McAfee offers protection for iPod worm...

McAfee today announced it has released a new version of McAfee Stinger, which targets two Windows-based threats that are still being identified on video iPod and MP3 devices. McAfee Stinger is a free standalone utility tool that can detect and remove specific viruses, including the W32/RJump.worm, also named RJump.worm and the W32/QQPass.worm, also named QQPass.worm. Protection for both threats has been available in McAfee products since September 25, 2006 and August 15, 2006, respectively, but Avert Labs has made the tool available for consumers who may not already have adequate anti-virus protection. The W32/RJump.worm, which was discovered June 20, 2006, recently reappeared on video iPod devices released by Apple late September, as noted earlier today.

Finale PrintMusic 2007 goes Universal...

MakeMusic has released Finale PrintMusic 2007, which includes native Universal Binary support for both Intel- and PowerPC-based Macs (as well as Windows computers). PrintMusic is designed as an affordable solution for songwriters, students, teachers, church musicians and band leaders as well as for anyone who wants to easily create, hear and print publisher-quality music. PrintMusic users can enter notes with the mouse, computer keyboard, and/or a MIDI keyboard as well as by playing a brass or woodwind instrument using the exclusive MicNotator feature. PrintMusic offers the same high-quality music scanning capabilities as Finale 2007 and can import and export MIDI and MusicXML files. Orchestrations can be created with up to 24 staves, and these staves can transpose to any key and for any instrument, according to the company. The full version is $100, while upgrades are $30.

Lilt 1.0 uses Mac motion, light sensors

Jonathan Nathan has released Lilt 1.0pre, a unique tool for Mac OS X and Macs with a light and/or sudden motion sensors. Available now as a limited-time pre-release, Lilt utilizes the ambient light and sudden motion sensors found on recent Mac portable computers; it can automatically trigger actions such as launching applications, files, or scripts. "By launching a script Lilt can do some amazing things. Wave your hand over the light sensors (located under the speaker grills) and play your next iTunes track. Tilt the computer back and hear the time spoken to you. The possibilities are endless," the company wrote. This pre-release will expire on October 31, 2006. Lilt will be released at the end of the month as a fully-functional shareware ($5). It requires Mac OS X 10.4.

Lenovo, Apple lead reliability report

Lenovo and Apple are the most reliable computer makers, according to a new research report. Rescue.com's latest findings rank IBM/Lenovo with a score of 243, followed closely by Apple at 201. The distant third place fell to HP/Compaq with 12 points. Dell, Gateway, and "others" scored 4, -12, and -16 points, respectively. Scores are based on the number of troubleshooting calls received for each make of computer, and results stem from a database of approximately 20,000 calls, according to Macworld UK. "Whether it's due to hardware quality or vendor customer support, clearly IBM/Lenovo and Apple are well ahead of their rivals when it comes to reliability," said David Milman, CEO of Rescue.com. "We're pleased to be able to offer this insight to help computer users make informed choices when deciding which computer they should buy."

Windows worm found in video iPods...

Apple is warning Microsoft Windows users that a small number of its latest video iPods shipped with a worm. Apple has updated its technical support site with a warning to Windows users: "We recently discovered that a small number - less than 1 per cent - of the video iPods available for purchase after September 12 left our contract manufacturer carrying the Windows RavMonE.exe virus." According to Macworld UK, Apple has only received 25 reports concerning the problem so far; the worm does not affect data on infected Windows systems. "The iPod nano, iPod shuffle and Mac OS X are not affected, and all video iPods now shipping are virus free," said Greg Joswiak, vice president at Apple. The Cupertino-based company has a number of Windows systems on its production line for quality control, and one of these "final test" stations was discovered as the source of the propagating worm.

MaxBulk Mailer revamps list handling...

Maxprog today released MaxBulk Mailer 5.0, an update to the email-merge solution with support for multiple email formats and attachments. The latest revision revamps list handling and greatly improves message delivery, according to Maxprog, adding numerous user-requested features. MaxBulk Mailer provides document as well as contact management, and support for multiple lists as well as multiple accounts. Further MaxBulk Mailer features include POP and APOP/ESMTP authentication, SSL, groups, MySQL as well as PostgreSQL imports, Unicode UTF-8 support, and encoding for numerous languages. The software is available for $60 in English, German, French, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, and Russian for Mac OS X as well as Microsoft Windows.

