Apple says Steve is in good health

Apple today tried to dispel rumors that Apple CEO Steve Jobs' health is deteriorating by emphasizing that he was in good health. Rumors first began to surface following Jobs' public appearance on stage at Apple's developer conference last week in San Francisco--where many agreed appeared to have lost a significant amount of weight. Although headlined by Jobs, the keynote, touted as the public appearance of Apple's next-generation "Leopard" operating system, was delivered by a number of Apple execs and marking one of the first times Apple's own keynote announcement touted the entire executive team. Longtime Apple spokesperson Katie Cotton attempted to curtail rumors and concerns over Jobs' health. "Steve's health is robust and we have no idea where these rumors are coming from," she told InformationWeek. Two years ago, Jobs underwent a surgical procedure to treat a rare form of pancreatic cancer and told employees that the treatment was successful and that he will not be required to undergo post-operative treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation. Jobs returned to full-time work in October of 2004.

Revolution 2.7.3 offers zip support

Runtime Revolution has released an update to Revolution featuring development for the U3 smart drive computing platform. Runtime Revolution is a versatile integrated development environment for Mac OS (Classic and X), Unix, and Windows computers which supports cross-platform database access, advanced multimedia, virtual reality, and a range of other features. Included in version 2.7.3 is Zip file management allowing file compression, listing archive contents and adding or extracting files in archives; application instancing allowing developers to control whether multiple or single instances of Revolution-based applications can run on Windows; improved Revolution Player-based distribution enabling support for long file names; and, several minor fixes were made to players. Revolution runtime costs between $65 and $400 depending on version purchased. Mac OS X 10.2.7 or later is required for application development, a Mac OS Classic version is also available.

Briefly: AOL buys Userplane; IE slips

In brief: America Online (AOL) today announced its acquisition of Userplane, a provider of Web-based chat and instant messaging services.... Group Logic today announced that CGS Publishing Technologies is licensing ExtremeZ-IP with its ORIS Color TunerT systems.... Microsoft's Internet Explorer Web browser has lost more market share this year, with browsers such as Firefox and Safari battling for most of the remaining share.... Newer Technology has lowered pricing $124.99 on its miniStack V2 FireWire and USB 2.0 combo external hard drive storage solutions.... Virtual Programming has released Victoria 1.04, fixing numerous bugs and adding numerous new features.

Apple ranks No. 10 in global Web traffic...

Apple.com was the tenth most-visited website during June, while Microsoft, Yahoo, and Google, eBay, and Time Warner, the parent company of AOL, were among the top five, according to a new report. comScore World Metrix on Monday released a report that found that Microsoft's sites were the most-visited global property in June of 2006 with approximately 500 million global visitors, followed by Yahoo! (481 million visitors), and Google (454 million visitors). Yahoo! Sites led all global properties with 116 billion page views during June, followed by Google (84 billion), and Microsoft (75 billion). Apple, with over 92 million unique visitors, was also behind Amazon (129 million), Wikipedia (128 million), Ask Network (112 million), and Adobe (96 million). It was ahead of Lycos, CNET, Monster, Real.com, and MySpace.

Apps: NewsFire, Xbench, Googalyzer

• NewsFire 1.4 v68 ($20) is a RSS news feed fetcher that features animated warnings when a new feed arrives, along with smart folder support. This new version adds official support for Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard; one of the first applications to add support for Apple's unreleased next generation OS. Also added is better support for prefix or suffix string rules alongside several minor bug fixes. This version required Mac OS X 10.4 or later; there is an older version available for Mac OS X 10.3. [Download - 747KB]


• Xbench 1.3 (free) provides users with a range of benchmark tests made for Mac OS X computers including CPU and graphics tests. This version was built with Xcode 2.4 and corrects a mistake that caused the altivec test to be turned off on PowerPC machines, disables coalesced graphics updates for all platforms on Mac OS 10.4.4 and higher, switches compiler to GCC 4.0 on PowerPC, new support to automatically sync with Xbench database, enhances graphics support under Tiger, adds partial Leopard support, and revises the machine database to include the MacBook, Intel iMac and several other models. This version requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later. [Download - 288KB]


