News Archive for 04/07/09

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Apple to ship Automator scripting in Mac OS X Tiger

07/09, 7:05pm

Automator in Tiger

Automator, Apple's new scripting technology expected to Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger next year, offers a simple, graphical environment for building complex scripts. It combines AppleScript and other Mac OS X technology to interface with AppleScript Studio, Apple's Xcode, and Apple's object-oriented Cocoa framework, according to eWEEK: "However, Automator is not simply a new front end to AppleScript. Although it's capable of running AppleScripts as well as Unix shell scripts, Automator Actions are compiled C++ code. Third-party developers wanting to let customers use their applications in the Automator environment will need to write their own set of Actions, in addition to opening them up to AppleScript." The article notes that lack of conditionals and the inability to link together two items that don't match may be potential pitfalls for the new technology.

eWEEK: Apple makes play for NT orphans

07/09, 6:50pm

Apple\'s play for NT users

An eWEEK article talks about Apple's Play for NT Orphans, noting that Apple is planning on providing an NT migration tool as part of the Mac OS X Server 10.4 Tiger release, due out in the first half of 2005: "Goguen said Apple expects more than a few Windows Server customers to continue to shun Active Directory. They are offering Apple's plain-vanilla LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) directory as an alternative. And with Microsoft retiring NT 4.0—it stopped supporting client versions June 30 and will stop supporting the server version at year-end—Apple thinks the time is right to try to win the hearts and minds of the disenfranchised Windows Server base." The article, however, notes that Apple's (high) pricing remains a concern for potential customers.

SIPphone Internet phone service supports Mac OS X

07/09, 5:20pm

SIPphone supports OS X

SIPphone, a free Internet phone service, has added support for Mac OS X. Previously, Mac users could buy a hardware adapter to make and receive SIP calls from their home or work phone; however, SIPphone has now released a free softphone for computers and laptops, including Mac OS X: the Xten 2.0 softphone. "With SIPphone, users get a phone number, free voicemail to email, free conference calling, free SIP-to-SIP calling anywhere in the world, very cheap International dialing, and the option of a virtual number in the US or the UK so they can receive calls from the 'traditional' phone network."

Forums: ship dates; Apple market share; promo...

07/09, 5:15pm

G5 ship dates...

Topics of discussion on the MacNN forums today include: Estimated shipping dates for PowerMac G5 2.5GHz orders; member commentary on an article suggesting steps for increasing Apple's market share; discussion of Apple's latest promotion for PowerBook buyers; speculation regarding the next iMac revision; the possibility of Apple creating a sub-notebook; recommendations for a Bluetooth mouse; speculation about the next minor revision of Mac OS X.

Macro Enter offers Encad NovaJet printer bundle

07/09, 2:40pm

NovaJet printer bundle

Macro Enter Corp. and Encad have announced a special bundle offer for the Encad NovaJet T-200+, Microspot X-RIP software driver for Mac OS X, and Macro Enter support. The bundle is designed for architects, engineers and graphics designers who need a professional an affordable large printing system. The bundle offer is available for any of the 3 Encad T-200 options (4-pigment blacks, 3-dye CMY + 1-pigment K or 4-Dye CMYK). The 36-inch printer includes a 32MB buffer, stands, basket, roll feed, and Mac OS X drivers. It is priced at $3,000, while a special SEH print server 10/100 for network connectivity can be added for $190. In additional, there is also a special discount of $100 for all registered VectorWorks users.

iSkin debuts ProTouch XT keyboard protector

07/09, 2:10pm

ProTouch XT protector

iSkin today introduced the ProTouch XT, a protector for Apple keyboard and Apple wireless keyboard designed to offer complete surface protection while maintaining the natural typing feel of the keyboard. "Crafted from durable high-grade silicone, the ProTouch XT offers a full-coverage transparent barrier to keep the keyboard free of dirt, food spills and other hazards. The ProTouch XT’s form-fitting design ensures the protector stays in place, allowing key characters to show through clearly without compromising the functionality of the keyboard." It is available now for $30 in a variety of colors, including sonic (Blue) and arctic (Transparent)--with more colors coming soon, according to the company.

