News Archive for 01/04/19

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AE 5.0 plugins get 16-bit support

04/19, 10:20pm

AE 5.0 plugins get 16-bit support

RE:Vision Effects has relased Pro versions of ReelSmart Twixtor ($500), for adjusting frame rates of image sequences and ReelSmart Motion Blur ($135) plugins for After Effects, which support 16-bit per channel in After Effects 5.0; additionally, the company released Twixtor 1.4, which offers the ability to retime footage by animating speed changes along the timeline. Upgrades to Twixtor Pro and to Motion Blur Pro are $165 and $45 respectively. Demos of each are available online.

Apple ships 5 millionth iMac

04/19, 7:25pm

Apple ships 5 millionth iMac

Apple has announced that it has shipped its 5 millionth iMac, its consumer-level computer that was one of the first to feature built-in USB, FireWire, wireless networking and fan-less operation. "I look forward to shipping our ten millionth iMac in a few years," said Apple CEO Steve Jobs.

Zeus edges Apache; OS X for enterprise

04/19, 7:05pm

Zeus edges Apache; OS X for enterprise

eWEEK's review of Zeus Web server, available for Linux, Unix and Mac OS X, concludes that the browser-configurable Webserver: "maintains an edge over its [freeware] Apache rival, especially at higher load levels. The reviewer also concludes with a note about the security on OS X:

"On a related note, the high level of performance both the Apache and Zeus servers achieved during the Mac OS X tests was very similar to their respective performance under Linux, suggesting that the Mac OS is finally a legitimate option for enterprise-level servers."

Netopia fixes TB2 Pro security hole

04/19, 7:00pm

Netopia fixes TB2 Pro security hole

Mike Gaines forwarded a note from Netopia, noting the company has quickly addressed the recently reported security hole (see below) in the Preview Release of Timbuktu Pro for Mac OS X: "This morning, a security issue with the software was reported to us, and we are pleased to inform you that a new build of the software is now available for download."

Intel and Oradnet unveil TOPlay

04/19, 6:50pm

Intel and Oradnet unveil TOPlay

Intel and OradNet today unveiled TOPlay, software which allows Mac and PC users to view a soccer game from the perspective of any player or the ball. The initial version of the sports program takes live soccer matches and converts the actions, including player and ball movements, into data, which is then used to create three-dimensional representations of the game. The game can be streamed live from a web site over a 56 KBps connection, and an entire soccer match takes up about 4 MB. The two companies are in talks with various sports web sites to make the technology available to visitors, and are working on a football version for next year.

American McGee's Alice enters beta testing

04/19, 6:20pm

American McGee's Alice enters beta testing

The Mac version of American McGee's Alice, a Quake III-engine third-person 3D action-adventure game, has entered beta testing at Westlake Interactive and is expected to be released this May. The company has also Carbonized the game so it runs natively under Mac OS X. (For more information, read our in-depth preview of American McGee's Alice.)

NikonScan 3.0: new GUI for scanner driver

04/19, 5:25pm

NikonScan 3.0: new GUI for scanner driver

Gilles Theophile notes that Nikon has released NikonScan 3.0 scanner driver on its European support website: "Designed for the new LS4000 & Coolscan IV film scanners, this driver supports also the LS2000 & LS30. The interface is greatly improved and features a huge floating tool palette à la Office 2001. NikonScan 3.0 is available in English, French, German & Spanish." Changes and known issues are noted in the Read Me file.

ASM 1.0 puts application menu in OS X

04/19, 5:25pm

ASM 1.0 puts application menu in OS X

Frank Vercruesse's ASM 1.0 provides an Application Switcher Menu to the top right side of the menu bar in Mac OS X, emulating the application menu familiar to users of OS 9.1 and earlier.

Download Deputy Turbo 4.5: better transfers

04/19, 5:20pm

Download Deputy Turbo 4.5: better transfers

ilesa Software's Download Deputy Turbo 4.5 is an update to its $24 download accelerator and manager. Version 2.5 features a Multiple Connection Transfer Engine, MaxMyBandwidth technology for full utilization of bandwidth, proxy/firewall support, an option to sleep after downloads are complete, and new scheduling functions. A demo is available online.

Washable suede protects PowerBook LCDs

04/19, 5:20pm

Washable suede protects PowerBook LCDs

JR Hill & Company's $10 Washable Suede Laptop Screen Protector, which fits on the keyboard of Apple's PowerBook G3 and PowerBook G4, protects against the danger of the keyboard touching the screen when the laptop is closed. The unprotected contact between keyboard and LCD generally leaves dirt and oils, but can also leave scratches. The company offers free UPS Ground Shipping and a lifetime warranty with the protector.

