http://www.macnn.com/ MacNN is the leading source for news about Apple and the Mac industry. It offers news, reviews, discussion, tips, troubleshooting, links, and reviews every day. The best place for Mac News. Period. en-us Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:30:05 GMT http://images.macnn.com/images/macnn-logo-bw.gif http://www.macnn.com/ http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/new.macbook.air/ Apple has formally announced the redesigned MacBook Air at its special press conference today. The company has confirmed the new "brick" construction, with a case milled from a solid aluminum block, instead of a combination of aluminum and plastic pieces. The processors come from Intel's "Montevina" generation and are offered in 1.6GHz or 1.86GHz variants. Like the new MacBook and MacBook Pro mod...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/new.macbook.air/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:10:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/live.apple.notebook.event/ Check the extended section of this story for as-it-happens updates on Apple's new MacBook event....]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/live.apple.notebook.event/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:05:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/new.macbook.pro.revealed/ Speaking at a special event, Apple CEO Steve Jobs has announced the existence of a redesigned MacBook Pro. Confirming earlier reports, the notebook is being built using a new construction process, similar to the one for the MacBook Air; each system starts as a brick of solid aluminum, from which material is initially removed, rather than added to. The resulting systems are said to be simultaneou...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/new.macbook.pro.revealed/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:00:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/pages.templates.30.ships/ Jumsoft has released Pages Templates 3.0, a collection of 60 document templates for the iWork suite. The package includes 40 carryovers from the version 2.0 product, with 20 new templates, including extra brochures, invitations, memos, invoices, newsletters and more. The new templates focus on green, velvet and red color schemes, and have inside selections with up to 30 themed varieties....]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/pages.templates.30.ships/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:05:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/aqua.data.studio.70/ AquaFold has released Aqua Data Studio 7.0, updating the database administration tool (for Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL and others) with a new Entity Relationship (ER) Modeler. The Modeler allows users to create, save and modify diagrams, and extract diagrams from databases. The contents of ER diagrams, once edited or created, are scriptable and can be converted into schema objects, allowin...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/aqua.data.studio.70/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:00:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/apple.workers.and.nvidia/ A labor union intends to use today's Apple notebook announcement to gain support in a move against NVIDIA, according to a statement. Unite Here says it will use the event to persuade Apple workers to cooperate in any Securities and Exchange Commission investigations of NVIDIA, from which it is pushing for a chip recall. Apple is among many companies that build NVIDIA hardware into their computer...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/apple.workers.and.nvidia/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:45:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/eaglefiler.14.ships/ C-Command has released v1.4 of EagleFiler, its organizational software. The app is used to archive files such as images, web pages, PDF files and word processor documents; these files can then be organized into folders, and given tags or notes that aid in later search functions. The v1.4 update introduces the concept of custom smart folders, which add items automatically based on user-defined cr...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/eaglefiler.14.ships/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:55:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/sony.movie.on.hdtv.first/ Sony today made good on a summer promise by becoming one of the first to premiere a major movie rental on a networked video hub rather than releasing it simultaneously with or after its physical release. Owners of the company's Internet Video Link for its BRAVIA HDTV sets will have the option of downloading a rental version of Hancock from October 28th, or nearly a month before the November 25th ...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/sony.movie.on.hdtv.first/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:35:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/ipods.at.toys.r.us/ People will soon be able to buy iPods and iPod accessories at Toys 'R' Us, the retail chain has announced. While a firm date has not been set, flyers announcing the event are expected to be sent out October 19th, and the company has already revealed which particular products will be carried. Shoppers will have access to the iPod touch, the fourth-generation Nano, and the blue, silver and pink ve...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/ipods.at.toys.r.us/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:05:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/usbconnect.quicksilver.att/ AT&T on Tuesday morning quietly picked up the USBConnect Quicksilver as its latest external modem. The adapter made by Option uses a new Icera 3G chipset that supports all three major HSPA frequencies while creating one of the smallest devices available; the new adapter is small enough to come with a swivel cover that protects the USB port when the modem isn't in use. AT&T estimates real-world d...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/usbconnect.quicksilver.att/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:55:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/nvidia.fails.apple.and.hp/ The increasingly widening scope of NVIDIA graphics failures now includes certain Apple and HP desktop systems, according to a pair of reports. Officially, HP now says that several variants of its Pavilion Slimline mini-tower using certain GeForce video chipsets have had their warranties partly extended to address the same symptoms suffered by notebooks with the defective parts, including a loss o...