Apps: Dragster, Wirecast, Jotter

• Dragster 1.0.3 ($20) drag and drop file transfer tool that integrates with the Mac OS X dock. The new release is compatible with the Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard WWDC release and has auto-updating capability. Also, dragging an item onto Dragster's Dock icon won't launch the app unless you're dragging an actual file or files. There are also various other bug fixes and enhancements. [Download - 8.4MB]


• Wirecast 3.0.3 ($450) live webcasting tool, with which you can stream multiple live video cameras, while dynamically mixing in other media (movies, images etc). The new release fixes a crash when removing media that was still playing and eliminates distortion with certain Mac OS X capture devices. It also corrects a potential problem with Bonjour discovery of Desktop Presenter. [Download - 9.6MB]


• Jotter 1.1 ($10) simple note taking application with "no unnecessary features." Notes can include Rich Text, Images, and URLS, and users can quickly create a note from the clipboard. The new release fixes a PowerPC incompatibility, and text view now becomes active on note open. [Download - 1.1MB]


• iSync phone plugins 4.2.2 ($14) synchronizes data from Address Book and iCal to mobile phones. The new release includes support for the Nokia 6110 and 8600 Luna as well as the Samsung D900i, E256 and Sony Ericsson K320i, S500i cell phones. iSync phone plugins now supports more than 85 mobile devices. It requires Mac OS X 10.4.7 or higher and iSync 2.3 or higher. [Download - form]


• Risky Business SOS v2007.081 ($100) designed to simplify and guide a company through the task of documenting their Safe Operating Procedures (SOPs). The new release features a reduced price, a one click upgrade from Single User to Multiple User SOP, an updated web site with new new technical documentation: 'Editing Reports,' and has greatly reduced the temporary memory requirements when exporting large files. [Download - form]


• 24U SimpleHelp Plug-In 4.0 ($50) a FileMaker plug-in that enables independent and in-house developers to use interactive help such as tool tips (help tags), coachmarks, or roll-over effects in FileMaker solutions. In the new release full HTML can be used to define content of the tooltip, tooltips can contain up to two buttons performing user-defined scripts, and a script parameter can be specified to all user-defined scripts called from SimpleHelp. [Download - 2.4MB]

Briefly: Photoshop World, iPhone real estate...

In brief: Photoshop World's early registration discount is nearing its end, real estate lead management for the iPhone debuts, a DVD-based tutorial for the DJ software TRAKTOR 3 has been released, Corel Painter master Don Seegmiller will demonstrate his work at SIGGRAPH and OpenGL bootcamp early bird registration has been extended ... Photoshop World early registration -- which is accompanied by a $100 discount off the normal price of attendance -- will end this Friday, August 3rd. The west coast Photoshop World Conference and Expo will be held at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Convention Center in Las Vegas from September 6-8, 2007. The conference features more than 80 in-depth classes, and houses the Photoshop World Tech Expo, which features exhibitors like Adobe, Microsoft, Epson, Canon, Dell, Wacom, Corel, iStockphoto, onOne software, B&H, and Peachpit Press. Registration is $599 before August 3, 2007, and $699 after for the general public. The NAPP member price is $499 before August 3, 2007, and $599 after.

Readdle.com brings eBooks to iPhones

Readdle.com has released the first iteration of its Readdle service for reading books and documents on Apple's iPhone. Readdle allows iPhone users to view electronic books (eBooks), text files, and business documents on-the-go and features a native iPhone interface to navigate as well as read titles when browsing Readdle.com. The site's Web interface is accessible from any Mac or PC, allowing users to upload books as well as documents to view from a desktop computer on their Readdle account. The service supports PDF, text, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel documents and is available for free with 50MB of complementary book storage per account.

