News Archive for 03/03/06

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Apps: EarthBrowser, LightWave, Renicer, EOS

03/06, 10:20pm

Apps: EarthBrowser, LightWave, Renicer, EOS

EarthBrowser 1.7 is an update to the $20 Earth simulation software that combines an easy to navigate 3 dimensional globe with real-time weather conditions and 5 day forecasts. The update adds an OS X screensaver module, a number of bug fixes, new video feeds, and new volcanoes. It is compatible with Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. [Download - Classic, OS X]

NewTek today released LightWave 3D 7.5b, which adds major enhancements to the built-in script language, powerful new surface blending tools, support for DV devices as a preview display, and a network renderer for Linux to the 3D rendering suite. LightWave 3D is available at authorized NewTek resellers worldwide for a suggested retail price of $1600. [Download - 22.7MB]

Northern Softworks today released version 1.2 of Renicer, its automatic operation prioritization utility for Mac OS X. Renicer is a GUI tool that automatically sets priority values for applications. Designed to run in the background, it automatically prioritizes whatever application is in front. This release adds numerous user requested features. For example, dock and Window Server priorities can now be individually set. Renicer is $8 shareware. [Download - 1.2MB]

EOS Image Manager 0.8 is a Mac OS X application that enables users to quickly view, rename (add/remove chars, change case, re-series), and manage (move, copy, and delete) all of their image files from a single interface. Changes in this version include: a contextual menu in the Source Table; support for file operations (Move/Copy/Delete) on Source folders; support for renaming of folders in the Source Table; a Preferences Panel with true multi-user OS X system prefs; bug fixes. [Download - 240KB]

Norton AntiVirus for Macintosh v9.0 beta2 fixes an incompatibility with Retrospect backups, addresses a problem with handling large files, and corrects other small problems found in the new anti-virus software for Mac OS X. [Download - Download form]

Details on Apple's online music service

03/06, 8:25pm

Details on Apple's online music service

The Associated Press has more details on Apple's upcoming online music service, which is expected to launch within several weeks, according to the report:

"More than a dozen recording industry executives have seen a demonstration of the service by Apple chief executive Steve Jobs, the newspaper said. The service will use a high-fidelity format called Advanced Audio Codec, which delivers higher quality sound than the MP3 format and prevents copying between computers.

"None of the three major subscription providers - pressplay, Listen.com and MusicNet - work on Macintosh computers. That leaves iPod users going to free or advertising-supported music services. It's unclear how much Apple would charge for its subscription, or whether all five of the major record labels would participate in the service. Pressplay charges a flat fee of $9.95 (U.S.) a month to listen to an unlimited number of songs from all major labels. Consumers who want to purchase the songs to store them on their hard drive or burn them onto a CD pay an additional fee of 98 cents per song."

Tech: Sony acquisitions, Internet speed, GPUs

03/06, 8:10pm

Tech: Sony acquisitions, Internet speed, GPUs

Tech news: Sony chairman and CEO Nobuyuki Idei said he would be more than happy to acquire Palm's software division and would consider buying Apple (among other companies); A Seattle District Court has allowed Lindows.com to introduce Microsoft documents covering the famous Apple-Microsoft copyright case, delaying the trial from April to December; Scientists have set a new internet speed record by transferring 6.7GB of data over 6,800 miles in less than one minute; and Nvidia debuted its GeForce FX chips, while ATI officially released its Radeon 9800, 9600, and 9200 graphics cards.

Number44 slashes iPod case price

03/06, 6:20pm

Number44 slashes iPod case price

Number44 has reduced the price of its Leather and Steel iPod Case to $10. It fits any size iPod, and is available in black leather, brown leather and suede.

D-Link ships multimode A/B/G wireless devices

03/06, 5:20pm

D-Link ships multimode A/B/G wireless devices

D-Link today announced it is shipping its multimode wireless networking products, including its a router, PC card and cardbus adapters. D-Link also announced it will ship its multimode A/B/G access point before month?s end. D-Link's new A/B/G product line supports each IEEE wireless networking standard including 802.11a, 802.11b and the draft compliant 802.11g specification.

Apps: iMovie, Alepin, MacLoggerDX, CrossCards

03/06, 5:15pm

Apps: iMovie, Alepin, MacLoggerDX, CrossCards

Apple's iMovie 3.02 update provides improved performance and stability with iMovie 3. The update is available via the software update control panel under Mac OS X and is a 4.4MB download.

