Briefly: game testers wanted; HD-DVD media

In brief: Virtual Programming has issued a call to experienced game players who wish to beta test two casino games which include Real Deal Casino High Roller and Real Deal Slots Mystic Forest; and several Paradox games which include Europa, Universalis 2, and Crusader Kings as well as Victoria and Hearts of Iron 2 in coming weeks.... Verbatim has said it will begin shipping single-sided dual-layer 30GB HD DVD-R media in the U.S. when HD DVD-R DL-compatible hardware becomes available in the first quarter of 2007.... Insanely Great Tees today announced that its two new shirts -- "I'm a Mac" and "Binary Tree" -- have begun shipping.... Sony announced its presence at the CES trade show with a slew of new VAIO PCs to join the company's Digital Living System line of media center PCs.... Other World Computing (OWC) today began shipping its Mercury Elite-AL Pro Mirror ($350, shown at right) FireWire 800/400+USB RAID solution using the latest Oxford 924-based custom bridge chipset and two 750GB mirrored SATA hard drives.... One in ten mobile subscribers have music-capable phones, but over-the-air music purchasing is still slow to catch on, according to recently published research from Telephia.

Marketcircle releases Billings 2

Marketcircle today released Billings 2, enabling users to create customized invoices, project estimates, and detailed reports "within five minutes." Billings 2 features include a built-in setup assistant, an intuitive user interface, fully-customizable templates, and a menu bar timer to control the software without interrupting current tasks. The update offers an entirely customizable sales tax/VAT system with more than 120 global presets, and boasts easy data export to share Billings 2 data with other accounting or bookkeeping software. Users can manage unpaid invoices as well as tax reports, and the application includes automatic invoice numbering alongside a retainer handling system. The latest revision also provides an idle timer, automatic deduction/display of down-payments on outgoing invoices, reports for projecting estimates versus actual time/cost, and additional envelope styles. Billings 2 is available for $60 and requires Mac OS X (specific system requirements were unavailable).

Legal experts discuss Apple options scandal...

More legal experts have offered their views on whether Apple CEO Steve Jobs is actually free-and-clear of any wrongdoing in the company's stock options scandal, according to a report from Bloomberg, revealing that the executive isn't "out of the woods" yet. Apple conducted an internal investigation to discover details about some accounting "irregularities" in 2006, only to discover that 6,428 stock option grants were illegally backdated between 1997 and 2002 after spending 26,500 man-hours to search over 1 million electronic and paper documents. "The SEC and the Justice Department are not bound by the company's conclusions," said Jahan Raissi, a San Francisco-based attorney and former senior counsel in the SEC's enforcement division. "They have far more powerful tools to force people to talk to get information." Apple's independent investigation concluded that the company's chief knew about some of the grants and that he even chose some of the dates, but claimed that the executive did not understand the accounting implications of those actions.

Sonnet intros Fusion R400Q SATA enclosure

Sonnet today announced Fusion R400Q, the latest addition to its line of Serial ATA drive enclosures. The 13.5-inch deep 4-bay rack mount drive enclosure provides four interface choices which include FireWire 400, FireWire 800, USB 2.0, and SATA II. An integrated port multiplier supports up to four hard drives through any connection, and the Fusion R400Q's hot-swappable 3.5-inch drives trays enable quick addition as well as swapping of storage. Users can install a single drive to start, add drives as needed, and purchase additional trays as well as drives to build a backup archive. The enclosure is shallow enough for use in the shortest portable racks, and its 1U height takes up the minimum amount of rack space. The Fusion R400Q includes drive mounting hardware for each of its four included trays, as well as a cable for each interface. The trays are interchangeable with Sonnet's Fusion 400 and Fusion 500P desktop SATA drive enclosures. Sonnet will ship the new enclosure in March for $700. [corrected]

Greenpeace to 'green' Apple Store SF Monday...

