News Archive for 04/06/12

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Apps: EasyWMA, M-Beat, MailMate, NetScrape, ...

06/12, 12:50pm

EasyWMA, M-Beat, ...

EasyWMA 2.0 (donationware) allows you to convert WMA audio files to the MP3 file format--so that you can play your favorite songs in iTunes or any other player on your Mac. Version 2.0 features a new customizable progress indicator, automatic bitrate selection from source, drag & drop support for folders, and new German, Spanish, and Chinese localizations. [1.4MB]
M-Beat 2.4 ($7) is a flexible iTunes companion applicatio that offers one-click menu items, hot keys, floating windows, and more. It offers alarm options (with music playback for each), sleep functions, menubar controls, custom themes, custom displays, etc. Version 2.4 is completely rewritten and features a new preference pane, reduced CPU usage, better performance, and other enhancements. [436KB]
MailMate 0.9 ($20) works with Apple's Mail.app for viewing, searching and printing Mail messages sent to or from anyone in your Address Book. Users "can easily locate email correspondence belonging to a particular person...When you click on an Address Book contact, email messages which have been sent to or from that person are displayed in chronological order." [420KB]
NetScrape 1.4 ($15) automatically downloads images from websites and generates thumbnails as well as searches Google for relevant images. It adds adjustable zoom scaling, a "stay in directory" preference, the ability to display the file in the Finder, and bug fixes. [837KB]
Speed Freak 2.0 (free) will automatically reprioritize front and background processes to a specified setting at a specified interval. "Put simply, in Unix terms, it's an automatic renicer. Put even more simply, it will make whatever you're doing a little faster." [683KB]
QuickSearch-X 3.1 ($5) lets you search over 27 search engines from your desktop, including "web sites, images, audios, videos, directories and news items. It will load the web page results automatically for you, leaving you to only find the site you need!" [858KB]

Maine looks to expand iBook program to high schools

06/12, 12:25pm

Maine iBook expansion?

Maine State officials are working with Apple to determine the minimum level of participation needed for Apple to rent laptops to school districts seeking to expand the program into high schools, according to the Associated Press: " Education Commissioner Susan Gendron said Friday that she hopes to gauge support from superintendents at a meeting later this month. Already, a dozen school districts are willing to enter into their own lease-purchase agreements with Apple, but they could save money if there is enough critical mass for a state-sponsored rental plan."

TAB animation package now available for Mac OS X

06/12, 12:25pm

TAB 2.2

Digital Video has launched TAB 2.2, a new version of its paperless animation software designed to create original animation content for the web and broadcast. Digital says the software is animation-oriented rather then graphic design-oriented. Version 2.2 features Mac OS X 10.3 compatibility, a new "Pro" edition, a new raster-to-vector converter (Pro version), mask colums (Pro), export of sequences of full color images (Pro), improved SWF support, the ability to export mobile video files, easier lip sync, and improved sequence management. The standard version is $400, while the Pro version is $900.