News Archive for 05/08/23

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Skramsoft releases First Cut video editing tool

08/23, 8:45pm

First Cut for DV editing

Skramsoft today released First Cut 1.01, an advanced tool desiged to edit any professional-quality movie within hours. "First Cut is ultimately simple - a user-friendly software effortlessly enabling a whole new generation of movie-makers to project their visions onto screens big and small, without breaking the bank. What's more, First Cut's easy-to-learn tutorial brings novice DV editors up to speed in under half an hour." First Cut enables users to run their footage and place markers known as "Hotshots", which create unlimited visual memory locations on-the-fly. It also features easy clip creation and clip assembly, advanced navigation controls (time stepping, mouse/keyboard controls, jog/shuttle, scrub/locate, etc.), transport controls, and logging/spotting notes. It is available for $150.

Apps: ShapeShifter, iFlash, NewsMacPro

08/23, 5:40pm

ShapeShifter, iFlash

ShapeShifter 2.2 ($20) provides the ability to change the overall appearance of a Mac using 'themes' as well as modify the look and feel of windows, menus, apps, buttons, and more. This update adds the ability to use core image filters on Tiger to "tweak" themes, adds more theme capabilities, and fixes bugs. [Download - 4.1MB]
iFlash 2.6 ($12) is a flash-card learning application designed to help when studying foreign languages, geography, math, and other subjects. iFlash includes audio and image support with built-in memorization tracking, a deck library to instantly find and download other decks, and iPod exporting. Version 2.6 adds interval studying, card flagging, and many other useful changes. [Download - 1.5MB]
NewsMac Pro 1.1 ($25) is a major update to the RSS reader for Mac OS X, designed to make the best use of screen space and enhance efficiency. Improvements include a built-in podcast player, new and updated themes, quick access to new headlines, and more. [Download - 2.7MB]
RSSDreamFeeder 1.0 ($50) is a Dreamweaver-integrated search engine which looks through a website for new and updated content to include in an RSS feed. Features include RSS meta data, linking to feeds, content extraction, online help and more. RSSDreamFeeder is compatible with Dreamweaver MX, MX2004, and Studio 8 (DW8). [Download - 405KB]

Briefly: PGA TOUR 2005, icon collections, MacBUS

08/23, 5:15pm

PGA TOUR, DigiDesign

In brief: Aspyr's Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 2005 popular golf game arrived in retail stores today.... Pat Miller of The Escapist gives credit to the roots of Halo 2, the Macintosh Marathon series.... Iconkits.com released its latest icon kit, Bevel Add On 1 Kit ($70), which includes 40 brand-new royalty-free icons that complement Bevel Base Kit, while The Fast Icon Studio has released "Toon System", with 31 freeware icons designed in cartoon style.... Digidesign yesterday announced the acquisition of Wizoo Sound Design to advance music creation tools and sound design.... The next meeting of The Macintosh Business Users Society of Greater Philadelphia (MacBUS) will be held on Tuesday, August 30, 2005, at 6:45 pm....

Safe Eyes Internet filter tool now for Mac

08/23, 4:40pm

Safe Eyes

Safe Eyes, a longtime Internet filter tool for Windows, is now also available for the Mac. "In the last six months, the requests from Mac users for this type of product have doubled," says Shane Kenny, President of SafeBrowse.com, Inc. "We took a good look at the market and found a real lack of products in this area, so we built the first world-class filter for Mac users." Safe Eyes 2005 Mac Edition contains the same powerful features as the recently honored Windows version. Users have "complete control" over the material they wish to exclude. With 35 different categories from which to choose, separate filtering profiles can be created for each person using the computer. Available for OSX 10.4 and higher, Safe Eyes 2005 Mac Edition can be purchased for $50.

