News Archive for 03/04/07

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Apps: Migrator, Intaglio, pro Fit, Mellel...

04/07, 7:55pm

Apps: Migrator, Intaglio, pro Fit, Mellel...

FmPro Migrator 1.23 adds support for migrating FileMaker Pro databases to MySQL: "FileMaker Pro customers can now economically host FileMaker Pro data on the Internet even if their ISP does not directly support FileMaker Pro database hosting. Large text fields are migrated as MySQL TEXT columns and Container field JPEG image data is migrated to MySQL LongBLOB columns." The graphical application generates table and tablespace creation scripts, csv, and tab delimited export file processing, and documentation files as well as ODBC transfer Perl scripts to facilitate the migration of large text fields and JPEG image data within FileMaker Pro container fields. Pricing starts at $10. [Download - 1.0MB]
Digital Point Solutions has created two web-based tools for testing FileMaker databases. FileMaker Web Digger is a web-based application which can be used to quickly check the security of any of your FileMaker databases you are publishing via the web. FileMaker Server Probe is a web-based application which you can use to get a list of files, platform, and FileMaker version that are being shared by FileMaker.
Intaglio 1.0 is a new drawing and illustration application for Mac OS X. It takes advantage of the technologies Apple has built into Mac OS X to provide professional graphics capabilities while "retaining a traditional Macintosh experience in a consumer priced application." Intaglio is ideal for the casual user who has outgrown the basic graphics capabilities of integrated suites, and for the advanced user who wants a powerful, but streamlined application with a simple interface, according to the developer. [Download - 1.2MB]
QuantumSoft today released pro Fit 5.6.4 for Mac OS X. Version 5.6.4 is an update to the popular tool for the analysis and presentation of numerical data and mathematical functions. The update provides various bug fixes and is recommended to all users of pro Fit 5.6.x. The full version of pro Fit is available for $95. [Download - 3.9MB]
SCA Mecanica has released Quick Pallet Maker 3,0, its efficient pallet-loading / packaging design software. This new version introduces the box fill feature, a pallet layer editor, bottles, new palletizing arrangements and a change to the calculation engine that allows more flexibility and a wider array of pallet solutions. The package design application calculates and displays optimal pallet loads, based on Primary Package or Box dimensions and load restrictions. The $380 application (up to four licenses) is available for Mac OS 8/9/X. [Download - Classic, OSX]
RedleX has released Mellel 1.5.1, a new version of its multilingual word-processor that adds enhanced spell checking, keyboard navigation and selection, automatic save and contextual menus, "alongside many other small enhancements." The $20 package is a word processor built for Mac OS X that contains "many sophisticated word processing features, with many more to come over the next few months." [Download - 3.2MB]
MuchoThumbs 3.1 is an application designed to create thumbnails web sites extremely rapidly, with all related parts (thumbnails, web pages, banners...). Version 3.1 adds an optional copyright notice, a new zoom window, a crop tool, the ability to revert to the original image, a black & white conversion tool, and a new window mneu. It is a free update to the $15 shareware application for Mac OS 9/X. [Download - 1.8MB]

lo breakout box for Final Cut Pro 4

04/07, 7:30pm

lo breakout box for Final Cut Pro 4

AJA Video Systems today introduced Io, the first uncompressed audio/video FireWire capture device for Final Cut Pro 4. The high-end, 8 or 10-bit broadcast video device can connect professional analog or digital audio/video to a Mac via a FireWire interface. Io supports component and composite analog video, SDI digital video, balanced analog audio, AES/EBU digital audio, optical audio, RS-422 machine control, and genlock. Io features a sleek, silver box designed to complement Apple's Xserve and Xserve RAID--either in a rack, or on the desktop. It will ship in the second quarter for $2,300 (and includes a three-year warranty).

