Zune is 'bulky', 'underwhelming' -- analyst...

American Technology Research analyst Shawn Wu believes the upcoming Zune digital media player may be "more bark than bite." After recent leaks on both the look and specifications of the Zune player, Wu said the firm was "underwhelmed by the much-hyped Zune device." The new player will be developed by Toshiba, and, for the majority of the technology, is simply a repackaged Gigabeat player, according to Wu note's to clients: "At this point, we believe this could end up being another classic case of overpromising and underdelivering," Wu wrote. The player's focal point is the clickwheel-like apparatus for controlling the playe; however, further leaks on the player's controls system revealed that the click-wheel look-alike is nothing more than a four-way direction pad. "We find it interesting that [Microsoft] also opted to replicate an 'iPod'-look like most others, but failed in replicating one key piece of the unique iPod experience with its scrolling click-wheel and powerful database engine." The analyst goes on to say that the overall "bulky" appearance of Zune does not match the iPod's aesthetics.

New audio chair offers iPod dock...

Adonis Furniture manufacturer and wholesale distributor of sofa-bed futon frames and platform beds, has just released the first video game rocker chair combo with an integrated docking station for Apple's iPod. According to the company, this is the first gaming chair ever to use the patented Apple iPod technology. The new chair, known as the iRocker 250, integrates surround sound into the chair featuring heavy magnet speakers, base tube, audio inputs, additional line input, and a master volume dial with LED indicator lights. The chairs will be sold through Cost Co, Target, Amazon.com and other retail outlets locally for $320 (iRocker 250) and is shipping now. [Images included]

New Workstation theme for Keynote

Divine Fiat has released Workstation, its latest theme for Apple's Keynote presentation software. Inspired by the industrial look and feel of the Mac Pro, Workstation will "give an elegant power to your next presentation. From the 'cheese-grater' ventalation to the aluminum encasment, Workstation is as sleek and strong as the computer that inspired it. One of the more practical features included in Workstation are the scaleable countdown timers in the form of progress bars. These QuickTime movies sport transparent backgrounds for a seamless look when used with Workstation or any Keynote theme." The timers are available in 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, 25- and 30-minute lengths; Workstation also features creative photo cutouts with many seamless transitions, buttons for kiosk-style presentations and custom-fill textures for shapes, charts and tables. It is available now for $20.

Apple granted cup holder, other patents

Apple has been recently granted six new patents, including one for a cup holder-based electronic device accessory as well as an electronic device holder and protective case for the iPod shuffle. According to MacNN's patent blog, the cup holder invention can secure an electronic device, such as an iPod digital music player, and be inserted into a conventional cup holder. One embodiment of the invention includes a spool about which connecting cable can be wound, according to the filing. Users would be able to use the cup-holder in a variety of sizes using adaptive sleeves that fit around the base to adjust to holders of different shapes and sizes. Apple was also granted patents for managing file extensions, triggering system actions based on insertion of CD or other media into a computer, and for for spreading and concentrating information to constant-weight encode data words on a parallel data line bus while allowing communication of information across sub-word paths.

Google+Apple speculation sends ripples

As MacNN reported yesterday evening, Google's CEO and Chairman Eric Schmidt was elected to Apple’s board of directors at their meeting yesterday. This appointment reportedly sent ripples through the tech industry according to a report by Electronista: "Though the alliance is strictly informal, both companies have technology and services the other could use to great advantage, challenging Microsoft's own efforts at media consolidation through its upcoming Zune player and store." These reports surface as several technology industry analysts see the appointment as a huge step for Apple, including industry pundit Om Malik who opinies about the possibilities of iTunes becoming part of Google's software pack or Toolbar.

Creative announces new Vision line up...

Creative has released an update to the Creative Zen Vision:M and announced the anticipated Zen Vision:W. The new Zen Vision:M introduces does not add any new features, but now includes a 60GB model. The new Zen Vision:W is similar in appearance to the original Zen Vision; however the Vision:W is a video centric media player with a 4.3-inch widescreen display and is compatible with MPEG-1/2/4 and XviD videos-- allowing up to 4.5 hours of playback on its rechargeable/removable battery pack. In addition to improved compatibility and a larger screen, it offers a CompactFlash card slot that allows users of certain cameras to transfer photos to the player without first uploading to a computer. The Vision:W will ship within Singapore in 30GB ($412 US) and 60GB ($475 US) models during September -- a US release will follow. The 60GB Vision:M is scheduled to ship at the end of September for the equivalent price of $380 US. [images included]

Battery issues delay iBook distribution

The recent Apple battery recall along with reports (and confirmations) of battery fires have lead to at least one school to delay the distribution of over 600 iBooks to its students. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Quaker Valley High School students will return to class without the laptop computers to which they've become accustomed because the batteries that power them could be dangerous. The delay will allow school officials to check the laptops to determine if they are affected by a battery recall issued by Apple, according to the report: "Quaker Valley provides laptop computers to its students as a continuation of the Pennsylvania Digital School District, which began in the 2002-03 school year, with computers given to 1,800 students from third grade through high school. After the first year, the program was scaled back to just high school students -- who use the computers for much of their course work and turn in many assignments electronically."

