First Look: Revolution 2.9, cross-platform compiler...

Programming a computer generally isn’t difficult, but requires mastering a specific language along with a handful of programming tools. Unfortunately, most programming languages and tools are geared for professional programmers who can devote time learning a particular programming language and operating system. For someone who just wants to write a full-featured program without getting bogged down in technical details, there’s Revolution 2.9, a cross-platform programming tool that uses a programming language based on plain English syntax. Revolution makes programming easy for novices while offering advanced features for more experienced programmers.

Sonicfire Pro 5 to be shown at NAB...

SmartSound has announced the release Sonicfire Pro 5, a new music library solution. Shipping in June, Sonicfire Pro 5 features new music timing controls and searching features. The tool allows users to choose a beat from a score and move it to a spot in the Timeline without changing the rhythm or tempo of the music. Sonicfire can also suggest music that is the best fit and provide customization tools to make it precisely match the timing of scenes.

tuneband for iPod nano debuts...

Grantwood has announced the release of tuneband for iPod nano, an armband product designed to comfortably secure the iPod nano in place during exercise, including Nike+iPod compatibility. The product consists of a comfortable and flexible armband strap that can accommodate both large and small arms, a durable silicone skin that allows access to all ports on the iPod nano, and a low-tack, cut-and-peel screen protector that helps guard against smudges, moisture, and daily wear-and-tear. The tuneband is compatible with all generations of the iPod nano, and the current 3rd generation model has skins available in eight colors: black, gray, navy blue, neon green, pink, purple, red, and teal blue. The tuneband for previous iPod nano models has skins available in black only. The tuneband retails for $15.

55 iPod icons trademark applications published...

The European Trademark Office recently published 55 newly registered iPod icons, and were originally filed with Munich office of Bardehle, Pagenbert, Dost, Altenburg, and Geissler. The icons more or less cover the gamut of those offered by the iPod, relating to videos, podcasts, notes, iPod radio, games, voice memos, and the Nike+ sport system. The icons appear on current generation iPod nanos and Classics, as users navigate menus to examine their libraries, among other things.

Carphone Warehouse to come to US...

Europe's Carphone Warehouse is coming to the US, reports say. The company is an independent cellphone vendor, and has some 2,300 stores scattered throughout European countries. It is now planning to open almost 1,000 stores in America, thanks to a partnership with big-box retailer Best Buy, which owns a 3 percent stake in Carphone. Some of these will be boutiques within Best Buy shops, but others will operate separately in different locations. The first American outlets should launch later this year.

Marware neoprene sleeves for MacBook Air...

Marware recently unveiled two new neoprene sleeves for the MacBook air, one oriented vertically, with the other being a horizontal sleeve. The sleeves wrap snugly around the Air, allowing users to place it inside an existing bag without fear of it being scratched or harmed. Both sleeves also include a front pocket to hold a mouse, camera, iPod, iPhone, or any other personal devices. Marware is selling the sleeve and vertical sleeve for $35.

MacBook, Pro to get major redesigns?...

Both the consumer MacBook and the performance-minded MacBook Pro will receive a major overhaul with their next updates, say sources speaking with AppleInsider. Either design has remained largely unchanged but will now allegedly receive visual cues from the aluminum iMac and MacBook Air, including an all-aluminum design, traces of black, and more tapered edges. The trackpad is also likely to switch to the extra-large design found in the Air, though whether the 13-inch MacBook will gain multi-touch is unknown.

Briefly: Tannoy speaker dock review...

In brief: We have a review of the Tannoy i30 iPod speaker system, Apple refreshes the "Macintosh" trademark, a 36-hour iPhone programming marathon takes place and iSync phone plugins gets new device support ... We have posted a review of the Tannoy i30 iPod speaker system. This heavy-duty speaker system has an oval shape that is flat from the front view, but extends the oval in the back, complete with an inset hidden handle. The clean front design has not a button to be seen; so all the controls are on the small remote. The front is graced with two non-removable gray grills that cover 4-inch iCT, Inductive Coupling Technology , speakers and an iPod dock, under which is a gray TANNOY label. When removed from its suitcase-like box, the sheer weight of the speaker system is impressive, as is the simple packaging.

Intel design points to Air-sized budget PCs...

