Satechi's new Aluminum Clamp Hub provides an iMac with four additional USB 3.0 ports for charging smartphones, syncing and more. The plug and play Aluminum Clamp Hub attaches to any iMac (2012 or newer) or PC (less than one inch thick) without any installation required. Simply attach the device directly onto the monitor, tighten the screw to attach, and plug in the included USB extension cable. Additionally, the Aluminum Clamp Hub features a blue LED light to indicate it is powered on and ready for use. The hub is available now for US$27.99 at Satechi.net and Amazon.com.

StarTech.com has released the new 2-in-1 Mini DisplayPort to HDMI or VGA adapter, which enables mobile users to connect their Mini DisplayPort-equipped laptop to either an HDMI or VGA display. Combining two of the most common display interfaces into a single adapter, StarTech.com’s A/V Travel Adapter eliminates having to carry multiple Mini DisplayPort adapters, which provides a portable solution for users to connect their laptop as needed in BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) environments or while traveling, says Karishma Punwani, senior product manager at StarTech.com.. The 2-in-1 Mini DisplayPort to HDMI or VGA adapter supports resolutions up to 1920x1200 or 1080p. It's compatible with Thunderbolt, and is host-powered performance so no additional power adapters are required.   The manufacturer's suggested retail price for StarTech.com’s 2-in-1 Mini DisplayPort to HDMI or VGA adapter is US$49.99. The adapter will be available at CDW, Amazon.com, Newegg.com, PC Connection, and Insight and...

Imre Katai has released Time Logger 1.0.1 (http://timelogger.metapps.eu), a maintenance update to the productivity application for OS X. Developed specifically to optimize how users spend time on workflow projects, Time Logger manages tasks, organizes projects by client, records pay rates, notes, and time allocated to each assignment. Also, Time Logger generates reports for additional support. Users can easily start and end timers with an overview panel linked to the upper right hand of screen. Time Logger 1.0.1 costs US$4.99 and is available worldwide exclusively through the Mac App Store in the Productivity category.

24U Software has rolled out 24U Phone Companion 2.0, a new version of their FileMaker plug-in solution for Mac OS X and Windows. 4U Phone Companion allows FileMaker solutions to interact directly with supported PBX (telephone switches). Version 2.0 adds support for call centers by providing called trunk line identification and improving support for complex phone handling workflows thanks to the ability to process unknown messages from and send raw commands back to the connected phone system. 24U Phone Companion requires Mac OS X 10.6 or later and FileMaker Pro 10 or higher. It's available for download (http://www.24usoftware.com/) as a free fully functional 14-days trial version, which can be activated after purchasing a license. The trial version of the ilink TeamCall Lite middleware is limited to three telephone lines. To implement this product into a working solution, at least one PBX license and one user license is necessary. 24U Phone Companion comes with a middleware ilink...

BBVA Compass cardholders can now put away their plastic and use Apple Pay, the mobile payments solution introduced by Apple. Those with BBVA Compass Visa consumer credit and BBVA Compass Visa consumer and business check cards are now eligible to add their cards to Apple Pay. Apple Pay lets customers make mobile payments in participating stores from their iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and, after it debuts, the Apple Watch. It also allows customers to make purchases within apps using an iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3. "Mobile banking is a must-have for so many of our customers, and innovative new offerings — like this one — are changing what they expect to do with their devices," says BBVA Compass Chief Digital Banking Officer Jeff Dennes. "Our aim, always, is to meet and exceed those expectations and offering Apple Pay to our customers helps us do just that." Users will continue to receive all of the rewards and benefits offered by their BBVA Compass credit and debit...

Procypher Corp. (http://www.procypher.com/) has introduced Datamate Numeric Processor 1.0 for Mac OS X 10.8 and higher. It's a data processor for "number crunching." Datamate Numeric Processor comes complete with descriptive statistics, reporting, and configurable data output formatting. It's designed to help normalize, standardize, scale, and manage missing data and data outliers. Datamate Numeric Processor 1.0 costs US$29.99. It's available worldwide through the Mac App Store in the Productivity category.

