News Archive for 04/10/08

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Apps: Parsnips, Steel, PhotoReviewer, DriveGauge...

10/08, 5:50pm

Parsnips, Steel...

Parsnips 1.0 ($15) is a "new breed" of Personal Information Manager that allows users to easily "collect all the bits of useful information you encounter each day while using your computer." Later, users can search for specific information using a "Google-like" search engine. [Download - 758KB]
Steel 1.0.4 is the latest version of the password organizer/personal information storage utility brings better performance and improvements to an already familiar iApp interface. [Download - 673KB]
PhotoReviewer 1.4 is a photo management tool for Mac OS X that helps you quickly flip though photos that you've imported to your machine, choosing which ones are "keepers" and which ones aren't. New in version 1.4 of PhotoReviewer: support for QuickTime video and sound, configurable key controls and a reorganized menu structure for greater ease of use, and new voting and navigation commands to better support subfolders. [Download - 979KB]
DX Toolbox 2.3.0 ($25) is a radio propagation / conditions analysis and forecasting tool for amateur radio operators, shortwave listeners, and other radio enthusiasts. This version adds display of the long path on the Grayline map, as well as several bug fixes. [Download - 2.8MB]
DriveGauge 3.2 ($5) will automatically build and then update a Drive List containing a list of all your currently mounted drives and relevant information about them. Version 3.2 adds support for customizable Growl powered notifications for drive usage, support for customizing the auto-updating interval, and double-click support for installing a GaugeStyle. [Download - 2.1MB]

M-Audio offers Darbuka, Latigo virtual instruments

10/08, 4:00pm

Darbuka, Latigo

M-Audio has released two new virtual instruments by Wizoo: Darbuka and Latigo, plug-ins for PC and Mac that focus on bringing authentic percussion experiences to user tracks. Darbuka delivers Arabic and Middle Eastern styles and Latigo embodies Latin American traditions. "Breaking from the traditional model of sample libraries and players, these unique software applications deliver real performances played by world-renowned percussionists. Wizoo’s proprietary FlexGroove engine gives the user full realtime control over arrangement, performance, sound and integrated surround ambience." Darbuka and Latigo are compatible with Mac Audio Units, VST Mac and RTAS; they require Mac OS X 10.3 are available for $300 each.

Briefly: color iPods, MacSurfShop, MS Word eBooks,

10/08, 2:45pm

AI: Color iPods coming

In Brief: MacSurfShop ($15) announced that it is re-opening due to popular demand "we listened to our loyal customers and developed a solution to provide great Mac-centric Tee's at an affordable price".... AppleInsider reports that Apple is to introduce color-screen iPods in the next 30-60 days.... Microsoft Word expert Matt Neuburg has released two new Word ebooks that "give readers an upgrade strategy, explain how to handle the 80 fonts that Word installs, help readers understand and use the new features, and offer workarounds to common problems."... MyKeynoteThemes has released the Futura Keynote theme ($10), which ncludes a complete upper and lowercase alphabet, numbers and punctuation based off old, worn leaded type.... VendorNation says that VistaPro Renderer for OS X is expected to hit alpha development status at the end of October and is looking for qualified testers from its eNews members.

Speck ships FlipStand, iStyle for 4G iPods

10/08, 2:40pm

FlipStand, iStyle for iPod

Speck Products has begun shipping the FlipStand see-thru hard case and the leather iStyle case. Both cases are designed for Apple and HP's fourth generation iPod (iPod with Click Wheel). The all clear FlipStand provides "the most protection available while allowing easy access to the scroll wheel and song control buttons. Flip open the scroll wheel door to change music selections, then flip it all the way back and it becomes a desktop stand." The FlipStand features a built-in belt clip and includes a custom spacer to accomodate both the 20GB and 40GB models. It is available now for $30. The iStyle ($35) offers easy access to the song controls, headphone, and FireWire jacks as well as includes plastic shield to protect the iPod screen.

Feral to bring two Commandos game titles to the Mac

10/08, 2:30pm

Commandos for the Mac

UK game maker Feral today announced Commandos Battle Pack for the Mac. The pack includes both the Commandos 2 and Commando 3 game titles. The company says that both games are at beta status and are expected to be released before the end of the year. "The Commandos series, which has been a huge hit on Windows, places you in charge of a squad of crack troops tasked with carrying out some of the toughest missions of World II. It's all down to smart planning, stealthy movements and faultless execution."