"The Great Mac Mod Challenge 2007"

MacMod.com today began taking entries for "The Great Mac Mod Challenge 2007," an annual competition where Apple technology owners are recognized in various categories for their creativity in the upgrades as well as modifications made to their systems. Coinciding with the contest, which began taking entries today, MacMod.com has designated the month of August as "Modify Your Mac Month." The event features a panel of judges who will name "Best Dressed," "Biggest Geek," and "Most Likely to end up on eBay." This year's competition features prizes for the top three designs as well as participation gifts for all modders. The first place mod will be showcased at Macworld Expo 2008, while the creator will receive the Mod of The Year trophy as well as a MacMod.com T-shirt, a round-trip ticket to the Expo, and an all-access super pass including priority keynote seating.

Apple investigating ad-supported music?...

A recent judgment by the UK Copyright Tribunal, on online royalty rates, may point towards Apple interest in ad-supported music services, reports say. The consultancy firm Music Ally has investigated the tribunal's decision, and notes that an Apple employee was a key witness. iTunes VP Eddie Cue is quoted as saying Apple would only pay advertising revenue if "that revenue is earned as a result of an advertisement, sponsorship or a click-through link located on a Licensed service...and only where the Licensed Service is offered to the User at a price which has been artificially depressed to reflect such revenue."

Tinderbox 4.0.0 improves maps, outlines

One avid Mac developer has released Tinderbox 4.0.0, an update to the outlining and visual brainstorm-capable writing environment. The latest release includes a new user manual, and offers more flexible Tinderbox maps that allow users to choose new shapes for notes or expand a note to see its text as well as its title. Tinderbox 4.0.0 enhances outlines, badges highlight special items, progress bars offer status on tasks, and right-clicking on an outline icon produces a prototype menu. Tinderbox agents, actions, and rules help make documents "smarter" and more helpful, according to the developer, and the latest release improves interoperability with Web 2.0 services. Tinderbox 4.0.0 is priced at $230, with upgrades available from $90. The software requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later.

Livid launches Cell VJ software

Livid Instruments has put out the premiere edition of Cell, its real-time VJ software. Users can loop, reverse, scrub and change the speed of clips, and insert a variety video effects, such as trails, warping or an 8mm filter. Manual control is possible through a mouse/keyboard combo or a MIDI controller, which can be mapped to trigger virtually any command as necessary. Alternately, Cell can be almost entirely automated by pre-arranging clips and transitions. The program comes with 36 videos for $100; Livid is selling more collections of 36 for $30 apiece.

Keyspan ships USB 2.0 Server, extender

Keyspan today began shipping its new USB 2.0 Server, combining the functionality of a USB print server and a USB extender. The device allows Mac and PC clients to access two high-speed USB 2.0 devices over Ethernet or Wi-Fi, and enables multiple users to share USB devices on a network while extending a USB connection between a host computer and the USB device over great distances. The USB 2.0 Server eliminates the need to dedicate a computer as a host for a USB device, according to Keyspan, and is compatible with all types of USB devices. The device supports bi-directional communication with printers that allows users to monitor ink as well as paper levels remotely, and works work Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later as well as Windows XP or Windows Vista. Keyspan's USB 2.0 Server is priced at $130.

Apple hardens Safari for Windows...

Apple has issued an update to its Safari Web browser for Windows in an effort to beef up security. The patch fixes several vulnerabilities related to adding bookmarks, visiting malicious websites, Java applets, and URL masquerading. Apple's update applies fixes to Safari and WebKit, plugging a total of four holes. The specific risks include adding bookmarks, visiting a malicious website, and accessing URLs with look-alike characters to load a different page than the user expects.

ArtRage 2.5 adds stencils, rulers, more...

Ambient Design today released ArtRage 2.5, a full-featured intuitive natural paint and drawing application designed for hobbyists and professionals alike. The software ensures users have a readily accessible choice of canvas size, paper textures, and mediums such as oils, pencils, crayons, airbrush, chalk, and markers that blend with the palette knife tool. Artists can use a pre-set color palette or customize one from a chosen project, and have access to Photoshop-compatible transparent layers that can serve as advanced compositions. Users can also recreate photos as well as images as paintings with ArtRage, which supports popular pen tablets from companies such as Wacom that allow artists to draw and paint with pressure sensitivity. ArtRage 2.5 runs natively on Intel-based Macs as a Universal Binary, is Windows Vista Certified, and adds several new features like stencils and rulers. ArtRage 2.5 is priced at $25, and requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later.

