News Archive for 03/04/09

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Epic, Apple launch video creation contest

04/09, 10:30pm

Epic, Apple launch video creation contest

Epic Records, in partnership with Apple and RollingStone.com, today announced the launch of "Tori's Taxivision," a new online contest in which fans get the opportunity to create a music video for Tori Amos' next single, "Taxi Ride," off her gold-plus selling Epic Records debut, "Scarlet's Walk." Beginning on April 4th, participants will be invited to submit their ideas via "any moving medium" -- animation, video, etc. All submissions must be received by May 16.

all4DVD debuts new ArtDrive drive enclosure

04/09, 10:25pm

all4DVD debuts new ArtDrive drive enclosure

all4DVD has unveiled its ArtDrive, a drive enclosure developed in conjunction with the famous Swiss artist, Johann Ulrich: "every ArtDrive features a unique piece of custom art, transforming the ordinary product case into a showpiece of artistic inspiration." The ArtDrive Idol is available as a bus-powered, 2.5-inch portable 40GB or 80GB 5,400rpm/2MB cache mechanism for $300 and $600, respectively. (It includes an external AC adapter as well). The ArtDrive Medusa features a FireWire 800 interface (with the Oxford 922 chipset) in capacities of 120GB ($370), 180GB ($500), and 250GB ($460). Finally, the ArtDrive Sphynx features a "SuperDrive" with an integrated 4x DVD-R, 2x DVD-RW, 16x CD-R, and 8x CD-RW write support. The $600 drive has 2 standard FireWire ports and a USB 2.0 port. Toast 5.2 recording software is extra.

Blue World Lasso Reporter for MySQL reports

04/09, 9:15pm

Blue World Lasso Reporter for MySQL reports

Blue World Communications today announced Lasso Reporter 6, a new tool for quickly creating robust reports from data contained within MySQL databases. Lasso Reporter is a 'LassoApp' that can be freely used on servers running Lasso Professional 6, Blue World's Web application server for creative professionals. "Lasso Reporter empowers business professionals to make sense of data by building custom reports without having to hire a programmer or utilize their organization's limited information technology resources," the company says. Lasso Reporter 6 is scheduled to ship later this month.

Easy Barcode Reader now shipping

04/09, 7:10pm

Easy Barcode Reader now shipping

Easy Barcode Technologies today announced that its Easy Barcode Reader is now available. The Easy Barcode Reader is a $260 desktop USB barcode scanner designed for home and office use. Also available is Easy Barcode Creator, a $130 software package for Mac OS 9 and OS X that enables users to make professional, ready-to-print barcode graphics, without having prior knowledge about barcodes.

Apps: FireStarter, MP3 Rage, AFComix, QPict

04/09, 6:15pm

Apps: FireStarter, MP3 Rage, AFComix, QPict

FireStarter FX is a new application for creating backups of CDs or DVDs. According to the developer, FireStarter FX is currently not a tool to back up DVD-Videos, nor a transcoding tool to encode videos in other formats. In addition to copying standard and Macintosh discs, it offers a "very easy way" of burning disc images from the PC world -- it handles cue and bin files, which are common on Windows, and which are "very hard" to burn with other tools. Moreover, it includes an easy way to erase RW media, without the use of Apple's Disk Utility. [Download - 1.4MB]
Chaotic Software today announced an update to MP3 Rage, its popular MP3 tag editor software. Version 5.6 adds several improvements and features, including: support for rearranging articles in artist tags (i.e. "The Artist" -> "Artist, The"), and support for "moving to and from the composer." MP3 Rage is available for $25; the update is free for users of version 5.0 or later; owners of older versions can upgrade for a nominal fee of $10. [Download - 2.0MB]
QPict 5.2.5 is an update to the fully featured media asset manager for Mac OS 9/X. The update adds a "magic thumbnail slider," further customization options, reduced launch time, new sorting features, improvements to printing, usability enhancements, and long file name support. QPict is compatible with "all kinds of multimedia files," including formats for images, videos, fonts and sounds. Registration is $35. [Download - 4.4MB]
AFComix today released Globe Browser Public Beta, an application that accesses globe.gov atmospheric data animations. Globe Browser is for aimed at environmental scientists, teachers, and science students, but may be useful to anyone. [Download - location not available]
PdfCompress 4.1 is an update to the popular PDF compression tool for Mac OS X from metaobject. Version 4.1 features integration with the PDF Services feature. It installs PDF Services via a simple menu command, and makes generating optimized PDF files "easier than ever," PdfCompress is a fully-native Cocoa application, "not just a Cocoa wrapper around legacy libraries." [Download - 826KB]

WD debuts new FireWire/USB combo 250GB drive

04/09, 4:05pm

WD debuts new FireWire/USB combo 250GB drive

Western Digital today expanded its external hard drive product line with the addition of a Special Edition model, its Combo FireWire/USB 2.0 external hard drives. It is enclosed in a contemporary clear, light-up case; features an 8MB cache; and a 250GB drive with a 7,200 RPM mechanism. Western Digital's innovative clear case design with LED illumination allows users to see the components inside. The are available now for $450 from the Company's online store and initially will be available through CompUSA retail stores. Broad availability will shortly follow through Western Digital's retail partners, Internet resellers and selected distributors.

