News Archive for 02/09/23

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ChronoSync 1.1 gets improved scheduler

09/23, 10:55pm

ChronoSync 1.1 gets improved scheduler

ChronoSync 1.1, an automated synchronization tool for Mac OS X by Econ Technologies, adds persistent synchronization trees, offering support for bi-directional syncs with deletions, better date accuracy with all systems, and even restoration of changed files. Version 1.1 also features an improved information display and a better Scheduler with a new background application, which can automatically launch and terminate synchronizations.

Simple List 1.0: shareware list manager

09/23, 10:45pm

Simple List 1.0: shareware list manager

Simple List 1.0 is a $10 shareware list manager designed to keep personal and business tasks in to-do lists. It features the metallic QuickTime-like windows on Jaguar as well as instant filtering functions, auto-opening, and keyboard navigation.

Electric Rain releases Swift 3D v3.0

09/23, 10:45pm

Electric Rain releases Swift 3D v3.0

Electric Rain today released Swift 3D v3.0, a standalone application allowing designers to build and export 3D animations to the Macromedia Flash (SWF) file format, as well as other major vector and raster formats. It also offers RAViX III Vector Output Options, including support for Transparency, Reflectivity, advanced Specularity, multiple shadows, and SmartLayer technology, which conjunction with the Swift 3D Importer plug-in for Macromedia Flash MX enabling users to render 3D scenes to a proprietary file format. Upgrades to the $160 application are $80 (before a limited-time $10 discount upgrade offer). The current version runs under Classic; however, the company is gauging demand for a Carbon version, and is soliciting feedback. [updated]

Modifier 2.5: faster info windows, more

09/23, 7:20pm

Modifier 2.5: faster info windows, more

Modifier 2.5 is an updated version of the $10 graphical file permission setter. Modifier allows users who are not experienced with UNIX to set file read/write/execute permissions. The latest version provides more responsive file info windows and a 'Check for Updates menu item,' which allows the user to keep current with the most recent available version of Modifier.

TrufSoft brings HotAlias to OS X

09/23, 6:20pm

TrufSoft brings HotAlias to OS X

TrufSoft has released a Mac OS X version of HotAlias 1.0, its aptly named utility for the creation of 'Hot Aliases.' These specialized short-cut files allow users to launch multiple applications, or open multiple documents, via a single icon.

Troi offers new beta of Web form interfacer

09/23, 6:15pm

Troi offers new beta of Web form interfacer

Troi Automatisering has released a new public beta version of its URL Plug-in for FileMaker Pro 6. The $60 plug-in gives FileMaker the ability to interface with a Web-based form and communicate data via the POST and GET commands. Recommend uses include retrieving online data such as stock quotes automatically, where a direct database connection to the respective content provider is not available. Mac-only features include secure communications via HTTPS and SSL. The new beta version fixes bugs, has better documentation and includes access to the 'TURL-SetUserName' and 'TURL-SetPassword' functions.

Palm details Q1 2003 revenues

09/23, 4:40pm

Palm details Q1 2003 revenues

Palm today reported revenues of $172.3 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2003, ended August 30, 2002 -- down 20 percent from the year ago quarter. The company was, however, able to cut losses to $36.4 million, or $0.06 per share, compared with the $38.7 million, or $0.07 per share that it reported for the first quarter of fiscal 2002. Over the past quarter, the handheld computer maker entered several strategic alliances and announced two sub-brands (as noted in today's MacNN tech news roundup); subsidiary PalmSource also made several major announcements this quarter, including the release of Palm OS 5.0.

1stKiosk to show k-Builder at expo

09/23, 4:10pm

1stKiosk to show k-Builder at expo

1stKiosk will demonstrate its k-Builder kiosk management software at this week's Frontline Expo in Chicago. k-Builder ($500) allows organizations to set up Macintosh-based kiosks for projects of varying scope and budget. k-Builder, which ships this month, includes support for touch screens, and most notably, SmartBands -- waterproof wrist bands that can store contact, admission and clearance information for venues such as amusement parks. The Frontline Expo takes place September 24th to 26th, in Booth 221 at McCormick Place, 23rd & Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL.

Alchemist's Challenge gains practice quizzes

09/23, 3:40pm

Alchemist's Challenge gains practice quizzes

Alchemist's Challenge 1.2 adds practice tests for balancing chemical equations and better Mac OS X 10.2 support to the chemistry quiz learning utility. Version 1.2 also improves upon the $15 application's ability to search previous scores and adds score file exporting. [Classic , OS X]

Nemetschek announces VectorWorks 10

09/23, 12:40pm

Nemetschek announces VectorWorks 10

Nemetschek today released VectorWorks 10, RenderWorks 10, ARCHITECT 10, and LANDMARK 10--each of which "focus on fundamental drawing efficiency while bringing the artistry back to design." Version 10 of the CAD software includes better compatibility with other CAD/CAM programs, new presentation features, and interface changes such as dynamic zooming and scrolling, customizable context menus, more flexible keyboard shortcuts, and palette docking improvements as well as Stereo Lithography File export and an Import/Export IGES command and an integrated 3D Power Pack with advanced solids, surface, and solid/surface modeling and improved shelling and enhanced NURBS curve and surface manipulation.

f(x) 2.6: RPN calculator now in French

09/23, 12:30pm

f(x) 2.6: RPN calculator now in French

f(x) 2.6 is an advanced programmable scientific RPN calculator for Mac OS X, which includes 20 built-in scientific functions, 3 numeric input modes (decimal, hexadecimal, and binary), a persistent and virtually limitless stack, an editable list of constants, and complete control over numeric display. Version 2.6 adds a French localization, a revamped interface under Mac OS X 10.2, an integrated built-in help system, and other enhancements to the $15 application.

