The latest iOS apps: June 27
Here are the latest iOS apps. You can find them at the Apple App Store.
AppTron has released Smart Kitchen, a free app that shows cooking in a fun and interactive way. By simply selecting your ingredients, the app filters the recipes you can make from what you have. Start cooking using the step-by-step interactive tutorial.
SkyElla Tech has announced A Temple Invasion - Shoot em Up & Run 1.0. The free app is a mixture of retro game play and the latest social gaming platform.
TrueBlou has introduced Ocular - OCR PDF Scanner. The US$1.99 utility transforms an iDevice into a portable scanning, OCR text recognition and editing solution.
Delicion has cooked up Gluten-Free Interactive 1.0 for the iPad. The $3.99 app is designed to help you cook gluten-free meals.
Apple upgrades Cut Pro X, Motion, Compressor
Apple has updated three of its professional apps: Final Cut Pro X, Motion, and Compressor. All three updates are free to registered users and can be downloaded at the Mac App Store.
Final Cut Pro X — Apple's software for professional videographers (U$299.99 for new users)— has been revved to version 10.1.2 with the following features:
• Optimized, proxy, and rendered media can be stored at any location outside of the library
• Easily delete optimized, proxy, and rendered media from within Final Cut Pro X
• Used media indicators for Compound clips, Multicam clips, and Synced clips
• Option to show only unused media in the Browser
• Apply a standard (Rec. 709) look in real time to high dynamic range and wide color gamut video from ARRI, Blackmagic Design, Canon, and Sony cameras
• Automatically apply an ARRI embedded 3D LUT from the new AMIRA camera
• Support for Apple ProRes 4444 XQ
• Improved speed and accuracy when synchronizing clips
• Audio recording improvements including...
iMobie introduces iPhone data recovery solution
iMobie has introduced PhoneRescue, an iPhone data recovery solution for Mac OS X and Windows. It can retrieve the most commonly used personal data and multimedia files directly from an iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
According to the folks at iMobie, the software lets you recover photos, messages, music, playlists and up to 22 types of data on any iDevice or even from an encrypted iTunes backup. You can retrieve lost photos, messages, call history, voicemail, Safari bookmarks, music, videos, books, and more.
iMobie says you can recover iOS data without having your iDevice at hand. PhoneRescue is available for US$49.90 for Mac OS X and Windows users from iMobie (http://www.imobie.com/).
LocknCharge announces new charging, storage classroom cart
Mobile device management specialist LocknCharge (www.lockncharge.com) has announced a new and more compact Carrier 30 Cart, a solution for storing, charging and protecting mobile devices in schools.
Expected to ship this fall, steel cart is designed to adapt to a school’s changes in mobile technology. It's compatible with the iPad, Chromebook, tablet and laptop devices of all sizes. The Carrier 30 Cart enables simultaneous charging of up to 30 devices. The large well inside the cart holds up to six baskets of five devices and is designed to enable several people to access it at once.
The Carrier 30 Cart requires one standard power outlet to plug in the cart. The suggested price for one cart, which comes with a lifetime warranty, is US$1,799, and volume discounts are available. Carry Baskets and a secure floor anchor kit to lock the cart in place are optional add-ons sold separately.
Cocktail 7.5.2 (Mavericks Edition) lets you disable App Napp,...
Maintain has served up Cocktail 7.5.2 (Mavericks Edition), the latest maintenance update for users running OS X Mavericks.
Cocktail is a general purpose utility for OS X that lets users clean, repair and optimize their Macs. Cocktail's features are arranged into five categories that helps you manage various aspects of your computer. This version adds the ability to change tool tip display delay and ability to disable App Napp. It also contains improvements on the "Clear DNS cache procedure" and addresses an issue in which Cocktail may fail to restart Core Audio daemon.
Cocktail 7.5.2 (Mavericks Edition) requires OS X Mavericks 10.9 to run. Cocktail (Mountain Lion Edition) for OS X 10.8, Cocktail (Lion Edition) for OS X 10.7 and Cocktail (Snow Leopard Edition) for OS X 10.6 are available for download from Maintain website (http://www.maintain.se). Cocktail costs US $19 for a single user license.
The latest iOS apps: June 26
Here are the latest iOS apps. You can find them at the Apple App Store.
Shenandoah Studio has announced Desert Fox: The Battle of El Alamein. It's an US$9.99 WWII turn-based strategy game. Players take control at the turning point of the battle for North Africa; battle across a grand campaign, making key decisions and controlling the final engagement.
AppGeneration has released Ynews. With the $0.99 app you can browse more than 5000 online newspapers in 80 countries. Ynews also allows you to read the news on your native language without needing to leave the app.
iRead Solutions has introduced VisuSurfer for iOS. The $1.99 app lets you automatically browse web addresses from printed text in magazines, posters, business cards, signs, flyers, newspapers.