Report: settlement not expected in Apple vs. Apple

10/08, 2:20pm

Apple vs Apple news

The Beatles' lawsuit against Apple Computer is unlikely to see an out of court settlement, according toMacworld UK, which quotes one source as saying "The thing is, settlement negotiations began, but as they progressed, both sides began to feel that they were completely in the right." The report says that some clauses support the computer company in the digital domain, but that the previous reports pertaining to the case have been flawed, including the biggest out-of-court settlement report and rumors that former-Beatle Paul McCartney will take a seat on Apple's Board. The case is likely to go to court and will be settled "within the year".

Pangea releaes new Mac game programming book

10/08, 12:45pm

Mac game programming

Pangea Software today began shipping its new Mac game programming book "Pangea Software's Ultimate Game Programming Guide for Mac OS X." The book is authored by Brian Greenstone, the developer behind Nanosaur, Bugdom, and other Pangea titles. It covers various Mac OS technologies (HID Manager, OpenGL, OpenAL, Core Graphics, Rendezvous, QuickTime, and more) as well as Maya plugin development, stereo 3D rendering, networking, AltiVec optimizations, and copy-protection as well as includes an entire chapter dedicated to marketing and sales strategies. The $50 title ships with a companion CD that contains Xcode sample projects for intermediate to advanced programmers. A 20% discount is available on Pangea's website.

Apple Store offers refurb dual-2.5GHz Power Mac G5s

10/08, 11:45am

Apple Store refurbs

The Apple Store is offering refurbished dual-2.5GHz Power Mac G5 (512MB/160GB/8x SuperDrive/PCI-X/Rad9600XT) for $2,799 ($200 off regular price) as well as refurbished version of the 12-inch ($1,350/$1,550), 15-inch ($1,699), and 17-inch ($2,399) PowerBooks. A 40GB version of 3G (non-click wheel) iPod is available for $330. All Apple Certified products are covered by Apple's One-Year Limited Warranty.

Call of Duty: United Offensive goes 'beta'

10/08, 11:15am

Call of Duty: United Offen

Aspyr today announced that the Mac version of Call of Duty: United Offensive, the latest expansion pack to Call of Duty, has hit beta status. The expansion pack offers 13 all-new single-player missions distributed among historical U.S., British and Russian campaigns, an expanded multiplayer experience featuring 11 new maps and three new modes of play, plus new weapons, player abilities and special effects. Featuring three all-new campaigns, the game lets players join the U.S. 101st Airborne during the Battle of the Bulge, the British campaign as an airman shooting down German ME-109s from a B-17 bomber, and the Russian frontlines as a conscript in the crucial eight-day Battle of Kursk. It requires a G4/G5-based Mac (867MHz or faster) and the full version of Call of Duty ($50)

Apple's closed DRM does not violate European laws

10/08, 9:15am

\'FairPlay\' in Europe?

Apple's refusal to license its FairPlay digital rights management (DRM) software does not violate European antitrust laws, according to an analyst's article: "The article acknowledges the interoperability problem and that European competition laws could require technology platforms to be more open. But it concludes that it is 'unlikely' that Article 82 (which prohibits market abuse by businesses in a dominant position) could be used to implement compulsory licensing to progress simply from a 'less focused' form of competition (e.g. competition between the iTMS and suppliers of music content on CD format) to a 'more focused' form of competition (e.g. direct competition between the iTMS and other retailers offering content downloads to iPod users)."

Griffin ships PodPod holder for iPod, iPod mini

10/08, 9:05am

Griffin ships PodPod

Griffin Technology today announced the Griffin PodPod is now shipping. The soft foam Griffin PodPod fits in any auto cup holder and provides a safe secure storage location for an iPod or iPod mini: "The PodPod holds your iPod or iPod mini at an easy-to-see angle. The material won't scratch the iPod's surface, and while we haven't rolled any cars, we know that your iPod isn't likely to fall out. The PodPod also leaves room on the inside for a docking cable, and provides a place for the cable to run without disturbing your iPod's new found peace." It is available immediately for $10.