KeynotePro debuts Duet theme for Apple's Keynote

07/09, 12:50pm

KeynotePro debuts Duet

KeynotePro has released Duet, a new theme for Apple's Keynote presentation application. The company describes the theme as a "harmony of clean, minimalist style and bold, contrasting color [that] is decidedly restrained - crisp, reverse type against a two-tone palette - allowing for on-the-spot placement of contrasting shapes and type." It includes a range of text + photo masters (25 Masters in all) as well as a Supplemental Objects file with a style guide and "Distressed" and "Printed Page" paste-on elements for adding "gritty noise" or press-proof elements, such as registration marks and color bars. It is available for $20 or in a bundle with 2 other themes for $50.

Apps: PDF2Office, KidsBrowser, Backdrop Folders, ...

07/09, 12:30pm

PDF2Office, KidsBrowser...

Xupport 2.2 ($20) is the latest release of the graphical user interface to configure hidden Mac OS X and Unix options. It provides many functions to maintain, optimize, backup, clean, hack, enhance and secure Mac OS X. It adds a menubar option, improved browser, new shortcuts, code/script optimizations, an un-installer, and other fixes. It runs on Mac OS X 10.2 or later. [1.6MB]
PDF2Office v1.1 ($130) is a tool for converting PDF documents into fully editable MSWord, RTF, AppleWorks, HTML etc. It can automatically recreate the original layout, including paragraphs, styles, graphics elements, images, tables, headers/footers, endnotes/footnotes and columns/sections. It adds Mac OS X 10.3 compatibility, improves RTF file conversion, document previews, and more.
KidsBrowser 1.6 ($30) updates the browser designed for children. It includes new options, better stability, improved better performance, and other bug fixes. The application restricts access to Mac OS X 10.3 (only), disables 'Force Quit' and other options, and offers Web-based filtering. [2.3MB]
Backdrop Folders 1.1 ($20) is an addition to the Finder that takes advantage of Expose to "open 'views' of your folders at the desktop level and interact with them." The views remain visible when the desktop is revealed with Expose. [228KB]
Safari Bookmark Exporter (free) is a simple utility designed to export Safari bookmarks. Safari Bookmark Exporter supports exporting to Firefox, the latest betas of OmniWeb 5, and Camino 0.8, in addition to previous versions of OmniWeb and Camino/Chimera, Mozilla, Firebird/Phoenix, Netscape, IE, iCab, and Opera. Version 1.0.8 adds support for Firefox 0.9 and also fixes some problems when exporting to OmniWeb 5. [156KB]
DynaStrip 4.2 is an imposition application that accepts PDF, PostScript, EPS and DCS files from over 100 applications. It can output to any printer, digital imaging device, imagesetter or platesetter as well as enables populated or non-populated imposition and outputs in both PJTF and JDF. It adds flexible JDF 1.1/1.2 imposition plans that can be used as job templates, new JDF settings for job definition/output, and multiple sheet templates.

Briefly: PokeMac, 'Six-Step' rebuttle, Apple History

07/09, 11:25am

PokeMac, \'Six-Step\' reverb

In Brief: The PokeMac project is a new initiative "to make 'trading cards' of every Mac and Mac OS computer ever made." Applied Acoustics has cut the price of its Tassman 4 modular sound synthesis studio to $350 ($150 reduction), while the online version is $290; Eric Vlietinck of IT-Enquirer has written a lengthy reply to Alex Salkever of BusinessWeek Online regarding his recent "A Six-Step Plan for Apple" column. Nicholas Pyers will give a presentation on the History of the Macintosh, through the Advertisements of Apple hosted by AUSOM on Saturday, August 7 in Melbourne, Australia. Apple has criticized Sony for what it says are "misleading" claims about the Japanese company's new digital-music player, the 20-GB Network Walkman.

Apple Store coming to Delaware

07/09, 10:50am

Apple Store in Delaware

Apple will be opening a retail store at the Christiana Mall in Newark, DE -- Delaware's largest mall -- according to a MacNN reader who spotted signs in the mall regarding the store's imminent opening. Additionally, Apple's jobs page is currently hiring for various positions at the store.

