Briefly: VM benchmarks, iPhone battery death...

In brief: Virtualization software benchmarks, IOGEAR gets USB-IF certification, an estimator for when your iPhone battery will die, two effects plug-ins for the price of one, Cocktail Panther edition is now freeware, and a social networking app for the iPhone debuts ... VMWare is spearheading an effort to develop reliable, accurate benchmarks for virtualization environments like its own, offerings from Parallels and others. Dell and Sun Microsystems have already published results based on the beta version of the benchmark. The reason normal benchmarks cannot be used is that they were designed to test how one application performs on a single server. With virtualization, several applications can run on the same physical piece of hardware. eWeek reports "the final score, according to VMware, is based on the performance of the workloads at a given number of tile."

Two new iPod speaker docks debut

iLive has debuted two new iPod docking systems with built in speakers. The new model IBR2807DP features a blue backlit LCD display with a digital clock, built in AM/FM Radio, a certified iPod Connector and a recharge circuit compatible with the iPod/mini/nano/video/photo. Input/output features include auxiliary in for other audio players, and standard AV output jacks. This model is priced at $70. The IBCD2817DP costs $30 more and includes similar specs to the former, but adds a vertical CD player located on the back of the unit, digital volume controls and a wireless remote.

Strata unveils three Photoshop CS3 plug-ins

Strata today released three new plug-ins for Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended titled Strata Design 3D[in], Strata Foto ED[in], and Strata Live 3D[in]. The new software allows users to match 3D objects to photos, build as well as edit 3D layers, render to 15 different layers that are grouped into two categories -- color compositing layers and masks & selection layers, create 3D objects from photos, and generate life 3D Web or PDF pages from Photoshop layouts. Strata Design 3D[in] offers Match[in], Model[in], and Render[in] synchronized to Strata's Strata 3D application engine. Strata Foto 3D[in] enables users to generate 3D models from photos shot with a standard digital camera, and Strata Live 3D[in] produces real-time interactive 3D content for websites as well as PDF documents. Each plug-in is priced at $100, and requires Adobe Photoshop CS3.

Socket Pocket charges iPhones, more on walls [u]...

Perfect Curve today released its simple Socket Pocket wall charger for handheld devices. Just wide enough for the iPhone and full-size iPods, the holder fits next to a wall outlet and keeps most devices safely on a vertical surface while they charge rather than resting them on a counter or desk, where they might be damaged by a knock to the ground or crushed by a larger object. A bottom port also provides the space for the Dock Connector's power cable or any other AC adapter to run directly to the nearby outlet. [pricing corrected]

FileGuard X4 offers data protection

Intego has begun shipping a beta of FileGuard X4, a new data protection program that provides "virtually unbreakable" protection for sensitive files. The tool allows users to create as many safes as they need for different types of files and store safes on servers or external disks with full security. Unlike Apple's FileVault, which requires that users encrypt their entire home folder, FileGuard X4 is selective, allowing users choose which files or folders they want to protect. FileGuard allows users to set a different password for each safe and create safes by drag-and-drop, or from the Intego menu. Safes increase in capacity as you add more files, and you can change the size of a safe or compress it to save space. FileGuard requires Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or higher and 20 MB of hard drive space. It is currently available as a public beta download.

Apple to open new Italian stores

Apple is reported to be opening up two new Italian storefronts within the next few days. On Tuesday, July 24th, a dedicated store will be opening up in the Mondadori Multicenter in Milan, measuring approximately 646 square feet; as an incentive to come early, shoppers within the first week of sales will be able to get an iPod shuffle for just €1 if they have purchased a Mac. July 25th will see the opening of a second store in Rome, this time within the largest Media World store in Europe, measuring some 65,000 square feet. Here the Apple space is expected to be a smaller 538 square feet; this store-within-a-store strategy has been employed in other European countries such as Belgium, England, France and the Netherlands.

Trapcode updates work with Final Cut Pro

Red Giant Software today released updates to its Trapcode Shine, Starglow, and 3D Stroke plug-ins that work with Final Cut Pro, Motion, After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Avid AVX. The updates add support for full 32-bit floating-point rendering to generate light rays, glows, and animated lines with the highest quality output. 3D Stroke features a series of 40 preset shapes for generating outlines or swirling strokes, The update includes the Shine 1.5, Starglow 1.5, and 3D Stroke 2.5 plug-ins. Trapcode Shine 1.5 simulates a bright spotlight behind text or logos, while Starglow 1.5 adds glows and glints to text and titles. Trapcode 3D Stroke 2.5 lets users dynamically write on a logo in 3D space or create organic and fluid lines. Trapcode Shine, Starglow, and 3D Stroke are priced at $100 each, but current Trapcode After Effects users can upgrade for $50 per plug-in or $100 for all three.