Package Tracker 3.1r2 consolidates to one app

04/19, 5:10pm

Package Tracker 3.1r2 consolidates to one app

Package management solution Package Tracker 3.1r2 now offers a single, Carbonized application that can be used on Mac OS 8.6, OS 9.1 and Mac OS X.

iScreensaver Toolkit 1.5 features new UI

04/19, 5:00pm

iScreensaver Toolkit 1.5 features new UI

iScreensaver Toolkit 1.5 is a new version of Xochi Media's $10 screensaver that also allows users to create their own screensavers using Flash or QuickTime movies. Version 1.5 includes a completely redesigned user interface, two new OpenGL modules, a new "Picture Picker" window, and more. A Mac OS X version of iScreensaver Toolkit is expected in Q2 2001.

JewelToy 1.1.0 replaces 'poop' gem

04/19, 4:50pm

JewelToy 1.1.0 replaces 'poop' gem

JewelToy 1.1.0, a simple puzzle game for Mac OS X written by Gunnar author Giles Williams, adds a mute button, replaces the 'poop' gem, and makes earning bonuses more difficult by placing a fixed time on each gem. The source code for the game, which took one week to create, is also available.

Architosh:Pythagoras CAD app, Radiance on OSX

04/19, 3:20pm

Architosh:Pythagoras CAD app, Radiance on OSX

Architosh has a report on Pythagoras, a professional CAD application for the civil engineer and professional surveyor and more notes on compiling the advanced Unix rendering software, Radiance for Mac OS X.

Team ASA unveils Npwr NAS server

04/19, 3:05pm

Team ASA unveils Npwr NAS server

Team ASA today announced Npwr Server, a small self-enclosed Network Attached Storage (NAS) server that provides AppleShare-based storage services via TCP/IP and AppleTalk protocols. The Linux-based server includes an Intel CPU, Gigabit Ethernet, Ultra160 SCSI interface, 128MB of RAM, and 4MB of flash ROM and supports OS X, Classic, Windows 98, NT-2K, UNIX and Linux clients, providing AppleShare IP file transfers at "rates exceeding 20 MB/sec." The server, about the size of an external drive, is expected to ship on June 1st. The 30GB/633MHz model is $1,500 and the 60GB/1GHz model is $2,000.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Redemption in May

04/19, 2:50pm

Vampire: The Masquerade - Redemption in May

MacSoft has updated its web site with information on the company's upcoming game releases including modern updates of arcade classics such as Pong and Centipede in mid-May followed by Q*Bert and Breakout shortly thereafter. Additionally, Vampire: The Masquerade - Redemption, a 3D role-playing game surrounding the dark and mysterious world of vampires, is expected to be released next month.

ConceptDraw 1.6 includes OS X support

04/19, 2:30pm

ConceptDraw 1.6 includes OS X support

CS-Odessa has released ConceptDraw 1.6, a new version of the powerful flowcharting and diagramming software package for the Mac. The new version is Carbonized for use on Mac OS X and incorporates a few bug fixes. [3.8 MB -- Classic; 3.9 MB -- Carbon]

ACD Systems partners with Akamai

04/19, 2:25pm

ACD Systems partners with Akamai

ACD Systems has entered into an agreement with Akamai Technologies to utilize Akamai's EdgeSuiteSM service and globally distributed network for the "efficient, worldwide distribution of ACD software." ACD Systems is best known for its ACDSee software for the Mac and PC, which is designed for browsing, managing and sharing digital images.

My Secret 1.1 provides secure text messages

04/19, 2:15pm

My Secret 1.1 provides secure text messages

My Secret 1.1 is an update for the $10 shareware text encryption utility that uses strong 448 bit Blowfish or 256 bit Rijndael encryption to secure text messages and private notes. Version 1.1 adds new menu item "Encrypt & Save", support for multiple encryption (TEMK), a better user interface, improved window layout, and more. [656 KB -- Classic; 709 KB -- Carbon]

Zip AssetStore Module released for Cumulus 5

04/19, 2:10pm

Zip AssetStore Module released for Cumulus 5

Canto has released a Zip AssetStore Module that allows users of the company's Cumulus 5 product line to catalog and manage compressed files within Zip archives. The $100 module is available now for Mac and Windows and as a server option additionally available for UNIX.

SwitchRes 2.5.1 adds external API

04/19, 2:00pm

SwitchRes 2.5.1 adds external API

Stephen Maudrau has released SwitchRes 2.5.1, a new version of the utility for controlling the resolution of displays. The new version incorporates an external API that allows developers to use SwitchRes to access and manage resolutions of the display, improves the management of Multiple Users and fixes several bugs.

