News Archive for 03/04/10

Choose an article from the archive listing on this page or refine your selection using the controls in the gray box below.

Apple FCP4 places well in video/DV awards

04/10, 9:50pm

Apple FCP4 places well in video/DV awards

The 2003 Digital Television/TV Broadcast Awards, Vidy Awards, Government Video Salutes and Digital Cinema Awards, were "presented in recognition of outstanding achievement in the advancement of the art and science of video technology" this morning at NAB. Apple's Final Cut Pro 4 won in the "Vidy Awards" and was picked in the "Government Video Salutes."

Apps: Tri-CATALOG, Virtuoso, Sound Studio...

04/10, 8:20pm

Apps: Tri-CATALOG, Virtuoso, Sound Studio...

Casady & Greene has released Tri-CATALOG, a powerful tool that catalogs all your media, so it can be quickly searched and browsed. "With the huge amount of content contained on internal and external drives, you can save a lot of time by using Tri-CATALOG to find and browse files and images," the developer says. [Download - form]
Virtuoso 3.0 is the latest edition of OpenLink Software's cross-platform 'Virtual Database' for SQL, XML, and Web Services. The new release enables transparent and concurrent access in real-time to heterogeneous data sources that include ODBC/JDBC/OLE DB/.NET-accessible databases, XML documents, and data-set oriented Web Services. [Download - form]
Felt Tip Sound Studio has been updated to version 2.1. The latest version includes G4 optimization, Mac OS X Core Audio implementation, and a number of bug fixes, including one whereby preview mode would produce skipping. [Download - 1.3MB]
IPNetTunerX 1.1.3 adds a number of new features and bug fixes to the $30 Internet performance enhancer for Mac OS X. Version 1.1.3 adds a second popup to group parameter settings, adds more parameters, only writes non-default settings when saving documents, and fixes error message for unknown parameters. [Download - 336KB]

Apple posts 10.2.5 online; details security

04/10, 7:10pm

Apple posts 10.2.5 online; details security

Mac OS X 10.2.5, which was released earlier today via the Software Update panel, is now available for direct online download. [Download - 38.2MB]

Additionally, Apple has outlined security updates included with the 10.2.5 update. Security-related improvements have been made to Apache, Directory Services, File Sharing, OpenSSL, Samba and sendmail.

VendorNation, By Design update war games

04/10, 5:40pm

VendorNation, By Design update war games

VendorNation today released ARR! 1.0!, a new $20 game for Mac OS X. The objective is to "collect as many doubloons as you can by destroying enemy ships." With each successful raid, the other territories become "more aware of your reputation," and you will have less time to complete your raid.

By Design has update its Gettysburg war game for Mac OS 9/X. Specific details of the update are not available. Gettysburg features Battalion-level conflict, in which you command hundreds of units, simple yet numerous graphics and animations, and easy game play. [Download - 3.4MB]

Apple responds to reseller contract disputes

04/10, 3:20pm

Apple responds to reseller contract disputes

Apple today said that the recent contract disputes that have led to both Dell and Target discontinuing sales of the iPod is part of the "normal renewal process" and that the resellers who have not renewed make up less than 1.5% of its worldwide revenue in 2002, according to c|net:

"According to sources, some of the dealers in question were unhappy with new clauses inserted by Apple into its contract, including one that gave Apple the right to inspect its resellers' business records even after a dealer was no longer selling the company's products. ...A group of smaller dealers is suing Apple over its business practices, alleging, among other things, that the company gives preferential treatment to its own retail outlets."

PodPod easel available in Smoke Black acrylic

04/10, 1:15pm

PodPod easel available in Smoke Black acrylic

PodPod, an "elegant and affordable" acrylic easel for Apple's iPod, is now also available in Smoke Black acrylic. The newly enhanced design sports a beautiful hand-polished finish and is still available in Crystal Clear acrylic, The company says that PodPod is now formed and engraved by laser from heavier, more lustrous stock. Chally Micro Solutions offers the PodPod for limited-time pricing of $13 (plus shipping and handling) through April 30, 2003.

Avid Xpress Pro to bundle Sorenson Squeeze 3

04/10, 12:40pm

Avid Xpress Pro to bundle Sorenson Squeeze 3

Sorenson Media today announced that Avid will integrate a customized version of Sorenson Squeeze 3 Compression Suite encoding software into the new Avid Xpress Pro nonlinear editing software. The customized version of Sorenson Squeeze 3 Compression Suite for Mac OS X enables Avid Xpress Pro editors to easily deliver encoded video for QuickTime, Macromedia Flash, and MPEG-4 (including Visual Simple Profile and Visual Advanced Simple Profile).

