News Archive for 09/10/15

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Magic Printer iPhone app enables remote printing

10/15, 11:15pm

Magic Printer prints pages from an iPhone

Wellala has released a remote printing app for the iPhone and iPod touch, Print Magic. The app allows users to print content from the mobile device via Wi-Fi, without the need to first sync to a computer. It can print directly to network printers that support the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP), along with any printer capable of sharing from a Mac via Printer Sharing. In order to print content, users simply copy the data into the application or, when printing web pages, copy the URL.

Technocel announces PowerPak portable charger

10/15, 10:50pm

PowerPak charges most hand held devices

Technocel has announced the PowerPak, a new all-in-one portable battery and home charger. The PowerPak is designed to extend the run time of portable electronic devices when users are on-the-go and away from power outlets. It supports a wide range of devices including cellphones, PDA’s, MP3 players, or Bluetooth headsets. A variety of interchangeable tips are included, enabling the charger to work with almost any USB-powered product.

Apple third in A.T. Kearney Global Champions 2009 study

10/15, 10:25pm

Apple sales grow 41-percent over five years

Global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney has placed Apple on its Global Champions 2009 study. Apple was third overall, behind Nintendo (1st) and Google (2nd) in the study which focused on companies that outperformed peers over the past five years. Most of the top 25 companies managed 15 percent growth, compared to an average 8 percent growth for the entire sample of 2500 companies. Apple managed 41 percent median sales growth and 24 percent growth in median value.

Aqua Data Studio 8.0 adds support for six more databases

10/15, 9:55pm

Ver8.0 optimizes memory, improves ER modeler

AquaFold has launched a major upgrade to its database administration software, releasing Aqua Data Studio 8.0. The software is geared toward visualizing and working with multiple relational databases in a single view. Aqua Data Studio already supports Oracle, DB2 for iSeries, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, Sybase, Informix, apache Derby and PostgreSQL. Version 8.0 adds native support for new databases including Teradata, DB2 for z/OS, Sybase IQ 15 and nCluster.

Rawzor brings RAW image compression to Mac

10/15, 9:15pm

App achieves 20-60 percent compression rates

Rawzor has updated its lossless RAW image-compression utility with support for Mac OS X. The self-titled Rawzor software, in Beta version 0.45, delivers compression rates of 20-60 percent with no change to image quality or metadata. Rawzor promises a complete restoration of the original file on decompression, and Rawzor has an SDK that allows independent RAW processing software to open the compressed .rwz files. The new Mac-compatible version has a core engine fully ported for Mac.

PDF2Office for iWork converter to ship in November

10/15, 8:35pm

App retains layout, recovers paragraphs, graphics

Recosoft has launched a new PDF converter, PDF2Office, for iWork '08 and '09. The software converts PDF files by changing each page to an equivalent format for either Keynote or Pages. It recreates paragraphs, reconstructs tables and can regroup independent graphical elements. The utility also retains most layout elements of the original PDF.

MathMagic Pro 6.8 adds Google Docs, Zoho Writer support

10/15, 8:15pm

Ver6.8 improves web content interaction

InfoLogic has released MathMagic Personal Edition 6.8. The equation editor handles mathematical symbols using a simple interface designed to be easy to work with. It reads and writes expressions in LaTex and MathML, and works with any word processor or presentation software such as Pages, Word or Keynote.

Bell documents show prices for iPhone, BlackBerry Bold 9700

10/15, 7:50pm

Subsidized and off-contract prices detailed

Adding to details leaked in an earlier report, documents from the Canadian carrier Bell appear to show launch plans for the iPhone, BlackBerry Bold 9700 and Samsung Omnia 2, according to the Boy Genius Report. The latest source claims the iPhone 3G will be available for $150 with a three-year contract after rebates, while off-contract pricing is set at $600.

Apple allows in-app purchases from free apps

10/15, 6:30pm

Developers have called for policy change

Apple has changed its SDK policy to allow in-app purchases for free iPhone apps, according to Daring Fireball blogger John Gruber. The service previously was restricted to apps requiring payment for the initial download, although the limitations have been criticized by a variety of developers.

