News Archive for 01/03/07

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Tech: Intel vulnerable to competitors

03/07, 8:10pm

Tech: Intel vulnerable to competitors

Evening tech news: A series of glitches and missteps have made Intel vulnerable to competitors in the microprocessor industry, according to a growing group of analysts; concerned government regulators and experts are meeting this week to discuss the economic impact of long-distances telephone calls over the Internet; the creator of a new robotic nurse, which helps find a needle's target vein for injection, will test the device for the first time on a human—himself—for the first time on TV; and after having its sales figures officially adjusted by IDC, Dell has declared itself number one in the educational market over Apple.

GJ: Diablo II: LoD Preview

03/07, 7:10pm

GJ: Diablo II: LoD Preview

Game Jolly has published a preview of Blizzard Entertainment's upcoming expansion set, Diablo II: Lord of Destruction, which includes a Q&A with Senior Producer Bill Roper. "The Spirits are one of the summoned types of creatures for the Druid," explains Roper. "There are three types of Spirits that all basically follow you around and imbue Auras on you and your minions."

MacFreenet 1.0a5: Mac front-end to 'Freenet

03/07, 7:06pm

MacFreenet 1.0a5: Mac front-end to 'Freenet

MacFreenet 1.0a5 is the latest Mac front end to the Freenet Project, the large-scale peer-to-peer network created for privacy, security, and distributed, decentralized information sharing.

Y! Groups Extractor 1.2: proxy, log support

03/07, 7:00pm

Y! Groups Extractor 1.2: proxy, log support

Y! Groups Extractor 1.2, a Yahoo! Groups binary downloader that automates downloading of binaries, such as pictures and other attachments, from the free Yahoo! Groups mailing list service; version 1.2 adds support for proxy servers, better retries, more preferences, true sorting and post-processing of files based on Internet Config (Mac-only) and a logging facility.

CD/DVD SpeedTools 5.7 improves DVD-RAM speed

03/07, 6:45pm

CD/DVD SpeedTools 5.7 improves DVD-RAM speed

Intech Software's popular CD/DVD SpeedTools 5.7, a free update to its $40 utility, adds the ability to invidually enable/disable CD-DA for SCSI and ATAPI devices, more support for more drives with Toast Audio Extraction, improved write speed for all DVD-RAM devices, support for VirtualPC (as well as restored support for Virtual Game Station), and compability with iTunes and SoundJam. A demo is avaialble.

MacTella 1.04: Mac Gnutella client updated

03/07, 6:45pm

MacTella 1.04: Mac Gnutella client updated

CXC has again updated MacTella 1.04, a Mac version of its Gnutella file sharing client, fixing a networking issue, changing the file/type creator on downloaded files to Apple's iTunes, and providing a fix for long files names. (Both Classic and Mac OS X versions of Limewire, another Gnutella client, are also available.)

HTTP BenchMark 1.32: client benchmark util

03/07, 6:40pm

HTTP BenchMark 1.32: client benchmark util

HTTP BenchMark 1.3.2, an update to the tool for benchmarking web servers' bandwidth from client side can now alculate average rate processing individual rates, check files under a specific domain, and has other enhancements.

NVIDIA expands GeForce2 MX line

03/07, 6:00pm

NVIDIA expands GeForce2 MX line

NVIDIA has expanded its GeForce2 MX line of graphics card with the GeForce2 MX 200 and GeForce2 MX 400, alternate configurations of its original mainstream graphics chip. The original GeForce2 MX currently comes standard on most of Apple's Power Mac G4 configurations.

27 new Summoner screenshots

03/07, 5:50pm

27 new Summoner screenshots

Online Game Review has released 27 new screenshots from Volition's upcoming 3D role-playing game for the Mac and PC, Summoner.

NVIDIA GeForce3 SDK released

03/07, 5:45pm

NVIDIA GeForce3 SDK released

NVIDIA has released the OpenGL Software Development Kit (SDK) for its new GeForce3 graphics chip, scheduled to be released in April on the Mac. In addition, the company has revealed details on its new OpenGL extensions such as NV_vertex_program, NV_evaluators and NV_texture_shader.

