Apps: SOHO Notes; Shoebox; iPod Access

• SOHO Notes 5.7.1 ($40) is a note-taking application, capable of storing text, images, video, PDF files and more. New in v5.7 is sorting through a Label column, and more options for Full Screen mode, such as adjusting the width and height of the content area. Fifteen other enhancements and fixes have been implemented as well. Mac OS X 10.4.7 is required. [Download - 27.8MB]


• Shoebox 1.7 ($30) organizes photos on a computer, importing them from iPhoto and sorting them by category and keyword. Certain keywords have categories assigned automatically, such as "mom" entering under relatives. The v1.7 update displays categories in the status bar, and allows scrolling through photos with a mousewheel. The software now also requires Mac OS X 10.4 and should have better compatibility with 10.5. [Download - 3.6MB]


• iPod Access 4.0.1 ($20) reverses the normal synching process, copying music, videos and playlists back to a Mac with intelligible filenames. Tracks can also be imported directly into iTunes with accompanying data. Among other features, the new version lets users force Manual Update mode, as well as pick multiple artists and albums to copy if they're not importing an entire iPod. The program is a Universal Binary for Mac OS X 10.3.9. [Download - 5MB]


• PTHPasteboard PRO 4.2 ($20) keeps multiple copied items at hand, should the default clipboard in Mac OS X not be enough. The program stays out of the way until it's actually needed. Version 4.2 is geared towards Japanese users, who now have the ability to apply spacing filters, or transform katakana to hiragana and back again. While PRO (required for filters) is $20, a basic version is available for free. [Download - 2.2MB]


• PicSecret 1.0 (free) places hidden text messages into image files, enabling covert communication between knowing users. Original files can be resized and converted without destroying the content, since the PicSecret website creates a secondary file for the message. Recipients must also use the site to decode the message -- the primary purpose of the software is to make the process simpler. It's a Cocoa-based Universal Binary. [Download - 969KB]


• OsiriX 2.7 (donation) is a free, open-source DICOM viewer for medical imaging. Also noteworthy is a unique technique for 3D/4D/5D navigation. Changes to v2.7 include the import and export of DICOM nodes in XML, and MPEG-2 support, which does however require VLC. Systems running OsiriX must have Mac OS 10.4 and 1GB of RAM. [Download - 33.3MB]

'Many more' Google/Apple projects coming...

Google and Apple have "many more" projects in the works, according to Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who spoke at a technology conference in San Francisco, but declined to provide any details. According to MarketWatch, Schmidt was addressing a question concerning rumors that Apple and Google were working on a tablet-style personal computer. Without commenting specifically on the rumor, the report said, Schmidt said Google and Apple are "doing more and more things together. We have similar goals, similar competitors." Already, Google's search features are to be standard on the iPhone, the much-anticipdated consumer device Apple plans to release in June. Schmidt was appointed to Apple's board of directors last August; he later declined declined stock options offered to new directors and said that he would instead buy shares on the open market. Last October the CEO also called Apple "the most remarkable second act ever seen in technology."

Apple plans flagship store in Germany...

Apple has signed a deal with a Munich-based realtor for the future site of its first retail store in Germany, according to one report. The Cupertino-based company is hoping to turn a five-story building in Marienplatz into a four-story flagship retail store, as an architect's rendering appears to reveal renovations to the former home of Sport Schuster with a suspended Apple logo above the main entrance. AppleInsider reports that the location at 1 Rosenstrasse will feature an all-glass facade, and will open some time in the second half of next year as one of five new Apple stores planned for Germany -- with other locations expected in Berlin and Frankfurt.

NVIDIA Quadro FX 5600 coming to the Mac...

NVIDIA today provided a long-awaited refresh to its workstation graphics with the Quadro FX 5600, writes Electronista. A pro version of the GeForce 8800, the chipset borrows the same 128 unified hardware shaders to provide a major speed boost over the earlier 5500. The change also allows the processor to use CUDA technology, NVIDIA says, and because of the more generalized hardware, some tasks that would otherwise be handled by the main CPU can be offloaded to the new Quadro instead. Faster, larger 8K-by-8K texturing and SLI support for twin cards in one system are also part of the upgrade.

Prudential: Apple to rise on Leopard launch...

