News Archive for 01/07/10

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TitleTrack Jukebox 2.2: music management app

07/10, 10:45pm

TitleTrack Jukebox 2.2: music management app

TitleTrack Jukebox 2.2 adds a playlist log, AppleScript IR commands, and improved reporting to the music management program for controlling the Sony line of music CD Changers, playing MP3 and other sound files, and controlling certain home stereo systems.

TIME Magazine gives nod to iTunes

07/10, 7:15pm

TIME Magazine gives nod to iTunes

TIME's "The Burning (CD-R) Question," explores various PC software titles for burning music to CD, finally finding success with iTunes: "Build a playlist, click on a button and let it burn, baby. My first iTunes CD was so easy to make and so glitch free, I had tears in my eyes."

Apple looks at upcoming MacSoft games

07/10, 6:45pm

Apple looks at upcoming MacSoft games

Apple has profiled upcoming games from MacSoft—all of which will be Carbonized for play in Mac OS X—beginning with Tropico and Fly! II this summer. The two games will be followed by Max Payne, Civilization III, Master of Orion III, Myth III: The Wolf Age, and Stronghold for the Mac.

Tech: Finland takes top spot for technology

07/10, 6:35pm

Tech: Finland takes top spot for technology

Evening tech news: A new report by the United Nations shows Finland as the top country in the world for technology, followed by the U.S., Sweden, Japan, and Korea; a German company has uncovered the details of Microsoft's Windows Product Activation (WPA) system included with Windows XP that is designed to thwart pirates but has been widely scrutinized by industry analysts; Ashford has created an outlet store at eBay that offers discontinued and seasonal goods such as watches, jewelry, and sunglasses; and Compaq has announced that it expects to post second quarter earnings of 4 cents per share, but said sales will come in below forecasts and announced further job cuts.

Apple releases GeForce Graphics Update 2.1.1

07/10, 6:15pm

Apple releases GeForce Graphics Update 2.1.1

Apple has released GeForce Graphics Card Update 2.1.1, an update that installs new firmware and drivers for Macs equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce graphics card. The new version improves performance and compatibility and fixes a compatibility problem with newer versions of the NVIDIA system extensions. (VT)

UMAX petition for Mac OS X compatibility

07/10, 5:55pm

UMAX petition for Mac OS X compatibility

Gunnar Van Vliet has started a petition for UMAX to update their scanner drivers and software for compatibility with Mac OS X. Gunnar plans to send the petition to UMAX once the signatures reach "some sort of critical mass."

Vivastar to unveil new DVD-R Recorders

07/10, 5:55pm

Vivastar to unveil new DVD-R Recorders

Vivastar plans to introduce a new DVD-R Recorder at next week's Macworld Conference & Expo New York. The DVD-R will be available in two models: the RS-111, an internal computer model that carries a suggested retail price of $800, and an external unit, the RS-121, which will cost $900. The drives will be released in August; additional details are expected next week.

!Trak-It updates Mac human resources package

07/10, 5:50pm

!Trak-It updates Mac human resources package

!Trak-It Solutions has released Macintosh !Trak-It HR 9.50, a new version of its human resources management system with features that are now on par with the Windows Edition. !Trak-It HR 9.50 is available in both a Small Business Edition ($500)—for companies with fewer than 100 employees—and a Standard Edition ($1,000) and features an Attendance Tracking module, a new Grievance Tracking system, links to payroll and time clocks, multiple user support, and simultaneous data access from both Macs and PCs. The company is offering a 15% discount for new Macintosh systems licensed before September 1, 2001.

Foreshadowing on Apple's Mac OS X page

07/10, 4:50pm

Foreshadowing on Apple's Mac OS X page

Joshua J. spotted a tidbit on a portion of Apple's Mac OS X page listing some recent releases of Mac OS X software. Among the releases is the EightBall dockling, which Apple describes as, "New Macs at Expo? Answer: Hazy."

