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.
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.
Several websites have already begun Mac-related Black Friday sales, including MacMall, OnSale, ClubMac and MacConnection. MacMall is selling Minis for $550 and $745, a 2.66GHz MacBook Pro for $1,799, and a 27-inch, 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo iMac for $1,585. Its MacBook Airs are priced at $1,399 and $1,690.
The launch of the Motorola Droid and Verizon's ad campaign have pushed Motorola's brand loyalty for the first time in recent memory, YouGov reported in its BrandIndex late last week. The Android phone maker passed Apple one week ago and, as of Friday the 20th, had a loyalty score among men of 29.3. By comparison, Apple has fallen from a recent high of 48.1 on the 9th, shortly after the Droid launch, to 22 on the 20th.
UK supermarket chain Tesco will soon begin carrying the iPhone, according to an announcement. Sales will be conducted by Tesco Mobile, a joint venture with O2, and provided not only via regular Tesco locations but on the web and through the company's nearly 100 dedicated Phone Shops. There are 2,282 Tesco stores in total across the UK, a factor which should help to significantly expand the reach of the iPhone.
Infineon today said it would work with Nokia to develop chipsets for 4G mobile Internet based on the Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard. The deal won't be exclusive and will primarily ensure that Infineon 4G hardware will support Nokia's technology licenses. The two hope to speed up development and make sure that 4G works properly across all devices, not just Nokia's.
The BlackBerry Curve line fended off the iPhone 3GS to claim the title of top-selling phone in the US, the NPD Group said this week. Without providing numbers, the analysts noted that RIM's basic QWERTY phone still outsold the high-end iPhone during the summer. The iPhone 3G reached third place and reflected its relatively low price.
Chinon has launched the Avi, a new portable iPod speaker system with an integrated LCD monitor and digital TV tuner. The compact entertainment system provides a retro boombox-styled outer frame with black rubberized finish and silver trim design with an iPod docking station that simultaneously charges and plays the device. The system is also capable of doubling as a digital converter box for analog TVs, an alarm clock, a digital picture frame and a digital FM radio with 20 presets.
IvySkin has launched Zappak, the latest product in its line of iPhone and iPod accessories. Zappak works as an extra external battery for mobile devices, charging an iPod or any other USB-powered electronic. The pack can also be used to extend the battery life of an iPhone or BlackBerry. Built-in LED status lights display the amount of energy left within the battery, while the USB cable is attached directly to the case.
eMedia has released a new version of its guitar-tutorial instructional software, eMedia Guitar method 5. When a microphone is attached, the software utilizes audio recognition technology to provide instant feedback while a user is playing. Notes being played during an exercise or song can be viewed within any screen with the ear icon in the upper right hand corner. The function highlights each note with a green indicator.
iPresentee has launched an update to its Keynote Animations package for Apple's Keynote presentations software. Version 3.0 provides a total of 115 animations, including 35 new animations and 85 carry-overs from the last release. The animations support customization of size, rotation or opacity, while allowing users to add multiple layers. Each animation's background is transparent for use on any colored Keynote background.
Maxprog has introduced MaxBulk Mailer 7, the latest version of its mail-merging and bulk mailer tool. The app includes document and contact management features, with support for a variety of different text formats and multiple lists. The new version offers additional protection against crashes during mail deliveries, allowing users to continue sending a message after the crash has been resolved, as well as added support for wider range of languages such as Swedish, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Dutch.
Apple on Tuesday released maintenance updates for iPhoto and Final Cut Server. iPhoto 8.1.1 addresses several issues involving poor performance and accuracy of the facial recognition feature. Users that imported photos of people with iPhoto 8.1 should choose the Detect Missing Faces option to correctly match the faces. The update also fixes a bug with book ordering, along with iPod touch support.
BragIt has announced BragIt HTML Slideshow, a new Lightroom plug-in. Designed for web use, the app makes it possible to create a controllable slideshow with customizable descriptions or story points. It does not require any Flash plug-ins in order to work, and integrates output directly into a web page.