B&W floats Zeppelin iPod speakers...

Audio specialists Bowers and Wilkins today leapt into iPod audio with the Zeppelin. Shaped like the airship of its namesake, the device echoes the high style of the label but also the emphasis on accurate sound. Four tweeters with glass-fiber cones and tapered tubes are joined by a 5-inch woofer and combine to produce audio more reminiscent of the company's floor-standing sets; about 100 watts of sustained power through a three-channel amp define it as one of the strongest speakers in the class, by B&W's estimates.

WaterField ships three new iPhone cases...

WaterField Designs has unveiled three new cases for Apple's iPhone: The iPhone Smart Case, iPhone Travel Case (shown at right), and iPhone Suede Jacket. Each case offers a different level of protection and accessibility while maintaining a light look and feel, according to WaterField. The iPhone Smart Case is less than an inch thick with a smooth material, and features rubberized textile flanks on each side to provide a better grip. A multi-layered padding system combines a high-impact, rigid insert with a soft "Ultrasuede" liner to prevent damage. The iPhone Smart Case also offers multiple carrying options which include attaching the case to a strap, clipping the protected iPhone onto a belt, or slipping the device into a pocket. WaterField's iPhone Smart Case is priced from $35-$40 in three styles, while the iPhone Travel Case is available from $35-$40 in three sizes. WaterField's iPhone Suede Jacket ships for $9 in just one size.

Briefly: Fastforward reviews; drum samples...

In brief: MacNN reviews two new programs by Fastforward, Smart Loops releases drum samples in the Apple Loops format, nova media updates its iSync phone plug-ins, and a site offers free books to read through the iPhone. Reviews have been posted for two new programs by Fastforward Software. The first is Compost 1.8.8, which manages Mac OS X's Trash folder, handling functions such as maximum size limits, or automatic deletions based on time. It also comes with DeskTrash, a moveable Trash container. Bin-it is a dedicated version of the DeskTrash concept, and with a focus on displaying the amount of trash in the icon, and creating custom looks. Compost and Bin-it are $12.50 each.

Boingo offers free Wi-Fi to iPhone owners...

Boingo Wireless today announced that it will provide free Wi-Fi access to iPhone owners through 13 North American airports during the month of August. The offer is available to all iPhone owners who can access WI-Fi networks on their phones, and iPhone users who like the service can sign up for and use a Boingo account to access hundreds of partner networks which comprise more than 100,000 hot spots. "With Boingo Wireless, users of Apple Inc.'s sexy new smartphone can enjoy the full spectrum of coolness available via the iPhone's highly integrated functionality and multimedia applications while powered by Boingo's broadband networks. It's the ultimate iPhone adventure." Boingo Global is priced at $40 per month and incurs no roaming fees or per-minute charges.

Apple begins testing Mac OS X 10.4.11...

Apple has begun testing a future release of Mac OS X Tiger after issuing several fixes to repair bugs introduced in previous system updates. The forthcoming update -- Mac OS X 10.4.11 -- repairs bugs in numerous parts of the operating system and, as yet, introduces no new known issues. Yesterday the Cupertino-based company released an AirPort Extreme update for all Intel-based Macs, fixing a bug that caused many MacBook Pro users to crash when using their wireless networking, and issued a different patch in early July to stifle a strange popping sound experienced by some Intel-based Mac owners who updated to Mac OS X 10.4.10. A minor security update for both Tiger and Panther was also issued, resolving potential flaws in the 10.4.10 release.

BenQ reveals designer 10-megapixel E1000...