The environmental activist group Greenpeace is planning to "green" the Apple Store San Francisco this evening at 6:00 p.m. local time. A similar "greening" was held at Apple's flagship retail store in New York City, but the group said that this would be more dramatic. In December, Greenpeace ranked Apple as the worst technology company with regard to environmental issues, following an update to its quarterly "Guide to Greener Electronics." In a release sent to media members, Greenpeace said that IDG Expo denied a booth at the 2007 Macworld Expo, despite the organization's willingness to pay more than $5,000.

Sonnet unveils FireWire, USB adapters...

Sonnet today unveiled its Allegro™ Express FW400 and Allegro Express USB FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 cards, as well as its Tango Express combo FireWire 400/USB 2.0 adapter. The cards add full-bandwidth to powered USB and FireWire ports without the need for an external box or power adapter. Each card features a native PCI Express x1 host bus interface, offering easy plug-and-play installation with Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows compatibility. The Allegro Express FW400 features two external or one external plus one internal FireWire 400 ports, supporting all industry standard FireWire 400 peripherals. The Allegro Express FW400 supports hot-swappable device connection, and is designed to provide reliable bus power independently to each port. All three cards are due to ship in early February for $70 (Allegro Express FW400), $70 (Allegro Express USB), and $90 (Tango Express).

Sonnet debuts SATA PCIe host adapter

Sonnet today debuted its Tempo SATA E2P (site not updated), the latest addition to the company's Serial ATA host adapters designed for Apple's Mac Pro, Dual Core Power Mac G5, and Microsoft Windows systems. The card provides two external 300MB/sec Serial ATA ports as well as support for SATA drive enclosures with port multipliers, enabling users to connect up to 10 disk drives. The Tempo SATA E2P support swapping of drives to maximize storage capacity, as well as hot-swap functionality, and boasts an easy installation process, according to Sonnet. The card supports Mac OS X and Windows XP Pro RAID functionality, and offers Spread Spectrum Clocking (SSC) support for compatibility with all SATA hard drives. Sonnet's Tempo SATA E2P card requires a native PCI Express x1 slot, and is slated for shipment in early February at $80.

Griffin reveals plans for radio SHARK HD...

Griffin Technology has announced plans to develop radio SHARK HD, a digital table top radio for Mac and PC with HD RadioTM technology. radio SHARK HD--like Griffin's radioSHARKTM and radio SHARK 2--will house a radio tuner in a sleek "shark fin" that connects to the USB port of a Mac or PC. With radio SHARK HD users will be able to listen to their favorite AM/FM stations in pure digital audio quality, conveniently from their personal computers. Featuring next-generation digital HD Radio technology from iBiquity, digital FM stations nearly approach CD-quality sound, and digital AM stations approach FM-quality sound, according to the company.

Apple to debut 802.11n versions of AirPort?

Apple's may be prepping new versions of next generation wireless connectivity products, according a new Electronista report. According to the official Macworld Expo site, a presentation page for Volcano Wireless, Apple is allegedly preparing 802.11n versions of its AirPort Extreme platform, dubbed "X2" and "X4." The page claims theoretical speeds of up to 600Mbps, and other features such as beam focusing, greater range, and MIMO (Multiple-In Multiple-Out) support for better signal stability. None of these technologies are in current incarnations of Extreme, according to the report. Although one of the two Volcano presentation days is already over, interested parties can attend the next one January 9th at 11:15AM Pacific time, just 15 minutes after the Apple keynote ends.

Apps: Fetch, PDF Shrink, TextSoap, Snapshot

• Fetch 5.2 ($25) introduces 'WebView' to the file transfer application for Mac OS X, offering users a convenient way to view files in a Web browser with support for copying Web addresses. The update adds FTPS support for file transfers over TLS/SSL, encrypting connections to protect sensitive file transfers. Fetch 5.2 also includes support for creating 'droplet' shortcuts for easy drag-and-drop uploading. The upgrade is free for registered users. [Download - 15MB]


