mindwrap integrates Sybase ASE with Optix 6
mindwrap this week announced the integration of Sybase Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) 12.5 with Optix 6 for Mac OS X Server. Mindwrap's says that its existing native Mac OS X client works with the new server, allowing a 100% Apple system implementation at a workgroup, department, or enterprise level. Optix 6 is a platform for rapid development and deployment of all your document management and workflow applications. The off-the-shelf system captures, stores, creates, retrieves and controls information and documents from creation to archiving. Mindwrap says it expects availability in Q3 2003.
Apps: FoldersSynchronizer, MailTemplate...
FoldersSynchronizer 3.3.3 is an update to the $40 utility that can synchronize and backup files, folders and disks under Mac OS X. It adds support for Mac OS X bootable backups, support for exact sync/backup, Sessions Files for storing options, copying invisible files/folders, correct resolution of Aliases and Sym links, and other new features. [757KB] VersaForward 3.0 is a $20 mail forwarding application that offers powerful customization options, including Advanced Text Reduction options to shorten email length; email filters based on email address, subject, and content; scheduling; flexible account management; and SSL, POP, IMAP and proy support. [2.2MB] Gammonsoft has released Absolute Backgammon 2: "it has superb graphics and sound and a very attractive default board with the ability to use other newly created beautiful boards (themes/skins)." It also includes the ability to play the game using the speech recognition built into OS X, option to beaver, and instant feedback on move quality. The $25 shareware runs on Mac OS 9/X. [960KB] MailTemplate 1.2 and EntourageTemplate 1.2 are Mac OS X applications for sending similar messages to different people. Version 1.2 adds a new EntourageTemplate application, a better UI for the TemplateEditor, a duplicate button in editor for easier template creation based on previous work, and other enhancements. [MT, ET] Default Folder X 1.8b3, a beta of the system utility ($35) for enhancing Open/Save dialogs in Mac OS X. Version 1.8b3 adds the ability to click on the name of an existing file in Save As dialogs to name a new file as well as global hotkeys for Favorite folders, setting a single default folder for all applications, and improvements in performance. [3.0MB] VirtualLab 3.6.2 is data recovery software that recovers deleted files, damaged or missing volumes and even formatted disks. It performs an exhaustive scan of the drive, allowing users to recover up to 1MB of data for free and displaying all the files it finds (prior to purchase). A new wizard help tailor the recovery process. It works with any media and is $100. [2.0MB] Webalbum 1.2 is a freeware utility that allows users to publish photos on internet or CD without any knowledge of HTML: "Just drop a folder with pictures (filenames up to 28 characters, without special characters). WebAlbum supports JPG, TIFF, GIF und PICT. [185KB] MaBaSoft has released Application Wizard 1.2 ($15), which lets you open, quit, show and hide single applications or groups of applications. It can also open applications automatically at startup, force applications to quit and relaunch them, quit background-only applications, start and stop Classic, quit, launch and relaunch the Finder and relaunch the Dock. [1.8MB]
Sony Clie PEG-UX50 and UX40 announced
Sony has unveiled two new Palm-based handhelds -- the PEG-UX50 and UX40. The models have a laptop-like design with a large swivel screen, digital camera and built-in keyboard. The PEG-UX50 has both integrated in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless, while the UX40 only includes Bluetooth. Sony is billing the new device as a "personal entertainment communicator."
Virtual TimeClock updated to version 4.6
Redcort Software today released Virtual TimeClock Pro 4.6. TimeClock is a cross-platform software replacement for traditional employee time clocks. Version 4.6 -- a maintenance update -- 4.6 delivers enhanced functionality and improved program reliability. Improvements were made to client registration, the help file, and timecard editing. New licenses are $180 with upgrades starting at $90. [Downlad - Classic, OS X]
Panic calls on pro users to test software
Panic is seeking beta testers from the Macintosh community for its latest software. Panic is the developer of Transmit, Audion, CandyBar and other popular Mac applications. The company is seeking "able-bodied, creative, and disturbingly-thorough" beta testers. Applications will likely only be accepted for a few days.
