Parallels Desktop Update RC2 posted

Parallels has released Update Release Candidate 2 (RC2) for Parallels Desktop for Mac, its virtualization solution that enables users to run Windows and other operating systems at the same time as Mac OS X on any Intel-powered Mac (without re-booting). The Update RC2, which is free for all Parallels Desktop users, improves support for the recently released quad-processor Mac Pro towers and Core 2 Duo iMacs by enabling users working with these machines to use Parallels Desktop with any RAM configuration, including Mac Pro towers equipped with up to 16GB of RAM, without modifying their systems. Previous versions required a free (bundled) utility that helped users configure Mac Pro towers and Core 2 Duo Macs with more than for 2GB of RAM. Upgrading will not require a re-install of any guest operating systems or any applications; however, users should also re-install Parallels Tools after upgrading to the Update Release Candidate 2, the company said. The final release of the Update is expected in the next few weeks. A 15-day trial of the $80 application is available online.

Ableton ships Live 6, Sampler...

Ableton today released Live 6, an update to its music creation, production and performance platform as well as released Sampler, its advanced sound-design instrument. Version 6 adds QuickTime video support, a professional multisample library, and customizable racks of instruments and effects. Live 6 also satisfies frequent user requests by delivering multicore support, enhanced project management tools, and improved MIDI control. Live also brings multicore and multiprocessor support, Deep Freeze editing functionality with frozen tracks, new Project Management Tools, and several new/improved devices such as EQ Eight (replacing EQ Four) with improvements turning it into both a sound-shaping and mastering tool and Dynamic Tube for subtle coloration or drastic sonic manipulation. Live 6 is available for $600/€550 or $500/€470 for an electronic version (without the Essential Instrument Collection). Upgrades from Live 5 are $120/€100 and $180/€150 for others ($100/€80 more for boxed version).

Forums: Apple rumors, Monitor options

Forums roundup: Members are discussing when the Mac Pro workstation will receive an update bringing technologies such as Quad-core processors..... Mobile users discuss the stagnant state of Apple's flagship MacBook Pro laptops which have not seen a major update since its introduction .... Another user looks for some insight into why his 24-inch iMac died for no apparent reason.... One member looks for advice on what external display to use with a MacBook, weighing high resolution against versatility.... Meanwhile, another user shares in their quest to find an easy way to keep their MacBook Pro cool while using it.

Dominions 3: The Awakening ships

Shrapnel Games today began shipping Dominions 3: The Awakening, the fantasy-based strategy game succeeding Dominions II: The Ascension Wars. The turn-based game challenges players to conquer opponents in a fantasy world spanning three ages and encompassing 50 playable nations. The basic, unmodded game includes more than 1,500 combat units, 600 spells, and 300 magic items. Dominions 3 supports single as well as multiplayer modes, allowing up to 25 live or artificial-intelligent players in a single game with simultaneous handling of turns. The game ships with a 299-page manual, as well as a revamped interface and streamlined mechanics. Dominions 3: The Awakening is available for $55, and requires Mac OS X 10.1 or later.

Apple releases Mac OS X Server 10.4.8 [u]

Apple's release of Mac OS X Server 10.4.8 (PowerPC version)brings a slew of improvements over the previous iteration of its Tiger operating system, including all the fixes described in the Client version as well as a few Server-only fixes: (1) avoiding AFP server deadlocks and thread starvation; (2) streaming movies to localized versions of the QuickTime Player; (3) preventing panics when operating with Xsan and other memory intensive kernel extensions; (4) vnode allocation on systems with at least 2GB of RAM; (5) handling TCP Selective Acknowledgments in congested networks; and (6) better compatibility with third party applications and devices. The update also security fixes from Apple's new Security Update 2006-006 for Panther (already included in Mac OS X 10.4.8). Users can update to Mac OS X Server 10.4.8 via the Mac OS X Software Update feature, or by downloading the update from Apple's website. [updated]

Aperture 1.5 adds 20 new features

Following its debut earlier this week, Apple today released Aperture 1.5, adding more than 20 new and enhanced features to the post-production software for professional photographers. Apple officially announced Aperture 1.5 at the Photokina event in Germany on September 25th, detailing the update as a major enhancement across each phase of the application's entire workflow. New Aperture features include improved file management, metadata handling, and image adjustment. The update also addresses numerous issues related to overall reliability, performance, and compatibility, according to Apple. The Aperture 1.5 update is available as a free download from Apple's website or via the Software Update feature in Mac OS X, and requires Mac OS X 10.4.8 or later. Aperture 1.5 licenses are priced at $300.