BitHeadz adds Audio Units technology to Unity

04/07, 7:30pm

BitHeadz adds Audio Units technology to Unity

BitHeadz has released updated versions of Unity Session 3.1, Unity DS-1 3.1, Unity AS-1 3.1 and Unity Combo 3.1. Version 3.1 integrates with other sequencers under the OS X operating system via new support for Apple's Audio Units technology. In addition, version 3.1 will bring support for Digidesign's Real Time Audio Suite (RTAS) and Steinberg's VST in OS X as well as Pro Tools 6.0, Cubase SX and Logic in OSX. Other features include updated graphics, a new librarian window for creating libraries, and a control panel window template. New versions of Unity Session are $500. [Classic, OSX]

Washington Post looks at 17" PowerBook

04/07, 7:20pm

Washington Post looks at 17" PowerBook

Rob Pegoraro of The Washington Post offers praise for Apple's recently released 17-inch PowerBook G4. Pegoraro points to the display, storage devices, and keyboard as strong aspects of the laptop, while cautioning that the bulky computer is not "for the rest of us." Mr. Pegoraro notes that while the looks "comically undersized," it is exceptionally functional, thanks in part to its backlight feature. Pegoraro says the weakest part of the PowerBook is the "paucity of third-party software" it includes. "It ships with Mac OS X and Apple's excellent iLife bundle of multimedia applications, but if you'd like a word processor, a spreadsheet application or a personal-finance program, you'll have to buy them yourself. "

boujou 2.1: 3D Matchmoving for Mac OS X

04/07, 7:15pm

boujou 2.1: 3D Matchmoving for Mac OS X

2d3 today announced a Mac OS X version of its boujou professional 3D camera matchmoving software: "Widely used on commercial, television and feature film projects, boujou has revolutionized the traditionally time-consuming and tedious task of tracking camera or object movement, a post-production or visual effects necessity whenever digital elements need to be seamlessly added into live-action scenes. boujou 2.1 extends the product's industry-proven performance to help users automatically 'solve' even the most difficult shots more quickly and with better results." Version 2.1 also includes a re-design of the application’s engine for significant performance improvements as well as incorporates advanced tools and an enhanced workflow with support for import formats including MOV, AVI, Cineon, JPEG, PGM, PPM, Softimage PIC, SGI, TGA, PNG and TIFF. Camera path and 3D geometry can be exported directly to industry-standard animation applications, while 2D tracks can be exported to products such as Shake. [demo form]

Kerio MailServer 5.6 adds SpamAssassin

04/07, 7:05pm

Kerio MailServer 5.6 adds SpamAssassin

Kerio has launched the new version of its multi-platform corporate messaging solution: Kerio MailServer 5.6 has new anti-spam spam detection technology called SpamAssassin. SpamAssassin, an open-source project, analyzes each email message against multiple criteria and gives it a numerical rating which can be used to block/reject incoming mail (with the threshold set by the user). Kerio also features protection against directory harvest attacks. Kerio MailServer 5.6 extends its directory service support to include Apple OpenDirectory, allowing users to be managed transparently from Apple’s Mac OS X Server (as well as full support for Microsoft Active Directory). Kerio MailServer is $400 for the product with antivirus plug-ins (Grisoft AVG, Eset NOD32, F-Secure, CA eTrust Antivirus or Sophos SAVI) and US$680 for the version with integrated McAfee antivirus.

Peachpit publishes Apple Pro Training Series

04/07, 5:40pm

Peachpit publishes Apple Pro Training Series

Berkeley-based Peachpit Press will publish the Apple Pro Training Series, a new series of digital media training titles certified by Apple Computer. Each of the initial titles in the new Apple Pro Training Series focuses on one of the powerhouse digital audio or video apps that Apple plans to showcase at April's NAB event: Final Cut Express, Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Logic, and Shake. Each chapter of these hands-on guides represents a complete lesson in some aspect of the software covered with a project to complete, a review section, and exercises to reinforce the lessons. An accompanying DVD includes lesson files. Pricing is $45 per kit. Availability will begin this month.

