News Archive for 09/02/03

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Protection Pack Silicone offers MacBook protection

02/03, 11:55pm

Protection Pack Silicone

Marware has launched its latest product for Mac protection and comfort, the Protection Pack Silicone. The pack is designed for the new aluminum-unibody MacBook, MackBook Air, and MackBook Pro notebooks. Two silicone squares are used to protect the wrist areas from scratches caused by items such as jewelery and watches, in addition to providing a softer feel. A clear, thin film is provided for the trackpad to help minimize oil marks, dirt and scratches, without interfering with control.

Canto Cumulus 7.6.1 adds e-mail notifications, more

02/03, 11:40pm

Canto ships Cumulus 7.6.1

Canto has released Canto Cumulus 7.6.1, adding over 130 improvements and fixes to the digital asset management software. Cumulus now can send automated e-mail notifications category assignments are changed, providing improved project-management tracking. Metadata support has been upgraded to include Microsoft's Visio files, while InDesign CS4 is also supported via a new plug-in. Version 7.6.1 adds Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) capability and brings Cumulus web-client features closer to Mac and Windows native clients.

Sans Digital launches MobileRAID 8-bay enclosures

02/03, 10:25pm

8-bay RAID 6 towers ship

Sans Digital has launched a new series of 8-bay MobileRAID towers, featuring dual channel SCSI, SAS and Fiber Channel connections and hardware RAID 6. RAID 6 balances between parity and speed, while allowing for up to two drive failures at one time without data loss. The MobileRAID towers utilize the engine structure of Sans Digital's AccuRAID rackmount systems, allowing for dual channel support, online expansion, online RAID migration, and RAID roaming. The three towers, the MR8S, MR8X and MR8F4, feature embedded Ethernet web management, allowing for local and remote access of the system status and alerts for system events.

Verizon ships BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230

02/03, 10:15pm

Verizon CDMA Pearl Flip

Verizon has quietly begun shipping its latest BlackBerry handset, the Pearl Flip 8230 that works on the CDMA and EVDO networks, according to a Crackberry member. The 8220 variant is currently available on the market, but configured to work exclusively on GSM networks. Other rumors suggested the 8230 would launch first from Canadian provider Telus sometime this month, at a "very reasonable" price and with the same color options as the 8220.

iLife '09 takes step away from PowerPC compatibility

02/03, 9:55pm

iLife going Intel only

Although the iLife '09 suite offers a variety of new features and capabilities, PowerPC owners will be disappointed to learn that certain functions now require an Intel-based system, according to Ars Technica. The company has made an effort to develop recent software with support for both processor types, but one of the notable features in GarageBand '09 has proved to be an exception. Users wishing to view a Learn to Play music lesson from Sarah Mclaughlin or Sting will need to run the software on an Intel-based Mac with a dual-core processor or better.

Briefly: Internet Evolution contest, Pogo Stylus

02/03, 9:35pm

iWebTemplate updates

In brief: Internet Evolution is holding a contest to find its readers best ideas for an iPhone application. Users can post their ideas and a winner will be announced in early March. Ten One Design has announced that it is reducing the price of its iPhone compatible stylus to $15. Meanwhile, iWebTemplate has update its offerings with several new iWeb Themes from iPresentee and Miamiou.

Calliflower for iPhone enables conference calling

02/03, 8:55pm

Calliflower for iPhone

Iotum has announced a mobile version of Calliflower, a conference-calling application for the iPhone and iPod touch. The program offers the same features as the desktop version, including free conference calls, flat-rate pricing for unlimited global meetings, local dial-in numbers and document sharing. Users can view the status of other people, take part in group chat, search through calling archives, send and receive invitations and reminders, or configure and record conferences. The software can also integrate with a user’s calendar.

Apple documentary receives positive feedback

02/03, 8:15pm

Welcome to Macintosh

The documentary Welcome to Macintosh has reportedly received positive feedback and praise during a recent screening that included several Apple personalities. At the recent Macworld Expo, a group consisting of some of the more well-known names in Apple such as Andy Hertzfeld, Guy Kawasaki, Leander Kahney, Jim Reekes, Ron Wayne and co-founder Steve Wozniak all sat down and watched the documentary. When the viewing was finished, Steve Wozniak commented that the presentation was "so much on the mark", and the independent film was the best he had ever seen.