Sidekick outage may have cost MS $700,000 per day

10/15, 5:55pm

MS may pay multi-million fine over Sidekick

Microsoft may owe T-Mobile millions of dollars for its just-concluding Sidekick outage, an inside tip may have revealed today. Like most carriers, T-Mobile is believed to have a service level agreement (SLA) with Microsoft and Danger to guarantee uptime but may have a particularly costly deal with Microsoft. The MobileCrunch source claims that Microsoft will likely pay a rate roughly equal to $700,000 per day for the period it couldn't guarantee 99.5 percent availability of Sidekick services.

Txtr e-book reader due this winter?

10/15, 5:55pm

Wizpac to release 6-inch e-book reader soon

A recent MobileRead forum post reveals that a German company called Wizpac has released an e-book reader called the txtr at the Book Fair in Frankfurt. The device uses a 6-inch, 800x600 resolution e-ink screen with 16 grayscale colors. Users will be able to download content from a dedicated txtr store accessible through the device, though it's so far only to be available in Germany.

Satsports intros multi-use, all weather GPS receiver

10/15, 5:55pm

Satsports outs smartphone apps, GPS device

Satsports has announced it has released its Multi-sports GPS system in North America, which allows skiers and other high-impact athletes to get navigation data. Users interface via a 2.7-inch full color touchscreen, and it can playback photos, videos and MP3s stored on microSD cards. Along with the device, the company also released Windows Mobile and Android OS applications that bring the functionality of the device to existing smartphone owners.

AMD beats Q3 forecast with $128m net loss

10/15, 5:25pm

Demand for components beginning to increase

AMD on Thursday reported its third-quarter financial results, indicating an 18 percent revenue increase from the previous quarter. Although the performance exceeded expectations, the company still reported a net loss of $128 million and a 22 percent revenue drop compared to the same quarter last year.

Memorex enters HD pocket camcorders

10/15, 5:15pm

Memorex intros MyVideo, MyVideo HD cams

Not normally known for capturing video itself, Memorex today upgraded its pocketable video cameras with two sleeker models. The 720p-capable MyVideo HD and standard definition MyVideo VGA emulate the same basic concept as Flip cameras but have the advantages of 2X digital zoom and longer battery life. The MyVideo HD's more demanding video gives it a still long 2.5 hours of recording time, while the VGA model can capture for up to five hours.

Vodafone prices first handset with 360 platform

10/15, 5:10pm

Vodafone 360 Samsung H1 now available

UK wireless carrier Vodafone is now offering the Vodafone 360 Samsung H1 smartphone on sale through its website. The device is the first to ship with the carrier's 360 social media platform preloaded. The H1 was especially developed for Vodafone, and sports a 3.5-inch OLED touchscreen.

UK theaters banning notebooks over piracy fears

10/15, 4:55pm

Cineworld bans notebooks from its movie theaters

UK movie theater chain Cineworld has introduced a new policy that does not allow patrons to bring in notebook PCs to the auditoriums, UK resident Jeremy Nicholas wrote on his blog. The policy was supposedly introduced to help fight piracy, where bootleggers go to see a movie and record it with an electronic device. Nicholas, however, was denied entry despite his Sony VAIO's lack of an integrated webcam, making it impossible to record the main attraction.

Endpoint Protector 2009 update adds Snow Leopard support

10/15, 4:50pm

Also supports Windows 7

CoSoSys has released a new version of Endpoint Protector 2009, its data-loss prevention and endpoint security application. The update adds support for Mac OS X Snow Leopard, along with the soon-to-be-launched Windows 7. Endpoint Protector is designed to protect confidential data, and provides tools for monitoring and controlling activities on other systems. File tracking lets users see copy sources and destinations, as well as determine which files can be copied.