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/nvidia.fails.apple.and.hp/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:30:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/booq.taipan.sleeves/ Booq has released a new line of neoprene sleeves, designed specifically for Apple MacBooks. The Taipan skin line is hand-sewn in four different sizes, and shaped to fit the notebooks perfectly. The sleeves are crafted in contrasting colors with accent stitching, and should protect a MacBook from scratches. The sizes are specifically intended to fit the 13-inch MacBook, the MacBook Air, a 15-inch M...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/booq.taipan.sleeves/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:25:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/caboodle.12.released/ Deajl Systems has released an update to its Caboodle software, which allows users to store, organize and track information. With Caboodle users are able to arrange items in an outline-like hierarchy, and include both structured fields and free-form text and pictures in each entry. The new version focuses more on fixing bugs and enhancing existing features. rather than introducing new ones....]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/caboodle.12.released/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:10:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/speed.download.updates/ Yazsoft has posted updates for its two Speed Download applications, which manage and resume downloads, and (depending on the version) can provide miscellaneous services such as an FTP client, an RSS reader, and support for iDisk and WebDAV. Speed Download 5.0.7 and SD Lite 1.0.4 have been newly optimized for Mac OS X 10.5.5, and now support Apple's long-standing AFP (Apple Filing Protocol) format...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/speed.download.updates/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:10:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/bento.20.released/ Approximately 10 months after its introduction, FileMaker has released v2.0 of its personally-oriented database software, Bento, focusing on user-suggested improvements. Rather than a complete revamp, this version is said to represent fine tuning. FileMaker has added 10 new themes, direct links to Apple Mail, easier import/export from Numbers and Excel, and a more "Mac-like" interface....]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/bento.20.released/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:05:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/moto.krave.at.verizon/ Verizon today launched the Krave ZN4, Motorola's first touchscreen phone made solely for CDMA networks. The handset closely follows the design of the normally China- and GSM-oriented MING but is spun as a media-friendly device with a MediaFLO tuner for live digital TV, media player software, up to 8GB microSDHC storage, and a regular 3.5mm headphone jack. A two-megapixel camera and Bluetooth wit...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/moto.krave.at.verizon/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:40:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/samsung.notebooks.enter.us/ Samsung this morning stepped up competition by jumping into the American notebook market with several models, including some of its most recent systems previously reserved only for Europe and Korea. The 13.3-inch X360 and 14.1-inch X460 headline the launch as Samsung's thinnest and lightest systems. As with the original version, the X360 is positioned against the MacBook Air with a 13.3-inch dis...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/samsung.notebooks.enter.us/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:05:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/more.laptop.details/ Continuing the stream of last minute reports and confirming our earlier report, Apple will indeed introduce MacBook Pros as well as MacBooks at Tuesday morning's event: the new laptops will feature a single buttonless (but clickable) glass trackpad. According to Daring Fireball, the "new trackpad is similar to the Airís, in that it is bigger and supports additional multi-touch gestures. But unlike...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/more.laptop.details/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:10:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/microsoft.claims.apple.tax/ In advance of Apple's alleged sub-$1000 laptop announcement, Microsoft's vice president of Windows Consumer Product Marketing Brad Brooks claims that potential users will still be subject to a hidden "Apple tax". According to an interview with CNET, Brooks cites the lack of Windows or the cost of adding it to the machine as a defining factor, or the availability of technology like Blu-ray or HDMI....]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/microsoft.claims.apple.tax/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:55:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/caldigit.raid.systems/ CalDigit has released the VR two drive RAID system and two new 12TB versions of its HDOne and HDPro lines of RAID storage devices. The VR is two drive RAID array that combines features of the FirewireVR and S2VR Duo, but in a new chassis. Connection options include Firewire 400/800, USB 2.0, and eSATA. RAID 0 and 1 modes are supported, with speeds claimed to reach 200MB per second. Software is pro...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/caldigit.raid.systems/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:30:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/openoffice.30/ If you need an office suite for the Mac, your choices used to be limited to Microsoft Office 2008 or Appleís iWork. Unfortunately, neither option offered a complete solution. Office 2008 can share the latest file formats with Office 2007 for Windows, but the Mac and Windows versions of Office neither look nor work exactly alike. If youíre already familiar with Office 2007 on Windows, Office 2008 f...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/14/openoffice.30/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/new.apple.laptops.specs/ With Apple's new laptops expected at tomorrow's event, sources have delivered original photos of the MacBook Pro showing an iMac-like "metal and glass" design -- with FireWire connectivity -- as well as a plethora of other specs and information. After early photos of the casings appeared only this past weekend, MacNN sources say that all new MacBook Pro laptops will feature FireWire connectivity, ...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/new.apple.laptops.specs/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:35:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/owc.storage.rebates/ Other World Computing has announced a new rebate program for October that covers a wide range of storage devices. The largest rebates, of $120, cover the Mercury Rack Pro 1.5TB, 2TB, 3TB, and 4TB products. Customers that purchase the Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual Drive RAID devices with capacities from 750GB to 2TB will receive $60. The Mercury Elite-AL Pro Single Drive and NewerTech miniStack 750GB o...