News Archive for 01/11/13

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Sonnet updates processor upgrade software

11/13, 9:30pm

Sonnet updates processor upgrade software

Sonnet's Crescendo/7200 v1.02 for its line of Crescendo/7200 G3 and G4 processor upgrade cards adds support for Mac OS 9.1, and adds support for the Sonnet Tempo ATA100 PCI Host Adapter and also installs the correct software enablers and Metronome utility into the System Folder.

Mail Siphon 2.6: email notification agent

11/13, 8:35pm

Mail Siphon 2.6: email notification agent

English, French, Italian, Danish, and Norwegian versions of Mail Siphon 2.6, now compatible with OS X 10.1.1, improves download speed and other improvements to the shareware email notifcation.

PCS Accounts 1.0 manages home/Web accounts

11/13, 8:30pm

PCS Accounts 1.0 manages home/Web accounts

The $5 shareware PCS Accounts 1.0 helps manage home and web accounts, including account number, type, description, login name, password for each record, a URL field for web accounts, and Palm synchronization (via FileMaker Mobile).

Apple resolves FPO/APO address mailing issue

11/13, 8:05pm

Apple resolves FPO/APO address mailing issue

A MacNN reader writes about Apple's response to a note posted here about Apple shipping policies to FPO/APO military addresses: "In reference to my email last week about the MAC OS X up to date program shipping to FPO and APO military addresses. Today in the mail from Apple headquarters I received the boxed version of OS X 10.1. They do listen to the Mac community. Thanks to all for the support."

RumorMill 1.3 updated by Swaystairs Software

11/13, 8:05pm

RumorMill 1.3 updated by Swaystairs Software

Swaystairs Software has released RumorMill 1.3, an NNTP (news) server for Macintosh computers. It brings support for restricted user access, larger-than 2GB databases, SYSLOG logging, NAT-based networks, and other enhancements. Upgrades are $15; commercial licenses are $100 and private or educational licenses are $35. (RumorMill was previously distributed by Stairways Software.)

Apple releases Mac OS X 10.1.1 update

11/13, 6:50pm

Apple releases Mac OS X 10.1.1 update

Apple has released an OS X 10.1.1 update (via the Software Update), which has improvements for many USB and FireWire devices, including support for additional digital cameras, and overall improvements to CD and DVD burning. Enhancements have been made to AFP, SMB, and WebDAV networking, as well as improved support for printing. This update also delivers better application compatibility, including updates to the Finder and Mail application. In addition, hardware accelerated video mirroring has been enabled for the new PowerBook G4.

Compaq beats Apple for best wireless notebook

11/13, 5:45pm

Compaq beats Apple for best wireless notebook

Four companies were awarded honors for their efforts in the wireless industry at Andrew Seybold's Outlook 4Mobility dinner conference, which took place Monday night. Atheros Communications received the Wireless LAN Award for being first to ship 802.11a wireless LANs in volume, while Compaq won the award for "Most Innovative Wirelessly-Enabled Notebook Computer," for its EVO with 802.11b (AirPort) connectivity. Other awards went to Leap Wireless International and Qualcomm.

Verbatim unwraps new DVD media

11/13, 5:35pm

Verbatim unwraps new DVD media

Verbatim has taken the wraps off a new line of DVD media for use in DVD-R, DVD-RAM, or DVD-RW drives, including Apple's SuperDrive. The new recordable DVDs range in capacity from 3.95GB to 9.4GB, and are certified for 2X recording speed. DataLifePlus DVD media street prices are $9.95 for the 4.7GB DVD-R General media, $19.95 for 4.7GB DVD-RW discs, $16.00 for 4.7GB DVD+RW media.

Review: Bryce 5

11/13, 5:00pm

Review: Bryce 5

We've published a review of Bryce 5, the 3D rendering and animation application which was acquired from MetaCreations and is now owned by Corel.

NEC intro new flat panels, SpectraView CRTs

11/13, 12:45pm

NEC intro new flat panels, SpectraView CRTs

NEC this week introduced new flat panel displays and its new SpectraView Color Calibration Solutions based on its CRT monitors.

New Apple Power Adapters available

11/13, 11:50am

New Apple Power Adapters available

Patrick Valenzuela notes the availability of the new Apple Portable Power Adapters: "The new Apple Portable Power Adapters are available from the Apple online store, and Apple has also made older-model adapters compatible with older iBooks and PowerBook G3s available (they are the same old Yo-Yo's but with a white Apple on the top). The price on the new adapter is $80, and the other is $70." Both are expected to ship in about 7 days. iPod power adapters are $50 and are listed with a ship time of 3-4 weeks. (We also recently noted an Apple PowerBook G3 AC Adapter Exchange Program for certain PowerBook G3 systems.)

