News Archive for 01/05/08

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IntelliMerge 1.1.2 improves import

05/08, 7:35pm

IntelliMerge 1.1.2 improves import

IntelliMerge 1.1.2 improves the Import Recipients feature in the $60 dynamic e-mail merge software for Classic and Mac OS X from Intelli Innovations.

TheCatchingGame 1.61 for Mac OS X

05/08, 7:25pm

TheCatchingGame 1.61 for Mac OS X

TheCowCatchingGame 1.61 is a maintence release of the OpenGL-based $10 arcade game for Mac OS X. The game requires a Mac with a Rage 128, Rage 128 Pro, Radeon, or GeForce2 MX running Mac OS X 10.0 or later.

Power Mac G4s in space

05/08, 6:45pm

Power Mac G4s in space

Like Business Week last January, Apple has profiled SkyCorp owner Dennis Wingo, who plans to use Power Mac G4 Cubes to build a 544-satellite constellation to provide earthbound Web hosting and e-mail. Wingo chose the Mac partly because of its security. "...the Macintosh operating system is certified by the U.S. Army as being secure enough for classified missions. Others like Windows NT and Linux haven't made the cut."

Label Printer Pro 6.0.1 prints labels

05/08, 6:35pm

Label Printer Pro 6.0.1 prints labels

Label Printer Pro 6.0.1 is a maintenance release of the $35 Carbonized application for printing a wide variety of labels, from address labels to CD jewel cases, VHS tapes, and more.

Mac2Mac Project seeks help

05/08, 6:30pm

Mac2Mac Project seeks help

Mac2Mac 0.1, an open source utility bound to the GNU-GPL license and written using REALbasic, allows users to control a remote Mac over TCP/IP. The Mac2Mac Project is seeking programmers, graphics artists, beta testers, and technical writers to assist in the software's development.

Tech: Roxio on its own, Cisco posts loss...

05/08, 5:45pm

Tech: Roxio on its own, Cisco posts loss...

Evening tech news: After postponing its IPO last year, Adaptec will spin off its Roxio software division on May 11; Cisco posted a $2.69 billion net loss for its third quarter, the company's first loss ever, as sales fell a staggering 29 percent from the previous quarter; and as Napster's popularity plummets, some are questioning the future of peer-to-peer file sharing.

MacGhostview 2.1 includes PDF converter

05/08, 5:25pm

MacGhostview 2.1 includes PDF converter

MacGhostView 2.1, a new version of the Carbonized general purpose Postscript and PDF previewer, includes macps2pdf, a Postscript to PDF converter based on ghostscript 7.00, which is found on many Unix machines.

Family Address Book 2.0.5: organizer

05/08, 5:20pm

Family Address Book 2.0.5: organizer

Family Address Book 2.0.5, a new version of the $15 contact organizer, fixes a printing bug introduced in the previous version.

Consumer Reports reviews Apple laptops

05/08, 4:35pm

Consumer Reports reviews Apple laptops

The June issue of Consumer Reports features a review of laptops, including Apple's PowerBook G4 and the old iBook. The magazine calls the PowerBook G4 "very good overall, but pricey" and recommends it for commuters and road warriors, while the older iBook is "very good overall" and well-suited for home users and students.

New Math Blaster coming in June

05/08, 4:25pm

New Math Blaster coming in June

Knowledge Adventure will be releasing a new edition of the Math Blaster series, Cross Terrain Challenge, in June. The $20 Mac/PC title challenges players ages 9-12 to apply strategy, speed and skill as they race through a cross terrain obstacle course designed to strengthen their logic and critical-thinking skills.

New Metrowerks CodeWarrior at WWDC

05/08, 4:20pm

New Metrowerks CodeWarrior at WWDC

At Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) on May 21, Metrowerks will be releasing CodeWarrior for Mac OS 6.2 for download. An Early Access of CodeWarrior for Mac OS 7.0 components, which includes a new CodeWarrior IDE with support for Mac OS X and Java debugging on OS X, will be available on CD to registered WWDC attendees.

iBook spec disparity at the Apple Store

05/08, 2:50pm

iBook spec disparity at the Apple Store

The Apple Store incorrectly lists two of the specifications for Apple's new iBook. The 10GB hard drive is noted as running at 5400 RPM, but an Apple System Profiler report identifies the drive as an IBM DJSA-210, which runs at 4200 RPM (the PowerBook G4 models also feature 4200 RPM hard drives). Additionally, the Apple Store states that the DVD/CD-RW combo drive writes CDs at 8x, but an updated developer note states a 4x writing speed. The CD-RW drive, however, does in fact write discs at 8x.

OS X article in GDM June issue

05/08, 2:45pm

OS X article in GDM June issue

Eric Cherry notes that the June 2001 issue of Game Developer Magazine features a "Building Games for OS X" article written by The Omni Group's Timothy Wood that covers platform specific APIs, PowerPC specification pitfalls, sound, and input devices and includes sample code. Yesterday we published an interview with Wood discussing the company's work on bringing several high-profile games to the new platform.