• Googalyzer 2.0 (free) allows users to search the internet using multiple Google services for optimal results while offering support for Web, image, video, blog, book, news, and many more searches with a single search. Version 2.0 adds the ability to save bookmarks for later reference, a streamlined UI, new Growl notification when adding a bookmark, options to view the cache of the current page, view similar sites, view sites that link to the current site, view other pages from the current site, enter Fullscreen mode, new documentation, and a new integrated word processor. Googalyzer requires Mac OS X 10.4.7 or later. [Download - 828KB]


• TubeSock 1.0 ($15) grabs YouTube videos from the web and copies them to the user's video iPod, Mac, or PlayStation Portable. TubeSock is capable of converting the retrieved video using the codecs and bitrates best for each device. TubeSock also supports grabbing videos and depositing them into iTunes for later viewing (in iTunes or FrontRow) or syncing with iPods. To operate TubeSock, all users must do is copy & paste the YouTube URL, and TubeSock will play the video for and give the option to save the video to your computer or iPod. TubeSock requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later with iTunes 6.0 or later for full integration. [Download - 3.4MB]


• PodTube 1.0 (free) allows users to encode any YouTube video for their iPod with Video by downloading the file, encoding it for the device, and then adding the video to the user's iPod library. Also allows users to retrieve YouTube videos from Safari with a single click. PodTube requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later and for iTunes integration, iTunes 6.0 or later. [Download - 3.7MB]

Australian teachers fight for Macs

The president of the Australian Mac Users Group has begun a public campaign to publicize an effort by The New South Wales Department of Education and Training (DET) to leave Australian teachers who rely on Apple systems in limbo. The DET has "declared war on Macs," according to the president of the Australian Mac Users Group, after the DET and Apple were unable to come to an agreement to renew the "Laptops For Teachers" program which began a number of years ago. That program offered teachers a choice to select their preferred computing platform, including Mac systems, which totaled just over 8,000 according to the last ICT census. "The fact is both Apple and the DET are responsible but it is the teachers and students who will suffer."

Seagate to launch 120GB "iPod" drives

Seagate is expected to unveil 60GB and 120GB 1.8-inch hard drives in the final quarter of 2006, and referenced Apple as a likely customer for such drives. Apple's current hard drive-based iPod line includes the fifth-generation iPod with video, offering 30GB and 60GB storage capacities. Some industry watchers say those storage limitations are fast becoming obsolete as competing players surpass Apple's storage capacities in a race to offer consumers more room for full-length video content on-the-go. Even at the iPod's relatively modest 320 x 240 resolution, a music video can amount to dozens of megabytes, according to Electronista. The one full-length movie currently available on the U.S. iTunes Music Store, High School Musical, totals almost half a gigabyte. Apple's iTunes Music Store is rumored to be in talks with Hollywood studios to offer full-length feature films, though no deals have yet surfaced.

FM::Nexus previews Dragon Web Surveys

FM::Nexus today began conducting hands-on demonstrations of Dragon Web Surveys, allowing Web developers to build surveys into their Web-based solutions. The tool is designed to provide a flexible and easy way for any Web developer to achieve an organization's data collection goals; it provides unlimited surveys, questions and responses and leverages CSS (cascading style sheets) to easily offer custom, multiple styles; Dragon can also build surveys with multiple data validation options--in one or multiple languages. The solution supports multiple simultaneous users, complex branching logic that appears simple to each end-user, authentication features only allow once response to be submitted per person, and elegant reporting options. Developers can also preview surveys using the new Web Viewer capability in FileMaker version 8.5. Dragon Web Surveys is not yet available publicly, but is being previewed exclusively for attendees of the FileMaker Developers Conference 2006.

Inspector 1.5 updates FM dev tool

FM::Nexus today released Inspector 1.5, native Intel version of its diagnostic, debugging, and documenting tool for FileMaker developers. The company also released Version 1.5 delivers higher performance on all hardware, including a dramatic four-fold increase on all Intel-based Macs. In addition, Inspector 1.5 also provides integrated support for all new features recently introduced in FileMaker 8.5, new reporting options and other enhancements, plus fixes to reported issues. The developer solution now supports the new Web Viewer layout objects in FileMaker 8.5, display of script steps and new functions, and a new report that provides a single-view of accounts and their respective privileges. Version 1.5 also extends problem detection to include errors of non-matching field types in a relationship and supports the ability to run on FileMaker Server for team license and site license holders. Inspector 1.5 is available today for $400 (2 €225) for single-users, and for $1000 for a five-user team license. It requires FileMaker Pro 8 Advanced.