Alepin 2.4 is an update to the notepad and scrapbook replacement for Mac OS X. It features Classic Notepad import, Stickies X import, file imports and exports, auto-save, and auto-open. Version 2.4 adds better management of auto-saved file on locked volumes, usability enhancements, and the ability to change display fonts. Alepin is Shareware and costs $10. [Download - 460KB]

Dog Park Software has released version 2.5 of MacLoggerDX, its radio tuning software. The update adds an Alinco DX-77 driver, fixes bugs, and adds corrections to the DXCC database. [Download - Classic [v2.4], OS X[v2.5]]

Freeverse today released CrossCards Deluxe 2.2, an update to its $15 crossword game for Mac OS 9/X. The new release adds new features and fixes a number of bugs. "CrossCards is like a crossword game played entirely with playing cards. Instead of placing letters to form words, players place cards to form poker hands." [Download - 2.7MB]

Update: Karelia Software on Tuesday released Watson 1.6.2, a free upgrade to its $30 desktop interface for Mac OS X to popular Web content and services. This minor update adds support for weather locations in Kansas/Missouri and New York/Pennsylvania areas, integrated support for QuickTime player, DHL carrier support, and an updated developer kit (folding some formerly tool-specific functionality into the frameworks available to third-party developers). [Site now available--1.6MB]

MulleNewz 1.7 adds a number of user feature requests to the Mac OS X "dockling," which allows you to "stay in touch with the world" via the Dock. All remaining issues with the "new Preferences panel & dockling interaction" have been resolved, according to the developer. MulleNewz is an RSS reader, meaning it can collect content from countless providers. [Download - 148KB]

LaunchBar 3.2.8 provides fast access to files, Web bookmarks, email addresses and applications in Mac OS X by entering short abbreviations. "Type OW to launch OmniWeb, AHN to open the "Apple Hot News" web page," explains software maker Objective Development. LaunchBar now supports localized filenames. Applications, Preference Panes and folders can be searched by their localized names. Version 3.2.8 also includes numerous bug fixes. [Download - 247KB]

Cisco offers 802.11a drivers for Mac OS

03/06, 1:15pm

Cisco offers 802.11a drivers for Mac OS

A MacNN reader followed up on the wireless driver notes yesterday, pointing out that Cisco recently released Mac OS 9/X drivers for its 802.11a PC card. Yesterday we noted the release of Linksys dual-band wireless A+G accessories and various wireless driver hacks.

Apps: CorelDRAW, WeatherManX, StreamRipperX

03/06, 12:35pm

Apps: CorelDRAW, WeatherManX, StreamRipperX

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 11 Update 1 is an update to the professional drawing suite from Corel. It includes many improvements, including improved overall stability, improved export (SVG, TIFF, PNG, CPT, Photoshop, etc.), and other fixes. [5.3MB]
Blue Label PowerEmulator 1.7.2 fixes a few bugs in Lismore Software emulation application that allows Mac users to run PC applications. BLPE supports many PC operating systems (DOS, Windows 95/98/NT, Linux etc.). It resolves IDE controller issues on newer Macs, improves the resolution adjustment, has improved support for third-party mice and keyboards, and fixes a time synchronization error in Mac OS. The $35 application only runs under Mac OS 8/9. [240KB]
AfterTen Software today released WeatherManX Extras 3.2, its suite of programs for displaying detailed weather information in the menu bar and as a screen saver. This free upgrade for registered users adds support for non-U.S. cities and updates the screen saver to display weather alerts (as well as resets the 30-day trial for all users). The $5 shareware package supports multiple cities, offers forecasts, has weather alerts, has proxy support, offers color icons, and other features. [2.3MB]
StreamRipperX 1.04beta is an open-source (GPL) application that allows you to listen to Internet radio streams and record the songs as individual MP3 files. The update supports the system's web proxy settings and adds German and Italian localization. The Mac OS X-only utility supports drag & drop from iTunes or Web browsers, has a tuner to locate Internet radio stations, and supports both ShoutCast and IceCast servers. [306KB]
Rainjul today released Aizai Web Tuner, which enables web-based broadcasting and browsing of channels on the Aizai Channel Service Network. The full-featured channel service network browser includes support for web-based discussions. In addition, Rainjul also released Aizai Global Tuner 1.3 and Aizai Global Broadcaster 1.3 software for Mac OS X. Aizai allows users to view, create and distribute digital photos, movies, music, web pages, documents and folders via virtual television channels. Registered users of Aizai ($30) get five starter channels on the Aizai Channel Service Network.
Melonsoft's ImageEvents 1.5.3 is a maintenance update to its dynamic image/JavaScript creation tool. The new release features some minor adjustments to the ImageEvents interface. The $10 shareware for Mac OS 9/X can easily create rollovers and other attention grabbing effects, supports over 40 JavaScript events, can save templates, and supports a Site Directory. [Classic, OSX]