Cartoon Network Games has unleashed SleepNinja Games’ original title, Monsters Ate My Birthday Cake. The $4.99 game game is crammed full of "monsters, cake, amazing powers, puzzly bits, epic adventure, witty repartee, secret paths,...
iPod touch line-up now starts at $199
Apple has announced that its 16GB iPod touch is now available in new colors and is equipped with a 5-megapixel iSight camera for US$199.
In fact, the entire iPod touch lineup now features the 5-megapixel iSight camera with 1080p HD video recording, a 4-inch Retina display, iOS 7, Apple's A5 chip and FaceTime camera. It's available in pink, yellow, blue, silver, space gray and (PRODUCT) RED. iPod touch comes in a 16GB model for $199, 32GB for $249, and 64GB for $299.
The iPod touch 16GB is available starting in the US today and worldwide in the coming days through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested price of US$199. Starting today, the 32GB and 64GB models have been repriced worldwide, at a suggested price of $249 for the 32GB model and $299 for the 64GB model. (PRODUCT) RED models of iPod touch are available through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com) and Apple’s retail stores.
Stellar Data Recovery rolls out Image Converter for the Mac
Stellar Data Recovery (http://www.stellarinfo.com/) has introduced Stellar Image Converter for Mac, an all new tool to help users convert their images from one format to another.
Image Converter identifies 34 different image formats and helps conversion of these into 14 image file formats such as JPEG, BMP, PNG and more. You can convert among multiple image formats and save them to other image file formatsas needed.
Like most other tools from Stellar, Image Converter too is available as try-before-buy software. This version will show you the preview of converted images and save all of them in less than 500 kb size. The full version can handle files of large sizes and convert. It's normally priced at US$29, but is aailable at an introductory price of $19.99.
Subtitle Studio for Mac OS X gets Tap2Sync feature
TheKeptPromise has released Subtitle Studio 1.1 (http://tinyurl.com/q5jrxlw), an update of its US$9.99 subtitle adding app for Mac OS X. The upgrade, free to registered users, introduces an all new Tap2Sync feature.
With it you can convert a transcript into subtitles by watching your video. Just listen and tap when the next line starts.
To use the software you drop your movie onto Subtitle Studio. The app will auto-search for missing subtitles. You can sync subtitle with a single button, hit save, and you're done.
Subtitle Studio supports M4V, MOV, AVI, MKV and other files. You can embed your subtitles into a M4V file for the Apple TV, iPhone, iPad and other devices.
Cooliris launches BeamIt worldwide
Cooliris (www.cooliris.com) has launched BeamIt, a mobile app and service that blends private messaging with a photo experience.
BeamIt seamlessly integrates photos and text and introduces powerful features new to the messaging world, according to says Soujanya Bhumkar, Cooliris CEO and co-founder. With Photo Drawers, users can share hundreds of photos at once, all in full resolution, without interrupting the flow of the conversation.
Bhumkar adds that BeamIt also enables users to simultaneously and privately share to separate groups or people at the same time — saving the sender the pain of having to separately compose the same message multiple times. What's more, the user has complete control with a"unsend" feature, which lets the sender delete their content from the entire group. Finally, BeamIt features offline support for composing and curating, so users can interact with their groups, as well as share the media without incurring data usage costs or roaming charges.
With a...
QuickLicense for the Mac updated with new features for Excel...
QuickLicense 7.0.4 on Mac and Windows from Excel Software (http://www.excelsoftware.com) has been enhanced with new features for Excel spreadsheets delivered as a protected EXE or APP file. QuickLicense was also enhanced to support new features in WebActivation 2.0.
AddLicense adds three new checkboxes to the Spreadsheet Options dialog. The Confirm Save Changes checkbox can be set to prompt the user to save or discard changes when closing a spreadsheet. The Hide Open Close Document Message checkbox can be set to suppress the Open Document and Save Document messages presented when opening or closing a workbook. The Show Open Data File Window on Close checkbox can be set to present the Open Data File window after closing a spreadsheet. If not set, the application is closed and the user must launch the application again to present this window.
Microsoft Excel is available in a 32-bit or 64-bit edition. Most users will install the 32-bit edition since that is the default and is...
The latest iOS apps: June 25
Here are the latest iOS apps. You can find them at the Apple App Store.
DropOut Studios has announced sympol. The free game challenges players to trace symbols accurately at a quickening pace.
Cliffhanger Productions has released Aerena: Clash of Champions. It's a free, turn-based, strategy game.
iRead Solutions has introduced VisuCaller for the iPhone. The free app lets you initiate phone numbers, web and map addresses from printed text in magazines, posters, business cards, signs, flyers, newspapers.
Freo has launched Freo Smokefree. The US$0.99 app uses motivational messaging help smokers kick the habit.
Cliffhanger Productions has unveiled Aerena: Clash of Champions. The free app lets you wage war in 10-minute bursts of action.
QWERKY Communications and Winjit Technologies have teamed up for Simple Soccer, an arcade soccer game with two gaming modes.