The iPod halo is still in effect

08/23, 3:10pm

iPod halo continues

If numbers and testimonies are any indication, Apple will likely continue its growth in the home PC sector, propelled by the iPod halo effect. Apple's current home PC market share is 3.3 percent, but more than 7.5 percent of 1,400 households studied by S.G. Cowan are reportedly taking the Macintosh route, and these people are not alone. James Derk, a columnist at Kitsap Sun who was a lifelong Windows user has described his experience of buying and using his first Macintosh, a 12-inch iBook. Derk cites the sharp screen, out-of-the-box operability, the Apple discussion forum, and touches on some of the more peculiar aspects of Apple's product as well. A long wait from shipment to arrival, the lack of a two-button mouse, and a steep learning curve are mentioned as drawbacks. Despite this, Derk's account couples with the numbers to dispel skepticism of the halo effect.

Memorex expands TravelDrive portable storage line

08/23, 2:20pm

Memorex new TravelDrive

Memorex today announced the latest addition to its TravelDrive portable storage product line, the Mini TravelDrive. The platinum-colored USB-compatible "Mini" boasts up to 2GB of storage capacity and a slim design with a blue LED status indicator; reinforced aluminum lanyard loop with lanyard; and an ergonomic gripping area. Special SecureTD software is included, providing safety when storing and transferring digital files. SecureTD provides the ability to secure the Mini TravelDrive by setting passwords to prevent unauthorized access to files. SecureTD works by creating a partitioned area on the Mini that does not appear until access to it is unlocked by entering a preset password. The Mini TravelDrive measures 2.25 inches long, 0.85 inches wide and 0.33 inches thick. Mini TravelDrives with 256MB, 512MB, 1GB, and 2GB storage capacities will be available at major consumer electronics retailers in September for $40 (256MB), $60 (256MB), $100 (1GB), and $180 (2GB). [site not updated]

Intel confirms three new CPUs, "handtop" chips

08/23, 1:30pm

New CPUs, handtop chips

Intel CEO Paul Otellini told attendees of the Fall Intel Developer Forum that three new chips scheduled for the second half of 2006 are to use a new architecture that will succeed Netburst, currently used by its Pentium 4 and Xeon CPUs. Otellini also told of plans to create a new class of chips to be used in handheld devices, which Intel dubbed "handtop" PCs. Otellini also said that the company is working to develop powerful chips that consume only a half watt of power by the end of the decade. Otellini further stated that the company's new architecture for PC and server chips will combine the power-saving focus of the Banias architecture used to build the Pentium M notebook processor with the performance provided by Netburst. Analysts and sources familiar with Intel's plans predicted as early as last year that Merom, Conroe and Woodcrest will be the first chips to use the new architecture. Otellini confirmed that the chips will be 64-bit capable and come with Intel's virtualization technology, the LaGrande security technology and the company's Active Management Technology.

Jobs lured consumers into "hardware trap"

08/23, 12:50pm

Napster CEO on iPod

Napster President Brad Duea claims that Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer has "tricked people into buying a hardware trap." Duea, critical of Apple's approach to digital music, points out that the iPod can only play songs with copy protection from iTunes, and that iTunes songs can only be played on an iPod. "The dream is that Napster would work on any PC, any player in any territory and work seamlessly," Duea stated. These factors are becoming increasingly important, because things are changing. The online music industry will become an "exploding multi-billion dollar space in the next two years," according to Duea. Currently the global music market rakes in 33 billion per year, and in the first half of 2005 the online music market accounted for about five-percent of all sales, according to the report from the BBC.

Apple set to open Annapolis retail store

08/23, 10:50am

Annapolis retail store

Apple will open its Annapolis, Maryland retail store on Saturday, August 27. A Media preview will take place at 9:00 a.m. At 10:00, doors will open to the public. Apple Store Annapolis is located at 86 Annapolis Mall (21401). Apple recently opened its Tokyo retail store, and began hiring for its sixth U.K. location. Additionally, the company opened its Pentagon City and South Shore stores earlier this month. The Pentagon City (Arlington, VA) store is located at 1100 South Hayes Street. The South Shore location is in Braintree, MA at 250 Granite Street, Space #1027.

