FileWave debuts FileWave solution for OS X...

FileWave today announced new FileWave modules: FileWave XServer 1.0, FileWave XAdmin 1.0, and FileWave XClient 3.0--new components designed to run exclusively on Mac OS X: "The result of these [rebuilding] efforts is not simply a new FileWave™ version, but a completely new product. Previously unknown ease-of-use, combined with amazing speeds were only possible by developing the new products from scratch and using the power of the Mac OS X operating system." [site not updated]

Digidesign releases Pro Tools 6.1 update...

Digidesign has released Pro Tools 6.1, an update to its professional audio production software. Version 6.1 features a unified feature set across Windows XP- and Mac OS X-based Pro Tools systems, enhanced Avid interoperability and post production feature support, and new compatibility options as well as new Post options for Pro Tools LE.

New 7,200 rpm, 60GB portable drive available...

Trans Intl. today announced the "industry's first" 7200 RPM Mobile Hard Disk Drive in 60GB capacity and 2.5-inch form factor designed for notebooks and portable drives. The company says that new 7200 RPM drive offers mobile users desktop-equivalent performance with battery consumption at about the same level as a 5,400 RPM hard drive. The new drive features fluid dynamic bearing technology for quiet acoustics, low power consumption, and improved shock performance (by up to 25 percent).

Apple discussion forums back online

Apple's support/discussion forums have resumed normal operation after being offline for a number of days. Apple had not provided an explanation for the downtime, nor any indication of when services would resume. Readers continue to report the absence of search functionality. According to some reports, Apple was transitioning to new server/RAID hardware, but these details were not be confirmed by Apple. As always, the MacNN Forums remain available for Mac-related discussion and support.

NASA Library exhibit uses flat-screen iMacs

Science@NASA is sponsoring a new interactive exhibit using iMacs, which begins a 2-year tour of U.S. libraries this month: "Fun activities on flat-screen [iMacs] allow curious minds to puzzle over floating water droplets and spherical candle flames, marvel at the beauty of the Earth seen from orbit, and learn what living in space is really like." The "NASA @ your library" exhibit-stand houses six flat-screen iMac computers for visitors, which are supplied by Apple. The iMacs run an interactive, multimedia presentation. NASA says the goal of the exhibit, called "NASA @ your library", is to use the "cool factor" of space to "interest children in math and science, and to make people aware of the unique benefits of doing science in orbit."

Apps: VirtualScreens, FTP Suite, ZeboPhoto...

• VirtualScreens is a small application that gives you multiple virtual screens. It installs itself in the SystemStatusBar (the rightmost part of the Mac OS X menu bar) as a menu. For every virtual screen, you can choose a name and select which applications should belong to it. On changing the screen, the applications of the previous screen get hidden and those belonging to the new one are activated. [Download - 487KB]


• Programmer Graeme Nattress has released his first set of plug-in filters and effects for Apple's Final Cut Pro video editing software. "The filters address the needs of the video editor who wants his finished product to look great," and also provides some useful toolbox filters. In response to FCP user needs, Graeme has written plug-ins that deal with color correction in new ways, remove noise from video, up-sample DV color, make video look more film-like, remove camera flashes and draw animating map lines. Set 1 is now available for $30.


• Pyramid Designs today released an update to FTP Suite, its set of classes and code modules that allows FTP operations to be implemented in REALbasic applications. Version 2.1 adds the ability to rename files on a remote server. Multiple files, provided they are all in the same remote directory, can be renamed. This is a free upgrade to all Professional ($60), Hobbyist ($30) and Source Code licensees. [Download - 1.7MB]


• Sig Software's Classic Menu 2.7, a $10 utility that brings the classic configurable Mac OS apple menu back to Mac OS X, adds caching of menu items to improve responsiveness, Command and Shift modifier keys to reveal item or show info, compatibility with Path Finder for filing operations, and several other minor improvements. It is localized in English, French, German and Japanese. [58KB]


• ZeboPhoto 1.3.1 is a maintenance update to the popular image viewer/editor program for Classic and Mac OS X. The File Browser and System Information windows are now 'metal' under Jaguar and file visibility controls have been moved from the file browser to a drawer that can be accessed from a button on the browser. Version 1.3.1 is a free update; registration starts at $8. [Download - Classic, OS X]

Memorex offers 'printable' CD-Rs

Memorex announced today the first inkjet-printable CD-R media. Printable discs allow users to print directly on the surface of specially prepared CD-R media using affordable ink jet printers available at retail stores nationwide. Unlike an ordinary blank disc, a printable disc comes with a porous surface that absorbs printer ink. Memorex offers CD-R discs that are rated at 48X, and offer 80 minutes of audio record time and 700 MB of data storage. A 30-pack spindle of Memorex Ink Jet Printable CD-Rs is available for $15.