Users will not have to choose between thickness and price when having to choose an ultraportable notebook, Intel has claimed during a presentation at its own Developer Forum. A prototype on display during Mobility Group manager Dadi Perlmutter's keynote is as thin as systems like the MacBook Air or ThinkPad X300 but which uses the same Atom processors as an upcoming wave of budget notebooks, nicknamed "netbooks," such as the ASUS Eee PC 900.

340 iTunes-ready HD stations offered...

Clear Channel Radio says it is now offering more than 340 of its primary HD stations with the iTunes "tagging" function, capable of transferring a song heard on the radio to an Apple iPod (after purchase). "Radio continues to be the number one way that people discover new music, and the HD Radio iTunes tagging capability lets listeners add songs to their iPod playlists with just a push of the button," said John Hogan, president and CEO of Clear Channel Radio. "With the vast majority of our HD primary stations now offering this exciting feature, we're demonstrating how radio's collaboration with the iPod benefits consumers."

Natural Forces, Simulate video plug-ins coming soon...

Video plug-in maker Digieffects has announced two new plug-in series, Natural Forces and Simulate. The former will launch with "Vapor," which replicates fog, haze, clouds and smoke, and "Aqua," which imitates other forms of weather as well as various water effects. The Simulate plug-ins are more direct, adding lighting in the case of "Illuma," and namesake filters in the case of "Camera."

Adobe restrains terms of Photoshop Express...

Adobe has reacted to criticism and revised the terms of service for Photoshop Express, its recently-launched web version of the popular photo-editing software. Under the the original terms, Adobe effectively claimed the rights to use images for whatever purposes it wanted, including potentially selling them to third parties. The new contract language restricts Adobe's rights, limiting them exclusively to what is needed "in order to operate the Service and in order to enable you to do all the things this Service affords you the ability to do."

iSuppli: flash orders to drop 66% via Apple...

iSuppli today said it predicts a major drop in orders for NAND flash memory largely due to Apple. While the research group originally expected the value of orders to climb by 27 percent to peak at nearly $17.9 billion, it now estimates that growth to reach just $15.2 billion, or to grow by just a third at 9 percent. The overall drop is credited to reduced spending by US buyers unable to afford portable media players and other consumer electronics through defaults on subprime mortgages and the ripple effect it creates elsewhere in the world.

EU greenlights cell calls on aircraft...

The European Commission today opened the doors to cellphone service on commercial flights over the territory. Ending a near-universal ban on the practice, the organization has set out rules and established technology that it says should allow calling without endangering aircraft. Phones that support the 1,800MHz phone band will have the option of both making and receiving calls as well as SMS text messages while in flight. By using the specific frequency, airlines can force cellphones to connect to the picocell that shares the wireless connection rather than create interference with the aircraft's electronics, which can theoretically occur when the phones boost their signal strength to reach ground towers.

Flow expands FTP with editing, Leopard functions...

Extendamac has released the first version of Flow, an original FTP program. The software is designed to streamline certain tools that normally fall outside of FTP clients; predominant is the inclusion of a code editor, which is used to write the likes of HTML, and includes features such as tabs, colored syntax and live previews. Along these lines Flow also boasts integrated QuickLook support, letting users preview the content of various files before formally downloading them.

Apple sets Q2 report for April 23rd...

Apple has announced April 23rd has the formal date for its second-quarter financial report. The company should begin its conference call with investors at 2PM Pacific time on that date, and allow others to listen in via a simultaneous webcast. The link for this has not yet been published, but should become available in the near future.

Analyst raises AAPL target to $195 on Mac growth...

Research firm Thomas Weisel Partners (TWP) on Monday upgraded Apple stock and set a target price of near its previous trading high, noting that the current price severely discounts the long-term growth potential and that any risk for a near-term earnings shortfall has faded. While most analysts have focused on the impending launch of Apple's "3G iPhone" that runs on AT&T's faster mobile network, analyst Doug Reid said that Apple will continue its longer-term growth through its core Mac business as well as continued roll-out of the iPhone to additional countries.

Yahoo rejects Microsoft ultimatum...

Yahoo on Monday morning published a letter rebuffing Microsoft's imposed three-week deadline to accept a takeover bid, dismissing many of the claims made in the original argument. The formal rejection again states that Microsoft's $31 per share bid "substantially undervalues" Yahoo and adds that the actual value of the deal has decreased since it was suggested in late January, with Microsoft's share value having dropped while Yahoo's has increased.