Apple is likely to experience significant growth due to an early launch of Mac OS X Leopard alongside Adobe's March 27th release of Creative Suite 3, according to Prudential Equity Group. The firm upgraded Apple's stock to 'Overweight' from 'Neutral weight' based on an expected late March launch of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard and Adobe's Creative Suite 3 -- 1-2 months ahead of Wall Street expectations. "We view this [as] a near-term catalyst for Mac sales," wrote Prudential analyst Jessie Tortora. "We view the company's long-term gross margin model of 28 percent to 30 percent as conservative and see margin upside over the next several quarters due to component cost declines and a richer product mix from sales of Leopard, Mac Pro, and MacBook Pro, and iPhone." New product ramps are likely for iPhone and a flash-based widescreen video iPod with new functionality -- such as Wi-Fi and GPS capability -- to drive growth in the second half of 2007, according to the firm, which also raised its price target for Apple shares from $100 to $105.

LassoSoft acquires OmniPilot's Lasso...

OmniPilot has sold its Lasso line of Web development products to LassoSoft, a three-person group that includes key members of the Lasso and Lasso Studio development teams as well as a sales director from OmniPilot. The announcement came during the keynote of the Lasso Summit, which was held March 2-4 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; however, specific terms of the sale were undisclosed. According to the new company, the Lasso development team is fully intact following the acquisition and arrangements have been made with all key employees to continue with LassoSoft. The Lasso development team, it claims, is working on updates for the Lasso 8.5 family of products as well as laying the ground work for future versions of Lasso, but did not provide any details on the product roadmap. LassoSoft says it stands fully behind the upgrade and support commitments of OmniPilot and that it will continue to offer upgrades to Lasso 8.5 from versions and sales and support policies established by OmniPilot will remain in effect under the new management.

Apple posts iTunes 7.1, QuickTime 7.1.5

Apple today released iTunes 7.1, an update to its multimedia jukebox software as well as QuickTime 7.1.5, an update to the multimedia software that address eight different security flaws. iTunes 7.1 brings support for Apple TV, allowing users to "enjoy your favorite iTunes movies, TV shows, music, and more from the comfort of your living room with Apple TV." Apple said that iTunes 7.1 also supports a new full screen Cover Flow and improved sorting options to let users decide how iTunes should sort your favorite artists, albums, and songs. Apple TV is expected to be available from Apple in next few weeks, after an unexpected delay pushed shipments back from promised February ship date. Apple's QuickTime 7.1.5, a 44.2MB download, delivers numerous bug fixes and addresses critical security issues. This update is recommended for all QuickTime 7 users. It includes security fixes for viewing a maliciously-crafted 3GP file on Windows machines and when viewing a variety of maliciously-crafted files (MIDI, QuickTime movie, PICT, QTIF) file on either Windows or Macs. Both of these could result in application crash or arbitrary code execution, according to Apple. The updates are available via the Software Update.

Briefly: Apple TV price; MIT needs Mac users...

In brief: Comp USA has already posted the Apple TV on its website for $250, Macessity has announced a new AD Power Grip Bracket for Apple 20- and 23-inch displays, Enigma Games has released Solved! for MC as well as Mac systems, a research project at MIT is underway that requires participation from thousands of game players, and a new tool is available that enables users to continue using CDML with FileMaker 7 and 8 as well as with FileMaker Server Advanced. Comp USA has added the Apple TV priced at $250 to its website, but still lists the wireless media streaming set top box as unavailable.

Apple ranks as 7th most admired company...

Apple has swept into Fortune's top 10 most admired companies for the first time in history, marking itself as the second most admired company within the computers category and the 7th most admired company overall in 2007. The Cupertino-based company led the way with regard to innovation alongside Google, and earned the 6th rank in the quality of products category ahead of CHS. Apple also rose to become the 5th most admired company overall on a global scale just ahead of Berkshire Hathaway, while Microsoft ranked the 8th most admired company worldwide.

Sonnet unveils 2fit Laptop Sleeve...

