Cloud Printer. With the update iPhone, iPad and Android users print documents and photos to any printer in their current Wi-Fi network. A PC or Mac isn't needed.
If a user wants to print a document, photo or another file from his iPhone, iPad or Android device, the cloud-based app automatically shows which printers are available in the current Wi-Fi network. Once a printer is selected, the printout is sent through their smartphone or tablet to the printer. If a Wi-Fi printer isn’t available, the user can still turn any printer into a cloud printer and print via a PC or Mac connected to the printer.
“With the latest version, we have made significant progress in our goal of providing users with a mobile printing solution that can be used easily and spontaneously in any situation,” says Thién D. Nguyen, product manager ThinPrint Cloud Printer at ThinPrint. “By being fully manufacturer-independent, users with ThinPrint Cloud...
FreeFileSync for Mac OS X revved to version 7
FreeFileSync (http://www.freefilesync.org) has released version 7 of its free, open source file synchronization utility for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. The new release runs under all modern versions of these operating systems, including Yosemite and Windows 10.
Version 7 supports media transfer protocol (MTP), making it easy for users to synchronize files and folders between their PCs and their iPhone, iPad, Android smartphone or tablet, digital camera, and other MTP devices. In addition to transferring image files, FreeFileSync's MTP support facilitates transfer of music files stored on digital audio players, text files stored on personal digital assistants (PDAs), and files on any device that supports the new MTP protocol.
Telestream ships Episode 6.5 multiformat encoding software
Telestream (www.telestream.net) says version 6.5 of its Episode multiformat encoding software is now available. It requires Mac OS X 10.9 or higher; pricing starts at US$594.
Version 6.5 includes support for closed captions, the latest formats, multi-bitrate encoding, and multi-track audio. Episode provides transcoding for individuals and workgroups.
Its transcoding engine is designed for the entire production workflow – maintaining high quality files from the camera to edit and all the way to final delivery. Episode also provides built-in collaboration and clustering to join multiple Mac and PC machines together.
iCloud users experiencing multiple service problems
iCloud users globally have been experiencing trouble and multiple service glitches, although it's not clear why. Apple's System Status webpage (http://www.apple.com/support/systemstatus/) is still showing ongoing interruptions to various services as of this writing.
The page also says that "users may have experienced slower than normal response time when using iCloud services." The problems affect such services as The problems have reached into 11 services from Apple's online cloud offering, including iCloud Drive, iCloud Keychain syncing, iCloud Mail syncing, Documents in the Cloud, iCloud Backup, Back to My Mac, Photos, Find My iPhone/iPad/iPod touch/Mac, iMovie Theater, iCloud sign-in, and the iWork for iCloud beta.
MacItBetter releases BetterZip 3 for OS X
MacItBetter (http://macitbetter.com/) has announced BetterZip 3, an update to their archiving solution for Mac OS X.
The utility lets you peek inside archives without first extracting. You can explore the contents of archives and preview files inside using a preview sidebar or even Quick Look. With BetterZip you can compress or extract files with drag-and-drop. Update, move, rename and delete files inside archives as if you were working with normal folders. Version 3 now supports winmail.dat files, DMG files, and ePub files.
BetterZip 3 requires Mac OS X 10.9 or later. A trial version can be downloaded from MacItBetter online and is fully functional for 30 days. A single user license costs US$19.95; discounted upgrades are available for $9.99.
24U FM Bench is fully compatible with FileMaker Pro 14
24U Software has announced compatibility of 24U FM Bench 1.2.1 with the new FileMaker 14 platform.
It's a benchmarking tool for optimizing FileMaker 13 and FileMaker 14 product line and business processes. 24U FM Bench helps developers with the whole optimization process from benchmarking through analyzing, identifying bottleneck, optimizing, and reporting results. It can be also used to monitor, analyze, and optimize business processes.
A demo version of 24U FM Bench is available free of charge from 24U online (http://www.24usoftware.com/). A full version can be purchased either as a per-seat license for US$197 or as a server license for $1,177. By purchasing one server license you get the right to use 24U FM Bench for unlimited number of users connecting to a single FileMaker Server.