BIAS unveils Peak 4 audio editing application

04/07, 3:10pm

BIAS unveils Peak 4 audio editing application

BIAS today unveiled Peak 4, a new version of the leading stereo waveform editing application for Macintosh. Peak 4 offers a wealth of new features and enhancements, including support for Audio Unit plug-ins - Apple's new audio plug-in standard for Mac OS X, Multi-processor support, Redbook CD burning from directly within the Peak application, a host of new DSP tools, and many other enhancements.

Sonicfire Pro 3.0 for creating soundtracks

04/07, 1:35pm

Sonicfire Pro 3.0 for creating soundtracks

SmartSound has launched Sonicfire Pro 3.0, which lets users easily create soundtracks for their visual media projects. It helps save media creators tremendous time in finding and editing the music. Version 3.0 features a new Infinite Search Maestro, which lets users combine search criteria to find exactly the right piece for their project from SmartSound's 1,000-cut library. The application allows users to preview, purchase and download tracks directly over the Internet. SmartSound Software also announced new pricing for its Sonicfire Pro products. The standard version of the software, which includes the software plus two disks of SmartSound royalty-free music, is now $300 ($50 reduction), while the Sonicfire Pro Bundle Edition is still $500; however, it includes an additional CD (for a total of 5 CDs) of SmartSound music. All music shipped with Sonicfire Pro products are at professional, broadcast quality (44.1 kHz). It runs on Mac OS 9/X.

Apps: Sony Ericsson Clicker, TiVo Desktop...

04/07, 1:20pm

Apps: Sony Ericsson Clicker, TiVo Desktop...

Sony Ericsson Clicker 1.5 allows users to remotely control a wide range of applications with your Sony Ericsson phone. The $10 shareware adds enhanced action scripts for iTunes, DVD Player, Keynote, PowerPoint, and system functions (mouse cursor, screensaver) as well as built-in functionality to download new and upgraded action scripts, an enhanced proximity sensor functionality, and a new "Visual" designer to allow users to easily create their own "keypad based" controls. It also supports simultaneous operation with Apple's Address Book. [1.6MB]
TiVo's Desktop Application for Macintosh lets you make music and photos stored on your Mac available to any networked connected TiVo Series2 DVR. The software allows users to browse iTunes and iPhoto collections via the DVR (but does not copy files to the device). Installed as a preference pane, users are given the ability to publish all or select iTunes playists (with custom filters) and iPhoto photo albums. [177KB]
Doug's AppleScripts is a site offering free AppleScripts for iTunes (as well as resources for users who write them). The site has posted Audiobooker (ripping tracks from audiobooks), Player Position to Start or Stop, iTunes to AppleWorks DB v0.9, CDDB Safari Kit, and Copy as MP3 from Start to Stop.
HELIOS Software has released a free Test Drive of its HELIOS 4th generation file server, print server and prepress software. The 30-day trial of HELIOS' 4th generation server products includes EtherShare (file server for Macintosh clients); PCShare (file server for Windows clients); ImageServer (server-based OPI image replacement and conversion with color separation and proof printing); PDF HandShake for (PDF printing, PDF OPI and Imposition, etc.); and PrintPreview (convenient & reliable last minute proofing). [form]
Abracode's MailTemplate 1.0 is a new Mac OS X software for creating e-mail messages with templates. It is a solution to a problem of sending similar messages to different people. MailTemplate costs $10 and 15-day trial version is available for download. A limited $8 offer is available until April 20th, 2003. [334KB]
Hutchings Software has released an upgrade to its digital photo editor, Bosco’s Foto Trimmer 1.5. Version 1.5 adds thumbnails and mouse selection to the editor window, increases performance and responsiveness, eases installation and registration in multi-user environments, and implements trendy web link. It is a free upgrade to the $22 software. A free 2-week trial is available. [Classic, OSX]
kokorozashi has updated its freeware image file format translation utility software, iMage 1.01, which quickly translates image files from one format to another. Version 1.0.1 includes a fix for a crash which occurred when opening and closing a single document repeatedly, a smaller memory partition under Mac OS 9, and support for the option key meaning "close all".

