Millennial Media (http://www.millennialmedia.com), which specializes in mobile advertising, has released its "Q1 Mobile Mix" report, the latest edition of its report on trends in impressions for mobile devices and mobile operating systems. The "Q1 Mobile Mix" report takes an in-depth look at the mobile device advertising landscape, including the top 20 mobile phones, top 10 mobile device manufacturers, leading mobile device operating systems and top mobile app categories ranked by impressions. The report found that non-phone mobile devices, such as tablets, accounted for 20% of all impressions on the Millennial Media platform during the first quarter of 2012, compared to 15% in quarter one of 2011. The report also found that Android remained the top overall operating system on the Millennial Media platform in Q1 2012, with a 49% share of impressions, and Apple remained the leading individual mobile device manufacturer. Other highlights from the Q1 Mobile Mix report include (ranked by...

CrumplePop has released ColorKit Suite, a set of color and finishing tools for Final Cut Pro X. It's designed to allow editors to apply complex, layered color grades without needing to stop and render. ColorKit Suite combines a color grading package with a set of analog film grain and light overlay tools, all available via the drag and drop interface of FCP X. According to Gabriel Cheifetz, co-founder of CrumplePop, ColorKit Suite includes four tools: ° ColorKit, a set of 34 professionally-designed preset color grades and three contrast and tools for FCP X. ° Grain35, real 35mm and 16mm film grain that you can add to your own footage. ° HalfLight, a collection of optically-captured light leak transitions built specifically for FCP X. ° OverLight, a way to apply washed-out glows and lens flares to your footage. ColorKit Suite is available for purchase on the CrumplePop website (http://www.crumplepop.com) for US$299. The components of the suite can also be purchased separately.

CrumplePop has released ColorKit Suite, a set of color and finishing tools for Final Cut Pro X. It's designed to allow editors to apply complex, layered color grades without needing to stop and render. ColorKit Suite combines a color grading package with a set of analog film grain and light overlay tools, all available via the drag and drop interface of FCP X. According to Gabriel Cheifetz, co-founder of CrumplePop, ColorKit Suite includes four tools: ° ColorKit, a set of 34 professionally-designed preset color grades and three contrast and tools for FCP X. ° Grain35, real 35mm and 16mm film grain that you can add to your own footage. ° HalfLight, a collection of optically-captured light leak transitions built specifically for FCP X. ° OverLight, a way to apply washed-out glows and lens flares to your footage. ColorKit Suite is available for purchase on the CrumplePop website (http://www.crumplepop.com) for US$299. The components of the suite can also be purchased separately.

Japan's Sharp Corp will supply technology to Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry Co for a plant in China that will produce panels for Apple's iPhone and other consumer electronics products, according to "The Nikkei" business daily -- as reported by "Reuters" (http://macte.ch/adWfK). In March Hon Hai o agreed to purchase new shares in Sharp worth 66.9 billion yen ($844 million), giving it an 11% stake in the Japanese company. "The Nikkei" said that the new technology handover, for which Sharp will receive tens of billions of yen in fees, is aimed at improving quality.

Graphic Node (http://www.graphicnode.com) has updated its Pages Templates collection. In addition to 1,000 previous layouts, the updated assortment contains 80 new templates for Apple's Pages. The Pages Templates pack includes 1,080 templates. Since some templates have multiple variations, the set provides a total of approximately 2,500 layouts. All photo layouts feature media placeholders, allowing users to place an image and crop it into a customized shape. The upgraded package offers the full range of templates introduced in earlier versions, including the Brochure, Business Card, Greeting, Flyer, and Invitations templates. Most of the templates can be printed on both A4 paper, the standard size in most countries, and U.S. letter-sized paper, the most common format in the United States and Canada. The Pages Templates pack requires iWork '08 or later and Mac OS X 10.5 or higher. It costs US$24.95.

A new video tutorial app, SCOtutor for ScreenFlow, has just been released and is now available in both the Mac App Store and the Apple App Store for, respectively, Mac OS X 10.7 and higher and iOS 5 or later. It's available at a launch price of US$5.99 through June 1. ScreenFlow is a video capture and editing package for creating screencasts. SCOtutor for ScreenFlow takes you through the basics of mastering ScreenFlow. The video tutorial has been created by screencaster Don McAllister.