Mitsumi begins shipping BlueTooth adapters

03/06, 9:05am

Mitsumi begins shipping BlueTooth adapters

Mitsumi Electronics today announced it has begun shipments of its BlueTooth adapters, including Class 1 and Class 2 USB adaptors for easy integration into USB capable PCs. The Mitsumi Bluetooth Class 1 USB Adaptor ($64) operates between client and access point within a 100 meter range (328 ft.) and is expected to ship in 6-8 weeks. The The Mitsumi Bluetooth Class 2 USB Adaptor ($40), now shipping, offers a 10 meter range (33 ft.). Both devices can share information and Internet access among Bluetooth-enabled devices such as PDAs, laptops, cellular phones, and printers; they are compatible with Mac OS X 10.2 and can transfer data at speeds of up to 723kbps.

Virtix releases Virtix Themes for iDVD

03/06, 8:50am

Virtix releases Virtix Themes for iDVD

Virtix today announced its new Virtix Themes for iDVD, which contains "soothing gentle backgrounds such as Crystalline, Old Film, Smoke and Water. This package also contains bold science-fiction themed backgrounds such as Space Warp, Star Field and Techno [as well as] Geometric themes such as Lava Lamp, Rainbow and Ripples." Each theme comes with music or sound effects. The Virtix Themes ship on 2 CDs and currently work with NTSC video only. It is available for $25 and supports either iDVD 2 or iDVD 3.

LapWorks intros new mobile accessories

03/06, 8:45am

LapWorks intros new mobile accessories

LapWorks today announced two additional mobile accessories: the Nite-Key-Lite and 4-port USB Hub. The LapWorks' keyboard light is an 18" serpentine light with "the most rigid cable on the market. Unlike other keyboard lights, it stays put once positioned. Its connector is designed to fit tightly into any USB port, further eliminating 'wiggle'. The Night-Key-Lite illuminates the keyboard with two soft white LED bulbless lights which last up to 8,000 hours, and draws no more power from a notebook battery than 90 seconds per hour of laptop life." The 4-port bus-powered USB Hub features built-in over-current protection. Each is $20.

Apps: AirPort BS firmware, MS RDC, HenWen...

03/06, 8:10am

Apps: AirPort BS firmware, MS RDC, HenWen...

AirPort Base Station Firmware 4.0.8 is an upgrade for the Snow (dual-Ethernet) base station. It fixes an incompatibility with some customers unable to maintain an Internet connection using BellSouth via a DSL and/or Dial-up connection, provides base station support for DSL users with the Telia ISP in Sweden, expands the number of Access Control List entries to approximately 300 entries, and expands the number of port mapping entries to from 10 to 20. [720KB]
Apple has posted a set of example AppleScripts for Salling Software's Sony Ericsson Clicker, which allows users to remotely control a wide range of applications with a Sony Ericsson phone. The examples allow users to control iTunes, Keynote, iPhoto, DVD Player, QuickTime Broadcaster, System functions, and Sound Studio.
Microsoft's Remote Desktop Connection Client 1.0.1 for Mac OS X allows you to connect to a Windows-based computer and work with programs and files on that computer from your Macintosh computer. [611KB]
WebCalX 4.1 allows you to publish your calendar as an HTML-site on the internet. The $5 shareware supports layout customization, export and linking of several calendars, and database export options. Version 4.1 adds automatic FTP upload and has other bug fixes. It runs on Mac OS X only. [1.7MB]
Nick Zitzmann's HenWen 1.3.2 is a network security package for Mac OS X that makes it easy to configure and run Snort, a free Network Intrusion Detection System (NIDS): "..it fixes a critical security problem that was discovered recently. The security problem affects the RPC normalization preprocessor option, which had a buffer overrun problem that could allow a remote attacker to gain full access to your computer." HenWen is free for personal, non-profit, educational, and government use, and is $25 shareware for commercial use. [1.5MB]