QTFairUse6 circumvents iTunes DRM...

A new software solution circumvents Apple's FairPlay DRM restrictions to create DRM-free music from purchased iTunes music. Users on Hymn message boards, who have cracked the iTunes (FairPlay) DRM yet again, are committed to cracking the iTunes DRM to allow free use of purchased music. The project has been dead in the water since Apple released iTunes 6 and changed the way the iTunes DRM worked (although previous versions work with older iTunes versions); however, the new solution adapts original code from previous attempts (QTFairUse) and users have managed to get it work with iTunes 6. The somewhat-clunky QTFairUse6 requires Python 2.4 and several other tools and uses the information that is buffered (i.e., stored in memory) after iTunes/QuickTime decodes the file.

Civilization III: Complete now Universal

Aspyr Media has released a free Universal patch and several updates for Civilization III: Complete. This patch not only adds native support for Intel-based Macs as Universal binary, it also fixes errors related to missing files, problems with the Civilopedia, corrected an crash related to music files, and improved custom scenario performance. In addition, it improves overall music playback consistency, support for leaving the game to another application while in full screen mode, and improved modification support. Sid Meier's Civilization III: Complete includes the original game, Civilization III, plus both expansion packs, Conquests and Play the World. Originally shipping in early January, this patch was noted for release earlier this week in the August Aspyr newsletter. The game requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later running on a G4-/G5-/Intel-based Mac 500MHz or faster. [Download - via MGF]

Briefly: Apple in Zurich, OSX 10.4.8

In brief: Recent rumors of a new Apple Store location in Zurich, Switzerland have been confirmed by job listings in the city.... According to AppleInsider, Apple has released the first builds of Mac OS X 10.4.8 boasting stability and performance enhancements to the operating system.... FileMaker Pro 8.5 has now been released in Simplied and Traditional Chinese offering full support for Unicode and more.... Fijitsu has announced plans to expand its line of 2.5-inch hard-disks with up to 160GB storage space -- the drives are expected in October according to MacWorld UK.... MacSpeech has announced a transcription bundle allowing users of the voice recognition software to transcribe speech using audio input for various devices and sound files.

Quad-core Intel desktop chips in Nov...

Intel will release its first quad-core desktop chips in November, according to a new report. The company had initially planned their rollout for early next year; however, Santa Clara, Calif., company will now release "Kentsfield" quad-core desktop chip as part of its Core Extreme family in early November, according to eWEEK: "However, it's now expected to introduce the quad-core processor as part of its Core Extreme family in early November, sources familiar with its plans said. The Core Extreme, which is targeted mainly at PC enthusiasts who are into gaming as well as certain corporate users whose jobs involve creating online content or editing videos, represents the pinnacle of Intel's desktops processor line. Right now, the chip maker offers a dual-core Core 2 Extreme chip, based on its Core 2 Duo for desktops."

MacBook random shutdown problems...

A disgruntled MacBook owner recently launched a webpage focused on the MacBook random shutdown problem plaguing some users. Since Apple launched the consumer laptop earlier this year, some users have described problems with their MacBooks randomly turning off. Despite the widespread problems, there has been no official acknowledgement by Apple. The newly created website, trying rally MacBook owners experiencing problems, features a banner proclaiming "Think MacBooks don't crash?" The newest posts detail one bloggers recent attempts of getting Apple to repair the crashing MacBook--only to eventually convince them to replace the computer. Other bloggers link the problem to an overheating CPU due to poorly placed thermal paste.

Apple helps mediate iPod story lawsuit...

Apple is working to resolve a dispute between its iPod manufacturing partner Foxconn and two local Chinese journalists who have been sued for running a story on alleged labor abuses. Foxconn earlier this week successfully petitioned a Court to freeze the personal assets of a reporter and editor at China Business News as part of its lawsuit against the reporters for damages caused by the allegedly false report. The Taiwanese-owned Foxconn filed a defamation lawsuit against two journalists working for the state-run newspaper CBN who ran stories alleging that workers on iPod assembly lines worked under harsh conditions for low pay, although a similar report was published by a UK-based publication several days earlier. The move prompted a journalists' advocacy group to post an open letter to Apple CEO Steve Jobs, asking for his help to mediate the dispute.