Two new Diablo II: LoD screenshots

03/07, 5:30pm

Two new Diablo II: LoD screenshots

Blizzard Entertainment has released two new screenshots from its upcoming expansion set, Diablo II: Lord of Destruction. The first shows the assassin charging up blades of ice while the second shows Blades of Ice being released with an attack on a band of Moon Lords.

XlGaming.com: WWII Online Interview

03/07, 5:25pm

XlGaming.com: WWII Online Interview

XLGaming.com has published an interview with Cornered Rat Software's Chris "Mo" Sherland, Producer on World War II Online. To conclude the interview, Chris conveys just how large the game is and all that it will offer once released this spring...

P.O. Toolbox 1.3 supports AppleScript, FMPro

03/07, 5:20pm

P.O. Toolbox 1.3 supports AppleScript, FMPro

Intelli Innovations has posted P.O. Toolbox 1.3, an update to its advanced U.S. Postal Service package management software. Version 1.3 includes AppleScript and FileMaker Pro support for package tracking services, new APO/FPO Restrictions code detail section (for shipping to military destinations), and integrated State Abbreviations and Street Suffixes databases.

Console: GameCube in September

03/07, 5:10pm

Console: GameCube in September

Evening console news: A Merrill Lynch analyst predicts that Microsoft will lose $2 billion on its X-Box gaming console before breaking even in five years; Nintendo and camera maker Olympus will reportedly work together to develop games for its GameBoy Advance handheld, allowing people to play games using characters downloaded from electronic data cards; Nintendo's next-generation GameCube will be released this September in the U.S., followed by a Spring 2002 release in Europe; and Nintendo's Game Boy Advance will be released in the U.S. on June 11 with a $100 price tag with games costing between $30 and $40.

Mac Summoner in April

03/07, 3:05pm

Mac Summoner in April

The PC version of Summoner is expected to ship by the end of March, according to a report issued by GoneGold.com and confirmed by publisher THQ. The Mac version of the game, which is being published by Graphic Simulations Corporation and simultaneously developed by Volition, will likely ship in April.

Stomped: Hoekstra Interview

03/07, 3:00pm

Stomped: Hoekstra Interview

Stomped has conducted an interview with Raven Software's Kenn Hoekstra, discussing the recently announced expansion pack for Star Trek: Voyager - Elite Force. The interview covers many features of the expansion pack in depth including the new character models, the new multiplayer game types and the virtual voyager mode which lets players participate in recreational and training exercises with the crew.

Manic Minefields 1.4.3 fixes bugs

03/07, 2:55pm

Manic Minefields 1.4.3 fixes bugs

Norbyte has released Manic Minefields 1.4.3, a new version of its $7 shareware game which offers "10 uniquely designed minefields to choose from." The new version enhances some of the graphics, fixes a bug causing the pointer to disappear in some rare cases and fixes a potential system conflict.

SmartStuff 3.5 adds OS 9.1 compatibility

03/07, 2:45pm

SmartStuff 3.5 adds OS 9.1 compatibility

Smart Stuff has released FoolProof 3.5, an update to its security program that offer support for multiple security groups, locking of applications and control panels, direct file saving, remote administration, and file distribution. This version offers some compatibility with Mac OS 9.1, however, its Advanced Disk Locking feature conflicts with SCSI drives that "have had their drivers updated with version 1.8.1 or later of Drive Setup , which ships with OS 9," and will cause loss of all data on the drive.

Unreal Tournament: GotY Edition for the Mac

03/07, 2:45pm

Unreal Tournament: GotY Edition for the Mac

MacSoft has today announced that Unreal Tournament: Game of the Year Edition for the Mac has reached golden master and will appear on store shelves shortly at an expected price of $20. Not previously announced for the Mac, the special edition of the first-person shooter includes the original game, three map pack add-ons and three all new modes of play. The three mods in Unreal Tournament: Game of the Year Edition include...

