News Archive for 03/06/16

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DeckLink Pro begins shipping

06/16, 7:40pm

DeckLink Pro begins shipping

Blackmagic Design announced today that DeckLink Pro, its 10 bit SDI real-time Quicktime effects card, now shipping to customers. With analog video monitoring, and 8 channels of SPDIF audio monitoring, "DeckLink is more than just a simple IO device," and integrates fully into advanced broadcast post production workflows. Featuring 10 bit uncompressed SDI capture and playback, combined with "the most incredible" SDI, analog component YUV video monitoring with 8 channels of SPDIF digital audio monitoring, DeckLink Pro is a "tremendous value" compared to competing products, according to the manufacturer. "Unlike simple FireWire based products, DeckLink Pro features an independent desktop using the full benefit of high speed PCI 33/66 MHz bandwidth." It is priced at $1,300.

External antenna upgrade for Airport BS

06/16, 7:05pm

External antenna upgrade for Airport BS

QuickerTek today announced the availability of a new external antenna upgrade for Apple Airport wireless Base Stations: "This new product adds significant range and speed to Apple wireless networks – ideal for those network installations with needs that exceed the standard wireless capability. This antenna upgrades the customer's existing Airport Base Station. QuickerTek receives the customer's Airport Base Station and then adds a 5Dbi omni antenna that increases the effective line-of-sight range to 500 yards. The QuikerTek Omni Antenna upgrade is intended for the Snow and Graphite Base Stations." It is $250 (or $350 for an advance exchange with a $100 mail rebate upon return of a working base station). [site not updated]

Apps: iList Studio, OnSync, SoundConverter...

06/16, 6:55pm

Apps: iList Studio, OnSync, SoundConverter...

Lakewood Studios today released iList Studio 1.0, a single-user relational database tool. It offers user customizable windows for creating, editing, and finding data, support for searching and displaying data across tables, on-the-fly calculations, direct SQL editing, in-line editing and pop-up editing of fields via keyword lists, and Office integration. The $200 application is $70 off through the end of June. [3.5MB--option click]
SoundConverter 1.0 is a Cocoa application for converting sound files between different sound formats. It offers support for dozens of audio formats, including AIFF, vorbis, wav, and wve. The Mac OS X-only shareware also supports channel number, sample rate and volume conversions. [971KB]
OnSync 1.08 is an update to the mobile phone contact synchronizer. It helps users sync contacts between a mobile phone and Mac OS X Address Book, Microsoft Entourage and Eudora, supporting mobile phones connected via serial cable, USB (with the appropriate adapter), IR and Bluetooth. It supports drag & drop, undo/redo, mobile phone contact deletion, and several character sets (Greek, Russian, Arabic, etc.). [498KB]
The iTunes-LAME Encoder v2.01 combines "the simple interface of iTunes with the high quality of the LAME encoder. Version 2.01 brings several bug fies, support for multi-processor, and encoding options verification. [576KB]
KoalaLumpor is plug-in available that allows tasks in After Effects® (version 5 or higher) to be automated via JavaScript. It implements a JavaScript language engine. It supports Mac OS 9/, has improved network support, offers performance improvements, and adds script debugging support as well as a Rapid Palette Development kit. It is $150 for a 25-computer license for a limited time. [802KB]
Tenon's iTools 7.01 is a suite of Apache configuration and management tools for Mac OS X 10.2.6. Version 7.0.1 ships with the latest Apache 2.0.46 and PHP 4.3.2 and also includes optimizations to its new web log traffic reporting system. iTools 7 is $300 for WebSTAR customers, while a bundle of iTools, Post.Office, and eShox is $825. It is a free update.
YazSoft has released Speed Download 2.0.1, an update to its download management utility. It adds the ability to limit the download bandwidth from both SD2 and the dock, an option to put the computer to sleep after download completion, and other changes. A 15-day demo of the $20 Mac OS X-only shareware is available online. [911KB]
MP3 Rage 5.7 is an update Chaotic Software's collection of tools for MP3 files. It includes utilities for editing ID3 tags, adjusting MP3 sound volume, exporting as AIFF, and modify thousands of MP3 files and their ID3 tags. The $25 suite adds support for rearranging artist articles in the MP3 Cataloger as well as other changes. [2MB]

Tokyo possible location for Apple store

06/16, 5:30pm

Tokyo possible location for Apple store

JapanConsuming provided us with an interesting report on what is believed to be the location of a new Apple retail store in Tokyo.

