Refurb Mac minis return for $649

Apple is offering refurbished Intel-based Mac minis for as little as $649, as well as Power Mac G5 workstations from $1,599. The company's reconditioned Mac mini offerings include the 1.66GHz Intel Core Duo with 512MB of memory and an 80GB hard drive for $649, as well as the 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo with 512MB of memory and an 80GB hard drive for $699. Both Mac mini systems come with a double-layer SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) and built-in AirPort Extreme with Bluetooth 2.0 functionality. Apple's refurbished Power Mac G5 desktops include the Dual 2GHz system with 512MB of memorym a 160GB hard drive, and an NVIDIA GeForce 6600 LE (128MB) graphics card for $1,599; the Dual 2.3GHz model with 512MB of memory, a 250GB hard drive, and an NVIDIA GeForce 6600 (256MB) graphics card for $1,999; and the Quad 2.5GHz system with 512MB of memory, a 250GB hard drive, and an NVIDIA GeForce 6600 (256MB) graphics card for $2,699.

Unity to support Nintendo Wii game creation...

OTEE today announced that users of its Unity game development tool will be able to create games for the Nintendo Wii console later this year. Unity is an integrated development tool that makes standalone games for PC as well as Mac systems that users can play in any modern Web browser. The software combines game engine technologies such as optimized and extensible graphics and rendering effects; PhysX by Ageia; JIT-compiled JavaScript and C# scripting APIs; flexible and fast character animation support; high- and low-level networking capabilities, and dynamic game worlds that enable developers to modify each object and texture on the fly. Unity is priced at $250 for an indie license or $1,500 for the pro version. Both editions require Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later.

Apps: A Better Finder Rename; LecShare Pro

• A Better Finder Rename 7.7 ($20) allows Mac owners to more easily find and rename files by doing it in bulk, rather than handling each one by hand. The program is specially tailored towards music and photo files, from which it can read information like EXIF data and album and artist names. The v7.7 upgrade adds Finder-style sorting of files with sequence numbers (such as photos), and remedies NTFS/SMB conversion problems. The app is a Universal Binary for Mac OS X 10.4. [Download - 2.2MB]


• LecShare Pro 1.26 ($70) combines audio with PowerPoint presentations to create MPEG-4 and QuickTime video files, as well as Word documents and Accessible HTML pages. When creating QuickTime movies, the Lecturer's Notes can be used to automatically generate captions. Version 1.26 is a small yet significant upgrade adding compatibility with Microsoft Office 2007. Mac OS X 10.3.9, QuickTime 6 and PowerPoint X are required. [Download - 7.4MB]


• Daylite 3.2.2 ($190) is a productivity suite which promises to organize schedules, manage projects and synchronize data with remote computers. Version 3.2.2 upgrades OpenBase to 10.0.5, and displays extra attributes for contacts, projects, organizations and opportunities. New menus and shortcuts have been added to the calendar application. Mac OS X 10.4 is required for the program, though 10.4.7 or later is recommended. [Download - 26MB]


• UI Browser 2.0.3 ($55) lets users explore, observe and manipulate the user interfaces of most Mac OS X applications. In tandem with Apple's GUI Scripting, it can even create AppleScript statements that control non-scriptable apps. The v2.0.3 patch fixes a bug in the Notifications pane of the Preferences window, which prevented users selecting and removing custom notifications. UI Browser is a Universal Binary that fully supports the GUI Scripting and Accessibility enhancements in Mac OS X 10.4. [Download - 1.3MB]


• Papers Public Preview 3 ($25) browses, downloads and displays new scientific papers in PDF format. Once archived, users can sort the papers by different criteria, and then compare them using tabbed windows. Some new features include an iPhoto-like fullscreen mode, automatic downloading of recent papers, and a redesigned interface for the Authors and Journals section. Users can also backup or transfer their archives from within Papers. [Download - 6MB]


• RatRace 1.0 ($26) tracks the time spent on various tasks, increasing awareness of which ones consume the greatest number of hours, and prompting improved estimates in the future. The program can operate in Timer List, Time Line or Estimate views, and includes options such as label colors and smart folders to better organize data. The trial version is limited to 30 days. [Download - 5.3MB]

Tom Bihn debuts Ego laptop messenger bag...

Design company Tom Bihn today introduced the Ego, a new mid-size messenger bag designed to fit Apple's 13-inch MacBook and 15.4-inch MacBook Pro laptops with an optional "Brain Cell" hard-sided case. The Ego features an interchangeable front stripe available in more than 24 various colors and fabrics, enabling users to continually customize the look of the bag. Strip colors include reflective, cork, wasabi, kelly, deep blue, and crimson. Limited edition strips are available in mod Italian, yellow vinyl, gold bamboo, and crimson bamboo. The main compartment features removable Annex clips designed to securely connect the Brain Cell hard-sided laptop case inside the bag, which is available in nine different sizes to fit a wide range of laptops. The Ego messenger bag is priced at $130.

Digidesign launches Structure Public Beta...

Digidesign today launched its Structure Public Beta program, offering Pro Tools users a chance to test drive and provide feedback for Structure -- its professional sampler and RTAS virtual instrument plug-in. The Structure Beta includes three packages of free sound content -- such as synths, drums, and nylon string guitars -- for use with the sampler, as well as associated instructional materials. The Structure beta is available for free for a limited time to owners of Pro Tools 7.0 or later, requiring registration at Digidesign's Structure website as well as an iLok USB Smart Key to authorize the software. The official release of Digidesign Structure is slated for the summer of 2007.

Briefly: iSync phone plug-ins; Casio Exilim...

In brief: DVcreators.net has released Final Cut Express Foundations, nova media updated its iSync phone plug-ins to offer compatibility with Mac OS X 10.4.9 with support for USB connections for mobile phones, Casio has quietly released a new 6-megapixel budget Exilim digital camera, and Apple's latest Mac OS X Tiger update has fixed a bug in its Rosetta software that could cause PowerPC applications to crash. The release of Final Cut Express Foundations is designed as a comprehensive and interactive hands-on educational course available via DVD that guides users through each step of the essential editing process. Users organize projects, capture, conduct basic editing, and fine tune as well as export projects.

FM Nexus ships Account Manager 2.0

FM::Nexus today shipped Account Manager 2.0, which allows administrators of FileMaker databases to centrally manage multiple servers, databases, users and privileges. Featuring new notification capabilities. it simplifies administration by facilitating centralized account management of multiple databases without requiring direct modification of each disparate database. New notification features let database administrators automatically broadcast messages to end-users or a subset of end-users. In addition, administrators can automate broadcast notifications to alert for upcoming events such as scheduled maintenance, to alert for account status changes, the completion of account setup, etc. Account Manager also tracks login information and provides comprehensive reporting. It requires FileMaker 8 and is priced starting at $250 for 25 end-user accounts (free to any FileMaker developer for use with up to 7 end-user accounts).

NI PRO-53 3.0.3 offers Universal support

Native Instruments today released PRO-53 3.0.3, an update to its virtual analog synthesizer. Introducing new Universal Binary support, the new version enables users of Intel-based Macs to utilize the full potential of the faithful emulation of the much-famed analog synthesizer from the 80s. The synthesizer emulator features new new oscillator technology that offers a "warmer and more brilliant sound" as well as a high-pass filter mode and an invertible filter envelope. Registered users of the PRO-53 single version can buy the Mac OS X Universal Binary Update including a new serial number for $30/€25, while KOMPLETE 4 can download the Mac update for free (the new PRO-53 serial number for KOMPLETE 4 can also be requested in the Updates Manager). It requires Mac OS X 10.4.x, a 700MHz G4 CPU or Intel-based Mac and 512MB of RAM.

