You Control 1.4 goes Universal

You Software has released a Universal Binary version of You Control which runs natively on Intel- and Power-PC based Macs running Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger). You Control 1.4, a free update to registered owners, is a collection of powerful, yet flexible menu utilities that allow you to create custom menus that extend the functionality and usability of a Mac. Users can place user-created menus in a variety of locations, including the Menu Bar, any corner of the monitor screen, or can pop your custom menus up anywhere on the screen using key commands you specify. You Control offers time-saving tools that make working with Mac OS X better, faster and easier, according to the company. In addition to taking control of iTunes, users can create custom menus that allow them easy and instant access to Address Book Contacts, iCal events, news, stocks, weather and any file or folder on your Mac. The latest release also includes a number of user-requested improvements. You Control 1.4 is available for $30. Last month, the company also released a Universal version of You Control: Desktops 1.2, its system utility for managing multiple "desktops" workspaces.

Kensington's new Contour notebook cases...

Kensington has expanded its popular line of Contour Notebook Carrying Cases with four new computer cases specifically designed for distinct mobile consumer sub-segments. The four new cases (Contour Traveler, Contour Terrain, Contour Cargo and Contour Balance) extend Contour Notebook Case lines introduced last June and are available now. The Contour Traveler Notebook Backpack (SKU 62432, $70) features a Travel-Optimized Organization System with Purpose-Built pockets and a unique Organizer Grid to keep power cords, adapters, mice and more within easy reach; it also offers Contour lumbar support for superior comfort and features DropShield notebook protection.

Appligent's Redax 4.5 Acrobat plugin

Appligent today announced Redax 4.5, a plug-in for Adobe Acrobat that permanently and securely removes information from PDF files. Redax enables redaction with Acrobat 6, 7 and the recently announced Acrobat 8. Redax 4.5 adds enhanced full page redaction and search capabilities as well as more user options. Categories can be assigned to words, phrases and images to allow one work document to be repurposed for multiple recipients, based on the recipients level of security clearance or privledges. Redax 4.5 requires Adobe Acrobat Standard or Professional versions 7 or later. Redax 4.5 will begin shipping in October and is compatible with Acrobat 8 that was recently announced by Adobe. Redax also offer functions to removes text, vector graphics and bitmap images; pattern matching to automatically mark up Social Security numbers, ZIP codes and phone numbers; full-page and multi-page redaction with page consolidation; and the ability to remove document metadata.

Adobe previews Universal Photoshop CS3...

Adobe offered a preview of its Photoshop CS3 software that runs natively on Intel-based Macs at the Photoshop World conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. Piper Jaffray senior analyst Gene Munster attended the event -- which saw the largest turnout ever with around 3,000 attendees -- and spoke with 52 Adobe customers about various topics. "While the presentation did not reveal any of the CS3 features, it provided evidence that the company has already successfully moved this core application to the Intel-Mac platform," the analyst wrote. Photoshop CS3 is part of a new software suite that will combine existing technologies with those from Macromedia, which was acquired by Adobe last year.

Zhang releases The Time Portal

Zhang Games has released The Time Portal, a new quest adventure game that offers hidden clues (as well hints). In the darkest corner of your attic you find a letter from your long lost uncle. He explains to you that he has been kidnapped by a jealous scientist because he succeeded in inventing a time-machine. Your uncle has left you photos with hidden clues that show you the way to the time-machine. It is your task to reveal the clues, find the machine and rescue your uncle. The photos he gave you have mistakes. Find the mistakes in the photos to see which letters on their back are leading to the code. Complete the code to find the next place to go to. Visit spooky places and reveal all the clues to find the time-portal and save your uncle!" It runs on Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later and is available for $20; a limited trial is available (registration unlocks additional levels and features).

Digital music stalls in Europe

iPod owners in Europe are more likely to buy digital music than owners of other music devices; however, only one in five owners regularly buys songs online. About 83 percent of European iPod owners do no regularly buy digital music, according to new research from Jupiter Research cited by Reuters. Europe's digital music market is expected to double to 385 million euros ($487.1 million) in 2006 from a year ago. Despite the almost 200 million songs sold in Europe to-date, iPod owners on average buy only 20 tracks a year from Apple's iTunes store: "The model isn't broken, there's just lots of room for improvement," Jupiter analyst Mark Mulligan told the publication. "Digital music is really underperforming its potential." In addition, the study found that 30 percent of iPod owners illegally swap songs using file-sharing networks and another 23 percent listen to Web-based audio files for free legally. Jupiter surveyed 4,000 consumers across Europe and found iPod owners much more likely to buy CDs online than they were to buy downloads.

iPod sales slump ahead of refresh

New NPD data for July and August suggests slower than expected iPod sales within the first two months of the quarter, prior to Apple unveiling its new refreshed iPod models. The data for the September quarter thus far suggests sales of 7.4 million, but does not account for the new models with larger capacities and longer battery life currently shipping to customers. Piper Jaffray senior analyst Gene Munster predicts iPod sales totaling 8.6 million in the September quarter, and believes Apple can still come close to Wall Street estimates. "Given the new iPods that were just announced, we believe iPod units will end the quarter close to Street expectations," Munster wrote in a research note obtained by MacNN.