Apps: Prairiefire, TinyBooks, Immutation

• Safari Prairiefire 1.2 ($6) lists all bookmarks, scans for dead and missing links, and allows the user to delete or edit any bookmarks. This release has been rebuilt for increased performance on Intel Macs. It further brings compatibility with Safari version 3.0, support for web proxies, and contains a variety of bug fixes. It's a free upgrade to all registered users. [Download - 3.7MB]


• TinyBooks v5.0.2 ($50) single-entry bookkeeping and accounting system designed for Sole Proprietors, home and other small businesses, and family finances. It includes a fully non-modal Reports Window offers easy standard and custom reporting and searching. All transactions are easily exportable to other programs as standard tab-delimited text files. Version 5.0.2 adds keyboard equivalents to all the items in the new Sort Menu, adds improvements to the Auto-Comment Popup Menu, etc.[Download - 240KB]


• Immutation 1.0.0 ($20) based around Core Image, this tool allows users to chain together Image Units such as Sepiah Tone or White Point Adjust to make compelling images. These chains can be saved for future use and applied to many images at once.  Since Immutation uses non-destructive editng, users are can experiment without damaging their originals. [Download (demo) - 836KB]


• MBS REALbasic plug-ins in version 7.4 ($25) a collection of several plug-in parts which extend the REALbasic development environment with over 800 classes and 2 controls featuring over 15000 documented functions. The plug-ins require REALbasic 5.5 or newer. This release adds WindowsWMIMBS class to query the Windows Management Interface  for some information and a static linked ImageMagick for Mac OS X and Linux. Not all  formats are supported currently. SIMImageMBS class and others. [Download - 65MB]
 

• RapidoStart 1.6 (free) application designed to quickly launch applications, open documents, or access folders. When there is not enough space in the Apple Dock, you can use RapidoStart to stock an endless number of items. When RapidoStart is installed, a discreet icon sits in the corner of your screen, and you click to activate it. A palette slides onto the screen, to which you can add your favorite applications (with a simple drag and drop),  or of course, select them to launch them. The new release has an updated user interface and categories management. [Download - 1.6MB]


• CrushFTP 4.3.3 ($30) FTP server tool for Mac OS X. The new release adds support for PDF submissions, and FDF submissions, search results now can reveal the enclosing parent folder, and SSL SMTP email is now supported.  FTP server items have support for multiple incoming WAN IP addresses, the user manager is now faster with built in searching to find the user you are looking for, and the SQL plugin can now handle all features of CrushFTP User Manager.[Download - 1.6MB]


• Compress Files 2.0 ($10) tool to compress, archive, encrypt files and omit Mac-specific invisible files under Mac OS X. Can create Zip compressed files; TAR archives; Gzip compressed archives; Bzip2 compressed archives; compressed and encrypted Zip files and compressed and encrypted disk images. You can also omit Mac-specific invisible files when creating zip files. This release primarily adds support for encryped Zip archives.[Download - 1.8MB]

SoonR brings desktop access to iPhone

SoonR today announced the SoonR mobile AJAX-enabled interface that allows iPhone users to access files as well as applications and mail on a Mac or PC. The software supports viewing more than 40 document types in a simple slide show-style interface that lets users page through files like spreadsheets and presentations rendered specifically for the iPhone's screen. SoonR has adapted its full mobile AJAX interface to scale fonts and pictures for easy access via fingertips, and makes proper adjustments to maintain usability when users switch from portrait to landscape mode. SoonR users can also initiate a Skype call from an iPhone and use a PC or Mac to bridge the call, using a SkypeOut call to bring the mobile phone into the Skype conference that originated on the desktop computer. SoonR is available as a digital download and requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later with a Web-enabled mobile phone and data service.

AllHipHop relaunches in tandem with iTunes

The long-standing AllHipHop.com has undergone a major relaunch, thanks in part to dealings with Apple. The focus of the relaunch is on "urban lifestyle" -- through additions such as audio streams and messageboards -- but the site has also added the E-Store, which features music from both Amazon and the iTunes Store. The latter should offer upcoming podcasts, as well as a special promotion lasting through to the end of July, in which 250,000 codes will be given away for a free mixtape. Currently, it is unknown if there are plans to link the E-Store website directly to tracks on iTunes.

iPhones coming to Germany via Karstadt

Apple's iPhone is coming to Germany in the near future via local department store chain Karstadt, which has confirmed that it will carry the slim multi-touch communications device. Karstadt said it is too early to confirm whether the iPhones will sell with a contract, but said that it will indeed carry the popular device and will try to receive stock in time for the Christmas shopping season, according to Reuters. "We will offer the iPhone," a spokeswoman from Karstadt said. Apple promised to offer the iPhone in Europe before the end of 2007, but has yet to announce one or more cellular carriers in the region for the upcoming overseas launch. Rumors that Vodafone would offer iPhone service in Europe were diminished after the international carrier expressed doubts about the iPhone's potential success. Those doubts followed reports that 1,000 German consumers were inquiring about the iPhone each day, and preceded the iPhone's record-breaking launch in the U.S.

