May 5 - 11:50pm EDT   Volitans software on Monday released SMART Utility 1.2, a significant update to the hard drive diagnostic scanning application. The new features include more readable attribute names, displaying the model family, sending additional information to the smartctl engine, and French localization. The SMART Utility scans the internal hardware diagnostics system of hard drives SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology), a system built into hard drives by their manufacturers to report on various measurements. The information detail can be used to detect when a hard drive is having mechanical or electrical problems, and can indicate when the hard drive is failing. ... [full story]

April 7 - 7:25pm EDT   SmartSound has announced the release Sonicfire Pro 5, a new music library solution. Shipping in June, Sonicfire Pro 5 features new music timing controls and searching features. The tool allows users to choose a beat from a score and move it to a spot in the Timeline without changing the rhythm or tempo of the music. Sonicfire can also suggest music that is the best fit and provide customization tools to make it precisely match the timing of scenes. [full story]

January 23 - 10:35am EST   Volitans Software today released SMART Utility 1.1, a major update to the hard drive diagnostic and scanning software for Mac OS X. The latest release offers software update functionality, highlights failing drives in the list, and automatically expands drive listings. SMART Utility 1.1 also includes various minor features and bug fixes, according to the company. The software is priced at $20 and requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later. [full story]

January 9 - 5:00am EST   Calgary-based Smart Technologies today unveiled Notebook 10, an update to its collaborative learning software. Version 10 provides users with over 30 new features, 100,000 pieces of educational content, and an updated teachers’ resource hub. The new Table Tool allows users to create symmetrical or asymmetrical rows and columns, and customize table properties. Users can draw freehand circles and other geometric shapes with the Shape Pen, which are then recognized and perfected. The company did not release pricing, but it was made aware that users of existing Smart products will receive the update free in the spring. [full story]

January 9 - 5:00am EST   Smart Technologies today unveiled the Smart Board 685 interactive whiteboard, and also re-issued its Smart Board 600i, featuring improved performance over its earlier incarnation. The 685 provides a large 87-inch surface area when measured diagonally, and uses a 16:10 aspect ratio. Smart says this offers 20-percent more working space than its 680 model, catering to a growing number of 16:10 laptops and projectors in schools. The pen try has an expansion slot that allows teachers to upgrade their hardware with other Smart products. Although pricing has not been announced, Smart said the Smart Board 685 will see distribution in April, with costs available at that time. [full story]