New iPod competition uses subscription services

08/23, 10:20am

iRiver T10, T30

iRiver began shipment of its latest portable flash-based music players, which support Windows Media Digital Rights Management (DRM) 10, to compete with Apple's iPod by offering subscription-based music services such as Raphsody To Go, Napster To Go and Yahoo Musc Unlimited. iRiver claims the T family to be the first flash devices to support portable subscription-based music services. The T10 and T30 are offered in 512MB and 1GB capacities and feature built-in voice recording with line-in encoding, providing the ability to record MP3s from any source. The T10 comes equipped with anti-shock rubber guards, an integrated "sport clip", a sports case with an armband, and boasts up to 45 hours of music playback on a single AA battery. Other features of the T10 include a color display, USB 2.0, FM tuner, and programmable FM recorder. The T30 series incorporates a 4-line backlit display, USB 2.0, integrated voice recorder, and can play up to 24 hours of music on a single AAA battery.

iPod: Logitech Wireless; Playlouder; iPod Generation

08/23, 10:15am

iPod headlines

iPodNN news: Logitech today introduced the Logitech Wireless Music System for iPod, which allows users to wirelessly connect their iPod or MP3 player to a stereo or speaker system.... Internet service provider Playlouder is the first provider aimed at people who want to share music legally, and has struck a ground-breaking deal with Sony BMG, which allows users to legally share Sony-licensed music with other broadband customers using a variety of peer-to-peer sharing programs.... Fastmac announced that it has begun shipping "the longest lasting battery upgrade" for Apple’s 4th generation iPod with Click-wheel.... A new U.K. report that calls for reductions in taxation to improve the economic position of young people refers to the "under 35" group as the "iPod Generation."

Logitech Wireless Music System for iPod

08/23, 10:00am

Logitech Wireless

Logitech today introduced the Logitech Wireless Music System for iPod, which allows users to wirelessly connect their iPod or MP3 player to a stereo or speaker system. The Logitech Wireless Music System for iPod is a complete, two-piece, plug-and-play solution: a music transmitter connects to any portable music player's standard headphone port and a music receiver plugs into a home stereo receiver or multimedia speakers through an RCA port or a 3.5 mm jack. The music transmitter sends audio streams directly to the receiver at a range of up to 10 meters (33 feet). The device uses a "proprietary technology" that provides crystal-clear digital audio quality and features "adaptive frequency hopping" to overcome potential wireless interference. The suggested retail price is $150.

Briefly: Made For iPod, iPod Generation, Tokyo market

08/23, 9:30am

iPod Generation

In brief: Apple has applied for a trademark on the phrase "Made For iPod" at the US Patents and Trademarks Office.... Apple's iPod leads the digital music player market in Tokyo, with a 36 per cent stake against Sony's 22 per cent.... A new U.K. report that calls for reductions in taxation to improve the economic position of young people refers to the "under 35" group as the "iPod Generation."... Yahoo! said that it would keep its current pricing of $7 per month (or $60 per year) for its subscription-based music service as the company moves out of testing, despite early concerns that the company would raise prices.

OWC reduces SuperDrive upgrade prices for PowerBooks

08/23, 9:05am

PB SuperDrive upgrade

Other World Computing (OWC) has reduced the pricing on its internal SuperDrive upgrades for select PowerBook G4 models. OWC's MercuryPB SuperDrive internal optical drive upgrades offer up to 24x CD-R/RW and 8x DVD+/-R/RW burn speeds as well as support dual-layer DVDs. The MercuryPBG4 SuperDrive is compatible with 12-, 15- and 17-inch Aluminum PowerBook G4s and 15-inch Titanium PowerBook G4s that run at 667MHz, 800MHz, 867MHz and 1GHz. It is immediately available for $150 (previously $180). The MercuryTi SuperDrive, which is compatible with 400MHz, 500MHz, 550MHz and 667MHz versions of the Titanium PowerBook G4s, is immediately available for $230 (previously $250). Both ship with a 1-year warranty, are user-installable (with optional full service installation available), and include NTI Dragonburn, EMC/Dantz Retrospect and 10 pieces of 8X DVD-R media.