Sonnet Technologies has unveiled its 2fit Laptop Sleeve plus Screen Protector for MacBook and MacBook Pro notebooks. The 2fit sleeve is a form-fitting cover that helps prevent damage to the computer's finish, and is designed to look stylish while remaining practical. The sleeve is constructed from microfiber material, and is custom-tailored for the specific Apple notebook it will cover. Machine-washable, the sleeve stretches to provide a snug fit and serves as a heat shield between laptop and lap when not covering the device. The 2fit screen protector buffers the screen from keyboard rubs during transport, and is made from optical cloth that enables users to clean the notebook's screen. Sonnet's 2fit is due to ship tomorrow for $30 in "Titanium" grey or black.

U.S. DOT considers switch to Mac, Linux

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has banned Windows Vista, Office 2007, and Internet Explorer 2007 from its offices, and is considering switching its operations to Macs and PCs running Novell's SuSe Linux. The DOT enacted the ban in mid-January, according to one blogger, because certain applications essential to the agency's function can't run on Windows Vista. Microsoft has attracted intense criticism over its new operating system since it began shipping earlier this year, lacking proper driver software for a wide array of devices and utilizing a new user interface that closely resembles Apple's Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger system. Apple is also taking aim at the enterprise market with its upcoming Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard release, which incorporates numerous features that cater to large business needs.

Apps: TimeFlyer, Snippet Monkey, CoverSutra

• TimeFlyer 1.2 ($20) updates the software for creating timelines, adding support for different rendering styles alongside miscellaneous enhancements. The application features easy event entry, font as well as color customization, and support for multiple timelines. The software also enables users to save research notes with events with search and filtration functionality. [Download - 824KB]


• Snippet Monkey 1.2 ($15) allows users to create shortcuts for frequently-typed phrases. Snippets can contain any combination of text, images, date/time in a custom format, and nested snippets. The update no longer randomly quits, includes several interface tweaks, and ensures that the delete key works in the group/snippets table. [Download - 1.2MB]


• CoverSutra 1.1 (€10) updates the application that enhances Apple's iTunes software, adding integration with the Last.fm social music service. CoverSutra 1.1 also includes numerous bug fixes and minor improvements, such as easier handling of shortcuts and additional localizations in German as well as French. The upgrade is free for existing customers, and requires Mac OS X 10.4.7 or later with iTunes 7.0.2 or later. [Download - 1.1MB]


• QuickLicense 2.0 ($500) is a system to manage the secure, flexible licensing of Mac and Windows software. QuickLicense is usable with applications written in languages like C, C++, Delphi, Visual Basic, and REALbasic to license Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, Photoshop plug-ins, and Adobe Director multimedia content. The latest release includes ticket configuration options to simplify the process of license activation and reactivation.


• Tidy Up! 1.2.4 ($30) signals the next iteration of the duplicate finder and disk tidiness utility. The software enables users to saerch for duplicate files and packages by application owner, content, type, creator, extension, date modified, date created, name, label, and visibility. Tidy Up! 1.2.4 adds a new system that allows users to specify the "Type" and "Extension" values of files, and fixes a bug that could lead to failure when creating a smart basket using the Strategy Wizard. [Download - 4.6MB]


• PulpMotion 1.0.5 ($30) brings new configuration options for fonts to the application offering users a new option for designing and sharing media montages that integrate personal photos as well as videos and music. PulpMotion 1.0.5 also includes a font menu and font size chooser enabling users to adjust with prevision the rendering of all text in the compositions. [Download - 66.2MB]

Signs point to Apple strength in UK...

Apple is continuing to experience strong demand for all of its products in the UK, according to Macworld UK, with strong iPod sales across all models and a short supply of the company's entry-level 1.66GHz Mac mini as well as iLife '06. Reports suggest Apple has sold 120,000 fifth-generation iPods -- including the 30GB and 60GB models -- so far this quarter, with even stronger Nano sales nearing 200,000 units. iPod shuffle sales are also strong, according to the report, reaching an estimated 140,000 so far. Demand in the UK appears to exceed supply, dissolving claims that the market is becoming saturated. Apple's channel partners hold formidable supplies of Mac Pro systems in anticipation of Adobe's Creative Suite 3 software, which is expected to drive sales of the top-end Macs once it hits shelves on March 27th.

Briefly: Adobe CS3 due Mar 27; WWDC...