Dell drops iPod due to new reseller contract

04/09, 3:30pm

Dell drops iPod due to new reseller contract

Dell has stopped selling the iPod after only six months, bringing to an end an unusual marriage of marketing convenience, according to c|net: " The representative would not comment on the change, but added that the two companies continue to discuss the issue. Sources, however, said that the change came about because of alterations to Apple's reseller contract. Meanwhile, the 5GB iPod is fading further into the sunset...Now the 'add to order' button has been removed from the Web sites that describe the 5GB model. More costly 10GB and 20GB models are available."

Aladdin updates StuffIt Deluxe, Standard 7.03

04/09, 2:40pm

Aladdin updates StuffIt Deluxe, Standard 7.03

Aladdin today released StuffIt Deluxe 7.0.3 and StuffIt Standard Edition 7.0.3, updates to its industry-standard access and compression utilities. Version 7.0.3 improves support for Mac OS X's UNIX environment by adding the ability to browse Tape Archives (.Tar), Bzip2, and Gzip. The update provides support for RAR 3.0, adds an improved "Expert Mode" dialog for compression settings, improved StuffIt X compression, and fixes a number of bugs. StuffIt Deluxe 7.0.3 is also optimized to provide tighter compression of a wide range of file types. StuffIt Deluxe is $80, while StuffIt Standard Edition 7.0.3 is $50. [STDeluxe update]

Reader: HP fails on printer support for OS X

04/09, 2:25pm

Reader: HP fails on printer support for OS X

MacNN reader Michael Fryd provided some more details on the release of the HP 3300 multifunction printer drivers for Mac OS X (noted earlier today), which are apparently only available for users with previous versions of the software.

Northland game title coming to the Mac

04/09, 2:20pm

Northland game title coming to the Mac

Funatics Software and e.p.i.c. today announced today they will bring the Cultures 2 sequel "Northland" to the Mac: "The story of 'Northland' begins where the plot of 'Cultures 2 - The Gates of Asgard' ended. After perilous adventures our four heroes defeated the Midgard serpent and thus saved the world. But one day they were disturbed by a call for help from their friend Hatschi. Hatschi's homeland was plagued by mysterious monstrous serpent creatures, which spread chaos and destruction through the country. Without hesitation Byjami and Crya hurried to help him and stumbled right into a new adventure, in which the sly god Loki will play an important role..." The stand-alone adventure strategy game will feature a single player campaign with 8 missions including several sub missions as well as 8 additional free single player missions (non-campaign) and three difficulty levels.

OmniWeb 4.2 released; v4.5 announced

04/09, 2:15pm

OmniWeb 4.2 released; v4.5 announced

The Omni Group today released OmniWeb 4.2, an update to the web browser built exclusively for Mac OS X. It also announced development on OmniWeb 4.5, the first version of OmniWeb to incorporate the open source WebCore framework from Apple. OmniWeb 4.2 now supports the Macromedia Shockwave for Director plug-in and the PDF Browser plug-in from Schubert-it as well as new preferences for managing Internet and OmniWeb plug-ins, better control over the process of downloading files, more AppleScript support, support for ICC (ColorSync) profiles, and more. [3.5MB]

The Omni Group today also announced that development of OmniWeb 4.5 is under way. OmniWeb 4.5 will be the first version of OmniWeb to incorporate the open source WebCore and JavaScriptCore frameworks from Apple bringing greatly improved support for the latest Internet standards like CSS, HTML, XHTML, and JavaScript to the award-winning browser. OmniWeb 4.5, which will have the functionality previously referred to as being in 5.0, will be available later this quarter and will be a free upgrade for OmniWeb 4.x license holders. The Omni Group is making early versions of OmniWeb 4.5 available through the Sneaky Peek preview program. Current OmniWeb 4.x license holders interested in testing and providing feedback on the application can download the first Sneaky Peek release, OmniWeb 4.5sp1. The preview of v4.5 wil only run in licensed mode.

Apps: MRJ 2.2.6, ExhibitionX, TextForge...

04/09, 12:40pm

Apps: MRJ 2.2.6, ExhibitionX, TextForge...