YouTube to offer Warner music videos

YouTube today signed a deal with Warner Music Group to offer music videos online, stepping up the competition for Apple's iTunes Music Store. Music videos from artists such as Madonna, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Sean Paul will be legally available to consumers on YouTube, which boasts more than 100 million video viewings each day, according to PC Magazine. Warner Music said the deal will help the company distribute artist interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and original programming. As part of the deal, YouTube users can incorporate music from Warner's catalog into home-made videos, and can upload those creations to the video sharing website.

Apple vs. Dell customer support

Apple is dealing with angry users who are lashing out at the company amidst a flurry of heat issues surrounding its MacBook portable computers, as well as random shutdowns and other problems that surfaced since the new notebook's debut. This is due in part because customers have come to expect prime service as well as support, and the Cupertino-based company is still trying to uphold its reputation of taking care of its customers, according to David Morgenstern of eWeek.com. Dell, on the other hand, might be happy to have Apple's current support-related problems, as well as some of its good reputation rather than its current situation. Dell customers are complaining about poor support and a lack of innovation, with numerous websites citing past problems related to Dell's hardware as well as customer service. Dell is reportedly planning to funnel millions into its support program in the near future, and is admitting its poor support issues.

Briefly: Firefox holes; 2G Nano review

In brief: New vulnerabilities discovered for Mozilla Firefox could allow malicious users to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks, spoofing, cross-site scripting, denial of service attacks, and potentially compromise a user's system; though these issues were fixed in the latest Firefox 1.5.07 build, which was released this past weekend.... Ars Technica has reviewed Apple's new second-generation iPod nano with its multicolored aluminum case, longer battery life, and higher storage capacity.... Trans International today began offering 1GB and 2GB memory upgrades for Apple's new iMac Intel Core 2 Duo systems in 2GB ($250) and 3GB ($800) kits.... Advanced Computer Innovations has expanded its internet-based "instant online conversion" service, adding support for Microsoft Office 2003 XML and several other new file formats.... BeachWare and Macgamestore.com are offering Vegas Jackpot Gold as a digital download, enabling users to play 21 different Poker games in the same tournament against 12 different opponents.... Experiments conducted by scientists using a polymer-tipped plastic film have resulted in a hybrid battery that can both recharge and supply power over a long period of time, revealing 100 times the power of an alkaline battery in testing. [updated]

Office 2007 coming to Intel Macs

APC Magazine has offered details on Office 2007 for Mac following an interview with the group product manager of Microsoft's Mac Business Unit (MacBU). The latest version -- currently codenamed "Office 12" -- boasts a revised interface as well as new versions of Excel, PowerPoint, and Word that will adopt the native XML file formats of other Windows products. The update will run natively on Intel-based Macs as a Universal Binary, and has already reached the halfway point in its development. "Typically we release about 6-8 months after Windows Office, and they've announced general availability in the January timeframe, so we would be 6-8 months after that," said Mary Starman, group product manager of Microsoft's Macintosh Business Unit.

Apple seeks higher iPod margins...

Apple's recent refresh of its iPod digital media players reveals that the company is seeking higher profit margins, rather than gaining market share. Gartner Research says that Apple's lack of aggressive pricing is the primary sign that the company is working toward higher margins, which could give the Cupertino-based company's competitors breathing room to catch up to the market leader, according to Macworld UK. "Apple is in a secure position atop the portable media player market and has decided to strategically focus on its margin this time," said Joseph Unsworth and Jon Erensen of Gartner Research. The new iPod shuffle is estimated to cost around $30 to build, as one example, but sells for $79.

Rogue Amoeba ships Fission audio editor

Rogue Amoeba Software today launched Fission, a new audio editor described as "the first and only editor on Mac OS X to provide lossless editing of MP3, AAC, Apple Lossless, and AIFF audio files." Using Fission, users can trim, split, and fade audio files, then save the result without any quality loss, according to thd developer. Fission can losslessly edit MP3, AAC, Apple Lossless and AIFF files, easily split long recordings into multiple files, archive audio for later listening, by removing unwanted audio such as commercials, fade audio in/out, create MP3 and AAC ringtones for any cell phone, and more. "There's no overhead in Fission, enabling users to tackle common editing tasks without spending hours, or even days, learning. And Fission's not just easy to understand, it's easy to afford. Aimed at the consumer market," the developer said. Fission costs $32 and is available for Mac OS X 10.4 or later as Universal Binary. A free trial version limits audio quality. [Download - 2.4MB]

1Passwd v1.5 updates password manager

Agile Web Solutions today released 1Passwd v1.5, an update to the password manager and automatic form-filler for Mac OS X. 1Passwd leverages the built-in Mac OS X Keychain and provides extensions for all popular Mac OS X browsers, alowing users to store and access their information directly from their favorite browsers and keep all their browser passwords synchronized. 1Passwd also offers automatic form filler technology and effective protection from keyloggers and phishing attacks. In addition to the completely redesigned user interface, the new version of 1Passwd simplifies the complex installation procedure to a single drag-n-drop operation and adds an automatic update feature. 1Passwd requires Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) and is available for $30. A fully functional trial version is limited to one autofill identity and twelve saved Web forms.