Kingston speeds up CompactFlash to 266X...

Kingston today doubled the performance of its Ultimate-series Compact Flash cards with new 266X models, providing a dramatic speed boost to photographers with digital SLR cameras whose work may thrive on burst shots or quick transfers to a computer. While providing official speed just short of its Lexar 300X rival, it should write data at a minimum of 30MB per second -- double that of the older 133X, Kingston boasts. Freely downloadable MediaRECOVER software supported by the cards will let Macs and Windows PCs salvage damaged or deleted photos in the event of a mistake.

iPhone security flaw offers complete control...

A new security flaw in Apple's iPhone could allow attackers to access personal information such as SMS text messages and voice mails stored on the device, and could even provide malicious users with a means of recording the iPhone owner or taking photos with the handset's built-in digital camera. The exploit, which was discovered by a group of security researchers who plan to detail the hole at the BlackHat conference in Las Vegas on August 2nd, offers complete unfettered access to the phone with administrator privileges. The experts who discovered the flaw at Independent Security Evaluators are refusing to provide extensive details on the security flaw but said iPhone users need only access a maliciously crafted website or forum post to hand over complete control of their phone to that site's owner.

24U SimpleChart Plug-In 1.0 for FMP 9 ships

24U Software has released 24U SimpleChart Plug-In 1.0 for FileMaker Pro 9 (FMP 9), a plug-in allowing FileMaker Pro databases to generate and display basic charts. The plug-in spawns charts into calculated or regular container fields, and users can update unsorted charts automatically after editing or changing a set without the need for scripting. Stored charts are modifiable at a later date by adding new data series or changing the chart style, even without access to the original data. Key 24U SimpleChart Plug-In 1.0 generates pie charts, horizontal as well as vertical bar charts, and line as well as area charts. The software offers 2D and 3D style for all charts, accepts data from parameters as well as found sets or related records, and automatically updates charts after changing data or the found set. The Plug-In is priced at $50 for a single-user license, and the company has promised to bring instant Web publishing support to 24U SimpleChart Plug-In 1.1.

EasyMoney 1.0 manages, tracks funds

ToThePoint Software today released EasyMoney 1.0, a simple money management application for home and small business use that allows users to set up any number of account books. The software supports creating unlimited expense and income accounts, accepts any type of transaction to update financial information, and offers financial tracking to find out where money goes. Users can budget with EasyMoney by tracking income and expenses by accounts, and can allocate starting amounts for budget accounts. EasyMoney 1.0 is priced at $20 (system requirements were unavailable).

Briefly: Apple's new trademark, June quarter...

In brief: Apple has filed for a new trademark titled "WaveBurner," financial results of Apple's June quarter are to be discussed on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. ET, PressDisplay.com is offering more than 500 newspapers to iPhone owners, and Wrappers has launched protective sleeves in Alcantara for the iPhone with personalized initials. Apple's latest trademark filing lists "WaveBurner" under International Class 9 specifically covering computer software for the mastering, encoding, and burning of compact discs. The application confirms that the trademark was first used as early as June 17th, 1999, while Apple's Pro Logic 7 Web page states that Waveburner software creates CD masters in the RedBook audio format.

Sony intros color-accurate 24-inch LCD...

Sony on Monday returned to semi-professional LCDs with the D24WD1 24-inch, full HD display. Officially intended as a complement to the VAIO R Master tower and other high-end desktops, the screen is described as ideal for both watching and editing Blu-Ray movies. Better backlighting provides about 92 percent of the NTSC color gamut as well as a more vivid 1,000:1 contrast ratio and an above-average 400cd/m2 brightness level. Video editors and even console gamers can attach as many three sources into the LCD with dual, HDCP-encrypted DVI ports and a VGA port for analog computer hookups.