Symantec releases Norton Utilities 6.03

11/13, 11:35am

Symantec releases Norton Utilities 6.03

Symantec has released NUM 6.0.3, an update to its disk diagnosis/repair and file recovery utility for Mac OS 8/9. The Norton Utilities for Mac update, only available through the program's Live Update feature, improves compatibility with Unicode text encodings, upgrades the File Saver routines for volumes with high-density of files and better efficiency, addresses SpeedDisk optimizations issues, and has other bug fixes and minor improvements.

Sony Micro Vault offers portable USB storage

11/13, 11:25am

Sony Micro Vault offers portable USB storage

Sony yesterday introduced Micro Vault, a series of USB-based storage media devices, which are "about the length of a car key and the thickness of a highlighter pen." The driverless storage devices are available in four models with storage capacities up to 128MB and include Sony's new Security Zone software, which allows users to create a password-protected disk areas for greater privacy and security. The Micro Vault product line, expected to ship in January, will ship color-coded based on storage capacity, including a 16MB (orange), 32MB (red), 64MB (blue) and 128MB (black) models for $50, $90, $150 and $300, respectively.

Archos intros new portable storage solutions

11/13, 11:15am

Archos intros new portable storage solutions

Archos has announced a new line of USB 2.0 peripherals, including its MiniCDRW 2 (16x/10x/24x), a slim-line, portable 16x CD-R that includes mastering software for both Macs and PCs. The new Cesar-CDRW/MPM is a bus-powered CD-RW described as "the smallest portable 8x8x24x CD-RW drive on the market." It is available with either USB 2.0, FireWire, or PC Card interfaces. Archos also introduced its portable MiniHD, which is available in 6GB, 20GB and 40GB capacities. The bus-powered device, weighing only 6.5 oz, is expected to be available with USB 2.0, PC Card, FireWire, and USB 1.1 hot-swappable interfaces. Availability and pricing are both expected in December.

Lexar has new 640MB CompactFlash card

11/13, 10:55am

Lexar has new 640MB CompactFlash card

Lexar Media has added a new 640MB CompactFlash card to its line of 16X speed Professional Series digital film. The $900 media is expected to ship at beginning of December. Its Professional Series CompactFlash cards--all of which support transfers at 2.4MB/sec--are available in capacities of 192MB, 256MB, 320MB, and 512MB as well.

VOODOO Personal 2.1.1 tracks doc changes

11/13, 10:55am

VOODOO Personal 2.1.1 tracks doc changes

Uni Software's VOODOO Personal 2.1.1 is a maintenance release which contains a couple of bug fixes and improves compatibility with OS X 10.1. The $80 application protects your documents against accidental deletion and unwanted changes by tracking/saving all versions of your documents, allowing you to restore or browse any previous version. It also offers document comparison functions for locating differences.

ArKaos releases OS X versions of visual apps

11/13, 10:50am

ArKaos releases OS X versions of visual apps

ArKaos has released an OS X-compatible version of its VJ software, ArKaos VJ 2.1. The real-time video authoring tools can edit and manipulate a visual performance while it is running. ArKaos's VMP software, ArKaos VMP 2.1 is now also OS/X compatible, allowing home users to build professional style special effects videos using still images taken from holiday photos, digital cameras and the web.

Brother intros new laser printers, MFCs

11/13, 10:30am

Brother intros new laser printers, MFCs

Brother has introduced a new series of personal/small group laser printers as well as three new laser, flatbed multi-function printers. [updated]

OS X: ViaVoice, wireless drivers, QTSS 4.0b

11/13, 10:15am

OS X: ViaVoice, wireless drivers, QTSS 4.0b

osx.macnn.com has news of a public seed of QTSS 4.0b, a new unsupported driver for third-party wireless cards, a simple iPod utility for accessing files/music, the release of Extensis Suitcase 10.1, and the upcoming release of IBM ViaVoice for OS X (see yesterday's edition).

