News Archive for 03/09/19

Choose an article from the archive listing on this page or refine your selection using the controls in the gray box below.

Videomaker: FCP 4 responsive, versatile

09/19, 10:05pm

Videomaker: FCP 4 responsive, versatile

Videomaker has published a review of Apple Final Cut Pro 4.0. "It used to be that you'd edit video in one app, drop out to another for audio and work with a totally separate one for compositing. Recently, we've seen more and more editors that do it all. Few, however, do it as well as Final Cut Pro 4," the article says. Reviewer D. Eric Franks praises FCP 4 for its "Soundtrack" audio-editing, "LiveType" title functions, batch output capabilities, and stabilllity. "Although previews and renders are slower, FCP4 itself is extremely lithe and responsive, lacking any noticeable pauses or delays when working."

Mossberg: reading material for switchers

09/19, 9:35pm

Mossberg: reading material for switchers

Wall Street Journal writer Walter Mossberg has published questions and answers on many computer-related topics, including a question about switching from the Windows platform to the Mac. Mossberg suggests David Coursey's "Mac OS X for Windows Users: A Switchers' Guide" and David Pogue's "Switching to the Mac" as books prospective switchers should read.

Apple posts Apple Expo keynote in QuickTime

09/19, 8:55pm

Apple posts Apple Expo keynote in QuickTime

Apple has posted a QuickTime webstream of Steve Jobs' Apple Expo keynote on Tuesday, September 16 at the Palais des Congrés in Paris, where he introduced the new PowerBook family and Apple's new wireless keyboard and mouse. It requires QuickTime 6 and uses MPEG-4 encoding.

Apps: iChatBrowser, OnSync, InterMapper...

09/19, 8:15pm

Apps: iChatBrowser, OnSync, InterMapper...

OnSync 1.1 ($10) helps sync contacts between a mobile phone and Mac OS X Address Book, Microsoft Entourage and Eudora. It recognizes mobile phones connected via serial cable, USB (with the appropriate adapter), IR and Bluetooth. Version 1.1 adds support for categories and larger lists in Entourage support, sortable phonebook and addresbook entries, updated documentation and other notes. [968KB]
Kasper Jeppesen has released ColorDesigner v10, an update to its freeware tool to help designs create color sets. It runs on Mac OS X. R10 adds precision input to all colorwheel properties. [511KB]
Beeline Software Express has released Boogie-Woogie 1.0, a free screensaver for Mac OS X 10.2: "A stylefull Screen Effect inspired by Mondriaan," a Dutch painter whose works are characterized by intersecting perpendicular lines and planes of primary colors. [270KB]
Nemesys Software's File Synchronization 1.2.2 offers a new option to set the rows height in the main window and fixes a few bugs. The $9 Mac OS X utility offers the ability to synchronize multiple pairs of folders or files, offering a preview mode, optional logging, and multithreaded operation. [2.0MB]
Dartware has released InterMapper 4.1.1, an update the company's network monitoring and notification application. It adds an Apple Extreme probe, a new Host Resources MIB, iconset support, and several new InterMapper Remote commands. Pricing starts at $500. [Classic, OSX]
iChatBrowser 0.1.1 allows users to browse/view all iChat logs--either grouped by buddy or by dated. The freeware runs on Mac OS X. [19KB]

IBD: how Jonathan Ive saved Apple

09/19, 6:20pm

IBD: how Jonathan Ive saved Apple

Investor's Business Daily credits Apple product designer Jonathan Ive with "almost single-handedly" saving the firm from demise in the late '90s. "In the process, he changed the computer industry with an aesthetic that quickly reached into other fields." When Ive designed the iMac, he aimed to make a computer that "physically fits people better." He wanted to make computers more "approachable, touchable," and "friendly." [link unavailable on 9/20]

PC Mag: G5 neck-and-neck with top PCs

09/19, 5:40pm

PC Mag: G5 neck-and-neck with top PCs

After comparing a fully-loaded dual 2.0-GHz Power Mac G5 on a range of high-end content creation applications to a similarly configured (and priced) Dell Precision 650 Workstation running dual 3.06-GHz Xeon processors, PC Magazine concludes that "indeed the G5 is generally as fast as the best Intel-based workstations currently available."

Samsung launches new 17-inch, 24-inch LCDs

09/19, 4:45pm

Samsung launches new 17-inch, 24-inch LCDs

Samsung this week launched its SyncMaster 173P flat-panel LCD display, which features an ultra-fast 16-millisecond response time, dual inputs (digital and analog), 178-degree viewing angles, high brightness (270cd/m2), high contrast (700:1), an ultra-fine .264 pixel pitch, and 1280x1024 resolution as well as three separate "brightness modes" (PC, Internet and entertainment applications). It is offered in a stylish silver color and sports a slim bezel that is just 0.8" thick and a sleek 1" panel profile. It will ship next month.