Freeverse ships Legion, offers DBG to .Mac

04/10, 12:30pm

Freeverse ships Legion, offers DBG to .Mac

Freeverse is now shippping Legion, the epic strategy game set in ancient Rome. The turn-based strategy game puts users "in control of vast armies as you seek to conquer your neighbors through military might. With huge, historically accurate maps of the Ancient World, large battlefields, and units ranging from Praetorian Guards to Celtic Cavalry, Legion is the ultimate test for would-be Caesars!" The title is $20 is available for Mac OS 9/X.

Freeverse has also partnered with Apple to offer its Deluxe Board Games (DBG), a suite of eight classic board games--Chess, Checkers, 7th Fleet, 4-In-A-Row, Go, Mancala, Tic Tac Toe, and Reversi (a $20 value), as a free download to Apple's .Mac subscribers.

OWC adds high-capacity drives, reduces prices

04/10, 12:15pm

OWC adds high-capacity drives, reduces prices

Other World Computing today added four new high-capacity drives to its line of Mercury Elite FireWire + USB 2.0/1.1 Combo storage solutions and reduced prices on the entire line of products. With new capacities of 160GB, 180GB, 200GB and 250GB, the 7200RPM combo drives feature two FireWire ports and one USB port. The 8MB cache versions are available in 250GB ($480), 200GB ($390), 180GB ($340), and 120GB ($250, $30 reduction). The 2MB cache versions are available in 160GB ($340), 120GB ($230, $30 reduction), 80GB ($200), 60GB ($180), and 40GB ($170). OWC also announced today a price reduction of up to $20 on all Mercury Elite FW 400 FireWire-only storage solutions. All OWC Mercury Elite FireWire + USB 2.0/1.1 Combo and Mercury Elite FW 400 storage solutions ship with a two-year warranty and Intech HD SpeedTools.

Apps: Budget, ScrapX, ARTIS ScreenTools...

04/10, 12:05pm

Apps: Budget, ScrapX, ARTIS ScreenTools...

Budget 4.0 adds the ability to budget funds from multiple bank accounts, a new setup assistant, an integrated preferences and settings window, text file output of reports, and more keyboard shortcuts. Budget 4.0 is a free upgrade to the $30 personal finance tool for Mac OS X. [2.2MB]
Apimac English-Spanish Dictionary 4.1 is available in both English and Spanish versions for both Mac OS X and Mac Classic. The $25 all-in-one dictionary and phrase book application combines a comprehensive and up-to-date dictionary with grammatical notes; a phrase book containing thousands of English phrases with Spanish translation; an exhaustive business dictionary. [Classic, OSX]
ScrapX 1.1 is a shareware scrapbook utility built for Mac OS X. It stores, displays, and dispenses content that can be copied and pasted or drag-and-dropped among Mac OS X and classic Mac OS applications. It now supports multiple views, import of Classic scrapbooks, new item information (memo and source), support for more file formats, new preferences, and a "primary" scrapbook option. The $10 shareware runs on Mac OS X. [893KB]
ARTIS ScreenTools 2.5 is a collection of four popular utilities for Mac OS X, including (1) ARTIS Screen Ruler, a desktop utility displaying translucent rulers on top of all your windows on your screen; (2) ARTIS Small Screen, displays the size of smaller screens on your desktop; (3) ARTIS Screen Loupe, a desktop utility that displays a magnified view; and (4) ARTIS Screen Guides, which displays visual guide lines on your desktop. The $10 shareware adds new enhancements, including support for Camino and Safari browsers. [315KB]

Mumbo Jumbo ships Snowball Run game title

04/10, 11:50am

Mumbo Jumbo ships Snowball Run game title

United Developers today announced the general availability of Snowball Run, which was previously only available as an exclusive holiday version at the online MacPlay Store during the month of December: "In Snowball Run, players are tasked with guiding the snowball-riding penguin on a bold adventure through 75 fish-packed levels. Players roll up & down ramps, around curves & obstacles, and over jumps for an exciting challenge that will keep them on the edge of their seat!" Mumbo Jumbo, wholly owned subsidiary of United Developers, is shipping the title for $20.

