Firefox 2.0.0.4 update addresses security

Mozilla today released Firefox 2.0.04, an update to the popular open-source browser. The free browser brings several security updates, improved Vista support, and new language localizations. The update addresses critical memory corruption issues that the developers believe could be exploited to run arbitrary code as well as a "high" impact security flaw that could allow a malicious user to inject a script into another site in violation of the browser's same-origin policy. The script, Mozilla said, could be used to access or modify private or valuable information from that other site. Other flaws addressed in the update include XUL Popup Spoofin, XSS using addEventListener, Path Abuse in Cookies, and Persistent Autocomplete Denial of Service. New versions are also available for Afrikaans (af) and Belarusian (be). The browser is a free download for all users.

Apple still ignoring enterprise market?...

Although Apple is famous for its media players and desktop systems, it has still largely ignored the enterprise realm according to some involved with the industry. "I definitely say Apple's enterprise support is lacking compared to someone like Sun, which is very good," says LiveWorld's operations director, Andrew Oliver. The company uses 120 Xserve systems, but Oliver notes that Apple's support is "too weak and is frustrating. Once we upgraded to their enterprise support program, that improved, but anytime you want to step out of the box, they almost want to wash their hands of you."

Xserve Lights-Out Management firmware update

Apple today issued an update to its Xserve Lights-Out Management Firmware that offers functionality improvements alongside a security fix. Xserve Lights-Out Management Firmware 1.0 remedies a security issue affecting Intel-based Xserve systems that could enable a remote user to gain admin privileges on the Xserve with IPMI configured in a particular manner. The fix addresses the issue by requiring a password for remote usage of IPMI.

OpenGL, DirectX support coming to Parallels...

Parallels today announced that it is entering the final stages of testing for the next major release of Parallels Desktop for Mac by launching release candidate 3.0 to the private beta community. The new test version contains more than 50 new features, including a cross-platform file and application integration feature called SmartSelect. The latest beta release also offers support for DirectX and OpenGL 3D graphics alongside easy backup and restore via Snapshots. Parallels Desktop for Mac allows users to run Microsoft Windows, Linux, and any other operating system right alongside Mac OS X without rebooting. The company said it expects the final release of Parallels Desktop for Mac 3.0 within the next few weeks. Parallels Desktop for Mac 3.0 will be priced at $80 for new users. [updated]

RealPlayer 11 catches web video...

Real Networks today revealed RealPlayer 11, the next major version of its media player software. The jukebox is the first to focus attention on capturing web-based video instead of simply offering tools to play it back. A unique extension to the player's web plugin can automatically detect videos that are recordable from the web and saves multiple clips at one time; this works for both live video events as well as prerecorded shows, Real says. The software is intelligent enough to also recognize copy protection on certain streams and will refuse downloads when DRM appears. Any video can be linked to a friend through a sharing feature to save the trouble of recreating the link.

YouTube, EMI strike content deal...

YouTube and EMI on Thursday announced a deal that will see the music label's content legally available on the web video site. Visitors to the page would have the option of watching officially-sanctioned music videos, but would also have permission to clip segments of videos to blend them as part of their own unofficial projects. The agreement includes higher-profile artists such as Coldplay and represents the first time that all four major music labels have explitictly given approval to using their material online, according to YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley.

LaCie releases 2TB Ethernet Big Disk

LaCie has announced an upgrade to its Ethernet Big Disk, doubling capacity from the present 1TB to a substantial 2TB. The drive is intended for homes and small businesses; aside from functioning as a standard network server, it can be expanded through two USB ports, one of which can be connected to a computer directly. Music, movies and photos can be shared with anyone linked to a router, and the Disk specifically supports UPnP-compatible AV adapters attached to TVs and stereos. The 1TB drive is currently on sale for $320, while the 2TB model should ship in mid-June for $1,100.

PandoraJam streams internet radio to iPods

Bitcartel Software today released PandoraJam 1.0, an application that enables listeners of the Pandora.com internet radio service stream music wirelessly to a home stereo or record audio for playback on iPods. The software also supports submitting tracks to Last.fm, a free 'personalized' radio service that tailors each station to users' preferences based on a named favorite band or artist. PandoraJam 1.0 features desktop integration via Growl notifications, instant messenger updates, and keyboard shortcuts. The application runs natively on Intel-based Macs as a Universal Binary, and is priced at $15 requiring Mac OS X 10.4 or later.

Fabrix offers two new Delux laptop cases

Fabrix today added two new designs to its Delux Laptop Case collection, providing decorative protection for Apple's MacBook and MacBook Pro notebooks. The new designs, titled Floral Explosion and Black Beauty, are available in sizes that fit both of Apple's current-generation notebooks as well as custom sizing for owners of non-Mac laptops. The cases are made from brown floral polyester with an interior of quilted nylon padding to cushion the notebook. Fabrix Delux Laptop cases are priced from $45.

Google focuses on making offline apps...

Google has used its 2007 Developer Day event to provide developers with Gears, an open-source means of bringing web applications offline. Programs created with it operate as a browser extension, but store resources locally, enabling weblike functions such as e-mail and photo editing. Applications also treat their content as a relational database, meaning that users can search for material much as they would at Google.com. The company's first example of the technology is Reader, which now allows users to read as many as 2,000 news items away from the website.