FW Depot unveils new storage solutions

FireWire Depot today unveiled new products for FireWire and SATA users, expanding the company's storage offering with six new models. The NSA-Pro6 is a Network Attached Storage Server based on Linux software and Intel hardware technologies that supports up to six hot swap SATA drives configurable as RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, or JBOD (Just a Bunch Of Drives). The FWBU2-IDE11-FWB is a bridgeboard for removable-media drives that connects IDE drives to a FireWire serial bus in a plug-and-play fashion. FireWire Depot also launched the SOHOTANK U7 dual-drive SATA enclosure, featuring a stackable design for easy expansion and various 5.25-inch IDE devices. The NSA-Pro6 is available now for $3,300, the FWB-IDE11-FWB ($80) is due to ship in the near future, and the SOHOTANK U7 is available for $150.

Galaxy Studio for Revolution released

Runtime Revolution on Monday released Galaxy Studio, a high-productivity complete scripting IDE for the Revolution development environment. Galaxy Studio is a complete replacement for the IDE and designed to maximize screen real estate, --especially helpful if you develop on a laptop, according to the company. The solution features Galaxy Scripts, which includes a tabbed script editor that supports up to ten open editors in a single window. Galaxy Scripts also lets you perform live searches on scripts while you script.In addition, the solution, features a reference and lookup system that can be easily accessed via a right-click to automatically call up a definition or script reference. Galaxy Studio also features a space-saving toolbar and other "intelligent" tools, auto-complete, comments, visual preferences, debuging and tracing, and a Galaxy IDE Component Framework to allow third-party vendors of Revolution tools make their tools recognized by Galaxy. It is available for Intel- and PowerPC-based Macs for $100 (upgrades from Constellation are $50).

Zimbra Collaboration Suite 4.0

Zimbra today launched the Zimbra Collaboration Suite (ZCS) 4.0, along with Zimbra Documents. Zimbra Documents is a Web 2.0 application for securely creating, sharing and publishing documents, spreadsheets and folders. ZCS 4.0 offers "over the air" synchronization for a wide range of mobile devices; the ability to customize or "re-skin" the Zimbra user interface with a personalized look and feel; and easier management of large-scale enterprise, service provider, academic or government deployments. Key ZCS 4.0 features include Zimbra Mobile, delegated access, sharing of address books in the Web client as well as Outlook; unified Voice Over IP (VOIP) support; and auto-complete of addresses from the Global Address list (GAL) even if the GAL is in an external directory. The ZCS 4.0 open-source edition is free, while the commercially supported network edition is priced from $25 per mailbox per year.

WorldSync showcases new technologies

WorldSync today began conducting hands-on demonstrations of three new technologies that enhance its SyncDeK bi-directional asynchronous data replication technology at the FileMaker Developers Conference (FMDC). The company is showcasing a new Universal version of SyncDeK that runs natively on Intel-based Macs using FileMaker Pro 8.5, which takes particular advantage of the latest Web Viewer feature. Also on display is an unreleased beta version of SyncDweK's upcoming increased SQL support, allowing SynkDeK to replicate FileMaker data with any combination of SQL-compliant data sources. The company is showcasing a beta version of a new plug-in codenamed FMAuditTrail, offering audit trail and data recovery features with near plug-and-play implementation.

Remote Buddy 1.0 Preview updates menus

IOSpirit today released Remote Buddy 1.0 Preview 6, an update to the remote control solution for Mac OS X. The latest iteration of Remote Buddy offers modernized menus that include user interface elements relevant to the respectively active application. The new menus allow users to control volume or the rating of songs, terminate as well as hide the active application, and directly open the files that were recently used with it. The software provides detailed information on recordings as well as songs directly in the menu, including available previews and coverart. The update supports switching between Front Row, Media Central 2, and the full screen menu mode of EyeTV 2.3. The preview release also includes new AppleScript behaviors for iPhoto, Safari, GraphicConverter, Media Central 2, netTunes, FireFox, Camino, and the Mac OS X Accessibility tools. Remote Buddy 1.0 is priced at $13, and requires Mac OS X 10.4.6 or later.