VXA-1 FireWire Tape Drive reduced in price

07/10, 4:40pm

VXA-1 FireWire Tape Drive reduced in price

The Ecrix VXA-1 FireWire Tape Drive Kit is now selling at the Apple Store for $1,000, a $150 reduction from its previous price. The kit includes an external FireWire tape drive, a 33/66GB tape, cables, and a cleaning cartridge. (The drive is located at Accessories, Storage.)

Dell disputes Apple's expected comeback

07/10, 4:25pm

Dell disputes Apple's expected comeback

Dell is disputing the accuracy of the QED report widely reported yesterday showing that Apple will regain the leadership position in education, according to c|net. "We believe we're well-positioned to retain our leadership position in the U.S. and we don't expect that to change," Dell spokesman Dean Kline said. A senior analyst with IDC said preliminary data indicates that Apple has picked up more sales with the release of its new iBook, but added that it will be "very difficult" to dislodge Dell from the top spot.

Developer site polling for interest in OS X

07/10, 4:10pm

Developer site polling for interest in OS X

Developer site Wrox is currently running a poll asking developers if they are considering Mac OS X as a development platform.

id Software announcements coming in August

07/10, 4:05pm

id Software announcements coming in August

id Software is expected to announce new games at QuakeCon 2001, an annual event for Quake enthusiasts and competitors. id Software will hold a press conference and Q&A session on Friday, August 10th at 2:00 pm CDT at The Mesquite Convention Center in Mesquite, Texas, according to Blue's News, followed immediately by a keynote address from John Carmack. id Software is currently developing the next iteration of Doom for Mac OS X and Windows, which it showed for the first time at Macworld Expo Tokyo in February 2001, but has yet to officially announce or name the title.

ExtremeZ-IP 2.02: file transfer utilty update

07/10, 3:45pm

ExtremeZ-IP 2.02: file transfer utilty update

Group Logic has released ExtremeZ-IP 2.02, an update to its file-transfer utility which reduces memory usage when the same file is modified repeatedly and adds compatibility with the creation of Drop Folders in Windows NT and 2000. A free 30-day demo is available.

SnapTalk 1.02: Mac LAN chat application

07/10, 2:50pm

SnapTalk 1.02: Mac LAN chat application

SnapTalk 1.02 is an update to the Mac LAN chat shareware that fixes a number of small bugs and increases stability. It is $25 for a 5-user license and $40 for a 10-user license and runs under Classic in OS X.

Blizzard scores early win in "Diablo" case

07/10, 2:05pm

Blizzard scores early win in "Diablo" case

Blizzard Entertainment has announced that a federal judge has granted a Preliminary Injunction motion against New Line Cinema that prohibits the studio from using the name "Diablo" for its upcoming motion picture or any name using the mark Diablo in any form, whether used alone or in combination with other words. The Diablo isometric role-playing action-game series for the Mac and PC debuted in 1996—the same year of Blizzard's filing for the Diablo trademark—and was most recently supplemented with the release of expansion set Diablo II: Lord of Destruction.

NetCam includes integrated PC running Linux

07/10, 1:40pm

NetCam includes integrated PC running Linux

StarDot Technologies has announced the release of NetCam, its high quality digital camera that contains an integrated web server running Linux. The camera can be connected using its built-in Ethernet port or an external modem and features a Web browser interface for configuring the camera from anywhere in the world. NetCam is available now for $600; a complete outdoor package is available for under $750.

Silicon Graphics F180: 18.1-inch LCD

07/10, 1:30pm

Silicon Graphics F180: 18.1-inch LCD

SGI has introduced the Silicon Graphics F180, a new 18.1-inch, 1280x1024 resolution digital flat panel display. The F180 display uses Advanced In-Plane Switching (AIPS) technology in the LCD, which SGI claims to yield higher brightness, increased contrast, and wider color gamut than previously available on comparable LCD displays. The display's DVI-I feature allows users to connect two analog sources and switch between them via the Select button without needing a switch box. The Silicon Graphics F180 will be available at the end of July for $1,500.

