Digidesign launches 003 Factory, Rack

Digidesign has launched its 003 line of audio hardware, beginning with the Factory and the Rack. The former is a mixing and recording deck, specifically designed to be used with the company's Pro Tools LE production software. It further has a wide range of input and output ports, such as MIDI, ADAT and S/PDIF, and can sync with external devices via BNC Word Clock. Controls include eight faders, eight rotary encoders, and a multifunction jogwheel. The Factory also uses a FireWire port, and comes bundled with Pro Tools LE plus a variety of effects and instrument plug-ins, such as Ignition Pack 2 Pro. The Rack, meanwhile, is essentially the same as the Factory, but comes in a 2U rack-mount chassis and has less bundled software. The Rack Factory keeps the software intact. The basic 003 Factory should be shipping soon for $2,500; the Rack is $1,300, while the Rack Factory is $1,700.

Apps: Civilization IV, Warlords, ReelBean

• Civilization IV 1.61 Rev C, Warlords 1.0 Rev B ($50 and $30) are free patches to Sid Meier's Civilization IV and its expansion pack, Civilization IV Warlords. Civilization IV 1.61 Rev C fixes a sound problem introduced with the Rev B patch. Civilization IV: Warlords 1.0 Rev B repairs a sound problem that was introduced with the Rev A patch. [Download - Civilization IV 1.61 Rev C 15.3MB, Warlords 1.0 Rev B 21.6MB]


• RAGE Google Sitemap Automator 1.6 ($30) is a free update to the software package allowing webmasters to automate the process of generating Google Sitemaps. The latest revision makes it easier for webmasters to edit existing filters, resulting in quick changes to sitemap attributes for thousands of pages simultaneously. [Download - 7.1MB]


• Graphic Inspector 1.0 ($25) provides extensive information about graphic files, and helps locate potential problems according to user-defined settings. The application is a preflight solution for both images and vector graphics designed to help users quickly acquire crucial information about entire folders of files. Graphic Inspector displays a file's kind, color mode, resolution, compression, color profile, dimensions, spot colors, fonts, EXIF data, and other attributes. [Download - 1.7MB]


• ReelBean 2.8 ($15) enhances the movie converter and player for Mac OS X Tiger, adding an "Open Recent" item to the File menu to display most-recently viewed movie names with full pathnames. Minor graphical improvements include moving the transparency and playspeed slider to the video controls panel, and the software offers improved efficiency when using the audio level indicators running on older Macs. [Download - 4.4MB]


• Multisite for iWeb 1.1 ($20) is a Mac OS X Utility for iWeb users with support for building sites that traverse to more than a single Web server. The software is also designed to speed up iWeb's publishing by placing individual sites into individual files behind the scenes. Version 1.1 improves the error handling code for application launch, and improves the help system to detail where site data is stored. [Download - 740KB]


• Balloonist 2.0 ($40) is a comics word balloon editor and panel layout application for Mac OS X. The update adds balloons, starbursts, narrations, and images that users can dynamically move and resize while maintaining text alignment. Balloonist can vertically orient Japanese as well as Chinese text, spread text across merged or tied ovals, and includes support for explicit line breaks. [Download - [agreement]]

Apple special event at NAB, FCP update?

Apple late Thursday announced that it would hold a special event at next month's NAB Expo for broadcasters and other video producers. Although the company opted out of detailing what would appear at the event, Electronista notes that expectations have Apple releasing a major new edition of Final Cut Studio, which was introduced at the same show in 2005. This year's presentation is currently set for April 15th. While other announcements are possible, the company has generally refrained from revealing hardware or separate software at NAB events in the past. The timing, however, is notable for its proximity to the expected release of Mac OS X Leopard as well as Apple's habitual spring computer updates. The booth for the show floor will also be the largest of all exhibitors, say the show managers.

Maxon's Cinema 4D R10 Engineering Edition...

Maxon today released Cinema 4D R10 Engineering Edition, which lets engineering professionals quickly create high-end visualizations using their own CAD files. This edition combines Cinema 4D R10 with a simplified interface, preset environments, materials and importers for a variety of CAD files as well as the sketch and Toon modules for creating precise line drawings or sketched looks. The company says that the user interface is optimized for the creation of CAD visualizations, allowing design engineers to quickly create images and animations.

Analyst: the street underestimates iPhone...

Apple's iPhone could surprise industry watchers by selling 8 million units in 2007 following its launch in June, according to research firm Morgan Stanley. The firm raised its iPhone estimates by 33 percent from 6 million to 8 million based on a survey, which found that more people are interested in purchasing an iPhone than the combined number of people who already own or are planning to purchase a similar high-end device. "The survey results suggest iPhone demand could increase even more if Apple successfully expands awareness of the product, broadens the iPhone product portfolio, extends to other carriers, or offers service contract or product discounts," analyst Kathryn Huberty wrote in a research note obtained by MacNN. "In fact, while the high-end device market is clearly growing, iPhone appears well positioned to disrupt potential market shares." The research firm rates Apple as "Overweight" with a $110 price target.

Digidesign ships new Ignition Pack 2 bundles...