MCE ships iBooks with DVD-R/RW
MCE Technologies today began shipping Apple’s new 12” and 14” 900MHz iBooks with an internal DVD-R/RW drive as standard equipment instead of the normal CD-RW/DVD combo drive ($1300 and $1500, respectively). Each Apple iBook with the internal MCE DVD-R/RW drive includes DVD Authoring Software for Mac OS X and Mac OS 9 for the creation of video DVDs, Toast Lite software for burning audio and data CDs, and the drive is compatible with iTunes and Finder Burning.
iTunes \'will become Net-songs king\'
Apple's iTunes Music Store could capture 20 percent of the US paid-music download market, claims Needham's analyst Charles Wolf in a report this week. Wolf believes Apple could generate annual revenues of $600 million through its store, and that this figure could increase. He describes the Store as "providing an arguably superior customer experience." While the ITMS does not represent a major income opportunity, Wolf says iPod sales will benefit from Apple's music strategy.
\"Pods Unite\" available for online viewing
Apple has posted its "Pods Unite" commercial on its Web site for online viewing. Earlier this week, the commercial began airing on television stations. It showcases the company's partnership with Volkswagen to provide 2003 New Beetle sedan buyers with an iPod and connectivity kit.
Monkeybread announces new app, update
Monkeybread Software has released Combine PDFs 1.0, a simple utility for combining pictures and PDF files into one larger file. The developer has also released Network Screenshot 2.0, a utility for watching regularly-updated screenshots from another computer. Details of the update were not published. Both applications are freeware, but contributions are accepted through PayPal. [Downlad - NWS, CPDF]
Vicomsoft updates InterGate 8.5 for Mac OS X
Vicomsoft has updated its flagship software, InterGate 8.5 for Mac OS X, its application for e-security, network management and connectivity, InterGate provides firewall, content filtering and web caching. Version 8.5 offers multi-NAT support for multiple servers, a convenient firewall status, video conferencing support (H323 protocol), Rendezvous support, improved fallback/redundancy, better connection teaming for multiple modem / DSL lines, and other enhancements. A 5-user license is $100.
Trillium debuts TL MasterMeter for Pro Tools
Trillium Lane Labs today announced TL MasterMeter for the Digidesign Pro Tools platform, "the first" oversampling digital meter software for Pro Tools: "By harnessing the DSP power of Pro Tools, TL MasterMeter digitally models the same conversion process which occurs inside the digital to analog stage of a consumer CD player. It can identify potential intersample peaks and ensure that a final mix will not create undesirable digital clipping by producing peaks which exceed 0dB." TL MasterMeter features 2x, 4x and 8x oversampling DSP models and displays both regular and intersample peaks. It is due in August 2003 for Pro Tools 6.x Macintosh systems for $200.
Kano ships external 4x DVD+RW/R drive
Kano Technologies has introduced its K4Xtreme 4x DVD+RW/R drive, a storage solution that offers a 4x write speed for both DVD+RW and +R media. The drive can also write to and read CD media at speeds of 24x10x40x, and can read DVD-ROM at a speed of 8x. It is bundled with both Roxio Toast Lite for audio and video recording and playback and Dantz Retrospect for data backup. The K4Xtreme drive ships with cables for the external models, drive mount screws, and both DVD+R and DVD+RW media. The external FireWire/USB 2.0 model is $300.
EZQuest announces FireWire 800 PCI card
EZQuest has announced its FireWire 800 PCI card, which sports two FireWire 800 ports and allows Mac users to quickly. The card can achieve FireWire 800 data transfer rates of up to 75MB/sec, In addition to the two FireWire 800 ports, the PCI card includes one FireWire 400 port. The card requires Mac OS 10.2.4 or later (works as standard FireWire port under Mac OS 8/9) and is priced at $80.
Apple CFO Anderson joins eBay Board
eBay has announced the appointment of Apple's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Fred D. Anderson to its board of directors. Anderson's term on the board begins immediately. "Fred brings a wealth of talent and experience as a corporate executive and director to the eBay board. He will be a solid addition to an already stellar board of directors." Anderson is the executive vice president and chief financial officer of Apple Computer, Inc., a position he has held since April 1996.
Now AAPL Stock: 152.09 ( + 1.82 )
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
