News Archive for 07/05/10

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Apple re-elects Board, wrestles with options

05/10, 8:10pm

Apple re-elects its Board

Apple today re-elected all of its board members at its annual shareholder meeting in Cupertino and also voted down a proposal to change Apple's policy on pricing option grants for senior executives. Apple CEO Jobs also defended his company, his knowlegde, and other execs in Apple's options scandal as well as his compensation. "I get 50 cents just for showing up. The other 50 cents in for my performance," Jobs said. Apple's chief also call the upcoming iPhone "a remarkable device," confirming it will be released in June and also confirming that the company would show its new operating system, Leopard, to developers at Apple's annual developers conference next month.

Apple fixes flaws in Darwin Streaming Server

05/10, 6:25pm

Apple DSS 5.5.5 update

Apple has released a security update to its Darwin Streaming Server, its open source project. DSS 5.5.5 fixes two security flaws, including one where a remote attacker may be able to cause an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution. The company said a stack buffer overflow exists in the Darwin Streaming Proxy and that by sending maliciously-crafted RTSP requests, a remote attacker can trigger the overflow, which may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution.

Briefly: Python Bootcamp; REAL World offer

05/10, 6:20pm

Python Bootcamp

In brief: bid Nerd Ranch Europe today announced its intensive five-day Python Bootcamp, REALbasic Developer Magazine is offering all customers who mention "REAL World" in the Comments section of their subscription to the publication one extra issue, Winter Wolves Games has released a new expansion for Magic Stones titled "The Lands of Fire," and MacSpeech has released a new ScriptPak for Marketcircle's Daylite Productivity Suite. Big Nerd Ranch Europe is bringing its intensive five-day Python Bootcamp to Europe. The course, taught by Python Essential Reference author David Beazley, will take place July 16-20th. Python Bootcamp is designed for system administrators and developers who need a powerful scripting language to automate complex tasks, develop systems using Python, and extend existing systems.

Sennheiser to ship new noise-cancelling headphones

05/10, 5:40pm

New Sennheiser headphones

Sennheiser's new PXC 450 headphones use an over-the-ear design and the company's NoiseGard 2.0 technology (powered by two AAA batteries) to effectively eliminate outside sound. The headphones can operate for up to 16 hours with or without noise cancelling, as the speakers are driven by a separate battery, and wearers can hit the "TalkThrough" button to allow external audio via microphones. All controls are located in a cluster on a single earpiece, and using the power switch will fade audio in and out. The headphones will ship to the UK latest this month for £300 ($595), and come with a travel case, as well as adapters for airplanes and 6.3mm jacks. [via Tech Digest]

Hearts of Iron 2: Armageddon update ships

05/10, 5:15pm

Armageddon released

Virtual Programming today released Armageddon, the update to Hearts of Iron 2: Doomsday. The new release picks up where Hearts of Iron II: Doomsday left off, and includes two entirely new alternative history scenarios presenting fresh challenges to veteran players. The scenarios have variable end dates alongside a variety of new game options, and the update includes numerous new units. New attachments for naval units enable players to scrape or upgrade old ships, and players can build land units with brigades already attached. An air naval combat system radically alters the combat balance, and new damage algorithms for that system make organizing more important while allowing air units to fight longer. Armageddon is priced at $10, and requires Hearts of Iron 2: Doomsday running on Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later to play.

Sony VAIO TZ specs, photos leaked

05/10, 5:00pm

Sony VAIO TZ Specs Leak

Even clearer photos and technical details of the VAIO TZ ultraportable have leaked courtesy of French retailer GrosBill (PDF). Confirming the pick of a 1.06GHz ULV Core 2 Duo, a DVD rewriter, and an integrated VGA camera, the new info also points to an exceptionally thin, MacBook-inspired design. LED backlighting slims down the shell to under 0.9 inches at its thinnest point, and the hinted-at radical keyboard change borrows Apple's trayless design to guard against spills.

Zenum Opus smartphone finally inbound

05/10, 4:55pm

Zenum Opus nearing launch

After considerable delay, Zenum has confirmed that its first smartphone, the Opus, will at last be released later this spring. Once known as the Opus Operis, it appears to have undergone considerable changes, mainly an aesthetic overhaul that includes switching from white to black and enlarging the QWERTY keys for easier typing. Despite indications on the website, it should also ship with Windows Mobile 6 instead of 5. A version with HSDPA broadband is due by the end of 2008.

iRiver trots out multi-talented Clix Cradle

05/10, 4:25pm

iRiver Clix Cradle

iRiver today hoped to spin conventional ideas of the player dock through its Clix Cradle. Built as an accessory just for the second-generation Clix media player, the dock's unique shape lets it flip depending on the role: owners can stand it upright on a USB mount for charging and synchronizing with a computer, but also rest the unit on a flat side for pumping audio through a one-watt speaker system. The Cradle is also unique among docks with a lithium-ion battery that can play about 7 hours of music on a single charge before returning to a PC for its own charge.