Fox to offer TV shows, movies

Fox is planning to offer TV programs like 24 and Prison Break, as well as feature-length films such as X-Men 3 through the Direct2Drive service run by its IGN affiliate. The move would compete with Apple's likely push for full-length movie downloads through iTunes, as the music store's dominance could limit video sales of other services, according to Electronista. Official details of the launch, however, suggest that Fox copy-protection may be much more restrictive than Apple's service. Pricing for movies may also prove prohibitive at $20, which is similar to a physical DVD. There is also no word yet on whether Fox will copy Apple's season discounts.

VisiStat offers at-a-glance reports

VisiStat today added performance enhancements and new at-a-glance activity reports to VisiStat 4.0, its graphical website tracking service. The latest iteration of VisiStat features WorldMaps, a veritable GPS for website monitoring that allows users to see the source and volume of visits to a website from any country around the globe. VisiStat 4.0 also offers LinkTracker, a new feature that displays the number of document downloads and other clickable actions available on every page of a website. The application expands on its StatCaster real-time tracking technology, and features domain filtering which utilizes data authentication to prevent "spoofing." VisiStat 4.0 packages start from $20 per month.

Troi Text Plug-in 3.0 goes Universal

Troi Automatisering has released Troi Text Plug-in 3.0 for FileMaker Pro 8.5, an update to its cross platform software that runs natively on Intel-based Macs. The plug-in allows users to parse out incoming XML data in FileMaker Pro and concatenate all text from a field in a related file. Troi Text Plug-in 3.0 is compatible with FileMaker Pro 8.5, updates the User Guide for version 3.0, and improves the links in the table of contents. The software allows users to combine sets from two text fields, retrieve all matching or differing lines, and can retrieve unique lines to sort words as well as strings of text. Troi Text Plug-in 3.0 is priced at $40 per user, and requires Mac OS X 10.4.5 or later.

Faxlink plug-in comes to Intel Macs

Fusion Plugins today released two new versions of its Faxlink Mac Plug-in for FileMaker Pro. Faxlink Mac 1.5.0 is a Universal Binary that runs natively on both PowerPC and Intel-based Macs, offering a new feature that allows users to retrieve information about a computer's fax queue. Faxlink Mac Pro 1.5.0 supports using another Mac on a network to handle sending faxes. Faxlink Mac can send multiple faxes at once by combining a list of recipients, fax numbers and other data from FileMaker Pro databases to produce personalized faxes for each recipient. Faxlink Mac 1.5.0 and Faxlink Mac Pro 1.5.0 are available from $50 per seat. Faxlink Mac 1.5.0 requires Mac OS X 10.3 or later with FileMaker Pro 7.0 or newer.

Osk 3.9 expands localization support

Studlar Software today released Osk 3.9, an update to the genealogy application for Mac OS X and Windows XP. Osk allows users to keep track of relations such as friends, family, celebrities, or others. The software can create family trees in an easy-to-read manner, export them as JPEG or PNG pictures, and export information as a Web page. The update is available in English, Russian, and Icelandic with improved Gedcom import. Osk 3.9 features fast information searching, is priced at $40, and requires Mac OS X 10.3 or later.

OS X in VMWare in OS X likely?

After a demonstration of VMWare at WWDC, eWeeks reports that there are some unanswered questions about the capabilities of the Mac OS X variant of the software. The demo reportedly showed some impressive speeds while running Microsoft Windows XP on a Mac Mini with 2GB of RAM. Despite the general positive response to the demonstration, one question remains on the top of the minds of most developers; will Apple allow Mac OS X to run inside a VMWare virtual machine? eWeek believes that the main hurtle for VMWare to overcome for Apple's support on the matter will be to protect Apple's high priority on preventing Mac OS X from running on non-Apple hardware. "I'm betting that Apple and VMware will work out a way for VMware's product to verify that it's running on Apple hardware before agreeing to fire up a virtual copy of OS X," wrote eWeek, stating that it would be better yet if Apple would allow OS X to run free in the tech world

FileMaker Developer Conference...