SimpleAir (http://simpleair.com) -- a Texas-based company says it's entered a confidential license agreement with Apple pursuant to which Apple has taken a license to SimpleAir’s patents. The agreement settles the litigation with Apple.

 SimpleAir filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Apple on Sept. 23, 2009, in the U.S. federal district court for the Eastern District of Texas. The case was set to go to trial on April 23, 2012, in Marshall, Texas, before Judge Michael H. Schneider. SimpleAir and Apple reached the principal terms of a settlement at the courthouse shortly before the trial commenced.

 SimpleAir describes itself as "an inventor-owned technology licensing company with interests and intellectual property in the wireless content delivery, mobile application, and push notification market spaces." As noted by "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com), "SimpleAir does not appear to have any actual products available for sale."


Some Mac Pro users have launched a Facebook petition (http://www.facebook.com/MacProsPlease) urging Apple to finally get around to updating the Mac Pro -- or at least informing users of the company's plan for its pro desktop. The first post reads: "Hello Apple. Remember me? I'm one of your loyal users. I'm one of the guys who has owned 2 MacPros, a G5, a G4, 4 laptops, one iMac, 4 iPods, one MacMini, 4 iPhones and a bevy of other peripherals and software packages over the last 10 years. I'm looking for a little clarity.

"Can you please let me and the other people on in this group know what is going on with the MacPro? Its been neglected for far too long. We realize all the success of the iPad and iPhone and we're really happy with our new toys. But unfortunately many of us need to make decisions on hardware for professional uses that allow us to make a living."

By Josh Long Yahoo! launched its Axis browser and search app.  Axis is supposed to be unique because it deeply integrates search with the browsing experience. It also includes a built-in feature to synchronize your browser across a user's mobile devices and desktop. The iPhone and iPad versions of Axis are full Web browsers, while the "desktop" version is actually a browser plug-in available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer 9. Yahoo! Axis is now available in the iOS App Store, and the desktop browser extensions are available at http://axis.yahoo.com/ . Also, it may or may not be coincidental that the iOS apps Google Search, Opera Mini, and Mercury Web Browser were all updated today. Google Search 2.0.0 is touted by Google as a "complete redesign."  It makes one wonder if they were holding onto it until the day Yahoo! would announce Axis.

Steve Sande and Erica Sadun have created an US$4.99 guide for everyone who wants to get their Mac into shape before Mountain Lion hits this summer. In "Getting Ready for Mountain Lion," the authors lay out key strategies for deciding whether to upgrade or not, checking your Mac for readiness, and considering how your applications will be affected. The book offers info on how to clean up and optimize your system, prepare backups, and strategize about the upgrade so your Mac is clean and primed for the new OS. Readers wukk discover how to streamline and back up your computer, create an emergency fall-back plan, and prepare for the upgrade itself. The book ends by exploring things you'll need to know about after upgrading. For details go to http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/erica-sadun/id479419289?mt=11 .

ConnecteDevice says its cookoo watch is launching on Kickstarter. The cookoo watch is a wearable technology that extends your smartphone to your wrist. The cookoo uses Bluetooth wireless technology to let you know what's happening on your phone in real time -- even if your phone is out of sight. It lets you know when you receive a call, text, Facebook message, calendar notification and more. The cookoo watch is compatible with the latest Bluetooth SMART READY devices such as the iPhone 4S, new iPad, HTC One X, Samsung Galaxy S3 and more. All alerts can be customized and prioritized based on your preferences via the Connected App so the cookoo watch will only display the information that you want. When a notification is received, the corresponding icon will appear on the face of the watch along with a discreet beep or vibration. For example, if you receive a Facebook message then the social networking icon will appear. The cookoo watch’s Command button can be configured with the...