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/owc.storage.rebates/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:00:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/atto.demos.new.technology/ Storage device company ATTO has unveiled new products at the Storage Networking World trade show, a line of ExpressSAS 6-Gb SAS/SATA host adapters, and the FastStream SC 8500 8-Gb RAID storage controller. The ExpressSAS 6-Gb SAS/SATA host adapters combine the company's Advanced Data Streaming (ADS) technology with management software for Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms. Six models will be releas...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/atto.demos.new.technology/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 02:00:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/yoggie.mac.security.cards/ Yoggie has introduced two new security devices for Mac computers, the Gatekeeper Pico and Gatekeeper Card Pro. Both contain complete mini-computer systems including a processor, memory, and secured operating system. The Pico version is roughly the size of a USB-key and connects through the USB port, while the Card Pro slides into an ExpressCard slot. Each will boot with the computer and hijack the...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/yoggie.mac.security.cards/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:30:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/netgear.intros.six.bay.nas/ NetGear on Monday announced it is now shipping the industry's first six-bay desktop network-attached storage (NAS) devices, with its ReadyNAS Pro range, meant for use in small- and medium-sized businesses with up to 200 users. Available in 1.5TB, 3TB and 6TB capacities, the products allow users connected in local or wireless networks to store, back up and share data whether operating on Windows, M...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/netgear.intros.six.bay.nas/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:10:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/apple.files.suit.dismissal/ Apple has filed for the dismissal of an August lawsuit regarding the iPhone 3G network performance, according to Computerworld. The company has asked a federal judge to support the motion because the customers did not ask for refunds or device repairs. Jessica Smith, an Alabama resident, filed the original suit after her iPhone only connected to the 3G networks 25 percent of the time, and dropped ...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/apple.files.suit.dismissal/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:10:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/macbook.price.drop.benefit/ Bernstein Research has upgraded AAPL stock status and claims that a $900 MacBook could lead to substantial revenue and market share gains, as reported by AppleInsider. The firm placed the stock in the "Outperform" category, citing its current price as overly discounted and expects its near-term financials to remain strong even in the current economic maelstrom. This is undoubtedly good news for Ap...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/macbook.price.drop.benefit/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:35:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/macvcr.20.ships/ Arten Science is shipping the second major version of macVCR, its screencapture utility. Footage of a Mac's activity is recorded in video, which can be formatted for a variety of standards including AVI, QuickTime and MPEG-4. The v2.0 software introduces several major features, including the ability to magnify at the cursor's location, and record from a video camera at the same time. Users now...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/macvcr.20.ships/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:10:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/bush.signs.pro.ip.act/ US President George Bush on Monday signed the PRO-IP Act into law, increasing the federal government's attempts to crack down on copyright violations and other intellectual property infringement in the country. The Act will bring in a cabinet member dedicated to improving copyright protection and also increases punishments for both basic copyright violations as well as physical counterfeits....]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/bush.signs.pro.ip.act/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:50:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/baseline.14.released/ MildMannered Industries has posted a v1.4 update to Baseline, its Mac disk utility. The software is used to provide a detailed analysis of disk space, including not just drives but the amount consumed by individual files and folders. The software can also compare scans to detect changes in file structure, and similarly point out duplicate files for future deletion....]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/baseline.14.released/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:15:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/sidewinder.x6.keyboard/ Video game consoles like the Xbox or PlayStation are easy to use because they offer special game controllers designed to play video games. Unfortunately, most computers are saddled with an ordinary keyboard designed for general use. If you prefer a specialized keyboard optimized for video game playing, consider Microsoftís SideWinder X6 Keyboard....]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/sidewinder.x6.keyboard/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:00:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/trapster.for.iphone/ Trapster.com has announced that its speed trap notification app is now available on the iPhone. Trapster allows users to post places where they have previously encountered traps, alerting other drivers of where to slow down. Trap reports are also updated instantly as users enter them, keeping map information accurate....]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/trapster.for.iphone/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:35:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/silverlight.2.released/ Microsoft is nearing a final release of its updated programmable browser plugin, Silverlight 2, with a beta version available for download. Many of the new features are designed to be attractive to developers, which will be a key factor for taking market share from its main competitor, Adobe Flash. Support for the full range of .NET framework has been added, which further expands the list of compa...