Refurb MacBook supply evaporates...

Apple's supply of reconditioned MacBooks has once again disappeared, but the company is still offering one MacBook Pro model alongside one refurbished Mac Pro system. Apple's 17-inch 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo MacBook Pro ($1,999) includes 1GB of DDR2 memory, a 120GB SATA hard drive, a slot-loading DVD±RW/CD-RW SuperDrive, and an ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics card with 256MB of video memory. The remaining Mac Pro Quad 3GHz Intel Xeon ($3,299) includes 2GB of DDR2 memory, a 250GB SATA hard drive, a 16x double-layer SuperDrive, and an ATI Radeon X1900 XT graphics card with 512MB of video memory.

Workplace 1.1 brings unity, Conflict

Collanos has launched an update to its signature application, Workplace. The software allows employees to work together online, by organizing tasks, sharing documents, and engaging in active conversations. Variants are available for the Mac, Windows and Linux. The v1.1 update adds two major features: the first is the Conflict Bin, which saves older versions of files, allowing them to be restored if someone in a group accidentally deletes them. The second is the Central User Directory, which is intended to link every user of Workplace worldwide, and should allow some work to be completed even when offline. The Mac program requires Mac OS X 10.4.2, as well as Java Runtime Environment 1.5.

CardRaider 1.2 adds RAW support

Ecamm Network has released CardRaider 1.2, an update to its program for recovering photos from memory cards used in digital cameras. Any type of card is supported, so long as it can be accessed from a USB-enabled reader, or a camera with a connector cable. Users can choose to scan and save separately, or automatically save everything, with the added ability to export directly to iPhoto. Conversely, images can be deliberately sabotaged to be inaccessible. Version 1.2 introduces the critical feature of RAW support -- compatible formats extend from major manufacturers such as Canon and Nikon, to more niche companies such as Leaf and Sigma. The software requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later, and costs $20 for the full version. A 1.9MB demo is also available.

Flash-based Apple notebooks planned

Apple is planning to release a new notebook with solid state flash memory "soon," according to sources cited by Macworld UK. The Cupertino-based company is destined to release an ultra-portable thin 13-inch MacBook with an LED-back lit display, no optical disc drive, and on-board NAND flash memory that is thinner and lighter than existing MacBooks, according to AppleInsider, which should launch late this year or early next year. Industry watchers speculate that the portables will make use of Intel's new Santa Rosa laptop processor, which implements support for solid state memory that can boost laptop battery life and startup times. Apple CEO Steve Jobs earlier this month in an open letter to the public revealed that the company plans to introduce its first Macs with LED backlight technology this year.

MS releases beta of Word Open XML converter...

Microsoft today released its standalone, drag and drop MS Word Open XML file converter for Office 2004 for Mac. Helping users transition to the new Office Open XML file format, the company said that the standalone, drag and drop converter was developed as a provisional solution until the final, integrated converter is available. The new converter provides read-only access to Office Open XML files and converts Word documents to a Rich Text Format (.rtf) while offering both individual and batch file conversion.

Ableton releases Live Lite to Full upgrade

Ableton has announced that an upgrade package, called Live Lite to Full, should now be available from instrument dealers around the world. Live Lite is a "crippled" version of Live 6, and mainly comes bundled with equipment from companies like Digidesign, Korg and Tascam; by buying Live Lite to Full, the missing features are restored. Some of these include unlimited audio and MIDI tracks, unlimited effects and plug-ins, and high-quality multitrack recording (32-bit, 192KHz). MP3, FLAC and Ogg Vorbis formats become supported, as do things such as ASIO, ReWire and Core Audio. Finally, buyers get a copy of the Essential Instruments Collection sample library. The software costs $420 (€380).

Vista sales rate cut in half...

Microsoft today revealed that it had sold 40 million copies of Windows Vista in the 100 days since its late-January debut. Company founder Bill Gates made the statement at the opening of Microsoft's WinHEC conference, and noted that many of the copies sold were versions above and beyond the standard version; 78 percent of copies were for Home Premium or higher, he said. The figure was cited as proof of an increasing shift to digital media in most computer users' lives.

AutoPrice for QuarkXPress 7.0 Universal

Meadows Publishing has released a new version of its AutoPrice application, which now supports QuarkXPress 7.0 Universal Binary. AutoPrice enables catalog publishers to link documents directly to a database, which ensures that both print and online publications are updated with the very latest price information. It can also be used to update other figures, such as timetables and telephone numbers, so long as the information can be referenced by a key value, such as a product number. To order a new copy of AutoPrice, buyers must contact Meadows directly. (Pricing not available.)

CrossOver Mac 6.1 improves 3D gaming

CodeWeavers today released CrossOver Mac 6.1 and CrossOver Linux 6.1, improving Windows 3D game performance with quicker speed frame rates. CrossOver Mac enables Mac owners to run Windows software on a Mac by sidestepping the entire Windows environment with all its accompanying issues and vulnerabilities. The update enables Outlook users to work remotely using RPC over HTTP, and adds support for more games such as Call of Duty 2. Popular Windows applications supported by CrossOver Mac 6.1 include Microsoft Office, Viseo, and Project as well as Quicken and QuickBooks. CrossOver Mac 6.1 is priced at $60, and requires an Intel-based Mac.