Media 100 to showcase streaming tech at NAB

04/19, 1:10pm

Media 100 to showcase streaming tech at NAB

At next week's NAB, Media 100 will demonstrate a new streaming technology—built on the company's flagship Cleaner 5 streaming media processing solution—aimed at large facilities producing high volume streaming media content. The demonstration showcases a centralized database driven server that controls multiple distributed media processing systems (nodes) across a network.

Corel to unleash arsenal of Mac OS X products

04/19, 1:00pm

Corel to unleash arsenal of Mac OS X products

We have posted a report on Corel's OS X product roll-out plans.

Scripting addition lets commands go to unix

04/19, 12:50pm

Scripting addition lets commands go to unix

Vampire Software has released AEShell OSAX 1.0b2, a freeware scripting addition for Mac OS X that allows commands to be sent directly to the unix layer.

DealNN: Refurbished iBook $999, 110 CD-Rs $15

04/19, 12:40pm

DealNN: Refurbished iBook $999, 110 CD-Rs $15

Today's bargains at DealNN include a refurbished Blueberry iBook G3/300 for $999, Que! FireWire 12x/10x/32x CD-RW and 50 CD-Rs for $241, a 19-inch monitor for $199, The Sims for $32.90, a 4-port USB Hub for $20, and 110-unit spindle of CD-R discs for $15.

REALbasic 3.1b9 fixes bugs

04/19, 12:35pm

REALbasic 3.1b9 fixes bugs

REALbasic 3.1b9 is the latest development version of REAL Software's cross-platform development tool for Mac OS Classic, Mac OS X, and Windows. Version 3.1b9 fixes several bugs, including one which broke the software when running on OS 8.1 and earlier.

Callisto releases PhotoParade Maker for Mac

04/19, 12:25pm

Callisto releases PhotoParade Maker for Mac

Callisto Corporation has released PhotoParade Maker 3.0 for the Mac, which lets users turn their digital photos into slideshows and screen savers with high-quality animation, graphics, music, narration and photo titling. The software is available in three theme bundles: Standard Edition, which includes 4 multi-purpose themes for $20, Premium Edition, which includes nine themes for $30, and Super Edition, which comes with 38 themes for $40. The PhotoParade Player for Mac and Windows is available as a free download.

Timbuktu Pro for Mac OS X security flaw

04/19, 12:20pm

Timbuktu Pro for Mac OS X security flaw

SecureMac.com has identified a potential security flaw in Netopia's newly released preview version of Timbuktu Pro for Mac OS X. "The menu About Timbuktu when clicked on gives you full control to the apple menu and system preferences without even being logged into OS X."

Apple acknowledges Lombard/Mac OS X problem

04/19, 12:10pm

Apple acknowledges Lombard/Mac OS X problem

Apple has acknowledged a problem between Lombard PowerBook G3s and Mac OS X when third-party memory is installed on the system. A representative of Apple Board Discussions notes that Apple is aware of the problem but has not yet determined the cause. Until a solution becomes available, Apple recommends removing any third-party RAM and installing Mac OS X. "Even though performance will not be optimal with only 64 MB of RAM installed, you should be able to install and use Mac OS X without errors."

DragThing 4.01: update to desktop launcher

04/19, 11:00am

DragThing 4.01: update to desktop launcher

DragThing 4.0.1 is a free update to the popular dock application for Mac OS X and Classic, bringing support for scroll wheel switching and fixes for using items on NFS/UFS disks (and other bugs).

BlueJ 1.13 sport Mac installer, menu bar

04/19, 10:45am

BlueJ 1.13 sport Mac installer, menu bar

BlueJ 1.1.3 for MacOS X, now available in traditional Mac OS packaging, brings support for a Mac style (top-of-screen) menu bar to the freeware integrated Java environment specifically designed for introductory teaching.

PostreSQL server bundled with YDL 2.0

04/19, 10:45am

PostreSQL server bundled with YDL 2.0

Terra Soft will bundle Command Prompt's PostgreSQL application server with Yellow Dog Linux 2.0, the forthcoming release of the Linux for PowerPC distribution. The LXP application server provides easy access to the advanced features of PostgreSQL with a suite of services to produce and manage dynamic websites, including: direct fallback to the PHP language, persistent query execution, data parsing, and XML and content management. (Daily updates on the release of YDL 2.0 can be found on the main page.)

