News Archive for 03/03/05

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IOXperts offers OS X PC card driver

03/05, 5:40pm

IOXperts offers OS X PC card driver

IOXperts has announced Mac OS X support for more than sixty different 802.11b wireless networking cards on PowerBooks equipped with PC Card slots. The IOXperts driver brings back support for WaveLAN and Orinoco cards while adding support for dozens of additional cards. The IOXperts 802.11b driver for Mac OS X provides support for AppleTalk (with an AppleTalk-compatible base station), 64- and 128-bit WEP, AirPort password algorithm, and listing of available networks. Pricing is $20 for use with a single wireless card under both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. This is a free upgrade for IOXperts' existing Mac OS 9 customers.

TC Applied Tech. unveils Dice II

03/05, 5:25pm

TC Applied Tech. unveils Dice II

TC Applied Technologies today launched the Dice II, a chipset that handles pro audio I/O formats. Most notably, it now includes support for the IEEE 1394 (FireWire) interface. The DICE II handles 96 audio channels at 96kHz. "We believe that this solution overcomes the last hurdles for FireWire being broadly applied in pro audio," says managing director Morten Lave.

Apple ships 1.42GHz PowerMacs

03/05, 5:15pm

Apple ships 1.42GHz PowerMacs

Apple today confirmed with a notice on its main Web site that it has begun shipping 1.42GHz PowerMac G4s. Resellers yesterday began receiving shipments.

Propellerhead debuts Reason 2.5 at Musikmesse

03/05, 4:40pm

Propellerhead debuts Reason 2.5 at Musikmesse

Propellerhead Software today announced Reason 2.5, an upgrade to its flagship music software program that adds four new sound processing tools and two utilities for signal path routing. It includes a new RV7000 stereo effect module with nine different algorithms, a 4 to 512 band vocoder capable of modulating sounds (both digital and analog), as a fully automated graphic equalizer, and a new Scream 4 Sound distortion unit with 10 different damage types. The new Spider Audio utility merges and splits audio, while Spider CV splits and merges CV and gate signals. It is due in the second quarter of this year as a free update.

Crucial announces flash memory card readers

03/05, 2:30pm

Crucial announces flash memory card readers

Crucial Technology introduced today a new line of stationary and portable flash memory card readers. Both its desktop ($50) and portable ($40) USB 6-in-1 Card Readers have four slots, which are compatible with six memory cards, including the MultiMediaCard, CompactFlash, SmartMedia, Secure Digital, Memory Stick, and MicroDrive. It also introduced a USB Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard Reader ($30) and its USB CompactFlash Reader ($20). All are USB 1.1-compliant, are bus-powered (i.e., no power supply needed), require no drivers, and include a limited lifetime warranty.

Linksys ships dual-band wireless PC card

03/05, 2:20pm

Linksys ships dual-band wireless PC card

Linksys today began shipping the first in a series of Wireless A+G products, offering 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g compatibility in a single product. It began shipping its Wireless Dual Band A+G Wireless PC Card (WPC55AG) for notebook computers yesterday and says it will have a Wireless A+G Router, Wireless A+G Access Point, and PCI Adapter ($100) for desktop computers available later this month. The Wireless A+G PC Card ($100) is available immediately through major channel partners.

Nick Sayer has step-by-step instructions for getting Apple's AirPort Extreme driver to work with third-party cards, while MacSense says that its AeroCard Universal Driver package will be updated as soon as two months from now to support Intersil-based 802.11g PC Cards for the Mac; there are not yet any 802.11a drivers for the Mac. Interestingly users have also hacked Belkin's USB-wireless drivers to work with 3rd-party USB-to-802.11b adapters.

4D Engine 2003 gets new deployment options

03/05, 1:35pm

4D Engine 2003 gets new deployment options

4D today announced three new deployment options for greater flexibility for application distribution. 4D Engine 2003, a professional deployment tool for fast and secure application distribution, will be available in 4D Engine Light Edition, 4D Engine Sponsored Edition, and 4D Engine Professional Edition, when the update will be released in the next several weeks.

Iomega launches online storage service

03/05, 1:30pm

Iomega launches online storage service

Iomega today announced a new online storage service: Iomega iStorage Online is available today in multiple capacity account sizes for U.S. customers, providing users with convenient access to important files over the Internet. The subscription service offers secure storage (using 128-bit SSL encryption), supports secure ftp communication, offers customizable accounts ranging in capacity from 50MB to over 1GB and the choice of monthly or annual subscription services. Prices range from $2.50 per month (50MB) to $18 per month (1GB). Purchasers of annual subscriptions get two free months and a 30-day money back guarantee.

Apps: ATI drivers, MacASP, Myth II, Myth 3...

03/05, 1:30pm

Apps: ATI drivers, MacASP, Myth II, Myth 3...

