News Archive for 02/10/10

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OS X: The Missing Manual revised for 10.2

10/10, 9:00pm

OS X: The Missing Manual revised for 10.2

Author David Pogue has released an expanded edition of "Mac OS X: The Missing Manual" ($30). The book not only examines the 150 new features in Mac OS X 10.2 that have been outlined by Apple, but also explores the "hundreds" of "tiny tweaks, rejiggered keystrokes, and restructured dialog boxes" in the new OS. The second edition features new content on "almost every page." The first edition of this book was the #1 bestselling computer book of 2002, according to O'Reilly/Pogue Press, with over 100,000 copies sold in six months.

Split & Concat 1.3 works with OS 10.2

10/10, 8:15pm

Split & Concat 1.3 works with OS 10.2

Split & Concat 1.3 is a major update of the free file management utility, used to split and recombine files. This update enhances the overall reliability and stability of the program and introduces compatibility with Mac OS X 10.2. The application can split large files into smaller parts that can be divided over several CDs or transmitted over the Internet, then later recombined.

Ultra-compact USB Bluetooth adapter released

10/10, 4:10pm

Ultra-compact USB Bluetooth adapter released

The D-Link PersonalAir DBT-120 is an ultra-compact Bluetooth USB wireless adapter for connecting different Bluetooth-enabled devices. The $60 device, which is compatible with Macs and PCs, is compliant with Bluetooth 1.1 specs, provides speeds up to 723Kbps with a range of 33 feet and 128-bit encryption. The adapter requires Mac OS X 10.1.4 or higher and Apple's Bluetooth Technology Preview 2 or just Mac OS X 10.2.

Marathon debuts walmount, rackmount for ACDs

10/10, 3:20pm

Marathon debuts walmount, rackmount for ACDs

Marathon Computer introduced both walmount ($125) and rackmount ($120) kits for Apple's 22" and 23" Cinema Displays. Marathon's rackmount solution mounts the display in front of the rack, as the Cinema Display is too large to fit inside a standard 19" equipment rack. Both feature steel construction.

Xserve gets high marks from PC Magazine

10/10, 3:10pm

Xserve gets high marks from PC Magazine

PC Magazine's review of the Xserve concludes: "the Xserve is an impressive server with a multitude of potential uses, excellent ease of use, plenty of storage, and a software configuration that allows for an unlimited number of connections—all at a truly reasonable price."

Apps: Labels X, Canvas 8.05, MacInvoice

10/10, 2:50pm

Apps: Labels X, Canvas 8.05, MacInvoice

Updated applications include Labels X 1.0, Canvas 8.05, Downfall 1.1.1, MacInvoice 1.5b1, an Photo to Movie 1.07:

The $7 shareware Labels X 1.0 adds file labeling features to Mac OS X, allowing users to apply various color tints to file icons, and sort files by label: "Labels X shares file label information with Mac OS 9, so no matter, where you label your files - you will see the labels in both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X (file labeling is a built-in feature in Mac OS 9)." [1.1MB]
Deneba's drawing/graphics application, Canvas 8.05, fixes application crashes, GUI issues, and redraw glitches as well as better compatibility with JPEG, EPS, IFF, PDF, and other files. The full version is $350.
Norbyte's Downfall 1.1.1 is an update to its $10 shareware Tetris/Columns-type shareware game for both Classic and OS X. The update includes improved graphics and a minor bug fixes. [Classic, OSX]
MacInvoice 1.5b1 provides multiple company support, estimating functions, and improved feedback dialogs as well as an Invoice Creation Wizard, which will allow extensive customization of both the "look and feel" of the invoice, as well as the actual content. It is $40 and will be a free update to registered owners.
Photo to Movie 1.07 enables users to "create a movie by zooming and panning over a photo. It presents a simple interface to specify the starting and ending frames and generates full quality QuickTime or DV Stream files (compatible with iMovie)." The $10 utility runs on OS X only. [315KB]

VideoClix 2.4 adds QuickTime 6/MPEG-4

10/10, 2:00pm

VideoClix 2.4 adds QuickTime 6/MPEG-4

eline Technologies has released VideoClix 2.4, the latest update to the company's interactive video authoring software that features "the first and only 'Dynamic Video Hotspot' system. Version 2.4 now supports QuickTime 6/MPEG-4, compatibility with videos other than 600 timescale, and incorporates several bug fixes. It is $400 with educational discounts up to 40%. A special $1050 promotion bundles both VideoClix and Live Channel Pro (a savings of $350) for the month of October, while current Live Channel users can save $100 on new purchases.

BlackMagic proofing available for Mac OS X

10/10, 12:00pm

BlackMagic proofing available for Mac OS X

Serendipity Software has released its BlackMagic digital proofing system for OS X. The OS X native implementation supports multiple G4 processors as well as the G4 Velocity Engine. BlackMagic 2.6 eliminates film production for proofing purposes and makes high quality proofing for CTP systems possible. The product family includes the flagship BlackMagic PRO (high throughput operations and large networks); BlackMagic Bureau (PS Level 2 RIP supporting separated and composite files); BlackMagic Entry (proofs from hi-res bitmap data); BlackMagic 4UP (4 page proofing); and BlackMagic 2UP.

