News Archive for 04/08/19

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Tech: MS cultural issues; Google debut; ...

08/19, 4:20pm

Google IPO debut

Afternoon tech news: Insensitivity to cultural issues has led to some of the Microsoft's products being banned in some countries; Google made its long-awaited debut on the Nasdaq today; Pharmacy chain CVS on Thursday said it would offer the world's first disposable digital camera with a bright color viewing screen that allows consumers to instantly preview pictures.

PC Mag offers Apple Xserve G5, xServe G5 RAID review

08/19, 4:00pm

PC Mag on Xserve G5

PC Magazine has published a review of Apple's Xserve G5 and xServe G5 RAID. "If you have a Mac-heavy or mixed computing environment, the Xserve G5 and Xserve RAID might be the right solution for your company. The overall package presents an elegant alternative to Windows or Linux setups, although you will give up the diversity and cost savings of the more commoditized hardware that supports those other platforms."

Briefly: Freeverse giveaway; PhotoshopWorld; Motion

08/19, 2:30pm

.Mac Freeverse giveaway

In Brief: Members of .Mac can now download a free copy of WingNuts from Freeverse, and get 25 percent off the new AirBurst Extreme; Each attendee of the nik multimedia seminar at the PhotoshopWorld Conference & Expo will receive a free copy of nik Color Efex Pro 2.0 Standard Edition; The Portland Mac Filmmakers' User Group will take an in-depth look at the features of Motion, Apple's latest application; a Mac user has published photos of their new Power Mac G5 dual-2.5GHz.

Apps: LogTen, File Buddy, Canvastic, Logitech...

08/19, 1:15pm

LogTen, File Buddy...

LogTen 2 ($50) is a pilot logbook system for Mac OS X. The new system has been rebuilt from the ground up using Objective-C and Cocoa to take advantage of the latest Apple technologies. The new version also adds better searching, filtering, and printing. [Download - 924KB]
State Capital Quizzer 1.0 ($6) is a tool for anyone studying or memorizing state capitals. It includes built in quizzes, as well as detailed information (population, land area, date of state hood, political figures, largest cities, etc.) about every U.S. state. [Download - 1.5MB]
File Buddy 8 is a utility for working with and organizing large amounts of files and folders. Version 8, a major update, brings full Panther compatibility, an Administrator mode, and more. [Download - 1.6MB]
The Logitech Control Center (LCC) supports Mac OS X and allows users to program keyboard and/or mouse buttons to perform different functions and to take full advantage of your Logitech keyboard, mouse or trackball. [Download - 1.6MB]
Canvastic is a new graphics/text publishing tool for K-8 students. It features easy to understand tools and options with a clear, clean interface. There are no "toy" features, and the program can be customized for age or ability. [Download - 4.9MB]
Now Up-To-Date & Contact 4.5.3 ($130) is the latest version of the cross-platform calendar and contact manager. Version 4.5.3 provides numerous updates, including improvements in server performance. It also provides multiple improvements to the public event and contact servers that allow users to share their calendars and contact lists. [Download - form]

Self-confessed 'Apple-hater' offers iPod review

08/19, 11:40am

Positive iPod review

HardwareGeeks.com has posted an iPod review by a self-confessed Apple-hater, whose experience with the iPod has made him thinking about getting a Mac: "I guess in the end I am not much of an Apple hater after all. I honestly have no real complaints about the iPod and it's a spectacular product. I am really thinking about getting an iBook since I am on the market for a laptop but since the laptop I was considering cost $800 and the PowerBook G4 with similar specs is in the $2000 range I might have to hold off on that for a while if I do decide to get an iBook. Heck, I maybe even get a Power Mac G5. If the iPod is any indication on the quality of products Apple has to offer then maybe they are worth the high price so many people criticize Apple about."