Two Top joins NEC in Santa Rosa

05/10, 4:10pm

Two Top Santa Rosa laptops

The flood of Santa Rosa announcements continues, with Two Top joining NEC in pushing the platform for Japan. The premiere laptop is the ViP Note-ZS (pictured), which has a 15.4-inch WXGA (1280x800) display, a 2GHz Core 2 Duo, and Nvidia's newly-announced GeForce 8600M for video. The system comes stock with 2GB of RAM and 120GB of hard drive space, plus a Super Multi DVD drive. It should be available by the end of the month for 159,800 yen ($1,333).

Samsung preps budget 3G phone for AT&T

05/10, 3:50pm

Samsung A617 at FCC

Samsung is nearing the release of what could be its lowest-cost 3G phone ever for AT&T, an FCC filing shows. The A617 will be a simple clamshell design but will have the extra advantage of a dual-band HSDPA radio, tapping it into AT&T's faster 3G Internet access in the US as well as UMTS in Europe. More mainstream Internet access is available through EDGE and calling is worldwide with a quad-band GSM radio. A mention of 2.4GHz in the filing also points to Bluetooth for headsets and PC sync.

Acer puts out Core 2 desktop duo

05/10, 3:20pm

Acer SA90 and S290

Acer on Thursday followed up its Gemstone notebook announcement with news of a pair of fresh desktop PCs. Updated versions of the home-oriented Aspire SA90 and work-minded AcerPower S290 are each designed to be as fast or frugal as needed with the option of CPUs as low as a Celeron D and as quick as the Core 2 Duo. The two are also exceptions to most PCs with integrated Mirage 3 graphics from SiS rather than Intel. 3D-focused buyers can plug a full-speed PCI Express card into the SA90.

Notes from Apple shareholder meeting

05/10, 3:15pm

Analyst: iPhone on time

Apple today revealed at its annual shareholder meeting that its iPhone is on track to ship in June as planned, and hinted at iTunes video rentals at an unknown future date, according to Piper Jaffray senior analyst Gene Munster. "There have been some rumors suggesting that the iPhone could be delayed," Munster wrote in a research note. "CEO Steve Jobs confirmed iPhone will be in the market next month (June)."

Apps: Adium, AudioLobe, MacJournal, e2Sync

05/10, 3:10pm

Adium, AudioLobe, e2Sync

Adium 1.0.3 (free) updates the instant messaging application for Mac OS X that connects to AIM, MSN, Jabber, Yahoo, and more. The latest release fixes a major memory leak after closing chats present since Adium 1.0, and updates to libpurple 2.0.0 from libpurple 2.0.0 beta. Adium 1.0.3 also improves retrieval of MSN buddy icons, and adds NAT-PMP support. [Download - 13.2MB]
AudioLobe 1.4 ($20) provides audio speed and pitch processing for Mac OS X 10.4 and later. The software enables users to alter the speed of audio playback without changing the pitch rate, slowing down complex sequences of audio without the vocal or instruments sounding unintelligible. The update automatically includes the album name of new items added to the playlist when available, generating the name from iTunes data. [Download - 1.5MB]
MacJournal 4.1.2 ($35) enhances the journaling and blogging software with MacJournal Palm Conduit for the Missing Sync application, as well as iWeb support and the ability to import a Stickies database. The latest release also adds support for NetNewsWire, and includes numerous localizations as well as bug fixes. [Download - [form]]
e2Sync ($30 throughout May) brings iPod and cellular phone sync capability to Microsoft Entourage 11.3.5. e2Sync uses Apple's iSync software to bring Entourage Contacts, Tasks, and Calendar items to more than 60 cellular phone models as well as iPods and PDA devices. The software is designed to work out of the box.
Interarchy 8.5.2 ($30) updates the file transfer application for Mac OS X. Interarchy 8.5.2 is primarily a maintenance release that fixes reported issues and adds several refinements. The FTP client adds the Net Disks collection as well as the Bonjour collection to the DOck Menu, and fixes a bug that could prevent users from closing the Connect to Server window. [Download - 7.8MB]
theWord beta (free) is a closed beta test of the new audio Bible software. TheWord features an iTunes-style interface and allows users to bookmark audio sections or export audio to iTUnes for burning to CDs or syncing to iPods. [Download - [form]]