• PDF Shrink 4.1 ($35) reduces PDF file sizes, making the documents easier to attach to email messages or post on the Web. The latest release improves job management, easing the process of adding, deleting, and reordering pending jobs. PDF Shrink 4.1 also enables users to clear job history, and provides an option to overwrite the input file that maintains existing file- and folder-naming conventions. [Download - [form]]


• Sofa Control 2.0 ($10) controls applications such as VLC, Safari, PowerPoint, and more via Apple's remote control. The update enhances support for applications, includes more functionality to trigger, and allows users to issue system level commands such as using Exposé or activating the dashboard. Sofa Control 2.0 optionally changes system volume, and offers multi-click behavior as well as a virtual mouse that provide access to more functionality. [Download - 2.3MB]


• TextSoap 5.5 ($16) performs complete text transitions with options to change or maintain the style. TextSoap 5.5 features a new look, and adds several new features to the Deluxe Edition. New custom cleaner actions include the ability to set the style of text, find text based on its style, change the style of text based on its content, and extract text using regular expressions. The update also includes a word count feature in a palette to provide updated statistics on text documents. [Download - 8.7MB]


• Snapshot 2.0 ($30) -- previously known as 'PhotoBooth,' is a major revision to the printing utility for Mac OS X that includes a complete redesign of the user interface. Snapshot 2.0 allows users to add borders, speech bubbles, and thought bubbles to pictures. The update can print dates on pictures, and remembers print settings between sessions. [Download - 8.8MB]


• Posterino 1.0 ($21 through MWSF, $25 thereafter) is the official public release of the 'Life Poster' composing application. Posterino enables users to create life posters, postcards, greeting cards, and contact sheets from digital photos. Posterino 1.0 offers a new life poster and postcard templates, as well as new layout grids. The software supports relocating images from iPhoto and Aperture used in a document, even if the image library has moved to a new user account. [Download - 6.6MB]

Eos: new wireless iPod speaker system...

IntelliTouch today announced "Eos," the world's first digital wireless "whole home" audio speaker system for iPod. Using WiFi-friendly technology, the Eos system links up to four stereo remote wireless speakers, establishing interference-free CD sound quality (48Khz). According to IntelliTouch, the GigaWave technology employs error correction and a unique frequency hopping scheme for a range of up to 150 feet (50 meters) through walls and ceilings in both indoor and outdoor environments. The Eos system features an iPod docking base station/transmitter that features two high performance stereo drivers and a ported sub-woofer. It also features SRS WOW sound enhancement technology to improve the dynamic audio performance of compressed and uncompressed audio by expanding the size of the audio image and creating a deep, rich bass response. It will ship in March--in black or white--for $300.

Indigo 2.0 automates, controls home devices...

Perceptive Automation tomorrow will announce Indigo 2.0, a major update to the company's intelligent home control and automation server for Mac OS X. With Indigo, users can easily control lights, appliances, lawn sprinklers, hot tubs and dozens of other items found in the home. Indigo, available as a Universal Binary, now includes a client/server architecture allowing remote control and configuration from any local or remote location. The server supports local network access through a native Universal Binary Mac OS client as well as web browser access provided by the Indigo server's built-in web server. The Indigo server can be installed on any Mac OS X-based computer.

Faronics launches Device Filter Mac...

Faronics today released Faronics Device Filter Mac, a utility that allows administrators to manage the access rights for all devices across an entire enterprise. With Faronics’ Device Filter Mac, anything from an iPod to portable applications, or a modem connected via Bluetooth can now be effectively controlled to make sure that no unauthorized data transfers or connections take place. The protection can be applied on per user or per workstation basis to establish a secure environment perimeter where all connectivity aspects are properly regulated and logged, including USB/FireWire, infrared, wireless, Bluetooth, or Ethernet-based devices.

Belkin debuts Bluetooth Dock Adapter, more...