Duckie Deck has developed Duckie Deck with Teeth 1.0. The $0.99 app is designed to teach kids healthy hygienic habits.
Blackmagic Design conjures up Blackmagic Camera Update 1.8
Blackmagic Design has rolled out Blackmagic Camera Update 1.8 software, which includes updated features for all Blackmagic Design cameras. Blackmagic Camera Update 1.8 is available now for download free of charge for all existing Blackmagic Camera customers from the Blackmagic Design support page on the website (www.blackmagicdesign.com).
The new Blackmagic Camera Update 1.8 software features a completely new code base for all Blackmagic digital film cameras and provides a foundation for new features. This update supports the original wide dynamic range 2.5K Blackmagic Cinema Camera, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera and the Blackmagic Production Camera 4K.
This all new code base also improves performance and includes a new modern user interface similar in design to the new URSA camera announced at NAB. This new user interface is included in all models of cameras available from Blackmagic Design.
Blackmagic Camera 1.8 adds compressed RAW DNG support for the Blackmagic Production Camera...
eMedia Music expanding the Guitar Lab DVD series with two new...
eMedia Music Corp. (http://www.eMediaMusic.com), in partnership with TrueFire, will release two new titles in the Guitar Lab line of guitar instruction DVD. 1-2-3 Jazz with Frank Vignola, and 1-2-3 Fingerstyle Guitar with Muriel Anderson will be in stores June 30.
1-2-3 Jazz with Frank Vignola presents an approach for learning how to play jazz guitar without a trace of theory, no tedious exercises and no long drawn out hyperbole about modes, altered chords and similar rocket science, according to the folks at eMedia Music. Vignola is an accomplished Jazz guitarist who has recorded and performed with Donald Fagen, David Grisman, Les Paul, Queen Latifah, Mark O Connor, and Wynton Marsalis.
1-2-3 Fingerstyle Guitar with Muriel Anderson is designed for intermediate to advanced flat-pick players who are ready to throw down that pick for a while to finally get a handle on fingerstyle. Anderson is the first woman to have won the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship.
1-2-3 Jazz with...
800+ HD illustration wallpapers offered free for iOS 7
Dolice (http://dolice.net/mb/) has announced the updated 800+ HD Illustration Wallpapers Free for iOS 7. You can download over 800 illustration wallpapers for iPhone 5s/5c/5/4s/4 for free at the Apple App Store in the Entertainment category.
Wallpapers will be added and updated daily. Each wallpaper is made to be compatible with iOS 7's parallax effect. You can save your favorite wallpapers and set them as your home screen or lock screen with the touch of a button.
You have access to over 11 categories of wallpaper including Anime, Games, and 3D. What's more, you can add wallpapers to your favorites folder and browse through them at your leisure.
Scosche launches new wall chargers
Scosche (http://www.scosche.com) has released the superCUBE, which it says is the smallest universal 12W (2.1A) USB wall charger on the market, and .the superCUBE flip.
The latter is 40% smaller than other 12W chargers, while the slightly larger superCUBE flip features flush folding prongs. Both superCUBE models are iOS and Android compatible and utilize "intelligent" charging circuitry to charge USB powered devices at the fastest rate possible regardless of make or model. The clever wall chargers immediately recognize the draw and supply the necessary power accordingly, according to the folks at Scosche.
The superCUBE chargers take up little space when plugged in. The superCUBE and superCUBE Flip are available for US$14.99 at Scosche.com .
Autodesk to acquire Shotgun Software
Autodesk (http://www.autodesk.com) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Shotgun Software, a developer of scalable, cloud-based production tracking, review and asset management software for the film, television and games industries.
Shotgun's tools for production management are used by some of the world's leading production studios and are tightly integrated with many of the most widely used tools in the industry including Autodesk 3ds Max and Autodesk Maya software, according to CEO Don Parker. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
"The acquisition of Shotgun will accelerate Autodesk's efforts to deliver solutions that help our creative customers solve the critical problem of operating more efficiently by collaborating globally to deliver increasingly complex productions on time and budget," says Chris Bradshaw, senior vice president, Autodesk Media & Entertainment. "Shotgun brings deep expertise and industry-leading technology in cloud products and production...
Apple updates iWork for iCloud apps
Apple has updated its iWork apps — Pages, Numbers, and Keynote — for iCloud. Both the Mac OS X and iOS versions have been upgraded.
Pages for iCloud, the document creation app; Numbers for iCloud; and Keynote for iCloud, the presentation application, all now now remember your last used document settings. The web version of the iWork apps also now boast contextual tips on using keyboard shortcuts. All can be used with a registered iCloud.com account.
Install and update your Mac apps with MacUpdate Desktop 6
MacUpdate has introduced MacUpdate Desktop 6 (http://www.macupdate.com/desktop), a Mac app that leverages the MacUpdate app directory to provide one-click Mac app installs and updates.
The app also features a scanning engine that notifies you of updates to your installed apps. It requires a free MacUpdate account and provides access to titles not available in the Mac App Store.