SpeedDate brings dating service to the iPhone

02/03, 7:25pm

SpeedDate on iPhone

SpeedDate.com has brought its free speed dating service to the iPhone and iPod touch platforms. The SpeedDate application allows users to access member profiles and then send 'winks' or 'flirts' to other people. The listings are location based and organized by age, with searches prioritized by proximity and target age. The app fully integrates with the web-based service, while users can also create new profiles from the mobile interface.

Analyst: Kindle sales surpass 500K in '08

02/03, 6:30pm

Kndles sales pass 500K

Amazon may have sold 500,000 Kindle devices before selling out during the holidays, blowing past an earlier estimate of 378,000 units, according to Citi analyst Mark Mahaney. Although the company has not yet disclosed the exact number of units shipped, the integrated EVDO antenna in each Kindle has provided an alternative gauge. Sprint's financial filings indicate third-quarter distribution of 210,000 "certain wholesale devices" that were activated by wholesale partners prior to being sold to end consumers.

Apple refurbs: Mac models starting at $999

02/03, 5:50pm

Apple refurbs: $999 and up

Apple's online store is currently offering seven refurbished Mac models for $1500 or less. Starting at $999 is the 20-inch iMac with a 2.4GHz processor, 1GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive. Also priced at $999 is the MacBook Air with 1.6GHz processor, 2GB of memory and 80GB hard drive. Another MBA is also available priced at $1,299 and has a 1.8GHz processor, 2GB of memory and a 64GB solid-state drive. One more 20-inch iMac is available with a 2.66GHz processor, 2GB of memory and 320GB hard drive for $1,299. A MacBook Pro with 2.4GHz processor, 2GB of memory and 200GB hard drive is available for $1,349. A unibody MacBook with 2.4GHz processor, 2GB of memory and 250GB hard drive is priced at $1,399. Lastly is the 2.5GHz MacBook Pro with 2GB of memory and 250GB hard drive for $1,499.

LG Arena KM900 leak shows iPhone-like UI

02/03, 5:50pm

LG Arena KM900 smartphone

A new touchscreen smartphone from Korea's LG is due to be released soon, according to the latest web leak. The LG KM900 Arena has shown up in the Netherlands on a brochure from local retailer Phone House. The handset, which has a strong resemblance to the iPhone not only in form factor but also icons on the interface, is due to bring with it a five-megapixel camera and is expected to be capable of playing back DivX video files.

Canon intros two AIO PIXMA office printers

02/03, 5:35pm

Canon intros AIO PIXMAs

Canon on Tuesday announced two new all-in-one office printers, the PIXMA MX860 and PIXMA MX330. Designed to meet the needs of home-based small businesses, each printer can scan, fax, photocopy and of course print documents. The higher-level MX860 has an automatic duplexing feature that can copy, scan and print on both sides of a page on a single run-through. While copying, the printer can also scan and print to reduce the time to complete a project.

Seagate intros 2TB Constellation enterprise HDD

02/03, 5:30pm

Seagate intros 2TB HDD

Hard drive manufacture Seagate has introduced its first 2TB hard drive on Tuesday, which is part of the 3.5-inch, 7,200RPM Constellation ES family that also includes versions with 1TB and 500GB capacities. At the same time, Seagate has announced the release of two 2.5-inch, 7,200RPM Constellation drives with the lowest power consumption in their class and 500GB and 160GB capacities. All five drives in both new lines are meant for enterprise applications, working under heavy workloads in business servers.

DealNN: printers, HDTVs, home entertainment systems

02/03, 5:00pm

DealNN: printers, HDTVs

Today's deals at DealNN include a variety of items at bargain prices from printers to iPods. First up is the refurbished Sony 26-inch LCD display priced at $299.99 at SecondAct.com. RefurbDepot.com has the refurbished Panasonic home theater system priced at $219.95. For today only PCconnection.com is offering the Lexmark C540n laser printer for $199.97. Apple's online store is offering the refurbished black MacBook with 2.16GHz processor for $999. Lastly is the 3rd generation, green, 8GB iPod nano priced at $148 at Abt.com.

Skype 4 out with full-screen video, better quality

02/03, 5:00pm

Skype 4.0 now available

Skype announced on Tuesday that the latest Skype 4.0 version for Windows is now available to download. Callled the most distinctive Skype release yet, build 4.0 includes the company's first-ever full-screen video calling capability. As well, the software is easier to use and retains all the previous features Skype users have come to expect. With a minimum of a 400Kbps Internet connection, a PC with a dual-core CPU and a Skype-certified webcam, users can experience 30fps video calls.

