Parallels updates Desktop for Mac...

Parallels today offered a final version of its Desktop for Mac update, bringing support for Intel-based Macs with any memory configuration. Previously, users were limited and required users to run a utility to obtain compatiblity with Mac with memory configurations larger than 2GB. The new update, available previously as a release candidate in final testing, offers compatibility with Apple's Mac Pros with up to 16GB of RAM, and the full line of Core 2 Duo iMacs as well as brings a new virtual disk cache policy option for optimizing either Mac OS X or the guest operating system . It also brings support for Windows Vista as a guest OS, support for the yet-to-be-released Mac OS X 10.5 “Leopard” as a primary OS, and better USB support, including support for isynchronous devices and Windows Mobile 5 devices.

Apps: launch2net, KidsServer, iBiz

• launch2net 1.4.9 (€75) brings support for the Novatel Merlin XU870 wireless ExpressCard modem to the software that establishes mobile internet connections automatically on-the-go. The newly supported ExpressCard allows mobile internet connections with up to 3.6Mbps in all HSPDA networks around the world, as well as 3G UMTS, EDGE and GPRS connections. [Download - 10.2MB]


• KidsServer 1.7.1 ($180 for 5-user 1-year license) updates the proxy server with advanced Web filtering capabilities, offering a real-time clients monitor to monitor what all clients are doing online. The update brings better RSS filtering, an improved filtering engine for Russian sites, and better KFS compatibility. [Download - 4.2MB]


• iBiz 3 beta ($50) is a new version of the time-billing and invoicing application for Mac OS X 10.4. The update improves reporting as well as invoicing, and adds iCal synchronization as well as AppleScript support. iBiz 3 beta also offers document monitoring, quick timers, and a new billing section. [Download - 15MB]


• Kenbushi 6.2 ($15 for standard, $25 for pro) is a fast file sharing, data backup, and remote media player application. Kenbushi 6.2 allows users to remotely control media playback using any PDA with Wi-Fi capability, and offers wireless PDA slideshows alongside a simple integrated Web server. The update also includes media bookmarks, a Skipmark system, and new playlist mute/shuffle/loop controls. [Download - 24.8MB]


• Booxter 1.9 ($20) helps users easily manage bookmark collections by gathering book information from various sources on the internet. The software allows users to edit, sort, categorize, export, and print books of interest. Version 1.9 offers German localization, adds label printing, and includes various bug fixes as well as interface enhancements. [Download - 3.6MB]


• Speed Download 4.1.4 ($25) updates the application designed to help users avoid unreliable file downloads while adding the ability to resume unfinished transfers. Speed Download 4.1.4 adds more "tweaks" for Mac OS X 10.4.8, addresses a preference interface glitch that would cause the text to overlap when resized, and fixes a cookie handling issue that would cause SD to quit for some users. [Download - [not yet updated]]

Apps: LANrev, Soulver, iCalamus

• LANrev 3.1.2 (inquiry required) brings significant performance enhancements to the client management software for heterogeneous networks. The software is designed to standardize life cycle management for networks of diverse clients and infrastructure. LANrev 3.1.2 also correctly identifies Mac Intel Core 2 Duo processors, as well as the new iMac computers introduced by Apple in September. [Download - [form]]


• Soulver 1.4 ($14) is the latest version of the calculator that provides a word processor style interface for doing math on a Mac, adding the ability to calculate numbers from English expressions. Soulver 1.4 also includes constants, functions, statistics, and "equal-less" calculations. [Download - 1.1MB]


• iCalamus 1.01 (€100) brings important bug fixes and new features to the publishing software for Mac OS X. iCalamus offers OpenType support, as well as enhanced image, PDF, and text handling. Version 1.01 also no longer swaps horizontal or vertical values, ensures gradient styles are no longer copied virtually, and resolves a tiny path bug in the N-Corner shape. [Download - 17.6MB]