Samsung also debuted its SyncMaster 243T, a new 24" LCD display for high-end applications due next month. It also offers dual analog and digital inputs, an ultra narrow bezel and a built-in swivel base, on-screen controls, 1920x1200 maximum resolution, 170-degree viewing angles, a high brightness of 300cd/m2, a 500:1 contrast ratio and a 25ms response time.

Tech: PCI Express, Windows ATM, ...

09/19, 3:40pm

Tech: PCI Express, Windows ATM, ...

Afternoon tech news: Dell says it will adopt PCI Express in its servers next year, in a show of support for the new specification that promises to speed data and simplify how motherboards are made; Within three years, most bank machines that dispense cash will run on the Windows operating system, according to a study published last week; international negotiations have begun on how and whether to manage the Internet, along with associated problems such as junk e-mail and pornography.

"Don't Burn It. Toast It" in Palo Alto, CA

09/19, 3:10pm

"Don't Burn It. Toast It" in Palo Alto, CA

Continuing its "Don't Burn It. Toast It." series of launch celebrations for the new Toast 6 Titanium, Roxio is holding a special event at the Palo Alto Apple Store on September 20th (tomorrow). The event will consists of product demos, how-to seminars, and drawings for prizes. It begins at 11:00 a.m., and continues until 5:00 p.m.

Apple showcases Henrico County success

09/19, 2:40pm

Apple showcases Henrico County success

Apple has published a "Profile of Success" from Henrico County public schools in Richmond, VA. “In just a short period of time, the changes we’ve seen in teaching methodology since we began our iBook laptop initiative have been just phenomenal," said Dr. Vicki Wilson, Assistant Superintendent of the school board. Henrico County equipped its schools with a total of 26, 000 Apple iBook computers, to improve learning and achievement in its facilities.

More MacNN Video Reports from Apple Expo

09/19, 1:40pm

More MacNN Video Reports from Apple Expo

We have few more video reports from Apple Expo: both "She looks so great on screen!" and "Mac what dot com?" offer a "taste of the VIP area at the Palais des Congres," while "We'll continue in French" features interviews with a representative from French Navy and an editor-in-chief from a French magazine. Yesterday, we posted three other Video Reports: "How long have you been waiting?", "It's my birthday!", and "Getting though the security". This supplements our three photo galleries: Show Floor, Keynote, Keynote/Showfloor.

Apps: Pod Manager, oXygen XML, UnCoverIt

09/19, 1:30pm

Apps: Pod Manager, oXygen XML, UnCoverIt

Intuit has posted QuickBooks NUE 5.01 and QuickBook Pro 5.01, according to MacNN readers, although the changes in the new version of the company's financial application for small businesses were not noted. [NUE, Pro]
Bruno Blondeau has released an update to his $8 shareware aimed at extracting music files from an iPod. Pod Manager 2.0 now adds support for MP4/AAC files. The Cocoa application features a brushed metal interface, an intuitive interface, and fast file transfers. It runs on Mac OS X only. [444KB]
LAJ Design today released eOrdering Gold 2.1, its cross-platform application that creates online eCommerce stores: "The primary difference from eOrdering Complete is Gold's multi-cost per product, but Complete is single cost per product." It offers more color customization, new themes, and other changes. It is $75. [Classic, OSX]
The Java-based oXygen XML Editor 2.0.4 adds the better error reporting, direct XML links for errors, and other changes, including editing of remote files (FTP/HTTP/WebDAV) and better support for Relax NG. On the Eclipse plugin version there is HTML to XML conversion, XML project and XML perspective support. (The company notes some font issues when using Java 1.4.) [11MB]
Version 2 of UnCoverIt is an update to the $15 cover creation software. The shareware application automatically generates labels for Data, Audio, MP3, and Photo CDs and other media types. It integrates with iTunes and iPhoto applications, offers many customization options, and supports the internet Audio-CD track name database FreeDB.org. Upgrades are $7. [1.4MB]
Digilink's MediaMover 1.3.4 is a tool for supplying digital files through internet. The client is an applet that is compatible with Mac and Windows. It now allows the creation of unlimited number of users and has improvements in speed for up- and downloading files and more e-mail confirmation options. Pricing is $4,000. [form]

French TV interviews Steve Jobs

09/19, 12:40pm

French TV interviews Steve Jobs

MacNN reader David Bismuth provided a brief report about an interview with Steve Jobs on French TV earlier this week: "The best was however Tuesday evening show on French TV! We were about 50 to 60 people admitted to the show and about half were Steve's fans. We were able to see Steve from really close (I was sitting 2-3 meters from him)."