In brief: Adobe today confirmed that it will ship its anticipated Creative Suite 3 on March 27th, Carphone Warehouse is apparently in talks with Apple to be the exclusive distributor of the iPhone in the UK, and brick-and-mortar retailer Best Buy reportedly offers an intranet website with artificially inflated pricing made to look like its internet-based page. T Australian Apple University Consortium is offering scholarships to Australian University staff as well as students to attend this year's Apple World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC), and Microsoft won a partial victory in a lawsuit battle involving a controversial Alcatel-Lucent patent claim related to speech recognition. Adobe is preparing to celebrate its global Creative Suite 3 (CS3) event live via webcast to debut its suite of creative tools. The software offering is expected to ramp up Mac Pro sales, as the event will mark the first official release of Adobe's Intel-native CS3 application.

Apple's Leopard could add $200m in revenue...

Apple's next generation Mac OS X Leopard operating system could add nearly $200 million to Apple's revenues to its June quarter, according to one analyst. The company is expected to have an installed base of nearly 22 million customers by the end of the March quarter, according to analysts at Bank of America Securities. That figure is up by 6 million users since the release of Mac OS X Tiger, the last major revision to the company's operating system, nearly years ago (June 2005). Analyst Keith Bachman told clients that Apple's operating system releases are amongst the most lucrative for the Cupertino-based company, with gross margins that range upwards of 90 percent, according to AppleInsider. "At the time of product launch, Apple capitalizes the cost of software development and amortizes such cost over three years, meaning the Apple’s profit margins are very high at the time of product launch," he explained.

Olympus, Ricoh debut new digital cameras...

Olympus and Ricoh today both launched new digital cameras, including three from Olympus: two digital SLRs, the E-510 and E-410. Electronista reports that each revision represent a major upgrade to Olympus's semi-pro E500 and E-400 models with 10-megapixel sensors (upgraded from eight) and Live LCD preview for composing shots without the viewfinder. A newer TruePic III image processing engine also reduces noise by a full stop at every sensitivity level, including the maximum ISO 1600.

Mac users 'guinea pigs' for Mac Office?

The ongoing anti-trust lawsuit against Microsoft in the state of Iowa has uncovered evidence that the Redmond-based company considered halting Mac Office development to "do a great deal of harm to Apple immediately," and that the company used Mac users as test subjects for new features of its Office application prior to a more "critical" Windows release. An email memo dated June of 1997 from Microsoft founder Bill Gates to Ben Waldman, who then served as the leader of Microsoft's Mac Business Unit, discussed the morale in the Mac Office development department and mentioned abandoning Mac support for Office. The memo cited unsatisfactory sales of Mac Office, blaming sales reps who lacked focus. That same email describes dumping Mac Office as "the strongest bargaining point we have, as doing so will do a great deal of harm to Apple immediately."

Micron to produce iPhone camera sensors?

The two-megapixel sensor in the iPhone will be manufactured by Micron Technology in Italy, reports setteB.IT. The two-megapixel, 30 fps (frame per second) device, which is about a quarter of an inch across the diagonal, is about $11 per sensor, according to prior estimates by iSuppli; however, the report says that the cost price to Micron is in the range of $5-$7 per device component. Those same sources claim Micron's semiconductor fabrication plant in Avezzano is the sole source of the sensor for Apple's iPhone and that Apple has placed initial orders for between 2,000 and 3,000 wafers per week--for a theoretical yield of 600,000 sensors per week (the nature of semiconductor fabrication yields, however, will result in lower numbers of working sensors)

Avaya take communications anywhere

Avaya this morning revealed one-X Portal a web based interface to Avaya telephony, messaging, mobility and conferencing applications. The company claim one-X Portal improves productivity, user control and business continuity by consolidating communications applications and directories into a single user interface that can be used from any PC or Mac. Users can click-to-call names or numbers from call logs and directories, schedule and control conference calls from the on screen control panel, add participants to conference calls by clicking on contact list entries and manage voicemail messages. While features such as Find Me/Follow Me/Hide Me enable selective routing of calls based on the users availability. Mobility features enable incoming calls to be simultaneously routed to the users cell phone. Avaya one-X Portal operates over a standard HTTP connection allowing remote working from anywhere, using VPN and authentication to maintain security. The Avaya one-X Portal will be available the second quarter of 2007, pricing has yet to be announced

Chronos ships SOHO Business Cards 2

Chronos has revealed SOHO Business Cards 2, an update to its popular software for creating business cards on the Mac. New features in this version include a streamlined interface, a business card wizard, object grouping (to move them as one), locking of objects (to prevent users from accidentally moving them), layers, an alignment grid, photo cropping and numerous special effects. Additionally, Chronos has added "bins" to store commonly used text and favorites, including titles, headings and design elements. SOHO Business Cards 2 also adds the ability to see both sides of a double-sided card simultaneously. SOHO Business Cards 2 is available now for $40; upgrades from SOHO Business Cards 1.x are priced at $20.