• Stock Investment Guide 1.7.5 ($40) updates the tool for performing comprehensive fundamental analysis of publicly traded stocks, offering native support for Intel-based Macs as a Universal Binary. The application provides users with easy-to-use tools that retrieve historical stock data for a company, analyze historical growth trends, project earnings, and determine Buy, Hold, and Sell price zones. [Download - 4.5MB]


• HelpLogic 1.0 ($100) is a help authoring solution for cross-platform developers designed to easily create help systems for software and websites from a single source. The application features an integrated Workshop, Visual TOC (Table Of Contents) Builder, HTML Editor, and Link Manager to generate Web-based Help, Apple Help, Microsoft HTML Help, UniHelp, and PDF documents. [Download - 6.9MB]

Goldtouch keyboard for Mac ships...

Key Ovation today began shipping Goldtouch for Mac, its first Apple-compatible keyboard. The Goldtouch for Mac is an adjustable ergonomic keyboard allowing users to adjust the two alphanumeric sections both horizontally and vertically (from zero to 30 degrees) to suit individual body requirements. The keyboard features USB connectivity, a locking ball and socket latch mechanism, a small footprint, and an editing key layout for left-right work distribution. The Goldtouch for Mac also offers large spacebars for easy thumb use, full-sized tactile feedback keys with soft end-stop, and low noise key actuation. The keyboard provides a standard alphanumeric key layout (QWERTY) with an Apple control key, right and left Apple/option keys, a CD eject key, and mute as well as volume control. The Goldtouch for Mac requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later, and is priced at $140. [image]

QuickLicense manages software licenses...

Excel Software has announced its new QuickLicense system to manage the secure, flexible licensing of Windows and Macintosh software. QuickLicense is used to configure "hacker-proof" evaluation, lease or full licenses, then manage each license and customer data. The QuickLicense application can be used to configure a highly flexible licensing strategy with data stored in an encrypted ticket file. The data and runtime executable are protected from disassembly by data and logic firewalls, according to Excel. The royalty-free system can be applied to any consumer, business or shareware application developed in any programming language to implement trial editions, software leases, controlled feature editions or full licenses.

Glass Bead ships SnapMail 5.0

Glass Bead has released a major update to its secure office communication software: SnapMail 5.0 offers a new centralized administration interface, allowing authorized personnel to send lists, settings and standardized messages to groups of users. It also adds new message body display that greatly increasing ease of use and user efficiency as well as new buttons and menus to improve access to message handling functions, including: folders, status, and templates. The software also now allows users to single click on URLs to automatically open them in the default browser. Glass Bead's secure email and file transfer software, SnapMail 5.0, runs cross-platform on networked PC and Macintosh computers. It runs either with or without a server and can connect remote offices. The software sells for $32 per user with educational, non-profit and volume discounts available.

ViewSonic ships LCD with iPod dock

ViewSonic says it has begun shipping ViewDock, boasting the title of the world's first display made with iPods in mind. The company's display features an iPod dock built directly into the stand, capable of playing audio directly from any supported iPod through integrated stereo speakers and a subwoofer. Four USB 2.0 ports and an 8-in-1 card reader allow the ViewDock to function as a hub for input or storage devices, and the display features a new microphone for voice chat or audio input to play outside sources through the existing speakers. The premium VX2245wm is a 22-inch display with a 1680x1050 native resolution, while the 19-inch VX1945wm reduces the resolution to 1440x900 without sacrificing features, according to Electronista. ViewSonic is shipping both screens today at $300 for the 19-inch model and $450 for the 22-inch version.

Spatial ships Universal 3D components

Spatial today announced its entire portfolio of 3D software development components, which includes the 3D ACIS Modeler, 3D ACIS Extensions, and 3D InterOp Translators, now supports Apple's Intel-based Macs. Shipping today, Spatial is the first company to offer 3D software components to developers creating Universal versions of their 3D applications. "By extending our Mac OS X support to Universal applications, we ensure a clean migration path for Mac users that rely on applications developed by our partners, allowing them to take advantage of the high performance and optimum productivity of the latest Intel-based Macs," said Keith Mountain, CEO of Spatial. "The increase in performance is remarkable and we are excited to be leading the modeling industry in the support of this high- performance platform." Pricing varies depending on product success.