Satechi launches HDD Docking Station with 2-Port Hub and SD Card...
Satechi (www.satechi.com) has released the USS$54.99 Aluminum SATA III HDD Docking Station, which adds three different inputs.
The design of the Aluminum HDD Docking Station condenses the amount of desk space needed for all peripherals, including 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch HDD and SSD hard drives with a SATA I/II/III interface, cameras, flash drives and more. The two USB 3.0 ports and integrated SD card reader feature a transfer rate of up to 5.0Gbps.
The Aluminum HDD Docking Station boasts a metallic brushed aluminum finish with white trim accents. It's designed to complement any office aesthetic – especially Apple computers and products such as the MacBook, iMac and Thunderbolt Display.
Desktop Informant is a new alternative to Mac OS X Calendar
WebIS has announced the fifth release of Desktop Informant under its early access program.
Desktop Informant is the Mac OS X version of the Pocket Informant for iOS and Android. It provides and integrated calendar and task manager. Desktop Informant supports full GTD task management including projects, contexts, filtering, and grouping. You can synchronize it with Toodledo, Google, as well as Informant Sync.
The Focus view lets you create customized views into your day complete with your events and tasks. Desktop Informant is built with a tabbed interface to let you create different customized filtered tabs that you can switch between. For example, you can make a tab for your personal calendar and one for your work calendar.
Desktop Informant Release 5 requires Mac OS X Yosemite (10.10). It's available for an early access price of US$29.99 directly from WebIS online (http://pocketinformant.com).
Randy Ubillos to appear at Lacpug on May 27
Randy Ubillos, the former Apple Chief Architect on Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Pro X, is scheduled to appear at the Los Angeles Creative Pro User Group (lacpug) on Wednesday, May 27, at the Gallery Theatre in Hollywood beginning at 6:45 p.m.
This will be the first public appearance for Ubillos in four years. He recently retired from Apple after 20 years. In that time he was chief architect on a wide range of products such as Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Pro X, Aperture, iMovie '08 through '11 and iPhoto for iOS. In addition, he also created versions 1 through 4.2 of Adobe Premiere Pro.
"We are so honored to have Randy appear at lacpug," says Michael Horton, the current head of lacpug. "Randy is too humble to admit this, but he fundamentally changed the way we all tell visual stories. He changed the world's Post Production industry. Entire industries have grown up around what he has created. He has had a heck of a career and we are very grateful he has accepted our invitation."
Ubillos...
AlphaCorr rolls out Rules and SteelRules 9 for Mac OS X
AlphaCorr — makers of CAD for designing customized packaging, point-of-purchase displays, and the steel rule dies to make them — has rolled out Rules 9 and SteelRules 9, their flagship software on Mac and Windows.
The new versions have support for the most modern operating systems including Mac OS X Yosemite and Window 8.1. New usability enhancements have been added to both programs. A variety of new tools and support for the latest DXF/DWG are included, along with 2D PDF import and export. Both programs also have added a direct link to Adobe Illustrator.
Rules provides precision CAD for designing corrugated packaging, point-of-purchase and self-standing displays. SteelRules has everything Rules has plus complex die making layouts. Go to the AlphaCorr website (http://www.alphacorr.com) for more details.
New Sales Flowcharts Solution available for ConceptDraw Pro 10
CS Odessa (www.conceptdraw.com) has announced their new Sales Flowcharts Solution in ConceptDraw Solution Park. Based on ConceptDraw Pro's vector drawing features, it allows you to build diagrams.
The Sales Flowcharts Solution is comprised of six libraries that contain 285 vector objects. It costs US$25 for current owners of ConceptDraw Pro 10.
ConceptDraw Pro is compatible with Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. It retails for US$199. ConceptDraw Pro 10 is now included in ConceptDraw Office 3, which retails for US$499.
DEVONthink and DEVONnote 2.8.5 index ebooks natively
DEVONtechnologies (http://www.devontechnologies.com) has updated all editions of its intelligent information and document manager DEVONthink as well as the smart notebook DEVONnote.