Keyboard-free Nokia N900 sequel shows up

10/15, 4:35pm

Keyboard-free Nokia N920 leaked in photos

What appears to be a keyboard-free version of Nokia's as-yet-unreleased N900 smartphone has been spotted on the Internet recently. While the image is not official, it reveals the handset will have a larger, 4.13-inch capacitive touchscreen display and no hardware keyboard. The N900, in comparison, uses a 3.5-inch resistive (pressure-based) touchscreen with 800x480 resolution.

Sony brings 250GB PS3 to US

10/15, 4:20pm

Slim PS3 with larger drive due Nov. 3

Sony in mid-afternoon revealed that it will launch a 250GB version of the PlayStation 3 in North America. Previously only due for Europe bundled with a game, the US and Canadian version will only include the higher-capacity hard disk, which more than doubles the existing slim PS3's capacity. The extra storage is pitched as a help for downloadable games as well as those who download movies from PSN in HD.

iPhone 3GS jailbreaking will persist, says iPhone Dev Team

10/15, 4:15pm

Closed exploit a minor obstacle

Jailbreaking indeed remains an option for the iPhone 3GS, says a member of the unofficial iPhone Dev Team. "It’s not going to be impossible to jailbreak even if the exploit we used is gone," notes Eric McDonald, responding to some media reports claiming that 3GS jailbreaks might be impossible with the closure of the 24kpwn exploit. Apple has begun shipping 3GS units with a new bootrom, rendering the hole ineffective.

Samsung preps touchscreen WiMAX smartphone

10/15, 4:10pm

KT to bring WiBro-compatible Samsung handset

Korean wireless provider KT is planning on releasing a smartphone that supports the country's WiBro mobile broadband network, which is the equivalent of WiMAX in Korea. The smartphone will be made by Samsung and go by the SPH-M8400 model name. Other than WiBro, it will also have WCDMA (3G) network support and a Wi-Fi connection, which earns it the 3W designation from KT. The photo of the M8400 also reveals it will run on a Windows Mobile operating system.

Court rules ASCAP can't seek ringtone royalties

10/15, 3:45pm

Ringtones not considered performances

A Southern District of New York federal court yesterday ruled (PDF) that ringtones don't constitute performances and so are exempt from separate royalties. The decision by Judge Denise Cote rejects beliefs by royalty group ASCAP that the carrier is responsible for royalties for any ringtone played in public and grants the complainant Verizon a summary judgment that the only valid royalty is the original for the music file itself.

Blu-ray pulled from new iMacs at last moment?

10/15, 3:45pm

Tech notably absent from Mac lineup

Blu-ray drives were pulled as an option for upcoming iMacs with little time to spare, anonymous sources claim. People described only as "close" to Apple say that Blu-ray support was originally anticipated for a near-future iMac refresh, but that it was nixed just before the computers went into production last month. Regardless, buyers would only have been able to get a Blu-ray drive as part of a custom order.

BlackBerry Bold 9700 shows at T-Mobile Germany

10/15, 3:05pm

Bold 9700 appears early

Inadvertently tipping off RIM's plans, T-Mobile Germany today put up a listing for the BlackBerry Bold 9700. Also known as the Bold 2, the phone matches earlier descriptions and has the optical trackpad, taller 480x360 screen and improved 3.2-megapixel camera seen in prototypes. T-Mobile's version also appears to bundle a 2GB microSD card.

Apple to broadcast fourth-quarter results Monday, Oct. 19th

10/15, 2:55pm

Early projections point to positive results

Apple will broadcast its 2009 fourth-quarter results call on Monday, October 19th, beginning at 2:00PM Pacific time, or 5:00 PM Eastern. It will continually rebroadcast through November 2nd. In order to listen, parties must have QuickTime 6 or 7.

Next iMac to use Core i7 after all?

10/15, 2:30pm

Rumor has iMac using quad-core Nehalem

A tentative rumor ad mid-day suggests that Apple's anticipated iMac redesign may draw on Intel's mobile Core i7 processors. Most other details aren't provided in the AppleInsider tip, but any release before early 2010 would require that Apple use some or all of the quad-core "Clarksfield" designs on the market and produce the first non-workstation quad-core Macs.