Line 6 ships GearBox Plugin bundles...

Line 6 is now shipping its new GearBox Plugin Silver and Gold bundles. Designed for the computer-based musician who records guitar, bass and vocals, GearBox Plug-in bundles deliver legendary Line 6 studio-standard tone from POD XT, and classic must-have vintage effects in a flexible software plug-in format. Both packages include Mac AU and PC VST plug-in support and a USB guitar interface for Line 6 ToneDirect monitoring while recording. GearBox offers the option to use Line 6’s exclusive ToneDirect monitoring while recording. GearBox Plug-in Silver and Gold bundles include an extensive collection of professionally programmed presets.

Finale NotePad 2007 goes "Universal"

MakeMusic today released Finale NotePad 2007, the latest version of its popular freeware application. Based on its commercial sibling Finale music notation software, NotePad now includes native support for both Intel- and PowerPC-based Macs as well as improved performance and redraw enhancements for all users. The cross-platform NotePad also brings full support for Finale 2007; it delivers powerful and timesaving features for music educators, students and hobbyists, including compatibility with Finale 2007 files. According to the company, the software is popular with educators, allowing them to create assignments in Finale and share these creations with their students via NotePad. Like Finale, NotePad includes more than 128 professional-grade sounds from the SmartMusic practice system – these sounds ensure that playback is consistent between users of NotePad and Finale.

Qualcomm Eudora goes open-source...

Qualcomm and the Mozilla Foundation today announced it will end commercial development of its Eudora email client and announced that future versions of Eudora will be based upon the same technology platform as the open-source Mozilla Thunderbird email program. Future versions of Eudora will be free and open source, while retaining Eudora's "uniquely rich feature set and productivity enhancements," the company said. The open-source version of Eudora is expected to be released in the first half of calendar year 2007 and once released, the company will cease to sell Eudora commercially. In the interim, Qualcomm said it will continue commercial sales at a reduced price of $20 (including a six-month period of technical support); however, existing technical support commitments will be honored in their entirety. Eudora 6.2.4 for Mac OS X features a new Mail.app import to easily import mail from Apple's bundled email client and features updated spamWatch definitions

Symantec ships Norton Confidential...

Symantec today released Norton Confidential for Mac, an online transaction security solution designed to protect users when banking or shopping online from "phishing" attacks. "Norton Confidential for Macintosh protects users against fraudulent websites that may be 'phishing' to steal users' identities when they're logging in, making a purchase, registering for a service, or otherwise sharing confidential data online. Looking for known threats and suspicious behavior, Norton Confidential for Macintosh inspects websites before users interact with them and automatically blocks private information from attack." The software features built-in vulnerability protection to prevent identity thieves from exploiting newly discovered application and operating system vulnerabilities, allowing users to lock down personally important files on their Mac to prevent deletion or tampering. Norton Confidential for Mac is available for $35, and includes a one-year subscription to Symantec's protection updates via LiveUpdate.

Onset unveils HOBO Pro v2 data loggers...

Onset Computer has announced the HOBO Pro v2 Series of four Mac-compatible weatherproof data loggers designed for use in a broad range of outdoor temperature and humidity monitoring applications. Slightly larger than a pocket-sized flashlight, the HOBO Pro v2 loggers address the need among professional researchers for a portable data logger capable of withstanding harsh outdoor and condensing environments such as field site evaluations, ecology studies, and microclimate monitoring. Key features of the HOBO Pro v2 include a robust and replaceable RH sensor that provides superior recovery from condensing conditions, as well as fast data offload via a high-speed optic-USB interface. HOBO Pro v2 Series loggers are available from Onset for $129. The optic-USB base station, HOBO Waterproof Shuttle, protective boots, and HOBOware software are available separately. [image]

Seagate ups Maxtor storage capacities...