Graphics card drives two ACDs on Wintel

11/13, 10:00am

Graphics card drives two ACDs on Wintel

3Dlabs is now offering two bundles of Oxygen Graphics cards and connector kits for driving as many as two Apple Cinema Display from a single graphics card. The bundles support Windows NT and Windows 2000. The bundles are available immediately for the Oxygen GVX420 with two DVI-to-ADC connectors, and for the Oxygen GVX1 Pro 1.5v with a single DVI-to-ADC connector. A certified Apple power supply is included for powering each display in a Windows PC configuration.

Extensis releases Suitcase 10.1 for OS X

11/13, 9:55am

Extensis releases Suitcase 10.1 for OS X

Extensis today released Suitcase 10.1, an OS X-compatible version of its application for previewing and managing fonts. The upgrade offers the ability to view fonts in all OS X font directories, and to activate or de-activate fonts in Cocoa, Carbon and Classic applications. Version 10.1 now supports Windows fonts (Open Type and TrueType) for OS X applications and also includes an updated MenuFonts component for Mac OS 9. Upgrades to the $100 package are $50 for registered owners of older versions. French, German and Japanese language versions will be available in January 2002. It is a free update for Suitcase 10 owners.

Podestal 0.1 for viewing, copying iPod files

11/13, 9:40am

Podestal 0.1 for viewing, copying iPod files

Podestal 0.1 allows users to easily download any files stored on Apple's iPod, providing both a a file view and a music view: "The file centric view works much like the Finder's list view. The music view parses the ID3 tags associated with the MP3 files and organizes the various mp3 tracks by Artist, Album and, finally, tracks. An icon view at the bottom of the window allows the current selection to be copied via drag and drop."

Wireless Driver 1.0b3 adds limited WEP

11/13, 9:35am

Wireless Driver 1.0b3 adds limited WEP

A new version of the unsupported OS X driver for third-party wireless PC cards is now available, WirelessDriver 1.0b3. It supports Prism/Prism2 wireless cards such as the WaveLAN/ORiNOCO, Cabletron, SkyLINE and D-link PCMCIA cards under OS X. It offers WEP encryption on closed networks using certain third-party cards and adds multicast support as well as a new preferences pane for displaying signal strength, entering network name/password, and enabling WEP encryption. There are still issues when removing an network interface (causes a system panic), sleep crashes, and AppleTalk issues when communicating with older Macs and/or printing to AppleTalk-only printers and software does not yet display all available networks. [updated]

America Online posts AOL 18D client

11/13, 9:25am

America Online posts AOL 18D client

America Online recently posted AOL 18D, a new build of its OS X client. Available via the keyword "Beta", it supports visual notification in the dock of new e-mail and instant messages via icon badgets as well as fixes for the display of very long screen names and the built-in dialer.

Apple releases QTTS 4.0 beta for OS X Server

11/13, 9:05am

Apple releases QTTS 4.0 beta for OS X Server

Apple's QuickTime Streaming Server 4 Public Seed is a pre-release, time-limited software release and "should not be used in a commercial operating environment or with important data." It expires on March 15, 2002 and requires a restart, if you did not install BSD packages when you installed Mac OS X Server. Version 4.0 includes improved administration, native hinted MPEG-4 streaming, Quality of Service enhancements, and native MP3/Icecast streaming support, and GUI improvements to Playlist Broadcaster.

AirPort 2.0 adds AOL, 128-bit support

11/13, 8:55am

AirPort 2.0 adds AOL, 128-bit support

Apple today released its second-generation AirPort wireless technologies, including new AirPort 2.0 software and an updated AirPort base station. Version 2.0 of the software supports AOL 5.0 (US only), 128-bit encryption, CISCO Leap clients, integrated firewall protection, and RADIUS support for centrally manage user access control. (Note that encryption for original AirPort Base Stations will remain 40-bit, while AirPort cards are updated to support 128-bit encryption via firmware.) Apple is also shipping new AirPort Base stations that support up to 128-bit encryption, offer two Ethernet ports, and support up to 50 users on a single base station. The software is available via the Software Update in both Mac OS 9 and OS X. [Website updated, but software not available online]

New FMPro database for exception tracking

11/13, 8:50am

New FMPro database for exception tracking

KevTools has released KevPT 2.0, an exception management system that can track problems, requests, and solutions. Version 2.0 includes asset tracking, individual staff usernames/passwords, and record level security. Both a standalone edition (SA) and networkable FileMaker/Web edition for users with FileMaker Pro 5.0 are available now, while a Carbonized version for OS X is expected by the end of the year. Pricing starts at $25. [SA, Network]

Outlook Email Archive 2.4 for archiving email

11/13, 8:45am

Outlook Email Archive 2.4 for archiving email

Outlook Email Archive 2.4 is $15 shareware utility for archiving emails and attachments you have received or sent using Microsoft Outlook Express.

