restoroot.com has released an upgraded edition of its winmail.dat conversion plug-in for Mail, Letter Opener 3. Winmail objects are automatically converted into attachments, vCards and iCal files, allowing proper interaction with Outlook messages. Version 3 features a complete rewrite for Snow Leopard compatibility, as well as a number of small functionality improvements.
Jumsoft has released 100 new templates as a part of its Mail Stationary collection for Apple's e-mail client. The addition brings the number of basic templates up to 200. Many of the templates are available in different color schemes, resulting in a total of 550 possible layouts.
Urban Design has launched Mail-Grab 1.0, a new batch e-mailing application that works with Mail. Mail-Grab extracts e-mail addresses from Apple's software, removing duplicates and applying user-determined filters to target a group for mass e-mailing. Once a message is written, Mail-Grab feeds back into Mail to generate and deliver output to each address. Mail-Grab also supports saving messages, printing them, and exporting to other applications.
iPresentee has launched a Valentine's Day Mail Stationary package, the latest addition to its line of templates meant for Apple's Mail software. The new Valentine's Day collection comes complete with 16 different templates. When downloading the artwork, an installer is provided to make sure the templates are stored in the right folder and automatically displayed in the Apple Mail New Message Stationary menu.
Apple has released an update to its Mail app that addresses several stability issues. The problems revolved around the recent change to Mac OS X 10.5.6 which had caused Mail to unexpectedly quit for many users. The release should be installed if the OS update did not properly install the "3.5 (930.3)" version of Mail.app. Users can check the exact build by opening Mail and choosing "About Mail" from the menu.
As anticipated last week, Apple has posted its latest update to Mac OS X, v10.5.6. Available through the Software Update service or direct download, the patch consists mostly of dozens of fixes and performance enhancements, for issues such as sync and graphics. Sync reliability has been improved for Address Book, portable home directories and most notably MobileMe, which should now propagate contact, calendar and bookmark changes within a minute of their being saved.
Copy and paste will finally arrive for the iPhone Friday, at least in a limited form of copy and paste between Safari and Mail, reports say. Pastebud is a new web-based service which uses a bookmarking system to replicate copy and paste, detouring the App Store by not installing anything. Two Safari bookmarks serve as copy and paste modules, allowing for selection of text and pasting into Mail or another webpage.
CTM Development has released PowerMail 6.0, the latest version of its application for searching and managing e-mail. Users can now sync with MobileMe or take advantage of full coexistence with iPhone mail. The release adds a self-updating function, batch importing for Apple Mail databases and addresses, and the ability to match and merge imported folders into existing folders.
Derman Enterprises has posted an update to its Sync 'Em, its Mac-based synchronization application. The program attempts to keep contact and calendar data consistent between multiple apps and user accounts; it does this by linking information from Exchange and Google with Mail, iCal and Address Book. The exact data shared varies however, as Sync 'Em does not yet, for example, support Google Calendar.
The next version of Mac OS X, v10.5.6, should address problems in MobileMe, Time Machine and Mail, a note to developers suggests. Supplied with the latest seed of v10.5.6, build 9G35, the note asks for help in testing automatic syncing with MobileMe, particularly in regards to performance on notebooks, and on networks with high lag or limited bandwidth. The aim is to have changes propagated from me.com to other devices in a "reasonable amount of time," and improve syncing performance in general. Apple asks for special attention to the possibility of excessive or abnormal syncs.
Indev Software has released the latest version of its Apple Mail organization tool, Mail Act-On 2. The update offers a faster interface, with an option to lock the window open to allow multiple rules to be applied successively. Users can retrace their steps with a new undo function. Keystrokes can be used to perform actions on messages with the enhanced interface or by using control key combinations, which is claimed to allow the management functions without a mouse. The outbox now supports rules to organize sent messages.
Apple has been neglectful in addressing a pair of bugs in the iPhone's operating system, an Israeli researcher claims. Aviv Raff explains that as early as July he warned Apple about problems in Mail and Safari, each representing a possible security threat. Although three separate firmware updates have since been released for the iPhone 3G, Raff notes that Apple has not bothered to address his concerns, even after continual pressure for a timetable.
Smith Micro says it has released StuffIt Deluxe 2009, an upgraded version of its popular compression program. The 2009 edition adds a variety of features, most notably support for more recent Apple technologies. These include Time Machine and Quick Look, the latter of which lets users examine an archive within Finder and other supporting applications, such as Mail.
Apple is now distributing the latest upgrade to Mac OS X, v10.5.5, through Software Update. The patch addresses a considerable number of aspects in the operating system, such as Mail, MobileMe and Address Book, as well as some "general" concerns, according to Apple's support notes. Some of these include Spotlight indexing, the reliability of iPhone sync with both iCal and Address Book, and problems with Macs powering on involuntarily at the same time every day. The update is sized anywhere between 136 and 353MB, depending on the number of minor patches already installed.