Charla 1.2: Yahoo! chat client

07/10, 1:10pm

Charla 1.2: Yahoo! chat client

Peter Ammon has released Charla 1.2, a new version of his open source Yahoo! chat client for Mac OS X. Version 1.2 improves speed and stability and adds several new features.

XMorph 1.5, XMorph 1.5 DE released

07/10, 1:05pm

XMorph 1.5, XMorph 1.5 DE released

Colin Cornaby has released XMorph 1.5, a new version of his Mac OS X theme tool. Version 1.5 adds a second interface for ease of use, support for icon sets, and Blue Pastel and Glass themes instead of Unlined Charcoal and Unlined Ruby. In addition, XMorph 1.5 DE (Developers Edition) is available, which is designed for users developing themes or icon sets for Mac OS X.

Weblet Charts for Lasso and CDML released

07/10, 1:00pm

Weblet Charts for Lasso and CDML released

Brian Dunning has released Weblet Charts for Lasso and CDML, a $25 solution that provides a sample database and five chart format files for showing users how to create their own web chart solutions. Weblet Charts comes with databases for Filemaker 4 or 5, fully commented Lasso and CDML format files, and instructions for their use.

Ecrypt for FileMaker offers 448-bit security

07/10, 12:55pm

Ecrypt for FileMaker offers 448-bit security

Encrypt for Filemaker converts any FileMaker field to 448-bit encrypted data with a single command, converts data to/from hexadecimal or email transmission, and creates SHA and MD5 digital signature (as well as provides automatic secure key generation). A single user license is £10, while developer and site licenses are £150 and £100 respectively. It works with FileMaker 5.5 and OS X.

Custom Shapes Vol. 5 for Photoshop

07/10, 12:50pm

Custom Shapes Vol. 5 for Photoshop

Sapphire Innovations has released Custom Shapes Volume 5, a £13 collection of 600 new 'flowing' brush stroke/frame custom shapes for Photoshop 6/Elements. The custom shapes can be used in conjunction with layer effects, as 'brushed' fill regions, path/strokes/effects, and more.

Epson introduces Gemini Printing System

07/10, 12:15pm

Epson introduces Gemini Printing System

Epson has introduced the EPSON Gemini Professional Printing System, a system designed as an alternative to traditional color labs for professional portrait photographers.

Pitney Bowes introduces DL200 printer/copier

07/10, 12:10pm

Pitney Bowes introduces DL200 printer/copier

Pitney Bowes has introduced the DL200 multi-function printer/copier, which features 21 page-per-minute speeds as well as scanning, copying, and faxing capabilities. Network compatible, the DL200's network scanning capabilities allow Scan-to-E-Mail, Scan-to-File, and Scan-to-URL of an FTP server. The DL200 also acts as a high-volume fax device and features a 33.6 Kbps modem and JBIG data compression for transmitting at 2.8 seconds-per-page. The DL200 is available immediately with a list price of $4,100.

DealNN: Refurbished Dual USB iBook ($1100)

07/10, 11:35am

DealNN: Refurbished Dual USB iBook ($1100)

Today's deals at DealNN include a Formac 16x10x40 FireWire CD-RW ($240), two Maxtor 40GB FireWire hard drives ($130), refurbished dual USB iBook ($1100), Indigo G3/400 iMacs ($700), and Nomad II 64MB MP3 Player ($180).

FILTERiT4 discount promo

07/10, 11:30am

FILTERiT4 discount promo

CValley, Inc. is offering its Adobe Illustrator plug-in, FILTERiT4, for $80 (a $50 savings) to owners of another Illustrator plug-in suite worth $50 or more. To qualify, users must submit the name of the Illustrator plug-in and the serial number. The offer ends October 10, 2001 and cannot be combined with any other discount offer.

