News Archive for 02/08/08

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Apple iPod Software 1.2 posted

08/08, 8:10pm

Apple iPod Software 1.2 posted

Apple has posted its iPod Software 1.2 on its Website, after pre-announcing its releases in latest edition of Apple eNews this morning. The new software will update older versions of the iPod with new software that features contacts, calendar, clock, Audible.com support, Sound Check functionality, play count tracking, and other enhancements shown at Macworld Expo NY. [updated]

Apple Store in Milwaukee to open Aug. 31st

08/08, 6:35pm

Apple Store in Milwaukee to open Aug. 31st

The Apple Store in the Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa (Milwaukee), Wisconsin will open on Saturday August 31st, according to one reader. Along with this opening, the Apple Store in Wellington, Florida, will be holding the grand opening on August 17th (as noted yesterday).

StudioLink transfers data over fiber optics

08/08, 6:30pm

StudioLink transfers data over fiber optics

StudioLink allows the transmission of video and other data via 1394 over optical fiber up to 1,000 meters without signal degradation or the need for additional repeaters or boosters. Uses include transfering large video or data via FireWire at speeds of 500 Mbps. Each kit includes one repeater and a power adapter priced at $699.

Trinity source code released

08/08, 6:20pm

Trinity source code released

Ambrosia Software has released the source code to Trinity, a plugin that adds significant enhancements to the role playing game, Pillars of Garendall (which was updated yesterday).

FIREXPRESS Combo hard drives announced

08/08, 4:25pm

FIREXPRESS Combo hard drives announced

CompuCable has announced the FIREXPRESS 250 Combo hard drive, which features FireWire and USB 2.0 compatibility. The portable drives, which work with Mac OS 9 & X, is available in 20GB ($200), 30GB ($250), 40GB ($300) and 60GB ($620) sizes.

piPop 2.0.3: file navigator and launcher

08/08, 3:10pm

piPop 2.0.3: file navigator and launcher

piPop 2.0.3 is a file navigator and launcher for Mac OS 9 & X. It allows users to access any file quickly with a single click. The update renders menus 200% faster than 1.x versions and operates considerably more smoothly than previous versions.

OWC introduces Mercury Elite hard drives

08/08, 2:55pm

OWC introduces Mercury Elite hard drives

Other World Computing has introduced the 7200RPM Mercury Elite FireWire/USB 2.0 Combo hard drive. The Mac OS compatible drive ranges from 40GBs to 120GBs and features transfer rates of up to 480Mbps with USB 2.0 and 400Mbps with FireWire. Prices range from $190 for the 40GB model up to $300 for the 120GB drive.

World War II Online opens to Mac beta testers

08/08, 2:25pm

World War II Online opens to Mac beta testers

World War II Online, a new multi-player online war game, has opened beta testing to all Mac users. Mac OS X and a 32MB 3D graphics card are required.

Terra Soft: YDL pre-installed on Apple comp.

08/08, 2:20pm

Terra Soft: YDL pre-installed on Apple comp.

Terra Soft has announced the availability of Apple computers with Yellow Dog Linux pre-installed. PowerMac G4s, iBooks, G4 iMacs are available and automatically boot into Yellow Dog Linux. Xserves will soon be available.

Switcheroo 1.0: OS X Dock replacement

08/08, 1:50pm

Switcheroo 1.0: OS X Dock replacement

Switcheroo 1.0 is a dock replacement for Mac OS X that "makes up for the Dock's shortcomings." The $10 shareware utility, which looks like a traditional taskbar, does away with unnamed Dock icons and only shows an applications name.

Synchronize! Pro X 2.0b1: OS X backup util.

08/08, 1:35pm

Synchronize! Pro X 2.0b1: OS X backup util.

Synchronize! Pro X 2.0b1 is a free beta of the Mac OS X backup and file synchronization utility. The beta version makes bootable Mac OS X system backups while logged in as a regular user. The free beta period extends to August 28.

Apple seminar on Xserve, OS X Server 10.2

08/08, 1:20pm

Apple seminar on Xserve, OS X Server 10.2

A free seminar from Apple invites interested individuals to see Xserve and Mac OS X Server 10.2, Apple's 1U rack-mountable server solution, in person. The seminar will teach attendees about the Xserve technology and different situations it can be used in, new Mac OS X Server 10.2 features and more.

Tri-CATALOG 5.06: organize files and pictures

08/08, 1:20pm

Tri-CATALOG 5.06: organize files and pictures

Tri-CATALOG 5.06 is a file and picture cataloger for Mac OS 9 & X. It provides a powerful search tool for CDs, DVDs, FireWire hard drives and more. The update features several improvements: user interface improvements under Mac OS X, new picture formats are recognized and drag and drop problem fixed. The update is free; a full license is $100.

Three REALbasic plug-ins updated

08/08, 1:10pm

Three REALbasic plug-ins updated

Three REALbasic plug-ins have been updated by Alfred Van Hoek: HTMLrendering 2.2, cIconButtons 2.1 and NavDialog 2.7. HTMLrendering 2.2 exploits the HTML rendering capabilities of the Mac OS. The update fixes major rendering flaws and other bugs. cIconButtons 2.1 is a plugin where various buttons are grouped into one control which makes it easier to have a homing button together with a goBack and goForward button. NavDialog 2.7 provides better support for the Navigation Services available for the Mac OS. The update fixes different bugs that caused crashes. An amateur license is available for free; academic and professional licenses are also available, for $12 and $40, respectively.