Briefly: Apple.com 14th most visited

In brief: Newer Technology today reduced pricing on its entire line of NewerTech miniStack V2 FireWire and USB 2.0 external storage/port expansion hub.... HandStands is offering a $3 coupon for use at its online store to any user who provides suggestions on packaging as well as color options for "The Core," its new cord management system for iPod owners.... MacProVideo.com is running a "Green Sale" until October 31st, offering all download tutorial video programs for 25 percent off the list price.... Big Nerd Ranch is hosting its Ruby on Rails Bootcamp ($3,500) from February 12-16th, 2007 in a retreat setting outside Atlanta, GA to provide a five day exhaustive examination of the key aspects of Ruby development on the Rails framework.... ComScore Media Metrix today released its monthly analysis of U.S. consumer activity at top online properties and categories for September, marking Apple as the no. 14 destination.... Intel has already shipped 5 million of its new dual-core CPUs in the first two months of sales amid strong laptop demand.

Group Logic ships MassTransit Dashboard

Group Logic has shipped MassTransit Dashboard, an add-on to its MassTransit Enterprise solution designed for secure and fast file transfers. MassTransit Dashboard is a web-portal which provides users and administrators with a sophisticated and easy to use tool set for monitoring and managing an enterprise network of MassTransit servers. The MassTransit Dashboard provides MassTransit users with a centralized web portal for real-time monitoring of their file transfer servers, reporting on server availability, transfer status and providing detailed job tracking information. "With these capabilities, supply chain users can more effectively manage file transfer workflows across the enterprise to achieve their critical business objectives," the company said. "The new capability also ensures that administrators are well-positioned to properly support mission critical file transfers and deliver the high level of reliability and service quality needed by their users." It is available as a purchase as an add-on for MassTransit (pricing not available).

Stone offers free Videation Nation 1.0...

Stone Design has released Videation Nation 1.0, a new screen saver that turns a Mac into a "psychedelic morphing movie machine." Created to run natively on boht Intel- and PowerPC-based Macs, Videation Nation takes full advantage of Apple’s newest computers and either the built-in iSight cameras or any other attached digital camera. “Videation Nation is free and fun, and demonstrates the amazing power and flexibility of our realtime video effects program Videator. You don’t need Videator to enjoy Videation Nation, but you can infinitely expand what this new screen saver can do if you do have Videator.”

FastTrack Schedule 9.1 released...

AEC Software today released FastTrack Schedule 9.1, the latest update to the company's flagship project management software for both Mac and Windows systems. The latest revision runs natively on Intel-based Macs as a Universal Binary, adding support for integration with Mindjet MindManager -- an application designed to provide a highly interactive, visual interface to improve team thinking, planning, and collaboration. FastTrack Schedule 9.1 can import data from Mindjet MindManager files with a few clicks, transforming visual project "maps" into editable FastTrack schedules, according to AEC. The update is free for FastTrack Schedule 9 users, and is priced at $350 for new users. Upgrades from FastTrack Schedule versions prior to 9 are available for $150.

Sony recalls 90,000 Vaio batteries

Sony today issued a recall on 90,000 Vaio laptop batteries in Japan and China, following similar recalls of the faulty cells by Apple, Dell, Toshiba, Fujitsu, and Lenovo. The batteries are known to pose a slight risk of overheating and, in some cases, actually burst into flame. Some airlines even banned the usage of Apple and Dell notebook batteries during flights, fearing the results of a fire inside a commercial airliner full of passengers. Sony is considering making modifications to its full-year earnings forecast due to the recalls, as well as a price cut for its PlayStation 3 game console, according to Reuters. Dell first recalled 4.1 million laptop batteries in mid-August, followed by Apple's recall of 1.8 million notebook batteries later that month. Lenovo recalled 526,000 laptop batteries in late September, followed closely by Fujitsu and Toshiba.