Adobe shares Acrobat 3D 8 PRC specs

Adobe has unveiled the specifications for the PRC file format supported by Acrobat 8. PRC is used to create 3D models that users can import into PDF documents using custom tools; it is also said to retain accuracy while producing dramtically smaller file sizes, by a factor of 100 to 300. The release of PRC's internal workings means that Mac developers can integrate the technology into upcoming CAD/AEC software. Adobe's own Acrobat 3D application is currently Windows-only, however.

Fortune: Apple TV 'a dud'...

The editor-at-large of Fortune magazine, Brent Schlender, has tested the Apple TV for several weeks and declared that it's "as uninspired as another prominent dud," the Microsoft Zune. Schlender extends this simile to four points: like the Zune's Wi-Fi, the Apple TV also has a crippled central feature, in that while intended for HDTVs, its videos may often be as fuzzy as broadcast TV. Schlender also complains that just as the Zune's best feature is actually cosmetic (a third color, brown), the Apple TV benefits most from its "ethereal" photo screensaver and that even those photos are handled awkwardly.

Swift Share helps manage shared content

Koingo Software has released Swift Share 1.0, its share point and file server management utility for Mac OS X. Swift Share enables users to choose only specific folders to share with others, and offers control over who has access to those shares. The software also supports managing users and groups on Mac systems, and allows customization of almost 100 aspects of Apple and Windows file servers from workgroups to authorization modes. Swift Share is priced at $20, and requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later.

Netsys sues Parallels German distributor

Netsys has filed a lawsuit against Parallels Desktop German distributor Avanquest for copyright infringement, claiming that Parallels' software offerings are directly descended from its own line of products which Parallels was commissioned to help develop. Netsays claims that Parallels took the product it had developed on paid commission, enhanced it, and began distributing it separately, according to Virtual Strategy Magazine. Netsys previously filed a lawsuit in an "urgency proceeding" -- a court case with no way to hear arbitrary witnesses or experts. Netsys lost the case, which requested a temporary injunction from the Landgericht district court of Berlin. Netsys has filed a new suit, and this time the firm has requested afull trial to consult arbitrary witnesses and experts.

Apple patent keeps iPhone signals clean...

Apple has developed a way to keep the iPhone and any other future wireless handhelds free of interference, according to a newly granted US patent. The filing, originally made just weeks before the iPhone's announcement at Macworld San Francisco, is meant to address the potentially dangerous problem of interference from peripherals brought near or attached to the device. A detector chip placed inside the hardware could be trained to recognize certain classes of add-ons or individual models and warn the user if a device (familiar or otherwise) could disrupt the main signal; this could occur through either an audio or a visual cue, Apple writes. Synchronizing the main device could provide an updated list of accessories to prevent false alarms.

HungrySeacow releases YummySoup! 1.3

HungrySeacow Software today released YummySoup! 1.3, an update to the recipe management application that focuses on organizing, sharing, cooking, and shopping. The latest release adds a Wine & Spirits manager, as well as a new theme for displaying recipes. YummySoup! also includes an online library of recipes submitted by users, a full screen view for cooking, shopping lists, and more. YummySoup! 1.3 is priced at $20 and requires Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger or later. [Download - 2.8MB]

Briefly: cheap iPods, WWDC iPod guide...

In brief: A police auction site offers cheap iPods, M-Audio teaches Torq, WWDC comes in handheld form, and Sonnet takes home an NAB award. The site PropertyRoom.com, which specializes in goods from police auctions, has just begun carrying more inexpensive iPods. It has signed an agreement with NextWorth, a company which handles customer trade-ins from retailers; the result is that numerous used and "like new" iPods will go on auction at PropertyRoom, with bids starting at just $1. Current auctions include a 4GB iPod nano and a 30GB iPod video.

Google 3D Warehouse comes to Photoshop...

Adobe and Google have announced Photoshop CS3 Extended plug-in for the Google 3D Warehouse, which offers allows PS3E users to download free 3D content from Google's free online repository for 3D models and content from within the application. After downloading the plug-in and 3D models, users can access the textures applied to model surfaces, enhance them with Photoshop CS3 Extended and save them back in the standard COLLADA. The Google 3D Warehouse plug-in for Photoshop CS3 Extended for Mac OS X free download from the Adobe Labs Web site.

DivX 6.7 offers faster decoding, bug fixes

DivX for Mac 6.7 has been released. With this release, Mac users can playback protected, DivX-formatted, VOD content for the first time. The full version of DivX for Mac 6.7 is available for download on DivX.com for $20. There is also a free version available that includes a 15-day trial of the DivX Converter and a 6-month trial of DivX Codec for Mac with Pro features. The new player features free, full-screen playback of DivX Video, is a Universal Binary and has support for playback of DivX VOD movies. The included DivX Codec 6.6 offers 12% faster decoding, resulting in smoother playback and better HD compression when encoding. There is also a new "Desktop Dimmer" feature that dims the desktop for Web playback. Finally, a few bug fixes are included.