Apple, SecureWorks join forces

Apple and security firm SecureWorks have confirmed that they are working together, despite a recent exploit demonstration performed on a MacBook at a Black Hat conference. "SecureWorks and Apple are working together in conjunction with the CERT Coordination Center on any reported security issues," SecureWorks said. "We will not make any additional public statements regarding work underway until both companies agree, along with CERT/CC, that it is appropriate." SecureWorks researchers David Maynor and "Johnny Cache" turned heads last month after demonstrating the wireless security flaw on a MacBook, according to Macworld, but later revealed that the MacBook was compromised via a third-party wireless driver -- not Apple's own Mac OS X driver that ships with the operating system. One of the security experts said that the pair decided to demonstrate the exploit on a Mac due to a "Mac user base aura of smugness on security," but noted that they were not picking on Macs.

Buffalo unveils DriveStation Duo...

Buffalo Technology today announced its DriveStation Duo USB 2.0/FireWire external hard drive. The drive offers storage capacities of 500GB, 800GB, 1TB, and 1.5TB with RAID-1 with Mirroring capability. The DriveStation Duo includes two 7200rpm SATA drives and Buffalo's SecureLockWare technology to encrypt data to guard against unauthorized access. The device includes Auto Setup technology and comes pre-formatted, allowing users to instantly install without driver software or the need to spend time preparing the drives for usage. The DriveStation Duo also features an Auto on/off feature that powers the product on or off with the connected computer. The DriveStation Duo will ship in October with a one-year warranty and 24-hour technical support for $250 (500GB), $450 (800GB), $500 (1TB), or $1,000 (1.5TB). [image]

Ancient Tripeaks II released

Toybox Games and Macgamestore.com today released Ancient Tripeaks II, taking players back to the days of mystical gods and the greatest heroes of ancient Greece. The sequel to the original Ancient Tripeaks features 25 new unique levels, combo-based gameplay, unlockable cards, and an in-depth tutorial. The game also offers online high scoring, as well as full and windows modes. "Get lost in the mythical land of Greece as you challenge yourself to unlock and construct the greatest heroes of its past." Ancient Tripeaks II is available from Macgamestore.com for $20.

CodeWeavers updates CrossOver Beta

CodeWeavers today released new public beta versions of its CrossOver software for both Mac and Linux systems. CrossOver Mac allows users to run Windows applications on Intel-based Macs as though they were native, and without the need to purchase a copy of Windows. The Mac update includes fixes to Internet Explorer, Outlook 2003, and numerous cases where programs would crash when launched. Other Mac-specific changes include dramatic performance improvements to startup time, bottle creation, and a few install processes. Additional CrossOver Mac Beta bug fixes relate to switching to full-screen mode, case-sensitive file systems, CPU detection, and more. CrossOver Mac Beta is available for free as part of a public test, but will be priced at $60 once the application is officially released. The company is accepting pre-orders for $40.

Briefly: Greenpeace; Migli TVMini HD

In brief: Greenpeace has launched a parody page designed to look like Apple's own website, complete with a spoof of the Cupertino-based company's "Get a Mac" ad and requests for "a greener Apple".... Miglia Technology today lowered the price of its TVMini HD -- a device allowing users to watch, pause, record, and rewind HDTV on a Mac -- to $200.... MacPractice and ComChart Medical Software today announced that they are collaborating to integrate MacPractice MD practice management application for physicians with ComChart EMR for doctors and clinics.... Spracht has announced its Aura Mobile BT, a device that adds a full-duplex speakerphone compatible with VoIP programs such as Skype and Yahoo! Messenger that works with nearly any mobile phone.... Toshiba today said it will unveil an early example of its new SD-L902A laptop drive at the CEATEC conference in Japan, the first HD DVD drive capable of writing to HD DVD media.

M-Audio debuts Conectiv DJ hardware...

M-Audio today unveiled Conectiv, the first device in its new family of Synchroscience DJ hardware. Conectiv is usable as a self-contained digital system, a multi-effects processor, or a slave from control CDs/vinyl. The device features a 4 x 4 USB 1.1 audio interface with 16-bit/48KHz fidelity, 4 RCA inputs configurable for line-level or phono signals, and 4 RCA outputs with a +10dBV peak output level. Two mix knobs allow users to blend audio inputs and USB output, and every Synchroscience device will ship with Torq -- the company's DJ software. Connectiv is due to ship in in October for $350 with control CD/Vinyl or $300 without. [image]

Acer may join notebook battery recall

Computer maker Acer is reportedly in talks with Sony about possibly joining its laptop battery recall, according to IDG News. Acer has yet to receive reports from its users about overheating batteries, however. "Previously, we believed there were no problems with our batteries, but now we're in discussions with Sony, just to make sure," said Acer representative Stella Chou in Taipei. Sony launched the massive recall following a slew of reports of overheating batteries -- some of which even burst into open flame. In mid-August Dell recalled 4.1 million laptop batteries followed by Apple, which recalled 1.8 million of its own notebook batteries. Fujitsu and Toshiba also joined the recall late last month, increasing the total number of recalled Sony batteries to more than 7 million.