DEVONthink and DEVONnote help users classify and organize documents with unique artificial intelligence. Version 2.8.5 adds support for ebooks and Textbundle files. It also comes with better scanner support and PDF annotations. The updates are free and recommended for all users.
DEVONthink Pro Office allows to share documents even with Windows users. Its integrated web server lets them find and view documents or even add new ones. Version 2.8.5 improves performance and password protection. Links in Markdown documents and formatted notes are better handled, too.
All editions including DEVONnote 2.8.5 allow to build smart groups matching multiple tags. Finder tags are matched to existing labels by color when importing documents. Finally, multiple selected documents or groups can be exported as one template...
SVALT D Performance Cooling Dock available for MacBook Pros, Airs
SVALT has released the SVALT D Performance Cooling Dock, a vertical stand/laptop cooling solution.
The SVALT D supports laptops in closed-screen clamshell mode while connected to an external power source, monitor and keyboard/mouse, to facilitate proper ergonomics and maximum workstation productivity, while the vertical orientation and compact footprint regains desktop space. Coupled with increased cooling capacity, the closed-screen operation allows graphic resources to more easily drive multiple high-resolution displays and deliver improved graphic performance, says Chad Kirkpatrick president and founder of SVALT.
Anchored by a two-pound aluminum heat sink, a fan drives cool air over the laptop's processors to reduce or eliminate processor throttling. A Silence Adapter delivers quiet fan operation, while the fan can also be turned off at anytime, and the laptop’s internal fans and vents will operate with enhanced performance due to the vertical orientation and the aluminum heat sink...
OWC offers memory upgrade for latest iMac with Retina 5K Display
Other World Computing (www.macsales.com) has announced the availability of the OWC Memory Upgrade Kits with up to 32GB for the new configuration of Apple's 27-inch iMac 27 with Retina 5K display.
The new iMac configuration comes with a 3.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of memory, a 1TB hard drive and a 5K Retina display, for a price of $1,999.00. OWC offers memory upgrade kits of 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB, which offer savings up to $300 over comparable factory options. Like all OWC memory upgrade kits, a "how to install" video and OWC lifetime limited warranty are included.
Watch OS 1.0.1 released for the Apple Watch
Apple has released Watch OS 1.0.1, an update of the operating system for the Apple Watch, upgrading it to Watch OS version 1.0.1.
According to Apple, the update improves performance for: Siri; measuring standing activity; calculating calories for indoor cycling and rowing workouts; distance and pace during outdoor walk and run workouts; accessibility; and third-party apps.
There's also display support for new emoji characters. New languages supported are: Brazilian Portuguese; Danish; Dutch; Swedish; Russian; Thai; and Turkish
Watch OS 1.0.1 can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to Settings --> General --> Software Update. To install the update, the smartwatch must be placed on the charger and be in range of the iPhone.
Apple rolls out new Lighting connector dock for iPhones
Apple is selling a new Lightning connector dock compatible with the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5 and fifth-generation iPod touch. The dock retails for US$39 on the Apple Online Store and has an estimated shipping date of 1-3 business days.
The new iPhone Lightning Dock features a base wide enough for either sized iPhone and a Lightning connector on top of a protrusion for charging. Previous versions of the docks have used recesses to add support so you couldn't use them with an iPhone that was in a case.
MacDaddy launches Duplicate, a copy and paste tool for Mac OS X
MacDaddy has unveiled Duplicate 1.0, a productivity application developed specifically for Mac OS X Yosemite.
It's designed to enhance the Finder's standard copy and paste functionality by making them more efficient, as well as performing approximately 10% faster than stock copy and paste methods. Duplicate can also copy large folders with no issues involving file permissions, as well as the ability to copy entire volumes, creating an exact duplicate bootable copy of the original volume. It installs itself as an option into the contextual menu that appears when you Control-Click or right-click a file, folder, or drive.
This makes Duplicate just as easy to use as the standard OS X copy and paste functions, while providing a copy and paste operation that is both faster and more efficient. Duplicate avoids failed copies with large folders, and users won't experience any issues with permissions as they sometime do with the standard Copy and Paste functions. Duplicate creates an exact...
