News Archive for 03/07/25

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O'Reilly publishes iPod "Missing Manual"

07/25, 4:30pm

O'Reilly publishes iPod "Missing Manual"

O'Reilly has released "iPod: The Missing Manual" ($25), a book that "not only covers all iPod models for both Mac and Windows," but also iTunes, MusicMatch Jukebox Plus, and even the new iTunes Music Store. New York Times technology writer J.D. Ms. Biersdorfer "opens the secret doors of this gleaming beauty" with an "astonishing collection" of useful tips, tricks, and shortcuts.

iTMS songs won't play outside U.S.

07/25, 3:45pm

iTMS songs won't play outside U.S.

iTunes Music Store user Declan McCullagh writes about his difficulties playing music purchased with the Apple's online music service, after moving to Canada. "Having purchased a number of songs from the Apple Music Store while in the US and using a US funds credit card, I regrettably didn't read the fine print ... I've now discovered that if you leave the country, your songs may just disappear." Apple has said it will launch its online music store in Canada and the rest of the world later this year, but the company has not commented on the specific issue described by McCullagh.

Apple to open Marlton, New Jersey store

07/25, 3:00pm

Apple to open Marlton, New Jersey store

MacNN reader Bob Yaworski observes that Apple has posted job openings for an Apple store in Marlton, NJ. "The location is The Promenade at Sagemore," notes Mr. Yaworski, "it's about 30-45 minutes from Philadelphia."

BuyMusic.com attempts to block Mac users

07/25, 1:45pm

BuyMusic.com attempts to block Mac users

BuyMusic.com is now redirecting Mac users to a page that indicates users must be running Windows and Internet Explorer to access the site. MacNN reader Adam Little notes that changing the user agent for Safari to Windows MSIE 6 makes the site load. Mr. Little also notes that Toast Titanium (a Mac-only product) is listed as a top CD-recording software package on the BuyMusic.com front page.

Apps: PhotoFixLens, MacDICT, Kompakt...

07/25, 12:25pm

Apps: PhotoFixLens, MacDICT, Kompakt...

Apple has updated its Script Editor 2.0b2 application for reading, writing, recording, and saving AppleScript scripts. Version 2.0 introduces a simpler interface, auto-wrapping of long script statements, multiple undos, and a Find and Replace feature. The new version also supports Application Services and removes the script size limit. [Download - 1.3MB]
Human Software's PhotoFixLens 1.4 is a Photoshop plug-in for correcting correct wide-angle and telephonoto distortions, including barrel or pincushion distortion. It allows users to save/recall lense parameters, pan/zoom at any level, supports layers in RGB/CMYK/LAB, and also works also with 16-bit images in Grayscale or RGB.
The freeware MacDICT 2.9 now allows you to choose from a selection of public DICT servers. The Mac OS X client for the DICT protocol connects to dict.org to provide access to a number of databases, including Webster's Dictionary and the World FactBook. It also accesses translation services on the web. [Download - Classic, OSX]
Blue Line Studios has released JewelCaseIllustrator 2.0, which adds image manipulation filters (RGB balance, HSL balance, brightness and contrast, etc.) to the $30 drawing program for creating labels, tray liners, and booklets for CDs and DVDs. [2.1MB]
Alco Blom's Web Confidential 3.6.1 is a bug fix release to this $20 shareware utility for securely storing personal information such as passwords, PINs, and other confidential information. Web Confidential 3.6 added support for printing and added an iTunes-like list view. [Download - 2.6MB]
Kompakt is a streamlined sampler that includes a comprehensive library and can import the most common sample formats. The factory library includes a wide range of detailed and convincing instruments. The $200 application also sports a simple drag-and-drop interface for managing large numbers of samples.
Unsanity has released Silk 2.0.2, an updated to its 'haxie' that enables Quartz text rendering and smoothing introduced in all Carbon applications. This minor update provides bug fixes and is recommended for Safari users. [Download - 1.8MB]

Canon debuts CanoScan LiDE 80 color scanner

07/25, 10:50am

Canon debuts CanoScan LiDE 80 color scanner

Canon today debuted its CanoScan LiDE 80 Color Image Scanner (CiS), which it says is the first CIS scanner with up to 2400x4800 dpi. It features single-pass scanning technology and 48-bit color (both input and output). The bus-powered LiDE 80 ships with a film adapter unit (FAU), which allows users to scan a 35 mm un-mounted frame (positive or negative) at up to 2400x4800 dpi. The scanner uses Canon's exclusive Film Automatic Retouching and Enhancement technology, which offers dust and scratch removal as well as grain and fading correction. The USB 2.0 scanner also features the Z-Lid expansion top, four one-touch buttons and the Multi-Scan Mode as well as Photoshop Elements (and other Mac-compatible applications). It is due in August for $180.

Oregon Scientific releases flash thincam

07/25, 10:20am

Oregon Scientific releases flash thincam

Oregon Scientific today released "the world's thinnest" 1.3-megapixel digital camera with an 8mm super-slim design. The new flash thincam (Model DS6628) is pocket-sized at 3.3"x2.2"x0.2" and weighs 2.3 ounces; it includes a 48mAH lithium polymer battery to capture approximately 500 shots. The $150 camera offers an integrated 16MB memory for storage of up to 21 1.3-megapixel resolution pictures or 91 VGA-resolution pictures. The camera also features an SD memory card slot for expanded memory. The $150 flash thincam is sold with an accessory strobe flash attachment, a protective leather carrying sleeve, a hand-strap, and ArcSoft Photo-Impression CD-ROM bundled software.

ArcaneReader USB Barcode Scanner available

07/25, 10:10am

ArcaneReader USB Barcode Scanner available

ArcaneWare today released its ArcaneReader USB Barcode Scanner, designed for Library, the company's personal book cataloging utility. The handheld reader is an easy-to-use solution for scanning Bookland EAN ("ISBN") barcodes into Library 1.1, which will import a book and automatically fill in the book's title, price, page count, publication year, publisher, and color cover art using Amazon.com. Library offers batch scanning functions, and web export. ArcaneReader offers an easy-to-use trigger to start a new scan; CCD technology, which requires no cleaning or maintainence, auditory and visual feedback, an integrated error-checking barcode value decoder, and a 7-ft USB cable. It is available now for $200

MacResQ offers PowerBook SuperDrive upgrade

07/25, 10:00am

MacResQ offers PowerBook SuperDrive upgrade

MacResQ today announced a new PowerBook G4 "SuperDrive" upgrade as part of its PowerBookResQ repair program. The slot-loading "SuperDrive" DVD-R/CD-RW is bootable and compatible with iDVD, iTunes, Disc Burner, and Apple DVD Player, as well as other third-party applications. The 1x DVD-R/RW drive offers 16x8x24x CD-RW speeds. The $400 upgrade ships with a 1-year warranty, includes pick-up at the customer's location, overnight delivery to the PowerBookResQ service center, expert installation within 24 hours, and return overnight shipping to the customer.

Griffin releases iTrip Station Finder

07/25, 9:55am

Griffin releases iTrip Station Finder

Griffin Technology today announced the iTrip Station Finder, a free application that assists iTrip owners in finding clear frequencies in over 200 cities and towns in the United States. The $35 iTrip FM Transmitter allows iPod owners to play their iPod's music in their cars or over their stereo through the FM radio--on any FM frequency on the dial. The new iTrip Station Finder application makes this process much easier and faster by suggesting the frequencies that have the least interference near them. [577KB]