SimpleTech debuts FlashLink PhotoZen device

03/06, 7:45am

SimpleTech debuts FlashLink PhotoZen device

SimpleTech this week announced FlashLink PhotoZen, a TV photo image viewer, USB Flash memory card reader and PowerPoint presentation projector in a single lightweight, compact device. It supports most popular digital Flash media formats, including CompactFlash (Type I/Type II), MicroDrive, Sony Memory Stick, Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard (MMC), and SmartMedia and offers a convenient remote control with a variety of on-screen menu options, including the ability to create a customized slide show, preview photos in "thumbnail" mode, zoom in, rotate, pan or delete photos. PhotoZen displays digital photos of up to six megapixels, at up to 2400x1800 resolution, and offers PAL/NTSC television support. It is expected to ship in May for $80.

Apps: 4DVersion, iMovie plugins, BigFoot...

03/06, 7:30am

Apps: 4DVersion, iMovie plugins, BigFoot...

Committed Software today announced the immediate availability of 4DVersion 1.0, a version control system for 4D project methods: "Designed to give 4D developers greater control over code revisions, 4DVersion tracks modifications made to project methods over the lifetime of projects, with version history and viewable differences. Developers can revert to older versions, code share amongst projects and code share between programmers on the same project." Pricing starts at $400. 4DVersion client software is available for Mac OS, Mac OS X and Windows, while the 4DVersion server software is available for Mac OS X, OpenBSD and Linux.
Stupendous Software has upgraded its SplitScreen & PiP iMovie plugin pack ($25) with four new picture-in-picture effects for a total of 26 effects. The new effects feature colored borders and dropped shadows. A free demo download allows all effects to be previewed, and 4 of the effects are fully functional and can be applied. The upgrade is free to Stupendous Software's existing customers; the iMovie plugins work under Mac OS 9 with iMovie 2.1.1, as well as Mac OSX with iMovie 2.1.2 or iMovie 3.0. [83KB]
BigFoot 2.2, a new version of the $10 shareware by Stick Software, has been released. BigFoot is a Mac OS X "desktop critter" that provides users with "endless entertainment, in the form of a pair of feet. But not just any feet! These peripatetic companions walk around your desktop, mostly minding their own business, but occasionally interacting with you in various ways. They dance, chase the mouse, play hopscotch, and lots of other things. Their appearance and behavior is extremely configurable." [328KB]
FmPro Migrator 1.01 quickly and accurately migrates FileMaker Pro database structure and data to Oracle, including large text and container field data. It is available in two versions: the Lite Edition utilizes CSV or tab-delimited export files to migrate relatively small datasets from FileMaker Pro, while the STD Edition adds migration of large text fields and image data, support for specifying stand-alone FileMaker Pro solutions files, and processing of up to 50 open FileMaker Pro databases. A free demo version of Mac OS X-only utility is available. [1.1MB]

KeynoteHQ releases Premium Theme Pack 2

03/06, 1:00am

KeynoteHQ releases Premium Theme Pack 2

KeynoteHQ has released Premium Theme Pack 2 for Apple's Keynote presentation software. Premium Theme Pack 2 includes four high resolution themes in both 800x600 and 1024x768 sizes. The themes (Cork Board, Soft Metal, and Waterfall) include photograph "cut-out" masters slides, custom bullets, and other "objects" that can be used in presentations. Premium Theme Pack 2 costs $8. Free themes are also available.

Avid ships Symphony, Media Composer for OS X

03/06, 12:40am

Avid ships Symphony, Media Composer for OS X

Avid earlier this week announced it is shipping Symphony for Mac OS X. Symphony v4.7 is described as "Avid's most powerful Mac platform-based postproduction solution to date, offering real-time finishing capabilities such as color correction, 10-bit DVE and Ultimatte keying. Avid also announced the immediate availability of the Media Composer XL, Film Composer XL and Avid Xpress systems for Mac OS X. These new versions include real-time Symphony-style color correction, as well as near 24 fps project support for all Media Composer systems. The updates also include Avid's new MetaSync technology, which allows editors to synchronize virtually any kind of metadata with traditional video and audio content. Avid Symphony v4.7 systems are priced up to 22% off the regular $90,000 through March 28, 2003. Media Composer v11.7 offline starts at $12,000; Film Composer XL v11.7 starts at $53,000; and Avid Xpress v5.7 starts at $6,000.