SpamCopSend 1.0 for Mail.app

09/23, 12:25pm

SpamCopSend 1.0 for Mail.app

SpamCopSend 1.0 by Lex Software is an AppleScript application that attempts to send all Junk messages in the OS X Mail Junk folder to your SPAMCOP reporting address: The Junk messages are then moved to the Trash folder. SpamCopSend ONLY works with Mail running on Mac OSX 10.2 or newer. Before using SpamCopSend, you must register and obtain a SPAMCOP reporting address."

Tech: MS games, Sony PC giant, Palm brands

09/23, 12:25pm

Tech: MS games, Sony PC giant, Palm brands

Afternoon tech: Microsoft has purchased British game developer Rare, which creates "family-friendly games....exactly what Microsoft needs to broaden the appeal of the Xbox beyond hardcore gamers." Sony's worldwide computer shipments grew faster than those of any other major brand in 2001, according to statistics from research firm Gartner Dataquest which show that Sony has gone from the No. 12 spot in worldwide market share at the end of last year to No. 8 at the end of the second quarter; and Palm today unveiled its new brand strategy with two new brands--Zire and Tungsten, which are aimed for the mass market and high-end professionals, respectively.

Morphon updates Java-based XML editor

09/23, 11:40am

Morphon updates Java-based XML editor

The Morphon XML-Editor 2.1 is a Java-based validating XML-Editor which lets you easily create and modify XML documents. It features a WYSIWYG word processor and support for XML Schemas grammar and namepaces, Unicode 3.0, Tables, different layout modes, and remote editing and publishing (HTTP or FTP). The $150 application is bundled with CSS-Editor, which supports CSS1 and CSS2.

Sony unveils two ulta-compact digital cameras

09/23, 10:55am

Sony unveils two ulta-compact digital cameras

Sony today introduced two new ultra-small digital cameras: the Cyber-shot U® DSC-U20 and DSC-U10 models, which it says are "smaller than many cell phones" and weigh only 4.3 ounces (with battery and media). Both cameras incorporate a built-in advanced pre-flash metering system, include an automatic center-weighted focusing system, support the recording of MPEG movies (without sound), have a 1" LCD, and have a special VGA (640 x 480 resolution) burst mode for capturing up to five consecutive frames (three shots per second). The Cyber-shot U DSC-U20 camera (with 2.0 megapixel resolution) will be available in October for about $270, and the Cyber-shot U DSC-U10 camera (with 1.0 megapixel resolution) is now available for about $200.

New Reader Rabbit title for 1st, 2nd grades

09/23, 10:45am

New Reader Rabbit title for 1st, 2nd grades

Riverdeep today released Reader Rabbit Learn to Read with Phonics 1st & 2nd Grade. Marketed under The Learning Company brand, it teaches reading and comprehension skills in an integrated approach that involves explicit instruction in phonics and phonemic awareness, skill-building activities, and interactive storybooks--all of three components are offered in the context of an engaging story adventure, to enable children to develop and practice essential reading skills. It is available for both Windows and Macs for $25. An Enhanced Educator Version (EEV) of this new reading title will be introduced later this year with whole class progress tracking and printable assessment tests, comprehension questions, and additional skill-building activities tied directly to the program. It will also include a comprehensive Teacher Resource Binder.

HP announces new printers

09/23, 10:20am

HP announces new printers

HP today unveiled a new family of color printers and connectivity devices, including the "industry's first" $300 portable color printer, the company's first sub-$1000 color laser printer, a new $800 workgroup color inkjet printer, and "the fastest" color HP LaserJet printer with wide-format in-line printing (at up to 21 ppm for letter output).

Logitech intros new MX Series mice

09/23, 10:00am

Logitech intros new MX Series mice

Logitech today introduced the MX Series of Performance Mice using the company's MX Optical Engine to capture up to 4.7 megapixels of surface tracking information every second. The flagship MX 700 Cordless Optical Mouse ($80) features its new Fast RF cordless technology for wireless use, a rechargeable NiMH battery, and a receiver that doubles as a fast charging station. It features a eight programmable buttons, a contoured right-handed shape with a continuous key plate and eight programmable navigation buttons and a blue/black surface with polished silver accents. The corded version, the MX 500 Optical Mouse, is $50. The black/gray MX 300 Optical Mouse ($40) is a corded mouse with an ambidextrous design along with a Quick Switch Program Selector button and scroll wheel.

