Skramsoft releases First Cut video editing tool

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

• 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

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

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

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

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

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"

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

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.

iPod: Logitech Wireless; Playlouder; iPod Generation

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."

OWC reduces SuperDrive upgrade prices for PowerBooks

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

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

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

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."

Difusi miniCase for Mac mini, 12-inch PowerBook...

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...

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.