Security updates for Panther, Tiger...

Apple today issued Security Update 2006-006, improving security for Mac OS X 10.3.9 through Mac OS X 10.4.7. The update addresses issues for both Mac OS X Client and Mac OS X Server regarding CFNetwork, Cyrus SASL, the Flash Player plug-in, QuickDraw, and WebKit. Individual fixes apply to CFNetwork; Flash Player; ImageIO; the Mac OS X kernel; LoginWindow; Preferences; QuickDraw Manager; SASL; WebCore; and Workgroup Manager. Apple's newly released Mac OS X 10.4.8 already contains the security fixes in its 2006-006 update, and installs on Mac OS X 10.4 or later, as well as Mac OS X Server 10.4 or later systems. Users can update via the Mac OS X Software Update feature, or by downloading the update from Apple's website.

Apple releases Mac OS X 10.4.8 [u]...

Apple today released Mac OS X 10.4.8, an update to its Tiger operating system that brings many bug fixes as well as several security fixes, which are also available for Mac OS X 10.3 (Client, Server). Mac OS X 10.4.8, available for both PowerPC (Client/Server) as well as Intel-based Macs (Client/Server), improves support for printing, Finder, applications, networking as well as modem connectivity, third-party software, and other miscellaneous items including Rosetta and system security. Mac OS X Server 10.4.8 for PowerPC systems addresses Apple File Service, NetBoot/Netinstall, NFS, Password Server, networking, Windows File Service, and miscellaneous items. Mac OS X Server 10.4.8 Universal improves AFP Server, Filesystem NetBoot/Netinstall, networking, NFS, QuickTime Streaming Server, and Xsan support.

Zune pricing may worry MS partners...

Microsoft's recent announcement that it would price it's Zune portable media player at $250 to compete with Apple's video iPod will likely place increased competitive pressure on Microsoft's Windows Media partners, according to American Technology Research. The research firm believes Microsoft was caught off guard by Apple's aggressive video iPod pricing, and was forced to match the Cupertino-based company's pricing to remain competitive. "We believe Microsoft not pricing lower demonstrates Apple's under-appreciated supply chain strength where Microsoft will lose money," said American Technology Research senior analyst Shaw Wu. The analyst estimates Microsoft will take a loss of around $50 per Zune player vs. Apple's industry-leading iPod profitability.

Intel, Apple work on key technologies...

Intel is working with Apple on several key technologies and the companies are enjoying the fruits of their recent partnership, according to an Intel senior executive. In an interview with InformationWeek, the exec said that Intel's relationship is growing and that the companies are engaged in several on-going projects, causing some concern for Microsoft -- Intel's long-time partner. Responding to a question about the future of the Apple-Intel partnership, Pat Gelsinger, senior VP and general manager of the Digital Enterprise Group at Intel, said the companies are continuing to move forward on several fronts, including several "secretive" projects.

Free Module Maker for TeachMac...

Created Equal today announced the release of Module Maker, a companion application to its recently introduced tutorial software, TeachMac. Module Maker is a free application that allows users to compile video, graphics and text into modules playable in TeachMac and TeachIT (the upcoming windows version). A module is a series of text and video or graphic based lessons on a stated topic, such as "Intro to the Mac" or "Tiger for Teachers". Individual lessons can be recombined and saved as custom modules by the users. All modules work on Mac and Windows systems within their respective applications. TeachMac is a free, while modules range in price from free to $15; a $50 annual subscription grants access to all modules. Module Maker is available for download.

Pangea releases Pangea Arcade...