DeCSS author recreates FairPlay DRM

The author of DeCSS -- which circumvents Macrovision protection on movie DVDs -- has successfully recreated Apple's FairPlay DRM (Digital Rights Management), and has spoken with Apple CEO Steve Jobs about potential plans to offer legal licenses to other online music stores. Jon Lech Johansen -- also known as "DVD Jon" -- is infamous for his ability to break copy protection, and has successfully reverse engineered FairPlay, according to Electronista. While Jobs was not informed of Johansen's specific plans and may respond differently in the future, the executive purportedly warned Johansen that while Apple was not a litigious company, other companies might not share the same opinion.

CBS to test drive "Genius Bar" series

CBS has agreed to shoot a pilot called "Genius Bar" based on an idea by a marketing expert who was involved with the launch of Apple's iMac, as well as its iPod portable media player. Pitched by two former producers of "That 70's Show," the pilot explores the interactions between people who work at an Apple Store "Genius Bar" type establishment and the employees of a nearby Ambercrombie & Fitch-type store, according to Reuters. The idea caught the attention of ABC, CBS, and NBC before landing at CBS. Writers Josh Sternin and Jeff Ventimilia will write the script and produce the show with the idea's originator, consumer marketing expert Krishnan Menon. Menon worked for top marketing agencies such as DDB and Digitas West, where he contributed to such high-profile projects as the launch of Apple's iMac and iPod, according to the report.

Apps: Watcher'84, EasyWMA, CleanApp

• Watcher'84 2.0 ($15) monitors favorite websites, inform users of any occurring update. The update features a completely rewritten smart detection engine, as well as an improved user interface. Watcher'84 2.0 also includes stability improvements and CoreData-based file storage. [Download - 817KB]


• EasyWMA 2.6 ($10) converts WMA, ASF, and WMV audio files to AIFF, MP3, m4a, or WAV formats for use with Apple's iTunes software. The application features a simple interface, complete drag-and-drop support, and batch processing capability. Version 2.6 also adds support for AIFF output format and WMA/ASF decoding improvements. [Download - 2.9MB]


• CleanApp 1.5 ($10) updates the tool for removing or archiving applications as well as dependent files, such as preferences or cache files. CleanApp 1.5 features a revamped user interface, as well as the ability to delete or archive applications directly from the Finder with a built-in Automator script. [Download - 823KB]


• RSS Replay 1.1.3 ($30) is a a maintenance update to the Dreamweaver extension for placing content from RSS feeds into Web page layouts. RSS Replay supports Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Firefox, Safari, and other Web browsers as well as RSS 2.0. The latest iteration improves content request methods, and refines remote request encoding. [Download - 248KB]


• WeatherPop 2.5 ($8) adds a built-in "Pop Doppler" radar for any location in the U.S. to the menu bar-based weather monitoring software. Pop Doppler offers one-click Doppler radar specified by longitude and latitude coordinates. WeatherPop 2.5 also includes various source data accuracy improvements, and enhanced German localization. [Download - 3.4MB]

Powerbacks released as free download

The man who created Powerbacks, one of the original four template collections for Microsoft PowerPoint, has made it available for free as a public download after a decade of success. Gary Blue conceived Powerbacks while sitting dismayed backstage during a corporate show in the spring of 1996, looking at the selection of templates that had shipped in Microsoft Office 95 which were being used in almost every presentation. Powerbacks comes in 18 categories that include Business, Creative, Education, Finance, Holidays, Humor, Inspirational, Religion, Social, Sports, Science, Technology, Abstracts, Edges, Frames, Gradients, and Perspectives & Textures. Each Download contains 30 presentation templates, and all works are featured in both .pot and .jpg formats for universal compatibility. Powerbacks works with Microsoft PowerPoint 2000-2007 for both Mac OS and Microsoft Windows.

Fortify updates code analysis utility

Fortify Software today released Fortify Source Code Analysis Suite 4.0, its integrated set of tools designed to find, track, and fix security vulnerabilities in software applications. The update includes additional management controls, increased customization capabilities, and expanded reporting functionality. Fortify Source Code Analysis Suite 4.0 provides software security auditors with enhanced rule writing capability, as well as increased clarity into the analysis process, according to Fortify Software. The latest revision brings expanded language support, integration with Findbugs -- a popular open-source defect detection tool -- and a new "touchless build" feature that eases integrations with build as well as development environments (pricing and system requirements were unavailable).