LaCie brings LightScribe support to Mac

LaCie today unveiled a complete LightScribe solution that works with Mac OS X and includes free labeling software for Mac OS X. The Mac software supports printing to multiple drives, allowing users to daisy-chain up to 999 units together to create a duplicator-like effect and print hundreds of discs. LightScribe technology enables users to burn silk screen-quality labels on to LightScribe-enabled CDs or DVDs inside the drive, without requiring printing supplies. "We're the first company to offer an all-in-one data writing and LightScribe labeling solution for all operating systems. LaCie was first to ship a LightScribe-enabled CD/DVD drive for the Mac, and now our user-friendly LightScribe labeling software is available for free to Mac and Linux users with LightScribe-enabled drives." LaCie LightScribe-enabled CD/DVD burners and media are available via the company's website, and the software requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later.

Vara ships Wirecast 3 with HDV support...

Vara Software today began shipping Wirecast 3, a TV Studio for a Mac or Windows system designed to work seamlessly with HDV cameras. "If you sport a new widescreen HDV camera and want to webcast with it, Wirecast is the only solution available to you on any platform," said Simon Clarke, President of Technology at Vara. "The quality an HDV camera delivers to Wirecast at 720p or 1080i is simply amazing. Wirecast passes that high definition quality directly to your chosen encoding format, resulting in crisper, cleaner webcasts." The software features "Desktop Presenter," a small application for Mac or Windows systems that streams the computer's desktop to Wirecast, which incorporates that desktop in the final broadcast.Wirecast 3 is available for $450, though using an HDV Camera in HDV mode adds $100 to the price. Upgrades are available for existing Wirecast users for $180.

Briefly: 3 patents; The Cult of Mac

In brief: The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office today published three of Apple's newly granted patents, which include a "Method and apparatus for speech recognition using latent semantic adaptation," a "Speaker equalization tool," and a "White electronic device".... The Cult of Mac by Wired News managing editor Leander Kahney is now being published as a paperback, and is updated with new material about the iPod's market domination.... Toolfarm has announced a one-day sales week from October 23-27, offering one product per day for five days at half off.... HealthWare has announced the integration of BillConnect and PayConnect into iDental.... PhotoshopCafe.com has released Photoshop Secrets: Wacom Tablets and CS2 For Digital Photographers ($40) via digital download as well as DVD, breaking the video into two parts explaining how to set up as well as personalize a tablet, followed by changing the way users think about Photoshop.... ATI today unveiled the X1950 Pro, its first graphics chip to include the company's CrossFire multi-card circuitry inside the main processor.

Diner Dash: Flo on the Go released...

PlayFirst today released Diner Dash: Flo on the Go, the third title in the Diner Dash game series. Diner Dash 3 features five new restaurants, nine customer types, the new "Flo's Closet," more than 25 new decor upgrades, and hundreds of outfit choices. "Flo trades in her apron for a passport to paradise! But will our hard-working waitress get a chance to relax? Seat customers, take orders, collect tips and dress up Flo in hundreds of vacation outfits in the all-new Flo's Closet." PlayFirst also announced that Diner Dash 3 players can enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win a prize worth $500, and can help design new looks for Flo by submitting photos of their favorite Flo outfit creations. PlayFirst will select finalists of the photo contest, which will be judged by the PlayFirst.com audience. Winning fashions will inspire outfits in a future version of Diner Dash. Diner Dash: Flo on the Go is available for both Mac and Windows systems for $20, and requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later. [images] [corrected]

eMedia debuts Essential Guitar DVDs...

eMedia Music has released its new eMedia Essential DVDs, the company's latest series of instructional videos. The new line of instructional DVDs includes eMedia Essential Acoustic Guitar, eMedia Essential Rock Guitar, and eMedia Essential Bass Guitar. Essential DVD titles include dozens of fully interactive lessons per title with an animated fretboard offering both right- and left-handed views, as well as eMedia's exclusive Tri-View video with close-ups. The videos feature a song based curriculum with English or Spanish instruction, a tuner, interactive chord charts, music tracking, and live performance audio. Online features include a metronome, personal digital recorder, chord dictionary, and a digital automatic tuner. eMedia's Essential DVDs are scheduled to ship in November for $20 each.

