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Apps: XMMS, Metronomica, KiGB...
X2 Studios has updated its XMMS Remote to version 0.2. XMMS Remote is used to control the XMMS media player from Mac OS X. It now includes a volume slider and a Dock Menu, The developer notes that the Dock Menu Status is disabled (due to a framework problem), but the Dock controls work. [Download - 82KB] Metronomica is a new metronome program for Mac OS X. "It sports a simple and friendly interface and is very accurate, using CoreAudio directly." It comes with a variety of sounds, "and can read an audio file for its click as well." Metronomica is freeware, and works with Mac OS X only. [Download - 390KB] KiGB, a Gameboy, Gameboy Color emulator for Mac, has been updated to version 1.30. The new release includes a number of bug fixes as well as support for Super Gameboy emulation. [Download - 508KB]
Security hole in Safari uncovered
Secunia has posted an advisory for users of Apple Safari and Konqueror Embedded. The software "fails to validate the Common Name of a SSL certificate." This makes it possible to spoof SSL sites, so that users can't trust the authenticity of a SSL website. Secunia notes that Internet Explorer and Netscape suffered similar vulnerabilities a few years ago.
Apple service changes industry outlook
An Associated Press article examines the broader influence of Apple's new music service. The consensus among industry leaders is that if it weren't for Steve Jobs' "persistence," as put by RIAA chief executive Hilary Rosen, the record companies and artists would never have come on board. The article suggests that Apple's successful launch of the iTunes Music Store may serve as a launching pad for other services.
FirewireDirect debuts 320GB FireWire drives
FirewireDirect.com today announced its 320GB FireWire drives in both FireWire-only and Combo FireWire USB 2.0 models: "Like all of FirewireDirect‚s Ultra III hard drive products, the drive employs the fastest available mechanism supported in today's external drives, and boasts the latest edition of the speedy Oxford 911 FireWire bridge board. It has two 1394a ports, and the combo edition includes a high speed USB 2.0 connector." Those ordering for Mac will receive the SpeedTools Utility Suite disk management tools, including DeviceTuner, Disk Defrag, Integrity, QuickBack and QuickBench. The desktop enclosure features a 5,400 rpm mechanism with a 2MB buffer. Pricing is $480.
RadTech releases PowerBook accessories
RadTech today announced immediate availability of its Silicone display cushions for Apple's recently released Aluminum-cased PowerBook series notebook computers. Series 2 Wildeepz Display Cushions, redesigned for the new portables, provide active protection against contact, wear and abrasion of the display bezel, top case and LCD viewing surface. The transparent, low-tension Silicone cushions ($12) feature a non-reflective surface which makes them virtually invisible when applied to the display bezel via an adhesive backing. RadTech has also added a #00 Precision Philips driver and a 1.5mm hex wrench. The micro-sized Philips driver is necessary for proper removal of the cap screws securing the RAM access panel on the Aluminum PowerBooks, as well as several other case fasteners which tend to loosen regularly due to heat cycling. The 1.5mm hex wrench fits the socket head cap screws located elsewhere on the exterior of the 12- and 17-inch PowerBooks.
Adobe InDesign 2.02 fixes memory issues
Adobe's InDesign 2.02 update fixes problems on computers with more than 1.5GB of RAM installed, including a "Not enough memory" error, an "Out of memory" error when selecting an EPS or TIFF file, and fixing the text wrap option when applying it to an object using a contour. [76KB]
Absolute launches OS X versions of software
Absolute Software has launched Mac versions of its ComputracePlus PC tracking and loss control solution and its AbsoluteTrack secure asset tracking and inventory management solution. ComputracePlus helps security departments monitor asset location daily, protect valuable corporate data and attempt to recover computers if they are stolen, while AbsoluteTrack simplifies the management of software licenses, computer leases, machine configuration, computer retirement, upgrades and device ownership, and also helps control computer loss and monitor security policy violations. The applications run on Mac OS X with pricing starting at $50 and $20 for ComputracePlus and AbsoluteTrack, respectively.
Softpress segments Freeway product line
Softpress today announced three new products to its Freeway product line. The new Web-authoring products, include Freeway Pro, Freeway Express and its new FAST Pack technology. Designed for the professional user, Freeway Pro 3.5 has an improved user experience, extra functionality and a choice of one free FAST Pack. Freeway Pro 3.5 is $250 with upgrades from Freeway 3.x priced at $63. Both the full version and upgrade include one of the new FAST Packs. Freeway Express, designed for the consumer market, offers a simplified interface and dozens of built-in Web site templates. It will be available (download only) from the Softpress Web site for $80. FAST (Freeway Advanced Site Tools): Two new FAST Packs, available for both Freeway Pro and Freeway Express ($63 each or $95 for both), extend Freeway's core functionality. These packs are specially integrated collections of Freeway extensions that allow users to manipulate photos, generate artwork and buttons, create complex drop-down menus and dynamic navigation controls, and much more - all within Freeway.