Hisense intros dual-mode touchscreen phone

05/10, 2:50pm

Hisense D907

Hisense has just fused a handful of newer technology into its new D907 phone. The candybar-shaped device is one of the still rare phones to run on both CDMA and GSM phone networks; while either radio is only dual-band, the hybrid design lets it roam on CDMA networks worldwide as well as GSM in most areas outside of North America. Other components cater equally to world travelers, such as a 2.2-inch touchscreen that can be used for handwriting recognition for Mandarin and other languages as well as a GPS receiver for a position fix in unfamiliar territory.

Xmultiple rolls new high-speed flash format

05/10, 2:25pm

Xmultiple SQ Cards

Not satisfied with traditional flash memory, Xmultiple today revealed the SQ card, a new format that aims to fix the flaws of earlier formats. Speed is the greatest improvement, the company boats. Every SQ model eliminates the typically slow transfer rates of flash. A mid-range 1GB card can read data at 24MB/sec and write at 12MB/sec, several times faster than SD or similiar formats; top cards can peak at 60MB. The design is also innovative, te company adds. Since each card is perfectly square and has a connector on each side, owners never have to worry about which end to use.

Nanny Mania released for Mac OS X

05/10, 2:10pm

Nanny Mania released

Gogii Games has released Nanny Mania for Mac OS X, a game that challenges players to take care of a traditional household. "Think you can manage a household? Think being a stay at home mom is easy? Try cleaning, cooking, laundry, and taking care of the parents, four kids and a whole heap of trouble." The game features 150 levels, as well as three different main characters. Players begin with just one child in a small home, but gradually grow into a full-blown family in a larger house for increased difficulty. Nanny Mania is available for $20 via Macgamestore.com, requiring Mac OS X (specific system requirements were unavailable).

E-paper becomes more practical

05/10, 2:10pm

E-paper becomes practical

The company behind Sony's Reader e-book, E Ink, has announced the production of a new form of e-paper that should dramatically improve appearance and performance. E-paper is often criticized for being dim and slow to refresh; the new technology, called Vizplex, increases brightness by up eight percent over previous E Ink offerings, and has had its average switch speed cut from 1.2 seconds down to 740ms. The top speed may be as fast as 260ms.

There should also be more tonal range in images, since greyscale levels have been doubled from four to eight. The first Vizplex displays will begin production this summer, and will come in five different sizes, ranging from 1.9 to 9.7 inches. Even this is an improvement, since E Ink had previously been limited to six-inch screens. [via MobileRead]

Strategy 6 game compilation ships for Mac

05/10, 2:00pm

Strategy 6 ships for Mac

Virtual Programming today released Strategy 6, a box compilation of six Mac strategy games from Paradox. The package includes Europa Universalis II, Crusader Kings, Victoria, Victoria Revolutions, Hearts of Iron 2, and Doomsday. "Turn the tide of World War II. Discover the New World. Industrialize your country and colonize continents. Engage in the power struggles of medieval Europe or assume the leadership role of one of the great Asian dynasties." The compilation is priced at $40, and requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later running on a 500MHz G3 or faster system with at least 256MB of memory.

Nokia packs green alerts into new phones

05/10, 1:45pm

Nokia Energy Saver Alerts

Nokia today announced that it has begun including a new, eco-friendly alert system into all of its newer phones. Starting with the 1200 series as well as the 1650, the company's handsets will now warn owners to unplug their cellphone charger when the battery is full, preventing the charger from consuming power that will simply go wasted. The savings from this act alone could supply power to 85,000 homes a year, Nokia says.

Audio-guided GPS coming to MP3 players?

05/10, 1:35pm

GPS coming to MP3 players?

Technology being developed in the United Kingdom could soon allow GPS navigation without expensive software and displays, according to BBC News. University researchers in Swansea and Glasgow are instead collaborating on an audible guidance system, which could be used in MP3 players and allow music to continue at the same time. After a fixed destination was set, the new system would adjust volume in each ear as direction changes come up. Players could be further programmed to "nudge" a listener towards points of interest, by either adjusting stereo balance, or vibrating the player itself. At the moment, however, this is purely hypothetical -- there is no estimated timeframe for when development will be finished.