Keynoteuser releases Lowercase Orange theme

04/07, 12:45pm

Keynoteuser releases Lowercase Orange theme

Keynoteuser.com has released Lowercase Orange, a follow-up to Lowercase Blue, its Pro Keynote Theme released in March. Both themes share the same layouts, just different color schemes. The package includes extra slide layouts, more large/custom hoto cut-outs, seven pages of objects, a design guide, PDF versions of the same objects, and PDF versionso of the bullets, in addition to the standard Apple-included elements. Lowercase Orange comes with the two standard slide sizes (800X600 and 1024X768). Custom sizes or custom layouts can be ordered by request. It is available as a single package for $14 or together with Lowercase Blue for $20. Owners of the Blue version can add the new version for $6.

FWB to update Real PC emulation product

04/07, 12:40pm

FWB to update Real PC emulation product

MacNN reader Richard Rasch forwarded a note from FWB Software noting that the company is resuming development of its RealPC emulation product, following the sale of Connectix's Virtual PC to Microsoft: "When Microsoft purchased Virtual PC, we decided it was time to re-release an updated version of Real PC & SoftWindows 98 (and shortly XP etc). We had to discontinue the product as the agreement was with Connectix, not Microsoft. If you would like to update your Real PC to a faster, better and more powerful version, give us 30 days to finish the software and you'll be glad you waited."

MacPlay to distribute Europa Universalis II

04/07, 12:20pm

MacPlay to distribute Europa Universalis II

MacPlay, a subsidiary of United Developers. today announced a partnership to handle U.S. distribution of Macintosh games from British publisher Virtual Programming. The two companies will launch the agreement with the release of the real-time strategy game Europa Universalis II later this month.

Gefen showcases monitor connectivity products

04/07, 12:10pm

Gefen showcases monitor connectivity products

Gefen today made several announcements at NAB, including a new series of dual function LCD monitors with TV input support, a new VGA-to-DVI Adapter, a 4x4 DVI Matrix Switch, its ex-tend-it DVI Splitter, and improved CAT5 Extenders.

RIO Xserve certified, gets Rendezvous support

04/07, 11:35am

RIO Xserve certified, gets Rendezvous support

Chaparral Network Storage today announced the certification of Chaparral's RIO storage product line with Apple's Xserve running Mac OS X Server 10.2.2 as well as full support of the Rendezvous protocol using RIO RAIDar Administrator Plus V1.2.1. The high-performance storage line utilizes Rendezvous to facilitate addressing (allocating dynamic IP addresses to devices), naming (using names to refer to devices instead of IP addresses) and service discovery (finding and using RIO's services on the network). RAIDar Administrator Plus V1.2.1 is immediately available for both existing and new RIO customers. [link added]

Sony debuts LCDs for broadcast industry

04/07, 11:30am

Sony debuts LCDs for broadcast industry

Sony Electronics has expanded its LCD monitor product line to include its first flat panel monitors series optimized for full motion video in broadcast and production environments. Five models have been introduced as part of the new LMD line of professional LCD monitors, including two multi-format 16:9 displays and three-rack mountable combination packages. [site not updated]