Intelli Innovations Carbonizes product line

04/19, 10:40am

Intelli Innovations Carbonizes product line

Intelli Innovations has Carbonized eMail Alert! 2.6 , its $15 e-mail notification and reader product, as well as P.O. Toolbox 1.4, its advanced package management software for shipping with the U.S. Postal Service and its dynamic e-mail merge software, IntelliMerge 1.1, which also adds HTML, Unicode support, text wrapping, MIME, message preview mode, and sortable recipient lists. [EA--1.5MB; PO--1.0MB; IM--1.4MB]

Etchelon Macdoodle 2.2: painting for kids

04/19, 10:30am

Etchelon Macdoodle 2.2: painting for kids

Andy Pritchard's $7 shareware Etchelon Macdoodle 2.2, a children paint program, is now PPC-only, improving performance and offering other minor tweaks. The author says a Carbon version is due this summer.

Apple posts $43 profit in Q2

04/19, 10:20am

Apple posts $43 profit in Q2

Apple yesterday reported a profit of $43 million, or 12 cents per share, for its second quarter on revenues of $1.43 billion. Excluding one-time charges and gains, the company's profit was $40 million. We have a recap of the financials from yesterday, including the evening conference conference call with CFO Fred Anderson. [also see yesterday's summary]

Akamai posts lower than expected loss

04/19, 10:00am

Akamai posts lower than expected loss

Akamai, Apple's content-delivery partner, narrowly beat Wall Street estimates in its first quarter, posting a loss of $52.5 million on revenues of $40.2 million. Including one-time charges and investment write-offs, Akamai lost $2.2 billion for the quarter; the company has a bit more than $300 million in cash. Apple was Akamai's largest customer in 2000, contributing $10 million of the company's $90 million calender-year revenue. Apple's contract with Akamai expired last month, but is expected to be renewed at a lower rate. Shares of Akamai, of which Apple owns a significant but undisclosed stake, have suffered the brunt of the dot-com meltdown and are off 90 percent from their 52-week high. Shares are trading up today more than 15 percent.

3dfx completes sale of assets to nVIDIA

04/19, 9:45am

3dfx completes sale of assets to nVIDIA

3dfx today announced the completed sale of virtually all the company's assets to rival nVIDIA for $55 million in cash. In December, 3dfx announced that it would be disbanding its operations and selling its assets. Pursuant to satisfying additional terms of the agreement, 3dfx could receive an additional 1 million shares of nVIDIA or up to $25 million in cash and a lesser number of shares. 3dfx will use the money to wind down operations and pay off its debt.

Analysts chime in on Apple as stock jumps

04/19, 9:45am

Analysts chime in on Apple as stock jumps

In the wake of Apple's earnings yesterday, SG Cowen analyst Richard S. Chu cut his recommendation on Apple from "Buy" to "Neutral." Morgan Stanley Dean Witter analyst Gillian Munson maintained her "Neutral" rating on Apple but raised her estimates for the year, while Lehamn Brothers' analyst Daniel T. Niles raised his rating on Apple from "Market Perform" to "Buy" and set a 12-month target price of $32 per share. Meanwhile, Apple opened the trading day up $2.75.

AppleInsider: forums return, new articles

04/19, 9:30am

AppleInsider: forums return, new articles

After a month-long hiatus, AppleInsider's forums are back up. The site also recently posted articles on the next iMac revision, two new Apple software titles, and the status of various other projects.

MacNN Review: Escape from Monkey Island

04/19, 9:00am

MacNN Review: Escape from Monkey Island

We have posted a review of Escape from Monkey Island, the fourth installment of the adventure-game series.

OS X: 10.0.1 update available separately

04/19, 9:00am

OS X: 10.0.1 update available separately

osx.macnn.com covers Apple's quiet release of both the 10.0.1 Update and Software Update 1.3.1 for Mac OS X as separate downloads, the company's acknowledgement of an issue between Lombard PowerBook G3's and Mac OS X, and Corel's plans for carbonizing virtually all of its applications during the remainder of this year. [updated]

Royalty-free audio clip distribution for Macs

04/19, 4:50am

Royalty-free audio clip distribution for Macs

Sounddogs.com, a royalty-free audio clip distribution system, has unveiled a new interface with increased Macintosh compatibility. The new site offers .sit file formats and previews in the QuickTime format.

Pioneer to announce SuperDrive details at NAB

04/19, 4:50am

Pioneer to announce SuperDrive details at NAB

At the National Association of Broadcasters' Conference and Exhibition, Pioneer says it will announce the ship date and software bundle for the DVR-A03 combination DVD/CD Recordable/Re-Recordable Drive. The drive reads and writes DVD-R (write once For General), DVD-RW (re-recordable), CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM and CD-ROM. This is the same drive marketed by Apple as the "SuperDrive."