Panasonic dips into Santa Rosa notebook waters

05/10, 1:20pm

Panasonic Y7 Santa Rosa

Panasonic on Thursday launched the Y7A as its own contribution to the second wave of Santa Rosa notebooks. The Japanese developer's first take on the architecture focuses on longevity over performance with a 1.4GHz low-voltage Core 2 Duo that nets up to 7.5 hours of battery life. Intel's new X3100 video and 802.11n chipset also make their way into the transition. The 14-inch system sees upgrades of Panasonic's own, the company says: base memory sees a boost to 1GB of RAM and an 80GB hard disk, with PC Card and SDHC card readers providing hooks for outside storage.

Apple hiring iPhone support in Sacramento

05/10, 1:05pm

iPhone support positions

Apple is looking to hire individuals to join its iPhone support team in the Sacramento area, according to one report from the Sacramento Bee. Apple is advertising in newspapers as well as on its website for iPhone personal trainers who are to be based in Elk Grove. "We are hiring qualified people to join the iPhone team in Elk Grove," says Apple's ad. "If you are looking to inspire customers with technology that empowers their lives and get your foot in the door at Apple, this is one opportunity you don't want to miss." The company will hold an invite-only hiring open house in Elk Grove on Wednesday, according to the report, and is asking potential employees to phone (866) 238-6785 to receive an invitation.

Verizon, Comcast line up for broadband race

05/10, 12:50pm

Verizon, Comcast speeds

Two of the United States' most prominent Internet providers are in a race to dramtically improve broadband speeds, writes Broadband Reports. The opening stride was made earlier this week by Comcast, who demonstrated speeds of up to 150Mbps using DOCSIS 3.0 technology -- available in rare instances abroad, but essentially unseen in North America. Comcast's service will only be available in one to two years however, and initial packages will be capped substantially below their potential.

Mitsubishi readies monitor-like LCD TV

05/10, 11:50am

Mitsubishi Viseo MDT241WG

Mitsubishi is readying a fairly remarkable LCD set called the Viseo MDT241WG. Immediately noticeable is the bezel of the screen, which apart from speakers at the bottom, is trimmed as close as that of many computer monitors. But the similarities do not stop there, as despite measuring only 24.1 inches, the set has native support of resolutions up to 1920x1200. Buyers are often limited to sets that are 40 inches or larger before 1080p becomes an option.

The 241 also sports a 1,000:1 contrast ratio and Mitsubishi's MV engine, which should reduce the impact of blur, although response time is rated at a slow 16ms. The set will arrive first in Japan on June 1st, for the equivalent of $1,146. Akihabara News hints at a possible American release.

Briefly: Slingbox demo video; iPhone cases

05/10, 11:50am

Sling video, iPhone cases

In brief: Sling Media has posted a video on YouTube demonstrating how its Slingbox complements the Apple TV, Beyza Cases has unveiled a new line of protective cases for Apple's forthcoming iPhone, AssistiveWare in conjunction with Acapela Group has announced a number of new educational offers for its Mac OS X speech solutions, and ThinkFree has announced its latest online community. Sling Media has produced an instructional video on how the company's Slingbox complements the Apple TV. The demonstration details using a Motorola wireless device to control the Apple TV, and shows a Windows-based laptop displaying content while users control the Apple TV via the Apple Remote.

Zune to get direct music downloads, more?

05/10, 11:40am

Zune Update News

Microsoft is devising both a more video-friendly Zune as well as major updates to the original's software, according to sources within the company. While the company has reportedly demonstrated a flash-based Zune to developers with little impact, the main hard drive based jukebox will also receive a significant makeover. It should have a larger display better suited to watching movies and should see the first capacity upgrade since the 30GB version introduced in November.

NEC brings Santa Rosa laptops to Japan

05/10, 11:05am

NEC Santa Rosa laptops

NEC will be among the first Japanese vendors to sell laptops based on the Intel Santa Rosa platform. Its offering is the 15.4-inch VersaPro VD, which has the choice of 1.8 or 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo processors, and up to 2GB of RAM, and 120GB of hard drive space. Buyers can select a DVD combo drive or upgrade to a full burner.