SoftCare debuts SoftCare K2

SoftCare GmbH today announced SoftCare K2, an editorial system that is designed for small publishing houses, agencies and companies. Expected to launch at IfraExpo 2006 in early October, the InDesign-based solution is completely integrated within Adobe InDesign and Adobe InCopy and features the same basic technical features as its the company's flagship SoftCare K4 solution. Classical workflow sequences are already preconfigured by SoftCare K2 solution; however, users also have the option to create custom and or modify workflows for specialized environments. In addition, it offers functions for administration of layouts and article templates, rights categories, users/group/category administration, versioning, intelligent database queries, and more. SoftCare K2 is configured for up to 25 users and allows growing business to easily upgrade to SoftCare K4--without much difficulty and at little expense, according to the developer. (Pricing and availability not available.)

Real, SanDisk challenge Apple, MS

RealNetworks is partnering with SanDisk to release a portable music player that more closely integrates with RealNetworks' Rhapsody online music service. The move follows announcements last week that integrated Rhapsody into Sonos digital media players and is seen as another attempt to take on Apple's industry-leading iPod and iTunes ecosystem as well as Microsoft's recently announced Zune player and music service, according to the Associated Press: "Microsoft has been providing the technology that allowed services such as Rhapsody to transfer songs to portable music players without compromising the digital rights of that content. But many say they think Microsoft's plans to release the Zune service and a player made by Toshiba could make the software giant a significant competitor." The companies play to release the Sansa Rhapsody, a portable music player based on SanDisk's e200, before the holidays, but declined to reveal pricing. The report says that the player will come preloaded with "hundreds of songs" as part of a free trial of RealNetworks' Rhapsody To Go subscription service.

Apple, Google mull video partnership

Apple is in talks with Google to offer access Google online video content from within Apple's next-generation living room media hub, according to a new report. After previewing iTV video media hub last week, the company is reportedly looking to integrate the online video video service into its software to allow users to easily browse the growing number of user-contributed Google videos and content, according to Newsweek: "Last week Jobs showed only a menu item that pulls in movie trailers, but when you open up your iTunes library, you can also listen to bits of new music recommended by the iTunes store. Is it possible that when iTV ships next year, you may also be able to choose a menu item called Google Video, and then zip through the best of the thousands of user-submitted videos on the search giant's service? Google's consumer product chief, Marissa Mayer, tells me that indeed, the two companies are engaged in talks." Apple's media hub, currently called iTV, is expected to early next year for $299. Last month, Google CEO Eric Schmidt was elected to Apple's Board.

Adobe launches Acrobat 8...

Adobe today introduced Acrobat 8, its professional software PDF workflow application that adds realtime collaboration options. Acrobat 8 offers a refined interface to allows user to easily access various features, including combining, signing and protecting PDF files, interacting with PDF forms, reviewing and collaborating on documents. In addition, Acrobat 8 and Adobe Reader 8 provide one-button access to Acrobat Connect software (formerly Macromedia Breeze), an easy-to-use, hosted software service for US users that provides immediate access to a personal meeting room for realtime Web conferencing. Along with Acrobat Connect, Acrobat 8 further extends the family beyond simple PDF creation and now enables users to choose the most appropriate means for engaging others, through electronic documents or in realtime over the Web. Acrobat 8 will ship in November 2006 in English, French, German, and Japanese versions. Acrobat 8 Professional will be priced at $450, while registered users of qualifying earlier versions of Acrobat can upgrade for $160. Acrobat 8 Standard will be $300 ($100 upgrade). Update: Acrobat 8 will be available as a Universal Binary application, according to the company.

Adobe debuts Creative Suite 2.3

Adobe today announced Creative Suite 2.3 Premium, the next version of its professional bundle of Adobe applications. Version 2.3 will include its Universal Acrobat 8 Professional software, the newly released version of its PDF workflow software. In addition to supporting industry-standard PDF/X-1a and PDF/X-3 files, Acrobat 8 Professional now outputs PDF/X-4 for native transparency support, as well as PDF/A for long-term archiving. Adobe Creative Suite 2.3 Premium also bundles Dreamweaver 8, the Web design and development tool acquired from Macromedia. Adobe expects to ship Creative Suite 2.3 plus Dreamweaver 8 (in English, French, German, and Japanese) in the fourth quarter 2006. Estimated street prices will be $1200 for the full version of Adobe Creative Suite 2.3 Premium, $160 for an upgrade from Adobe Creative Suite 2 Premium, and $550 for an upgrade from Creative Suite 1.x Premium and Standard. (The Universal version of Creative Suite is expected to ship early next year.)