Reader Report: McLean, VA, Apple Store (2)

05/08, 2:20pm

Reader Report: McLean, VA, Apple Store (2)

We have posted a second reader report on the McLean, Virginia, Apple Retail Store, with additional details and photos.

Logitech Cordless MouseMan Optical ships

05/08, 1:50pm

Logitech Cordless MouseMan Optical ships

Logitech's Cordless MouseMan Optical, its $60 USB mouse that "combines optical precision with cordless freedom", is now shipping in volume. The mouse's duplex optical sensor is the first of its kind that measures the amount of light reflected from the surface in order to gauge required brightness of the LED, resulting in reduced battery consumption.

Mac Tropico progressing well

05/08, 1:35pm

Mac Tropico progressing well

PopTop Software President Phil Steinmeyer told MacNN today that the Mac version of its strategy/simulation game, Tropico, is progressing well. "We have the game up and running in Mac OS 9 and are working on getting it running on Mac OS X." He also noted that the game is expected to reach golden master in early June, and will be published by MacSoft, not by Gathering of Developers, as had been previously announced.

Reader Report: New iBook - First Impressions

05/08, 1:00pm

Reader Report: New iBook - First Impressions

We have posted a reader report on the new iBook, including first impressions and 14 photos of the iBook and its packaging. (Last week we posted photos of the iBook compared to the PowerBook G3 and G4.)

iMovie 2 OS X French released

05/08, 12:55pm

iMovie 2 OS X French released

Apple has released a French version of iMovie 2 for Mac OS X, its consumer-oriented video editing application.

RhapsOGL X 1.0b3 for iTunes OS X

05/08, 12:50pm

RhapsOGL X 1.0b3 for iTunes OS X

RhapsOGL X 1.0b3 is the first third-party visual plugin for the Mac OS X version of Apple's iTunes, according to MacGeneration. This beta version is unoptimized and thus may appear choppy on some systems.

Roathe joins Darwin Development Team

05/08, 12:15pm

Roathe joins Darwin Development Team

Apple has announced the addition of Lane Roathe to its Darwin Development Team. Roathe, of Monkey Byte Development, will be working on Apple's open-source networking APIs, NetSprocket and OpenPlay. Roathe has over 18 years of experience in software development and is perhaps best known for co-founding id Software.

Security tightened at McLean, VA, Apple Store

05/08, 12:00pm

Security tightened at McLean, VA, Apple Store

Following the report on the McLean, Virginia, Apple Retail Store, MacNN sources note that security has been significantly tightened, with at least a half dozen mall security guards on foot both inside and at the store's back entrance. Sources were only able to get close enough to snap this nondescript shot of the rear entrance. A FedEx semi was delivering items to the store, with a UPS truck also unloading boxes for the store.

DMG Maker 1.0.5 creates disk images

05/08, 12:00pm

DMG Maker 1.0.5 creates disk images

DMG Maker 1.0.5 is a maintenance release of the Mac OS X freeware utility for creating disk images (.dmg or .img).

Kensington releases OS X drivers

05/08, 11:55am

Kensington releases OS X drivers

Kensington MouseWorks 1.0 for Mac OS X is the first official public non-beta release of the company's OS X drivers for its mice and trackballs. The drivers support all of the company's USB and ADB mice and trackballs except one-button mice and Turbo Mouse 1.0-4.0 (the older, 2-button models). The Kensington MouseWorks for OS X drivers will not work with the Griffin iMate ADB-to-USB adapter until drivers become available for that device, and users of the Turbo Mouse Pro or Expert Mouse Pro will be have to manually program DirectLaunch buttons.

AvantGo Connect/Conduit 4.0 released

05/08, 11:50am

AvantGo Connect/Conduit 4.0 released

AvantGo Connect/Conduit 4.0 is a new version of the free utility that allows Palm users to sync with web content and a variety of content channels.

Eskape's myTV OS X drivers

05/08, 11:40am

Eskape's myTV OS X drivers

Sandeep Khandelwal let us know that Eskape Labs is currently working on new Classic and Mac OS X drivers for its MyTV/fm USB external tuner and input device. The company hopes to release the drivers in beta form in the August/September timeframe, and the first release will likely not include the VCR features.

Default Folder 3.1.1 corrects bugs

05/08, 10:30am

Default Folder 3.1.1 corrects bugs

Default Folder 3.1.1 is a maintenance update to the $25 utility for enhancing Open and Save dialog boxes. The new version includes compatibility fixes for Photoshop 6.0.1, Acrobat Reader 5, and Omnis databases.

Orange Micro ships USB 2.0 PC card

05/08, 10:30am

Orange Micro ships USB 2.0 PC card

Orange Micro today began shipping the industry's first USB 2.0 CardBus PC card. The $110 card features four USB 2.0 ports.

Olympus introduces new $500 digital camera

05/08, 10:30am

Olympus introduces new $500 digital camera

Olympus today introduced the Camedia D-510 Zoom Digital Camera, a $500, 2.1 megapixel camera that features 3x optical zoom, 9x digital zoom, a 1.8-inch LCD monitor, and an 8MB SmartMedia card. The camera will ship in June and replaces the D-490.