FreeBSD ports system works under OS X

07/10, 8:55am

FreeBSD ports system works under OS X

ZDnet reports that FreeBSD "ports system" now works under Darwin, Apple's open-source core of Mac OS X. The package enables software to be easily adapted and run under OS X: "the move will facilitate the development and distribution of utilities and applications for all Darwin-based operating systems. It will also speed optimization of Unix software for Cocoa, the native, object-oriented set of APIs that are exclusive to Mac OS X."

FastFile RAID stores up to 1 terrabyte

07/10, 8:55am

FastFile RAID stores up to 1 terrabyte

Seek Systems yesterday announced FasFile RAID, a new RAID 5 solution that uses Seagate 180GB drives to deliver one terabyte of storage in a seven-inch (4U) drawer. The system supports both Mac OS 9 and OS X. [pricing not available]

Apple schedules Q3 Conference Call

07/10, 8:45am

Apple schedules Q3 Conference Call

Apple's Q3 Conference Call with CFO Fred Anderson will discuss the company's Q3 2001 financial results. It is scheduled for Tuesday, Jul 17, 2001 at 5:00 pm ET and will be Webcast via QuickTime.

Click N' Burn: new Mac CD recording package

07/10, 5:30am

Click N' Burn: new Mac CD recording package

Click 'N Burn Macintosh is a new $50 CD recording software package that "allows computer users to create music CDs, data CD-ROMS, flawless CD-to-CD copies, as well as many other features." (The site has yet to be updated with product information, but the product is available for purchase.)

ProVUE officially introduces Panorama 4

07/10, 5:25am

ProVUE officially introduces Panorama 4

Following our note a few weeks ago, ProVUE yesterday officially announced the release of Panorama 4.0, a new cross-platform, PowerPC-native version of its $300 RAM-based database. Version 4 includes new "Wizards," new training material, sample databases, and improved programming tools. Upgrades are $70 from v3.0.

The Fontz 3.1: font utility for Classic, OS X

07/10, 5:10am

The Fontz 3.1: font utility for Classic, OS X

The $10 shareware utility, The Fontz 3.1, allows users to "browse existing fonts, see what they look like at different type sizes, styles and colors, and even group them in like categories using a 'wysiwyg' group maker." It adds better font grouping functions, a font slide show function, and a new OS X native version. [Classic, Carbon]

Audion 2.5: MP3 application gets new features

07/10, 5:00am

Audion 2.5: MP3 application gets new features

Panic today released Audion 2.5, a free update to its MP3 application, announced special upgrade promotion for SoundJam owners, and posted new faces for its application. [Classic, Carbon: 1.8MB]

StuffIt for Linux, Solaris now available

07/10, 4:55am

StuffIt for Linux, Solaris now available

Aladdin yesterday shipped its compression software, StuffIt for Linux and Solaris platforms, allowing users to create/decode Zip, StuffIt, Binhex, MacBinary, Uuencode, Unix Compress, self-extracting archives for Windows or Macintosh platforms as well as expand bzip files, gzip, arj, lha, rar, BtoAtext and MIME.

ResellerPower 3.45: database for businesses

07/10, 4:20am

ResellerPower 3.45: database for businesses

dSoft has released ResellerPower 3.45, a new version of its integrated database system for small business that includes modules for quoting, order entry, purchase order, prospect list management.

Roundup: Apple plans MWNY Webcast

07/10, 2:00am

Roundup: Apple plans MWNY Webcast

Yesterday Apple revealed its plans to Webcast next week's Macworld Expo New York keynote. Other reports included Apple's acquisition of Spruce Technologies, Apple's strides to regain leadership in the educational market, dwindling iMac supplies, Adobe's Mac OS X plans, users' opinions on Napster, the new iBook as a Linux portable, solid sales of iBooks in Japan, shipment of the UMAX Astra 4400 scanner, and free registration for Apple Expo. Software releases included Mailsmith 1.1.7, Rune 1.07, MovieWorks 5.1, and Aimster for Mac 1.003.