March 29 - 3:50pm EDT   Reallusion recently unveiled CrazyTalk 5.0, a major update to its 3D character animation and lip-syncing application, adding support for non-human characters, enhanced facial meshes, and more. CrazyTalk 5.0 features real-time puppeteer control through the mouse or other input device, as well as five default puppet profiles, which can give the avatar a wicked, goofy, youthful, attractive, or grumpy demeanor. CrazyTalk 5.0 sells for $50, with a Pro version available for $150. [full story]

December 1 - 2:45pm EST   Mark/Space recently announced some Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard compatibility updates and betas of its various incarnations of Missing Sync, as well as a new online support service. After a self-imposed formal commitment to Leopard compatibility, final versions are available for Missing Sync for BlackBerry and Missing Sync for Sony PSP, with Leopard-savvy betas available for Missing Sync for Palm OS and Missing Sync for Windows Mobile. Mark/Space notes, however, that SyncTogether has not been optimized for Apple's newest operating system, and they advise against using the app under that condition. Pricing for new Missing Sync users starts at $30. [full story]