Native Instruments introduces audio software

03/07, 2:35pm

Native Instruments introduces audio software

German developer Native Instruments made several music audio software announcements at Musikmesse Frankfurt 2001, including Reactor 3.0, Absynth, FM7, and Battery for the Mac and several other Windows-products.

ATI to stay competitive with NVIDIA

03/07, 2:30pm

ATI to stay competitive with NVIDIA

In an article at EBN Online, ATI Technologies President and Chief Operating Officer David E. Orton discloses that the company plans its own new graphics chip release later this year that will "beat GeForce3's specifications." The new chip will also include a programming capability similar to NVIDIA's nFiniteFX engine.

Eternal Team Arena 1.0beta released

03/07, 12:50pm

Eternal Team Arena 1.0beta released

Eternal Team Arena 1.0beta is a new release of the variety mod for Quake III: Team Arena which offers "offhand grapple, bloodtrails, weapon dropping, player cloaking and fully configurable weapons and items, plus all the gamemodes like instagib rails, pain factor, hunted or rocket duel."

EIMS filer for Nake Wife Virus

03/07, 11:15am

EIMS filer for Nake Wife Virus

Alex Hood has created a EIMS filter for the Naked Wife Virus, which "will deny sending and receiving of messages containing the nakedwife.exe attachment.

Tax software tip: GriffTax

03/07, 11:15am

Tax software tip: GriffTax

Robert Wiebe sent us tax software tip: "I was trying to use Intuit's QuickTax yesterday, Canada's Tax software program from Intuit and found that their Netfile (allowing us to file over the internet) was not ready for Macintosh yet and might not be this year. In a bit of a panic mode, I returned the package for refund and the dealer told me about another Mac-only program called GriffTax. I found their site, downloaded their program and filed my taxes yesterday on the net. You might want to give a connection to them in your database as you do have a lot of Canadian readers!"

Power Email Extractor 1.2 improves search

03/07, 10:15am

Power Email Extractor 1.2 improves search

Power Email Extractor 1.2 filters out email addresses from text files. The new version improves the $12 application's search function.

Mac OS X goes Gold Master

03/07, 8:45am

Mac OS X goes Gold Master

Apple today announced that Mac OS X has reached "Gold Master" (GM) status and has been released to manufacturing for production. The operating system will ship on March 24 for $129.

Australia gets OS X one day before the US

03/07, 8:45am

Australia gets OS X one day before the US

Apple's worldwide release of Mac OS X on March 24th means that Australia and New Zealand will get the new operating system a full day before the US, according to an email written by Apple Australia's Tony Smith and sent to the Mac EvangeList. Also, an Apple Store rep has stated that the emails many readers received yesterday regarding an unexpected backorder delay for Mac OS X were sent out in error and that there will be no delay.

Games: UT: GotY Edition for the Mac

03/07, 8:40am

Games: UT: GotY Edition for the Mac

games.macnn.com has information on Unreal Tournament: Game of the Year Edition for the Mac, which was announced today by MacSoft and will be appearing shortly in stores.

Roundup: Deus Ex MP later this week

03/07, 8:30am

Roundup: Deus Ex MP later this week

Yesterday Aspyr Media announced that the Deus Ex Multiplayer Patch would likely be released later this week while our preview of the patch was updated with five new screenshots; Custer's Corner was updated with a new desktop picture, Hardcore, featuring Unreal Tournament; the results of our poll showed that the majority of people are not planning to purchase NVIDIA's GeForce3, although many might add it as a BTO option to their next Power Mac G4 purchase; Beenox Studios and Ambrosia Software announced significant progression on both Coldstone and Pillars of Garendall; and new information emerged on Legend Entertainment's Unreal II and the technology that will drive it.

Yesterday: 190/5300 trade-up, loyalty, more

03/07, 8:30am

Yesterday: 190/5300 trade-up, loyalty, more

Yesterday we noted a new PowerBook 190/5300 trade-up program, a research report that shows Mac users remain the most loyal, and the release of the Palm m105, Fetch 4.0b6, and N2MP3 Professional 2.0.2.