Briefly: Manchester photos; DIY sleeve

In brief: One MacNN reader has posted numerous grand opening photos of the Manchester Apple Store in the UK.... Another MacNN reader has created a do-it-yourself (DIY) tutorial on how he made a functional, stylish laptop sleeve for his 12-inch PowerBook (PB) from a pair of corduroy pants.... Free iTunes Downloads announced that it is blogging all free MP3 and video downloads available from Apple's iTunes Music Store as they become available.... Sillysoft Games has announced "Luxtoberfest," a month-long party beginning with a series of tournament matches followed by "full of map" nights and ending with final award ceremonies.... Eric Tremblay of MacDev.ca and J. Scott Anderson have announced an Austin, Texas Laptop session of the "Introduction to Mac OS X Programming: Cocoa Workshop" featuring Xcode.... Bert Altenburg, Alex Clarke and Philippe Mougin have announced that their free book "Become An Xcoder" for newcomers to Cocoa programming is available in Chinese as well as Arabic.

4-Sight FAX v7 for Intel-based Macs...

Soft Solutions has released 4-Sight FAX v7, a significant update to its signature fax server solution. Version 7 now runs natively on both Intel- and PowerPC-based Macs, including the Xserve platform as well as provides support for all Macintosh internal modems, including all Apple internal modems, the lower-cost Apple USB modem and the MultiTech 5634ZBA-DID Router/Modem. It also provides direct client access to the Server address book: authorized client users now have the ability to add, edit, and delete address book entries located on the server. The software also improves import speed for the client address book, allowing users to import 10,000-plus entries in seconds (previously took "minutes"), while individual fax client users also gain the ability to customize their own fax printing options.

Frozax ships Around the World

Frozax Games has released Around the World for Mac, a casual puzzle game with original game mechanics. "Prepare yourself for a hazardous yet fun trip in famous cities from all continents and discover many wonders by completing the levels right on time. Move and slide seven kinds of colored blocks layed out in different configurations to make matches and combos. Use the different potent power-ups with care. Some will help you, such as the explosion or the multicolor block, but other may slow you down in your trip. Be sure to complete each level before the time runs out. Become famous by sending your best score on the internet." It features 100 levels, 20 board layouts, many powerful power-ups, 18 awards, and three game modes as well as player profiles and automatic saved games. It is available for $20.

Citigroup cuts AAPL rating to "hold"

Citigroup today cut its rating on Apple stock to "hold" from its previous "buy" rating, saying that the company's growing stock price is making it less attractive. Citing valuation concerns, the firm told clients "it sees little potential for revenue upside versus consensus in the third or fourth quarter of the year. It said gross margin upside should yield 4 cents to 6 cents of earnings-per-share upside in both quarters but that this is largely priced into the shares," according to MarketWatch. In addition, Citigroup said "recent checks" suggest that Apple is unlikely to introduce a new video iPod with a larger screen and "virtual click wheel" before the peak holiday season, as the broker had hoped, according to the report.

Gaming C4 Engine goes "Universal"

Terathon Sotware has released a Universal Binary of the C4 Engine, an advanced 3D game engine for the Windows and Mac OS X. The C4 Engine contains a comprehensive suite of robustly implemented game programming tools as well as integrated support for sound, music, networking, input devices, and resource management. The update brings support for Intel-based Macs (though it is listed as "untested") and updates the Display Manager code for Mac OS X to use newer operating system APIs to allow more display modes to be accessible, according to the developer. This version is also no longer a dependent on DrawSprocket. A - A fully functional online Deathmatch demo game is also available. It is available for $200 and includes the complete source code for the C4 Engine, demo and sample game modules as well as the source code for the all of the tools, including the World Editor. The license also includes one full year of free updates.

Red Rock debuts iScatch DJ software

Red Rock Software today announced iScratch, an application that allows anyone to create virtual digital scratches: "Scratching is the DJ, or turntablist, technique of creating a variety of sounds by moving a vinyl record back and forth under a turntable’s phonographic needle. The sound has become one of the most recognizable features of hip hop music. Rather than having to create the scratches with turntables, audio mixer and vinyl records, the new iScratch software allows turntablists, both pro and amateur, to create their unique sounds digitally." iScratch provides tools to create all the basic scratches, including push, pull, baby, release, chirp, tear and hold. The new software also includes a click tool for simulating mixer control. iScratch compositions can be easily included in custom mixes, converted to MP3 and then moved to an iPod or CD. The software requires Mac OS X 10.4 and is available for $70.