India $10 PC gets name, possible price bump

02/03, 4:55pm

Sakshat 10 Dollar PC

The Indian government's $10 PC has been given early details that include its real name and initial specifications. Now called the Sakshat, or "before your eyes," the computer will have 2GB of RAM and some level of wireless access. Its operating system isn't mentioned but is more likely to use Linux than Windows, which requires a license.

Tiffen launches Photo fx for iPhone, iPod

02/03, 4:55pm

Tiffen Photo fx for iPhone

Tiffen has launched Photo fx
, an iPhone-based version of its Dfx Digital Filter Creative Effects software. The app sports 26 filters in five groups, and provides slider controls to adjust parameters like blur or tint. Images are pulled from photos taken or stored on a handheld, and are saved separately in their edited form in order to preserve the originals.

Blu-ray disc player prices to drop to $150 in 2009

02/03, 4:35pm

Blu-ray players for $150

The prices of entry-level, off-brand Blu-ray disc players are expected to fall to the equivalent of about $150 during 2009, according to a Tuesday DigiTimes report. Lite-On IT, Taiwan's largest maker of half-height optical disc drives, will enter the market of standalone Blu-ray players with its own entry and price it at about $150, says local Chinese daily, the Economic Daily News.

R10Cipher 2 adds file encryption, interface tweaks

02/03, 4:30pm

R10Cipher 2 released

Arten Science has released a major update to R10Cipher, its encryption utility. The program works on Mac, Windows and Linux systems, and is primarily used to secure text through 128-bit Blowfish encryption; deciphering content requires both R10 and a shared key. The app is also said to offer the advantage of a low footprint, which means it can be run from USB flash drives.

Nova media unveils iCON 431 USB 3G modem

02/03, 4:00pm

Nova media iCON 431

Berlin-based nova media today unveiled the iCON 431, a 3G USB modem with a rounded form-factor that is designed to match the visual aspects of Mac computers. The device supports download speeds of up to 7.2Mb per second and upload speeds up to 2Mb per second using HSUPA, while EDGE and GPRS connections will provide downloads speeds up to 220Kb per second. An integrated Micro-SD card slot allows memory expansion up to 8GB.

Internet freedom law not ideal solution: EU chief

02/03, 4:00pm

EU considering freedom law

A law to uphold users' freedoms on the Internet similar to the Global Online Freedom Act drafted by the US Congress is not necessary in the European Union, said EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding on Tuesday, according to a report. The law would protect surfers' rights, especially in countries where the government is blocking sites and intimidating users by policing their actions, which violates their human rights, say EU lawmakers in favor of the "freedom law."

Samsung to unveil 8 entry-level handsets at MWC

02/03, 3:55pm

Samsung phones leaked

No less than eight new handsets from South Korea's Samsung are expected to make their official debut at Mobile World Congress in Spain in less than two weeks after being spotted on a European site on Tuesday. The highest-featured phone is expected to be the S5050, which is a slider with quad-band GSM/EDGE support. Its 2.2-inch OLED display offers 240x320 resolution and lets users interface with the 3.2-megapixel camera that has an LED flash.

Toshiba enters touch phones with 1GHz TG01

02/03, 3:50pm

Toshiba TG01

Hoping to preempt its rivals, Toshiba on Tuesday launched itself into full touchscreens with its first model. The TG01 is envisioned as a performance device with a large, 4.1-inch touchscreen display and an 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon that's unusually fast for the category; Toshiba claims the TG01 will be the fastest phone available and that it will also be thinner than the iPhone at just 9.9mm (0.39in) deep. It will also include a G-sensor to recognize motion that is reportedly more advanced than an accelerometer.

Safe Eyes Mobile censors iPhone browsing

02/03, 3:35pm

Safe Eyes Mobile for iPhon

InternetSafety.com has launched an Internet filtering app for the iPhone and iPod touch, Safe Eyes Mobile. Previously announced at the Macworld Expo, Safe Eyes Mobile works as its own web browser, and allows users to designate what types of content can be viewed while surfing. The title comes complete with over 35 different website categories, which users can customize to set a desired protection level.