Textco founders to resume GCK, GI development...

The original owners of Textco announced today that they have recently acquired the Textco business back from SciQuest, Inc and that the new company, headed by the original founders and key personnel from the original development and sales & support teams, will continue to develop and sell Gene Construction Kit and Gene Inspector.

Apps: ICQ, Gammawork, Webby, Deimos Rising...

• Added: Ipanema 1.3 will keep track of the IP addresses for any Ethernet interface and report the IP address automatically via email either at specified intervals or when it changes. Ipanema also can display your "real" IP address if you are behind a firewall. Version 1.3 adds new graphics, the ability to shut off IP checking, the ability to specify when Ipanema checks for changes, and labeled ports on the main screen. [Download - 608KB]


• ICQ 3.4b16 -- an update to the popular instant messaging client -- has been released for Mac OS X. Version 3.4b16 enables you to add AIM and AOL users to your contact list and chat with them. The update also offers bug fixes, and usability/security improvements. [Download - 3.6MB]


• The Gammawork module is a freeware monitor calibration tool that lets users set a monitor's colors to make certain they will correspond to those of another device, such as a printer. Gammawork allows a user to adjust up to four connected monitors, independently varying each of the three color channels (red, green, and blue) on each display. [Download - 139KB]


• Webby is a free Mac OS X application for storing Web site logins and passwords. In addition, it also stores name, date, URL, and comments as well--all in one, convenient location. Webby also offers a quick-access toolbar. [Download - 1.2MB]


• Deimos Rising 1.0.4 is an update to the fast-action arcade-style sequel to Mars Rising that contains a number of bug fixes involving input devices. Deimos Rising features 16-bit graphics rendered with transparency, alpha masking, and motion blur into a "whirlwind of pixelized chaos." [Download - Full, update from 1.0.2]


• Two core libraries for handling CMML and Annodex media are now available. The Annodex technology promotes open standards for annotating and indexing networked media. It extends the Web's surfing and searching to time-continuous data like audio and video. Users can make hyperlinks between fragments of audio and video files, and search for fragments of audio and video files using ordinary text queries in Web search engines. [Download - libcmml, libannodex]


• CrushFTP 3.0b33 is an update to the full-featured $25 FTP server for Mac OS X. Beta 33 adds Rendezvous support, Web administration fixes, and bug fixes related to uploaded filenames. CrushFTP features multihoming, virtual servers, users/groups, ratios, quotas, bandwidth limiters, remote admin, virtual serving, redundancy, load balancing, and virtual directories. [Download - Classic, OS X]


• ArKaos VJ 3.0 for Mac OS 9/X offers professional VJs, installation and event artists the ability to work with their own image and movie files along with different effect types and sequences. "This MIDI authoring/editing tool empowers visual artistis and professional VJs to create, record and play their own videos," the developer says. Version 3.0 is now able to render in 32-bit colors for improved visual quality and also allows users to with an alpha channel from the source. [Download - 48.5MB]

AppComposer 3 offers visual Java development

DigiSlice today announced AppComposer 3, a free visual development environment for assembling Java applications. AppComposer can quickly integrate components into full applications, including Web applications. It includes a complete suite of component development and integration features, including a visual component editor, integrated web server, servlet engine, debugger, scripting facility, and relational database. It features live editing for real-time testing and feedback; AppComposer runs on Windows, Macintosh, Linux, and Solaris, while applications can be deployed to any standard Java environment, including IBM's WebSphere, BEA's WebLogic, JBoss, and Tomcat. An Enterprise Plug-in Suite supports Web Services and EJBs and is $500. It is available for free via the Web.

