Apple releases iWeb 2.02 update

Apple on Thursday also released iWeb 2.0.2, which addresses issues with upgrading iWeb 1.x websites, and fixes some common publishing problems, and supports general compatibility issues. According to Apple, users must install the iLife Support 8.1 update first. The iLife update supports system software components used by all iLife application, improves overall stability, addresses a number of other minor issues and supports general compatibility issues.

Eggplant 4.01 adds self-healing...

Redstone Software has announced version 4.01 of Eggplant, an automation and testing tool for replicating the end-user experience. This release builds on Eggplant's two-computer architecture, whereby Eggplant connects to Systems-Under-Test via VNC and tests applications through the GUI. There are also three new features, dubbed Productiveti Image Doctor, Productiveti Image Import and Productiveti Image Collections. These features automatically address changes to the testing interface during script execution, offering autonomic self-healing of scripts during script execution. Productiveti Image Import imports graphic images into Eggplant for use in test script creation, while Image Collections groups several representations of an image that is callable within an Eggplant script using a single reference name. Eggplant pricing starts at $600.

New AOL Desktop adds Leopard support...

AOL has released its first public beta of the new AOL Desktop for Mac. The new release is Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)-ready, and represents the first major release of the software for the Mac in more than more than five years. Among the major enhancements, aside from Leopard support, is a faster load time -- the company claims the new release "launches within seconds and enables users to begin browsing immediately, without signing in." Also included is a tabbed browser for content as well as instant messaging windows. New email options allow users to send and receive messages using multiple email accounts, including Apple Mac addresses, Gmail, and others from within a single inbox. AOL instant messaging is also now built in to the software, and there is a customizable toolbar providing access to favorites and other functionality. I

FoneLink 1.1.4 improves Nokia, Sony support

Nova Media today released a maintenance update to its mobile phone suite of applications for Mac OS X with support for the Nokia 8600 Luna as well as the Sony Ericsson S700i and W830i mobile phones. Nova's FoneLink 1.1.4 is designed as mobile phone companion software for Mac OS X that provides a Finder-like view of all files stored on mobile phones. The software allows users to transfer data back and fourth from the Mac to the portable device, and can sync with iTunes playlists. FoneLink includes a ringtone creator, an organizer to manage contacts as well as dates and notes. The software supports more than 90 mobile phones from Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and Motorola, according to Nova Media. FoneLink is priced at $36 and requires Mac OS X 10.4.9 or later.

Apple updates iMac, MacBook firmware

Apple today released firmware updates for its iMac and MacBook consumer-oriented Macs. The company's iMac EFI Firmware Update 1.2 and MacBook EFI Firmware Update 1.1 both "improve the performance and reliability of Intel Core 2 Duo processors and fix issues with Boot Camp" with regard to their respective systems. iMac owners who update their firmware should have one of three BootROM versions which include 'IM51.0090.B09', 'IM52.0090.B09', or 'IM61.0093.B07', while MacBook owners will see a BootROM version of MB21.00A5.B07. Owners of both Mac models looking to install the firmware update are encouraged to follow the instructions in the updater application, which launches automatically when the installer closes. The updates come as part of a flurry released by Apple today which revise the company's Keynote, Pages, and Numbers applications alongside its iPhone.

Apple updates Pages, Keynote, Numbers, iTunes (Win)

Apple today released a slew of updates, including new software for its iTunes jukebox and video management software and Pages, Keynote, and Numbers -- all part of recently released iWork '08 suite. Keynote 4.01, a 31.1MB update, primarily addresses issues with builds and performance and Pages 3.01 (27.8MB) also addresses issues with change tracking and performance; Numbers 1.0.1 (26.1MB) primarily addresses issues with tables and performance. Apple also released iTunes 7.4.3 for Windows, which it says addresses issues with the initial setup of the iPod touch on some international versions of Window. A corresponding Mac update is not (yet?) available.

Briefly: Pages '08 review, MacRadio change...

In brief: We have posted a review of Pages version 3, including with the iWork '08 suite, MacRadio is relaunching as a podcast resource, a new version of the iPhone unlock tool is out, MacSpeech certifies a new digital recorder, Apple plans to open a retail store in Whitehall, Pennsylvania, and Apple may be issuing refunds for users forced to repurchase games compatible with the new iPod models ... We've posted a review of Pages '08, part of the iWork '08 package from Apple. Version 3 of the application is not a comprehensive word processor, but the new features make Pages a more competent competitor to Microsoft Word. Enhancements include a dynamic formatting bar, proofreading, and new features in the inspector. One of the best new features is an enhanced format bar. A number of character and paragraph styles are available in the new format bar, as well as in the Styles drawer.