EZQuest ships 16x Boa dual-layer DVD FireWire drive

08/19, 11:35am

16x Boa DVD+/ FW drive

EZQuest today began shipping its 16x Boa DVD+/-R/RW FireWire drive offering read/write compatibility with the latest 8.5GB dual-layer DVD as well as read/write speeds of 16x for DVD+/- R; 4x for DVD+R dual-layer and DVD+/- RW; 32x for CD-R; and 24x for CD-RW. The Boa 16x DVD+/- is also available in USB 2.0 and internal models. It includes both burning and backup software as well as a one-year warranty. The FireWire model is available in two versions: one version (K16660) bundles Toast Lite, Retrospect and Easy CD/DVD Creator software for 4200, while the second version (K16661) bundles powerful Toast Titanium 6, Retrospect and Easy CD/DVD Creator for $260. The internal version (K16150) bundles Easy CD/DVD Creator, Toast and Retrospect for $140.

Apple recalls 28,000 PowerBook G4 batteries

08/19, 11:35am

Apple PB battery recall

Apple has agreed to recall about 28,000 batteries used in its 15-inch PowerBook G4 laptop computers, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. "The batteries, made by LG Chem Ltd . of South Korea (news - web sites), could overheat and pose a fire hazard to consumers, the CPSC said. Apple has received four reports of overheating though no injuries have been reported, the consumer-protection agency said," according to the Reuters report. Update: Apple has posted information on its website relating to the PowerBook G4 Battery Exchange.

Briefly: Aussie iTunes, Absynth 2 library, icon site

08/19, 8:10am

Hints of Aussie iTunes?

In Brief: Australian wireless ISP has signed a deal with Apple that suggests the Mac maker will soon open its iTunes Music Store down under...Native Instruments has launched User Library for Absynth 2 users, allowing users to freely exchange their own sound creations....Deskop icons and graphics site WatiWorks.com today announced the opening of its online shop selling Flags of the World icons and graphics...RealNetworks is being knocked by Apple fanatics for its "Freedom of Choice" campaign as its own site is not Mac-compatible.

PocketMac BlackBerry Edition syncs PIM data to Macs

08/19, 7:55am

PocketMac BlackBerry Ed

Information Appliance Associates today released PocketMac Blackberry Edition, which it says is the "first ever tool" to sync Mac users' data with RIM BlackBerry handhelds. The PocketMac BlackBerry Edition supports older serial-based BlackBerry 957s as well as newer USB-based models. The tool offers syncing of PIM with Microsoft Entourage (notes, tasks, contacts, calendar), Mac OS X Address Book, Now Contact (contacts, calendar), iCal, Stickies, etc. The application also offers a sync-on-contact function to automatically sync data when the user places the Blackberry in their connected cradle and is integrated with iSync. It is available now for $30.

Apple beats Sony on its own turf with iPod

08/19, 7:45am

iPod successful in Japan

The iPod is a colossal hit on Sony's own turf in Japan, according to a report by the Associated Press: "The tiny white machine is catching on as a fashion statement and turning into a cultural icon in Japan, much the same way it won a fanatic following in the United States. Apple has launched a marketing campaign in Japan with catchy TV ads and billboards painted on Tokyo trains.... The waiting list for minis is now several weeks' long. Although Apple doesn't release regional sales figures, six of the top eight selling music players in Japan are iPod models, according to Gfk Japan, a market research company." The report says that Apple will offer the Japanese equivalent of iTunes within the next year.

BusinessWeek editor apologizes to Steve Jobs

08/19, 7:40am

Public apology to Jobs

In his public apology to Steve Jobs, BusinessWeek's technology editor Alex Salkever says that the iPod mini "is not a flop. In fact, it's a hit. I can't deny it. So, here's my apology, Steve. The mini is no Cube. I was wrong, and you were right," but continues to argues that the price of the device remains too high: "Do I still think the price needs to come down? Absolutely. The Sony Walkman didn't truly take off until it dropped below $200, and video-game consoles often sell poorly or slowly until they fall below that threshold.