MacUpdate Desktop 6 is available now as a free download. Users can take advantage of unlimited one-click installs of apps at MacUpdate.com, and one-click updates for up to 5 apps on the Mac per month. For US$20/year, an unlimited number of apps can be updated in addition to other premium membership benefits.
CS Odessa announces new software engineering solutions
CS Odessa (www.conceptdraw.com) has announced a new enhancement for ConceptDraw Pro 9. The compaany has introduced a new set of libraries that provides a complete solution for software engineering diagrams.
The Software Development Area in the ConceptDraw Solution Park includes the Entity-Relationship Diagrams Solution, Data Flow Diagrams Solution, IDEF0 Diagrams Solution, and the new-and-improved Rapid UML Solution. These new additions to the ConceptDraw Solution Park are free for current users of ConceptDraw Pro.
The new Solutions in the Software Development Area of the ConceptDraw Solution Park include collections of templates, samples, and libraries of vector stencils and icons that support software engineering diagrams of any level of complexity. ConceptDraw Pro is compatible with Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. ConceptDraw Pro retails for US$199. Version 9 is included in ConceptDraw Office 2, which retails for $499.
Troi Automatisering releases Troi URL Plug-In 4.0 For FileMaker...
Troi Automatisering has rolled out Troi URL Plug-in 4.0 for FileMaker Pro 12. It's an update of the plugin that can help you fill in forms on the Internet, all from FileMaker Pro. It also retrieves data or images from web sites.
Version 4.0 adds support for 64bit architecture on FileMaker Server 13 and WebDirect. A fully functional demo version is available rom Troi's Web site (www.troi.com/software/urlplugin.html).
Troi URL Plug-in 4.0 works with FileMaker Pro 11, 12, and 13. The plug-in can also be used with runtimes created by FileMaker Pro Advanced 11, 12 or 13. The plug-in is available for Mac OS X 10.6 or higher,.
Troi URL Plug-in 4.0 also works with FileMaker Server 11, 12 or 13 as a server-side plug-in and as a plug-in used by the web publishing engine. To use this, you need to purchase a special cross-platform Server/Web license that costs $349.
Troi URL Plug-in 4.0 requires a new registration string. Users who bought a license for Troi URL Plug-in on or after Jan. 1, 2014,...
Jettison for Ma OS X adds new hot keys, more
St. Clair Software has released Jettison 1.4 (http://tinyurl.com/kvonedl), an update to their Mac OS X application that automatically ejects external drives before your Mac goes to sleep. It eliminates the hassle of manually ejecting Time Machine backup drives, network server volumes and flash drives.
Just close the lid of your MacBook and Jettison does it for you. Version 1.4 adds hot keys to eject and remount disks, remounting of flash drives, and more robust operation.
Jettison 1.4 requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher. It's a free update for registered users. For new users the cost is US$4.95.
Kaspersky Lab discovers new iOS, Android mobile malware
Kaspersky Lab (http://tinyurl.com/chy5pnk) has published a new research report mapping a massive international infrastructure used to control "Remote Control System" (RCS) malware implants, and identifying previously undiscovered mobile Trojans that work on both iOS and Android/
These Trojans are part of the allegedly "legal" spyware tool, RCS, aka Galileo, developed by the Italian company, HackingTeam. The list of victims indicated in the new research, conducted by Kaspersky Lab together with its partner Citizen Lab, includes activists and human rights advocates, as well as journalists and politicians.
The operators behind the Galileo RCS built a specific malicious implant for every concrete target. According to Kaspersky Lab, once the sample is ready, the attacker delivers it to the mobile device of the victim. Some of the known infection vectors include spearphishing via social engineering – often coupled with exploits, including zero-days – and local infections via USB cables...
Apple number 22 on Best Global Green Brands Report
Interbrand (http://www.interbrand.com), a brand consultancy firm, has released its fourth annual Best Global Green Brands report, which examines the gap that exists between a brand’s environmental performance and consumers’ perceptions of that performance. Apple is number 22 on the list, down one spot from 2013.
Topping the list is Ford. Toyota, which had held the top spot since the report debuted in 2011, falls to #2 with Honda (#3), Nissan (#4) and Panasonic (#5) rounding out the top five and maintaining each of their 2013 positions.
Sony (#7) and Adidas (#8) enter into the top 10 for the first time, while Johnson & Johnson falls six places to #12 and Volkswagen falls nine places to #16. The top rise is IKEA, which climbed 14 spots to secure the #19 position, while Zara also climbed 14 places to claim the #34 position. Philips moved up nine places to take the #14 spot and adidas jumped up seven places to #8.
Automotive, electronic & technology brands occupy nearly 50% of...
Tropical Software releases TopXNotes 1.8
Tropical Software has released TopXNotes 1.8 (http://tinyurl.com/kumt88t), which sports performance enhancements, bug fixes, and a completely rewritten NoteSync process.