Apple's iCard, display manipulation patents

Three of Apple's latest publicly known patent applications surfaced today, detailing eCards from multiple users as well as a potential Mac OS X Leopard feature and data processing file systems. Apple's iCard patent relates the the company's iCard program by introducing a new group-signing capability to iCards, enabling multiple users to personalize and sign an eCard in the same fashion as is done with physical greeting cards. Another patent, titled "Methods of manipulating a screen space of a display device," may relate to the company's Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Spaces technology as it describes managing multiple windows on a single screen. Another patent application titled "File systems for data processing systems" describes the file system of a computer operating system, which serve to ensure systems like Mac OS X properly handle tasks like linking all files and directories.

Palm launches Centro smartphone with Sprint...

Palm today used its presentation at the DigitalLife Expo to introduce the Centro, its first non-Treo smartphone. Targeted at users who may never have owned a smartphone before or are looking for something simple, the design is smaller than any of Palm's earlier phones. It also has a new, compact design similar to the Treo 500v that fits more easily into a pocket without sacrificing a full QWERTY keyboard. In spite of the size and its low-cost emphasis, however, it also shares many of the same features as premium models with a 1.3-megapixel camera, 3G-level EVDO Internet access, and a 320x240 touchscreen. The device runs on the PalmOS and ships with a dedicated media player that loads music either from the 64MB of onboard flash or microSD cards up to 4GB, even for protected Windows Media tracks from Yahoo Music and similar stores.

Apple releases iPhone, iPod touch 1.1.1 [updated]...

After warning users earlier this week about possible issues with unlocked iPhones, Apple on Thursday released iPhone 1.1.1 update. The update, which is 152.3MB in size and available via iTunes, adds new features, includes bug fixes, and supersedes all previous versions, according to Apple's release notes. Apple offers this warning in it's dialogue: "If you have modified your phone's software, applying this update may result in your iPhone becoming permanently inoperable. "Earlier this week, the company confirmed that it was not intentionally disabling unlocked phones, while readers provided methods for re-locking an iPhone to avoid rendering the iPhone inoperable. As expected the update does bring access to the iTunes WiFi Store as well as louder maximum speaker volumes, but breaks many of the third-party hacks. [updated]

LED displays to dominate Apple, Sony notebooks soon...

High-profile companies like Apple and Sony may produce as much as a third of their notebooks with advanced LED-backlit displays by next year, according to reported insiders from the LCD panel industry. These companies in particular are expected to replace at least 20 to 30 percent of their notebook lineups with the new technology by 2008 or 2009 at the latest as they seek to improve the displays across more of their existing lines. This includes displays in common sizes such as 14 and 17 inches, the sources claim. The improvement would let both desktop replacement systems and thin-and-light notebooks produce more uniform colors, save power, and reduce their thickness compared to traditional displays with cold-cathode fluorescent (CCFL) backlights.

Report: French stockings may lack iPhones...

Apple's deal with France Telecom to distribute the iPhone in that region in time for Christmas could be in jeopardy, according to one report from Reuters. France Telecom, which commonly trades under the name "Orange," is disputing the proposed percentage of service revenues due to Apple as part of the deal between the two companies. The French carrier announced on September 20th that it holds exclusive rights to distribute Apple's iPhone in France, and promised to bring iPhones to French consumers before Christmas and as early as November. Conflict between the two firms could mean delays on iPhone distribution, cutting into profits during the busy holiday shopping season for both parties and denying French consumers from acquiring the cellular handset within the promised timeframe.

Verizon adopts USB modem with microSD...

Verizon Wireless has adopted the USB727, a wireless modem built by Novatel. The device plugs into the USB ports of both Macs and PCs, and provides EVDO Rev. A broadband, allowing download speeds up to 1.4Mbps, with an average of 600Kbps. Uploads are said to average between 500 and 800Kbps. The modem's other main feature is a microSD slot, which allows it to behave as a conventional flash drive, holding up to 4GB depending on the size of the inserted card.

Corel Painter Essentials 4 released...

Corel today unveiled Corel Painter Essentials 4, a new digital art application based on Corel Painter that includes tools for new users to set up home art studios. The software features a broad array of paint brushes, pencils, paper textures, and built-in tutorials to help users get started with digital art. Corel Painter Essentials 4 features a new redesigned workspace, brush drawer to ease brush identification as well as selection, color and mixer palettes to choose colors with one click, and a new photo painting system that makes it easier for users to turn photos into paintings. The update also includes a new smart stroke technology with brush strokes that follow the forms of the original photo by dynamically changing brush size, stroke length, and pressure based on the detail and focus areas of the photo.

Exclusive: Gateway talks about One, the iMac...

Ahead of the announcement of the One, Gateway product manager Glenn Jystad answered questions from Electronista about the company's new all-in-one PC. The company gave us new insights into the design philosophy behind the One and whether it will stay tied to the US. It also answered one of the most pressing questions in the wake of the One's launch: how the Vista PC would fare against its most obvious competitor, Apple's new aluminum iMac. Read on for a transcript of the interview.

PDO iPhone TopSkin guards buttons...

PDO is taking pre-orders for its newest iPhone case, the TopSkin. Unlike most cases, the TopSkin does in fact cover several controls while remaining functional, including the Home button and the power and volume switches. The headphone jack and dock connector are similarly covered, but must have flaps opened for use. Normal openings are present for the camera, speakers, microphone and vibrate switch. A film covers the touchscreen. Another feature of the case is its belt clip, which can be adjusted to any preferred angle. The TopSkin should ship in mid-October, and will cost $20.

SRS releases iWOW 2 plug-in for iTunes...

Surround specialist SRS Labs has released the second edition of its iWOW plug-in for iTunes. The software is meant to provide 3D sound to listeners, regardless of whether they are using built-in speakers or external ones. The emphasis in iWOW 2 though is on presets, allowing users to create and save settings for individual songs, videos and podcasts, instead of constantly tweaking iTunes' general options. Included presets address podcasts, techno and acoustic music, as well as three settings for video. Finally, an "auto-preset" mode attempts to pick an appropriate preset based on data in a file.

Sony reveals A910 Walkman with TV recording...

Sony today introduced a third model in its video-capable Walkman line. The A910 series is one of the few media players anywhere that can not only receive TV but play it as well: courtesy of a built-in 1Seg tuner and an electronic programming guide, the A910 can play digital over-the-air broadcasts on its 2.4-inch LCD and encode the shows on the fly as permanent copies. Up to 100 hours of footage can be saved on a 16GB player, Sony says. Direct line-in automatically creates individual audio tracks from a CD player or a similar device. Playback is also special in the A910, Sony adds. For the first time, noise canceling is built into the player itself and will eliminate most background sounds whether watching TV or listening to music.

Tunewear readies ICEWEAR iPhone case...

Accessory maker Tunewear has announced a new case, the ICEWEAR iPhone. The case is made of translucent silicone, but features "ribs" to provide a better grip, and a high enough density to protect against minor bumps and drops. All the important areas on an iPhone are exposed, including the the touchscreen, camera, headphone jack, dock connector and physical buttons. The ICEWEAR can also be washed with soapy water, and comes with "TUNEFILM," a protective layer for the touchscreen. The case is expected to ship in October, and should cost $30.

M-Audio ships KeyRig 25, 49...

M-Audio has begun shipping two new USB keyboard/software packages, the most basic of these being the KeyRig 25. The 25 is a 25-note keyboard, designed in part to be compact so it can be easily transported. Aside from the notes, there are eight MIDI-assigned knobs and buttons, which can be used to trigger tracks, loops and instruments. The KeyRig 49 meanwhile is a more conventional keyboard, expanding the notes to a full 49 for flexibility.

Sling intros SOLO tuner, app for N95 US...

Sling Media kicked off the DigitalLife Expo in New York with the Slingbox SOLO, a new take on the company's TV streaming hub that drops the price for users who only have a handful of devices but still want features similar to the high-end PRO. The SOLO is one of the first mainstream Slingbox models to offer HD video input, replacing the HDMI of the PRO with component video: the feature lets users stream and control unprotected HD content online, including the Apple TV media hub and upscaling DVD players. Video is broadcast uncompressed at up to VGA (640x480) resolution on the local network and in compressed form across the Internet to computers or cellphones through Sling's longstanding SlingPlayer software.

D-Link, Linksys take on Apple TV with new MCEs...

In conjunction with Microsoft, Linksys (Cisco) and D-Link on Thursday debuted new Media Center Extender devices to help users access content from their PCs and internet. Designed to compete with Apple's own living room device, Apple TV, the companies partnered with Microsoft to allows users to stream and access content from the internet as well as other video content from the desktop. Linksys unveiled two new digital devices: its Media Center Extender with DVD Player (DMA2200) combines an upscaling DVD player with a dual-band Wireless-N Extender for Windows Media Center, combining Extender for Media Center functionality with DVD playback capabilities in a single device. A smaller form factor Linksys Media Center Extender (DMA2100) offers features of Extender for Windows Media Center in a compact dual-band Wireless-N solution that is ideal for spaces.