1 hour ago | Posted in: software
HandBrake has released an update to its self-titled DVD ripping utility. Version 0.9.4 adds support for 64-bit operations for the Mac, including both Leopard and Snow Leopard operating systems. The 64-bit builds are said to perform approximately 10 percent better than the 32-bit equivalents. The software is also claimed to offer overall improvements in quality, which has been partially attributed progress made with the x264 project.
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iPhone owners are much more likely to pay for digital content than the average Internet user, according to a recent survey conducted by the media firm Olswang. Although previous surveys have concluded that iPhone owners have an apatite for apps and media accessible directly from the handset interface, the latest research suggests the same group is also spending more money on content purchased on other Internet-connected devices such as a desktop and notebook computers.
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The smell of turkey is in the air, and that must mean deal season is upon us. DealNN has been tracking the Black Friday bargains, and today's featured deals included a collection of iPods on sale now at MacMall.com. Fourth and fifth generation iPod nanos are available starting at $119.98 with $3.99 for shipping. Other iPod models are also mentioned including the 2GB Shuffle for $54, the 120GB Classic for $219, and the 2nd gen. iPod touch for $169.
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Mac desktops represented nearly half of all desktops sold at US retail shops in October, the NPD Group said in a new study. About 47.7 percent of desktop revenue was from iMacs, Mac minis or Mac Pros, an increase from 45 percent in April and a sharp surge from just 33 percent in October 2008. Mac notebooks also saw a sequential gain from 30 percent in April to 34 percent last month, though this was a drop from 38 percent a year earlier.
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3 hours ago | Posted in apps
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TranslateIt! is a multilingual dictionary that allows users to quickly look up words. Translations can be performed by hovering the mouse over an unknown word, pasting text from the clipboard, or entering text manually. The latest release includes a new translation pop-up window with functions for moving the window, pinning it to a specific location on a display, and speaking out translations. The update also includes improvements to several internal components and uses CPU resources more efficiently.
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This audio recording application includes features for editing and managing audio files. The application includes options for recording all audio output from a computer or can be set to only record sound from a specific application. Version 1.1 includes support for Snow Leopard and fixes a variety of bugs. The update has also improved the speed of deleting a large number of tracks and fixed several memory leaks.
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BannerZest is a banner animation application that allows users to create flash animated banners. The software utilizes themes that work similar to templates, where a designer just needs to add their content and choose colors. The v2.1 update includes a new 3D Wall theme which displays images in a fully interactive wall. Sevearl bugs have also been addressed including an issue with the elasticMatrix theme border.
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This photo tool matches the names of people tagged in iPhoto '09 with contact information found in Apple’s Address Book, Microsoft Entourage, Google Mail or Mozilla Thunderbird. This information can help successfully tag friends when uploading photos to Facebook though iPhoto '09. Support for iPhoto 8.1.1 has been added in this release along with support for syncing contact images with Gmail.
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Shoo Apps is a menu bar utility that can help users keep their desktop tidy. Users can choose to have all inactive applications hide at the same time or give each application an interval of time to hide after. New to version 1.1 is an updated interface and full support for Snow Leopard. The update has also fixed several compatibility issues related to Leopard.
3 hours ago | Posted in: industry
Hulu has recorded one of the largest gains in viewers in its short history, according to new data from Comscore. In October, the multi-studio video site hosted almost 856 million viewers, its best ever result and a 47 percent jump from September. The results were well behind Google's 10.5 billion views and 37.7 percent share of web video in the US but were enough to give Hulu second place with 3.1 percent, about twice as much as its next-best challengers.
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Avenza has launched an update to its mapping software for Adobe Illustrator, MAPublisher 8.2. The software produces maps from GIS data for both electronic and print distribution, including GIS-format shapefile, with all attributes and georeferencing intact. It can also handle ESRI, MapInfo, MicroStation, AutoCAD, Google and U.S. Government files, preserving all GIS data attributes and geographic parameters. MAPublisher exports data in a variety of standard GIS formats, along with geospatial PDF documents.
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DataMind Srl has launched Jade Plugin 2.0 for Apple's Aperture software. The plug-in automates color, contrast and dynamic range adjustments, while helping to detect and correct red eye in photographs. Jade is now a one-button operation -- the user loads photos in and then clicks a button to start. Version 2.0 offers manual control for those who wish to make fine adjustments.