NewerTech has launched the NuPower Charge & Sync+, a pocket-sized charger. The unit can charge, power and sync iPhones and iPods, as well as simply charge and power USB-based cellphones, cameras and portable game consoles. It uses a rechargeable 1400mAh lithium-ion battery, and can charge both itself and another device when an AC connection is present.
Owners of Palm's newer phones have encountered a flaw in its online backup system that has wiped out contacts and calendars. A portion of users note that backups sent to Palm's Profile cloud service from a Pre (and now Pixi) are being corrupted and blank out any synchronized data when the phone has to be reset or restored. Those without a local backup, such as through an app like Missing Sync, have no choice but to recreate the data from scratch.
Following a recent legal victory, Apple is now calling for a permanent injunction against Psystar's operations. If granted the injunction would prevent Psystar from doing anything which might violate Apple copyrights, including bypassing controls in Mac OS X which prevent it from being freely installed on any Intel system. The company would similarly be banned from sharing the necessary decryption technology with others.
Razer on Tuesday introduced its latest gaming mouse, the Imperator. Designed specifically to give comfort to right-handed users, the ergonomic mouse's design is optimized for both palm and fingertip gamers. To this end, the Imperator is the first to sport side buttons that are adjustable and slide on a track to let users find the best position for their thumbs.
Microsoft made a tentative step into a retail presence on the East coast with a special section at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City. The section replicates a small slice of Microsoft's retail shops in the West and shows notebooks running Windows 7. It will also have staff on hand to answer questions about both the notebooks and the OS.
LaCie on Tuesday introduced the LaCinema Classic HD, a media server capable of full 1080p video playback. Users can connect an HDTV using a standard HDMI cable, while Composite connectors are also available. Multichannel DTS audio is supported, sent via HDMI or a dedicated S/PDIF optical port. A 1TB hard drive is integrated for storing movies, music or photos, while a USB 2.0 connection is provided for interface with a computer.
Amazon today gave its regular-size Kindle a lift through a firmware upgrade. It now has the same native PDF support as the larger Kindle DX and no longer needs a conversion through e-mail. Active battery life is also a large 85 percent longer and should last for about a full week with 3G turned on versus four days with the previous firmware.
Apple has signed a deal with concert promoter Live Nation, in a deal that should see a number of recordings sold exclusively through iTunes. Both audio and video offerings are planned, which will be taken from concerts recorded in 80-plus venues equipped for capturing the material. Live Nation stages over 22,000 concerts annually, though it is likely that only a fraction will become available online.
eBay has launched Deals, a second free iPhone app. Likewise meant as a companion to the eBay website, the title differs from its sibling by concentrating exclusively on auctions with no bids and less than fours remaining. Users create custom searches, which screen matching listings for bidding. The app also highlights several categories, such as Daily Deals.
Some iPhone owners are still suffering from an issue preventing any kind of cellular connection, posters on Apple's support forums say. After entering an area with no carrier service, or simply at random, an iPhone may launch into a "searching for service" mode from which it does not return, even when back in a known coverage area. The only way of temporarily fixing the problem is said to be rebooting a phone.
GenArts has announced Sapphire 5, an upcoming upgrade for its signature plug-in suite. The current collection includes over 200 processing and synthesis effects, in categories such as lighting, film, warping and textures. Versions are available for several different editing platforms, including Avid, Autodesk, After Effects and Final Cut Pro.
A coalition of magazine publishers is getting close to producing a digital storefront of its own that would produce a centralized portal for their titles, a leak hinted late Tuesday. Anonymous sources for the New York Observer claim Condé Nast, Hearst and Time are within weeks of a deal for a store that would offer both digital versions of their publications as well as physical copies. Time executive VP John Squires would leave his company to head up the new venture and is believed to be the originator.
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