Samsung STORY drive cuts idle power in half

10/15, 1:40pm

Samsung STORY drives get more power efficient

Samsung late Wednesday announced that its 3.5-inch STORY Station external hard drives will be upgraded with a more energy efficient power source that will consume less than 1W in standby mode. This is the industry's lowest power consumption level and should lead to the drives drawing just 0.09W when parked compared to the usual 2.5W. The power reduction comes through a new circuit structure that renders the drive non-operational when when it is connected to a power plug but not the USB port.

Solibri and AutoDesSys intro 3D modeling software updates

10/15, 1:20pm

Solibri Model Checker 5.1, Bonzai3D 2.0 beta

Solibri and AutoDesSys have each announced 3D modeling software updates, Solibri Model Checker 5.1 and Bonzai3D 2.0. The Solibri program helps to improve design quality by checking for compliance with owner specifications, and managing any identified issues. The v5.1 update provides new tools for spatial coordination, and extended support for open standards. Users can import DWG and IFC files, which can be run in the full range of model-checking functions.

Google signals Android 2.0 nearly ready

10/15, 1:15pm

Google's front-lawn Android gets newest dessert

Google staffers have posted a video on YouTube (available below) that shows the delivery of a giant éclair to the company's California headquarters' front lawn, indicating the latest Android 2.0 update will be going live soon. The oversized éclair now sits beside other blown-up desserts, including a cupcake and donut that represent earlier updates to the open-source operating system, namely Android 1.5 and 1.6, respectively.

HAVA video-streaming app launches for iPhone

10/15, 12:50pm

Links with HAVA hardware

Monsoon Multimedia has launched HAVA Mobile Player for the iPhone and iPod touch, allowing users to remotely watch and control cable, satellite, DVD and TiVo video sources. Users must have a Wi-Fi connection and a HAVA box, which enables people to remotely control and channel any TV source in their home. App users can additionally browse program guides in order to see schedules and content descriptions.

Microsoft stores to open near Windows 7 release?

10/15, 12:40pm

Microsoft retail timed with new OS

Microsoft's planned retail store openings will start just in time for Windows 7's appearance next week, a leak late yesterday may reveal. A single source for the WSJ says the first store, in Scottsdale, Arizona, should open either on Windows 7's October 22nd release date or within a few days afterwards. However, it would be the only store to launch near the OS as the Mission Viejo, California store would only open a few weeks later.

Trillian instant messaging app still waiting for approval

10/15, 12:15pm

Over two months in Apple queue

Cerulean Studios has complained that a new Trillian instant messaging app, for the iPhone and iPod touch, has yet to be approved. The app was submitted over 60 days ago according to the company, but at last check is still winding its way through Apple evaluation. A steady stream of e-mails is said to have been sent, but met only with generic form letters, giving no indication on whether changes are needed or how much longer the company may expect to wait.

Acer launches netbook that dual-boots Android

10/15, 11:45am

Aspire One D250 runs Android, Windows

Acer made a partial return to Linux for netbooks on Thursday by confirming a version of the Aspire One D250 with Android. The 10-inch netbook can use Google's OS to start up almost immediately and browse the web, check e-mail or perform other common tasks much faster than would be possible with Windows XP. It also gives access to many apps on Android Market that would be off-limits to PCs.

atPeek 1.0 previews resources within iPhone apps

10/15, 11:45am

Software utilizes Quick Look to explore apps

atPurpose has launched a new iPhone development tool, atPeek 1.0. The software is designed for professionals, but said to be simple enough for casual users. Through Apple's Quick Look architecture, it explores and displays fully-functional previews of the resources found in iPhone apps. The tool can discover normally inaccessible details, and export specific assets or entire folders for follow-up viewings.