Altium Limited has announced PCBWorks, a new PCB design tool created to enhance workflow collaboration between electrical and mechanical designers. Created in direct response to the divide between electrical and mechanical workflows, PCBWorks provides a set of collaboration tools to integrate design data with the industry-leading mechanical design software, SolidWorks. At the core of PCBWorks is a set of schematic capture and PCB layout tools along with an easy-to-use interface that works in tandem with existing mechanical workflows in SolidWorks, according to Jason Hingston, chief technical officer at Altium. Design data between components and mechanical enclosures are linked between electrical and mechanical workflows, with the world’s first-ever managed Engineering Change Orders (ECO) process delivering changes in design data from SolidWorks to PCBWorks using native SolidWorks files. Hingston says PCBWorks empowers mechanical designers with the ability to manage design changes in...

Maintain has served up Cocktail 7.7.1 (http://cocktail.maintain.se) Maverick Edition, a new version of its Mac OS X utility that's compatible with Yosemite. This version improvements on the "Clear System caches" procedure and fixes compatibility issues with Safari Cookies cookie manager. Cocktail is a general purpose utility for OS X that lets you clean, repair and optimize your Mac. Its features are arranged into five categories that help you manage various aspects of your computer. Cocktail 7.7.1 Mavericks Edition) requires OS X Mavericks to run. When unregistered, Cocktail runs in demo mode and will expire after the tenth launch. Registration is US$19 for a single user license or $39 for a family license that covers up to five computers.

AppGeneration has released myNews for Mac OS X users. With the app you can browse more than 5,000 online newspapers from 80 countries. myNews also allows you to read the news on your native language without having to leave the app. Since it auto translates newspaper websites, it enables you to read a Chinese newspaper in Russian, an English tech magazine in Spanish or a Thai economic newspaper in French. myNews Pro 1.0 requires Mac OS X Yosemite or higher. It's available for US$3.99 (for a limited time) at the Mac App Store in the News category.

Tension Software has announced Data Extractor 1.4, an update of the Mac OS X tool that can parse files and collect all the raw data inside. Collected data can be exported in various formats (CSV, TSV, HTML, custom, etc). Data Extractor provides an internal database table where you can create how many columns you like and where data can be collected. Data is always available for export. Names of custom fields can be used as the first record during exportation (for successive smart importing). Version 1.4 offers a more resilient extraction algorithm, faster algorithm, improved multithreading capabilities, and fast adding of database fields during "Extraction Rules" editing and adding. Also, the extraction of data based on position is now supported. 
Data Extractor requires Mac OS X 10.9 or higher. It costs US$45 and is available from Tension Software (www.tensionsoftware.com) and the Mac App Store.

eyeSight (www.eyesight-tech.com) has released Control Air, a free app (available at the Mac App Store) that provides touch-free control over your media and entertainment apps. It requires Mac OS X 10.9 or later. With just your index finger, ControlAir lets you control apps like Spotify,  Netflix, iTunes and VLC. To use you just raise your index finger in front of the Mac's camera. ControlAir presents a banner at the top of the screen with play/pause, skip/rewind and volume functions. Move your finger side-to-side to navigate and select with an "air click." You can even mute by placing your finger to your lips. The touch free control works up to five feet away from your Mac.

Solbits Software has introduced Allocator 1.0 (http://allocatorapp.com/), a financial investment application designed for Mac OS X Yosemite. It provides investors with a dashboard to organize and track important assets by portfolio performance, allocation, and total value based on current market value. You can also view current stock details, add transactions and compare target versus actual allocation. Allocator supports foreign investments and will convert values to current portfolio currency. The application supports 165 different currencies. Allocator 1.0 costs US$39.99. A 30-day, fully functional demo version is available for download.

SMTPit Pro 4.5.3 from Comm-Unity Networking Systems has been unveiled. It includes an important bug fix for the FileMaker email plug-in that lets you send simple text-based messages or complex HTML messages. CNS is also reminding past SMTPit Pro license holders that the offer for a free SMTPit Pro Server license when renewing any license for 10 users and above will be expiring on March 2. SMTPit Pro is available immediately at http://www.smtpitpro.com/ for both Mac OS X and Windows. Prices range from a Single User License for US$65 to a "World License" for $1095 (which includes a free Server License). A Server License of SMTPit Pro for use with FileMaker Pro Server/Server Advanced is $595. A Developer's License of SMTPit Pro is $1295.