Pangea Software today released Pangea Arcade, its latest Mac-only collection of three games which include "Nucleus," "Warheads," and "Firefall." The games are based on classic arcade themes, but feature modern effects and visuals. Nucleus is a space-based game challenging players to build atoms by collecting electrons and attaching them to the interstellar nuclei. Accomplishing this task involves navigating around space debris, comet fields, and black holes. Warheads challenges players to protect nuclear reactors and power stations from incoming missile bombardments. Firefall is a more abstract arcade game allowing players to shoot through barriers and falling objects to take out advancing worms. All three games are viewable in stereo 3D using red-cyan anaglyph glasses, and are available for $20 as a bundle. Pangea Arcade requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later.

iTunes Library Manager v5.0 released

Doug's AppleScripts for iTunes has released iTunes Library Manager v5.0, an application that makes backup copies of the iTunes Music Library database file and iTunes Preferences, allowing users to easily save multiple iTunes Library and Preferences configurations that can be retrieved and loaded at any time. It can also maintain two or more libraries each with its own associated Preferences settings. Version 5 is now an AppleScript Studio application that can stay active as long as users need it available and is compatible with the recently released iTunes 7. In addition, the main window displays names and modification dates of backed up libraries and displays the name of the current library; users can also create new libraries, based on the current iTunes Preferences or from "scratch" using the iTunes Setup Assistant as wel easily delete backed up libraries and zoom to display a mini floating window that just displays the current library. The $10 shareware requires Mac OS X 10.3 and iTunes 4.9 or later. [corrected]

Wal-Mart, Apple in digital movie talks?...

A new report says that Wal-Mart may be looking to Apple to gain a piece of the digital movie industry profits, while at the same giving Apple access to movies titles from every major studio. Wal-Mart is reportedly negotiating with Apple to offer iTunes coupons/gift cards that would allow it to collect a small amount of revenue from iTunes video sales, according to Variety. The talks come following industry reports of threats by Wal-Mart to the major Hollywood studios--many of which were flatly denied by the world's largest retailer; however, Wal-Mart did say that it expects to be a major player in the evolution of the digital marketplace, and that studios mustn't undercut the price of DVDs in its stores, according to the report.

Tiger Cache Cleaner 3.2 beta released

Northern Softworks today released Tiger Cache Cleaner 3.2 Public Beta, its utility designed to provide easy access to numerous Mac OS X maintenance and utility options. Tiger Cache Cleaner helps simplify system maintenance with a point-and-click interface, and can improve system performance by tuning internet as well as file caching settings. The software can create RAM disks, eliminate duplicate or orphaned Login items, and clean as well as rebuild Spotlight metadata. Users can repair system as well as disk permissions, rebuild application library prebindings, execute Mac OS X maintenance scripts, rebuild the LaunchServices database, and more. Tiger Cache Cleaner 3.2 Public Beta requires Mac OS X 10.2.8 or later, and will expire on November 30th, 2006.

Synk 6 improves synchronization, backup

Decimus Software today released Synk 6, the latest iteration of its synchronization and backup software for Mac OS X designed to provide the benefits of Leopard's "Time Machine." Synk 6 features a new technology called ZeroScan designed to make incremental backups up to 100 times faster than previous versions of Synk, according to the company. The software doesn't require an entire dedicated volume to store backup information, and works with HFS+ as well as networked servers of numerous varieties -- such as Windows, Linux, and WebDAV (iDisk). Synk can automatically execute operations on a schedule, and provides extensive rule-based exclusion support to enhance configuration flexibility. Synk 6 consists of Synk Backup ($25), Synk Standard ($35), and Synk Professional ($45). All Synk 6 applications require Mac OS X 10.4 or later, while Synk 5 is still available for Mac OS X 10.3.9 users.

Sonic Reality adds 17 Style Paks...

Sonic Reality has begun shipping 17 new Style Paks based on different genres of music with 24-bit Rex2, Apple Loops, and Acidized Waves. The R.A.W. Style Paks offer drag-and-drop support with Stylus RMX and easy integration with all DAW and samlers such as Reason, Live, Apple Soundtrack, Garageband, Logic, Cubase, Project 5, and Kontakt. The company is also offering its R.A.W. Universal Groove Kit with more than 15,000 loops in Rex, Apple Loops, and Wave formats on four DVDs with thousands of groove elements not available in the R.A.W. Paks. A R.A.W. Gold Bundle includes the R.A.W. Universal Groove Kit and all 15 R.A.W. Style Paks, amounting to more than 43,000 loops on 19 DVDs. Sonic Reality R.A.W. Style Paks are $100 each, while the Universal Groove Kit is priced at $249. The Gold Bundle is available for $750.