Apps: Google Buddy, Snak, Amadeus Pro

• Google Buddy 1.0 ($12) enables users to perform Advanced Google searches directly from the desktop. The software offers instant access from a menu bar or hotkey, and provides live search suggestions as users type. Google Buddy supports advanced searches for images, movies, and more. [Download - 1MB]


• Snak 5.3 ($30) is an internet relay chat (IRC) client for Mac OS X that features unique docking windows for efficient use of screen space. Multiple channels share one window, and an action list enables users to set up automatic responses to numerous events. The update offers a new room list panel that stores the list of rooms, negating the need to repeatedly fetch it from the server. The latest release can also play sounds in response to actions, and offers improved AppleScript erorr reporting. [Download - 4.1MB]


• Amadeus Pro 1.0.3 ($40) is a multitrack audio editor supporting a variety of formats including MP3, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, Apple Lossless, AIFF, WAVE, and more. The application can convert vinyls or tapes to CD, offers batch processing functions, includes numerous sound effects with full support for both Audio Unit and VST audio plug-ins, and enables users to create high quality sonograms or spectrum analyses for professional or amateur use. [Download - 8.6MB]


• iCalamus 1.08 ($175) enhances the publishing software for Mac OS X with text styles that support the 'expanded' and 'oblique' attributes, as well as support for using the text ruler attribute 'writing direction right-to-left.' Double clicks on text fields or embedded images in text frames open the relevant editor in iCalamus 1.08, and the text editor supports the Services menu from Mac OS X. [Download - 23.4MB]


• Barcodet ($260) enables users to create bar codes from data stored in a FileMaker Pro database (versions 5 through 8.5 only). Bar code fonts are used for display and printing while FileMaker Pro files handle calculations, and fonts are available in multiple sizes with the ability to scale. Typefaces as small as a millimeter in height support using bar codes wherever verticle space is limited, and there are no plug-ins or scripts to cause compatibility issues.


• pro Fit 6.1.0 ($100) is designed for data and function analysis, plotting, and curve fitting. The update runs natively on Intel-based Macs as a Universal Binary, and includes a new tool for multidimensional curve fitting as well as a revamped rendering engine for plots with native Core Graphics, PDF, and postscript support. The upgrade is available for free to everyone who purchased pro Fit since January 1st of 2006, with upgrades for other users are priced at $55. [Download - 17MB]

Beatles "virtually settled" on iTunes

The entire catalog of the Beatles' music came closer to appearing on Apple's iTunes Store today, with negotiations between Apple and the legendary rock band "virtually settled." Paul McCartney -- one of the founding members of the Beatles and the world record holder for the most successful musician and composer in popular music history -- has laid plans to make all of the Beatles' tracks available on iTunes following the settlement of a trademark dispute between Apple Inc. and Apple Corps. iTunes won't likely see a significant boost to its bottom line as a result of adding the Beatles' music to its online shop, according to analysts cited by the Sacramento Business Journal, but Apple has historically profited from its market leading iPod music players while supporting sales of the portable devices with its integrated online store.

Akvis releases Enhancer 6.0 plugin

Akvis has released Enhancer 6.0, an update to its image enhancement software designed to improve detail in underexposed, overexposed, and mid tone areas of photographs. Enhancer aims to bring out details by intensifying color transition, strengthening the difference between adjacent pixels having different color gradations to reveal details in the shadow and overexposed or mid tone areas. The software performs changes with one shot via a photo correction algorithm, negating the need to manipulate 2-4 shots of the same scene. Batch mode support allows users to automatically process a series of images, and the plug-in works with Adobe Photoshop as well as Photoshop Elements and COrel Photo-Paint. Enhancer 6.0 is priced at $70, and requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later.

Briefly: MacNN review; free iPhone cover...

In brief: MacNN has reviewed Art Text from Belight Software, Wrappers is offering a free reversible iPhone/iPod cover as part of a promotion, Advanced Computer Innovations has expanded its internet-based "Instant online conversion" service, and Spiderweb Software has released the source code for its Blades of Exile game. Belight's Art Text ($40) is a utility designed for use in conjunction with other software, enabling users to create artwork with text and place that is exportable. Art Text supports supports logo and banner creation, as well as decorative headlines for text.