Apps: Multisite, Earth Addresser, Media Catalog

02/03, 3:15pm

Stationary Pack, djay

Multisite 2.4 ($20) is a utility for iWeb that allows users to more easily create and manage multiple sites. Users can select which site they would like to edit and Multisite loads only that data into iWeb which can speed up iWeb as less data needs to be loaded at a time. The update has added support for iWeb ’09 so that page names are displayed correctly in the Multisite window and also includes several bug fixes. [Download - 0.91MB]

Background processes to show in iPhone 3.0?

02/03, 3:15pm

Bkgrnd Apps in iPhone 3

Apple may give iPhones true but controlled support for background apps with a major revision of the operating system, a claim from MacRumors suggests. Pointing to one or more unnamed source, the site says the delay in implementing the long-delayed background push notification feature promised at last year's WWDC may transform into a true background app process that lets users choose which software stays open as they switch to other tasks; Apple's proposed solution would only allow a channel of network data to be sent to individual programs.

GLUON ships StudioPack ID for InDesign CS4

02/03, 3:10pm

StudioPack ID for CS4

GLUON has released an update to StudioPack ID, a collection of publishing tools for Adobe InDesign. Included in the pack are Slugger, which automatically updates slugs and includes a designer, and Cropster, which simplifies the creation of mechanical layouts. Another long-standing tool in the pack is ProScale, which resizes documents without skewing text or imagery.

Windows 7 scaled back to five editions

02/03, 2:15pm

Windows 7 Editions

Microsoft this afternoon revealed that its editions of Windows 7 will be slightly scaled back from the company's existing lineup and will also be more logical. The software developer now says it has dropped Home Basic entirely and will change its strategy such that each improved version will be a superset of the other rather than pull some features out for others, as it has for Vista. Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate editions will have Media Center and all the other features of Home Premium.

Micronet debuts new Genesis V RAID storage systems

02/03, 1:10pm

Genesis V RAID subsystems

Micronet has announced 300-400MBps Genesis V RAID rackmount storage systems, intended for small and medium businesses. The Genesis line consists of six unitsm including the Genesis Dual 3U-16 bay dual controller Fibre to SAS/SATA II, the Genesis V 3U-16 bay 4GB per second Fibre to SATA II, the Genesis V 3U-16 Bay SAS to SAS/SATA II and the Genesis V 2U-12 Bay Fibre to SATA II. The company is also providing the Genesis V 2U-12 Bay and 8 Bay SCSI U 320 to SATA II.

Sony LocationPorter streams camera video

02/03, 12:45pm

Sony LocationPorter

Sony has unveiled the LocationPorter, an unusual portable media streamer. Users connect a video camera to the device, which then converts footage to H.264/MPEG-4 AVC for streaming over the Internet; the footage is then caught by another LocationPorter, which displays the output video live. The device further supports a choice of LAN-based or 3G cellular Internet connections, the latter of which permits streaming from anywhere within a supporting carrier's network.

iPhone UAE launch hints next model in June

02/03, 12:05pm

Third iPhone Due June

A report from Business 24/7 today that the iPhone will launch in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates may also provide a clue as to the next iPhone launch. Dow Jones tells the newspaper that Emirates Telecommunications - etisalat now expects to offer the iPhone 3G in the two countries on February 15th but also claims that the next-generation iPhone will arrive in June, shipping "at the same time" in the UAE as in other countries.

VMware View Open Client ports Windows desktops

02/03, 11:45am

VMware View Open Client

VMware has posted the View Open Client, an open-source version of its virtual desktop tool. The software accesses Windows desktops hosted in a remote datacenter, allowing users to carry personalized settings across multiple machines. Though only Linux clients are supported in the initial release, VMware is actively encouraging businesses to develop clients for other platforms.

Nikon adds two budget L series cameras

02/03, 10:50am

Nikon L19 and L20 Cameras

Among other debuts announced on Monday, Nikon has introduced a pair of entry-level cameras into its COOLPIX L series with the 10-megapixel L20 and 8-megapixel L19. The cameras are designed to be simpler to use and sport an Easy Auto Mode that takes virtually all the guesswork out of finding a specific shooting mode for a particular scene.

Moto chief pegs Windows Mobile 7 for 2010

02/03, 10:45am

Moto Says Win Mo 7 in 2010

Microsoft's true next-generation Windows Mobile operating system isn't due until next year, Motorola chief Sanjay Jha said today in a conference call discussing the company's fall 2008 results. In explaining his company's emphasis on Google Android phones in 2009, the executive maintains that Motorola is "still committed" to Windows Mobile and expects renewed interest in the software in 2010, when he understands Windows Mobile 7 will launch. Android is simply "more competitive" this year, Jha says.

