FW Depot unveils new POF Repeater, ForensicDeck

FireWire Depot today announced the FireNEX POF Repeater 200, Repeater 400, and ForensicDeck enclosure. Utilizing an IEEE1394 PHY and optical transceiver, the FireNEX-POF ($600/$700) is capable of sending IEEE1394 signals across a optical fiber cable up to 50 meters in length. It is contained within a small box slightly larger than a deck of cards, which makes it "inobtrusive and compact, allowing you to place it on a desktop already crowded with other things." The ForensicDECK ($1000) is a Forensic hard drive examination station. The ForensicDECK allows users to access a wide range of Hard Drives with READ ONLY/WRITE PROTECT function using adjustable removable drive trays to prevent accidental alteration of HDD content.

AirPort 4.2 update resolves IPv6 issues

Apple has released AirPort 4.2 for Mac OS X 10.4.2 via Software Update. This update fixes compatibility with Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA2) security software on AirPort Express and AirPort Extreme base stations. This update also resolves IPv6 link local configuration issues. "AirPort offers the perfect wireless solution for home, business or school. Software supports all models of Apple AirPort base stations including the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express models."

Photoshop World features Canon, Nikon sessions

Photoshop World Conference & Expo today announced that Nikon and Canon are both offering pre-conference workshops on Mon., Sept. 6, one-day prior to the conference's official kick-off on Sept. 7 in Boston. Nikon will offer its half-day Nikon Photo Safari session, which is limited to 50 participants because of "the distinctive hands-on teaching approach Versace and Peterson provide." Canon will sponsor its pre-conference session, which will allow participants to shoot side by side with commercial photographers Jack Reznicki and Eddie Tapp, learning how to set up a "live model" studio shoot and the latest in digital workflow techniques. Each of these pre-conference workshops requires a separate registration and charge, and are only open to Photoshop World Conference attendees. A $100 discount is also offered on the cost of admission to Photoshop World for all registrations before August 12: NAPP can register for $400, while non-NAPP members can register for $500 (after discount).

GizMac launches website featuring XRackPro2, XtroVert

GizMac Accessories today launches its new web site featuring the XRackPro2 and XtroVert rack mount enclosures for the Xserve server computer and Xserve RAID storage systems. XRackPro2 is a rack mount enclosure cabinet designed to reduce noise and add mobility to Apple's Xserve line of servers and RAID systems. The company said that noise from rack mount equipment mounted inside the XRackPro2 will be reduced up to 75 percent while the heavy duty caster wheels provide a method for easily moving the rolling rack enclosure cabinet when needed. The XtroVert is a rackmount chassis that allows the Xserve RAID to stand vertically to become a desktop or deskside unit.

PhotoshopCAFE publishes CS2 "Secrets" book...

PhotoshopCAFE.com today announces the availability of Photoshop Secrets: CS2 For Digital Photographers. This is new CS2 Training video by internationally known trainer and best selling Author Colin Smith. This 3.5 hour video will teach photographers how to process their images in a professional workflow. The video is broken into 4 sections; workflow, correction, repair and enhancment. "In this latest offering in his Photoshop Secrets series, Colin gleans from 12 years experience and shows not only the most tasty and powerful techniques, he also reveals the most efficient way to accomplish essential tasks using Photoshop CS2."

iSale 2 supports eBay Stores, .Mac image hosting...

After a preview of the latest version of iSale at “eBay Live!” in San José, equinux today released version 2.0 of the auction manager software. equinux is offering this upgrade for free to all registered users of iSale. Now those using eBay Stores can post auctions directly to their store. In addition to .Mac image hosting, iSale also now supports FTP Servers. Using either of these image hosting options will alleviate the need for per-picture-charges allowing users more freedom and flexibility in the improvement and design of your auctions.

MiNews 0.80 update adds new search feature

JS8 Media today released an updated version of the MiNews application, for both Tiger and Panther. MiNews 0.80 is an RSS application that allows users to have the latest news "at your fingertips." It provides tight integration with Safari -- the applications work "hand in glove." Today's update adds a new search feature. A search field in the application's toolbar allows a text search of the news items in your currently subscribed feeds. A sheet is displayed showing the news items matching the search query. Version 0.80 also fixes a bug that could cause the "go back" arrow button in the Web view to be incorrectly disabled in a certain condition. Additionally, it fixes a bug when handling non-compliant RSS XML elements (some feeds are sending HTML data instead of RSS XML data when their servers are overloaded.)

NewerTech offers battery replacement for iPod photo

Newer Technology today introduced a high-capacity 900mAh replacement battery for all iPod Photo models and fourth-generation 40GB iPods. The company says the $30 battery is immediately available and ships with instructions and installation tools, although it "highly recommends" professional installation. NewerTech says the replacement battery provides 28 percent more run-time capacity for iPod photo models and 50 percent more run-time capacity for the fourth-generation 40GB iPod. Other replacement batteries offered include: 1800mAh ($30) and 2100mAh ($40) for first- and second-generation iPods; 850mAh ($26) for third-generation; 750mAh ($26) for fourth-generation; 600mAh ($25) for iPod mini; and 900mAh ($30) for iPod photo.