Seagate today announced that it will ship higher capacity models of its Maxtor Shared Storage II and Maxtor OneTouch III storage systems. Seagate's Maxtor OneTouch III Turbo Edition is available with up to 1.5TB of storage, while its Maxtor OneTouch III single-drive desktop model is available with a maximum capacity of 750GB. The Maxtor OneTouch III Mini Edition offers 160GB of storage for users on-the-go, and the company now offers its Maxtor Shared Storage II as a single-drive solution with 320GB or 500GB of space to centralize as well as share content on a home or small business network. Both the Maxtor OneTouch III and Maxtor Shared Storage II families include sophisticated, easy-to-use software that makes protecting valuable files easier via automatic backup directly from PCs and Macs. The Maxtor OneTouch III external storage family ranges from $150 (160GB) to $500 (750GB). The Maxtor OneTouch III Mini Edition portable storage solution is priced from $120 (60GB) to $200 (160GB). The Maxtor OneTouch III Turbo Edition storage solution is available from $550 (1TB) to $800 (1.5TB).

FileMaker offers Workgroup Bundle promo

FileMaker today released the FileMaker Workgroup Bundle, a limited-time promotion designed to ease the process of small teams ramping up productivity while reaping the benefits of traditional volume licensing programs at discounted rates. The FileMaker Workgroup Bundle consists of 10 licenses of FileMaker Pro 8.5 and one license of FileMaker Server 8 for $3,000 (for new users) -- nearly 50 percent less than the company's current standard pricing. Upgraders receive further discounts on the bundle at $1,900. "FileMaker Pro 8.5 is deployed by organizations of all sizes, so we felt it was important to give smaller teams the volume licensing benefits larger customers enjoy," said Ryan Rosenberg, vice president of marketing and services for FileMaker. "Even the smallest teams can immediately benefit from this bundle. And because FileMaker Server 8 is included for free, customers can share databases with high performance server software for significantly increased performance versus peer to peer sharing."

MC to showcase Workgroups 2006

MetaCommunications announced that it will showcase its new Workgroups 2006 software suite at this year's Graph Expo show (booth #5131) from October 15-18th in Chicago. Workgroups 2006 is the first all-in-one process and productivity management suite designed for creative, publishing, and prepress professionals, according to the company. The latest iteration includes Job manager 4.0Virtual Ticket 7.0, Digital Storage Manager 2.0, and Approval Manager 1.0. Designed for ease of use, Workgroups 2006 offers full integration with industry standard page layout and graphic tools to facilitate collaboration, automate processes, centralize information, manage workflows, track files, and measure key financial as well as productivity metrics. Workgroups 2006 is a scalable server-based solution capable of accommodating groups from a few users to thousands across multiple locations. The software is simple to deploy, with client access from both Mac OS X and Windows systems. The suite is available with multi-user bundles starting from $5,000.

Briefly: Copenhagen store; EU Nike+iPod

In brief: One MacNN reader has posted photos of Apple's largest retail store in Scandinavia opening in Copenhagen; the first 50 people were already in line at 10:00 p.m. the night before the opening.... A new report from an Italian publication suggests that Apple and Nike are set to debut Nike+iPod in Europe on October 17th.... Y-E Data has unveiled a new wireless hub (site not updated) featuring Wisair's UWB technology, designed to replace any wireline USB connection with a wireless one.... Ergonis Software and Take Control Books today announced that Mac users purchasing a copy of PopChar X 3.0 will receive a 30 percent discount on Sharon Zardetto Aker's "Take Control of Fonts in Mac OS X" and "Take Control of Font Problems in Mac OS X".... The Portland FilmMakers User Group has announced that Apple will host a presentation at their next meeting, with an expert speaking on the topic and demonstrating the product.... The Iconfactory has announced its 2006 haunted Halloween makeover, and has released a new icon set titled "The Bride of Macabre."

Logitech debuts surround sound system...