Digidesign today announced the new Pro Tools Ignition Pack 2 and Pro Tools Ignition Pack 2 Pro, new bundles of creative software and tools available free with all Digidesign Pro Tools|HD and Pro Tools LE systems. Pro Tools Ignition Pack 2 and the premium Pro Tools Ignition Pack 2 Pro offer a collection of professional effects and signal processing plug-ins, virtual instruments, high-quality sounds, and creative applications -- all of which are fully compatible with Pro Tools. Both packs also include the Pro Tools Method One instructional DVD for getting up to speed quickly as well as special artist promotion services from Broadjam.com, Sonicbids.com, and GarageBand.com. The Pro Tools Ignition Pack 2 bundles includes Ableton Live Lite 6 Digidesign Edition, Propellerhead Software Reason Adapted 3, IK Multimedia AmpliTube LE, and more.

voXover voice-over automation tool released

Audiofile Engineering has introduced voXover, a new voice-over automation tool and batch recorder for Mac OS X designed on Cocoa from the ground up. The software is custom-tailored for multimedia professionals by utilizing CoreAudio, Quartz, and other Mac OS X features to work with large numbers of individual audio files where a typical multi-track recorder isn't feasible. The software enables users to write or import a written script and rapidly automate the recording of that script. Users can display scripts on voXover's teleprompter to the voice talent via a wired or wireless network, and sessions can range from completely automated to completely free-form. Takes are automatically created, named, and annotated as configured in the script. Users can also filter, sort, organize, rearrange, rename, and export takes at any time during a session. The application is priced at $375 and requires mac OS X 10.4 or later.

Might and Magic Heroes V for Mac released

Freeverse has released Might and Magic Heroes V for Mac, a new strategy game that features a deep, scalable turn-based battle system for challenging tactical combat. The game includes a new Active Battle System for faster play, and boasts more than 200 skills with 170 creature abilities and 40 spells to build up heroes as well as armies. The darker, heroic fantasy universe is designed with a more mature setting amidst six unique factions and more than 80 different creatures. The storyline features special objectives, side quests, and plot twists. Might and Magic Heroes V for Mac is priced at $50, and requires Mac OS X 10.4.8 or later.

Adobe to bring Photoshop online...

Adobe CEO Bruce Chizen said Tuesday that the company intends to release a Web hosted version of its Photoshop image editing application within six months. Chizen said Adobe broke ground for a hosted Photoshop product with Adobe Remix -- a Web-based video editing tool that the company offers through the PhotoBucket media sharing site, according to News.com. Adobe apparently intends the new Web-based Photoshop variant to compete with Google's Picasa application, and the online photoshop service is part of a larger movement to introduce ad-supported online services that complement the company's existing products, broadening its reach into the consumer market. Like Adobe Remix, the new online photoshop service will be available for free as an entry-level version.

'Get a Mac' ads face challenges overseas...

Apple's 'Get a Mac' ad campaign was a hit in the U.S., but the company's efforts to bring that advertisement overseas to the U.K. and Japan conjured up additional difficulties. The ads, which in the U.S. depict a young, hip Justing Long as the "Mac" interacting with an older, office-dwelling John Hodgman as the "PC" struck a chord with Americans. The ads depict the Mac besting his PC counterpart in various situations, usually expressing compassion for the PC when he crashes or catches a "virus." Those same ads would offend most Japanese citizens, however, because in Japan direct comparison advertisements are looked down upon. Japanese culture considers it rude to brag about one's strengths, according to the Wall Street Journal, while the advertisements in the U.K. seemed too arrogant for the taste of some viewers. One columnist in particular said Apple tried to be too cool, and delivered a series of "brutal" coordinated attacks.

iPhone starts production early?

Apple's forthcoming iPhone may have already entered the initial stages of production, according to one report. Sources claim that Samsung is readying the first shipments of flash storage for the cellular phone, indicating an early start to the manufacturing process. The Expected demand for flash memory caused by the iPhone could have a beneficial effect on flash memory prices. Samsung this year already reduced its contract quotes by nearly 30 percent, and is aware that there could be a supply strain due to upcoming scheduled shipments for the iPhone as well as its capacity conversion to DRAM production, according to Digitimes.

Apple granted patent for Zune-like casing...

Apple today successfully patented an "electronic device formed with doubleshot injection molding." Although seemingly dry, the patent (originally filed in August 2005) effectively refers to the technique used in Microsoft's Zune player to create its distinctive glowing border effect, creating two differently colored edges to a single plastic shell. It is yet unknown whether Apple intends to use the patent directly in future iPod or Mac products, but the existence of the patent suggests that the Cupertino-based company has contemplated use of the technique. Apple last year settled with after the latter company won a patent on the the menu system used by Apple in its iPod portable media players. Apple's CEO Steve Jobs announced after the settlement that Creative was lucky to have filed for the patent first.

Briefly: MacNN review; FAIR USE act...