Take Control of Your Airport Network

07/09, 10:20am

Take Control: Airport book

Take Control of Your AirPort Network by Glenn Fleishman is the latest ebook in the Take Control series. The 89-page guide provides advice about purchasing the best networking gear for both new and old Macs, how to find the best location for a base station, how to configure it for sharing an Internet connection most effectively, and how to protect a wireless network from snoopers. The ebook also reveals four little-known ways to expand network coverage area and how to improve reception on a Titanium PowerBook G4. Take Control of Your AirPort Network is available for $5 in PDF format.

As stock rises, Apple's investor image changes

07/09, 8:35am

Apple and AAPL run-up

"[Apple's] a different kind of company you're buying today than you were four years ago when you were buying this PC company that you hoped would be able to reverse their losses in PC market share," Dan Niles, chief executive of Neuberger Berman Technology Management, tells Reuters in an article discussing Apple's stock market valuation. Despite the stock's run-up in the last six months, some investors are still bullish, citing Apple's impressive retail store numbers ($1 out of every $7 it generates comes from the 80 stores, which have a 40 percent profit margin), continued iPod and iTunes growth, and attractive new product prospects in the third and forth quarter. Apple CEO Steve Jobs, of course, agrees. "We think [the digital lifestyle] strategy still has a lot of legs. If investors are catching up with us, that's terrific and hopefully they'll continue to follow us," Jobs said in a recent interview.

Microsoft announces designer mice

07/09, 8:00am

Microsoft designer mice

Microsoft has teamed up with designer Philippe Starck to design a new optical mouse. The Optical Mouse by S+ARCK features a sleek shape with a shimmering finish and two buttons extend the length of the mouse, separated by either a blue or orange distinct lighted strip. The S+ARCK mouse will be available in August for $35. Also being released in August is the Wireless Optical Mouse in Mood Ring for $45, a graphic pattern created by Microsoft designers with a circular blue, gray and white patterned finish, and Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer in Cobalt Basin and Crimson Fire colors for $55.

Apps: FaxCenter, iTube!, Anthracite, Simon,...

07/09, 3:45am

FaxCenter, iTube!

FaxCenter 1.4 ($10) turns your Mac into a fax machine, offering searchable fax activity records, Address Book integration, a fax browser, compatibility with most modems, and more--from any native Mac OS X application's print screen, allowing for fast and easy sends. It adds the ability to print a fax activity record, and enhances how the fax browser catalogs information. [1.8MB]
iTube! 1.1 ($24) allows users to watch Internet Television with over 1500 channels of TV, Live Video Channels and Webcams as well an Internet ideo library (with search functions) with over 2 million videos. "You can watch ,em>uncensored news, music videos, education and entertainment channels from around the world."
HaveFun 1.0 ($12) is a shareware Java-based application that offers several popular games, including "Demon, Golf, Klondike, Pelmanism, Mines, Target and Tic-Tac-Toe [also known as Noughts and Crosses]. Golf, Klondike and Pelmanism are free to play. Registered users may save scores to disk and play Demon, Mines, Target and Tic-Tac-Toe. [544KB]
Dejal Simon 2.0b1 updates the site monitoring tool for Mac OS X 10.3. It checks sites for changes or failures, and notifies you via e-mail, sound, speech, or other means. It adds a new Port service, that enables you to engage in a telnet-like conversation with any server, e.g. POP, SMTP, SSH, and more. Basic ($30, 3 tests), Standard ($60, 10 tests), and Enterprise ($200, unlimited tests) versions are available. [3.4MB]
Anthracite 1.0.6 ($100) is a "collection of web mining power tools combined in an easy-to-use graphical environment that lets you quickly and seamlessly extract data from Internet sources, modify it to suit your needs, and export it to templates or databases as part of your daily workflow." Version 1.0.6 introduces AppleScript "run" support and better handling of encodings in large documents, an added feedback menu, and more. [form]