MacResQ offers G4 PowerBook hinge repair

09/19, 11:55am

MacResQ offers G4 PowerBook hinge repair

MacResQ today announced a new PowerBook G4 hinge replacement service as part of its PowerBookResQ repair service. The new service offers PowerBook G4 owners a quick and easy way to replace damaged hinges on their G4 PowerBook. The price for the hinge replacement is $500 and includes pick-up at the customer's location in our custom PowerBox, overnight delivery to the PowerBookResQ service center, expert hinge repair, and return overnight shipping to the customer. The flat-rate price includes repair of one or both hinges as needed.

Redstone releases Eggplant 1.4 for developers

09/19, 11:55am

Redstone releases Eggplant 1.4 for developers

Redstone Software today released Eggplant 1.4 for Mac OS X, an update to its developer tool for enhanced software, hardware and systems testing. It now includes the ability to send email, post data to a URL and initiate phone calls using iVeena, a secure voice email delivery and response system that works with any phone, providing increased user connectivity during the testing process. The new version also includes tools for obtaining enhanced results and statistics as well as better image matching, a text matching algorithm, and recording QuickTime movies (in beta).

Popwire ships Compression Master 2.1

09/19, 11:45am

Popwire ships Compression Master 2.1

Popwire has begun shipping Compression Master 2.1, its Mac OS X-based encoder supporting ISMA and 3GPP specifications. It features optimized performance, extended format support and extended filter features. The desktop encoder is designed for Broadcasting companies, Media houses, ISPs, and Mobile operators to provide high-quality content in multiple formats. Among the latest added features are e.g. Pre-view, support for 2-pass encoding, MPEG-4 Advanced profile, added and improved filters, optimized performance and improved GUI. It is $585.

MDC debuts mPOWER5 learning tool

09/19, 4:05am

MDC debuts mPOWER5 learning tool

Multimedia Design Corp's (MDC) mPOWER5 is designed for students who learn better through methods other than "traditional" classroom assessment. It employs project-based learning, and offers text, audio, video, images, and animation. mPOWER5 can "assist schools in achieving school-wide improvement by helping children meet challenging academic standards." It includes HyperStudio and PowerPoint importing, work-at-home privileges, image editing, and digital image importing. Pricing starts at $80.

Apps; Mozilla, mlMac, Mac Pilot, FM2AB...

09/19, 3:15am

Apps; Mozilla, mlMac, Mac Pilot, FM2AB...

Mozilla 1.5 RC1 is the latest version of the alternative Web browser for Mac OS X. Version 1.5 adds improvements to Mozilla Composer, support for logging in Chatzilla, improvements to tabbed browsing, and improved unstyled XML display. [Download - 15.2MB]
mlMac is a graphical interface for several online file-sharing networks. Version 0.7 now uses an elegant one-window interface. It features a drawer where searches appear. You can make new searches using the convenient quick-search field at the bottom on the drawer. [Download - 715KB]
Amazing Slow Downer for Mac OS X slows down the speed of music -- between -50% and 400% -- without changing the pitch. It offers real-time processing, support for MP3, AIFF, AAC/MP4 and wave files, and high sound quality. [Download - 356KB]
Apple has made NetBoot for Mac OS 9 available for online download from its Web site. This software is identical to the NetBoot for Mac OS 9 software included with Mac OS X Server 10.2 (Jaguar). [Download - 500MB]
PasswordMenu 2.3 is a simple but powerful application that allows you to store all your passwords securely in the menu bar. This version adds a timer so you don't have to enter your password all the time. Registration is $10. [Download - 1.3MB]
Clipz 3.0 ($10) adds a multiple-clipboard functionality to Mac OS X. " The best thing about Clipz is that the content of each clipboard is saved to your HD so you can keep on working with it even after you restarted your computer. " The new version fixes minor bugs and features a more Mac OS X-like design. [Download - 690KB]
Sebastian Munz has released FM2AB 1.0, which is able to sync your addresses between FileMaker and Apple Address Book. It is freeware for personal use and $10 for integration into custom FileMaker solutions. [35KB]
Koingo's Mac Pilot 1.0 is a shareware ($10) utility for enabling Mac OS X system functions for prebinding, repair disk permissions, executing system crons, delete cache/swap files, force Empty trash, changing Finder/dock prefs, and viewing system log files as well as other options. [712KB]