Study: no future for iTunes videos

Online video vendors such as Apple's iTunes Store are likely to see sales peaks this year, according to one study, but that growth will taper off next year if consumers don't start paying for online videos in droves. Forrester Research expects sales of movies and TV shows to almost triple to almost $280 million this year from almost $100 million last year, according to Reuters. "In the video space, iTunes is just a temporary flash while consumers wait for better ways to get video. They're already coming," said Forrester Research analyst James McQuivey who authored the study. McQuivey also called the paid download video market a "dead end," according to the report, and estimates that sales growth is not likely to triple or even double in 2008 and beyond. "Free is going to win," said McQuivey.

Nokia: iPhone will lift phone prices...

The iPhone could well push the cost of phones upwards in the US, Nokia CFO Rick Simonson said at a summit on Monday. The executive noted that the already high attention given to the Apple device could change attitudes towards smartphones and other media-savvy devices in the US, where cellphone owners are used to less expensive but also more limited handsets -- a feature that could play into the hands of Nokia, whose line is increasingly reliant on costly media and network connections.

Leopard delay to give developers more time?

There may be more to Apple's upcoming Mac OS X Leopard launch, which the company delayed until October to ensure its iPhone will ship on time in June, than meets the eye. SeekingAlpha reports that clues point to Leopard doing away with traditional overlapping windows altogether, and that Apple delayed the next generation of Mac OS X to give developers a head start on porting as well as developing new software for new user interface. Apple's own applications reflect such a trend, using paned interfaces rather than overlapping windows for almost every interface. "Such a radical new 'feature' in Leopard would more than justify Apple's efforts to rush developers into learning about the new APIs and preparing them to make some serious changes to their applications," the report states.

PowerBook G4 memory slot failure woes...

Numerous PowerBook G4 owners are crying out to Apple for recognition of an apparently unfixed memory slot failure. Thousands of PowerBook owners have already signed an online petition requesting that Apple acknowledge the issue and repair it, and many users report that they previously had their PowerBooks repaired to fix the same problem but that their notebooks failed a second time after the alleged fix was administered. The problem seems to affect PowerBook G4 15-inch models with 1GHz, 1.25GHz, 1.33GHz, 1.5GHz, and 1.67GHz processor speeds.

ComChart EMR, MacPractice MD join hands

ComChart Medical Software and MacPractice have announced an interface between the multiplatform ComChart EMR and MacPractice MD medical practice management software for Mac OS X. "Physician offices now need only click the MacPractice 'EMR' icon and they will immediately be transported to the patient's chart in ComChart EMR. This feature will enable physician practices to have a 100 percent paperless, 100 percent efficient and 100 percent Mac office." The MacPractice-ComChart Interface requires ComChart EMR 9.2z7 (a free update for ComChart users) and the purchase of a the MacPractice EMR Interface Ability from MacPractice for $500 plus a $200 annual support and updates fee. The MacPractice EMR Interface Ability is free for new customers of MacPractice until June 15th of this year.

Apps: Project Calculator, MacFamilyTree

• Project Calculator 2 ($15) improves the time tracking software with a refined user interface and search functionality. Project Calculator 2 offers more export options for reports, adds filters, and enables users to assign customers to projects or import customers from Apple's Mac OS X Address Book. The software runs natively on Intel-based Macs as a Universal Binary. [Download - 3.3MB]


• MacFamilyTree 4.4.5 ($50) introduces a new report listing all person or family events sorted by decades. The genealogy application is designed to offer a clean overview of all reations in a speedy manner, and the latest release offers users a chronological overview of events in a family tree. The update is free for all MacFamilyTree 4 users, and runs natively on Intel-based Macs as a Universal Binary. [Download - 12MB]


• Peek-a-Boo 2.6 ($20) is a utility to monitor and manipulate all running processes in Mac OS X. The latest revision shows whether a process is running under Rosetta emulation and includes cleaner documentation pages. The update also features an improved helper daemon that runs natively on Intel-based Macs as a Universal Binary, as well as greater optimization. [Download - 1.5MB]


