News Archive for 02/09/30

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Demo of software sampler: Kontakt 1.1

09/30, 10:15pm

Demo of software sampler: Kontakt 1.1

Native Instruments has released a demo of Kontakt 1.1, its software sampler that features real-time time-stretching and resynthesis, graphical breakpoint envelopes, an integrated loop editor, analog-modelled filters, and visually displayed modulation. It includes a sample library containing more than 3GB of sounds in various styles and categories as well as 17 different sound filters filters. Version 1.1 began shipping earlier this month with support for HALion, EXS, and SDII files.

IBM improves speed in desktop 180GXP drives

09/30, 10:05pm

IBM improves speed in desktop 180GXP drives

IBM today introduced "the world's fastest desktop hard disk drive" with IBM-exclusive technology called "tag 'n seek" (i.e., tagged command queuing), which enables the new IBM Deskstar 180GXP to perform nearly 25 percent faster than its predecessor. The new 180GXP is a 7200 RPM drive and features a fourfold increase in cache size -- up to 8 MB (as well as average seek time of 8.5 ms). It is available in capacities of 30GB, 40GB, 60GB, 80GB, 120GB and 180GB.

Aabel 1.1 : Data analysis app for Jaguar

09/30, 10:00pm

Aabel 1.1 : Data analysis app for Jaguar

Aabel 1.1 is a free update to Gigawiz's data analysis and charting application that adds Mac OS X 10.2 optimization. Aabel is 'pipeline-oriented,' allowing realtime, "two-way interaction" between charts and worksheets or databases. Version 1.1 is available for both the AltiVec-enhanced and the generic versions of the application.

Leister delivers Reunion 8.0 for OS X

09/30, 7:40pm

Leister delivers Reunion 8.0 for OS X

Leister Productions has released Reunion 8.0 -- a significant update to its genealogy software. The $60 upgrade ($90 retail) includes Mac OS X compatibility, more Web output options and enhanced charting features. Reunion 8.0 retains compatibility with Classic versions of the Mac OS.

After Effects scripting plug-ins updated

09/30, 5:55pm

After Effects scripting plug-ins updated

Independent developer Friedrich Munch today released updated versions of his two scripting plug-ins for Adobe After Effects. The JavaScript-based automation utility now includes complete Mac OS X support, and is now exclusive to the Mac platform. The plug-ins -- first released last week -- allow After Effects power users to automate certain repetitive functions in the application.

Digital Voodoo offers 10.2.x support

09/30, 5:50pm

Digital Voodoo offers 10.2.x support

Digital Voodoo today announced Mac OS X 10.2.x-compatible drivers for its entire line of 'Standard Definition' QuickTime capture and playback PCI cards. The 'Standard Definition' range of capture and playback cards is fully optimized for use with editing suites, such as Apple's Final Cut Pro. The new drivers are available to registered customers, on the Digital Voodoo Web site.

Apimac Note Pad 1.6 organizes text notes

09/30, 4:55pm

Apimac Note Pad 1.6 organizes text notes

Apimac Note Pad 1.6 is a Mac OS 9 & X shareware application ($15) that saves and organizes any piece of text (Copy/Paste, dragged text, etc). Notes can be assigned categories and organized in different ways. The update fixes known bugs and also includes a number of minor interface changes. [Classic, OSX]

ActiveDevloper 2.10 compiles and debugs apps

09/30, 4:20pm

ActiveDevloper 2.10 compiles and debugs apps

ActiveDeveloper v2.10 is a runtime Objective-C and C IDE, JIT compiler and debugger with support for Cocoa and WebObjects. The Mac OS X software allows users to develop, test, debug and run applications as well as deploy native applications with no dependency on ActiveDeveloper. A personal license is $50.

MyiCal.com offers free calendar storage

09/30, 3:55pm

MyiCal.com offers free calendar storage

MyiCal.com is a new free sharing service for users of Apple's iCal calendar program, which allows calendars to be published via WebDAV instead of uploading static calendars. An alternative to the $100 .Mac service offered by Apple, MyiCal is hosted by goBlox Technologies on Xserve servers. Future plans include Web-based email, Internet storage, community calendars and more.