Apple marketing plans to exploit Windows 7 switchover

10/15, 11:20am

Schiller claims upgrade may be too much hassle

Near-term Apple marketing plans will revolve around countering Windows 7, says the company's senior marketing VP, Phil Schiller. "It presents a very good opportunity for us," he explains, noting that many PCs are still equipped with Windows XP, and will thus require a more elaborate upgrade to carry over files to 7. This can include backing up essential files, reformatting, and/or reinstalling old applications. "Any user that reads all those steps is probably going to freak out," claims Schiller. "If you have to go through all that, why not just buy a Mac?"

"Most" Sidekick data recovered; lawsuits filed

10/15, 11:05am

Sidekick data should be OK

Microsoft Premium Mobile Experiences VP Roz Ho on Thursday personally apologized for the Sidekick data outage from the past two weeks and now claims that the company has salvaged much of the data. In her letter, the executive claims that "most, if not all" of the contacts and other data has been recovered and that only a small number of users will actually risk losing data permanently. It and T-Mobile had previously warned that all users could face losing their data.

No AT&T iPhone tethering before 2010?

10/15, 10:15am

Support long overdue

AT&T's planned tethering support for the iPhone might not arrive until 2010, a a statement from a carrier spokesman suggests. Responding to a claim that tethering would arrive before the end of the year, the spokesman insists that no one at AT&T has ever made such as promise. "We promised MMS by end of summer and ended up being a few days late for that," the statement adds.

Logitech outs gaming keyboard with LED backlight, macros

10/15, 10:15am

Logitech gaming keyboard has custom LED backlight

Logitech launched its latest gaming keyboard on Thursday, the Gaming Keyboard G110. The device has custom LED backlighting for all of its keys, and users can connect USB headsets or microphones through ports on the back for both. The LEDs illuminating the keys can be set to all-blue or all-red as well as mixed to create any shade of purple.

Google to launch paid, universal e-book store

10/15, 9:55am

Google e-book store due next year

Google today set out official plans to launch its own paid e-book store. Known as Google Editions, the service will be one of the few truly universal stores and will work with any device that has a reasonably modern web browser, including most computers, smartphones and even normally locked-down devices like the Amazon Kindle. Unlike some web book services, Google's store will let users cache a book locally for reading when they're offline.

Amazon Video On Demand comes to some Samsung TVs

10/15, 9:25am

Amazon brings VoD service to Samsung HDTVs

Samsung and Amazon recently announced that Amazon's Video on Demand online video delivery service will soon be offered directly through certain Samsung HDTVs. The Internet-connected TVs will require a free widget download to access the service. This will allow users to access more than 50,000 titles, including over 2,000 HD movies, without needing a separate box.

Nokia swings to $1.36 billion loss

10/15, 9:10am

Nokia's summer hurt by poor phone sales

Nokia on Thursday suffered one of its larger blows in recent years with word of especially poor results during its summer quarter. The company posted a net loss equivalent to $1.36 billion between July and September and almost completely reversed a $1.58 billion profit from a year earlier. Much of the blame was placed directly on a deep, 19.6 percent plunge in its revenue from phone sales compared to a year earlier, even though the number was a slight 5 per cent gain versus the spring.

Review: SmileOnMyMac's PDFpen 4.5

10/15, 9:05am

PDF editor put to scrutiny

MacNN has reviewed the latest edition of PDFpen, an editor that serves as an alternative to more expensive tools from the likes of Adobe. The software provides mostly basic functions, such as text insertion, notes and signatures, and various forms of image manipulation including line illustrations. Pages can also be reorganized as needed before printing.

BlackBerry Storm2 official, headed to Vodafone

10/15, 8:00am

Storm2 brings Wi-Fi, new touchscreen

RIM today at last released the BlackBerry Storm2, its second touchscreen phone. The new model has a sleeker design that centers on a much-improved 480x360 touchscreen; rather than slow down users by actually moving the screen inwards, it uses a piezoelectric system that replicates physical feedback but still allows two-finger input. It's also the first Storm to have Wi-Fi and is much faster through carrying twice as much memory as the original.