Briefly: Google IM, iTunes phone, EVDO software

08/23, 9:00am

Google IM, iTunes phone

In Brief: Google may be planning on launching a text- and voice-based Google Talk instant messaging system based on open-source Jabber technology.... Motorola has received regulatory approval to start selling the long-rumored iTunes cell phone that runs a mobile version of iTunes software, according to documents posted to the Federal Communications Commission's web site.... Apple on August 10th applied for a trademark on the phrase "Made For iPod" at the US Patents and Trademarks Office.... The surprising strength of the PC market this year will not provide PC vendors with a corresponding rise in revenue because of a decline the average selling price.... EVDOinfo.com has a review of new (free) software that allows the Kyocera KPC650 EVDO Card to be fully supported on any PowerBook with a PC Slot (on both Panther and Tiger).

Unity 1.1 gains Windows deployment, extensibility

08/23, 8:40am

Unity game development app

OTEE today announced a major update to its game development platform targeted at medium to small game developers. Unity 1.1 is a 3D game editor that features an advanced game engine: "Unity is the only Mac-based high-end game development tool sporting a stylish pro-app GUI [and] extensible graphics, great particle effects, highly optimized scripting, the Ageia physX Engine, skinned character animation and ragdolls." Version 1.1 allows developers to publish games for both Windows and Mac OS X with a single click of a button. Other new features include several next-generation render-to-texture effects, virtual displacement mapping, expanded documentation, a new C/C++ plug-in SDK to interface for third-party hardware/software, asynchronous internet access support, and more. An Indie version ($400) for individuals and small businesses and a Pro version ($2000) are available with early adopter discounts of $150 and $1000 (respectively).

Apple-Intel partnership to spark innovation

08/23, 8:00am

Apple-Intel partnership

One IT Week columnist says that Apple's move to Intel-based Macs will spark innovation in the PC industry. "Forget the squeals and protests of the die-hard Mac lovers - the recent news of Apple's move to the Intel platform marks a turning point in the personal computer industry. If my theory is correct, it's exactly what's needed to breathe new life into an area of technology that is currently starved of innovation." The article notes that while Intel has tried--mostly in vain--to create concept PCs every year, the large system vendors are interested in producing commodity hardware: "Apple managed to make some second-rate hardware look amazingly sexy, and has developed probably the coolest-looking operating system on the planet."

Sony-ISP deal enables legal P2P music file sharing

08/23, 7:50am

Legal music file sharing

Internet service provider Playlouder, expected to launch at the end of September, is the first provider aimed at people who want to share music legally, and has struck a ground-breaking deal with Sony BMG, which allows users to legally share Sony-licensed music with other broadband customers using a variety of peer-to-peer sharing programs such as Kazaa, eDonkey, etc. Playlouder, who will pay a portion of the broadband subscription fee to the music right holders, is expected to use the legal file-sharing to help drive adoption of its of broadband service.

Difusi miniCase for Mac mini, 12-inch PowerBook

08/23, 7:20am

Difusi miniCase carry case

Difusi Corporation has introduced the new miniCase, a high-end leather and Jacquard-nylon carrying case. Designed exclusively for Apple's Mac mini and 12-inch PowerBook, the case offers built-in protection, an LED-lighted interior, and high quality -luxurious design. The miniCase was developed to provide extra levels of impact protection by incorporating a hi-tech gel form for added protection; it comes with "over-padded" top-grain glove leather on all handles and carrying straps and on the main body of the carrying case; it also features rugged zippers with padded leather pulls, as well as Jacquard nylon as a secondary material, which it says "has been chosen because of its durability and great looks."

SpeakerCraft's MODE offers home interface for iPod

08/23, 7:05am

SpeakerCraft MODE for iPod

SpeakerCraft has announced the upcoming release of MODE (Music On Demand Experience), its full-color, wall-mounted screen interface with a scroll wheel and push button controls, allows home owners to access and control all of their multimedia equipment -- including their iPod -- in up to six rooms of the home. MODE will support up to six multimedia devices through the SpeakerCraft MZC (multi-zone control) system -- including hard drive music servers, satellite radio, AM/FM radio tuners, and all other sources that respond to infrared commands. MODE enables home owners to control and display all content stored on your iPod in up to six rooms, which it says is not available on any other multi-zone home install system.