FileMaker Mobile 2.1 syncs between databases

09/30, 3:50pm

FileMaker Mobile 2.1 syncs between databases

FileMaker Mobile 2.1 is a new mobile database that allows users to transfer and synchronize data between FileMaker Pro databases (which now support XML importing and exporting) on desktop computers and handheld devices. The $50 software is compatible with FileMaker Pro 5.5v2 and 6, runs on handhelds with Pocket PC 2002, Palm OS 3.1 and desktop computers with Mac OS 9 & X.

Apple pulls all iPods from stores in France

09/30, 3:25pm

iPods pulled in France

Apple has pulled all iPods from the stores in France in order to bring the device into compliance with a French law that requries audio devices to output a maximum of 100 decibels (versus other parts of Europe, which mandate a 104 db maximum). Apple is expected to release firmware update on October 8th to bring existing iPods into compliance with the French regulation, according to MacGeneration.

PCV asks users for application suggestions

09/30, 2:20pm

PCV asks users for application suggestions

PCV, a Macintosh development company, is looking for Windows products that people would like to see ported to the Macintosh platform.: "We are asking the help of interested Macintosh users to identify such products by sending us an email with the name of the product and contact information, if any. We would also like to hear about any Macintosh products which are no longer supported, that have not been updated for while, or are not available for OS X, which you would like to see available."

Simon 1.0b2 checks web/FTP sites for changes

09/30, 2:15pm

Simon 1.0b2 checks web/FTP sites for changes

Simon 1.0b2 is a Mac OS X only application that checks web and FTP sites at a desired frequency and determines when they change or go down. The introductory version is now available as a free download.

Post.Office update brings performance boost

09/30, 1:40pm

Post.Office update brings performance boost

Post.Office 3.5.3 version 712 is a mail and list server for Mac OS X. The update adds a performance boost and features, including improved header and message body-based regular expression filtering and Mac OS X 10.2 compatibility. A free version, with 10 mailboxes and 2 lists, is available; a starter package, with 100 mailboxes and 10 lists is $295.

Audio Hijack 1.0 pipes audio through filters

09/30, 1:25pm

Audio Hijack 1.0 pipes audio through filters

Audio Hijack 1.0 is a $16 audio enhancement utility for Mac OS X. The software runs in the background and pipes audio through a customized set of DSP filters (basically creating an equalizer for any Cocoa or Carbon application, including RealOne, DVD Player and Windows Media player). All sound played through the application can also be recorded to an AIFF file for later use.

MicroHub: smallest 4-port USB hub available

09/30, 1:15pm

MicroHub: smallest 4-port USB hub available

IOGEAR has released the thinnest USB hub on the market, MicroHub. The four-port hub measures 9cm x 4cm x 1cm, which is smaller in size than a credit card, and weighs less than two ounces. The device is currently available for Mac OS 9 & X at a price of $15.

Eggplant: auto test GUI-based applications

09/30, 1:10pm

Eggplant: auto test GUI-based applications

Eggplant, the first test automation product for Mac OS X, is now available. It provides functionality testing for GUI-based applications from the end-user experience, and utilizes a TCP/IP connection so that development and testing can occur in Mac OS 9, Windows, Unix and Linux.

Pre-purchase deal on PiXELS 3D 4.1

09/30, 1:05pm

Pre-purchase deal on PiXELS 3D 4.1

Pixels Digital has announced a pre-purchase offer for the Mac OS X version of PiXELS 3D 4.1, which will be released on October 30th. Included in the offer is the now fully Mac OS X compatible PiXELS 4.1, ShaderMaker Pro, Tempest micro pixel renderer and Power Particle System. Owners of version 3.x can receive the upgrade price of $199 (a savings of $500); the general pre-purchase price is $400 (a savings of $400).

New Apple Store in Edison, New Jersey

09/30, 12:40pm

New Apple Store in Edison, New Jersey

A reader notes that a new Apple Store is being built at the Menlo Park Mall in Edison, New Jersey.

Barcode Automator improves OS X performance

09/30, 12:40pm

Barcode Automator improves OS X performance

Intelli Innovations has released a new functionality update to its automated barcode creation software for both Mac OS 9 & X, Barcode Automator 1.1. It supports 9 different symbologies, including vectorized EPS and TIFF export capabilities, and comes bundled with OCR typography. New features include improved AppleScript performance, smaller, highly optimized EPS exports, and an Optimized Test Environment feature, allowing users to preview individual barcodes independently of bulk generation.

