July 2 - 4:25pm EDT   ON24 recently announced support for the Mac and Safari for its ON24 Virtual Show software service, an application designed to provide a virtual conference center for businesses to use as an alternative or compliment to a live exhibition. Through the Virtual Show, users are able to have ON24 custom-design a complete show floor for their projects, or are able to supply their own background images and artwork. Pricing for the ON24 Virtual Show is dependant on the services required. [full story]

July 1 - 6:05pm EDT   In brief: We have posted the second part of our review of Steinberg Sequel, the Vue 3D Environment Competition 2008 has been announced, fmDataGuard has announced its "First Anniverary Sale," and there is a newly announced DEVONthink 2.0 upgrade grace period ... We have posted the second part of our review of Steinberg Sequel. The tool allows you to record using a MIDI controller or through an external microphone, which is very similar to GarageBand. We recorded live audio from a microphone and it worked well. The intuitive design worked as we thought it would. Cutting and arranging segments of recorded material is also similar to GarageBand. You can move segments freely ... [full story]

June 30 - 2:40pm EDT  High-priced upgrades have long been a collective burden of shopping at the online Apple Store. A new article from CNET UK has a run-down of pricing comparisons, noting that Apple's direct upgrade prices are, on average, about 200% that of Dell's. For instance: Going from a 120GB 5,400rpm drive to a 250GB 5,400rpm drive for a MacBook will set you back £90.01 from the Apple configurator. Doing the same upgrade with a Dell XPS M1330 costs just £30.01 on the Dell site. Likewise, buying a MacBook and switching from 2GB of 667MHz DDR2 to 4GB will cost an extra £120 from Apple. Doing that same swap with the Dell XPS M1330 costs just £40.01. [full story]

June 28 - 6:05pm EDT   Microsoft says it is working on briging Solver functionality to its latest Excel 2008 release, after removing the functionality that was available in its previous Excel 2004 version. Solver enables linear programming within Excel, useful for capacities, minimums and maximums and scheduling loads; it is commonly used in both business and higher education applications. The company said it had to remove the functionality because it relied on Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), which was removed from the latest Office 2008 release. "We definitely hear you, and we’re working on it" says the Office for Mac Team Blog in an update on Solver, an Excel add-in users are clamoring ... [full story]

June 28 - 2:25pm EDT   Security software developer PC Tools has just released a beta of iAntiVirus, its first security software for the Mac. The company says iAntiVirus uses less memory and system resources than similar security applications because it ignores Windows viruses and only removes malware intended for the Mac. “Let’s face it, malware is (now) a business,” said Michael Greene, PC Tools Vice President of Product Strategy. He says rapid growth in Mac market share has made the platform a profitable target for organized identity theft. [full story]

June 26 - 8:05pm EDT   Apple's exposure in the corporate world is exploding according to a recent survey by Yankee Group Research, finding that Macs reside in one form or another at almost 80-percent of US companies. According to Computerworld, the figure has almost doubled in two years, with 47-percent of corporate IT departments claiming the use of Macs in early 2006. The increase comes mainly from Apple's well-documented reliability, as well as the virtualization capabilities that the Intel migration has opened. [full story]

June 25 - 2:25am EDT  Adobe on Monday released patches for Acrobat and its free Reader equivalent to fix a security hole that could leave Mac and Windows computers susceptible to control at the hands of a malicious remote user. Computerworld writes that the "critical" vulnerability has existed in several incarnations of the v8.x.x Acrobat software, but does not apply to users of Acrobat 7.1.0. The patch comes after criticism over Adobe's vague mention of vulnerability fixes in a recent update, as several past JavaScript bugs resurfaced, leaving many users affected. [full story]

June 24 - 4:40pm EDT   Macally has announced two new products: a webcam called the IceCam2 and a 7-port USB hub called the TriHub. The IceCam2 is a driver-free USB webcam with microphone, capable of 30 frames per second at 640x480 resolution. It can swivel 360 degrees horizontally and 135 degrees vertically, has spring-loaded clips to keep it securely attached to a flat panel, and has adjustable focus. It requires Mac OS X 10.4.11 and above for iChat and Skype and also works with Windows XP (SP2). It is priced at $30 plus shipping and is available now. [full story]

June 17 - 3:35pm EDT   Nova Media has released Phone Plugins, a utility that allows one-click dialing and text messaging from any application in Leopard. Users of OS X Tiger were able dial cellphones connected over Bluetooth, but Apple removed that feature in OS X 10.5. Nova claims the utility not only restores that lost functionality, but improves on it as well. The Berlin-based developer says the Phone Plugins include a Bluetooth wizard to connect cell phones in one step. Users can call or send a text message to any number within Address Book or other applications using the “services” menu. [full story]

June 13 - 12:50am EDT  Koyono on Thursday unveiled three new products designed for Mac, iPhone, and iPod users from BlueLounge and Industrialized Nation. The Sanctuary is a dedicated charging station for portable devices, such as the iPod, iPhone, Bluetooth headsets, and cellphones, among others. The Sanctuary supports over 1500 devices, while keeping cables and devices organized. Koyona is selling The Sanctuary for $130, available from its website. [full story]

June 11 - 1:40pm EDT   Despite a series of conflicting news releases, Vodafone has confirmed that there will not be a pay-as-you-go version of the iPhone 3G available in New Zealand. NZMac.com first spotted the confusion in statements from Vodafone and Apple New Zealand which announced both contract and prepaid versions of the iPhone in various press releases. Vodafone cleared things up this morning, saying only the contract versions will be available in New Zealand and Portugal beginning in July 11. [full story]

June 6 - 12:35am EDT   Avery on Wednesday unveiled the finalized version to its DesignPro software, its label and stationery designing and printing application. Being an avery product, the company includes over 1300 pre-designed layouts for their paper products, allowing users to quickly create business labels, CD labels, and more. The final version also includes over 2000 clip art and photo images for use with projects. Users can download DesignPro for free, directly from Avery's website. [full story]

June 5 - 7:20pm EDT   Apple recently expanded its executive board from 10 to 12 members, adding to the board a senior vice president of Mac hardware development, and a senior vice president of iPhone software. AppleInsider reveals that the iPhone position was filled by Scott Forstall – formerly the president of iPhone software – while Bob Mansfield was elected to fill a void created by Tim Butcher, who left his position as the Mac development lead in 2004. [full story]

June 3 - 7:45pm EDT   In brief: We have posted a review of Incipio Leather iPod and camera cases, Digital Foci offers Custom Framer Program, Robosoft to develop for 3G iPhone, HTML snippets set for Typinator debuts ... We have posted a review of Incipio Leather iPod and camera cases. The camera case, unlike most portable camera cases, has no frills, fuss or pockets. It is simply a hard leather box with a fold-over lid. The case clips onto your belt or pocket with an attached black hard plastic clip. The top flap secures with a magnet. This is a quick shot solution, i.e. the camera is always at your fingertips to whip out with one top flip and pull. The case does have a cut out on top through ... [full story]

June 3 - 5:10pm EDT   Sena Cases has announced four new slim designer notebook cases made specifically for the MacBook Air. Styles include the patent-pending Pullino Designer Case for the MacBook Air and the LeatherSkin Case which offers an ultra-slim design, and allows the device to be fully functional without removing the notebook from the case. All the cases are designed from Italian Napa Leather. The Senna Pullino Designer Case for the MacBook Air features pull-out strap for easy release of the MacBook Air and includes velvet lining to protect the device from scratches and damage. It's priced at $240. [full story]