TopXNotes 1.8 keeps your notes synchronized between TopXNotes for Mac and TopXNotes iOS devices. Version 1.8 includes improvements to the solution's Wi-Fi based NoteSync process. You can use TopXNotes' drag and drop to create notes from any other text application, or to drag import text and/or RTF documents. Or you can use cut and paste from other applications.
Once the information is created, you can use TopXNotes' category system to create categories that meet your needs, or file in folder-like groups. You can have one for home, one for office, and one for school, or a car project, or recipes, etc,
TopXNotes 1.8 is available for US$39.95 from the Tropical Software web site, the Mac App store, Amazon, and other select Macintosh software resellers. Version 1.8 is a free update to customers who have already purchased...
Remote Buddy for Mac OS X adds support for the Harmony Smart...
Iospirit has updated Remote Buddy (http://www.iospirit.com/products/remotebuddy/), Mac OS X software for controlling Macs remotely, to version 1.25. The upgrade introduces support for the Harmony Smart Control, which can now be connected via Bluetooth.
More than 100 popular Mac apps supported by Remote Buddy (including Plex, EyeTV, iTunes, Rdio, Spotify, DVD Player, Mac Blu-Ray Player, iPhoto, Lightroom, XBMC, Movist and VLC) can then be controlled with the same Harmony Smart Remote that already controls other devices like TV sets, beamers, game consoles, the Apple TV and even Philips Hue lights. A new how-to (available as a post on the Iospirit Blog) shows the entire setup process and also includes an overview over all needed parts and system requirements.
Remote Buddy 1.25 requires Mac OS X 10.7 or later and costs approximately US$27. A 30-day trial version can be downloaded at the Iospirit website.
Plum Amazing rolls out PhotoMatte for the Mac
Plum Amazing has PhotoMatte, a new theme based app for Mac OS X that focuses on photo layout. To use, you pick a theme, drop in your photos, and export.
PhotoMatte comes with 48 templates, 39 backgrounds, 171 objects (like sunglasses, baseballs, etc.) to enhance your creations, over 25 frames, 17 effects (from blur to over masks to gradient maps), and 15 video tutorials. It provides multiple export and sharing options.
PhotoMatte requires Mac OS X 10.8 or higher. It costs US$30 can be downloaded at http://plumamazing.com/mac/photomatte.
Bollingen Software releases password management app for the Mac
Bollingen Software has introduced Password Brain (http://www.PasswordBrain.com), its latest software product for Mac OS X (10.8 and higher) and Windows. It allows users to manage a collection of passwords and makes use of a local and secure password container.
The U$14.99 application provides a way to search for a given password, employs 128-bit AES encryption, affords complete backups of all data, and allows you to automatically create unique, randomly generated passwords. Password Brain encrypts passwords locally on your computer. You're the only one who can access the passwords.
Password Brain stores passwords in a searchable list, so you can find the one you're looking for. Along with passwords, user can also store account names, associated email addresses, user names, notes and other information.
SC Card Recovery for OS X can now recover RAW, HD videos
AppleXsoft (http://www.applexsoft.com) has updated their SD Card Recovery app for the Mac to version 3.5.6. The new version expands the recoverable file types. Now SD Card Recovery can recover RAW and HD videos.
The US$49.95 software supports data recovery from SD Card manufactured by SanDisk, Kingston, PNY, Lexar, Transcent, PQI, Transcend, Sony, Integral, Panasonic, Toshiba, Olympus, just to name a few.
SD Card Recovery has support for -- but not limited to -- SD Card, mini-SD, micro-SD, microSDHC, SDHC, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick Pro Duo, MMC, SmartMedia, xD Picture Card. SD Card Recovery recovers formatted, deleted, erased, lost and corrupted pictures, photos or any files from your SD cards. A demo is available for download.
AAS releases the Frontier sound bank
Applied Acoustics Systems has released the Frontier sound bank (http://tinyurl.com/lzw3qom) by artist and sound designer Daniel Stawczyk for the String Studio VS-2 string modeling synthesizer and AAS Player plug-ins.
Frontier is Daniel Stawczyk’s third sound bank with AAS following the Starlight and Cinémathèque. Frontier is a collection of 130 sounds coming straight out of deep-space exploration. They are split up in the arpeggiator, gated, lead, keys, plucked, effects, and synths categories.
The Frontier sound bank is available now; its regular price is US$39. However, until July 1, it's being offered at the special introductory price of $29 and is included with a all purchases of the String Studio VS-2 string modeling synthesizer.
The instant download delivery package includes both a String Studio VS-2 bank file and the free AAS Player plug-in. The AAS Player plug-in runs on both Mac OS X and Windows, and supports the VST, Audio Units, AAX Native, and RTAS plug-in formats.
Power APP updates their QR Reader with latest version of Xcode
Power APP (http://www.powerapp.ch ) has optimized their multifunctional QR Reader for iOS with the latest version of Apple's Xcode, making it run smoother and and giving it a better overall performance.