FileMaker today announced strong support from database developers worldwide for FileMaker Pro 8.5 (FMP) at the FileMaker Developer Conference (FMDC). New offerings supporting FileMaker Pro 8.5 include ICE from iSolutions; Web Service Plugin from FMNexus, as well as updated versions of Inspector, Account Manager, and Dragon Web Survey; FmPro Layout Diff from .Com Solutions; SyncDeK Universal from World Sync; and Web service plug-ins from Digital Fusion. New publications covering FileMaker Pro 8.5 also surfaced at the conference, expanding developer options with in-depth discussions about the database solution. Such publications include Learn FileMaker Pro 8.5 as well as FileMaker Pro Business Applications from Wordware Publishing, and FileMaker 8.5 from O'Reilly Publishing.

Apple targeting Dell, not Microsoft

As Apple expands and uses its momentum from the success of the iPod to power to help drive sales spurred by the Intel transition, some question who Apple's real target should be. According to Rob Enderle, Apple is not at war with Mircosoft, but is really at war with Dell. Electronista.com reports that despite the general thinking that Apple is in a struggle against the 95 percent of Windows PCs, often used as a measuring stick for Apple's success, it is indeed a battle to draw customers into buying hardware. As such, the conclusion is drawn that Apple's tactic (during this era of Intel-based Macs) is not to overthrow Windows, but to offer a software advantage over companies who bundle third-party software due to their deficiencies -- and example of which is Dell. Apple often challenges Microsoft publicly at events like WWDC and in general PR, but the columnist believes this is simply a means to the ends of getting an advantage. In 1998, Apple's CEO declared that "For Apple to win, Microsoft doesn't have to lose," -- though that first attempt at a mutually beneficial relationship arguably failed, it would appear Apple is closer to this thinking than ever.

Analyst on Leopard, Intel transition...

One analyst today offered praise to Apple following tests of a developers-only copy of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. "We believe Leopard will be seen as superior to Windows Vista and boost Apple's growing market share," Piper Jaffray senior analyst Gene Munster said. "After a week of testing the Leopard preview, we are impressed with the next generation operating system." The firm tested the most significant new features such as Time Machine, a comprehensive file backup interface; Spaces, which virtualizes multiple desktop spaces; Mail 3.0; and Safari 3.0. Munster also believes that the way in which Apple chooses to integrate Boot Camp into Leopard will significantly change the impact of Boot Camp on the company's ability to capture market share from Windows users. "As Boot Camp moves from beta to an official version in Leopard and the Windows installation becomes more user-friendly, increasing numbers of Windows users will switch to a Mac."

Apps: iUnit, 1Passwd, Capture Canvas

• iUnit 3.3 ($20) is a measurement unit conversion utility for Mac OS X which features over 1500 measurement units ranging from distance to weight to currency. This tool is designed for use by engineers, students, and scientists who need quick and accurate unit conversion. Version 3.3 features a new built-in calculator for converting basis weight or thickness, angular acceleration, and object density. iUnit requires Mac OS X (any version) with a version for Mac OS 9 also available. [Download - 1.3MB]


• 1Passwd 1.4 ($30) allows users to better manage their passwords with features such as the use the built-in Mac OS X Keychain technology for maximum security, browser extensions for direct password access, and automatic protection from keyloggers and phishing. The update adds a notes field to each saved entry, new identity fields, improved FireFox and Flock support, enhanced credit card types, new AutoFill logic, and several minor bug fixes. Mac OS X 10.4 or later is required with a supported browser (Safari 2, Camino 1.0, Firefox 1.4, or Flock 0.7 or later). [Download - 2.7MB]


• Real Capture Canvas 1.0 ($100) an audio and video capture control for REALbasic. The new application features video and audio preview, video still capture, and compilers for PEF Carbon, MachO Carbon, and MachO Carbon for Rosetta. Also featured is video capture to Quicktime (Mov format), Audio capture with or without video, analog video setting adjustment, remove control of DV devices with AVC. Real Capture Canvas requires QuickTime 7 or later and REALbasic 2006r3 or new running under any version of Mac OS X. [Download - 1.3MB]


• Amigos Spanish 2.0 ($25) is a learning program for those who want to learn Spanish verb conjugation designed for all levels of experience with the language. The program features color coded conjugation tables and various test formats, as well as crosswords, word search puzzles and other word games to practice verb conjugation in a fun and intuitive environment. Any version of Mac OS X is required to run Amigos Spanish. [Download - 2.2MB]