Pro Drum Works libraries in REX format

Smart Loops has released its flagship Pro Drum Works libraries in REX format, enabling musicians using Reason, Pro Tools, Digital Performer, Logic, Cubase, Nuendo, and other REX-compatible audio software to create millions of unique drum tracks with the extensive Pro Drum Works Volumes One and Volume Two libraries. Pro Drum Works is a comprehensive drum loop library: the two-volume collection provides over 18,000 total loops and samples in straight-feel and shuffle-feel grooves, performed live on three separate drum kits (Acoustic, Trap, Thunder Kits). Musicians can create realistic, professional-quality drum tracks for virtually any rock, pop or country song-- never having to repeat the same drum track again. The REX-format editions of Pro Drum Works Volumes One and Two are now available for download for an introductory price of $100 per Volume (or in a bundle for $188).

Intuem 4 comes to Intel Macs...

Companion Engineering & Design today began shipping Intuem 4, a major update to the audio engineering software that brings native compatibility to Intel-based Macs as a Universal Binary. Intuem enables users to record, edit, arrange, mix, and share music via three different interfaces catering to novice, experienced, and pro users. The update greatly improves support for AudioUnits, offering better handling of AudioUnit windows, broad support for AudioUnit presets, and the ability to record automation directly from AudioUnit windows. Intuem 4 supports fast open/save operations in large audio projects, and improves the pencil tool with several new modes for drawing straight lines as well as several types of curves. The software also negates the need to open the Inspector by providing direct access to popular track controls such as current take, output device, play-through, MIDI program, and more in the document window. Intuem 4 is available for $80, and existing users can upgrade for $50 from any previous version. Intuem 4 requires Mac OS X 10.2.8 or later.

Beta Page Control plugin for InDesign

DTP Tools has released a public beta of the new Page Control plugin for Adobe InDesign CS and CS2. Page Control, the company said, finally enables users to break out of the one document, one-page-size paradigm. The software offers the abiliyt to resize one or every page or spread in a document individually as well as resize master pages. The software also offers automatic resizing of pages according to master page, custom pasteboard sizes, automatic print or export to PDF retaining page sizes, and more. The company said the plugin adds all the commands and functions without adding any new palettes: Page Control’s commands are added to InDesign’s own Pages palette menu In addition, a free Page Control Reader guarantees InDesign documents containing multiple page sizes will be accessible to, and editable by, service providers and collaborators who do not have Page Control installed. A single license price is priced at $60.

Canto offers Cumulus 7.1 update...

Canto today releaesd Cumulus 7.1, a free update to its Digital Asset Management software. Version 7.1 brings product fixes and updates across the entire product line. Cumulus users can now personalize Native Client workspace layouts to better suit specific tasks, while users of the Web Access Clients will benefit from powerful asset relationship management options previously available only in the Native Client. All users will benefit from tighter feature parity between the two clients, the company said. In addition, users can set up trigger notifications that automatically email clients when files are ready for review. The company also said that Web-direct asset links can be copied from within the Native and Web Access Clients for easy pasting into email and other applications: when the recipient clicks the link, the asset is presented for download via the user's preferred Web browser.

Yellow Dog Linux v5.0 coming this year...

Terra Soft solutions has announced Yellow Dog Linux v5.0 for both the Sony Playstation 3 and legacy PowerPC-based Macs. Slated for release mid-November, the company said it plans support for the Sony PS3 first and expects to deliver full support for PowerPC-based Macs by the end of the year. With the release of YDL v5.0, Terra Soft said it will transition from its database-driven help desk to a dedicated YDL.net mailing list. The service will be available for one year from the date of purchase to those individuals who purchase Installation Support services from the company.

Second drive bay for MBPs, PowerBooks...

MCE Technologies today announced it has started shipping its new OptiBay Hard Drive for the Apple's MacBook Pro and PowerBook G4. The MCE OptiBay optical bay hard drive adds a second internal hard drive to MacBook Pro or PowerBook G4 systems, taking the place of the laptop’s internal optical drive (SuperDrive or Combo Drive). The MCE OpitBay Hard Drive is available in 80GB, 100GB, 120GB and 160GB capacities, oofering users an unprecedented 320GB of unformatted internal hard disk capacity in a MacBook Pro or PowerBook G4 system. The MCE OptiBay Hard Drive is engineered to have the exact dimensions and data-connectivity of the standard Apple laptop internal opticaldrive, but is recognized as a standard hard drive--all initialization, partitioning, and even RAID setup managed by Apple’s Disk Utility program. The company is also providing an external FireWire slim-line enclosure to all users to connect their removed SuperDrive/Combo drive.