Belkin today unveiled numerous Apple-related accessories (site not updated) ranging from a battery backup flashlight to a cooling stand for notebooks. Belkin's Bluetooth Dock Adapter for iPod is designed to function like a wireless remote, enabling users to play songs through an iPod stereo dock. The device offers full control over the music as it plays from the iPod wirelessly to a stereo, and boasts a 30-foot operating range with no software installation required and no batteries needed. The accessory offers five hours of play time, is compatible with other Bluetooth stereo devices, and includes a Bluetooth stereo dock adapter as well as a Bluetooth iPod adapter. Belkin's Bluetooth Dock Adapter for iPod is priced at $130, and is expected to launch in March.

Casio debuts slim 7.2MP, 7x zoom Exilim...

Casio today announced the release of the 7.2-megapixel EXILIM Hi-ZOOM EX-V7, a compact zoom camera in the stylish EXILIM series. Billed as the "world’s slimmest digital camera with a 7X optical zoom lens," it easily fits in a shirt pocket or small purse, according to the company. Casio's new SD-compatible offering also introduces an innovative function for reducing photo blur, using Casio’s mechanical CCD shift technology and combining Casio’s Anti-Shake DSP, which reduces blur due to shaky hands or a moving subject by using higher ISO sensitivity and faster shutter speeds, with new motion analysis technology that uses the most appropriate ISO sensitivity and shutter speed to capture a moving photo subject. The company says that even at high zoom settings, the EX-V7 reduces most occurrences of image blur. [images available]

Matrox debuts DualHead2Go Digital Edition

Matrox Graphics today announced the DualHead2Go Digital Edition, the next version to the DualHead2Go that now features digital outputs. This external multi-display upgrade device connects to the VGA output of compatible notebook or desktop computers and through patent-pending technology uniquely expands the desktop across two digital displays. DualHead2Go Digital Edition also enables support for high-resolution panels, offering a stretched desktop of up to 3840x1200 (or dual 1920x1200)1 across two displays. The Digital Edition of DualHead2Go enables the connection of two digital or analog displays to compatible notebook and desktop systems. In addition through the Matrox PowerDesk SE2 interface users benefit from the flexibility to select a wider range of resolutions, including support for both widescreen and standard aspect ratios. It will ship in the first quarter of 2007 for $230.

FileMaker offers MS Office, charting kits...

FileMaker today announced a downloadable kit to help small businesses and corporate workgroups increase their productivity by integrating FileMaker Pro 8.5 with Microsoft Office applications as well as a new download that demonstrates how FileMaker Pro 8.5 users can view information from their databases as dynamic Flash-based HTML charts. The new Optimizer Kit for Microsoft Office includes a 30-day trial of FileMaker Pro 8.5 for Windows or Mac OS and the FileMaker Business Productivity Kit, a set of ready-to-use FileMaker applications to help businesses manage contacts, organize products and inventory, process sales orders, track projects, and more.

HP takes on iMac with TouchSmart PC

HP today formally introduced its TouchSmart PC, previously known as 'Crossfire,' at the CES trade show in Las Vegas. The PC is an iMac-like all-in-one system that will showcase Microsoft's Windows Vista, and is designed as a central computer to handle virtually every need of a typical home. The new media center is based around a 19-inch touchscreen used for quick access to news, programs, and weather with a tactile interface that is usable as a custom version of HP's Photosmart software, effectively allowing photo retouching through finger and stylus presses. The TouchSmart is also TV-friendly, according to Electronista. Analog NTSC and digital ATSC tuners are built in, allowing users to both play and record video to the computer's 320GB hard drive. The system is powered by a dual-core 1.6GHz AMD Turion 64 X2 processor and ships with 2GB of memory. Further system specifications include a GeForce Go 7600 video card, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi connectivity. The TouchSmart PC is expected to ship in time for Vista's launch at the end of this month, although pricing was still unavailable.