Spike Software (http://www.spikesoft.net) has announced Audio Switcher 2.5.2, an update to its menubar applet utility for Mac OS X. Audio Switcher allows you to switch your audio input and output between different audio devices. It supports a range of devices, as well as the built-in audio hardware of your Mac desktop or laptop. Version 2.5.2 is a maintenance release that fixes a few bugs, including a bug where Audio Switcher would not correctly set the level on the default device on some computers. Audio Switcher requires Mac OS X 10.7 or later. Version 2.5.2 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.

ProjectWizards (http://projectwizards.net/en/) has announced Merlin Project for OS X. It's a tool for planning complex projects. Many actions in Merlin Project are now animated to help customers get a better understanding of what happens in Merlin Project. In addition, there is integration in OS X (iCal, Contacts, and more), open interfaces to other Mac programs, and the possibility to import data from Microsoft software such as Excel and MS Project. Another new feature is the "report" view. With customizable reports, Merlin Project allows any time an overview of the utilization of staff, budget and the state of the project progress. Merlin Project requires Mac OS X 10.9.5 or later. It costs US$299; upgrades from Merlin 2 are $134. Merlin Project can be tested for free for 30 days and offers German, English, French and Spanish as languages. Other languages are in preparation.

Other World Computing (OWC) has announced the addition of the Apple Mac mini to the OWC Turnkey Upgrade Program, which also includes the iMac and Mac Pro. The program provides customers the option to upgrade their Mac with the latest technology solutions and takes advantage of the expertise of Apple Certified Technicians at OWC. With the OWC Turnkey Upgrade Program, you can upgrade the memory or factory hard drive up to 2.0TB, or SSD up to 1.0TB for larger capacity and better performance. You can even add a second HDD or SSD and further expand your capacity up to a total of 4.0TB. Place your order online and OWC will send you a specially designed protective shipping box complete with pre-paid postage for the transport of your computer. OWC will perform all of your requested upgrades, typically within one to three business days. Visit http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/turnkey/Apple/Mac-mini and select the model of Mac mini you would like to upgrade.

Addonics Technologies (www.addonics.com) has announced the Sapphire Combo Blu-ray/HDD and Sapphire Combo DVD-RRW/HDD. These two new products will let users combine optical and hard drive storage into one small package. The product is designed for anyone needing to add optical storage capability or external storage to their computing devices via a single eSATA or USB 3.0 connection. The Blu-ray model, which is equipped with a Blu-ray player/DVD burner adds Blu-ray movie playback capability to desktop, notebook and other computing products. The DVD model is equipped with a DVD burner. Both models will allow you to play movies or access data stored on all popular optical media and allow you to burn video or data onto DVD or CD discs. Both models have an integrated Snap-In Mobile Rack that allows any 3.5-inch SATA hard drive to be added or removed from the Sapphire drive, as you would a tape cassette. They have a built-in eSATA and USB 3.0 interface. The devices support Mac OS X, Windows...

NewerTech (www.newertech.com) has announced NewerTech NuPower high performance laptop batteries for the Apple MacBook Pro 17” Unibody and MacBook 13” Unibody, expanding its line-up of Apple laptop batteries of over 50 models.  NewerTech says that NuPower batteries last up to 50% longer than factory models. They're now available for models made from 2001 to 2014. NuPower batteries match the exact size and fit of the original factory batteries and offer full compatibility with sleep and power saving modes. NuPower batteries include all the necessary tools, installation guides, and full battery recycling info.    The NuPower replacement batteries for MacBook Pro 17” Unibody and MacBook 13” Unibody models are available immediately at the following prices:  ° MacBook 13” Unibody for Late 2009-mid 2010 models: US$99; ° MacBook Pro 17” Unibody for 2011 models: $109.