Praeco 1.0: eBay auction tool with database

08/08, 11:35am

Praeco 1.0: eBay auction tool with database

Desideratum's Praeco 1.0 is a new tool ($30) for eBay buyers and sellers, which claims to "assist users by maintaining a categorized database of auctions the user wishes to monitor, searching eBay for new auctions, and placing automated bids for the user at specified times." It offers a hierarchical organization, customizable view opions, automatic update options, a bidding engine for placing bids at specificed times, and built-in search functions. A limited demo is available. [Classic, OSX]

DVD+RW Alliance approves 4x DVD+R spec

08/08, 11:30am

DVD+RW Alliance approves 4x DVD+R spec

The DVD+RW Alliance today announced the specifications for 4x DVD+R recording speeds and for the smaller 8cm DVD+RW/+R media, allowing DVD recorders and data drives to record at 44 Mb/sec for improved performance. The 8cm form factor is designed to enable compatibility with existing PCs with DVD-ROM and DVD players and offers disc capacities of 1.46GB. Pioneer, part of the DVD Forum and manufacturer of Apple's SuperDrives, recently said it would introduce products based on the 4X DVD-R spec, which directly competes with the DVD+RW/+R format, later this year. DVD Forum says that the 4X DVD-R spec is expected to be approved next month.

Pepsan updates free OS X utils for Jaguar

08/08, 10:15am

Pepsan updates free OS X utils for Jaguar

Pepsan has updated two of its free OS X utilities for Jaguar: AysMon provides an "at-a-glance" view of active network services and network interfaces; and Granet (Graph networking) is a utility that graphs the throughput of each active network interface on your computer. [AM, GT]

MacTelnet X Preview 2: improved terminal

08/08, 10:10am

MacTelnet X Preview 2: improved terminal

MacTelnet X Preview 2 is a preview of the OS X-based terminal application that offers support for AppleScript, sophisticated terminal emulation, macros, the floating command line and Tektronix vector graphics as well as the ability to interface directly with the UNIX layer to run applications locally in a MacTelnet terminal window. The pages notes a few problems when running under Jaguar, which are expected to be addressed by the time it ships.

ClipDoubler Pro 1.0 adds multiple clipboards

08/08, 10:05am

ClipDoubler Pro 1.0 adds multiple clipboards

Northern Softworks today released ClipDoubler Pro 1.0, its $15 clipboard enhancement utility, offering unlimited clipboards, search functions, shortcuts (to copy time, date, ip address), drag & drop to copy file pathnames, shortcuts to process text on the clipboard, the ability to save to disk, user-defined hotkeys, and other features. For a limited time, a free Trash X registration is offered with each ClipDoubler Pro registration.

SyncDeK 4.1 helps sync FileMaker databases

08/08, 9:40am

SyncDeK 4.1 helps sync FileMaker databases

SyncDeK 4.1 provides field-level conflict resolution, distributed ownership-based access control, conditional sharing options, and enhanced security via encryption and incremental sync updates. SyncDeK's Version Update Manager also allows developers to automate the process of distributing design changes for the database structure itself. Version 4.1 adds better conditional sharing, FileMaker 6 support, support for OS X, new local testing tools, IMAP support and container field support.

SmartWrap 2.2 helps manage text in apps

08/08, 9:25am

SmartWrap 2.2 helps manage text in apps

Selznick Scientific's SmartWrap 2.2 adds a new OS X installer, an unlimited size clipboard, and other enhancements to the text utility that analyzes text, detects paragraphs and lists, and rewraps the text. It is available as a text services plugin for OS X, a Eudora plugin, a clipboard application, an AppleScript Addition, a BBEdit/MailSmith/CodeWarrior plugin, a REALbasic plugin, and as AppleScripts for use with Outlook Express, Claris E-Mailer, and PowerMail. Upgrades to the $18 utility are free for v2.0 owners and $10 for others.

New IBM PowerPC chip with vector processing

08/08, 9:25am

New IBM PowerPC chip with vector processing

IBM is expected to disclose the technical details of its new 64-bit PowerPC microprocessor designed for desktops and entry-level servers at the upcoming Microprocessor Forum in October. The design, based on the Power4 design which the company uses in high-end servers, is an 8-way superscalar design that fully design supports Symmetric MultiProcessing (SMP). The chip also has an AtliVec-like vector processing unit that implements over 160 specialized vector instructions and implements a system interface capable of up to 6.4GB/s.

Kona Film SD 2.1b3 adds 24fps motion video

08/08, 9:25am

Kona Film SD 2.1b3 adds 24fps motion video

Blackmagic Design and AJA Video have released a public beta of Kona Film SD 2.1b3, a new software upgrade for its realtime capture and playback Kona SD PCI card. The free update provides 24 fps motion picture editing and design, which includes an "inverse telecine" process that removes the 3:2 pulldown added to the video by the telecine film scanner, and provides clean artifact free 24 fps video. Kona Film 24 frame support is available at uncompressed 10-bit, uncompressed 8-bit, and Online JPEG video quality modes.