ArKaos VJ 3.5 adds FreeFrame support, more

ArKaos today launched the latest version of its popular video jockey software: ArKaos VJ 3.5 adds FreeFrame plug-ins support, a popular open-source framework for video plug-in development; ArKaos now enables VJ users to access a vast library of third party effect plug-ins and ships with 42 FreeFrame effects. In addition, ArKaos VJ now supports real-time video output through FireWire connection for recording live performance and connection to digital mixers. It also features a new automation mode that takes advantage of the latest features of VJ to stack intelligently visuals and effects producing a smooth and natural automated performance. It is available for $360.

Apple becoming "mass market company"...

Apple is becoming a "mass market company" according to Merrill Lynch analyst Steven Milunovich. "The next perceptual change could be investor recognition that the company is building a sustainable consumer franchise." Although the current focus is music, "look for Apple to go after video in the home with an emphasis on high definition," Milunovich said. While Apple remains extremely conservative about its upcoming quarter, the firm projects $3.9 billion in revenue and $0.38 per share. "Company guidance for flat sequential F4Q revenue and down earnings of $0.32 seems too conservative even recognizing a software decline."

iPodNN: Sony ousts Shuffle, iPod ad parody, ...

iPodNN roundup: Sony's new line of MP3 players have displaced Apple's Shuffle as the top-selling flash-based player in Japan.... Layers magazine has released an "iPod Flea" parody ad.... Microsoft said it will work with Creative and other partners to help challenge the dominance of the iPod.... A recent report offered photos of a subway train in Japan "dressed up" for an iPod campaign.

Briefly: online docs, stock icons, Palm, Mactels

In Brief: Advanced Computer Innovations has expanded its unique internet-based "instant online conversion" service, and added support for Microsoft Office 2003 XML as well as several other new file formats (pricing starts at $9).... A new, non-Usenet newsgroup, emailman.software.wordproc.mac, has been formed for "Discussion of Mac OS X and Classic word processors.".... The FastIcon Studio has released a new stock icon collection for web designers and software developers: AquaLand MAX ($350) was developed in Aqua style, following all of Apple's specifications, with 165 icons for toolbars and navigational elements.... palmOne today announced it has officially changed its name to Palm, Inc., is now trading under the symbol PALM (formerly PLMO), and debuted a new company logo, which will begin appearing on products this fall.... Apple's early developer Mactel systems are garnering praise for their performance along with Apple's Rosetta technology.

Softchaos ships Webstractor 1.5 with "Radar" features

Softchaos today shipped Webstractor 1.5, an update to its web content capturing and processing application. Version 1.5 features new "Radar" capabilities for monitoring web site content automatically, allowing users to set up site locations and search terms to automatically capture web pages whose changes are of interest. Webstractor provides the ability to capture multiple web pages, remove unwanted content, annotate, organize, retrieve and assemble the found materials into effective documents. It features automatic capture of pages to a single document, thumbnail previews, editing tools (crop/highlight), annotation functions, and more. It requires Mac OS X 10.3 or later and is available for $80.

KeyStrokes 3.6, SwitchAccess 2.1 updated

AssistiveWare has updated KeyStrokes 3.6 ($300), which adds a new Tiger widget and a new game mode as well as improves performance; the on-screen keyboard provides virtually complete access to Mac OS X and all standard Mac applications for people who cannot use a keyboard and also provides advanced PolyPredix multilingual word prediction that can be used with the on-screen keyboard, with the hardware keyboard and with SwitchXS. The company's SwitchXS 2.1 ($300) also brings significant performance improvements, better compatibility with screen savers, and more. The switch access solution provides virtually complete access to Mac OS X and all standard Mac applications for people who cannot use a mouse or keyboard, offering emulation by means of a so-called scanning mode. A bundle of both applications is available for $480.

BOOQ ships Boa.XM limited backpack carry case

BOOQ today announced that it has begun shipping first orders for the all-new Boa.XM limited, a 15-inch ballistic nylon backpack with a limited production run of just 500 units world-wide. The Boa.XM limited features a slick beige exterior, blood orange interior, cool-grey hardware and back padding; it is designed for creative professionals and integrates a rugged, rigid-frame laptop compartment for superior protection for a 15-inch PowerBook or 14-inch iBook, ergonomic shoulder straps and a dedicated iPod pocket. "With the addition of its Boa.XM limited, BOOQ is bringing another well-designed backpack of the highest performance and design quality to the next generation of creative professionals." It is available now for $150.