Emagic releases Mac OS X application updates

06/16, 2:40pm

Emagic releases Mac OS X application updates

Emagic, an Apple subsidiary, has released Mac OS X versions of EPIC TDM and HostTDM. The Emagic Plug-In Collection, EPIC TDM v1.1, offers 15 high-class Logic Platinum plug-ins, which you can use with any TDM compatible host software. The HostTDM Enabler v1.1 allows users to insert your separately purchased Emagic software instruments ES1, ES2, EVP88, EVB3 and EVD6 into auxilliary channels of any TDM mixer. Version 1.1 of each application also brings support for Mac OS navigation services, improved circular slider behavior, and use of the +/- keys for fine adjustments. Both are free updates to registered users.

The company has also released Mac OS X versions of its EXSP24 sample player and the EVP73 vintage piano instrument in a single 'Player Edition' package. Both instruments now run under any Audio Units-compatible host software, providing sample-based sound processing and playback, as well as Rhodes electric piano emulation under Mac OS X.

Macsoft to release Neverwinter Nights demo

06/16, 2:15pm

Macsoft to release Neverwinter Nights demo

Destineer's MacSoft unit announces today that a "Beta Tech Demo" of Neverwinter Nights will be made available on June 17th via the Web: "The most complete software adaptation ever of the classic pen-and-paper Dungeons & Dragons® role-playing game, Neverwinter Nights is a best-selling PC game and the latest release from BioWare Corp., creators of the nearly 5 million-selling Baldur’s Gate series. Players will enjoy a fast-paced adventure, revolving around an epic story of faith, war and betrayal. The intuitive user interface was designed to be accessible to new RPG gamers as well as the hardcore fan base."

MS releases Internet Explorer 5.2.3 for OS X

06/16, 2:10pm

MS releases Internet Explorer 5.2.3 for OS X

Microsoft today released Internet Explorer 5.2.3 for Mac OS X, which "enhances browser compatibility for users who work on a network with secure authentication or with proxy servers. It also provides all the latest security and performance enhancements for Internet Explorer 5 for Mac OS X." Earlier this morning we noted its pending release. The Mac OS 8/9 update counterpart is expected within the next month or so. [6.7MB]

Maine iBook program a huge success

06/16, 1:55pm

Maine iBook program a huge success

The Christian Science Monitor talks about how Maine ushers in a laptop revolution in the schools with its program that gave the state's 17,000 seventh-graders their own new Apple computers last fall: "teachers say laptops enable them to automate parts of the learning process - including quizzes and tests - thus leaving more time for them to focus on each child's needs. One report says it's even cutting down on absenteeism and misbehavior." The AP also notes that Maine expectst to expand the iBook program to eighth-graders for a total of about 33,000 notebooks in use, despite a $1.2 billion budget shortfall.

Gefen debuts new KVM extension solutions

06/16, 1:45pm

Gefen debuts new KVM extension solutions

Gefen's ex-tend-it CAT5-7000 and CAT5-8000 are easy-to-use KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) extension solutions. The CAT5-7000 extends two analog monitors, any USB peripheral, PS/2 keyboard/mouse, RS-232 touch screen plus two audio outputs/one audio input up to 330-feet from the computer. It comes with sender and receiver units plus cables to connect to monitors, peripherals, keyboard/mouse and audio. The units are connected by up to four category-5 cables that are sold separately. The CAT5-8000 extends three monitors in addition to USB, RS-232 and audio. Monitor extensions can reach distances of 600-feet, while USB peripherals can go to 450-feet. Each model is $1,500.

Apps: Ipanema, Pod 2 Pod, Final Vinyl...

