PlayerPRO 5.9.2 adds QuickTime 5 DLS2 support
Quadmation\'s PlayerPRO 5.9.2, an update to its music editing program (a.k.a., SoundTracker), adds OS X sound input compatibility, bug fixes for OS X, better import/export functions, and QuickTime 5 DLS2 support. Updaters are available for both the freeware and commercial versions. [Classic, Carbon]
LaCie posts SilverLining Pro 6.4.4 drivers
Jason Greene notes that LaCie has released SilverLining Pro 6.4.4, an update to its driver utility software for its DVD-RAM/R, CD-RW (FireWire, SCSI, USB), and hard drives. (A list of changes is not available.)
SciFinder 2001 helps perform research
SciFinder 2001, another desktop research tool, allows you to explore research topics, browse scientific journals, and stay up to date on today\'s most recent scientific developments. With SciFinder, no special training is needed. You simply point and click to access more than 19 million abstracts and 35 million substances. (A MacNN reader points to a list of dozens of other scientific applications available for OS X.)
ChemDraw 7.0 adds OS X support, new features
Cambridgesoft\'s ChemDraw 7.0, a popular chemistry drawing package, is now available for OS X. Version 7.0 adds BioDraw,, Name=Struct, AutoNom, ChemNMR, SDK features, and more, as well as the Chem3D and ChemFinder applications and the Chem3D Plugin, to ChemDraw Pro. The $1,600 application is available for $700 to education customers.
iPod, TiPB among year\'s top 10 gizmos
Singapore\'s Straits Times Interactive has named the iPod and the Titanium PowerBook among the year\'s top 10 gizmos.
Graffix Select Menu plugin for Illustrator 10
Rick Johnson has updated his free Graffix Select menu plugin 10.0.3 for Illustrator 10 (for Mac OS 9 and OS X) to address a problem in selecting various types of paths.
Edgar Online posts Apple\'s financial chart
Edgar Online has posted a detailed chart of Apple\'s financials over the past year, including a balance sheet, cash flow breakdown, and income statement. The chart represents data collected through Apple\'s most recently reported fiscal quarter.
Tech: Fuel cells, Oracle cuts, Orders up
Morning tech news: Toshiba and other mobile electronics firms are eyeing fuel cell technology as an efficient replacement for lithium ion batteries; Oracle plans to lay off 400 to 800 employees in its sales and consulting divisions; Orders for computers and portable electronics are up 2 percent thanks to low interest rates.
Now AAPL Stock: 151.89 ( -1.5 )
Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit
Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj
Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket
The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]
Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera
Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94
Apple employees testing wheelchair features
New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa
SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards
SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If
Apple's third-quarter results due July 26
Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm
Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users
Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE
