News Archive for 07/09/21

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New iPod Classic, nano cases

09/21, 7:30pm

iPod Classic, nano cases

USBFever has released a new line of cases and accessories for the iPod Nano (3G) and Classic (6G). The new iPod Classic (6G) Silicone Case is priced at $10, keeps the iPod from from bumps and scratches, is anti-dust offers easy access to all ports and sockets and can be coupled with an armband. The iPod Classic (6G) Ultra Clear Screen Protector is priced at $7, is a clear screen cover that is removable and reusable, as well as washable, offers dust prevention, and protects against scratches. The iPod Nano 3G Ultra-Clear Screen Protector offers similar functionality for the nano, and is also priced at $7.

Microsoft apologizes, corrects .Mac issue

09/21, 7:10pm

MS corrects .Mac issue

We previously reported that some users of Microsoft's Windows Live Messenger service have this week found themselves unable to connect. If a user with a "mac.com" e-mail address attempts to sign on to Messenger, the client software would display an error message, informing them that they need to change their address to resume service. We've now received word from Microsoft indicating that the issue was due to an internal error that has now been corrected, and users should no longer experience the problem.

Sans Digital debuts iSCSI NAS storage

09/21, 5:55pm

Sans iSCSI NAS storage

Sans Digital today unveiled its AccuNAS AN104LS, a unified storage appliance that supports both NAS (Network Area Storage) and iSCSI storage simultaneously in a 1U rackmount enclosure. The new model is designed to support RAID 5 without additional hardware, and enables users to upgrade to a Pentium dual-core processor. The AN104LS includes an installation wizard for easy setup as well as a Web-based management utility for local or remote configuration. Dual gigabit Ethernet support supports teaming or redundant networking, and RAID 5 support accommodates safe data storage. The device offers iSCSI target support for server side iSCSI applications, iSCSI initiator support for easy future expansion, NAS to NAS folder replication, scheduled or on-demand volume snapshot, local tape backup support, and more. The new storage device is priced at $3,000 with no disks, $3,320 with 1TB of storage, $3,760 with 2TB of storage, or $4,200 with 3TB of storage.

Apps: Missing Sync for Palm OS

09/21, 5:45pm

PandoCalendar, Conjure

Missing Sync for Palm OS 6.0 (free) tool for synchronizing Palm OS handhelds with Mac OS X. The new release update provides important bug fixes and improvements, including: recognition of newer devices for import of photos during PIM synchronization, improved prevention of duplicate contact records containing middle names, better handling of Palm OS category limitations, increased reliability of memory intensive notes synchronization, and more. [Download - 40.6MB]
PandoCalendar 7.0.4 ($15) places a fully functional calendar on your desktop. The look is completely customizable. You can change the calendar's font, size, and the colors used to draw the calendar. Enhancements in this release: Stopped displaying events with an empty title and details field in the note balloons. Improved the summary displayed in note balloons for events with short details. Fixed a bug that could cause the error "note is a required value" to display, and prevent saving changes to edited events. [Download - 1.2MB]
Resurrection for Macintosh 1.0.2 ($25) fantasy role-playing adventure set in ancient Britannia. Explore a unique setting, assault a multitude of cities and dungeons, attempt dozens of quests, and experience a fascinating storyline. Learn over forty spells and seeks out hundreds of different magical items. Play as either the disciplined, battle-hardened Romans or the savage Celts. The update fixes a number of minor bugs and corrects a problem that might possibly occasionally cause crashes. [Download - 17.1MB]
Conjure 1.3 ($25) expanded desktop environment that allows you to have an unlimited number of desktops, capture audio notes, grab still images from your, use an iSight camera, draw on any desktop, write on any desktop, scale, and rotate images, link to websites, movies, files, anything. [Download - 7.4MB]
eOrdering 4.0.0 ($65) eOrdering allows small businesses, photographers, and artists to put their products online and take orders online. Professional allows for categories for making larger eCommerce sites. It is ideal for event photographers to let customers order their pictures while at the event or let them order later on the internet or for businesses to put their products online for customers to order from (for smaller sites use eOrdering Gold or eOrdering Complete). The new release adds a PayPal Pro interface (allows you to process through paypal without having your clients go to paypal). [Download - 9.4MB]

Clock radio speakers for Bluetooth phones debut

09/21, 5:10pm

Clock radio speakers

iHome has unveiled a clock radio sound system for various mobile phones, with limited support for the iPhone. The new device, dubbed iHC5S, supports Bluetooth and allows you to dial and receive calls through its speakerphone function; also sporting a large LCD display with caller ID. The clock radio function allows you to wake to Bluetooth enabled music, the radio or buzzer. You can also stream your music wirelessly from your Bluetooth enabled phone through the Reson8 speaker chambers to enjoy enhanced audio sound. The iHC5S controls Bluetooth-enabled cell phones and other devices; supports the Handsfree, Headset, AVRCP and A2DP Bluetooth Profiles. Also included is a full-function remote control with snooze and a line-in jack to play MP3/CD players. The iHC5S is priced at $150.

Sprint to be sold to British Telecom?

09/21, 4:25pm

Sprint to be sold to BT?

Rumors in financial circles suggest that Sprint could soon be sold to British Telecom, Reuters says. Although the third largest cellular service in the United States, Sprint has lost substantial market share, causing its stock prices to drop by a third since April of last year. This has fueled speculation that several companies may want to take advantage of the situation, BT among them. The rumor drove a 3.5 percent increase in Sprint share prices on Friday; Korea's SK Telecom recently denied it was pursuing a purchase, however, and private equity groups have also been mentioned.

Group sets phone-charging standard

09/21, 3:55pm

Phone-charging standard

A group of cellphone companies have at last reached an agreement on a standard charging interface for cellphones, reports say. The Open Mobile Terminal Platform -- a consortium including the likes of LG, Nokia, Samsung and others -- has agreed to use Micro-USB, a standard devised by the USB Implementers Forum towards the beginning of the year. It of course supplies both power and data, the primary advantage over the common Mini-USB format being a thinner connector. This is considered potentially important as cellphones continue to be shrunk as far as possible.

Apple, Wal-Mart, others slapped with lawsuit

09/21, 2:45pm

Apple sued over punk songs

The former drummer of a 1980s punk band called The Ramones is suing Apple as well as Wal-Mart and other companies for copyright infringement because six songs he wrote were not authorized for distribution. Richard Reinhardt is naming the band's one-time guitarist, Johnny Ramone, Ramones Productions Inc, and the band's music publisher as defendants against unauthorized third parties. Those parties include Apple's iTunes Store, Wal-Mart.com's music download service, and RealNetwork's Real Store as well as Rhapsody services to use songs, according to Reuters. The plaintiff is seeking at least $900,000 in damages for profits the defendants made for using his songs in any manner, according ot the suit.

Briefly: iPod touch reviewed

09/21, 2:40pm

Radiation detector

In brief: A guide for developing iPhone-optimized sites has been created, an iPhone-optimized games site has debuted, GLX2 a script editor for Revolution has been released, Firefox 2.0.0.7 fixes a security flaw, and the Font Brothers have debuted some new typefaces... We've posted a review of the iPod touch, Apple's thin, iPhone-like media player that runs a scaled down version of OS X. The touch is almost startlingly thin; this should be a boon to pockets everywhere, as most of Apple's full-size players to date have often been a tight fit for smaller pockets and smaller users. The construction feels solid and would be unlikely to snap -- though it would certainly be reckless to stuff the touch into a back pocket, and the sides provide a less-than-perfect surface for gripping the player.

Helio receives $270m cash infusion

09/21, 2:35pm

Helio 270m Infusion

Helio today announced that it had received a tentative agreement from Korean cell provider SK Telecom to provide as much as $270 million for its business, giving the mobile virtual network operator enough money to run without worrying about a financial investment from Earthlink, SK Telecom's joint partner in Helio. The added funds will be used to help develop Helio's data-centric phone service, which relies primarily on 3G Internet access over EVDO for GPS, messaging, and video streaming. The specific terms of the deal were not disclosed, though EarthLink revealed that the cash did not mean that SK Telecom was taking over from its American partner.

Flash memory rebounds due to weak Apple demand?

09/21, 2:05pm

NAND Supply Rebounding

Stock of NAND flash memory controllers may be resurgent after an apparent softening of demand from Apple, says system-on-a-chip maker Silicon Motion's chief Stephen Kou. Despite what first appeared to be a major shortage of the memory itself, instigated by a power cut at a number of Samsung's factories and a general lack of capacity at other firms, the supply of controllers and memory chips appears to be in check after Apple softened its demand versus prior months. The real issue now would be to balance the market and prevent an oversupply, Kou notes.

Report: Mac surge, subnotebook next quarter

09/21, 2:00pm

Report: subnotebook coming

Surging Mac sales are expected to beat Wall Street expectations by nearly 400,000 units, Apple is readying a new 10-inch to 12-inch subnotebook for next quarter, and Apple's total worth is twice that of rival computer maker Dell, according to TheStreet.com. Apple is expected to sell 2.35 million iMacs and MacBooks this quarter, fueled by back-to-school shopping as well as a recently refreshed iMac. Sources cited by TheStreet.com say APple is planning to unveil a widely rumored subnotebook with sleek round edges that weighs less than 2-pounds. The subnotebook is expected to debut next quarter in time for the busy holiday shopping season, and Apple is reportedly telling employees to cancel vacation plans between Thanksgiving and Christmas to prepare for a year-end sales push.

Sidekick users get portable MySpace

09/21, 1:30pm

MySpace Mobile on Sidekick

T-Mobile and Danger, the principal makers of the Sidekick messaging phone, are preparing a new application for the device that offers direct access to MySpace. Dubbed simply MySpace Mobile, it will be found through T-Mobile's Download Catalog, and should make it more convenient to access MySpace by reducing the need for new downloads, as well as by streamlining the interface. A new home screen, for instance, groups together alerts such as messages and friend requests, while photos can be uploaded directly from a Sidekick.

Venzero reveals LINQ mini Wi-Fi media player

09/21, 1:25pm

Venzero LINQ mini

Prolific jukebox maker Venzero has just unveiled the LINQ mini, a player which the company boasts is the smallest player of its kind. The mini version of the LINQ still shares Wi-Fi and uses it to give the device a far wider range of music. Over 9,000 Internet radio stations are accessible whenever the device is in range of a hotspot, Venzero says. Like much of the company's line, the smaller LINQ also has a unique audio tagging feature that will identify a song and provide a download link based on a short audio clip.

Daylite 3.5 syncs with iPhone, iPod

09/21, 1:20pm

Daylite syncs with iPhone

Marketcircle today released Daylite 3.5, a major update to the Mac business productivity software that uses Apple's Sync Services to bring Daylite contacts, appointments, tasks, and reminders to Apple's iPhone and iPod as well as other mobile devices. Designed for the unique needs of Mac-based businesses of 1-50 people, Daylite 3.5 helps users organize at every stage of the business cycle, from identifying and qualifying opportunities to delivering projects. The update features new syncing abilities that allow users to select and sync distinct contact categories, and introduces more than 300 contextual help articles via Apple Help that aim to expose little-known Daylite features to more users. Daylite 3.5 is a free upgrade for Daylite 3.x users, and requires iSync 2.4 or later to connect to regular cellular phones. New licenses are priced at $150.

Meizu iPhone clone to closely mimic interface?

09/21, 12:45pm

Meizu 'iPhone' interface

While some reports had indicated that the iPhone clone by Meizu, the miniOne (renamed M8), was going to diverge more sharply from its inspiration, company CEO Jack Wong has posted new images of its interface that appear to be directly copied from the iPhone. Lifted style elements include everything from the navigation buttons at the top of iPhone menus, to the roll-up touch keyboard, and the SMS messenger's iChat-style "bubbles." Even the dialing interface is not far removed from Apple's own.

Wrappers debuts iPod classic, touch sleeves

09/21, 12:30pm

New Wrappers iPod sleeves

Wrappers has unveiled a range of polished polyurethane sleeves that match Apple's new metallic iPod classic and iPod touch designs. Wrappers' polished polyurethane is a soft, scratch resistant material tested to 80,000 double rubs but that adds very little to the weight and size of an iPod. The sleeves are waterproof and wipe clean, according to the company, with the shiny range coming in silver and graphite colors. Sleeve insides are lined with 100 percent Thai silk that comes in a choice of four colors. Wrappers has also added iPod classic and iPod touch sleeves to its Alcantara range of slip cases, which are priced at $23 and come in either black or grey. Wrappers' new shiny iPod sleeves are due to hit store shelves on September 30th, and are each priced at $30.

AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone to share same 4G network

09/21, 12:00pm

Verizon and Vodafone 4G

Both Verizon and its part-parent company Vodafone will share the same high speed, fourth-generation data service when it comes time to upgrade their respective cellular networks, according to statements made by the chief executives of both companies at a conference today. Verizon's Ivan Seidenberg and Vodafone's Arun Sarin remarked that the company each planned to move to the 4G technology known as Long Term Evolution (LTE) within the next three to four years, allowing users of either platform to connect as quickly as 100 megabits downstream and roam with calls and data over each other's networks. This feat would be impossible over current services, which use the mutually incompatible CDMA (Verizon) and GSM (Vodafone) protocols.

Vodafone still in running for iPhone deal

09/21, 11:40am

Vodafone pursues iPhone

Vodafone today said it will get another chance to win a contract to distribute Apple's iPhone in Europe. Company CEO Arun Sarin said Vodafone will "absolutely" be able to negotiate with Apple in the next six to 12 months, after the company failed to sign contracts in Germany as well as France and the UK. Those have instead gone to T-Mobile, Orange and O2, respectively. Sarin made his announcement in speaking with reporters in Mumbai, India.

Steve Jobs ranked No. 56 richest in America

09/21, 11:15am

Jobs #56 richest in US

Apple CEO Steve Jobs is the 56th richest man in the United States, a new magazine ranking claims. Prominent business publication Forbes has released a new edition of its "Forbes 400" list, charting the status of 400 billionaires; reflecting a growing wealth disparity in the country, the minimum worth needed to enter the list rose $300 million from last year to reach $1.3 billion. Jobs has himself risen substantially in the rankings since last year, when he was only No. 132.

BenQ rolls out C30 phone with top-mount music control

09/21, 11:15am

BenQ C30 Phone

BenQ this morning followed up its camera announcement with the release of its C30 bar phone. The company claims to have solved one of the common problems of music phones by moving dedicated music controls to the top of the design. Listeners can now pause or skip tracks while leaving the phone safely in a pocket, BenQ says. Two of the buttons also double as triggers for the built-in FM radio and the rear VGA camera. Two speakers also produce stereo sound without the need for headphones.

Apple moving to aluminum for MacBooks?

09/21, 10:45am

Apple Aluminum MacBooks

Apple's next update to the MacBook line may represent a shift to an almost completely aluminum foundation, according to a new claim. Similar to the new iMac, the new model would replace virtually everything but the keys with aluminum, delivering a more professional look and also slimming the case considerably versus today's plastic-based model. The resulting system would be lighter than today's MacBook and thinner than even the one-inch MacBook Pro, the unnamed source says. The keyboard layout would be virtually unchanged from the Apple Bluetooth Keyboard seen today and would include the media keys absent from today's MacBooks. There may also be "something strange" about the touchpad, though details are forthcoming, the report alleges.

Apple's MainStage 1.0.1 improves stability

09/21, 10:30am

Apple's MainStage 1.0.1

Apple has released MainStage 1.0.1, an update to a part of the company's Logic Studio built for live performance. MainStage enables keyboardists, guitarists, and other musicians to perform with software instruments and effects through a full-screen interface designed specifically for the stage. The update improves stability, addresses minor usability issues, and adds options for saving parameter values when switching patches. The Cupertino-based company trademarked the term "MainStage" in Hong Kong earlier this month after the term appeared in an Apple press release describing the new software. Apple recommends the update for all MainStage 1.0 users, requiring Mac OS X 10.4.9 or later.

.Mac users being kicked out of Windows Live?

09/21, 10:15am

.Mac vs. Windows Live

Some users of Microsoft's Windows Live Messenger service have this week found themselves unable to connect, according to scattered accounts. If a user with a "mac.com" e-mail address attempts to sign on to Messenger, the client software will display an error message, informing them that they need to change their address to resume service. "Because of a recent system update," the error reads, "you must change the e-mail address that you use to sign in to Windows Live(TM) Messenger. Until you change your e-mail address, you won’t be able to use Windows Live(TM) Messenger."

MacPractice 3 uses MySQL 5, eases backups

09/21, 10:05am

MacPractice 3 uses MySQL 5

MacPractice has released MacPractice 3, its new server-based physician practice management application that uses MySQL 5 Enterprise to support a slew of new features. MySQL 5 Enterprise also lays the groundwork for future releases of MacPractice EMR and MacPractice DR in October, as well as MacPractice Tooth Chart in the first quarter of 2008, according to the company. The update enhances MacPractice's interface to maximize the use of screen real estate, and adds a treatment plan ledger to MacPractice DDS to support phases as well as scheduling of phases of treatment. Drag-and-drop functionality eases the process of creating temporary and permanent treatment plan options. The company offers software for medical doctors (MD), dentists (DDS), chiropractors (DC), and ophthalmologists as well as optometrists (20/20).

MS patenting auto-downloading playlists

09/21, 9:45am

MS Auto-Download Playlists

Microsoft may ultimately have developed an edge for its Zune media player that takes better advantage of its wireless networking than even Apple, according to a recently published patent filing. Dubbed "Automatic delivery of personalized content to a portable media player with feedback," the application would let users load playlists on a handheld that would intelligently queue downloads of tracks depending on the user's preferences. On a basic level, a device using the patent could collect the metadata from songs and notice which songs are played through to completion or skipped. This would automatically sync with a remote server that would push recommended songs to the playlist with each update, ensuring a constant rotation of new but welcome music on the player, according to Microsoft.

Nordic carriers vie for iPhone rights

09/21, 9:10am

Nordic carriers and iPhone

Two Nordic phone carriers are pursuing deals with Apple to carry the iPhone in their respective service regions, say spokesmen from the companies. The Swedish company TeliaSonera and Norwegian operator Telenor have both stated that they are "very interested in the iPhone," but cannot reveal anything more to the press due to ongoing negotiations. "We have seen immense interest in the iPhone from our customers," says Telenor representative Anders Krokan. "We are still in talks, but I doubt we would be able to offer the iPhone this year."

BenQ intros C840 digicam

09/21, 8:30am

BenQ C840

BenQ rounded out its week today by releasing the C840, an upgrade to its C740i introduced earlier this year. The updated compact point-and-shoot jumps from seven to eight megapixels and adds new support for SDHC cards, allowing the camera to store at least 4GB of photos or Motion JPEG video. Like its predecessor, the camera emphasizes widescreen shooting and optionally takes images in a 16:9 ratio that makes a better fit for HDTVs. Videos approach DVD resolution at 720x400 with 30 frames per second, BenQ says.