06/16, 1:40pm

Apps: Ipanema, Pod 2 Pod, Final Vinyl...

iMedia Software today that Mac Cleaner 1.0 is now shipping; the unique application Mac users manage files, including the ability to move, copy or delete multiple files based on the specific criteria. The $10 shareware runs on Mac OS 9/X. [987KB]
Ipanema 1.0 will report your IP addresses "to you via OS X Mail, once a day at a time you can determine. The software can also send instant reports any time you wish. When an IP address changes on ethernet, airport or PPP, Ipanema will automatically send a report--even telling you your 'real' non-firewall hidden IP address." [419KB]
Pod 2 Pod 1.0 is a free utility that will help make an exact clone of an iPod to another iPod. It can be used to copy the contents of one iPod to another and will also allow you to backup your single (or both) iPods to your hard drive, in case of theft or loss. [520KB]
Griffin Technology's Final Vinyl 1.01 allows the recording of vinyl records using the Griffin iMic or PowerWave and a turntable. It can be used to record any other analogue source and includes a 10-band equalizer and a waveform-editing window for easy tweaking and editing of recorded audio. It also includes a play-through feature that allows real-time monitoring of the recording source. [3.5MB]
equinux today announced compatibility between its VPN client VPN Tracker and NETGEAR VPN firewalls, supporting pre-shared key and RSA X.509 certificate user authentication for NETGEAR devices. VPN Tracker 2.04 is available is both Personal ($90) and Professional Editions ($200), which can also sign certificates and connect two or more networks through a secure Internet tunnel. [3.1MB]
Name Stalker 1.1 is a domain management/tracking tool used to track domains you own, or "stalk" domains you don't own. Version 1.1 adds support for registrar status tracking, tracking of projected release date, updating parsing code, and a few other feature requests. The freeware (up to 100 domains) runs on Mac OS X. [8.8MB]

Apple updates iLife 1.1 with latest apps

06/16, 1:30pm

Apple updates iLife 1.1 with latest apps

Apple is now shipping iLife 1.1, an update to its suite of iApps. The $50 suite now includes the latest versions of Apple's digital lifestyle applications, including iPhoto 2 (photo management, retouching), iMovie 3 (movie editing), iDVD 3 (DVD creation), and iTunes 4.01 (digital music management). It can be ordered from the Apple Store online or purchased at any Apple reseller.

Canon debuts 2 low-cost color inkjet printers

06/16, 10:55am

Canon debuts 2 low-cost color inkjet printers

Canon today introduced two new desktop inkjet printers. The Canon i350 Color Bubble Jet printer offers a small footprint, color resolution of up to 4800x1200 dpi and print speeds of up to 16 ppm in black and up to 11 ppm in color as well as 4x6- and 5x7-inch true borderless photos. Canon's new i250 Color Bubble Jet printer offers 4800x1200 dpi color resolution and prints at speeds up to 12 ppm in black and up to 9 ppm in color. Both incluce Easy-PhotoPrint software to print photos with options for paper size and type as well as layout and Photo Noise Reduction. The i250 and i350 printers will be available in July for $50 and $60, respectively. Canon also offers the option to purchase an additional two-year extended limited warranty for $25.

Apple Store coming to Cleveland, OH

06/16, 10:45am

Apple Store coming to Cleveland, OH

MacNN reader Michael Sertich writes: "The Cleveland Plain Dealer today listed the tenants for a new "lifestyle center in Lyndhurst, OH called Legacy Village. Among the list of tenants was Apple Computer. Legacy Village will open Oct. 24th. The link to the article is as follows, although it does not include the tenant list like the paper addition.

Tech: Netscape privacy, Seagate drives...

06/16, 10:45am

Tech: Netscape privacy, Seagate drives...

Tech news: The New York State Attorney General has worked out a settlement with America Online's Netscape Communications subsidiary over alleged privacy violations involving its SmartDownload application; Seagate is expected to introduce a new line of hard drives for notebook PCs with data storage capacities of 20GB and 40GB, 5,400 rpm mechanisms, and large 8MB buffers; and Sony Music said Monday that it would begin selling music downloads in Britain for its top artists, making it the last among the major recording labels to join Europe's music download bandwagon.

Apps: URL Manager Pro, AudioX, XShelf...

06/16, 8:55am

Apps: URL Manager Pro, AudioX, XShelf...