WoodWing Enterprise 6 adds Content Station

02/03, 10:40am

WoodWing Enterprise 6

WoodWing has begun distributing Enterprise 6, an update to its signature publishing platform. The software links InDesign, InCopy and web-based content management systems, as well as a variety of other applications. New to the sixth edition is the Content Station, which lets users pull material from third-party sources such as DAM and wire systems in order to build content packages. The app reduces the need to leave Enterprise, and additionally includes an XML editor for creating digital-only output.

iPhone apps: Picture Safe, Easycontact, FollowUp

02/03, 10:25am

Go Bowling, Cam Viewer

Picture Safe ($2) allows users to create a password protected area to store pictures. Photos can be imported into this secure area from the camera or photo library and then sorted according to subject matter. The application also includes a couple of additional security features that can hide pictures on the screen quickly.

Nokia recovering, readying multi-touch phones?

02/03, 9:55am

Nokia Multi-Touch Rumor

Alleged market sources tell DigiTimes today that Nokia is planning a resurgence that may hinge on multi-touch devices. The Finnish company is said to be planning several cellphones with advanced 3G as well as "multi-touch and multimedia functions" for the year that will help not only itself but the companies that make the cellular chipsets and touchscreen technology, including Qualcomm, Synaptics and Texas Instruments. Other details aren't mentioned, though the multi-touch technology doesn't apply to the N97.

Skyworks, Sector3 debut new iPhone games

02/03, 9:25am

New iPhone, iPod games

Skyworks has released two new football games for the iPhone and iPod touch, QB Pass Attack and X’s and O’s Football. In QB Pass Attack, players have to hurl a football into the hands of a receiver in one of two different modes, Classic or Progressive. In Classic players try to earn as many points as possible in 60 seconds, by throwing the ball to the close receiver for 7 points, or the further one for 30 points. Progressive mode has the player trying to gain yards for a touchdown before the time runs out, a feat accomplished by making complete passes. Failure to make passes or gain enough yards results in going back to the 20 yard line.

Nikon COOLPIX S line gets 7X zoom, touch models

02/03, 9:05am

Nikon COOLPIX S PMA 2009

Nikon is continuing its camera introductions with multiple updates to its mid-range COOLPIX S series. The S630 stands as the flagship with an uncommonly long 7X zoom and a 12-megapixel sensor; it centers on a new, more easily gripped design and has some features drawn from the P90, including off-angle face detection, a boost to ISO 6,400 by lowering the resolution and a fast shooting mode that also shrinks the image size to capture at up to 11 frames per second. It and the other S series updates should ship in February, with the S630 selling for $280.

DiskLibrary 1.9 improves performance

02/03, 8:50am

DiskLibrary 1.9 update

Obvious Matter has announced an update to its disk cataloging application for the Mac, DiskLibrary 1.9. Designed to help users keep track of their media, DiskLibrary catalogs a user's complete file structure, creates thumbnails for media files, and stores metadata for most media formats. All files organized by the program are displayed in a single window, with drag-and-drop access. The newest version of the software improves both startup and search performance, and adds the ability to load files on mounted volumes within QuickLook.

Motorola slides to 6.5% market share in fall

02/03, 8:25am

Moto Q4 2008 Results

Motorola on Tuesday reported further trouble for its recent fall quarter with both an immediate financial hit as well as ongoing drops in its phone shipments. The company says it posted a net loss of $3.6 billion during the three-month period ended in December and pins much of the responsibility on its Mobile Device group, whose losses ave only deepened year-over-year from $388 million in late 2007 to $595 million. Motorola blames drop on the economy and points to its 7,000 job cuts and a just-announced suspension of its usual cash dividend to shareholders as steps taken to rescue its business.

Nikon unveils 24X zoom P90, 15X L100 cams

02/03, 7:25am

Nikon P90 and L100

As part of its launches ahead of the PMA photo expo, Nikon today released a pair of high-zoom COOLPIX cameras. The P90 is Nikon's most powerful non-SLR camera and centers on a 24X zoom lens with a rare 26-624mm coverage that lets it both accommodate wide-angle shots as well as very distant telephoto shots. The camera maker has also detached the LCD from the body and gives the P90 a swiveling 3-inch display, though it depends on an electronic viewfinder for head-on previews.