SoftTTY 1.1 fixes crashing bug

05/08, 10:00am

SoftTTY 1.1 fixes crashing bug

SoftTTY 1.1 fixes a bug that would cause the $75 TTY software, which lets a Mac communicate over the telephone with other deaf or hard-of-hearing people using TTY's, to crash.

New text cleaning solution in public beta

05/08, 10:00am

New text cleaning solution in public beta

ClipCleaner 1.0b2 is a small utility for cleaning up clipboard text, including removing quote characters, line breaks, and converting curly quotes to straight quotes.

Golf Tracker keeps record of golf scores

05/08, 10:00am

Golf Tracker keeps record of golf scores

Alex Cannon has posted Golf Tracker 1.0 Development Release 1, an application for tracking golf scores. "Please note that this is a very early development version and many more features will be added as time progresses."

Jobs challenges Dell to debate

05/08, 10:00am

Jobs challenges Dell to debate

Less than a week after he declined to enter a "war of words" over the "disparaging remarks" Michael Dell has publicly made about the company, Apple CEO Steve Jobs told CNBC that he would like to publicly debate Dell on the merits of their respective notebook computers. There is no word at this time if Dell plans to respond to the challenge.

SmartDisk VST unveils PBG4 accessories

05/08, 10:00am

SmartDisk VST unveils PBG4 accessories

SmartDisk VST today unveiled its line of PowerBook G4 accessories. The G4 Battery Charger, AC Adapter, and Airline Adapter are all shipping now for $170, $70, and $40, respectively. The $80 Auto Adapter will ship by the end of the month, while the $80 Titanium Floppy Drive is due in June. A G4 Mobility Bundle, which features a SmartDisk VST Battery Charger, Apple G4 Battery, and Apple AC Adapter, will be available in June for $280.

Tech: Motorola to recover, Earthlink buys...

05/08, 9:00am

Tech: Motorola to recover, Earthlink buys...

Morning tech news: Motorola's CEO says the company is on track to recover from its financial problems; Morris Communication is selling its dial-up ISP service to Earthlink; Adobe has released 200 leading business eBook titles for purchase; and photos of Palm's forthcoming m700 have surfaced.

Apple possibly setting sights on PDA market

05/08, 9:00am

Apple possibly setting sights on PDA market

A job listing at Apple for a Microprocessor Development Project Manager to "manage the development of new high-performance microprocessors for future Apple computer products" could signal a successor to Apple's failed Newton handheld, speculates a Register article.

Microsoft looks to eliminate perpetual use

05/08, 8:30am

Microsoft looks to eliminate perpetual use

Microsoft plans to eliminate the "perpetual use" clause in its software licenses, which allowed institutional buyers to continue using "old" versions of MS software indefinitely. While this move mainly affects businesses and other institutional buyers of MS software (who usually pay "per seat" or "per machine"), it is seen as a prototype of the licensing model the company plans to eventually use across the board.

Mozilla 0.9 milestone build posted

05/08, 8:30am

Mozilla 0.9 milestone build posted

Mozilla 0.9, the latest milestone release of the open-source browser, is now available. Version 0.9 features automatic proxy configuration, Personal Security Manager 2.0, several performance enhancements, and more.

SuSE adds DVD-RAM support to Linux 7.1

05/08, 8:30am

SuSE adds DVD-RAM support to Linux 7.1

SuSE today announced that SuSE Linux 7.1, which features the new 2.4 kernel, offers support for Panasonic's 4.7GB DVD-RAM drive. SuSE Linux 7.1 is available for PowerPC for $50.

McClean, VA Apple Store report, NYC store

05/08, 8:30am

McClean, VA Apple Store report, NYC store

We have a first-hand report on the McLean, VA, Apple Retail Store, following yesterday's news that it will be the first location to open on May 19. Additionally, a New York Post article reports that Apple has taken over a 25,000-square-foot location in New York's SoHo district, which carries a $1.5 million a year rent.

OS X: Visual plugin for iTunes OS X

05/08, 8:00am

OS X: Visual plugin for iTunes OS X

osx.macnn.com reports on the first third-party visual plugin for iTunes for Mac OS X, Kensington's release of Mac OS X drivers for its mice and trackballs, and Eskape Labs' statement on Mac OS X drivers for its myTV tuner.

Roundup: Apple Retail Stores confirmed

05/08, 2:00am

Roundup: Apple Retail Stores confirmed

Yesterday we reported on the upcoming launch of Apple's first retail store in McLean, Virginia. Other reports included an interview with Omni's Timothy Wood, changes in Mac OS X 10.0.2, ceased publication of SoundJam MP, delays for LaCie's PocketDrive CD-RWs, Charter One buying iMacs for schools, and shipment of Myst III: Exile. Software releases included OmniWeb 4.0, Bushfire 1.10, FastTrack Schedule 7.02, Grammarian 2.1.3, Apple Authoring Support 1.1, eMail Alert! 2.6.2, and MP3 Rage 3.3.