Unlike some Santa Rosa laptops, there appears to be no option for 802.11n wireless, and in fact, just 802.11a/b/g is extra. As befits a Japanese laptop though, users can restrict access to their system through either a fingerprint scan or a FeliCa card. Windows Vista Business or XP Professional can be installed; VD laptops will begin shipping later this month starting at 180,500 yen ($1,505). [via Akihabara News]

Smart Loops Apple Loops track bundles debut

05/10, 11:00am

Apple Loops track bundles

Smart Loops has released its SL Hit Tracks Hard Rock and SL Hit Tracks Complete download bundles in Apple Loops format, which were previously only available in ACID WAV format. SL Hit Tracks are live 24-bit audio recordings of actual drum performances that are usable with GarageBand, Final Cut, Logic Express, Logic Pro, Soundtrack Pro, Digital Performer, and other Apple Loops compatible Mac and PC audio software. Each SL Hit Track is split into separate chorus, verse, fill, solo and other song sections. Additional short 1 and 2 bar fills and grooves based on the recordings are also included. SL Hit Tracks Hard Rock is priced at $50, while SL Hit Tracks Complete is available for $100.

Special-run Simpsons Xbox 360 revealed

05/10, 10:55am

Xbox 360 Simpsons Edition

Microsoft today adopted a similar exclusivity approach to the Xbox 360 that it has taken with its Zune player. The Xbox 360 Simpsons edition is a special version of the company's standard $399 console meant only to commemorate the upcoming animated movie. In contrast to previous promos with the console, the limited run will color the entire system: the whole shell, as well as the wireless gamepad, will ship in the cartoon's characteristic yellow; the main unit will also have strategically placed art to recall the movie, Microsoft says.

Apple Insomnia Photo competition concluding

05/10, 10:35am

Insomnia Photo competition

Apple's Insomnia Photo competition is drawing to a close, which challenged students across the U.S. to submit original photographs representing the word "growth." The top 25 photos which receive the most ratings from visitors with Apple ID's will be judged by a panel of photographers. From those finalists, one will receive a new MacBook Pro while several others will receive an iPod as well as a copy of Apple's Aperture post production photography software. Several more contestants will receive a copy of Aperture, and Apple is encouraging users to rate their favorite photographs before the contest concludes.

Hitachi ships 200GB, 7200 RPM hard drive

05/10, 10:30am

Hitachi 7K200 Ships

Hitachi today announced that it has started shipping the TravelStar 7K200. The notebook drive is the industry's first to store 200GB while maintaining a desktop-class 7200 RPM speed, and improves even on earlier performance drives: the 7K200 is roughly 18 to 33 percent faster than previous drives operating at the same speed, the company's storage division claims. The updated TravelStar also consumes roughly the same power as 5400 RPM drives and is designed to be quiet enough for watching movies and other clips directly from the hard disk.

Apple patent leads to smaller iPhone

05/10, 9:45am

Apple Backside Touch

Apple has developed a patent that may point the way towards smaller iPhones and touch-sensitive iPods, according to a filing published today. Titled "Back-Side Interface for Hand-Held Devices," the patent hopes to resolve the problem of including touch-sensitive input on smaller screens where the user's hand would obscure the content. The solution described would include a touch-sensitive surface on the opposite side of the screen: users would direct a cursor on the main screen by gliding a finger along the back surface corresponding to the control, triggering actions by applying extra pressure.

Oxeye releases The Strategist

05/10, 9:10am

The Strategist released

Oxeye Game Studio has released The Strategist, a turn-based strategy shareware game with single-player campaigns and online multi-player support. Based on its highly optimized "daisy" engine for Mac OS X market, players take on the role as the Union's youngest and most promising new Strategist, who is just about to complete his training when the camp is struck by poisonous gas missiles. The player's friend, 'Strategist Ricks', is kidnapped and the whole base is shattered by the unexpected attack. To fight back the player has to build new command centers, harbours and industries, and gather information about who the enemies are and where they can be found. The task is not easy and filled with both treachery and deceit."

Motorola braces for iPhone with new models

05/10, 8:50am

Moto Braces for iPhone

Motorola is preparing itself for the iPhone through new hardware, company CEO Ed Zander said at a conference yesterday. The executive claimed that much of Motorola's cellphone strategy is shifting towards Internet access and media playback, and that the company would announce a high-end phone at a European event next week that would reinforce the firm's position against Apple.

"This [phone] has unbelievable video capability. It's a media monster," Zander said.

Apple releases Pro Applications Update 4.0

05/10, 8:10am

Pro Applications Update 4

Apple on Wednesday released Pro Application Support 4.0, an update to its Pro applications suite. The company says the update improves general user interface reliability for Apple's professional applications and is recommended for all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Pro, Motion, Soundtrack Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Aperture, Final Cut Express HD, Soundtrack, Logic Pro and Logic Express. The 7.6MB update is available from the company's servers as well as the Software Update. The update is recommended for all users and requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later.