Pentax debuts compact Optio Z10, S10 cameras...

Pentax on Wednesday announced two digital compact cameras including the 8-megapixel Optio Z10 with a 7X optical zoom lens and the small, stylish 10.0 megapixels Optio S10 (pictured at right). The Pentax Optio Z10 offers a 7X optical zoom lens, the highest magnification among current Pentax compact digital camera models. The camera is designed with a refraction lens system so the lens never protrudes from the camera while zooming; it covers a broad range, from wide-angle to telephoto zoom, and offers an ultra high-magnification of up to approximately 35.7X when combined with digital zoom. Delivering 8.0 megapixel resolution, the Optio Z10 also features high speed detection time Face Recognition for improved portraits and digital Shake Reduction that allows ISO to 3200 to capture sharper images in low light settings. The sleek, stylish Pentax Optio Z10 body design also features a sliding lens cover for extra protection that also operates the on/off camera setting.

History plug-in: extensive InDesign undo

DTP Tools has announced the release of History plug-in 2.2 for InDesign and InCopy CS-CS3, allowing reversion to prior document states. The tool's undo capabilities are not limited to current work session and changes can be undone years after they were made. The tool can also be used for version management, keeping all document versions within one file, saving storage space and bandwidth. In addition, selected versions can be saved as separate files, or exported in batch, and documents with multiple versions can be safely edited without the plug-in. New features include a keyboard command that opens the various versions in a new document and integration into the new DTP Tools system for easier activations and update management. The tool is priced at $40, and a 14-day trial is available.

Seiko SLP label tray introduced...

Seiko Instruments has released a high capacity label tray for its flagship line of Smart Label Printers (SLPs). The new label tray allows suppliers, distributors and other business users to quickly print shipping and address labels, inventory tags, business and appointment cards and other kinds of high volume label printing. The tray is available with any of three label types - address, multi-purpose and shipping. Each label type ships in 900 - 1,700 label quantities. The new Smart Label Printer High Capacity Tray is compatible with all current 400 series printers from Seiko Instruments, including the 420, 440 and 450 models. It's priced at $25.

AT&T pulls prior paper usage policy...

AT&T today is sending out text messages to all of its customers, announcing that the company is reducing its paper usage by doing away with itemized data transfers. The move comes after a video surfaced on the Web of a young woman who received a 300 page phone bill from the cellular carrier in a box via the U.S. Postal Service. The video, which quickly became popular among internet viewers, soon found its way into the hands of major news networks like CNN and Fox News. Apple still holds a massive lead over its competition in the digital music player market, spurring environmental groups like Green Peace to pressure the Cupertino-based company to set an example for other companies that may follow in its footsteps. While Apple itself is not responsible for AT&T's prior paper usage policies, environmental concerns about the cellular carrier could reflect badly on the iPhone and its maker as a result of the now popular video that shows an iPhone as well as the accompanying bill.

AutoSmooth 1.8: Surface smoothing plug-in

Human software has released AutoSmooth 1.8, a new release of the filter plug-in for use with Adobe Photoshop CS/CS2/CS3 and Elements 2/3/4 or 5 that gives users a method of smoothing skin and other surfaces, purportedly without blurring or affecting other details or minute characteristics. Company officials said "AutoSmooth enables users to automatically achieve meticulous airbrush and retouching effects without tedious, time-consuming masking and manual softening." Version 1.8 offers more control for more sophisticated effects and speed improvement. It is also now a Universal Binary with Intel-based Mac optimization. AutoSmooth is available for download immediately, and priced at $80.

iMovie 7.0.1 posted: fixes Web Gallery issue...

Apple has released a maintenance update to its controversial video editing application iMovie '08, introduced August 7th alongside in major revamp of all the iLife applications, bringing the program to version 7.0.1. The new release addresses issues associated with publishing to the .Mac Web Gallery. It also improves overall stability and addresses a number of other minor issues, on which Apple has yet to elaborate. An updater is available through Software Update or as a 9MB Web download.

Production Pack 5.0 Universal, supports CS3...

MetaCommunications today began shipping Production Pack 5.0, a major update to its plug-in automation module for the company's recently released Workgroups 2007 software suite. Production Pack 5.0 runs natively on Intel-based Macs as a Universal Binary, and includes automation tools for Adobe's Creative Suite CS3. The plug-in allows Adobe CS3 users to automate page layout and illustration tasks by accessing digital assets, electronic job tickets, and schedules directly from native applications. Production Pack 5.0 features a plug-in interface that integrates directly with the Workgroups 2007 suite, enabling users to quickly access information about the current job or project.