Worldwide tablet shipments recorded a year-over-year decline for the first time since the market's inception in 2010. Overall shipments for tablets and 2-in-1 devices reached 76.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 (4Q14) for -3.2% growth, according to preliminary data from the International Data Corporation research group. Although the fourth quarter witnessed a decline in the global market, shipments for the full year 2014 increased 4.4%, totaling 229.6 million units. "The tablet market is still very top heavy in the sense that it relies mostly on Apple and Samsung to carry the market forward each year," says Jitetesh Ubrani, senior research analyst, Worldwide Quarterly Tablet Tracker, IDC (www.idc.com). "Although Apple expanded its iPad lineup by keeping around older models and offering a lower entry price point of $249, it still wasn't enough to spur iPad sales given the excitement around the launch of the new iPhones. Meanwhile, Samsung's struggles continued as low-cost...

Apple has released iTunes 12.1 for Mac OS X Yosemite. It introduces a new iTunes widget for the Notification Center that lets you see what song is playing, skip ahead, and favorite. Also, when listening to iTunes Radio, you can purchase the song that's being played within the widget. Additionally, iTunes 12.1 promises performance improvements when syncing an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. iTunes 12.1 can be downloaded via the Software Update Mechanism in the Mac App Store.

DEVONtechnologies has updated all editions of its intelligent information and document manager DEVONthink as well as the smart notebook DEVONnote. DEVONthink and DEVONnote are designed to help users classify and organize documents effortlessly with unique artificial intelligence. Free and recommended for all users, version 2.8.3 now allows users to select and copy text from Quick-Look-based views, and brings even better artificial intelligence accuracy as well as further improvements and bug fixes. DEVONthink 2.8.3 now allows users to select and copy text from Quick-Look-based views. This includes Microsoft Office or OpenOffice documents. OpenOffice documents also open no longer internally but in their default application when being double-clicked. The update adds support for images when converting Markdown to RTF, and improves Wiki-linking, e.g. for Japanese Katakana. Finally, version 2.8.3 fixes synchronization bugs and other more minor issues. The updates bring more optimizations...

Softobe (http://www.softobe.com/) has released FoldersSynchronizer 4.2.1, an upgrade of their tool to sync and backup on Mac OS X. FoldersSynchronizer lets you sync and backup files, folders, disks and boot disks. It provides options like Timers, Multiple Folders, Filters, Exclude Items, Auto-Mount local and remote volumes, the ability to launch your own AppleScripts, the ability to set how to resolve conflicts, the ability to execute an incremental or an exact copy, the ability to include locked files, a preview panel, log files, and more. On the Exclude panel in FoldersSynchronizer 4.2.1 you can now click on a row of the list and choose an hidden file or an hidden folder. This will let you exclude folders. FoldersSynchronizer 4.2.1 is compatible with OS X 10.9 or higher, including Yosemite. It costs US$40 for new users.

Zevrix Solutions (www.zevrix.com) has launched Graphic Inspector 2, an upgrade to its quality control solution for images and vector graphic files for Mac OS X 10.7 or higher. Graphic Inspector checks multiple files for potential problems according to user's workflow requirements. The software provides graphic professionals of any trade with the compete info on images and vector graphics, saving the time and hassle of checking them manually. Version 2 introduces revamped user interface, improved previews, faster processing and more. Graphic Inspector 2 can be purchased from the Zevrix website for $39.95, as well as from authorized resellers. The upgrade is $20 for licensed users of version 1 (free if purchased after Sept. 1, 2014). Graphic Inspector 2 is free with purchase of PDF Checkpoint or InPreflight Pro for Adobe InDesign. A demo is available for download. Graphic Inspector requires Mac OS X 10.7-10.10.

Feral Interactive says DiRT 3 Complete Edition, a off-road and rally racing game, is out now on the Mac App Store. A Steam version for the Mac, which includes online multiplayer, will follow shortly. Originally developed and published for PC and consoles, DiRT 3 Complete Edition is the latest of Codemasters’ racing games to be brought to the Mac by Feral. Here's how the game is described: "DiRT 3 Complete Edition draws on the greatest cars from over 50 years of rallying to capture the intense thrill of off-road racing. Players can test their speed, skill and nerve in a globe-trotting series of electrifying events as they race to mud-spattered glory in the hazardous world of all-terrain motorsport. "Featuring six high-octane disciplines including Rally, Rallycross and Gymkhana, a freestyle event hosted by rally star and YouTube phenomenon Ken Block, DiRT 3 Complete Edition comes with all the available add-on content, including 18 additional cars and 12 new routes at two locations set...