Two new builds of Mac OS X 10.5.5 have been seeded to developers within the past week, accounts say. The first, 9F25, allegedly contained no significant changes, while the second has addressed only two issues, potentially signifying a wind-down to the update's production. Fixes in 9F29 include a remedy to a problem with Macs and previously-joined AirPort networks, and another described only as relating to a graphics framework. A single known bug remains, one which interferes with searching through messages in Mail.
Outspring has announced that it is discontinuing its QuickMail email client and server line. The company has suspended all sales and phone support for QuickMail, although customers who purchased QuickMail products in the last 90 days will still be entitled to another 90 days of telephone support. Prior customers can still find peer-to-peer support in Outspring's support forum as well. Final versions of the server and client versions have been released, the company noted: QuickMail server has been updated with compatibility fixes and has also been locked to not operate on systems above Mac OS X 10.4.
Post.Office, a scalable SMTP/POP3/IMAP email server, has been updated to version 3.8.4, with numerous security and spam-fighting upgrades. The 3.8.4 update has also added Mac OS X Leopard support. The update includes an upgraded spam filter, which can now be imported, exported and disabled, and adds open-source plug-in support for additional filtering abilities. The spam filter's SpamAssassin spam detector and ClamAV virus scanner have been updated as well. SpamAssassin has new filtering rules and update capabilities, while ClamAV can now receive automatic bi-weekly virus updates.
Security researcher Aviv Raff says the iPhone versions of Mail and Safari are vulnerable to URL spoofing, an exploit that could open the door to phishing attacks. Raff says hackers can e-mail specially-designed URL that links to a site that appears to be legitimate. A user might think it is a trusted site like Pay Pal -- but instead the bogus site steals passwords and other information when the user tries to log on. The maliciously crafted URL is (erroneously) recognized by Safari as a "trusted site."
Mac OS X 10.5 users can choose from 50 new stationery templates for Leopard's built-in Mail application. Jumsoft has released its Mail Stationery pack including "designs for "every occasion". Grouped by themes such as "invitations," "seasons," "family," and "congratulations," the professionally-designed templates add the personal touch that sems to have disappeared with the switch from paper to electronic mail.
Apple has officially announced its launch of MobileMe – the service it intends to replace its platform-specific .Mac – by setting the launch date at midnight July 10th (Pacific), following a short downtime from 6PM PT the preceding day, July 9th. The note, posted in the .Mac service bulletin, informs users that while the update will cause users to lose access to almost all operations, they will be able to access their email through a desktop application, or an iPhone/iPod touch.
A number of important changes are being brought to Mac OS X Snow Leopard that have not been well-publicized, a new report notes. Even though Apple has described the forthcoming operating system as an attempt to refine Leopard rather than make dramatic changes, it should for instance introduce a comprehensive multi-touch framework, which will help developers implement commands currently coded exclusively by Apple.
C-Command has released a new version of SpamSieve, a spam-filtering tool for Macs that relies on Bayesian algorithms. The software integrates with multiple e-mail clients, and evolves to more accurately block unwanted messages. It can decode messages intended to bypass filters, and incorporates both black- and whitelists, the latter of which can be compiled from Address Book, Eudora or Entourage in order to ensure common contacts are never blocked.
Nobody likes spam clogging their e-mail accounts. Although nearly every e-mail program comes with its own spam filters, a dedicated spam filter can often work more effectively while giving you greater control. If spam is overwhelming your current e-mail program, consider Intego's Personal Antispam X5. When you first install the software, you can configure it with Mail, Entourage, or both. If you use a different e-mail program, such as Thunderbird, you won’t be able to use X5.
Outspring Inc. on Monday introduced its new Mail client application for Mac, Outspring Mail. The program is designed for professionals and power users alike, offering what it refers to as "adaptive intelligence" features such as a patent-pending method for filing messages and a powerful spam filter claimed to eliminate more than 98 percent of all incoming junk mail. Outspring claims the client offers a new approach to mail management - one that adapts to the user's most common habits for sorting email. Once the program learns these habits it can automatically file messages into folders rather than the user having to do so manually.
Apple's recent $20 content update for the iPod touch has some users expressing discontent with the company's approach, but others still see a great value in the update package. PC Magazine writer Sascha Segan reports that despite the perception that Apple is charging too much for the update, the software that is installed is well worth the money, and even a bargain. Segan says that the best values in the bundle are the re-designed home screen, as well as the Mail and Maps applications.
In brief: Japan's NTT DoCoMo telecommunications company is reportedly adding .Mac mail access, while Apple let slip a potential feature in a future revision of Time Machine. When DoCoMo launches its ConnectMail service next month, it will be adding .Mac email compatibility as well. According to Akihabara News, the service will allegedly act as an IMAP mail account, leaving the copy on the .Mac server proper. DoCoMo's ConnectMail service carries a yearly cost of ¥4800.
With the compatibility provided by their new Intel processors, and Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard's secure nature, Macs are slowly making their way into the business sector, replacing their Windows-based counterparts. As businesses adopt the Mac platform, there is a greater need for productivity software, something which Windows computers have no shortage of options. Marketcircle's Daylite Productivity Suite gives users a full-featured business application that allows users to plan and coordinate their work day with others, while integrating Apple Mail's powerful features with projects and contacts.