Warcraft III expansion set now in stores

Blizzard Entertainment today announced that Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne -- the eagerly awaited expansion set to the "fastest-selling PC game ever" -- is now in stores. Following in the tradition of previous Blizzard expansion sets, "The Frozen Throne" provides gamers with a vast new chapter in the Warcraft saga. "Several months have passed since Archimonde and the Burning Legion were defeated at the battle of Mount Hyjal, yet a new threat has arisen throughout the land." The Mac-compatible package sells for $35.

TouchSTAR for 20", 23" Cinema displays

Troll Touch recently announced the immediate availability of its TouchSTAR touch-screen enhancement for Apple's 20- and 23-inch HD Cinema flat panel displays. TouchSTAR enhancements are elegantly mounted internally so that the only modification visible to the user is the short USB cable that exits the back and plugs into one of the USB ports. The TouchSTAR enables users to interact with the computers GUI by touching anywhere on the display, via 4096 x 4096 points of touch).

Tech: 17" Toshiba laptop; Gateway shift; ...

Morning tech news: Six months after Apple debuted the first 17-inch notebook, Toshiba has unveiled a similar computer of its own; eighteen years after co-founding Gateway, Ted Waitt is working to shed Gateway image as a PC builder; PeopleSoft repeated its opposition to rival Oracle's $6.3 billion hostile bid in a letter to shareholders on Tuesday, a day after federal antitrust enforcers requested more information about the bid.

Pixion brings Web-conferencing to Mac OS X

Pixion last week announced PictureTalk Enterprise Conference Server (ECS) for Mac OS X Server. The secure Web conferencing solution is "the first scalable online meeting environment that allows organizations to standardize on a Web conferencing platform that is easy to use and administer, can be deployed rapidly at the individual or business level, and provides the highest state of data security available." The solution accommodates users with different connection speeds and senses varying network transmission speeds, allowing the system to automatically allocate resources as needed and prioritize data based on client platform. It will be available in August and all pre-orders receive a $500 discount.

Proview to market Sylvania-brand LCDs, CRTs...

Proview Technology has been selected by Osram Sylvania as a licensee to develop and market a full line of monitors under the Sylvania brand name. The selection includes 14", 15", 17", 18", and 19" LCD units; and 17" and 19" pure flat CRT models. The new Sylvania-brand monitors are now available at retail locations across the country as well as online stores.z

Ulysses text editor for creative writers

The Blue Technologies Group has released Ulysses 1.0, a Mac OS X text editor designed for creative writers: "With its innovative 'tabbed' single-window interface, featuring integrated notepads, a documents browser, advanced search/filter capabilities and multi-document previews." Additionally, Ulysses sports an extensible, plug-ins based export feature which enables the user to export his project into various formats such as "Plaintext" and "RTF" (LaTeX and HTML exporters are currently in development). The application requires Mac OS X 10.2 and is €40 off the original €100 price through the end of August.

CT examines Apple Store Chicago architecture

Blair Kamin, a Chicago Tribune architecture critic writes: "a closer look reveals the Apple store, which opened Friday, to be a mostly welcome addition to North Michigan Avenue. Its crisp, skylit interior, which features a spectacular staircase made almost entirely of glass, is a luminous cathedral of computing. And the exterior? Well, despite the offending presence of the logo, it's a decent neighbor -- restrained, skillfully handled, not exactly a prizewinner, but by no means a visual disaster."

ITC releases 29 exclusive fonts

ITC has released 29 exclusive, new fonts, including ITC Officina Display (heavy, snug-fitting character forms), ITC Oldbook (antique printing), ITC Medea (modern sans serif and uncial designs), ITC Kiddie Cocktails (retro face), ITC Mosquito Fiesta (gnawed edges) and ITC Volcano King (retro, rugged feel) typefaces. The new fonts are available for both Windows and Macintosh platforms. As with all ITC fonts, ITC customers receive both PostScript and TrueType data for each font purchased. All ITC fonts include a license for up to five computers and one printer.

Gefen unveils 2x2 VGA Switcher

Gefen's 2x2 VGA Switcher is designed for those using two cross-platform computers with a dual monitor workstation (i.e., two monitor setup). It connects two analog monitors plus USB keyboard/mouse and audio to two computers. Both monitors display an extended desktop and use the same keyboard/mouse. Access to either computer is routed via the Switcher or by using an optional remote control. The Switcher routes display graphics, keyboard/mouse functionality and audio for each computer and is compatible with all analog monitors and computers with VGA ports. The 2x2 VGA Switcher is currently available for $500.