Microsoft unveils Expression Media

Microsoft has unveiled Expression Media, a new professional asset management tool that works on Mac OS X systems to visually catalog and organize digital assets for retrieval and presentation. Users can drag-and-drop to import more than 100 different media formats, including digital RAW files. Expression Media features batch processing to rename, convert, or tag hundreds of files at a time while offering search functionality to find and retrieve digital media assets.Users can edit images and track changes with version control, and folder watching keeps catalogs up to date. Microsoft Expression Media is priced at $300, but is available for pre-order from Amazon.com for $280. The software requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later.

Samsung intros 22-inch LCD with webcam

Samsung on Tuesday afternoon upgraded its SyncMaster LCDs with the 225UW, an enhanced version of its recent 22-inch LCD. The updated design is built for video conferencing with a 2-megapixel webcam integrated at the top as well as dual microphones that help cancel out background noise. Samsung also promises a two-port USB hub for peripherals and the choice of either DVI or VGA for the display signal. As with recent 22-inch displays, the 225UW boasts a 700:1 contrast ratio and a quick 5ms pixel response for gaming and movies. Pricing and availability for the new display haven't been announced by Samsung, which is aiming today's announcement at the US market.

Mac mini modified with 3G/EVDO connectivity

Recent speculation suggested that Apple may incorporate 3G wireless technology into its future notebook models, but tests from EVDOinfo.com reveal that all currently shipping Intel-based Macs may already support EVDO. "Over the last few months, we have been doing our own internal testing," the site wrote, concluding that all current Intel-based Macs may already support EVDO. "It isn't a pretty solution, but it works!" Testing started with an Intel-based Mac mini, which testers modified by removing the built-in AirPort card and inserting a Novatel Expedite PCI Express Mini Card Module -- which was previously activated on a supported laptop -- in the AirPort slot. After bypassing a hardware check and installing Apple's WWAN update for EVDO, a dialog box popped up showing the internal EVDO card as recognized.

Belkin debuts Network USB Hub

Belkin today unveiled its Network USB Hub (site not updated) that works with existing wireless routers to access printers, media readers, and external hard drives. The hub simulates a direct USB connection that makes devices on the network appear attached directly to a computer, and special caching techniques allow for support of high-speed USB devices as well as isochronous transfers at full speed. Belkin's software also allows users to transfer control of USB devices on the Hub between computers. The company is planning to ship the new device in late June with launches in Asia, Europe, and Australia to follow. Mac drivers are slated for availability in September. Belkin's Network USB Hub is priced at $130 with five USB ports.

Wacom rolls out Bamboo designer tablet...

Wacom this morning took its tablets in a different direction with the Bamboo, one of its first designer tablets. Made to look like a luxury Japanese pen set, the A6-sized drawing surface also has a circular trackpad for scrolling through images and other documents without interrupting the drawing process; programmable buttons surrounding the pad will also perform specific actions on command. The pen can also quickly change roles, Wacom adds. A button on the side switches to a gesture mode that controls the computer without affecting the drawing area onscreen.

Kensington intros QuickSeek FM for iPod...

Kensington on Tuesday morning launched the QuickSeek FM Transmitter for iPod, a new audio broadcaster it says eliminates the manual hunting for a clear station that often mars the experience. The namesake technology can automatically scan through and find the clearest station in the area, saving the trouble of skipping through individual stations. Owners can also set three presets for stations they know they can use. Although compatible with any FM stereo, the QuickSeek is built for cars and includes a 12-volt car charger that can power all fourth-generation or newer iPods as well as generic USB devices.

Paul McCartney album exclusively on iTunes...

Apple today announced that Paul McCartney's new album, "Memory Almost Full" is available for digital pre-order beginning Tuesday exclusively on the iTunes. iTunes customers pre-ordering the 13 track album in the US will receive the "Dance Tonight" music video when the album is delivered and the single "Ever Present Past", immediately upon pre-ordering the new album. Additionally, Paul McCartney's full catalog of 25 solo albums will be available for the first time digitally on iTunes later this month. "Paul McCartney is one of the greatest musicians of all time, and we're extremely excited to offer his first digitally distributed album on iTunes," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO.

Apple's new MacBooks: faster CPUs, 1GB mem...

Apple today updated its MacBook consumer notebooks with faster Intel Core 2 Duo processors, 1GB of memory and larger hard drives in every model. The entry-level MacBook now features 1GB of RAM,a 80GB drive, combo drive (CD-RW/DVD) and a 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 processor for $1,099, while the SuperDrive-enabled model features 1GB of RAM, a 120GB drive, and 120GB drive for $1,299. The black MacBook adds a larger 160GB drive for $1,499. Update Apple's online store is back online after the announcement early Tuesday morning.

Fujitsu ships 250GB slim notebook drive...

Fujitsu today began shipping the MHY2BH, the highest-capacity 5400RPM drive yet available for notebooks at 250GB. The drive is quiet at 24 decibels when idle, and is also miserly by consuming no more than 1.9W of power at peak activity. Unlike the slower 300GB drive, the blend of capacity and effectiveness doesn't come at the price of size, according to Fujitsu: where the earlier drive is 12.5mm tall and meant for desktop replacements, the MHY2BH is only 9.5mm high and capable of fitting into thin-and-light notebooks.