News Archive for 05/05/06

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Apps: File Stitcher, Throttled Pro, Garden Golf...

05/06, 2:25pm

File Stitcher, Throttled

File Stitcher 1.2 ($12) a Mac OS X utility that gives users an easy way to merge files together. The new version is compatible with Mac OS X "Tiger." With the MP3 Edition of File Stitcher, ID3 tags can now be set for the stitched file. [Download - 1.2MB]
Throttled Pro 1.0 ($20) makes setting up QoS on a Mac easy. "Whether you are a hard core Internet user, or just casual Web surfer, this application will optimize your network to speeds you have never imagined." Throttled Pro provides ACK packet prioritization and PRIQ priority services. [Download - 354KB]
Garden Golf 1.6 ($20) is a cartoon-like 3D miniature golf game for Mac OS X. The new version includes a new 18-holes course, for a total of 54 holes! Also added is an easy character editor that lets you change the looks of your golfer. [Download - 8.5MB]
Birthday Buzzer 1.0b2 ($9) is a shareware program that reminds you of upcoming and missed birthdays. It integrates with Apple's Address Book, can remind on a schedule or at login, and comes in English and French. [Download - 509KB]
MimMac 1.5 ($10) is a major update to the backup, cloning, and data synchronization utility. Version 1.5 allows the user to automatically check and enable file ownership on the destination volume(s). It also provides the ability to automatically repair permissions on the source volume(s). [Download - 560KB]
Serial Mail 3.0 allows users to create group mailings based on a template that may reference almost any Adress Book field of an person from an Adress Book group. Version 3.0 brings Tiger compatibility but still lacks the ability to use attachments. [Download - 314KB]

Tiger plagued by SMB, Active Directory bugs

05/06, 12:45pm

Tiger SMB, AD problems

A number of sites running Mac OS X "Tiger" are experiencing problems with SMB file sharing and authentication with Microsoft's Active Directory, eWEEK reports. Although Apple's Tiger increases support for Server Message Block file sharing and Active Directory, several sources say that the Finder fails to log on to Windows and Linux Samba file servers. With Active Directory, Tiger users with mobile accounts can log on once, but cannot log on again after disconnecting. "To be honest, without the machine being bound to AD and OD, [Tiger] is kind of useless for me in my environment," said Brad Anderson of The Marketing Store. An Apple representative said Apple was unaware of the problems: "We have not received any customer reports of issues with SMB in Tiger."

Redesigned OtterBox waterproof carry case for iPods

05/06, 12:15pm

OtterBox for iPods

Otter Products todoy announced new cases in its waterproof carry case line to include two redesigned versions for 20GB and 30B/40GB/60GB iPods. The OtterBox offers waterproof protection as well as allows access to controls through a clear membrane. A hard screen cover protects the iPod display and provides screen visibility as well as rugged drop protection. "The new case, inspired by the popular OtterBox for iPod Mini released earlier this year, allows users to take music virtually anywhere in a more compact and rugged design than before." The easy-open and secure-closing latch protects the iPod from water, dust, sand and other elements, while an included belt clip allows hands-free carrying as well as integrated headphone cable management. An optional armband ($15) is available as well. Both cases are $50 each.

Griffin debuts Tunecaps for iPod shuffle

05/06, 12:10pm

Tunecaps for iPod shuffle

Griffin Technology today announced TuneCaps, a new carrying solution for the iPod shuffle. It offers three convenient carrying options: "Slip on a TuneCap to keep your shuffle handy in any of three different ways: (1) TuneCaps' Wrist Strap cap gives you a comfortable carrying strap for fingertip convenience. (2) Use TuneCaps' handy pocket clip to secure your shuffle to a pocket or belt or lapel -- wherever you want to wear it. (3) TuneCaps' keyring attachment provides a safe and convenient way to keep your tunes with you while you drive." All three solutions are included in each TuneCaps package. The $15 package is expected to ship in two weeks, with pre-orders available now.

Bryce 5.5 ships with better OpenGL support, more

05/06, 11:50am

DAZ ships Bryce 5.5

DAZ Productions today announced it is shipping Bryce 5.5, a major upgrade to the 3D design application for landscaping and animation. Version 5.5 software delivers several new features and a simplified workflow. A new DAZ/Studio Character plugin can load, edit, and importt thousands of 3D figures, vehicles, wildlife and more. A newly optimized engine can be up to five times faster than in previous versions, depending on the attributes of the scene being rendered. The company says that on average, render times have been improved by over 30% when compared with version 5.0. Bryce runs on Mac OS X 10.2/10.3; it is available for $100 with a $20 rebate for users of version 5.0.

Adobe updates Photoshop Camera Raw plug-in

05/06, 11:30am

Camera Raw plug-in

Adobe has updated its Photoshop Camera Raw 3.1 plug-in to include support for the latest digital cameras. The camera raw functionality in Photoshop provides fast and easy access to the "raw" image formats produced by many leading professional and midrange digital cameras. The Photoshop Camera Raw plug-in now alo supports raw files in the DNG (Digital Negative) format. The new cameras supported include Canon's EOS Rebel XT, the Nikon D2X, and Olympus' EVOLT E-300 and C-7070 Wide Zoom. Camera Raw 3.1 is not compatible with Photoshop CS.

Briefly: Atomic Games acquired, Google news, podcasts

05/06, 11:05am

Atomic Games aquisition

In brief: Destineer today announced that it has acquired Atomic Games, longtime developer of action-oriented military strategy games, including V for Victory, and the Close Combat series, ... Google has applied for U.S. and international patents on technology to rank stories on its news site based on the quality of the news source, ... Bakbone Software's NetVault enables the Las Vegas Review Journal to centralize its data backup while migrating to Mac OS X servers, ... NBC 5 Chicago News has begun publishing news podcasts with news reporters (and Mac users) Art Norman and Charlie Wojciechowski.

Apple offers refurb iBooks starting at $650

05/06, 8:15am

Refurb iBooks for $650

Apple is offering more several refurbished iBook, Power Mac and display models. The iBooks, available starting at $650, include previous generation models: the 12-inch models with 256MB/30GB drives are available for $650 (800MHz/Combo), $700 (1GHz/CD), $800 (1.2GHz/CD or 1GHz/Combo), or $850 (1.2GHz/Combo/AP). The 14-inch models are available for $800 (933MHz/40GB/Combo) or $1,100 (1.33GHz/60GB/Combo/AP). Both Aluminum ($1,300) and previous-generation ($1,250) 23-inch Cinema displays are available along with refurbished previous-generation 4GB iPod minis ($170) and 40GB iPods ($330)--both ship with FireWire and USB cables. As noted previously, iMac G5s are available starting at $900 (1.6GHz/80GB/Combo) or $1000 (1.8GHz/SuperDrive), while the larger 20-inch model is $1,400 (1.8GHz/SuperDrive). New versions of the 17-inch models are available for $100 more, while the new 20-inch iMac G5 is $200 more at $1,600. Dual-1.8GHz and Dual-2GHz Power Mac G5s (PCI or PCI-X) are also available, starting at $1,500.