Mac Minder 1.0 tracks, regulates app usage

09/23, 9:45am

Mac Minder 1.0 tracks, regulates app usage

Mac Minder 1.0 by Luma Code is a $20 tool for parents, teachers, and sysadmins that helps track and regulate usage of programs on their Mac and "may also be useful to individuals as a tool to track how their time is spent each day on their computer, or for client billing purposes." A limited demo of the $20 application is available online.

Virtix Cinematic has iMovie wipe transitions

09/23, 9:40am

Virtix Cinematic has iMovie wipe transitions

Virtix today released Virtix Cinematic for iMovie, a collection of 29 transitions that allow the user to "gently wipe from one scene to the next. iMovie users can now achieve the look of classic films by using the wide variety of transitions in the Virtix Cinematic package. Standard Wipes, Edge Wipes, Corner Wipes, Clock Wipes, Circular Iris Wipes, Rectangular Iris Wipes, and Square Iris Wipes are all included." Virtix Cinematic offers control over the shape and motion of the wipe transition, including several levels of softness for the edges of your transitions and smooth or rippled edges for each transition. It is available for $25 and works on both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X.

LaunchBar 3.2.4 fixes bugs in desktop utility

09/23, 9:35am

LaunchBar 3.2.4 fixes bugs in desktop utility

Objective Development today released LaunchBar 3.2.4, an update to its productivity utility that provides convenient access to thousands of files, web-bookmarks, email-addresses and applications by entering short abbreviations. Version 3.2.4 fixes a bug that caused a crash when scanning some folders. Licenses for "non-commercial, non-profit use" are $20, while standard business licenses are $40.

Reader: Samsung MP3 not OS X-compatible

09/23, 9:30am

Reader: Samsung MP3 not OS X-compatible

Scott Ness warns that the Samsung YEPP YP-700 MP-3 player is mislabeled as OSX compatible:

"I recently purchased a Samsung YEPP YP-700 MP-3 player, which was clearly labeled OSX-compatible on the packaging. (The Samsung web site also lists these players as OSX-compatible.) After almost four weeks of e-mails and telephone conversations with the tech support people (which were frustrated by the incorrect tech support e-mail addresses on the web page), I am finally returning the player because it is absolutely not OSX-compatible. After a 'heated' e-mail exchange one tech support rep even promised to send me 'beta' software, but when it finally arrived it was for a different model - not the YP-700 that I purchased."

Money Minder 1.1 tracks expenses, accounts

09/23, 9:25am

Money Minder 1.1 tracks expenses, accounts

Ben Blake has released Money Minder 1.1, a utility that tracks expenses, income and bank account balances in a spreadsheet-style grid. Version 1.1 adds: QIF Import/Export, scroll wheel support in the grids, font and font sizes for grids can be set, Open Recent menu and descriptions for Bank Account entries. A 30-day trial of the $13 application is available for both Mac OS 8/9 and Mac OS X. [Classic, OSX]

Seek 1.1: desktop web search utility

09/23, 9:20am

Seek 1.1: desktop web search utility

Wingnut Development has released Seek 1.1, its web search utility for Mac OS X: "[it] takes the hassle out of web searches by bringing you directly to the results of the search in your web browser using one of five search engines, cutting search times almost in half." Version 1.1 of the free utility adds a "Search Engine" menu with keyboard shortcuts.

Pod Manager 1.0 extracts music from iPod

09/23, 9:15am

Pod Manager 1.0 extracts music from iPod

Bruno Blondeau's Pod Manager 1.0 is an OS X application (with a brush metal interface) that extracts music files stored on iPods. A demo of the $8 shareware is available online.

Photos of Apple Store Grand Opening

09/23, 9:15am

Photos of Apple Store Grand Opening

Several readers, including Gus Mueller, "Jennifer," "Stephen K. Burger", and Chris Zygmont have posted photos of the grand opening of the Apple Store West County in Des Peres, MO: "Though it's a smaller store, the store-front reminds me of The Grove."

Apple endorses AAF format at IBC

09/23, 9:00am

Apple endorses AAF format at IBC

Apple has endorsed the Advanced Authoring Format (AAF) at IBC conference for broadcasters, which took place September 12-16. An AFF-compatible Final Cut Pro users to exchange files directly with high-end post production systems like Quantel's iQ, according to an online report by David Fox.

OmniWeb 4.1.1b1 supports Flash, RealOne

09/23, 8:55am

OmniWeb 4.1.1b1 supports Flash, RealOne

The Omni Group released OmniWeb 4.1.1 beta 1, which restores compatibility with the latest Flash plugin, adds support for the RealOne Player and plugin, enhances the security of HTTPS/SSL connections and fixes a couple of issues discovered when running under Mac OS X 10.2.x.

netOctopus 4.1 brings Jaguar support

09/23, 8:50am

netOctopus 4.1 brings Jaguar support

Netopia today announced netOctopus Enterprise Systems Manager 4.1, a major update to its systems management application that offers support for both Windows and Mac OS. It brings enhanced PC software recognition, inventory and audit capabilities, and compatibility with Mac OS 10.2 Jaguar as well as more detailed software, system, manufacturer, model and vendor stats. A demo is available online. Pricing starts at $65/user for a 5-user license.