FWB discontinues SoftWindows 98 for Mac

03/07, 8:30am

FWB discontinues SoftWindows 98 for Mac

Jason Greene notes that FWB has discontinued SoftWindows 98 for the Mac, as of March 1st: "FWB has determined that our RealPC emulation product for the Macintosh represents a better value to our customers. RealPC provides the same functionality and performance as Softwindows, except that you supply your own copy of Windows." The company promises tech support via email and its knowledge database through May 31, 2001.

MacDesktops: 14 new pictures

03/07, 8:30am

MacDesktops: 14 new pictures

In the past week, MacDesktops has posted 14 new pictures, including: Blue moon (Starscapes), Copland (Movies), Mt. Hood, Oregon (Landscapes - Nature), and Sarah Michelle Gellar (Portraits).

ATI confident of its future, new GPU

03/07, 8:30am

ATI confident of its future, new GPU

Despite an eroding market share and financial constraints, ATI Technologies—formerly Apple's exclusive graphics chip supplier—is still confident about its position in the market and the future. In an interview with EBN, President and CEO David E. Orton explained ATI's position and stated that the company is presently working on a new graphics processor that will exceed the performance of rival nVIDIA's recently announced GeForce3. No release date for the new chip has been set, but it is expected some time this year.

"Ginger" invention uncovered

03/07, 8:30am

"Ginger" invention uncovered

"Ginger," the mysterious product currently in the works from inventor Dean Kamen, is reportedly a hydrogen-powered scooter, according to the magazine Inside, which hired corporate surveillance experts to learn details on the product. Reader David Munch, meanwhile, reports that a program that aired on CNN last night regarding the invention stated that it would have translucent plastics, as per Apple CEO Steve Jobs' desires. Jobs is an investor in the device.

Tech: MOT vacation policy, IBM PPC tools

03/07, 8:25am

Tech: MOT vacation policy, IBM PPC tools

Morning tech news: Motorola is ordering non-manufacturing employees in its semiconductor division to take one week of vacation time this month and another week in the second quarter; IBM's expanded e-business offerings for PowerPC processors includes online development, remote evaluation, and testing resources, allowing customers to remotely connect to and evaluate processor systems and use the PowerPC platform in Linux applications.

Jeremy Kezer updates two utilities

03/07, 8:15am

Jeremy Kezer updates two utilities

Jeremy Kezer has posted NetChronometer 1.4.7 [636 KB], a minor update to the $7 clock synchronization utility, and Thermograph 1.3.0 [348 KB], a new version of the $7 utility for monitoring the internal processor temperature of late-model G3 or G4 Power Macs.

Readers has success in "trading-up" TAM

03/07, 8:15am

Readers has success in "trading-up" TAM

Belgium reader Mike Adams reports success in "trading-up" his problematic Twentieth Anniversary Mac, after reading yesterday's report on a similar trade-up program for the PowerBook 5300/190.

Wapp pro 3: shareware window switcher

03/07, 8:10am

Wapp pro 3: shareware window switcher

Jérome Foucher's Wapp pro 3 is an ultimate windows/applications switcher that provides access any window of any application with a single click in its system-wide menu. The $10 shareware offers many customization options, such as the ability to hide and quite applications and keyboard shortcuts.

Apple posts new "Rip. Mix. Burn." commercia

03/07, 8:00am

Apple posts new "Rip. Mix. Burn." commercia

Apple has posted its new "Rip. Mix. Burn." television ad that aired last night for the first time. The ad features "over 20 talented musicians appearing together to demonstrate how Mac users can pick their favorite tunes from their CD library and create (burn) custom CDs on their Macs." The 60 second TV spot, which began airing last night, features Barry White, George Clinton, Liz Phair, Steve Harwell of Smashmouth, De La Soul, Lil' Kim, Ziggy Marley, Chuck Berry, Dwight Yoakam, Exene Cervenka and Deep Dish.