Logitech today debuted its X-540 speaker system, a surround-sound system designed for gamers. The X-540 system features matrix surround-sound technology, and accommodates flat panel monitor users by providing an integrated center-channel clip to secure the center speaker to the top of an LCD screen to save desk space. The speaker system includes a center channel with acoustically matched front and rear satellites to produce balanced surround sound, utilizing Logitech's Frequency Directed Dual Driver technology to help produce richer sounds with two drivers in each satellite speaker. The new technology also overcomes high-frequency overlap that leads to uneven sound, according to the company. Logitech's X-540 speaker system is expected to ship in November for $100 in the U.S. and Europe. [image]

Apple stock probe conflicts?...

A new report calls into question Apple's own audit of stock option irregularities, saying two members may have been invovled themselves with awarding problematic grants. Apple's special board committee who investigated the stock option irregularities included one board member who had been involved with awarding Apple options to executives and another whose former company is scrutinizing option grants made while he was its chief executive. Raising questions about conflicts of interest, The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple Board member Jerome York, responsible for awarding some of the option grant under review, recused himself from the three-member special committee's examination of awards granted during the period he considered himself directly involved in compensation matters. Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who joined Apple's Board in late August and declined options offered by the company, worked at Novell between 1997 and 2001, part of a period that is the subject of an internal probe of possible options backdating issues. The third member of the special committee was former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, who became an Apple director after the Apple options under question were granted, according to the report.

Belkin debuts TuneStage II for iPod...

Belkin today announced the Belkin TuneStage II for iPod, a new iPod accessory system that turns an iPod into the ultimate remote control and allows users toplay the music from an iPod through a home stereo wirelessly via Bluetooth technology. Users can navigate playlists, search for artists or individual songs, and adjust the volume using the iPod click-wheel--from over 30 feet away. Offering a wireless Bluetooth transmitter (connected to the iPod) and a receiver unit wired to the home stereo system, TuneStage II offers reliable, high-quality sound without the clutter of cables. The TuneStage II Transmitter, which uses Bluetooth v2.0 with EDR and draws minimal power from the iPod, also lets users wirelessly connect an iPod to stereo headphones or car stereos equipped with stereo Bluetooth technology. The company said a typical fifth-generation iPod can be used with the transmitter for up to 7 hours of playback. In addition, the receiver can link an MP3 phone enabled with Bluetooth technology, or computer to a home stereo. TuneStage II will be ship in late November for $150, with launches in Asia, Europe, and Australia to follow.

Gene Codes releases Sequencher 4.7

Gene Codes has announced a new version of Sequencher, its DNA sequence assembly and analysis program. Version 4.7 further refines its DNA sequence analysis capabilities: the Variance Table, introduced in 4.6, has been enhanced to allow editing of the data with table cells, with those changes automatically updated to the samples sequence and chromatograms. It also features improved Reference Sequence numbering and improved Sequence Editing functions; other improvements include enhanced GenBank feature handling, fully updated HTML help, the ability to save projects as Templates to speed repetitive analysis, and expanded file import/export capabilities. The company also said that the update represents a significant update to the forensic capabilities of Sequencher for Forensic Scientists working with mtDNA samples for victim ID and forensic casework. The application, not yet available as a Universal Binary, is compatible with Rosetta emulation environment and requires Mac OS 10.2.8. A demo offers all the functions except for printing and saving.

Cineon/DPX PRO QT Components v2.0

Glue Tools today announced version 2.0 of its Cineon/DPX PRO QuickTime Components for Mac OS X. This new release includes Timecode, Spotlight and User Customizable Header support. These new Cineon and DPX PRO QuickTime components, currently available for QuickTime 7.1, have now been re-written to include support for reading and writing of timecode data in the DPX header. This release also includes a new Spotlight Plugin for systems with Mac OS X 10.4. Users can now index and search all of their film frames, allowing FCP editors to search for frames with certain keycodes. In addition, users can now input project information and image descriptions into the Cineon or DPX headers for later use. The company said that reel information can be set during import from the DPX or Cineon preferences and that applications no longer see each Cineon or DPX frame as a separate clip, but rather as a complete movie. In addition, the video editing applications can now export new timecode data back into their DPX files. Cineon DPX QuickTime Components are available for $90.