Thursby announces ADmitMac for MS networks

04/10, 11:50am

Thursby announces ADmitMac for MS networks

Thursby Software has announced ADmitMac, a new Mac OS X application that allows Macs to participate in Microsoft networks. "Now Macintosh computers using Mac OS X can be easily integrated into Microsoft networks that are based on Active Directory and even older domain services... this can be accomplished securely with no increased workload for the administrator." With ADmitMac, users' home directories can be kept on Microsoft servers and are all managed from one place (the directory). Users may log into Macs or PCs using the same account and password and have full access to their files and desktop settings. ADmitMac is currently completing beta testing and is scheduled for release in May.

Corel Painter 8 due this Spring

04/10, 11:45am

Corel Painter 8 due this Spring

Corel today announced Corel Painter 8, a new version of its new version of popular digital sketching and painting application due this Spring. It includes new features for mixing colors, over 400 new brushes for more than 30 different mediums, a new custom Brush editor, a new Sketch Effect to convert photographs to pencil drawings, and a new Digital Water Color hand painting line drawings, touching up photographs, and creating simple water color washes. Version 8 also features a redesigned interface, a brush tracker, enhanced support for opening/saving Adobe Photoshop files (including layer sets, layer masks, and channels), hide/show portions of each layer, create/store masks, and other features. It is due in early May for $300. Upgrades will be $150, while Corel will offer a special price $100 version to educational institutions.

Apple releases Mac OS X 10.2.5, Update CD

04/10, 9:05am

Apple releases Mac OS X 10.2.5, Update CD

Apple has released Mac OS X 10.2.5 via the Software Update System Preferences. The major changes are noted below and Apple has provided a more detailed change list on the Web.

As reported this morning, the Apple Store is offering a Mac OS X 10.2.5 Update CD for $20, indicating that the update is available via the Software Update Control panel (although the linked documentation is not yet available online). The Update CD has an estimated ship time of 7-10 days from the Apple Store with the following descrption. [updated]

Aspyr ships second Harry Potter game title

04/10, 8:55am

Aspyr ships second Harry Potter game title

MacNN reader Timothy Wilkinson notes that Aspyr has begun shipping Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the second installment in the popular game series: "I just got my FedEx email with a tracking number saying it shipped yesterday and should be delivered today." The project status still lists the $40 game as in "duplication" with an estimated ship date of March 2003. The title runs on both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X.

Apps: File Synchronization, Comictastic...

04/10, 8:50am

Apps: File Synchronization, Comictastic...

File Synchronization 1.2 is an update to the $10 Mac OS X shareware utility that was "based originally on the File Synchronization tool provided by Apple with the old Mac OS, but has a few improvements and features to help get the job done quickly and efficiently." It adds new hierarchical list views, options to automatically start at launch and quit after finished, and new localized versions in English, French, Dutch, Italian, Norwegian and Russian. [1.0MB]
The Open Media Toolkit is a C++ framework for Mac OS X and Windows destined to the development of real time 2D/3D multimedia applications. OMT includes classes for 2D/3D rendering and animation (through DirectX, OpenGL or its own software renderer), sound, files, database, windowing, user-interface, media importer (3D and 2D), input control, etc. [24MB]
Spiny Software's Comictastic 2.0 is designed to find and view your favorite comic-strips. It supports 20 strips out-of-the-box, disk caching,, the ability to save comics in JPEG, TIFF and PNG formats, a built-in help system, zoom functions, and export/import of custom comic definitions. Version 2.0 includes a calendar to view previously released comics, a new multithreaded download engine, and other improvements. The $15 shareware runs on Mac OS X 10.2. [492KB]
Braddock Street Software has released Install Factory 3.14, a complete anti-piracy toolkit for Windows and Macintosh software developers. Install Factory prevents users from distributing unauthorized copies of your installer and prevents users from distributing copies of your installed software. The software integrates with Visual C++, CodeWarrior, FileMaker and REALbasic as well as Visual Basic, 4th Dimension and Macromedia Director. Pricing starts at $180.
iSpectrum 0.2 is an easy to use audio spectrum analyzer that allows the user to view live audio in a standard frequency plot, a stereo oscilloscope view and a waterfall display. The user can adjust the display resolution, center frequency and save images to disk. It features a new oscilloscope view, six user-selectable bandwidth resolutions, choice of FFT window functions, and other custom user settings. A time-limited demo of the $30 application is available online. [807KB]
MacAsylum has updated WebSiteProj 0.7.2 to corrects the display of ProjectBuilder documentation, adds a cgi-bin folder to HTML Projects, changes .inc to .php for php include files in the PHP Project, and adds support for ASP (.asp) files. WebSiteProj adds basic website and file templates to Apple's ProjectBuilder along with partial syntax coloring for PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript and MySQL. The freeware requires the December 2002 Developer Tools. [36KB]