In brief: MacNN has reviewed Native Instruments Guitar Rig 2, congressional representatives introduced the "Freedom and Innovation Revitalizing U.S. Entrepreneurship" Act, Hammacher Schlemmer has begun carrying a Wireless Water-Resistant iPod Speaker, and the early bird discount of $100 on registration for Photoshop World is due to expire on March 2nd. The Universal version of Guitar Rig ($340 or $580) from Native Instruments features a state-of-the-art amplifier, cabinet, and microphone modeling with numerous built-in effects. The application also provides access to all of its tools from in an organized layout with a simple tabbed screen to avoid overwhelming users with too many options.

Apple COO talks iPod, innovation, iTunes...

In addition, to iPhone and related topics, Apple COO Tim Cook offered his thoughts on the iPod family, continued iPod innovation, iPod inventory, and the growth of the iTunes store at this week's Goldman Sachs analyst conference in Las Vegas.

iTunes adds independent video producer

Apple's iTunes Store has begun selling an independent snowboarding action film called "That" made for DVD by Forum Snowboards. The addition of an independent film marks the first time iTunes has sold video content outside of an established network or large studio, and suggests that the Mac-maker may consider future deals with independent artists to sell videos via its market-leading digital storefront. The indie content is priced at $1.99 in the iTunes TV section, however, rather than the feature film area where most titles are priced at $9.99, according to Variety. "That" runs for roughly 30 minutes, so despite its $29.99 original price tag Apple apparently decided to place and price the video as a TV show. "We're thrilled to be able to pioneer an agreement like this with iTunes," said Mike Nusenow, general manager of the Program, Forum's parent company.

Goldman Sachs 'bullish' on Apple

Analyst firm Goldman Sachs is confident that Apple shares represent a core holding and should be bought on any sign of weaknesses, following the analyst Q&A session with the iPod-maker in Las Vegas, according to Forbes. "Apple continues to reinforce its emphasis on and ability to innovate at levels that separate it from other companies," analyst David Bailey wrote. Bailey also said that the iPhone is sufficiently innovative to garner Apple's 10-million-unit target for fiscal 2008 despite the high cost of the iPhone. Additionally, the analyst stated that the doubling of Apple's iTunes gift card sales in the December quarter should lead to an uptick of iTunes revenue in the current quarter. Wednesday afternoon Apple shares rose 1.1 percent, $0.90, to $84.83.

Sony MP3 Video Walkman challenges iPod

Sony has launched the Walkman A800 series, which Sony claims is "the world's lightest video player." Designed to be a blend between a full-size media jukebox and a slim, flash-based music device, the A800 series is thicker than the iPod nano at 0.36 inches but features a larger 2-inch screen for full screen video in MPEG-4 or AVC (H.264) formats. Sony claims the device offers "exceptional" battery life with 30 hours of continuous music playback and 8 hours of video playback. The device reflects the company's relatively open approach to audio formats and supports AAC, MP3 and WMA in addition to the Japanese-based firm's own ATRAC standard. The 2GB A805 and 4GB A806 models will be available in black, blue, pink and white; the 8GB A808 model will be available only in black or white. Prices are set at $240, $300 and $400, respectively. The A800 series will be available in Europe starting in April (a US launch date has yet to be announced).

Equinux reveals digital TV for the Mac

Equinux on Thursday revealed Tubestick, a DVB-T television receiver in what Equinux describes as a "white 'Apple-style' case". The diminutive device connects to a Mac via USB and includes TheTube software to record television to the Mac; it integrates with the Apple Remote and iTunes library for seamless access to media and offers the ability to store tuning information for multiple locations. The software also enables configurations to be easily shared between multiple Macs. The channel overview displays the titles of all shows currently running as well as saves a preview image and information such as the shows name and length in the TV-archive. Tubestick with TheTube is available immediately in the following countries, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Holland and Sweden. Tubestick is priced at $55.

iPod sales up 8% in Jan, could hit 10.8m for quarter...

Apple could sell as many 10.8 million iPods in the March quarter, beating Merrill Lynch estimates of by 6 percent if the company's iPod line continues its January sales trends. The firm currently estimates that Apple will sell 10.2 million iPods during the quarter, but noted January numbers released by market research firm NPD are tracking slightly ahead of its estimates. They were tracking, however, more inline with consensus estimates, which Merrill says are near 11 million units. While the January data provide confirmation of the company estimates on average selling price (ASP), Merrill said it was too early to call the quarter, noting that January numbers were not enough to provide revised estimates and that the raw January numbers reflect a 5-week selling period.

WiFi hack demoed on un-patched MacBook...

The much publicized Mac WiFi hack from last summer may have been real after all, according to the original researcher who discovered the alleged vulnerability and promised to release the code. The security flaw, which Apple blamed on a third-party WiFi card, appears to affect pre-Mac OS X 10.4.8 systems; it was demonstrated on Wednesday on a MacBook running Mac OS X 10.4.6 at the Black Hat DC event, but researchers note that updates to fix the problem have been around since last September. CNET News.com reports that the Mac crashed crashed while scanning for a wireless network and coming across the malicious code researcher David Maynor was using from his Toshiba laptop. Though he demonstrated only caused a crash, Maynor claimed the exploit could also be used to run arbitrary code on the Mac.