Seidio has announced the Expert Portfolio Case for the iPad 2 and new iPad. This case is the latest addition to the company's line of tablet accessories. The Expert is a smooth, sleek iPad case that adds very little weight or bulk to a tablet making it ideal for traveling and business, says Seido CEO says David Chang. It adds only 2.3mm to each side of the Apple tablet. The synthetic leather is run through an eco-friendly process that doesn't produce any volatile organic compounds, says Chang. The Expert also utilizes Clean-Grip, an advanced gripping technology, to attach and secure the iPad.  The Expert can fold and bend, propping the iPad into two viewing angles. For example, users can watch TV shows, slideshows, or movies in the propped position, as well as type on their iPad comfortably. It also activates the iPad Cover Lock for added convenience.  The Expert Portfolio Case comes in four flavors: Ebony, Espresso, Regal Purple and Ivory. It retails for US$54.95 and is available...

Code by Kevin has released version 4.0 of QuickWho (http://www.codebykevin.com/quickwho.html), a Mac OS X application to help users look up Internet domain registrations. The new version boasts improvement in domain accuracy and a new, under-the-hood application structure for better compliance with Mac App Store guidelines. QuickWho provides an array of information about specific Internet domains. Are you curious about who owns a particular domain name? Do you want to contact them, or gather more information about them? QuickWho can help you with these tasks. QuickWho is shareware. The download is a 30-day demo; you can purchase a license to use the program past the 30-day trial period. Mac OS X Lion is the minimum supported platform. QuickWho is a universal binary and licenses cost $24.99.

Satechi has released the BT Media Remote. It's available for US$39.99 at Satechi.net and Amazon.com.  The wireless Bluetooth HID remote allows users to control any iOS Bluetooth Device while connected to a TV, dock station or car stereo. It features multimedia control, which allows users to control the playback of any music or video on the iPhone or iPad.  The Satechi BT Media Remote has a remote camera shutter button so users can take photos without leaving themselves out of the camera. Also, the "Home" button on the remote can be used to activate Siri even while the device is connected to another device.


Seagate Technology (http://www.seagate.com), which specializes in hard disk drives and storage solutions, and LaCie (http://www.lacie.com), a manufacturer of consumer storage products, have announced an exclusive agreement with the intent for Seagate to acquire a controlling interest in LaCie. Seagate has offered to purchase from Philippe Spruch, LaCie’s chairman and CEO, and his affiliate, all of their shares, representing 64.5% of the outstanding shares of LaCie. Following receipt of governmental approvals1 and the close of this transaction, Seagate would commence an all-cash simplified tender offer (followed as the case may be by a squeeze-out procedure) to acquire the remaining outstanding shares in accordance with the General Regulation of the French Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF).

Apple is rejecting charges that it conspired to fix prices of electronic books, calling the U.S. government's antitrust lawsuit a "fundamentally flawed" endeavor that could discourage competition and harm consumers, reports "Reuters" (http://macte.ch/NAzQq). In a filing in U.S. District Court in Manhattan Tuesday, Apple said it didn't conspire with anyone or fix prices for e-books to thwart Amazon's dominance of that market, the article adds. In fact, the company says its entry into the book market has actually fueled demand for ebooks by forcing Amazon and rivals, including Barnes & Noble Inc, to compete more aggressively, including by upgrading e-reader technology. In April 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. Apple and Macmillan, which have refused to engage in settlement talks with the Justice...

Future, a specialist hybrid media group, says it's generated more than US$5 million in gross revenue from over 830,000 copy sales across its brands since Apple's Newsstand launched in October 2011.   The success is a testament to the company's move from traditional print to digital, as the business restructures around high value audiences and a truly borderless digital marketplace for its market-leading products, says Rachelle Considine, chief operating officer (COO), Future US. Brands including Mac|Life, Total Film, Fast Car, T3 and many of Future's games and music titles have all found large international audiences through their exposure to tablets like Apple's iPad, she adds. Overall, 33% of revenues through the Newsstand have come from the domestic U.S. market, with 25% coming from the U.K. and the other 42% coming from countries as diverse as China, Korea, Germany and France. Additionally, more than 50% of all the revenues are attributable to subscriptions sold. In the U.S., Mac...