The app also allows users to create their own QR-codes with a logo in the middle. The advantages are better compatibility with the newest iOS and a more complete and smoother testing of the finished app before releasing it, according to the folks at Power APP> Features of QR Reader include AirPrint support and direct access to URL.
QR Reader for iOS requires iOS 6.0 or later. It costs US$0.99 and is available at the Apple App Store in the Utilities category.
Crazy Belts game launches on Mac, PS, iOS, Android platforms
Immanitas Entertainment (www.immanitas.com/) has released Crazy Belts on the Mac, PC, iOS, and Android platforms. The casual puzzle game costs USS$3.99 for the Mac and Windows versions; the iOS and Android versions are free (though they offer in-app purchases).
Here's how the game is described: "Players control Loui The Bag on his trip across five exciting countries on a quest to help his friends and discover his way home. The better you perform, and the father you progress, the more challenging and frantic the action becomes. Surprises and obstacles will quickly appear, but thankfully superpowers and really cool upgrades become available to help you out.
"Suitable to players of all ages and experience levels, Crazy Belts invites you on a journey across the world from London to Madrid, to the majestic Statue of Liberty and even the Great Wall of China. With its great graphics, compelling gameplay, humorous story, and 50+ levels to complete, get ready for some serious fun and...
Qbeh-1: The Atlas Cube launches on the Mac App Store
Digital Tribe Games (http://digitaltribegames.com) has introduced Qbeh-1: The Atlas Cube, a first person puzzle platformer for Mac OS X (10.6 and higher). It costs US$4.99 for a limited time (the regular price is $9.99) and is available at the Mac App Store.
Here's how the game is described: "Qbeh-1 takes players on an inspired quest through a variety of divergent worlds, each filled with new mysteries and secrets to uncover. In each world, players find special cubes that must be collected and used to navigate to the next portal.
"Players will be taken on a quest through a variety of divergent worlds, each filled with new mysteries and secrets to uncover. In each world, players find special cubes that must be collected and used to navigate to the next portal. Some cubes will simply be used as stepping stones to new areas while others are imbued with magical properties such as gravity and propulsion. "
D-Link extends connected home offerings
D-Link is now shipping its US$39.99 Wi-Fi Motion Sensor (http://tinyurl.com/pnnltfa), the company’s latest addition to its line of Connected Home products designed to make ones’ home smarter and safer. The compact motion sensor plugs into an open power outlet and alerts users of activity at home with a push or text notification as soon as it detects motion.
D-Link also announced the mydlink Home mobile app for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, providing instant control over D-Link smart devices from anywhere, anytime. In addition to transforming a mobile device into a remote control for D-Link smart products, the free mobile app can also be used to pair D-Link smart devices together to automate a home.
For example, you can pair a D-Link Smart Plug with a Wi-Fi Motion Sensor to make home electronics immediately react to motion, such as setting an action for the lights to turn on as you walk in the front door, another for a fan to keep the living room cool while you’re there,...
Karelia Software releases first update to Tangerine
Karelia's first update to Tangerine! (http://tinyurl.com/q986mgr) since acquiring Potion factory is available. Tangerine! lets you create the "perfect playlist" from your iTunes library.
The app analyzes the Beats Per Minute (BPM) and the beat intensity of your music, and applies the range you set to the pattern you choose. Version 1.4.2 sports some improved localizations and fixes some bugs.
Tangerine! is available at the Karelia website or the Mac App Store. It costs US$24.99
Adobe announces 2014 release of Creative Cloud
Adobe has announced 14 new versions of CC desktop applications, including tools such as Adobe Photoshop CC, Adobe Illustrator CC, Adobe Dreamweaver CC and Adobe Premiere Pro CC.
The biggest Adobe software release since CS6, it also includes four new mobile apps, the immediate availability of creative hardware, updates to Creative Cloud services and new offerings for enterprise, education and photography customers. Adobe says there are now over 2.3 million Creative Cloud subscription.
The company has launched three new mobile apps for iPad — Adobe Sketch, Adobe Line, and Adobe Photoshop Mix; and began shipping new creative hardware called Adobe Ink, a new digital pen, and Adobe Slide, a new digital ruler. The mobile apps were developed using a new Adobe Creative SDK [software development kit] that unlocks over 30 years of Adobe innovation and makes it available on mobile devices for the first time, says David Wadhwani, senior vice president, Digital Media, Adobe.
He adds that these...
Apple introduces an $1,099, 21.5-inch iMac
Apple has updated its iMac line-up and reduced pricing. A base model, 21-inch all-in-one costs US$1,099.
The 21.5-inch model has an i5-4260U processor running at 1.4GHz with a "turbo" speed of 2.7GHz, a 500GB 5400RPM hard drive, 8GB of RAM, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.0. Build-to-order options include a 1TB hard drive, a 1TB Fusion Drive. The other 21.5-inch and 27-inch models remain in the line-up at the previous prices.