Rome: Curse of the Necklace goes on sale

Big Fish Games has released the Mac version of Rome: Curse of the Necklace, the latest in its series of Travelogue: 360 games. Users attempt to solve the titular mystery by visiting some of the most famous places in the city, such as the Colosseum and St. Peter's Square, as well as more obscure locations known mainly to locals. While most of the player's time is spent finding objects in exchange for clues, there are also several diverting mini-games. Rome is a Universal Binary for Mac OS X; the full game costs $20, but a free demo (80MB) is also available.

LANrev 4.5 adds full Vista support

LANrev today released LANrev 4.5, adding full support for Windows Vista as well as additional remote script execution functionality to the all-in-one lifecycle management software for heterogeneous networks. The latest release includes advanced registry search capability, and offers augmented software distribution options with new custom software information items and numerous other enhancements. LANrev serves as a set of management tools to distribute software, handle software licenses as well as patches, cover remote management alongside asset inventory, and oversee usage management with role-based administration as well as ImageLive disk imaging. LANrev 4.5 includes new custom information items, the ability to remotely view log files in real-time, enhanced remote script execution, and increased administrator privileges. LANrev 4.5 pricing was unavailable, requiring Mac O S X 10.4 or later for the Server or Administration software and Mac OS X 10.3 or later for the Client.

Apple supplies iPhone battery tips...

The Apple website now contains a subsection on the use and maintenance of iPhone batteries. The company claims that in general, the iPhone's lithium-ion supply should power up to eight hours of talk, seven hours of video, six hours of Internet use and as much as one full day of audio playback; standby time is 250 hours (10.4 days). Apple says, however, that by the time an iPhone has been fully charged and discharged 400 times, the battery's capacity will drop to 80 percent or lower. At this stage, users can either accept the reduced usage or pay for a replacement.

Analyst expects Apple earnings of $5.3b...

Apple is likely to report revenue and earnings well above its own estimates and above Wall Street predictions for the June quarter, according to American Technology Research senior analyst Shaw Wu. The Cupertino-based company anticipated $5.1 billion in revenue with earnings-per-share of $0.66, but Wu expects $5.3 billion with earnings-per-share of $0.73 based on supply chain analysis to beat out street consensus of $5.28 billion and $0.72. "We see continued Mac strength driven by updated MacBooks and new LED-based MacBook Pros (we are modeling 1.64 million total Mac units, up 8 percent quarter-over-quarter and 24 percent year-over-year) and seasonal iPods (9.7 million units, down 8 percent quarter-over-quarter and up 20 percent year-over-year) with little signs of cannibalization from iPhone," Wu wrote in a research report obtained by MacNN. "For iPhone, we anticipate a small contribution as only two days of sales were likely recognized, coupled with Apple's use of subscription accounting." The analyst predicts a "conservative" quarter million iPhone sales in those two days, noting that the company's cellular phone sold at a much faster rate than its top-selling iPod nano -- which saw sales of nearly 60,000 units per day -- should his predictions prove correct.

LANrev 4.5 adds full Vista support

LANrev today released LANrev 4.5, adding full support for Windows Vista as well as additional remote script execution functionality to the all-in-one lifecycle management software for heterogeneous networks. The latest release includes advanced registry search capability, and offers augmented software distribution options with new custom software information items and numerous other enhancements. LANrev serves as a set of management tools to distribute software, handle software licenses as well as patches, cover remote management alongside asset inventory, and oversee usage management with role-based administration as well as ImageLive disk imaging. LANrev 4.5 includes new custom information items, the ability to remotely view log files in real-time, enhanced remote script execution, and increased administrator privileges. LANrev 4.5 pricing was unavailable, requiring Mac O S X 10.4 or later for the Server or Administration software and Mac OS X 10.3 or later for the Client.

Duke: Cisco tech to blame for iPhone issue...

The chief information officer for Duke University has issued an explanation of the service outages recently caused by iPhones. According to Tracy Futhey's official statement, the problem was caused by a "Cisco-based network issue" -- Duke is said to use a "very large" Cisco wireless system, one which supports multiple network protocols. But Futhey confirms an Apple statement that the issue has been already been resolved without recurrence, thanks to a fix from Cisco, and advice from Apple.

Logitech releases VX Nano for notebooks...

Logitech this morning unveiled the VX Nano, its adaptation of the earlier VX Revolution mouse to an ultra-compact form built for portables. Virtually eliminating the hassle of carrying an RF adapter, the transmitter included with the system is barely larger than its USB plug -- so small that it can be left in the notebook without fear that it will break off inside a bag, Logitech says. While smaller than the premium model, it still includes the Revolution series' unique scroll wheel that can either spin freely for navigating large documents or turn at a normal speed for websites and other everyday uses.