• Hangman Pro 2.0.8 ($25) is a version of classic hangman which expands on the concept to include many words categories and settings. The game features a colorful, educational, non-violent environment, with dozens of built-in categories of words, unlimited custom word lists, hinting, digitized sounds, speech, and timed games. The update improves the quality of specific categories and fixes minor bugs. Hangman Pro requires a PowerPC-based Mac running any version of Mac OS 9/X. [Download - 1.4MB]

Rondo 2.0 updates MIDI player for OS X

FracturedSoftware has released Rondo 2.0, an update to its MIDI Player for OS X. This latest version of Rondo now includes several larger pianos and a MIDI library with playlists to help users store, organize and play MIDI files. The company says that Rondo is unique among MIDI players as it has been designed specifically to "help users follow the music as it plays. Its vertical piano roll with horizontal keyboard located directly over the scrolling notes makes it very easy to see what notes are about to sound. And features such as looping, tempo control and separate audio and visual track filtering help you focus on just a part of the melody so that you can play along. Rondo keeps things simple and uncluttered making it an excellent practice aid for both professional and aspiring non-score reading musicians." Rondo 2.0, a free upgrade, is priced at $25.

Keyboard guards for Mac laptops...

Macessity has released a new line of silicone keyboard protectors for Apple's MacBook and MacBook Pro product lines. Currently, the new guard will be available only in a frosted clear finish, which matches the majority of Apple's line of white plastic or light metal cases, while complimenting the Black MacBook's matte finish. The new Keyboard Shield for the MacBook is designed to cover most of the keyboard and areas including the palm rest and mouse click button. Much like the MacBook's Keyboard Shield variant, the MacBook Pro version covers the keyboard, but does not cover the palm rest or mouse button. Both shields are made with a soft silicone which leaves the keys visible while offering protection from any grift or liquid dropped upon the keyboard. Macessity is shipping two models today; both cost $20. [images included

ConvertIt 3.0 conversion tool debuts

Tigsoft has released an update to its advanced unit conversion program for Mac OS X. The program features over 2800 different conversions, including an up-to-date currency converter and also offers a scientific calculator, tabbed windows, unit highlighting, and online definitions. The application also features 10,000 significant digits of accuracy for the mathematical professionals and the ability to access almost every unit type. Version 3.0 has been completely rewritten (a Universal Binary is "coming soon"). The program costs $25 dollars for a single-user license and requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later running on a PowerPC processor. [Download - 2.5MB]

Macessity offers two Mac mini mounts...

Macessity has announced two new mounting systems for the Mac Mini. The first is a stand called Stand By Mi ($45) which allows users to place their displays over the Mac mini while providing users with a four-port USB 2.0 hub. The USB port faces forward allowing users to have access to powered USB 2.0 ports without reaching behind the Mac Mini. Stand By Mi is designed to match the look of the Mac mini and accommodate many displays on its 9-inch by 11-inch top surface. The second mounting system, the Hang With Mi ($40), allows users to attach their Mac mini to the underside of a desk or other work surface. Like Stand By Mi, the mounting device allows users access to four front-facing powered USB 2.0 ports and is designed to match the Mac Mini. Each device can be ordered now and will ship in the first week of September. [images included]

New WiFi transceiver for 17" MacBook Pro

QuickerTek has released a new wireless transceiver for Apple's 17-inch MacBook Pro, which it says doubles the WiFi performance and potential range of the laptop's integrated wireless connectivity. The new transceiver is fully compatible with all common 802.11b/g wireless networking hardware including Apple's AirPort Base Stations as well as those from other parties such as D-Link, Linksys, and Belkin. Featuring 500 milliwatts of RF power or about ten times more than a standard laptop, the new transceiver allows between 50 percent and 100 percent better performance--according to the company--as measured by range and signal strength. In addition, it supports the use of the MacBook Pro's internal antenna and Bluetooth. The new transceiver clips to the top of the the case without using velcro or any other substance that could damage the finish of the laptop. QuickerTek's transceiver for the 17-inch MacBook Pro is available now for $200 and comes with a one-year warranty.