Style Master 2.1 adds auto-creation from HTML

11/13, 8:40am

Style Master 2.1 adds auto-creation from HTML

WestCiv Webware's Style Master 2.1 adds improved automated creation of style sheets from legacy, appearance based HTML, better keyboard navigation and other interface and performance improvements to the WYSIWIG CSS development environment. The $30 standard version supports CSS1 and CSSP (the layout aspects of CSS), while the $50 Style Master Pro version supports both CSS1 and CSS2 and includes a Complete CSS Guide.

MacVCD 3.0 adds new prefs, auto-hide features

11/13, 8:30am

MacVCD 3.0 adds new prefs, auto-hide features

MacVCD 3.0, which offers full screen display of VCDS as well as other related playback options, adds auto eject and auto play preferences, auto hide menu bar and auto hide controller preferences, and HTML-formatted documentation. A demo of the $15 shareware is available. [Classic, Carbon]

Hold-Up 1.5: personal finance manager

11/13, 8:25am

Hold-Up 1.5: personal finance manager

Hold-Up 1.5 brings many changes to the personal finance manager, including improved Quicken QIF import, multiple transaction entry, and basic currency conversion. Basic ($20) and pro ($30) versions are available online as a limited demo.

QPS DVD burners with USB 2.0 or FireWire

11/13, 2:15am

QPS DVD burners with USB 2.0 or FireWire

QPS yesterday also announced new DVD burners--each with USB 2.0 and FireWire interfaces: the Que! DVD Burner (DVD-R/DVD-RAM); Que! DVD Burner Plus CD-RW (DVD-RW/CD-RW); and Que! DVD Burner+RW (DVD+RW/CD-RW). (It also introduced its 120GB Que! M3 UltraSlim drive, and its line of 32x CD-RW drives.)

iPuppet presents: Colin's Classic Card ships

11/13, 2:05am

iPuppet presents: Colin's Classic Card ships

Aspyr Media is now shipping iPuppet presents: Colin's Classic Cards, a $30 single and multiplayer interactive suite of card games including Hearts, Spades, Euchre and Pitch.

iListen 1.1 improves speech recognition app

11/13, 2:00am

iListen 1.1 improves speech recognition app

MacSpeech has released iListen 1.1, an update to its speech recognition software. Version 1.1 includes the ability to correct mis-recognized words, have the computer learn your writing style through writing sample analysis, improved command mode and recognition switching, and more commands. It also includes faster dictation in Word 2001 documents and LanguagePak support for non-US languages, which are available for purchase at the Website. Updates are free for registered users.

ABFR 4.2 brings improvements to utility

11/13, 1:50am

ABFR 4.2 brings improvements to utility

A Better Finder Rename 4.2 introduces the ability to add numbers to the front of existing file names and offers a redesigned menu with better readability as well as improved support for OS X long file names. It is available both as part of the A Better Finder tool series for $45 or separately for $15. [Classic, Carbon]

JediKnight 2.0: Cocoa-native IRC client

11/13, 1:50am

JediKnight 2.0: Cocoa-native IRC client

David Young has released JediKnight 2.0, an update to his Cocoa-native IRC client for OS X, which offers support for alpha-channels, multiple server connections, asynchronous network operations, and user-defined text commands. Version 2.0 offers support for password-protected channels, an Aqua toolbar, and channel & query notifications.

Key Xing 1.2: keyboard launcher for OS X

11/13, 1:45am

Key Xing 1.2: keyboard launcher for OS X

John Scalo has quickly updated Key Xing 1.2, his $7 shareware utility that allows you to launch files and programs using keyboard shortcuts. The application now allows you to use functions keys without a modifier.

FontAgent 8.7 improves help, OS X performance

11/13, 1:40am

FontAgent 8.7 improves help, OS X performance

Insider Software has released FontAgent 8.7, an update to its font repair and management utility that improves the help system, has OS X performance enhancements, and fixes for handling very large font libraries. The $70 application handles all the fonts on a single machine, and a free version is available to test fonts.

Pict Encrypt 1.0 provides steganography

11/13, 1:35am

Pict Encrypt 1.0 provides steganography

Pariahware has released Pict Encrypt v1.0, a freeware image encryption (steganography) application that allows users encode a type-written message into an image using a password as well as decode messages encrypted by the applications.