Apple's MRJ 2.2.6 provides "fixes that allow Oracle 11i client applications to communicate with Oracle's application servers over HTTPS. It is recommended that you only update to MRJ 2.2.6 if you need to use Oracle 11i client applications over HTTPS and your Oracle software is properly configured to support HTTPS communication with Mac OS 9 clients. " [5.2MB]
MacNN reader James Mullins notes that HP has finally released OS X drivers for its HP 3300 series of multifunction printers: "These printers now support 10.2. It comes after waiting nearly 7 months for OS 10.2 support. Last week I sent my printer back to HP for a refund so I am unable to test!"
David Ahmed's ExhibitionX 1.2 is described as a "cool tool to view your picture folders and iPhoto 2 albums." It includes five easy-to-navigate 3D environments, including the walk-around gallery, octagonal carousel, book view, multi-cube and flat view. It offers support for most popular image formats, OpenGL support, 4:3 or 16:9 screen ration options, and choice of background textures and colors. The $15 shareware adds pause/ rotation rate controls, enhanced navigational controls, extra 'flat' view, ability to open up to 500 images, extra gallery textures, 'cube' view refinements and overall enhancements. [1.8MB]
ICS has released BX for Java, a new Java development tool that allows developers to quickly, easily, and accurately prototype, build, test, debug, and deploy any pure AWT or Swing application. Its completely visual interface allows developers to simply drag-and-drop any Java component (including any JavaBean) into a layout of their application, customize its operation and appearance, and to dynamically observe the operation of the application - without compiling. [8.0MB]
Automated Workflows has released a Dial Phone From FileMaker AppleScript, an external AppleScript application for OS X only that is designed to provide the ability to extract a phone number from a field in a FileMaker Pro database, and then dial that number using Internet Connect: "In Mac OS 9, FileMaker Pro databases could be configured to dial a phone number through the use of an internal script. However, this feature is not yet available in the OS X version of FileMaker." It is $15.
TextForge 1.5 is a $5 text editor that was "built from scratch to provide a reliable, powerful, fast, efficient, and Mac OS X native solution for editing text documents." It offers full regular expression support, an integrated perl checker, terminal integration, document statistics, auto-indent, a spell checker, and a customizable look. [392KB]

Apple Store coming to San Francisco

04/09, 12:25pm

Apple Store coming to San Francisco

A MacNN reader notes the mention of an upcoming (but unannounced) Apple Store in San Francisco: "There was a quip in the San Francisco Chronicle this morning (4/9). Mayor Willie Brown was quoted as saying "Wait until you see the plans for Apple's new store" on the site of the soon-to-move Sephora, he said 'It's sheathed in stainless steel and it's fabulous'."

Free fonts posted by Snapfonts, Font Diner

04/09, 12:25pm

Free fonts posted by Snapfonts, Font Diner

The Brain Eaters Font Company has released two new free fonts: "Keep on Truckin' is a groovy, happy new typeface chock full o' 1960s love with a wide stride to take on all design projects that require some extra love! And Corrupter which touts endless corruption for your data is a warped monospace" It also has a new "loopy handwriting" commercial font called Prosy Script. SnapFonts is also offering four free fonts on its Website: "Find them by looking through the Snapfonts Library and download them. We also have just introduced four new low low priced fontsets. Each has ten great fonts for $100. That's $10 a font. They have the best themes too: Supersaver, Britsaver, Autosaver, and Big Easy. They are all limited editions.."

Mac support for LANDesk enterprise management

04/09, 10:05am

Mac support for LANDesk enterprise management

LANDesk Software today announced a new software distribution solution for Mac OS X as well as expanded inventory and remote control support for Mac OS 8/9/X. The LANDesk Management Suite enables corporations to centrally manage the Mac OS-based machines along with the other platforms in their enterprise networks. Mac OS X machines can be inventoried and targeted for software distribution, while a new inventory scanner collects new and expanded data, including USB, FireWire and PCI device information. The application, due in the second quarter of this year, also provides increasesd remote control performance via the Web. Pricing will be announced on the product's release.

Apps: sVideo, FolderControl, CourseForum...

04/09, 10:00am

Apps: sVideo, FolderControl, CourseForum...

appMac's sVideo 2.1 for Mac OS 9/X is a global video monitoring application with functions to share a webam to remoter users. Version 2.1 allows webcams to be shared to a web folder, compatibility with more network configurations, better performance, and other changes. sVideo Server 2.1 is $60, while sVideo Monitor is free. [sVS, sVM]
FolderControl 1.0 is a utility to automatically size and arrange the Finder's folder/directory windows with custom attributes. Users can apply the changes to specific folders, specify window location, custom configure subfolders, customize Finder view settings, and lock the settings. The software is available as a demo or in a limited time $14 introductory offer. [949KB]
CourseForum 2.1 and ProjectForum 2.1 are web-based applications that are designed to bring increased interaction, coordination and communication to online or face-to-face courses, student groups, workgroup projects, business teams, and corporate intranets. Version 2.1 includes a host of improvements, in areas such as branding, project support, markup, and performance, along with several bug fixes. For a limited time, users can save 25% off the cost of licenses. CourseForum licenses start at $60, while ProjectForum licenses start at $150. Free versions of each product are also available. [CF, PF]

Photoshop font plugin for Font Agent Pro

04/09, 9:45am

Photoshop font plugin for Font Agent Pro

Insider Software today announced the public beta of its new Adobe Photoshop plug-in that permits automatic activation of fonts used in Photoshop documents as well as version 1.2.1 of Font Agent Pro, which allows saving changes that have been made to open files, even if the fonts themselves have not been modified. The application repairs or eliminates corrupt fonts, partial and unmatched fonts, duplicate fonts and unnecessary point sizes, and builds optimized, organized font libraries. It also offers font auto-activation in other Mac OS X applications, such as Quark Xpress, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe Illustrator. It is $90 for the electronic version. [site not updated]