Briefly: Milan Apple store, Digieffects...

In brief: Another Apple reseller location opens in Italy, Digieffects plug-ins get CS3 compatibility, Avid is offering back-to-school pricing specials and a student contest, MacTech's MacForge database now has over 45,000 open-source projects, and Griffin is holding a back-to-school sale. The third Apple reseller opened in Italy on Monday. The new store, which resides on the second floor of Fnac store on via Torino in downtown Milan, will include new Apple products announced two weeks ago -- including the Mid-2007 iMacs. The shop is due to receive the new products today, and Apple Italy is reportedly planning to open three or four more locations before 2008.

Google Earth 4.2 goes to outer space...

Google on Wednesday launched Google Earth 4.2 with Sky, allowing users to explore the universe by zooming in to distant galaxies hundreds of millions of light years away. Sky enables users to explore the constellations, see the planets in motion, and even witness a supernova explosion, according to Google. "It's like having a giant, virtual telescope at your command -- your own personal planetarium!" Google Earth 4.2 adds a new Sky button on the toolbar at the top of the screen providing access to more than 100 million individual stars and 200 million galaxies, as well as various natural phenomena -- such as the Orion Nebula -- and asteroids. Users can animate the solar system in motion, view some of the best photos taken with the Hubble Space Telescope, and overlay the sky with a microwave view to see temperature variations. Google Earth 4.2 is already available as a free digital download, with Plus and Pro editions priced at $20 and $400, respectively.

YouTube tests video ads...

Google's sub-brand YouTube today revealed that it has begun testing ads accompanying its videos, marking the first time since YouTube's founding that the company has relied on video advertising rather than static images or content deals to pay for its costs. Rather than embed the ads themselves into users' clips, the new technique overlays a small Flash ad at the bottom of the segment. Users can either click and momentarily interrupt the intended video to view the ad or let the overlay disappear completely within 10 seconds.

iTunes rivals may actually boost Apple...

As competitors mount new offenses, seeking to dethrone or at least chip away at iTunes' dominance in the digital download space, their efforts may only prove to buoy Apple's iPhone sales and the prominence of its iTunes store according to a series of analysts. "iTunes was developed to promote iPod hardware sales," said Susan Kevorkian, an analyst at research firm IDC told the LA Times. "The introduction of services that offer digital music to the installed base of iPod users will help drive more iPod sales." Aiding Apple is the fact that most competitors need to ensure iPod compatibility for their tracks in order to be viable. Wal-Mart's online store, for instance, offers unrestricted MP3 format files that "play on almost all portable media devices, including Apple iPod and Microsoft Zune."

Kensington ships FM transmitter, iPod mount

Kensington has unveiled a new FM transmitter (site not updated) designed to make driving while listening to music a little safer. The company's Auto Kit holds an iPod in a mount that attaches to a window or the dashboard, allowing drivers to select tracks without taking their eyes off the road. The accessory allows iPod owners to play their favorite tracks directly from the portable media player in the car through the existing stereo by broadcasting the audio a short distance to the vehicle's antenna. Music is transmitted over any available FM frequency as the Auto Kit charges an iPod via the vehicle's cigarette lighter. Kensington's Auto Kit is available for $120, and works with any dockable iPod model.

Movavi adds URL, widget video conversion...

Movavi's video conversion service, Movavi Online, has introduced two new features. The first is the ability to convert directly from a website, primarily sharing sites such as YouTube, MetaCafe and MySpace. This coincides with the ability to download and watch Flash videos, which like uploaded clips, can be converted to AVI, MPG, MP4 and 3GP formats. Movavi also allows users to specify size and quality for particular handheld devices, such as iPods, iPhones and PSPs. Completed conversions trigger an e-mail, letting users know when and where they can download the resulting media.

iMirror wireless iPod remote ships...