The iHS iSuppli (http://www.isuppli.com) research group says -- as noted by "CNET" -- that Apple buys about 50% more memory, processors, and other semiconductor products than its nearest rival, Samsung. What's more, Apple's semiconductor spending is growing fast, says Dale Ford, head of IHS iSuppli's electronics and semiconductor research business. Speaking at the analyst firm's Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) Summit, he said that in 2009 Apple spent about US$9 billion on semiconductors. This year, that figure should rise to $27 billion. By 2013, Ford said Apple will spend about $29 billion. Read more at http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-57439199-92/apple-is-the-biggest-chip-b... .

Apple design guru Jonathan Ive has been knighted at Buckingham Palace. He said he's "both humbled and sincerely grateful" for the "absolutely thrilling honour," according to the "BBC" (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18171093). In 2005, Ive was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE). Another figure being honored by Princess Anne on Wednesday include Sir Peter Bazalgette, of Endemol, the TV company behind Big Brother, who is being knighted for services to broadcasting.

QuickerTek has announced the Little Black Box II universal external battery (http://www.quickertek.com/products/lbb_II.php) . It costs approximately US$100 and purportedly adds 10 more hours of battery life to the iPad. The Little Black Box II also works with the iPhone, iPod touch, all 30-pin iPodds and most USBS devices. LEDs indicate the charge status, and an on/off switch conserves power. Even the batteries themselves are user-replaceable. The small size of the he Little Black Box II makes it easily transportable to provide as much as an entire day of additional battery power, says Rick Estes of QuickerTek. Like most QuickerTek products, the new Little Black Box II external battery is backed with a one-year warranty on parts and labor.

Stellar Data Recovery (http://www.stellarinfo.com/) has launched PDF Repair for Mac, a tool that repairs corrupt or damage portable document format, PDF. The software sports features that restore all PDF items, including header, footer, charts, hyperlinks, bookmarks, and comments. PDF Repair scans and repairs your corrupt PDF files using algorithms and can even repair back PDF files stored in your CD-ROM, according to Sunil Chandna, CEO of Stellar Data Recovery. Stellar Phoenix PDF Repair for Mac requires Mac OS X 10.5 or higher. A demo is available for download; registration for a single-user license is US$49.

Phiaton Corp. (http://www.phiaton.com/) has debuted its US$159 PS 210 BTNC Bluetooth Stereo Earphone, which the company says combines wireless Bluetooth technology with "dramatically improved" audio performance. The PS 210 BTNC’s enhanced noise canceling technology neutralizes up to 95% of ambient background noise, according to the folks at Phiaton. You can plug the wireless earphones into most portable music players with a 3.5mm output. The PS 210 BTNC purportedly provides a calling time of 12 hours, 14 hours of music-listening time and 250 hours of standby. It features built-in Bluetooth 3.0 technology.

Griffin Technology (http://www.griffintechnology.com/) and Crayola have teamed up for Crayola Case Creator (http://www.griffintechnology.com/crayola), a protective case and app combo that lets users create one-of-a-kind cases for the iPhone and iPod touch. Crayola Case Creator includes an US$29.99 clear protective hard shell case that protects users’ iOS devices while showcasing their artwork. Users can snap a photo or grab one from their photo album and turn it into a customized case. With the free Case Creator app, children can add, resize and manipulate digital stickers to photos, or draw in Doodle mode with the app’s built-in crayons, paints and pens. All artwork from the Crayola Case Creator app can be printed on included perforated inserts, sized and shaped to fit the clear case. Also, each creation can be saved to a gallery, e-mailed or shared to Facebook.

Here are the latest incremental updates for Mac OS X apps. AKVIS (http://www.akvis.com) has announced the update of five programs: Retoucher, Coloriage, HDRFactory, NatureArt and MakeUp. All of these products are available in two variants: as plug-ins and as standalone applications, on Windows and Macintosh. Bugs have been fixed, and the plug-in versions are now compatible with Adobe Photoshop CS6. Registered users can upgrade to the newest versions for free. Stairways Software (http://purchase.keyboardmaestro.com/) has released Keyboard Maestro version 5.3 adding a plethora of image manipulation actions, enhancing the Mouse Click action (including allowing drag and clicking relative to a found image on the screen), adding a screen capture action and screen contains image condition, a new highlight screen location action and more. Tension Software has updated DB-Text (http://www.pomola.com/products_dbtext/) -- a the tool  to import, edit and manage text based archives -- to version...