Apple announces Apple Store openings

10/10, 11:40am

Apple announces Apple Store openings

Apple officially announced the October 12th opening of its Apple Store Somerset in Troy (MI) yesterday, after we noted the opening last week. The retail page also notes the opening of Apple Store Milenia in Orlando (FL) on October 19th

Linguisoft to distribute Grammarian directly

10/10, 11:25am

Linguisoft to distribute Grammarian directly

Linguisoft has announced that Casady & Greene will no longer be distributing Grammarian grammar software: "Due to uncured material contract breaches, Casady & Greene Inc. is no longer authorized to sell or distribute Grammarian in any form. We own all exclusive rights to the program including patents, trademarks and copyrights, and we are presently seeking legal remedy to stop unauthorized sales and to collect the substantial sum of money owed to Linguisoft Inc. We will be rereleasing all Grammarian products within the month. Thank you for your support."

Apps: 4-Sight FAX 5.0.3, Graph-O-Matic 2.2...

10/10, 11:10am

Apps: 4-Sight FAX 5.0.3, Graph-O-Matic 2.2...

Updated application and utilities include 4-Sight FAX 5.0.3, Graph-O-Matic 2.2, Download Wizard 0.8b, and Typeset 1.2.5:

Soft Solutions has updated 4-Sight FAX 5.0.3, which brings Jaguar capability and automated line-based routing (ALBR) to the company's network faxing software. Pricing starts at $500 for a 5-user license.
Jon Klein's Graph-O-Matic 2.2 fixes rendering bugs associated with Jaguar and adds the ability to make movies of graph animations to his $20 graphic calculator. [424KB]
Download Wizard 0.8b is a public beta of the "simple and elegant replacement for your browser's built-in download manager. It includes features you'd expect from a Cocoa-based application: dock menus, service availability, localization, etc." [248KB]
Vizspring has updated its font manager application, Typeset 1.2.5, featuring "quick display speeds, multiple Favorites sets, and intuitive user interface." A demo of the $15 shareware is available for OS X (as well as an older version for Mac OS 9). [Classic, OSX]

Apple launches Memory, Shake, DV promos

10/10, 11:10am

Apple launches Memory, Shake, DV promos

Apple has launched a Double Your Memory Promo, offering the ability to double your RAM on any Mac for $40. Customers must purchase qualifying Apple products and update the base RAM to two times the original configuration, from October 10, 2002, through December 31, 2002 ("or while supplies last") from the Apple Store or the Apple Store for Education Individuals. The offer is not valid on the iBook with 256MB base RAM configuration.

Apple also launched its Shake/Maya Promo, offering up to $3000 off Shake, Apple's compositing and visual effects tools for film and video projects. Customers that purchase Maya Complete (or Maya Unlimited), will receive $2000 off Shake 2.5 GUI for Mac OS X and $1000 off Shake 2.5 Render by attending a Maya/Shake seminar. The Shake/Maya offer is good until December20. Finally, a new Lights, Camera, Action promo at the Apple Store offers up to $500 back on the purchase of any Digital Video Camera from the Apple Store online through December 24th. [updated]

Nisus to integrate Okito Composer

10/10, 9:50am

Nisus to integrate Okito Composer

Nisus has acquired Okito Software and will be integrating Okito Composer into its forthcoming Nisus Writer word processing application for Mac OS X, which will add footnote functions and MS-Word support in addition to features such as advanced Find/Replace and multiple, editable clipboards.

TimePalette 5.2: worldtime and mapping tool

10/10, 8:40am

TimePalette 5.2: worldtime and mapping tool

Trygve Inda's Time Palette 5.2, an update to its $30 world time and mapping tool, provides features for the international business traveler including: world time, alarms, international call scheduling, an extensive almanac, distance calculator and worldwide weather. An extendable database containing detailed time zone information for more than 10,000 cities is included. In addition to a number of bug fixes and new features, pricing on site licenses of the product have been reduced.

MegaSeg 2.5: mobile DJ and radio station app

10/10, 8:30am

MegaSeg 2.5: mobile DJ and radio station app

Fidelity Media has released MegaSeg 2.5, an update to its mobile DJ and radio station automation solution for MP3/QuickTime mixing and programming. Version 2.5 adds management of song rotation, timed playlist events, and instant playback of drop-in clips and sound effects as well as scheduling features for prioritization of playback for certain songs or entire categories of music. MegaSeg 2.5 also includes Play Count and Song History charts detailing every date and hour a song has played. It is available for $170 with upgrades priced at $50.

LAJ Design updates Quickie Web Albums

10/10, 8:10am

LAJ Design updates Quickie Web Albums

LAJ Design today released Quickie Web Albums v2.4. Quickie Web Albums ($23) creates custom Web Photo (and movie) albums and runs on MacOS X and Classic. Changes include adjusting cell spacing, padding, background color, and alignment, the ability to resize main window, custom logo code, and options for scale to width/height/ or max for both thumbnails and images (for more proportional images).

Dantz updates Retrospect server, clients

10/10, 5:25am

Dantz updates Retrospect server, clients

Dantz has posted updates to its backup software: Retrospect 5.0.236 provides improved support for Mac OS X 10.2 (Jaguar) specifically, and for Mac OS X in general. Mac OS 9 users will also enjoy several improvements, including faster scanning of Mac OS X clients. The company has also posted Retrospect Client 5.0.540. [Full, Client-only]