Forums: PowerBook delays, iPod software update...

Topics on the MacNN Forums today include: Members' opinions on the buying current Power Mac G5 models as updates approach.... Delays with new PowerBook G4 shipments affecting some customers.... Discussion of Mac mini and iPod "pyramid schemes" that claim to offer free iPods and Mac minis.... Speculation about the next iBook revision.... Apple's iPod software update, which was released yesterday.

Gefen DVI Booster fixes HD video signal degradation

Gefen today released its DVI Booster, a small unit that corrects video signal degradation that occurs over stretches of DVI copper cables (when used to extend a display away from its high definition source). The company sas that HD video transmitted through DVI cables can break down beyond 15 feet in distance, with all DVI copper cables experiencing this problem when used at resolutions of 1080i or higher. "With advance cabling and enhancement techniques using higher gauge copper cables, an additional distance of 30 to 50 feet may be achieved, but not always with 100 percent success. The DVI Booster guarantees a 100 percent accurate reproduction of the image at any resolution." The DVI Booster ($250) works with HDCP compliant content and DVI displays and cables.

Paradigma debuts Valentina 2 database technology...

Paradigma Software today announced Valentina 2, an update to its robust database technology. Version 2 includes new Abstraction Links, speed improvements, Unicode support, Valentina XML, SQL'92 compliance as well as native API calls in all products, simultaneous data exchange, and a transparent cross-platform file format. Others new features include new reference integrity, record level locks and 448-bit encryption. Valentina 2 Office Server is a robust, business ready database server that includes interface plugins for REALbasic, Runtime Revolution, Visual Studio, Delphi and more. Versions support from five to unlimited numbers of users, with pricing starting at $300. It is extendable and has no IP address limitations or "user CALs" pricing.

WoW Status 1.3 lets users monitor server status

MC Hot Software has released WoW Status 1.3, a new version of the tool that displays Warcraft servers in your menubar. Users can select one server to be the preferred server and always know it's status, and set other servers as favorites for quick information under the menu. Users simply choose a server from a realm to add it to the favorite section in the menu. Selecting a server in the favorites will set it as the preferred server. Version 1.3 adds many new features including European support, server alerts, a built in crash reporter, launching of World of Warcraft via the menubar, and queued server support. WoW Status has changed from freeware to $6 shareware.

SpeakTunes navigates your iTunes library

SpeakTunes 1.0 uses the voice capabilities of Mac OS X with a familiar "iPod-like interface" to allow users to navigate and play songs from the iTunes music library without looking at the display. With full support for the Keyspan Digital Media Remote, SpeakTunes was designed for home and auto installations where looking at a display is impractical. SpeakTunes supports MP3, AIFF, and protected AAC files from the iTunes Music Store. SpeakTunes registration is $15.