PowerLogix debuts new iMac processor upgrades
PowerLogix today announced the iForce SL, the first CPU upgrade for second-generation iMacs. Utilizing the IBM 750FX processor, the iForce SL operates at 900 MHz and includes 512K of L2 cache also running at 900 MHz: "This provides a speedup of nearly 3x depending on which model is upgraded. The upgrade is compatible with eight different iMac models which originally ran at 350MHz to 500MHz. (It is not compatible with slot-loading 500MHz, 600MHz, and 700MHz models.)" The product includes a Powerlogix-designed, custom interposer board that maps the pinout of the original G3 to the revised pinout of the IBM 750FX. The $350 upgrade includes two-way Fedex shipping to/from PowerLogix for upgrade installation on the motherboard. It includes a one-year warranty. International orders will incur additional costs for shipping. A list of compatible models is available on the website.
O\'Reilly: second round of Mac OS X Innovator
O'Reilly & Associates is accepting entries for Round Two of the Mac OS X Innovators Contest. The contest, sponsored by Apple Developer Connection (ADC), seeks innovative Mac OS X applications, plug-ins, user interface widgets, or other creative original software: "Entries are judged on ease of use, adherence to the Mac OS X Human Interface Guidelines, use of Mac OS X technologies, and last, but definitely not least, innovation." First prize, worth nearly $5000, is an ADC Premier membership, a full pass to the O'Reilly Mac OS X Conference in Santa Clara, CA (October 27-30, 2003), and a one-year subscription to O'Reilly's premium online book service, Safari. Entries must be submitted by June 16, 2003. The Round Two winners will be announced at the O'Reilly Open Source Convention in Portland, Oregon, July 7-11, 2003.
NI debuts Reaktor Session, Reaktor 4
Native Instruments today announced that Reaktor Session and Reaktor 4 are now available worldwide in stores. Reaktor Session offers unlimited access to Reaktor instruments, samplers, effects, and live tools. It includes synthesizers and resynthesizers, samplers and beat-loopers, groove and drum machines, surround and innovative effects, and revolutionary creations. It also includes access to the ever-growing online library for a virtually unlimited collection of instruments. It is $250. The fourth generation of Reaktor offers new modules as well as with an enhanced functionality. Reaktor 4 includes the acclaimed anti-aliasing oscillators from the PRO-53 for a rich analog sound as well as several outstanding new filter macros, which provide the backbone for a series of world-class samplers and synthesizers. Reaktor 4 is $500, while Dynamo users can upgrade for 99 Euro. It is a free upgrade to Reaktor 3 owners.
Apps: GSM/GPRS, Watson, TuneFinder, AbleFtp..
nova media has introduced a GSM and GPRS solution for Philips Fisio phones 820 and 825. Mobile High Speed for MacOS can be used to establish easy and fast mobile high speed connections for Internet, Remote Access and FTP connections worldwide, supporting more than 170 GPRS networks and most mobile phones as well as a Bluetooth connectivity. It is 100 Euro. Karelia Software today released Watson 1.7.1, a maintenance upgrade to its desktop interface to over twenty of the most popular Web services and content. Version 1.7.1 adds a "Clear Searches" menu to remove history of search terms, new preferences, and other bug fixes. A single-user license is $30, while a household license is $40. [1.8MB] Karelia also released a new freeware application called TuneFinder X, based on the innovative 'TuneFinder' application by Elbert G. Smith that indexes over 13,000 musical themes and melodies. The user plays a few notes from a melody with the mouse with an on-screen piano keyboard; the program then searches its database for the best matches and displays the name of the composer and composition. [379KB] Hitek Software's AbleFtp is a $40 shareware ftp application that is designed primary for automation of ftp and related tasks. "The goal is to create advanced ftp tasks that can be scheduled automatically or run instantly. It supports a very flexible wildcard system to transfer multiple files at once and subdirectory transfers. It can automatically save files based on date/time or customized names." [1.5MB] John MacDonnell's DockFun! 4.0b2 is a maitenance update to the shareware utility that will allow users to run an infinite number of OS X's Dock configurations: "You can make your docks like creating an iTunes playlist. It Supports Virtual Docks, Hotkeys, AutoLaunch." [802KB] MacAT 6.6 is a "cron" task scheduling application for Macintosh server administrators. It allows more than 42 of the most common MacOS tasks to be run daily, weekly, fortnightly, monthly or yearly without user intervention. The $50 shareware offers functions such as launching applications, quiting specific applications, renaming/deleting folders, mounting remote volumes, etc. [3.6MB]
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Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit
Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj
Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket
The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]
Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera
Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94
Apple employees testing wheelchair features
New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa
SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards
SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If
Apple's third-quarter results due July 26
Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm
Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users
Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE
