Forums: Genius Bar experiences, Switching

Forums roundup: Members are discussing whether or not the current Mac Pro line is going to be updated soon, in light of the lack of updates to the line since last year -- besides the newly added eight-core option.... Other users are discussing their experiences with Apple Store Genius Bars, with responses ranging from extreme satisfaction to rage... One user is asking if they can buy a U.S. MacBook Pro to use in the U.K., with desire to save some money.... Other members are offering help to a user who is considering buying a 24-inch iMac, who wants to use the 'prosumer' desktop for video editing with Final Cut Studio.... Meanwhile, other members are offering their best ideas to help a would-be switcher convince his family that Macs are worth the price.

DEFCON strategy game comes to Mac

Ambrosia Software along with Introversion Software today launched the Mac version of DEFCON, an online multiplayer strategy game based on the theme of thermonuclear armageddon. The game was inspired by the 1983 cult-classic film WarGames, and is designed to evoke the tension as well as the paranoia surrounding the Cold War era. "Global thermonuclear war has never been this much fun," said Andrew Welch, president of Ambrosia Software. "It's macabre, but plotting for your friend's total annihilation is perfectly satisfying." DEFCON is available online via Ambrosia's website for $25, requiring Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later.

Apple bolsters security for Tiger, Panther...

Apple today released Security Update 2007-004 for Mac OS X 10.4.9 Tiger as well as Mac OS X 10.3.9 Panther Server and Client. The new set of patches fixes a wide range of security risks discovered throughout numerous parts of the system. Fixes are applied to AFP Client; AirPort; CarbonCore; diskdev_cmds; fetchmail; ftpd; GNU Tar; Help Viewer; HID Family; Installer; Kerberos; Libinfo; Login Window; network_cmds; SMB; System Configuration; URLMount; VideoConference; WebDAV; and WebFoundation. Mac owners can update the system by choosing the 'Software Update' item from the Apple menu, or can download the updates manually from Apple's website.

Aperture 1.5.3 improves reliability, speed...

Apple today released Aperture 1.5.3, an update to its post production photography software that addresses issues related to overall reliability and performance. Aperture 1.5.3 addresses issues related to generation of thumbnails for adjusted images, entering as well as exiting full screen mode, working with large sets of keywords in the Keywords HUD, and restoring from a vault. The latest release also ensures that previews update properly when images are sent to an external editor, and imports Aptus 22 as well as Aptus 75 images with the correct orientation. Aperture 1.5.3 is available as a digital download via Apple's website, and is available for free to registered Aperture users. [Download - 129.5MB]

More evidence of the Zune Phone?...

The long-rumored Zune Phone has received a bit more supporting evidence in the form of another Microsoft filing, this time at the US Patent Office. While originally submitted June 16th of last year, it has only just resurfaced, and comes under the title of "Tile Space User Interface for Mobile Devices." The concept involves making frequently accessed options more easily reached, and receiving updates on information simply by glancing at the appropriate icon. Users would also able to customize the layout of the tiles, creating a unique "home" screen.

Dell casts doubts on Vista...

Dell today revealed that it will restore the option to use Windows XP on some of its home systems, marking a potentially damaging blow to Microsoft's hopes for the newer Windows Vista. The Dimension E520 and E521 as well as virtually all of the company's Inspiron notebooks can immediately be custom-ordered with XP in Home or Professional editions, giving cautious buyers the opportunity to use the earlier OS. The change in policy was the result of user feedback, Dell claims.

Apps: iGetter; EazyDraw; Multisite for iWeb

• iGetter 2.6 ($25) is a download manager and accelerator that operates by segmenting downloads. The software features auto-resume, a queue filter, and schedules. Version 2.6 introduces download rules that automatically sort files into particular folders based on criteria, as well as improvements to multiprocessor performance. The update also repairs an issue that prevented Site Explorer from viewing files with names containing spaces. [Download - 2.6MB]


• EazyDraw 2.3.1 ($100) is a vector illustration program based on MacDraw that can import files from ClarisDraw, MacDraw II, and MacDraw Pro. The latest revision adds user libraries, as well as the ability to convert a library into an EazyDraw tool palette. The update also allows users to Arrange the tool palette, and adds a Graphic Details drawer that adjusts the display format. The application requires Mac OS X 10.4.3 or later, and should support Leopard, according to the developer. [Download - 14MB]


• Multisite for iWeb 1.5 ($20) remedies a potential problem with iWeb by no longer assuming that a site will point to a single server. Multisite for iWeb 1.5 also improves publishing speed by moving individual sites into individual files without the need for user-exercised control, and supports importing or exporting websites to different users as well as different computers. The update fixes some user interface bugs, and requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later as well as iWeb 1.1.2. [Download - 740KB]


• Creative TextFX ($50) creates special text effects for Flash animations, including some of which are new to the format, according to the developer. The software includes more than 70 effects which include: Animate In/Out, Passing By, Loop, Trails, Blur, and 3D. Users can edit default effects or create custom effects, and Creative TextFX supports embedding fonts to guarantee proper display. The software requires Mac OS X 10.1 or later alongside a copy of Adobe Flash 8. [Download - Size Unknown]


• ClipSaver 2.1 ($15) prevents copied text from loss by scanning the Clipboard and pasting the text to either one or multiple files. The application inserts single dividers to maintain clarity, and the update addresses some immediate problems by checking for updates upon launch, rather than once per day. The software also no longer clears the Clipboard once the contents are saved. [Download - 3.9MB]


• Sharity 3.3 ($30) is an SMB file system for machines running Unix that can mount shares exported by Samba, Windows, and other SMB/CIFS servers. The new release offers better support for user home directories, as well as auto-mounting resources and handling Distributed File System redirects. Sharity 3.3 also fixes a variety of bugs, such as one that caused incomplete directory listings. The application requires Mac OS X 10.3 or later. [Download - 3.3MB]

Briefly: Live Search widget; CS3 raw support...

In brief: A new dashboard widget has surfaced allowing users quick access to the Live Search engine, Adobe has released its Photoshop Camera Raw plug-in that adds support for raw files in Photoshop CS3, LightWork Design has released a new version of LightWorks, and Artlandia is offering updated pattern design plug-ins that are compatible with Adobe's CS3 software. Entourage Arts announced that Google SketchUp has authorized the company to conduct training classes of its Essentials courses across Canada, and Mariner Software has teamed up with Return Self Software to bundle MacJournal with Avenir. A new widget for Apple's Dashboard technology, the company embedded into Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, allows users to easily access Live Search. The widget displays results directly within its own interface without the need to open a Web browser, and enables users to customize the number of results as well a the language and display.

Survey: 17 percent want iPhones...

A surprisingly large percentage of the American public wants the iPhone, Harris Interactive found in a survey published today. Of a sample the polling agency said represented a proportionate slice of all online users, nearly half (47 percent) of respondents said they were already aware of the iPhone while an additional 17 percent were already interested in buying it -- both figures Harris said were very unusual for a handset that would only be launched in June.

New BitTorrent clients surface for Mac...

Two new BitTorrent clients have surfaced that work on Apple's Mac OS X operating system, enabling users to partake in large file downloads while providing key pieces of those files to other users simultaneously. Xtorrent 1.0 (build 40) is a client based around searches. Users type keywords to produce results directly in the software, and downloads require just one more click to begin. Xtorrent also supports subscriptions to torrentcasts, with the latest release adding azureus/utorrent compatible peer exchange as well as pre-torrent bandwidth controls. The update also produces a warning dialog when removing a torrentcast, and fixes the autodownload feature. Xtorrent is available for free, and a Pro edition eliminates nags as well as feature limits and bandwidth caps for $20. The software requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later.

RadTech offers Seagate Momentus hard drives

RadTech today began offering Seagate's highest performance 2.5- and 3.5-inch hard drives in both ATA and SATA configurations. Storage capacities for the 2.5-inch Momentus series range from 100-160GB, with spindle speeds of 5400-7200rpm. The 3.5-inch Barracuda series are available in 250GB, 500GB, and 750GB capacities with spindle speeds of 7200rpm. Both drive models utilize modern data caching technology as well as on-the-fly error-correction algorithms, and employ full-track multi-sector data transfer capability without local processor intervention. The drives also come standard with full support for S.M.A.R.T drive monitoring and reporting, alongside shock tolerance as high as 350 G's during operation for the 2.5-inch models. RadTech's pricing on Seagate drives starts at $80.

Mozilla releases Thunderbird 2...

Mozilla today released Thunderbird 2, the latest iteration of its free and open source email client. Thunderbird 2 allows users to easily manage and organize email with tags, advanced folder views, and speedy inbox or message searches. The software also supports customization via add-ons that match individual preferences, according to Mozilla. "Thunderbird 2 has powerful new features and proven security, delivering an improved email experience to users worldwide," said Scott MacGregor of Mozilla. "In Thunderbird 2, we incorporated the proven benefits of tagging to email. Tagging initially gained popularity on blogs, photo and link-sharing sites as an intuitive way to organize online information so users could easily find desired content." Thunderbird 2 is available as a free download for Mac, Linux, and Windows systems in more than 30 languages. The software requires Mac OS X 10.2 or later.

GizMac ships 6U XRackPro2 quiet cabinet...

GizMac Accessories today began shipping its new 6U XRackPro2 server rack enclosure cabinets designed for noice reduction. The 6U XRackPro2 server rack joins the company's current 25U, 12U, and 4U XRackPro2 server racks which the company says can reduce noise by up to 80 percent. Noise reduction engineering in the XRackPro2 server rack allows users to place systems in environments that require low noise levels, and accommodates Apple Xserve server as well as Xserve RAID systems. Fully adjustable mounting rails enable users to configure the unit to individual needs, and each 1U rackmount space is clearly marked for simple cable arrangement. The new 6U XRackPro2 server rack is priced at $750.

Microsoft: iPhone useless for business...

The underlying philosophy for the iPhone will make it all but superfluous in the working world, a Microsoft executive told journalists during a press event in Australia. Although initially welcoming the Apple handset as a media device, Asia-Pacific smartphone strategy head Chris Sorenson was quick to rule out the device almost entirely for business, noting that Apple's walled-off approach to software was virtually bound to lock out iPhones from corporate offices and users who want to view files from work while on the go.

OmniPlan 1.1 improves print, AppleScript support

The Omni Group has released OmniPlan 1.1, an update to its project management application that brings several stability, import/export, printing, and AppleScript support improvements. OmniPlan is designed to offer a streamlined and intuitive interface for basic planning options while also providing Gantt charts, schedules, summaries, milestones, and critical path highlighting. The software features customizable views to fast data entry, helping users manage complex projects without the need to learn a complex software program. OmniPlan 1.1 is a free update for all current license holders, and new licenses are priced at $150. OmniPlan 1.1 requires Mac OS X 10.4.8 or later.

BBEdit 8.6.2 offers bug fixes, enhancements

Bare Bones Software today released BBEdit 8.6.2, an update to its advanced text editor that fixes reported issues and adds several minor enhancements. The latest release adds border-top-style, border-right-style, border-bottom-style, and border-left-style to the list of property names for which CSS Edit Tag can bring up an appropriate editor. The update also adds support for the TeX "sectioning" commands 'paragraph' and 'subparagraph' alongside additional PHP predefined symbols. Java language support includes generics as well as anonymous classes, and BBEdit 8.6.2 includes keywords 'bit' and 'view' to SQL (MySQL) for compatibility with 5.0x. The update is available for free to all registered BBEdit 8.5 and 8.6 customers, with licenses priced at $125 for new users. BBEdit 8.6.2 requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later.

Greenpeace on Gore, Apple board...

Apple on Monday expressed its public opposition to two environmental proposals on which shareholders will vote at the May 10th annual shareholders meeting. The proposals call on the Cupertino-based company to strengthen its policies on toxic chemicals and the recycling of electronic waste, as well as prohibiting the export of electronic waste to developing countries. Greenpeace today responded to Apple's opposition, noting that Al Gore -- a member of Apple's board of directors -- was part of the unanimous vote to oppose both resolutions. "It is disappointing to see Vice President Gore oppose proposals that would strengthen Apple's lagging environmental policies," said Rick Hind of Greenpeace. "However, it will be far more important if Gore can convince Steve Jobs to make Apple an industry leader in green policies and deeds."

Apple patent points to live Leopard desktop

A new patent application filed by Apple suggests that the Cupertino-based company will introduce live desktop graphics in its forthcoming Mac OS X Leopard operating system. The filing, titled "System and method for computing a desktop picture," appears to use the company's Core Image technology to offer choice to users for customizing the desktop, which can change when launching different applications such as iTunes or QuickTime. The patent also describes animations and transitions, allowing users to choose or create a scene that can change colors over time to reflect the current season. Apple offers one example of seamless transition between multiple desktop pictures as changing the color gradation based on the time of day to mimic the changes in the colors of the sky. Apple is expected to unveil new features not yet disclosed at its upcoming World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June.

Vodafone plays down iPhone notion

Vodafone today denied assertions that it would be the official iPhone carrier, according to the company. The European provider's Irish division dismissed the idea put forth by American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu, telling the Irish Examiner that the report was "pure speculation" that had yet to be confirmed.

The word appears to contradict the worldwide CEO's open praise for the device, which suggested that the iPhone would be a major benefit to the company's 200 million international customers. Apple hasn't committed to any particular carrier in the region, saying only that it will release the iPhone in Europe late this year.

Apple's iPhone light, proximity sensor patent

Apple's latest patent has surfaced relating directly to its forthcoming iPhone cellular handset, describing the device's methods for sensing or determining user activities and responding to those activities. The patent discusses iPhone's uses of artificial intelligence, accelerometer, and specialized sensors to lock the user-interface when certain actions are taken, likely when users hold the phone aloft beside the head to speak. Interestingly, the patent presents alternative embodiments to the original iPhone design, such as a flip top design.