ATI recently updated its October 2002 ATI Retail Update for Mac OS, fixing problems after Installing updated versions of Mac OS X, corruption in 3D design applications, corruption in Warcraft III, difficulties using TV Output in Mac OS X , and problems disabling ATI Menu. [10.2MB]
Microspot X-RIP 1.5 now supports native OS X network printing to wide selection of plotters, offers TCP/IP-based network printing, has support for custom paper sizes, and other improvements when printing to Virtual Printers, according to Architosh.
MacASP 1.1 offers server-side processing for Mac web servers to allow the creation of dynamic web sites: "It is not designed to be compatible with Microsoft's ASP, but rather to take advantage of specific Mac technologies (AppleScript, Quicktime, etc.)" The new version adds a new core graphic engine, mail attachments, pre-rendered pages, code checking and many fixes and improvements. It is available for Mac OS 8/9/X and is free for use with Apple's Personal Web Sharing Classic and MacHTTP (299 Euros for other Mac web servers). [Classic, OSX]
PlayMyth.net is (internally) testing a beta version of Myth 2 with Mac OS X support and has posted a public beta of Myth 3. The final Myth II v1.3.2 update is due on March 15th: "The Myth 2 and Myth 3 beta programs have officially begun. The public Myth 3 beta testing period begins now and lasts until the end of the first week in April." The Myth II v1.3.2 update brings support for Mac OS X, updated video card support, secured network connections, reduced chat lag, and other performance enhancements. [M2, MIII]
MaBaSoft today released Application Wizard 1.1, an update to the shareware system utility that can launch multiple applications simulataneously, open custom groups of applications, view/kill background processes and running applications, and other functions. Application Wizard runs in English, German, Dutch, French and Italian and is $15. [1.1MB]

InstallShield MultiPlatform 5 supports OS X

03/05, 1:00pm

InstallShield MultiPlatform 5 supports OS X

InstallShield has released MultiPlatform 5, a new version of its cross-platform installation authoring solution. Version 5 now includes support for Mac OS X and more flavors of UNIX to enable application installation to all major platforms. Other new benefits include Java Swing support and a host of new install actions It also offers a wide variety of distribution methods for installers, including executable Java Archive Files (JARs), native launchers, CD-ROMs, DVDs, and a Web-based applet installation. It is available for $2,500, while upgrades are available for $1,150.

Casio debuts ultra-thin 3.2MP digital camera

03/05, 1:00pm

Casio debuts ultra-thin 3.2MP digital camera

Casio earlier this week announced the new EXILIM EX-S3 Digital Camera. The 3.2 megapixel (effective) includes a 2.0-inch LCD monitor screen in a .46 inch thin cas made of lightweight magnesium alloy--with a body that weighs a mere 2.54 oz (without battery). It ships with photo stand ("cradle"), a calendar screen, a coupling shot mode (for putting two different people in the same photo), a 4x digital zoom, a pre-shot mode (for capturing a background and subject separately), a triple self-timer, world time/alarm functions, photo album storage, 10MB of built-in Flash Memory, support for SD memory cards and MMC cards (not included), key customization, a private photo storage area, and other advanced features. The EX-S3 will be available in April for $350.

Covad announces Mac support for services

03/05, 11:30am

Covad announces Mac support for services

Covad today announced expanded support for Mac OS, offering Mac users a new Mac-friendly broadband service option. New support includes Mac-compatible installation software in all Covad self-installation kits (with support for Mac OS 8/9/X). Mac Support also includes 24x7x365 customer service with agents trained specifically on the Mac OS. Covad also now provides Mac documentation on Covad's online management system, called SMART Account Manager, which provides access to account information such as reviewing the status of their order, adding or changing email accounts, and managing custom domains and Web hosting.

Micro Warehouse joins Apple's AAEA program

03/05, 11:20am

Micro Warehouse joins Apple's AAEA program

Micro Warehouse Gov/Ed today announced that it has joined Apple's new Apple Authorized Education Agent (AAEA) Program, Apple's program designed to "increase the adoption of Apple products and technologies within the education market." Under the partnership, Micro Warehouse will provide Apple products to public and private K-12 school districts, as well as community colleges with student enrollment of less than 1,000. Micro Warehouse will provide a dedicated sales force, both in the National Sales Center and in the field, to support the AAEA program. In addition, Micro Warehouse will augment Apple's customer support with its own 24x7 technical support.

Workgroup Manager webcast to be held March 18

03/05, 10:35am

Workgroup Manager webcast to be held March 18

Apple and the Macosxlabs project are hosting a live webcast on Apple's Workgroup Manger software. Hosted by presenter John DeTroye of Apple, the Workgroup Manager webcast will be held Tuesday, March 18 at 10:00 am. The 90-minute presentation will provide an overview of Apple's Workgroup Manager application and how :it can help lab administrators manage Mac OS X labs." (Workgroup Manager simplifies system administration by providing centralized directory-based management of users, groups, and computers.)