Apps: iKey, Path Finder, SimplePrompter

04/07, 11:15am

Apps: iKey, Path Finder, SimplePrompter

Script Software has released iKey 1.0, a rebranded version of the freeware Youpi Key software. iKey is an easy automation tool to control many aspects of your Mac. Users can create hot-keys for launching applications/documents/URLs/folders, and perform other actions. The $20 shareware can create sequences to handle multiple events and/or perform multiple actions. [1.6MB]
ArcaneWare has released Fontage, an application to easily view and manipulate all of your fonts/ The $23 shareware can find, organize, and compare both installed and uninstalled fonts: "Features such as Font Server and Search enable you to find fonts. To organize, you can put your fonts into different Favorite Sets. And to compare, you can get information from each font and use Fontage's visual. Fontage even views any inactive fonts you tell it to load." [1.3MB]
DEVONtechnologies has updated its freeware tools: AntiWordService 2.0 (AW) is faster and significantly smaller. BlueService 1.2 (BS) updates its Service menu entry, uses the current date and time to name new text notes and negotiates the packet size with the Bluetooth device. CalcService 3.0 (CS)features a new "Calculate & Copy" command which sends the calculated results to the clipboard, and an exponential operator. Finally, WordService 2.4.1 (WS) now displays the number of total characters in the statistics panel; offers Dutch, Italian and French localisation; and adds keyboard shortcuts for "Insert Date" and "Insert Date & Time." [AW, BS, CS, WS]
Path Finder 2.1.1 is an update to the file browser for Mac OS X. The company has also posted the Cocoa frameworks used to create Path Finder, and source code used to write Path Finder plugins. Version 1.1.1 has a number of minor enhnacements, including date options, custom icons for alias files, new 10 and 13-point screen sizes, an improved graphics converter, better PDF previews, and a new plugins. A 21-day demo of the $35 application is available now. [2.8MB]
iClock 1.1.1 is an update to the Mac OS X menubar clock. Version 1.1 adds new floating clock faces, a new system menu with running applications, a flexible week view (with Sunday or Monday as the start), and other enhancements. The $20 shareware includes floating international clocks, a stop watch, timer, and calendar (that links to full blown calendar/appointment calendars like iCal, Meeting Maker, etc) [1.7MB]
SimplePrompter helps you personalize letters, contracts, and other legal documents and even helps you incorporate into new Word documents "boilerplate text" stored in your existing Word documents: "You can be prompted to enter dates, short text values, or multiple paragraphs of text. You can select one or more items from a list or choose to include or exclude large or small blocks of text. You can even be prompted to include boilerplate text from other Word documents." It is compatible with Microsoft Word 98, 2001, and X. Pricing starts at $100.
MacWireless has released of Mac OS X 10.2 beta 5 802.11b drivers for its 100-milliwatt 802.11b PC Card. It adds a signal stregth bar, error statistics, a more accurate display, and automatic detection and configuration of encryption settings based on the selected AP. (acWireless offers a full product line including 802.11b PC Card as well as PCI-based and USB-based products. [545KB]

Revolution 2 development tool now in beta

04/07, 10:40am

Revolution 2 development tool now in beta

Runtime Revolution has released a beta of Revolution 2, its multi-platform development tool. This major new release builds on Revolution's existing strengths, which include an easy-to-use interface builder, an English-like programming language, database access, multimedia, Internet support, and more. It features XML creation and parsing, SOAP support, unicode text entry/manipulation, a new UI, improved database access (PostgreSQL, MySQL SSL, etc.), video capture, text-to-speech, Perl-compatible regular expressions, and other features. Pricing specials are available during the beta period.

JVC adds QuickTime 6 support to Streamcorder

04/07, 9:30am

JVC adds QuickTime 6 support to Streamcorder

JVC today announced that the GY-DV300 Streamcorder professional camcorder is now compatible with QuickTime 6 digital media technology and industry standard MPEG-4. The company says that the JVC GY-DV300 is the "world's first 3 CCD broadcast-type hand-held camcorder with the capability of recording simultaneously to tape and providing QuickTime compatible MPEG-4 program content for streaming over the Internet. In addition, JVC has announced that the GY-DV300 will provide ISMA compliant MPEG-4 program content in the near future.

Medea debuts RAID arrays w/2Gb FC interface

04/07, 9:25am

Medea debuts RAID arrays w/2Gb FC interface

Medea debuted two new fail-safe VideoRaid disk arrays featuring a 2Gbit fibre channel interface today at NAB. VideoRaid FCR2 and VideoRaid FCRX2 disk arrays offer data transfer rates up to 200 MB/second per channel and are designed to allow multiple workstations to share a common pool of centralized high performance storage. Both feature a 2Gbit fibre channel interface, real-time RAID controllers, built-in 4- or 8-port fibre channel hub with HSSDC connectors, optional optical fibre channel ports, removable disk drive modules, RAID controllers and power supplies, and background array reconstruction. VideoRaid FCR2 disk arrays are housed in a compact 5-drive desktop tower and are available in storage capacities up to 720GB (starting at $4,900). VideoRaid FCRX2 (starting at $5,600) features a 3U rack mountable design that can be populated with 5 or 10 disk drive modules with capacities to 1440GB per rack.