BenQ on Wednesday introduced the E1000 to its Elegant camera line. Claiming the deepest sensor of any model in the series at 10 megapixels, the point-and-shoot comes in a sleeker black finish and includes not one but two different anti-shake modes. A physical shortcut button instantly kicks in an ISO sensitivity boost (up to the peak of 1600) and reduces the shutter speed; software settings on the camera's menus introduce a dynamic anti-shake mode that adjusts ISO and shutter speed on the fly depending on the conditions. BenQ further brings in a total of 24 scene presets with unusual modes such as Oil Painting and Sketch, and allows a special scene mode that captures 12 scene types in one second. This gives photographers a chance to compare scene filters without having to decide before the shot is taken, the company says.

Mojotones creates, uploads ringtones

Voodoo Ergonomics has released the first version of Mojotones, a ringtone creation program. It takes as its source the user's iTunes library, and can instantly generate a ringtone from a song with a single click, and simultaneously copy it to a phone via Bluetooth. Should a user only want part of a track, they can click Play and adjust the sliders, or use menu options to fine-tune the selection. Once a ringtone is uploaded it can be selected like any other. Mojotones currently has specific requirements however: it will only run on a Bluetooth-equipped system with Mac OS X 10.4.9, which must be similarly paired with a Bluetooth-ready phone. The phone also requires support for AAC or WAV ringtones. The full version of Mojotones costs $20, but is available as free demo as well.

Apple brand appeal increases overseas...

Apple's brand appeal has increased 17.7 percent in the eyes of overseas customers, according to a new study of top global brands. The research -- which looked at a mix of 33 U.S. brands between November of 2006 and January of 2007 baesd on a total of 30,000 interviews with consumers at least 13 years old -- revealed that U.S. brands are losing traction with foreign customers overall, but that companies like Apple and Google are thwarting the downward trend, according to CNNMoney.com. "Today it's more difficult to get people to like your brand because consumers in developing and emerging markets have become much more discerning," said Jennifer James, a consultant with Gfk Roper Consulting.

OTTO shows off in-canal earbuds, chat headset...

OTTO this morning lent a helping hand to iPod owners and gamers alike with two new earphone extras. The company's Isolating Ear Buds slip into the ear canal to provide passive noise reduction and bundle three sizes of tips designed for hours of continuous listening. Each pair musters a 105dB signal-to-noise ratio thanks to 8mm, rare earth drivers and comes in a sturdy aluminum shell that matches the colors of current iPod nanos, including Product (RED) editions. OTTO says that all the earphones ship immediately for $70.

PhotoPresenter 3.0 adds Nikon RAW, more

Arizona Software has released PhotoPresenter 3.0, the latest incarnation of its slideshow creation program. Distinguishing the program is an emphasis on video, since movie clips can be inserted as easily as photos. Users can also interweave a number of special effects, and spread content across multiple displays, even treating them as one large screen. Version 3.0 of the software supports the Nikon RAW format (NEF), and allows settings for slideshows to be adjusted per-slide. The duration of a show can further be set to fit the music. PhotoPresenter is $8 and a Universal Binary for Mac OS X 10.4.

The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile hits 4.0...

Mark/Space has updated the Windows Mobile version of its flagship program, The Missing Sync, to v4.0. Missing Sync esnures that contacts, calendar dates and more are properly synched between Mac OS X and a mobile phone; the key feature of v4.0 is support for Windows Mobile 6, in its Classic, Standard and Professional editions. This should allow the program to work with devices such as the HTC Touch, Motorola Q9 and Samsung Blackjack. There is now also a video plug-in, which can import clips captured by the phone, or export QuickTime files to the MP4 format.

Canon intros HG10 vidcam with 40GB drive [U]...

Canon today made its first official launch of the HG10, its first AVCHD-based camcorder to record to a hard drive. The new model replaces the DVD burner of the HR10 with a 40GB disk; the change not only extends recording time to as long as 15 hours in HD but opens up the transfer speeds and enables a 15Mbps high-quality capture mode that eliminates the minor visual artifacts that might surface in the HR10's 12Mbps mode. Up to 5.5 hours of footage can fill the drive at that quality level, Canon says, letting editors readily capture enough HD footage to fill a Blu-Ray disc.