Allegro Rainbow debuts Piano Wizard for Mac

Allegro Rainbow has released Piano Wizard for Mac, a new video game that teaches anyone to play the piano within minutes. Piano Wizard (Easy Mode and Premier) will now be offered with a dual-boot installation CD that will run on both PowerPC- and Intel-based Macs. Piano Wizard teaches how to play songs through a simple video game method. "First, players follow vertically moving game objects as a guide for hitting the right notes. It then progresses by rotating the video screen, making game objects travel horizontally, thus mimicking the lines of the staff and providing insight into musical theory. Next, game objects transform into colored notes on the grand staff, then finally into traditional black & white notation." Pricing for the "Easy" software and USB/MIDI cable is $70, while Premier version is $140. Other combinations are available with various types of keyboards, including a package for small children (no PC required) for $80.

Now previews NUTDC successor: NightHawk...

Now Software today announced the next generation of its cross-platform group calendar and contact management software; the software will be previewed at Macworld Expo and is expected ship in the Spring of this year. Codenamed "NightHawk", the new software solution is an integrated application that builds upon the calendar and contact management functionality provided by Now Software's acclaimed Now Up-to-Date & Contact software. The company said that NightHawk's official name will be announced at a later date. NightHawk merges the functionality of calendar and contact management into one integrated, cross-platform application, with server access for groups and administration.

Microsoft bolsters its living room offerings...

Microsoft at its CES keynote unveiled two new technologies to bolster the company's offerings in the living room, effectively ramping up its competition with Apple's forthcoming iTV wireless media streaming device -- which could debut as soon as tomorrow at Macworld 2007. Leading the effort is Windows Home Server, a new software platform designed to share content from multiple computers in one location, even when those computers are shut off. The software automatically backs up and stores files from systems on a local network, according to Electronista, and can perform a remote backup through a special Windows Live address. Microsoft says users will share music, photos, and videos to any attached Windows Media Center device.

Parliant ships PhoneValet Message Center 5.0...

Parliant Corp. is now shipping PhoneValet Message Center 5.0 for the small office, home, and home office. PhoneValet's software and hardware platform turns a Mac into a virtual call center with unlimited voice mail boxes, call blocking, recording, logging and screening, automated dialing and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) capabilities - on single or multiple lines. Offering an attractive new interface designed to simplify access to its many telephony features, PhoneValet 5.0 includes Parliant's new patent pending Call Completion Technology (CCT). CCT directs an incoming caller to a person or department, plays music or audio information as the caller is being transferred, then directs the caller to voice mail or other audio information options if the call can't be answered in person.

Briefly: Apple trademarks; iStockphoto

In brief: The European Patent & Trademark Office over the weekend published Apple's latest trademarks titled 'The Studio' and 'Sportslounge,' dated December 18th, 2006 and December 22nd, 2006.... iStockphoto today announced that its user-generated stock video collection has already garnered more than 12,000 clips from over 350 contributors worldwide.... Tesco has announced that it will sell more than 75 Apple products and related accessories for Macs, iTunes, speakers, and iPods of all types.... Bare Bones Software is offering a free T-shirt upgrade at the Macworld Expo during exhibit hours, providing anyone who comes to the Bare Bones Software booth (#N4034) wearing any Bare Bones Software T-shirt a new, modernized "It doesn't suck" T-shirt for free.... RadTech has announced the continuation of the company's annual notebook repair and restoration clinic at Macworld Expo, coupled with new product introductions.... Extensis is hosting the Extensis Font University at the Macworld Expo in booth #826, presenting expert typographers including Stephen Coles from FontShop to discuss the joys and pitfalls of type design.

EPA: Apple notebooks are most eco-friendly...

The Environmental Protection Agency has ranked Apple notebooks as the most environmentally-friendly portable computers in its EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool), according to a recent New York Times article. Computers ranked in the list must meet 23 mandatory criteria, and can optionally meet up to 28 additional criteria for to receive one of a bronze, silver, or gold medal. While no PC manufacturers scored a gold medal, Apple's MacBook Pro led the way for portables with all models meeting 17 optional criteria and receiving silver medals, according to Ars Technica. The company's Mac Pro met 16 optional criteria above the required 23, and its 20-, 23-, and 30-inch Cinema Displays met 15 optional criteria above the minimum required. The Greenpeace organization in late October of 2006 protested Apple's manufacturing processes at the Apple Expo in London, but was shown the door after Expo organizers reportedly received several complaints from unnamed sources.