Bexy has unveiled its iMirror wireless remote control docking station that displays, controls, and plays iPod music as well as video while connected to entertainment systems. The iMirror is designed to serve as the center for a music and video home entertainment system, allowing users to remotely navigate and control all iPod music/video via the iMirror's wireless remote control and LCD display. The device automatically loads all iPod title information into the wireless remote upon initial docking in a few seconds, and provides real-time status from up to 150-feet from the base, according to Bexy. iMirror's docking station charges most dockable iPod models, and comes with a set of cable connections for playing an iPod through a big screen TV as well as a stereo. The device features S-Video, RCA stereo audio/video, and line audio mini-stereo connectivity as well as earphone output. A mini USB port also allows users to sync with iTunes on a PC. The iMirror BR100 is available for $150, and will hit store shelves across the U.S. in September.

FastCut 3.0 RT adds title effects, presets...

TIMES FOR FUN has launched FastCut 3.0 RT, the latest edition of its real-time video editing program. FastCut handles tasks such as 3D motion and effects keyframe animation, and is based on OpenGL, enabling hardware acceleration on compatible video cards. Should a video stream still be too much for a system to handle, quality can be scaled dynamically. Version 3.0 introduces animated title effects, and animation presets, which simplify creating or reusing animations.

Thieves steal Apple laptops, personal info...

Yet another Apple Store has been burglarized, this time at University Village in Seattle, Washington. The thieves apparently entered the store through the ceiling in an area sectioned off for technicians, making off with all the laptops that had workers had completed servicing. A store employee told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that at least one of the notebooks contained personal information, and that the theft could pose a risk to other customers. Additionally, an "unknown stock" of refurbished iPhones are missing alongside a high-end laptop used by the store's technical staff. A store employee reportedly showed police a cut cable lock that was attached to the technician's laptop, and police reported that the entire office appeared in disarray. Seattle police were called to the University Village store at 4:44 a.m. Monday morning after an alarm signaled rear entry or motion, but the police report stated that all the doors were secure and nothing appeared to be out of place on the inside.

Purported photo of 3G iPod nano surfaces...

A single photo today surfaced of what is rumored to be the third-generation iPod nano. The allgeded image appears to show a major revision of the flash-based player that widens but also shortens the device, allowing for a larger screen better suited to movies without boosting the overall size. The rumored unit would share the same miniature click wheel as the current iPod nano but would have tapered sides similar to the fifth-generation iPod. Aluminum would likely make up at least the front face of each device, with Apple switching to more muted colors such as pale green and wine red.

Analysts: Macs, iPhones ahead of targets...

Analysts with the firm American Technology Research are continuing to recommend buys on Apple stock, in light of the performance of two key hardware lines. Mac sales, which account for 47 percent of Apple's revenue, are currently being bolstered not only by students headed back to school, but by a constant flow of switchers from the Windows platform. The MacBook Pro is said to be selling particularly well, as is the new aluminum iMac, in both its low- and high-end models. As a result, AmTech expects its "already bullish" forecast of 1.95 million Macs to be surpassed.

Epson intros V500 Photo Scanner...

Epson has introduced a new intermediate step to its photo scanners, the V500. The major difference is the addition of the company's new ReadyScan LED technology, which is said to completely eliminate warm-up delays both when turning the unit on, and when switching between film and reflective modes. The LED also switches between white and blue colors for positive and negative film, and turns off completely when the scanner enters standby mode.

Logitech debuts G51 surround speakers...

Logitech on Wednesday launched its G51 surround sound audio system for computers. The 155-watt system is inspired by the needs of gamers and fills all 5 satellites plus the 5-inch subwoofer with sound regardless of the source. Special matrix modes for games and music turn any stereo signal into 5.1-channel audio; Logitech's custom FDD technology also produces an even sound stage that avoids the bias of some systems. Appearances are just as distinctive through a custom skinning method that lets users wrap the satellites with their own artwork.

MS offers HD Photo plug-in for Photoshop...

Microsoft has released a new beta plug-in for Photoshop CS2 and CS3 that adds support for the HD Photo (formerly known as Windows Media Photo) format, which the company touts as a superior alternative to and possible replacement for the well-entrenched JPEG format. Microsoft says "The HD Photo plug-in supports a wide range of pixel formats (including high dynamic range, wide gamut formats) and numerous advanced HD Photo features." The plug-in requires Mac OS X 10.4. The Mac version is functionally identical to the Windows version and supports all the same pixel formats, encoder options and file format features as the Windows version. The encoder options dialog is functionally identical to the Windows versions, with all the same options and controls.