Apps: A Better Finder Rename, Merlin

• A Better Finder Rename 7.4 ($20) is software designed to ease the time-consuming process of renaming multiple files. Version 7.4 features several incremental improvements included new date and time formatting, better support for Apple's FileVault, enhanced performance while attempting actions in large files, improved error message explanation, etc. The Universal Binary requires Mac OS X 10.3 or later. [Download - 1.8MB]


• Merlin 2.0b6 (free) is a project management application that offers contained functions along with complete risk and file management. This sixth public beta release features a new Budget/Cost balance method as well as a new cost distribution report. Also included in this release is support for Gantt chart export along improved NetPlan and histograms -- all of which can be exported as PDF, JPEG, PNG, or GIF. The first draft of an English tutorial is included to explain many new features. Though currently free, it will cost around $185, when released. Merlin 2 requires Mac OS X 10.4.5 or later. [price updated] [Download - 21.1MB]


• PDFpen 2.4.2 ($50, $100) gives users the ability to show PDFs in single, facing-page, multi-page and multiple facing-page views as well as the ability to fill out and save PDF forms, and create cross-platform fillable PDF forms. The new version adds improved selection behavior to PDF images, offers enhanced text location and selection, corrects a Unicode character map error, and includes other minor bug fixes and performance fixes. PDFpen requires Mac OS X 10.2.5 or later. [Download - PDFpen, PDFpenPro]


• BetterZip 1.2 ($20) allows users to inspect archives without extracting them. Users have options to extract/delete from or add what to the archives as well. The new release adds a flat list view mode in which all files and folders are displayed--allowing users to sort all included files regardless of their position within the folder hierarchy (such as by date modified). BetterZip is a Universal Binary and requires Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or later. [Download - 2.4MB]


• iValet 1.0b ($20) is an all-in-one application solution to eliminate the need for multiple applications including calendars, clip collectors, calculators, notebooks, and several other small tools. Instead of using dock space when users wish to keep iValet running, the application allows users to "iconize" it; essentially making a floating icon for one-click instant. This is a beta release, but requires a license key (which will work with version 1.0). iValet requires a Mac with a PowerPC or Intel processor running Mac OS X 10.2 or later. [Download - 4.4MB]

SplashID now manages info on desktop

SplashData today announced that its popular SplashID smartphone application for securely organizing and managing passwords is now available for desktop users. SplashID Desktop Edition enables Windows PC and Mac users to store, sort and organize confidential information easily on their desktop. SplashID can store an unlimited number of customizable records (such as passwords, credit card numbers, registration codes, membership numbers, insurance information and even birthdays) securely on a Mac desktop or notebook using 256-bit Blowfish encryption and a built-in password generator that creates new, unique passwords based on criteria selected by the user. SplashID Desktop Edition features a number of customizable options, such as icons that enable users to quickly sort and locate information. It is available for Mac OS X 10.2 and costs $20. Smartphone synchronization costs an additional $10.

Core 2 Duo shows up in Mini PC...

The Mac Mini may have some stiff competition in the mini PC market as the current Mac mini offering continues to show its age. Electronista reports that, "Though Apple is widely rumored to use the Core 2 Duo in its Mac mini systems after Labor Day, it will not be the first system builder to announce an ultra-compact PC using the new processors." The new miniature computer is the Evesham Mini PC; an existing line which retails for about $1300 (USD) with the same specs as a $850 BTO Mac mini. The advantage this ultra-compact boasts is a built-in TV tuner (HD capable) and media center functionality -- including Windows XP Media Center edition out of the box. The latest version of Mini PC--announced this week--will reportedly cost $1500 (USD including tax) and pack a 2GHz Core 2 Duo processor adding a DVD±RW drive, FireWire, and an S-Video output. The new system is expected to ship mid-September as Core 2 Duo supply steadies. [image included]

Macessity BookCase Pro case released...

Macessity has launched a new notebook case designed for Apple's MacBook and MacBook Pro lines. The new case, dubbed the BookCase Pro, is made with a highly shock-resistant foam created with Polyurethane. This foam compresses upon an impact, then will return to its previous shape. The BookCase Pro is designed to give users access to the laptop without removing the device from the case. The new case is available immediately in four sizes to match users' notebook; one for the 13-inch MacBook, another for the 15-inch MacBook Pro, a third for the 17-inch MacBook Pro, and a final size for the PowerBook G4 15.4-inch model. All cases costs $25, with the exception of the 17-inch model, which retails for $30. [image included]