Blobber 2.0 changes wait cursor in OS X

09/30, 12:35pm

Blobber 2.0 changes wait cursor in OS X

Blobber 2.0 is a free tool that allows users to change the wait cursor in Mac OS X 10.2. It now sports a new interface, plugin support and more.

Kids Server: proxy server for web filtering

09/30, 12:25pm

Kids Server: proxy server for web filtering

Kids Server for Mac OS X is a proxy server software with advanced web filtering capabilities. It includes more than 10 filters, a Google search filter, movie restrictions, log recording and more. Pricing is based on a yearly subscription and the number of users, and begins at $250 (for 1 year, 10 users).

FUNDimensions 4.06 gets Jaguar compatibility

09/30, 11:00am

FUNDimensions 4.06 gets Jaguar compatibility

FUNDimensions 4.06 brings Mac OS X 10.2 compatibility to the $1,830 fundraising software and database application for small non-profits and schools that manages the entire fundraising process. It runs on both Mac OS 9 as well as Mac OS X.

Lexmark intros all-in-one Lexmark X85

09/30, 10:35am

Lexmark intros all-in-one Lexmark X85

Lexmark today introduced the Lexmark X85 All-In-One Print Center, its single-unit station featuring an inkjet printer, flatbed scanner, and color copying and fax. It features 4800 x 1200 dpi when printing on photo paper and up to 2400 x 1200 dpi in black and color on all paper types, offering users the option of generating photo-quality output on other media, such as card stock, transparencies and iron-on transfers. Other features include 12 ppm monochrome printing, 6 ppm color printing, 600 x 1200 dpi optical scanning resolution (along with 48-bit color scan depth), and copy speeds of up to 10 cpm in black and up to 3 cpm in color,. The $200 X85 ships with both a black and color cartridge.

Lexmark also last week introduced its $90 Lexmark Z45se Color Jetprinter, which offers 4800 x 1200 dpi on photo paper and photo-quality resolution of up to 2400 x 1200 dpi on all other paper types. It features print speeds of up to 15 ppm in black and up to 9 ppm in color.

AudioX 2.1 records sound from any device

09/30, 9:15am

AudioX 2.1 records sound from any device

REALmac software has released AudioX 2.1, an update to its $15 shareware utility for recording sound from any input source under Mac OS X (e.g., built-in microphone, USB microphone or a FireWire video camera). Version 2.1 adds a level meter, a new 40-second record limit in the demo, and other interface enhancements.

Labor Day 1.0 helps record pregnancy info

09/30, 9:10am

Labor Day 1.0 helps record pregnancy info

Mark Delfs has released a pregnancy calculator, Labor Day 1.0, which "will time your individual contractions, and even better, track the distance between your contractions. The results are added to a table, which can be viewed on screen, or even e-mailed to a doctor."

MOX Optimize 2 optimizes Mac OS X parameters

09/30, 9:05am

MOX Optimize 2 optimizes Mac OS X parameters

MOX Optimize 2, now compatible with Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar, is an application that can accelerate Mac OS X by allowing users to "tweak your system settings and configure many hidden system options. Easily use powerful UNIX commands to optimize your system without having to learn them." The utility features automatic startup optimization and a scheduler for regular "cleaning jobs." The utility offers features such as network connection optimization, Finder acceleration, improved application launch times, and cache management. A single-user license is $20, while upgrades from v1 are $10.

Serial Storage 1.2.1 stores passwords

09/30, 9:00am

Serial Storage 1.2.1 stores passwords

ArcaneWare's Serial Storage 1.2.1 is an application to the OS X application designed to organize/store/retrieve serial numbers, passwords, credit cards, or other information into different categories. Version 1.2.1 adds import/export for easy database backups as well as other enhancements to the $10 utility.

Macintosh Explorer X 3.2 updates disk utility

09/30, 8:55am

Macintosh Explorer X 3.2 updates disk utility

Rage Software's Macintosh Explorer X 3.2 provides an enhanced interface, copy & paste of files, improved Mac OS X support including better scrollwheel support and support for OS X 10.2.x, and improved drag and drop support to the $15 disk browsing utility for OS X.