AMCC showcases 3ware Sidecar RAID solution

Applied Micro Circuits Corporation (AMCC) today announced that it is showcasing its 3ware Sidecar external RAID storage solution for Apple's Mac Pro Power Mac G5 workstations at Macworld in San Francisco. The external desktop SATA II RAID system offers storage capacities of up to 3TB and RAID 5 write/read speeds of up to 200MB/sec via PCI Express connectivity. Integrating with Apple's high-end workstations to offer an intuitive management software suite, the storage solution is designed to simplify storage configuration, management, and monitoring. The Sidecar's two meter Multi-lane SATA cable provides four lanes of 3Gbps SATA connectivity. AMCC's 3ware Sidecar is available for $1,000 through the duration of Macworld, after which the price will jump to its original $1,300.

Maxtor OneTouch III Mini supports Mac OS...

Seagate today announced that its Maxtor OneTouch III Mini Edition is now compatible with Mac OS X. The USB 2.0-based sleek storage and backup solution can quickly and easily transport and backup/synchronize their video files, photos, music tracks and any other digital content. The Maxtor OneTouch III Mini Edition is a mobile storage solution that ships with a complete set of software to protect digital content, including automated backup, data protection and file synchronization. Using the automated backup software, Mac users can now ensure that all their files are automatically backed up on a set schedule or with the touch of a button.

Nisus announces Nisus Writer Pro

Nisus Software today announced Nisus Writer Pro, an advanced word processor based on Nisus Writer Express. The new Pro version brings new features such as Table of Contents, Cross References, Bookmarks, Text Wrap Around Images, Widow and Orphan Control, and Line Numbering as well as classic Nisus Writer features as attribute sensitive Find & Replace, Glossaries, etc. Nisus Writer Pro will be available in late Winter/early Spring 2007 and a pubic beta is expected soon, according to the company. It will require Mac OS X 10.3 or later (pricing not yet announced).

Roxio launches Toast 8 Titanium...

Roxio today launched Toast 8 Titanium, enabling Mac users to burn TV programs from TiVo as well as EyeTV to disc alongside support for converting TV shows for viewing on Apple's video iPod or Sony's PSP. The updated software supports creating audio CD mixes as well as music DVDs, and introduces Blu-ray disc burning. Further enhancements include automatic disc cataloging, cross-platform data spanning, and disc restoration. Toast 8 Titanium also offers streamlined visual feedback via a media browser, easing drag-and-drop disc burning capability. Roxio's burning software supports personalized labels and covers to accommodate cover art as well as inserts, featuring full drawing and text editing tools with more than 600 clip-art images. Toast also supports LightScribe drives and media while incorporating Google image search functionality. Toast 8 Titanium is available for $100, and requires Mac OS X 10.4.8 or later. Roxio adds that special pricing and unique discount bundles are available at the company's Macworld expo booth #314 as well as its 'virtual' Macworld store through January 14th.

Softraid 3.6 supports Intel-based Macs

Softraid today released SoftRAID 3.6, an Intel-based upgrade to its RAID backup and performance software for the Mac. SoftRAID 3.6 offers complete support for all Intel processors and also now offers the ability to boot Intel Macs from SoftRAID Mirror and Stripe Volumes. SoftRAID 3.6 now supports Tiger (Mac OS X 10.4.x) exclusively. Panther and Jaguar support will be maintained with SoftRAID 3.5.x, but no new features will be added for those Mac OS X versions in future releases, according to the company. In addition, 3.6 fully supports 64-bit memory in the new Intel EFI booting architecture on the Mac Pro and Intel Xserve as well as fixes numerous bugs including one which affected the speed of some Mirror volumes. It also improves support for burning startup DVDs and Utility program startup CDs, such as Disk Warrior 4. SoftRAID 3.6, a free electronic upgrade to all 3.x owners, is $130 ($20 more on CD).