Avid updates Media Composer, debuts Avid Mojo

04/07, 9:10am

Avid updates Media Composer, debuts Avid Mojo

Avid today unveiled the new Avid DNA family, a powerful series of hardware accelerators designed for media processing. These Digital Nonlinear Accelerators (DNA)--which include Nitris (Windows-only), Adrenaline, and Avid Mojo--enable professionals to achieve true real-time functionality and exceptional image and sound quality when capturing, editing, finishing, and outputting DV, SD, and HD video formats.

WiebeTech adds 60GB, 80GB portable FW drives

04/07, 8:20am

WiebeTech adds 60GB, 80GB portable FW drives

WiebeTech today announced two new configurations of its MicroGB+ FireWire pocket drive. The MicroGB+ is now available in a slim (9mm internal drive height) 60GB 5400RPM/8MB cache configuration ($400) and a 80GB configuration ($430) utilizing a Hitachi/IBM 4200RPM mechanism (with an 8MB cache). All versions of MicroGB+ are bundled with MacDrive 5 software.

XtremeMac debuts XtroVERT enclosure

04/07, 8:15am

XtremeMac debuts XtroVERT enclosure

XtremeMac has announced the XtroVERT, a vertical enclosure for Apple's new Xserve RAID. The XtroVERT, finished to match the Xserve RAID, provides a fully integrated, single-unit look and is made of extruded aluminum with secure platform to carry the 100-pound weight of a fully loaded system. The design includes a special base plate, coated to prevent scratching of the Xserve RAID when it slides into place as well as steel cover for protection, increased rigidity, and a matching finished surface to the main body of the RAID. XtroVERT will be on display at NAB; it will ship in June for $300.

Digital Voodoo showcases Digital Voodoo

04/07, 7:55am

Digital Voodoo showcases Digital Voodoo

Digital Voodoo has introduced SD|Greed, an uncompressed 10-bit SDI 64-bit PCI card for Macintosh. SD|Greed has a single SD-SDI input and one SD-SDI output, 8 channels of AES/EBU digital audio, genlock as well as analog component input and outputs in NTSC or PAL. Digital Voodoo will be demonstrating SD|Greed at NAB, and it is expected to ship by SIGGRAPH 2003. SD|Greed is compatible with most popular editing and compositing applications including Apple Final Cut Pro, Adobe After Effects and Photoshop. Pricing was not announced.

Adobe debuts Acrobat 6 product line

04/07, 7:55am

Adobe debuts Acrobat 6 product line

Adobe today introduced the Acrobat 6.0 product line, a major upgrade to its software for PDF workflow, allowing users to create, share, review, and archive files in the Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) format. The new Acrobat 6.0 family includes Acrobat 6.0 Professional, Acrobat 6.0 Standard and Acrobat Elements with different levels of functionality to address specific customer needs as well as new Acrobat Reader 6.0 software, its free, cross-platform document reader.

Alias/Wavefront debuts Maya 5 at NAB 2003

04/07, 7:40am

Alias/Wavefront debuts Maya 5 at NAB 2003

Alias/Wavefront has announced Maya 5, the latest version of its Oscar award-winning 3D software. The eighth release of its flagship software now offers four distinctive options for rendering: the Maya software renderer, mental ray for Maya, a new Vector Renderer and a Hardware Renderer, which allows users to choose the image creation method according to the task at hand--wither a photo-realistic design visualization or a toon-shaded Macromedia Flash Vector graphic for the web

Apple posts Schiller's NAB 2003 Keynote

04/07, 7:35am

Apple posts Schiller's NAB 2003 Keynote

Apple has posted details of senior VP of worldwide product marketing Phil Schiller's keynote presentation at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show Sunday, Apr 6, at 9 AM PT, where he demonstrated new versions of Apple's professional video applications: Final Cut Pro 4, DVD Studio Pro 2 and Shake 3.