NI debuts Absynth 2.0, demos other products

03/05, 10:30am

NI debuts Absynth 2.0, demos other products

Native Instruments has introduced a "major" update to its semi-modular software synthesizer Absynth 2.0, bringing more flexibility in sound shaping and design along with multiple synthesis techniques, granular sampling, and flexible envelope control for generating "everything from organic textures to rhythmic loops, from time-evolving soundscapes to vintage sounds." Absynth 2.0 includes a new plugin architecture, more than 800 musical presets, and an intuitive patch window for mix sampling, granular sampling, subtractive, wavetable, FM, AM, ring modulation, and wave shaping synthesis. It is due in May for $300.

The company is also demonstrating other products at Musikmesse Frankfurt 2003, including Reaktor 4, Reaktor Session, Kompakt, Intakt, and Vokator.

Apps: XML-Editor, Mushroom, Asset Mover

03/05, 10:10am

Apps: XML-Editor, Mushroom, Asset Mover

Morphon has released XML-Editor 3.0, adding live spell checking, printing and preview enhancements, backup file creation, performance improvements, and a software SDK for integration into custom applications. The Java-based validating XML editor can create and modify XML documents. It offers a WYSIWYG interface, support for XML Schemas/DTDs, CSS, remote editing/publishing, and an integrated CSS Editor. A demo of the $150 application is available online for both Mac OS 8/9 and Mac OS X. [Classic, OSX]
Mushroom 1.2 is a $25 shareware developer tool for managing localized strings: "More than a simple editor, it is a fully featured solution which assists you to create and maintain the localized strings of your projects and to keep them synchronized with the source code." It includes support for distributed localization, full undo support, project-specific data files, and other features. [1.1MB]
Solidwave Software has released RADicode 1.1, a new version of its $150 rapid application development tool for Mac programmers. RADicode leverages REALbasic's graphical layout environment to provide a powerful resource editor that can build and test interfaces quickly and also generate PowerPlant source code. The new version features improved code generation and support for Mach-O PowerPlant targets and REALbasic 4.5 and 5.0. [Classic, OSX]
FlexiDev today releaed Asset Mover 1.1, a Flash development tool that allows developers to reassign linked assets to optimize preload indicators for Flash 5 and Flash MX movies. Asset Mover also identifies and removes redundant linked assets to reduce file size. The $25 application now runs on Mac OS X. [registration required for download]

WiebeTech adds high-performance drives

03/05, 10:05am

WiebeTech adds high-performance drives

WiebeTech has introduced a a higher performance version of its MicroGB+ FireWire pocket drive, featuring a 40GB notebook drive with a 5400RPM spindle and a 16MB cache for $320. The company also introduced a higher-performance version of its DesktopGB+. The new version of the DesktopGB+ incorporates an "extremely" quiet Hitachi fluid bearing 120GB drive with an increased 8MB cache. The price is $300. In addition, WiebeTech is offering a free miniature radio-controlled car ($30 retail value) for all end user orders placed directly through WiebeTech's online store for orders totaling $300 or more.

Live Channel Pro: complete broadcast solution

03/05, 9:35am

Live Channel Pro: complete broadcast solution

Channel Storm today released Live Channel Pro 2.0, an update to its solution for producing, streaming, and broadcasting content over the Web. Version 2.0 now includes output to videotape, monitors and closed video networks, includes expanded video mixing options, has new special effects and input features, and incorporates a new interface. The Live Channel software captures video and audio, encodes it, mixes it, creates titling, lets users composite graphics and video, renders it, and streams / broadcasts a sophisticated TV production over the web and out to video. It is priced at $1000 with a 30% discoun to education customers. A free demo is available.

NYT: Maine iBook program has helped learning

03/05, 9:35am

NYT: Maine iBook program has helped learning

The New York Times reports on the success of Maine's iBook program, which offers a free iBook to every seventh and eigth grader in Maine (for a total of $33,000): "Attendance is up. Detentions are down. Just six months after Maine began a controversial program to provide laptop computers to every seventh grader in the state, educators are impressed by how quickly students and teachers have adapted to laptop technology." [free registration required]

Former Palm/Be Exec rejoins Apple as VP

03/05, 9:25am

Former Palm/Be Exec rejoins Apple as VP

Software developer Steve Sakoman, a former Palm and Be executive, has rejoined Apple as a vice president, reporting to Apple Senior Vice President Avie Tevanian, according to c|net: "Sakoman, who most recently helped lead development of the Palm operating system, worked on the Newton handheld project, among other things during his previous stint at Apple." Sakoman was hired to be vice president of software technology.