SimpleImageX 3.2b1 now available

04/19, 4:40am

SimpleImageX 3.2b1 now available

SimpleImageX 3.2b1 is beta version of the excellent shareware ($25) application for viewing, organising and cataloging image and movie files.

Pooch 1.0: parallel processing app helper

04/19, 4:40am

Pooch 1.0: parallel processing app helper

Pooch 1.0 is a new application that attempts to simplify the sometimes daunting task of setting up parallel processing over a Macintosh network. It is Carbonized for OS X. A demo is available online.

OS X updates posted to Web

04/19, 4:15am

OS X updates posted to Web

Apple's Mac OS X 10.0.1 Update and Software Update 1.3.1 were quietly made available as separate downloads, after being made only available via the Software Update Control panel late last week. Apple's newly updated Epson Print Drivers 1.0 are also available online. A new TIL 106271 has more details on the changes in the updates:

[Software Update 1.3.1] "provides enhancements to the Mac OS X Software Update engine, including resumable downloads, ability to work with proxy connections, and interface improvements."

[10.0.1 Update] has "improved functionality with iTunes, improved compatibility with third-party USB and FireWire devices, ability to make SSH connections, Classic environment refinements, and Enriched compatibility with AFP (AppleTalk/AppleShare) volumes."

Eudora 5.1 supports SSL, inline sigs, vCards

04/19, 3:50am

Eudora 5.1 supports SSL, inline sigs, vCards

Qualcomm's Eudora 5.1 email client is a final release of the company's trimode email client available in paid, ad-sponsored, and free "light" versions. Version 5.1 brings SSL support, inline signatures, vCard support, ESP file view, "Moodwatch enhancements," photodisplay in the address book, export of address book into CSV format, and a Palm conduit to sync Address Book. A separate v5.1 updater is available to those running v5.0 in paid mode. (The current Carbonized version, Eudora 5.1b12 for OS X, is still available online.)

XS3D 1.0b2: OpenGL classes for REALbasic

04/19, 3:50am

XS3D 1.0b2: OpenGL classes for REALbasic

XS3D 1.0b2 preview is an OpenGL-based Scene Library for REALbasic that "was developed with the intention of simplifying the process of creating 3D graphics by providing a pre-constructed set of objects (REALbasic classes)..[it] is a scalable toolkit, capable of handling realtime business charts, scientific data, or games development."

MacVCD X beta plays (some) VCDs

04/19, 3:45am

MacVCD X beta plays (some) VCDs

MacVCD X beta is a Mac OS X version of Mireth Technology's software video CD Player, MacVCD, however, the company notes one caveat:

Dr. Bott ships aluminum carry case for TiPB

04/19, 3:35am

Dr. Bott ships aluminum carry case for TiPB

Dr. Bott is now shipping its TiCase, a brushed, hard-shell, aluminum brief case built for the Titanium PowerBook.

DiskTracker 2.1.1: shareware cataloging app

04/19, 3:30am

DiskTracker 2.1.1: shareware cataloging app

DiskTracker 2.1.1 adds a PowerFile DVD jukebox scanner and fixes bugs in DiskTracker, the $30 shareware disk cataloging and labeling system from Portents. Updates are $10.

Tech: Duck Corp changes name, VAR study

04/19, 1:55am

Tech: Duck Corp changes name, VAR study

Ealry morning tech news: The Duck Corporation,, creators of popular Apple-distributed digital video compression technology, has changed its name to On2 Technologies; The Chandler Group's new study for VARs, "Channel Program Report: Hardware Vendors," analyzes the channel programs of various computer manufacturers, including Apple; Sigma Designs has announced a family of advanced MPEG decoder chips that support MPEG-4 standards and will be available in expansion cards and digital devices later this year.

Roundup: WWDC preview, Brother printers

04/19, 1:20am

Roundup: WWDC preview, Brother printers

Yesterday we posted a preview of Apple's WWDC conference where Steve Jobs will present the opening keynote. Other reports included Brother's new printers, 512MB DIMMs for Titanium PowerBooks, two new iBook cases, and new high-speed FireWire drives from LaCie. Recent important updates include SoundJam 2.5.3, Zterm 1.1b4, Acrobat Reader 5.0, Toast 5.0.1 Titanium, Vicomsoft FTP 3.1.5, an OpenSSH 2.5.2p2 patch for the new OS X 10.01 update as well as Timbuktu Pro for OS X.