Solo Performer Show Controller updated

Alien Apparatus has announced the availability of Solo Performer Show Controller 3.5, a new Universal Binary version of its system for controlling the background music, lyrics displays, MIDI effects, and light shows for musicians. Version 3.5 takes advantage of the added performance offered by running natively and allows very fast light changes and MIDI events to make shows even more spectacular than before, the company claims. Users can also now manually flip through lyrics displays. It also adds the option to step through the lyrics manually with a foot controller or arrow keys on the keyboard. Additionally, there are numerous smaller enhancements such as customizable list scrolling speeds, better event handling, easier audio file setup for new users and contextual menus throughout. Solo Performer Show Controller is available immediately and is priced at $600.

McDwiff: viewer for Autodesk DWF files.

Austin Silver Software is now shipping a technology preview of McDwiff which can open, view, save and print DWF files generated by Autodesk software. McDwiff connects to Autodesks online DWF translator for 100 percent accuracy and opens any DWF file (2D or 3D) on the Mac; users can zoom and pan through documents, but the company notes that rotation is not yet supported within 3D files. Additionally DWF's can be exported to TIF, GIF, JPG, PNG, BMP, or PDF formats. McDwiff is free for non-commercial use and licenses for commercial users are priced at $40

QuickTek's 802.11n upgrade for Intel Macs

QuickerTek today released its 802.11n wireless upgrade to enable the faster networking standard on older Intel Macs that lack the option of Apple's Airport Extreme 802.11n enabler. The wireless networking cards are made to the same specification as Apple's boards and install into the internal Airport card slots; QuickerTek sells the card for user installation and also offers an installation service: the user installed upgrade option includes the 802.11n upgrade card, tools and illustrated installation manual--everything required to perform the upgrade procedure, according to the company. The card itself is backed by a one-year warranty on parts and labor. The QuickerTek 802.11n upgrade card is available immediately and priced at $150 for user-installation and $200 with Quickertek's installation service included.

The Missing Sync BlackBerry public preview

Mark/Space Monday morning revealed a public preview of The Missing Sync for BlackBerry which enables users to synchronize contacts, calendar events, tasks and notes between their Macs and BlackBerry mobile devices, additionally multimedia capable BlackBerry handsets such as the BlackBerry Pearl (8100) and 8800 series can use The Missing Sync for BlackBerry to sync iPhoto albums and iTunes playlists containing unprotected music and podcasts to the BlackBerry's microSD card. While photos taken with the cameras in those devices can be imported into iPhoto or a folder on the Macs harddisk. Mark/Space would like feedback from users who try the public preview of The Missing Sync for BlackBerry in their forums. The Missing Sync For BlackBerry will be priced at $40 and is scheduled for release in the 1st quarter of 2007. Mark/Space will also be offering discounted "crossgrades" for owners of The Missing Sync for Palm OS and The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile.

SyncTogether, Syncs Macs Together

Mark/Space today introduced SyncTogether v1.0 their first Mac-to-Mac synchronization software. SyncTogether synchronizes information such as Address Book contacts, iCal events, notes, tasks and other items via Apple's Sync Services, Mark/Space claim that SyncTogether is more flexible than .Mac syncing because it allows you to synchronize individual Address Book groups and iCal calendars between different users. This allows groups to share a project calendar and company contacts, while a family at home could share a family events calendar and Address Book entries for family and friends. SyncTogether can also share information between different accounts on a single Mac. Each user in a sync group can make changes to shared contacts and calendar events. Additionally SyncTogether can compensate for timezone differences in shared calendars. SyncTogether is priced at $50 for up to three Macs, additional Macs can be added in groups of three.