PDG to JPEG Converter released for Mac OS X
PDFtoJPGConverterForMac has announced PDF To JPG Converter For Mac, a free converter tool that can convert PDF documents to image files on Mac OS X.
With this tool users can export PDF files to five popular image formats, including JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP and TIFF. PDF To JPG Converter For Mac allows the conversion of PDF files in bulk, and has the capability to output images from each PDF file to separate folders. Users can also select the DPI value on converted images.
PDF To JPG Converter For Mac is available for free, and requires Mac OS X 10.8 or later. Go to http://www.pdftojpgconverterformac.com for more info.
SeedCode Calendar for FileMaker gets speed boost
SeedCode (http://www.seedcode.com) has introduced new upgrade of Pro Calendar, which now works on the web via WebDirect. The update also adds an option to use Perform Script on Server (PSOS).
Pro Calendar is especially tuned for folks working with a calendar from outside their local network. It now runs in a browser through FileMaker WebDirect and runs scripts on the server when possible, making the calendar faster.
The WebDirect side of SeedCode calendar is expressed in a separate set of scripts and layouts optimized for WebDirect. These use the same data mapping developers wire up for their desktop calendars so WebDirect support can be pasted into existing calendar deployments (providing they're up-to-date).
The "Perform Script on Server" script step (PSOS) was introduced in FileMaker Server 13 to let clients of a hosted file run scripts on the server. Using PSOS can result in performance improvements for calendar users opening files from outside their local network.
Pro...
CS Odessa adds to management area in ConceptDraw Solution Park
CS Odessa (www.conceptdraw.com) has announced a new ConceptDraw Solution Park addition for ConceptDraw Pro 9.5 and greater. The addition is a set of libraries that provide a range of graph and chart types to support documentation and graphics that deal with management information and data.
The new addition to ConceptDraw Solution Park is a free item for current users of ConceptDraw Pro 9.x. The Management Area of ConceptDraw Solution Park now includes a collection of templates, samples, and libraries of vector stencils, icons and clipart that support many professional ways to show data at a glance. The new area contains management and planning tools, calendars, enterprise architecture diagrams, fishbone diagrams, organization charts, SWOT, and timeline diagrams to illustrate documents and presentations.
ConceptDraw Pro is compatible with Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. It retails for US$199. It's also included in ConceptDraw Office 2, which retails for $499.
AAS advances string modeling with String Studio VS-2 plug-in
Applied Acoustics Systems (AAS) has released String Studio VS-2 for Mac OS X (10.6 or later) and Windows (XP, Vista, 7, or 8). It's an updated 64-bit (AAX-, AU-, and VST-compatible) version of its original String Studio VS-1 string modeling synthesizer plug-in.
A new interface now divides String Studio VS-2 into three panels. Play presents shortcuts to the performance and effects parameters, including bypass switches for quick edits, as well as an Arpeggiator. Edit lets users tweak and create sounds by combining innovative acoustic modeling parameters and classic synth features. FX adds new Equalizer and Compressor modules.
String Studio VS-2 also simplifies structured organization, backup, and sharing of sounds. The factory library has l over 600 production-ready sounds across 11 categories.
String Studio VS-2 is available to buy for instant download delivery directly from Applied Acoustics Systems (http://tinyurl.com/nk82mu9) for an introductory discounted price of US$99 through the...
FlipBuilder rolls out Flip Book PDF for Mac OS X
FlipBuilder has announced Flip PDF for Mac (http://tinyurl.com/kc644v5), software for creating animated flipbooks for reading on mobile devices. It also lets you customize your flip brochure by adding company logos or website for branding.
With Flip PDF you can publish ebooks, online magazines, corporate reports, newspapers, event leaflets or flyers, business brochures, annual reports, educational books and more. It utilizes HMTL5 technology.
Flip PDF for Mac requires Mac OS X 10.5 or higher. It costs US$99.
Hapa Games unleashes Ascendant on Mac OS X, Windows, Linux
Hapa Games has released Ascendant on Mac OS X (10.5 and higher), Windows, and Linux platforms. It's available at Steam (http://tinyurl.com/orvyx8n) for US$9.99.
Here's how the game is described: "Ascendanat is a hard side-scrolling brawler! Created with a passion for beautiful art styles and fluid engaging mechanics, the game introduces players to a brand new world each time they play. Using modern rogue like elements such as permadeath and procedurally generated environments, you play the role of a demigod who invades a plane controlled by your rivals. They will stop at nothing to eliminate you, and only the best of warriors will triumph over their armies of zealots and beasts."
Typinator 6 gets over 50 new features, improvements
Ergonis Software (http://www.ergonis.com) has released Typinator 6, the latest version of its tool for auto-typing text and auto-correcting typos systemwide across all Mac OS X applications. The upgrade sports over 50 new features and improvements.
With an inclusion mechanism, text expansions can execute external scripts and include their results in the expansion. Typinator supports scripts written in in many different languages like AppleScript, Perl, PHP, Python, Ruby, and arbitrary shell scripting languages.