Alco Blom's popular URL bookmark utility, URL Manager Pro 3.0.6 ($25 shareware), is now aware of the so-called Toolbar Bookmarks or Toolbar Favorites when exporting and importing bookmarks to and from web browsers. Version 3.0.6 can also export bookmarks to XML XBEL bookmarks format and can also grab now all URLs on a Safari web page. [Classic, OSX]
AudioX 3.1 updates Realmac Software's sound recording application that can record sound from any input source under Mac OS X. ie. built-in microphone, USB microphone, firewire video camera or the audio-in port. The $20 shareware can now convert file sto AIFF, WAV, and MP4; send email, and other features. Upgrades are $10 for v2.0 owners. [2.0MB]
XShelf 1.1.1 for Mac OS X has been released. XShelf is an application that enhances Drag and Drop operations in Mac OS X by providing a shelf where drag & Drop items (such as files, text, or URLs) can be stored for later use. Version 1.1.1 fixes a bug with multiple monitors. The Mac OS X utility is "donationware." [98KB]
24U Email OSAX 2.2 extends AppleScript by adding the ability to send electronic mails directly. It adds added sample scripts for setting e-mail's priority and other SMTP headers, a new parameter for specifying extra (custom) headers, and a few bug fixes. It is $17 for a single user license.
iOrganize 4.4.6 is a new version of the organization tool for storing notes, ideas, text extracts and web links. This new version improves search speed, category selection, and fixes several small issues. It is $20 shareware. [987KB]
Danicsoft has released an update to its flagship screen capture program for Mac OS X, Copernicus 1.3. The $10 shareware features three capture tools: Region (any part of the screen), Object (windows, menu bar, dock, etc.), and Movie (QuickTime movies). The updates has a new default theme, help tags, and other bug fixes. [1.1MB]

Apple VP Joswiak to deliver Expo presentation

06/16, 8:35am

Apple VP Joswiak to deliver Expo presentation

IDG World Expo today announced that Greg Joswiak, Vice President of Hardware Product Marketing at Apple, will deliver the opening feature presentation at Macworld Expo in July. Joswiak will address Macworld CreativePro's audience of creative professionals on Wednesday, July 16 at 9:30 a.m. ET. Macworld Expo takes place July 14-18, 2003 at New York City's Javits Center. Joswiak, a.k.a. "Joz," leads the team responsible for all Apple desktops and portables, including the iPod and AirPort.

Optima System releases PageSpinner 4.5

06/16, 8:25am

Optima System releases PageSpinner 4.5

Optima System has released PageSpinner 4.5, a new version of its HTML editor. Version 4.5 features enhanced OS X support and integration, an improved editor, support for syntax color coding of PHP, JavaScript and CSS, Text zoom, a recent file menu and built-in file transfer functions. Also included in the package is SpinPHP, a tutorial with a collection of useful PHP examples that helps users learn PHP with PageSpinner. It also adds support for Safari and Mozilla; editing local PHP, SSI and CGI files served by a web server; better management of plug-ins and scripts; and support for PNG images. It runs on both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. PageSpinner is $30 for a single-user license.

Apple Camp offered at retail stores in US

06/16, 4:00am

Apple Camp offered at retail stores in US

Apple Camp is a new program at Apple Stores across the US: "Conducted at your local Apple Store, these fun, hands-on workshops enhance the learning, study, and research skills of students in grades 1 through 9. [It] is offered free of charge to families who purchase a new computer at the Apple Store between June 15 and August 10, 2003. Workshops are for one week and are offered at both beginning and advanced levels." It is available on a first to sign up basis for the week of August 11 and the week of August 18.

KB: AirPort connection sharing, FCP 4 notes

06/16, 3:50am

KB: AirPort connection sharing, FCP 4 notes

KB roundup: Apple has documented the login window bug introduced in Security Update 2003-06-09, but later fixed in version 2.0 of the update released last week. Apple also notes that Mac OS X may not allow you to share an AirPort Internet connection if AirPort is not set to the highest port priority, and that some appications may not work after reinstalling Mac OS X, including an Archive and Install.

Meanwhile, new Final Cut Pro 4 articles includes: Uninstall instructions, installer problems, required installation from original discs, Text Tracking may change when upgrading FCP 3 projects, MPEG-2 requires updated component and Compressor, LiveType, Soundtrack, Cinema Tools documentation.