Macgamestore releases Word Web Deluxe

Macgamestore.com today announced the release of Word Web Deluxe, a new casual game for the Mac created by GamesCafe and published by Big Fish Games: "In a science experiment gone terribly wrong, 10 spiders became super-intelligent. Now they have invaded your home and they're making a huge mess. Link letters and create words to sweep the spider webs away! Earn tokens and use the letter-pool to spell your own words! Use bonus tiles to earn more points and bonus power-ups to get rid of those pesky cobwebs. But watch out for the spiders, they'll try to wrap you up in a cocoon." It features 20 levels and over 60 quests and runs on Mac OS X 10.2.8 or later. Word Web Deluxe is available for $20. A free Universal Binary demo version of the game is available for download as well.

Guy Kawasaki to keynote Kaseya Conference

Apple evangelist Guy Kawasaki is scheduled to host Kaseya Connect 2007, Kaseya's first user conference from April 1-3 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The sold-out event is offering opportunities for education as well as networking, and promises an insider look at Kaseya's forthcoming technology in the coming year. Keynote speaker Guy Kawasaki is a well-known Apple advocate and former Apple employee who authored eight books, including The Art of the Start, Rules for Revolutionaries, How to Drive Your Competition Crazy, Selling the Dream, and The Macintosh Way. Kaseya Connect 2007 is meant to serve as a forum for fostering education and networking within the managed services space, and several of Kaseya's customers are scheduled to speak and discuss their successes and challenges as they built their businesses.

NewerTech debuts battery pack for iPod...

Newer Technology (NewerTech) today introduced the slim NuPower ViDEO+ rechargeable battery pack for Apple's video iPod. The accessory attaches to the iPod, significantly extending the run-time to 80 hours of music playback or 16 hours of video viewing. The NuPower ViDEO+ also doubles as a portable charger that delivers up to three charges to the iPod video's internal battery. NewerTech's new accessory includes the battery pack, stand, docking station, and a belt clip to tote the extra battery power alongside an iPod. The NuPower ViDEO+ is rechargeable via an iPod charging cable that ships included with all video iPods. The battery pack fits on the back of the iPod, and comes with a spacer pad to ensure a snug fit on 30GB video iPod models. The battery extension for video iPod is priced at $50.

ATTO ships SAS/SATA II RAID adapters...

ATTO has begun shipping its ExpressSAS R348 and R380 RAID adapters, simultaneously unveiling its SAS Advantage channel program. The ATTO ExpressSAS R348 low profile RAID adapter provides SAS/SATA II connectivity with integrated RAID support and flexible port configurations. The card features user-selectable port options such as four external and four internal ports, or eight internal ports as well as support for the PCI Express bus technology. The ATTO ExpressSAS R380 low profile RAID Adapter provides SAS/SATA II connectivity with transfer rates up to 3Gbps and integrated RAID support. The card includes eight external ports with PCI Express connectivity (pricing was unavailable).

Mailplane integrates Gmail into Mac desktop

An avid Mac developer has unveiled Mailplane for Mac OS X, a new Cocoa shareware application that integrates Gmail into the Mac desktop. Mailplane supports drag-and-drop file attachments, and automatically resizes photos when composing messages. The software features iPhoto integration, as well as Growl notifications. Mailplane is still in beta, and the developer is looking for testers to sign up for private beta registration. Pricing is still undetermined, and the application requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later.

EU chief backpedals on iPod/iTunes...

EU representatives have backpedaled on statements regarding Apple's closed iPod/iTunes ecosystem, saying that previous statements were only meant to raise questions. Reuters reports that the European Union's consumer chief "soft-pedalled" her views on Apple, backing off the line that its iTunes online music store must become more compatible with other formats. EU chief Meglena Kuneva told a news conference there was no reason to talk about legal action against the iPod-maker and that her previous statements were merely made to "raise questions," according to the report. "I would like, really, to start this debate. What is best to develop this market and to have more consumers enjoying this really very important, very modern way of downloading and enjoying the music?"