The biggest innovation in Typinator 6 is the possibility to create expansions based on regular expressions. Also, new HTML expansions are not just text expansions that happen to contain HTML code, but rather a distinct expansion format that can be described in HTML.
Typinator requires Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later. Mac OS X 10.6 or higher is recommended.
Typinator can be purchased on the Ergonis Software web site for approximately US$32 for a single user license. A family pack for...
Apple reaches agreement to settle e-book pricing lawsuit
"Re/code" (http://tinyurl.com/lbdcqq5) reports that Apple has reached an agreement to settle a civil class action suit related to e-book pricing, according to court documents filed on Monday.
Apple faced as much as US$840 million in state and consumer antitrust claims related to ebook deals with publishers that led to a U.S. lawsuit and court-ordered monitor. In April 2012 the United States Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple, Hachette SA, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Penguin and Simon & Schuster in New York district court, claiming collusion over ebook pricing.
No details are yet available as to the terms of the settlement. Although the parties have come to some sort of agreement, Apple is still appealing the court’s ruling from last year that Apple was liable for violating both federal and state antitrust rules; the letter to the court says "any payment to be made by Apple under the settlement agreement will be contingent on the outcome of that appeal,"...
Mobile Viewpoint previews live video transmission app for Mac OS...
Mobile Viewpoint (www.mobileviewpoint.com/), an European company involved in video transmission over bonded IP networks, has announced a Mac OS X solution to its growing family of encoders.
The newest member of the family is a software-only, live transmission solution for Mac laptops and desktop computers. All available network connections on the computer can be used for bonding, while ingesting live video is handled by BlackMagic Design Thunderbolt capture devices.
Like all other Mobile Viewpoint portable and fixed encoders, this new example of creative use of technology for live video and file transfers integrates completely in the Mobile Viewpoint family. It can be monitored from the WMT VideoManager and routed to one or more HD SDI Playout devices for total flexibility and footage exchange options, says Mobile Viewpoint CEO Michel Bais.
It's due in August and will run on Mac OS X 10.9 and higher. A Windows version will be available later.
Parallels Access comes to the iPhone
Parallels has introduced an update to its Parallels Access app (www.parallels.com/access) for remote access to Macs and PCs. Originally available only on iPad, this release adds support for the iPhone and Android phones and tablets.
It also delivers new features for even better remote experience, and introduces Parallels Access for Business (www.parallels.com/access-business), which lets companies centrally assign, manage, and secure remote access to their computers, according to Zack Zubarev, president of Parallels. In addition to new platforms, new features include:
° Facebook login lets users log in quickly.
° There's the ability to launch desktop applications with a single tap right from the home screen of an Android device.
° A new file browser lets iOS users browse and open files on their remote computer using Parallels Access.
° Desktop applications that use a microphone can now be used with the microphone on your iOS tablet or smartphone.
° There's the ability to change...
LinkOptimizer for InDesign revved to version 4.9.14
Zevrix Solutions (www.zevrix.com) has launched LinkOptimizer 4.9.14, a maintenance update to its workflow automation solution for Adobe InDesign.
The software allows you to reduce the size of InDesign links and speed up processing by eliminating excess image data. It also performs image color conversion and sharpening, converts file formats and more. The new version lets users define target image resolution in pixels per centimeter in addition to the pixels per inch standard.
LinkOptimizer can be purchased from the Zevrix website for US$259.95 (there's a "lite" version for $179.95) as well as from authorized resellers. A demo is available for download. The update is free for LinkOptimizer 4.x users and $130 to upgrade from previous versions. LinkOptimizer is available for Mac OS X 10.5-10.9 and works with Adobe InDesign and Photoshop CS3-CC.
SMS Backup for iPhone lets you export SMS to Excel files
mTouchLabs (http://mtouchlabs.com) has announced SMS Export Plus 1.5, an update of their productivity app exclusively for iPhone and iPod touch. SMS Export Plus allows you to backup iMessages and SMS from your device to a Mac in .xls format.
Using SMS Export Plus, you can archive and maintain records of all your messages at a single location in Excel file. You can browse all backup messages in the .xls file. And you can filter messages by sender or sort messages by time and date.
SMS Export Plus 1.5 costs US$2.99 and is available at the Apple App Store under the Productivity category. It requires iOS 6 or higher.
PageMeUp 1.0 released for OS X
Softobe has introduced PageMeUp 1.0 (http://tinyurl.com/ozgvtyr). It's a layout editor for Mac OS X 10.8 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.
A snap assistant helps you align the boxes on the page. You can edit and format your text, scale the images (custom, fit, fill), apply shadow, fill or gradient background, border, mask, rotation, opacity, flip, web links, page HTML metadata. Finally, you can print or export your work in PDF, HTML, TIFF, PNG or JPG formats with custom resolution, compression and ICC profile.
PageMeUp 1.0 is available as a full-featured demo. A single user license costs US$24.