Insider Debuts Expo, an asset manager for Mac OS X
Insider Software has introduced Expo, an asset manager for Mac OS X. It allows creative and marketing professionals to discover, manage and utilize images, fonts, icons, multimedia and application documents in their projects.
Expo then auto-organizes them into customizable smart folders based on the assets' attributes and metadata. By supporting their creative workflow, Expo helps them develop better designs, websites, documents, presentations and materials.
As Expo imports asset files, it auto-tags them to preserve their Mac OS folder associations as well as any tags already assigned by asset vendors and associates. Users can also add their own automatic, manual and batch tags at any time. Later, users can search those tags to find matching assets.
Expo runs on Mac OS X 10.8 or later. Customers can purchase Expo or request a 30-day trial at Insider Software online (http://www.insidersoftware.com/). Single-user Expo licenses cost US$199, but are available for a limited time at an...
Paddle rolls out in-app analytics SDK for Mac app developers
London-based startup Paddle has announced their free analytics SDK [software development kit] for Mac developers, which allows them to track both App Store and independently distributed apps from a single dashboard.
With Apple's new analytics platform currently iOS only, Paddle's SDK provides "neglected" Mac developers with a free, easy-to-integrate method for gathering data about their apps and users, according to the folks at Paddle. With simple integration involving just three lines of code, the SDK is easy to setup, says Christian Owens, Paddles founder and CEO.
Developers can track real-time data like: daily, weekly and monthly active users; the number of installs, updates and launches; the devices and operating system versions being used; location data and more; and app-specific custom events.
Paddle also provides an analytics SDK for iOS so developers can manage all of their data for desktop and mobile from one place. The Paddle Analytics SDK for Mac Developers is free, and...
Plex Media Server now available on WD'S My Cloud NAS Series
WD (www.wd.com) is expanding its apps offerings by introducing Plex, an entertainment app that can now be downloaded to and deployed on the My Cloud NAS series. Plex (https://plex.tv) organizes video, music and photos from personal media libraries and streams them to smart TVs, streaming boxes and mobile devices.
According to Sven Rathjen, vice president and general manager, WD networked content solutions, says WD is committed to furthering its apps capabilities on its My Cloud product line up. The series of products will now be equipped with an array of Plex features, including:
° Stream supported file formats directly from your personal My Cloud (models: My Cloud Mirror, My Cloud EX2/EX4, My Cloud EX2100/EX4100 and My Cloud DL2100/4100) to any Plex app;
° DLNA support built right in to the app;
° The ability to share media among family and friends;
° One simple interface to organize all of your media.
Apple introduces 15-inch MacBook Pro with Force Touch Trackpad,...
Apple has updated the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display with the new Force Touch trackpad, faster flash storage, longer battery life and faster discrete graphics. The company also introduced a new $1,999 configuration of the 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display, quad-core processors and AMD graphics, and lowered the price of the top-end iMac with Retina 5K display to $2,299.
"The response to the new MacBook and updated 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display has been amazing, and today we are thrilled to bring the new Force Touch trackpad, faster flash storage and longer battery life to the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display," Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, said in a press release. "Customers love the groundbreaking iMac with Retina 5K display, and now with a new lower starting price, even more people can experience the best desktop we’ve ever made."
With built-in force sensors and a Taptic Engine that delivers haptic feedback, the...
Audio Switcher for Mac OS X updated to version 2.5.5
Spike Software (www.spikesoft.net) has updated Audio Switcher 2.5.5, a maintenance update to its menubar applet utility for Mac OS X.
Audio Switcher allows you to control your input and output devices from login until shutdown. The app supports a wide range of devices, including USB audio devices, Apple's Thunderbolt monitors, AirPlay devices, along with Firewire devices as well as the built-in audio hardware of your Mac desktop or laptop. Version 2.5.5 sports a resized menu bar icon.
Audio Switcher 2.5.5 requires OS X 10.7 or later. It costs US$4.99 and is available worldwide through the Mac App Store in the Utilities category. Current users can receive the free update via the Mac Store.