• Bookdog 4.2 ($15) enables Mac users to manage all Google Bookmarks in one window and synchronize all or selected bookmarks with Safari, Firefox, Camino, OmniWeb, and Opera bookmarks. The software also sorts, manages duplicates, verifies, and imports as well as exports bookmark files. [Download - 4.1MB]


• RouteBuddy 1.2.1 ($100) is a GPS-enabled mapping application for Mac OS X enabling users to connect USB Garmin units to a Mac to synchronize waypoints, routes, and tracks. The maintenance update fixes several crash bugs, improves performance with large waypoint lists, and provides additional control over routing behavior. [Download - 19.6MB]


• MachineHead 0.6b ($price) enables musicians and casual audio listeners to manipulate and mash up media files to loop over sections of tracks, alter pitch, and slow down or speed up playback. The application includes a wide range of built-in effects, and works with iTunes to provide access to all media files. MachineHead also integrates a Quartz Composer Visualizer to produce reactive visual displays during playback. [Download - [unknown, not found]]

Lexar ships secure JumpDrive with e-ink meter...

Lexar today revamped its JumpDrive Secure II with the new Plus model. The USB stick continues to rely on the 256-bit AES encryption that automatically locks files on the drive and can securely erase them through a FileShredder function; new, however, is an e-paper storage display borrowed from the Mercury that displays the filled space on the drive without requiring a battery.

Garmin offers Mac OS X PIO Loader, updater

Garmin has released new beta versions of its POI loader and Unit Software Updater, enabling Garmin GPS (Global Positioning System) users to download and install software updates using a Mac and a USB connection. The POI (Point Of Interest) Loader for Mac 2.0.0.1 Beta allows users to load custom points of interest into a GPS unit, accepting input files downloaded from the internet or created custom. Users can configure the unit to produce alerts when they are within a certain distance of a point or are driving over a certain speed near any given point to warn about upcoming school zones, red lights, and speed cameras. POI Loader for Mac 2.0.0.1 Beta is available as a free download, requiring Mac OS X 10.4 or later.

Apple ranks No. 3 on college job list...

Apple is ranked No. 3 behind Google and Disney on the college graduates' list of most sought after jobs, following a similar survey of MBA candidates performed earlier this month. According to the Universum Communications' 2007 Most Desirable Undergraduate Employer ranking, the top five include two government agencies, the U.S. State Dept. (No. 4) and the Peace Corps (No. 5), while Google placed No. 1 and Walt Disney ranked No. 2. The data indicated that nearly 8.5 percent of respondents put Apple among the top 5 companies at which they want to work--ahead of its rivals Microsoft (No. 9) and Sony (no. 17).

AMD intros desktop, laptop Radeon HD...

AMD this morning introduced the ATI Radeon HD 2000 graphics line, its first video chipsets designed with a unified shader architecture that allows the more advanced high dynamic color range and other advanced geometry and pixel effects possible in newer OpenGL programs as well as Windows Vista's DirectX 10. Cards have as many as 320 individual stream (shader) processors for brute-force acceleration, AMD says; the new chips also have native Crossfire hardware onboard that lets them pair up in dual PCI Express slots without demanding a master card or a specialized Crossfire cable. Vendor-specific cards can include HDMI out with audio for turning a system into a media center PC.

MCE announces 250GB mobile drive upgrade...

MCE Technologies on Monday announced its MobileStor Performance line of hard drive upgrade solutions for the MacBook Pro and MacBook with capacities up to 250GB. Along with a high-performance, high-capacity 2.5-inch SATA hard drive, each MCE MobileStor Performance hard drive upgrade solution includes an external, portable 2.5-inch SATA enclosure with both eSATA and USB 2.0 interfaces facilitating easy data transfer from the original drive; the upgrades also include SuperDuper! cloning/backup software, all tools required for installation, and an illustrated installation manual. Pricing starts at $130 for the 100GB/7200RPM model to $280 for the 250GB/5400RPM model. All capacities of the MobileStor Performance mobile drive upgrade line are shipping now except the 250GB model which is scheduled to ship June 1. The company also offers a value-oriented line of 5400-rpm based MobileStore mobile drive upgrades.