Apps: pearLabelizer, XMMS Remote, Audiocorder

06/16, 3:25am

Apps: pearLabelizer, XMMS Remote, Audiocorder

Miraton 1.06 is "a new application designed to play and compose music live for Mac OS X. It is programmed to import sound files (.wav, .aiff, .mp3, .snd, .mov, and other QuickTime-supported files), to conceive music in a studio or in live improvisations." The free software is distributed under the GPL license. [3.1MB]
LG Graphics has released Photo to Movie 2.0 ($30), which allows users to "create a movie by zooming and panning over photos. Users can specify the starting and ending key frames and generate high-quality QuickTime movies. The update offers a new integrated documented window, a timeline with scrubber for previewing movies, support for multiple images with cross dissolves, and support for Bézier motion paths. [957KB]
pearLabelizer 0.3 is a freeware label printing tool that can print addresses or other text onto specific labels of a label sheet. It supports drag & drop directly from Mac OS X's Address Book, Mac OS X Services, and other custom printing functions. [98KB]
XMMS Remote 2.0 uses web-services to remotely control and display the status of the xmms media player. The freeware runs Mac OS X. [88KB]
e-on software today announced free updates to Vue d'Esprit 4 and Mover 4 for importing native Poser 5 files. Vue will gain single frame import of Poser 5 scenes. Mover 4 will gain full animation support for Poser 5 scenes; however, some native technologies such as Poser 5's Hair Room and Cloth simulation will not be supported in the update. Mover 4 ($100) expands on the animation in Vue d'Esprit 4 ($200), allowing for inclusion of fully animated digital characters, enhanced, new motion effects, and network rendering.
Version 4.0.2 of MultiMode OSX has been released. This version adds improvements to PSK31 mode, as well as some bug fixes for Mac OS X 10.2.6. The $90 application allows any Mc to decode and transmit several different modes of non-voice communication often heard on shortwave and ham radio. A "lite" version ($40) is limited to RTTY, CW, and FAX modes. [full, lite]
Black Cat Systems has updated Audiocorder 3.7.1 (AC, $20), which adds additional Applescript support, and includes several user interface =improvements to its sophisticated audio utility that can operates as a volume operated (VOX) audio recorder or be used as an automated recording utility. The company also updated Audio Toolbox 1.3.1 (AT), its audio function generator that can be used to create sound effects. [AT, AC]
Black & Bleu 8.0 is an application that offers a collection of Mac OS error codes (both Classic and OS X). The database includes a detailed explanation and suggestions for dealing with many of these errors.Version 8 adds 493 more error codesfor a total of 7,806 error codes. The standard version is $30, while the Pro version is $130. Upgrades start at $20. [2.3MB]
Doug's AppleScripts for iTunes has posted a few new AppleScripts for iTunes 4, including De-Genre to manage and remove unwanted Genres; iTunes DJ 3.0 to program iTunes internet radio streams to play, speak DJ-isms; and the iTunes Music Store Player to play a window-full of iTMS tracks automatically as well as other updated scripts.

Police recover stolen Macs sold via eBay

06/16, 3:00am

Police recover stolen Macs sold via eBay

GoMemphis.com has a report on the recovery of Apple computers stolen from the Apple Store Saddle Creek (Germantown, TN). The computers were stolen in late April and were sold via eBay to unsuspecting consumers, according to the report.

MS to release IE 5.2.3 for OS X later today

06/16, 2:50am

MS to release IE 5.2.3 for OS X later today

Microsoft later today will release Internet Explorer 5.2.3 for Mac OS X users, an update to its web browser. The update will offer security and performance enhancements, as well as improved browser compatibility for enterprise users who work on a network with secure authentication or with proxy servers, according to the MacBU. It will be made available as a free update on its Website, while Internet Explorer 5.1.7 for Mac OS 8/9 users will be available in the next month with similar security and performance improvements. On Friday, we noted that Microsoft is discontinuing future Mac development of IE: "We will, however, continue to support IE 5 and are sharing our compiled understanding of customer requirements with Apple's Safari team, who is working to meet Mac users' future browser needs."