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4iThumbs has launched its self-named 4iThumbs Tactile Keyboard for iPhone. The accessory is a clear, tactile typing aid applied to the iPhone’s touch screen. The design is claimed to allow faster and more accurate typing and blind typing, as ridges help replicate dedicated keyboards by providing tactile feedback to fingers.
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AT&T dipped into Black Friday deals with word today of its Thanksgiving promo. The cell carrier promises unspecified deals on Friday itself starting from midnight but plans a major promo for each day of the weekend as well as Monday. Saturday will focus exclusively on BlackBerries and will give away the Curve 8310 or Pearl 8110 for free on a smartphone contract. Price drops are also due for the Curve 8320, which will cost $50, and the Curve 8900 at $100.
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5 hours ago | Posted in: Apple
Apple has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Media Solutions Holdings, a company that has allegedly been producing and distributing knockoff MagSafe power adapters. The Apple patent, No. D478,310, was initially issued in 2003. The defendant sells the AC adapters, including the 60W and 85W variants, on several websites such as laptopsforless.com, ereplacements.com and laptopacadpater.com.
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FileWave has launched the fourth edition of its self-named suite, used to handle mass software distribution in corporate environments. The software supports Mac, Windows and Linux systems, and allows clients to pull down patches, customized installers and ready-to-launch apps. Individual files can also be modified, and as necessary apps can be rolled back to earlier states.
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The European Parliament late yesterday officially approved a final key rule in its telecoms package that will require legal rights for those threatened with losing Internet access in piracy cases. The measure will only allow EU member states to cut off access if it's deemed "appropriate, proportionate and necessary within a democratic society." Any decision will require an objective procedure that allows the accused to defend themselves as well as presumptions of innocence and a right to privacy.
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Extensis has introduced Portfolio NetMediaMAX, an add-on for Portfolio Server 9. The app allows users to automate media processing in high-volume environments. Templates are provided for a variety of common batch operations, such as file resizing and format conversion.
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7 hours ago | Posted in: software
Several companies have begun offering Black Friday software discounts, joining others promoting hardware deals. Microsoft has notably introduced discounts on Office for Mac 2008, cutting the prices of the Home and Student Edition by $20, and the Business Edition Upgrade by $40. The complete Business Edition is temporarily $50 cheaper.
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7 hours ago | Posted in iphone apps
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This GPS tracking utility can help users monitor their running or cycling paths. The application also records speeds and how long it took to complete each path. This data can then be recalled later to compete against or sent to friends using the application as a challenge. When competing against a previously set time users are also presented with visual and audio notifications to indicate whether they are behind or ahead of the time.
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NTRconnect can be used to access a computer remotely from and iPhone or iPod touch. After installing an accompanying desktop application users can log into a computer from their and access the files stored on it. The application uses 256-bit encryption to help keep users data safe and includes support for Windows, Mac, and Linux machines.
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Measure It! allows users to get estimate measurements for any item that users take a photo of. The application works by having using choose an item to scale the object to be measured against. This means that exact measurements are difficult to get but good estimates can be achieved.
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In this game the goal is to help Goldie escape from schools of piranhas and to shock them by hitting eel tails. Goldfin includes three different game modes: Endurance, Pure and Time Attack. Each of these modes includes its own music, sound effects, backgrounds, and high-score tracking tables. The new update has added a School Bonus stem along with an in-game message system.
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With PennyTalk Mobile users can make international calls through a PennyTalk account. From within the application one can view a list of calling rates to countries around the world and add funds to an account. PennyTalk also includes an Auto Recharge setting that automatically adds additional minutes to a users plan when it starts to run low.
Dare to be Creative has released the first version of Parachute, a new backup utility. Users can schedule multiple backup tasks, automated to run in hourly, daily, weekly or monthly cycles. As with most such apps, backups can be saved to network volumes and external hard disks. Content can also be copied to USB flash drives, and various online destinations.
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RED this week warned that its EPIC-X camera program would be delayed by 30 days due to a problem with its app-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chips. Company head Jim Jannard explained that it has to perform a new "metal spin," or manufacturing revision, due to an unspecified flaw. It's considered a relatively mild obstacle as a major alteration would have taken substantially longer.
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