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/silverlight.2.released/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:25:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/macbook.prices.leaked/ An alleged Best Buy inventory printout for new MacBook models shows pricing unchanged from current versions, according to a leak on Gizmodo. The list uses color codes to represent the different models, and mentions prices ranging from $1,100 for the 13-inch base model up to $2,800 for the 17-inch MacBook Pro. Information such as dimensions and stock dates are believed to be temporary placeholders...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/macbook.prices.leaked/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:20:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/jade.updated.to.13/ DataMind has produced an update for its digital processing application, Jade. Jade 1.3 is an image enhancement and batch processing tool, used to automatically alter digital images for better color, contrast and dynamic range. The v1.3 upgrade has added Keychain support for remembering Flickr and Picasa logins, and also supports uploading to Picasa web albums. The interface has meanwhile been upda...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/jade.updated.to.13/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:05:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/egypt.gps.ban/ Egypt is under increasing pressure to lift GPS ban that effectively outlaws the use navigation devices for personal purposes. Passed in 2003, the restriction applies to all stand-alone GPS units as well as cellphones and other devices that don't explicitly receive government approval; companies that import hardware with GPS can lose their supplies if caught. The country is only one of three to s...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/egypt.gps.ban/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:00:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/f.8.updated.to.v11/ Blitwerkz says it has updated its photography calculator app, which is now at version 1.1. f/8 allows users to input the details of the camera and lens they are using, then adjust details of the picture they are working on for ideal depth-of-field effects, including hyperfocus. The update incorporates a new lens picker, which removes the need for tedious keyboard entry, as well as presets for over...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/f.8.updated.to.v11/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:50:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/new.zealand.store.moves/ A New Zealand-based Apple reseller, MagnumMac, has recently purchased a new building for occupation. Construction has already begun on the new storefront, which will be located in the center of Auckland's Newmarket shopping district, on the corner of Broadway and Khyber Pass. The location will serve as a replacement to a previous site in Newton, for which the lease expires in December. Existing cu...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/new.zealand.store.moves/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:25:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/amd.investigation.ended/ Late last week, the US Department of Justice officially told chipmaker AMD it has ended its antitrust investigation into the company's pricing and marketing practices and will not take any action, AMD announced on Monday. The subpoenas were issued at the end of 2006 for AMD and ATI Technologies, which was purchased by AMD earlier that year, as well as competitor NVIDIA. As the top two add-in graph...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/amd.investigation.ended/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:25:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/nokia.nseries.touch.soon/ Nokia already has a second touchscreen device in the works following the 5800 XpressMusic, the company's Indian marketing chief Devinder Kishore has reportedly told CellPassion at a New Delhi event. The phone would sit above the mid-range 5800 and instead join the Nseries, which so far has relied almost exclusively on traditional direction and number pads for controls but often has stronger camer...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/nokia.nseries.touch.soon/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:25:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/iogear.intros.3.usb.hub/ IOGEAR on Monday announced the release of its 3-port USB 2.0 Mobile Hub, which not only expands the available USB ports of a Windows or Mac laptop or PC, but also includes a mini USB cord for transferring data from or charging cellphones or other compatible portable electronics. Both the mini-USB and USB cords tuck away into the sides of the hub for a clean and organized package....]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/iogear.intros.3.usb.hub/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:25:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/egnyte.20.supports.iphone/ Egnyte's web-based file server service has been upgraded with iPhone support, the company says. Egnyte is adding other enhancements to the service, which provides small businesses with a web-based alternative to traditional file servers. Small to medium-sized companies store their files in Egnyte's "cloud," at the cost of a monthly fee. Users can access the data on any machine and collaborate on p...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/egnyte.20.supports.iphone/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:20:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/pro.export.fcp.40.update/ Automatic Duck says it has released v4.0 of Pro Export FCP, its plug-in for Final Cut Pro. The software is used to export Final Cut Pro projects to other editing platforms, such as Quantel's Q eQ or iQ systems. The v4.0 update introduces expanded support for Avid software, through the option of MXF export; this lets FCP users avoid redigitizing. Similarly, users should now be able to carry over...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/pro.export.fcp.40.update/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:50:00 GMT http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/fcc.approves.free.inet/ The FCC has approved the technical details of frequencies for free long-range broadband, a new report (PDF) states. The government body's testing has concluded that there is a minimal risk at best of interference with the particular Advanced Wireless Spectrum frequencies used by the technology. Critics, including cell carrier T-Mobile, had previously tried to dissuade the FCC by asserting that c...]]> http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/fcc.approves.free.inet/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:05:00 GMT