February 10 - 8:55pm EST   Luxology is now previewing modo 401, the next major revision of its 3D software, at the SolidWorks World 2009 show in Orlando, FL (booth #1207). Along with the announced SolidWorks importer, initially a Windows-only feature, the software will also feature updated capabilities for modeling fur, volumetric lighting and replication. Fur technology allows users to build hair or fur from fiber models that can also be built as grass, roots or tinsel. Controls are provided for the texture, displacement and various attributes of the fibers. [full story]

July 21 - 2:00pm EDT   Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster has put forth a set of expectations for Apple's Q3 earnings, due today after the US markets close. Munster believes that upside to Mac and iPod units may drive upside to the June quarter and is reiterating his Buy rating. While the street is expecting Apple to have shipped 2.2 million Macs in the quarter, Munster cites a buyside bias of 2.35 million units. He is also expecting shipemtn of about 10.5 million iPods, vs. the street consensus of 10.3 million. [full story]

June 27 - 5:25am EDT   Spiderweb Software this week released new information about Geneforge 5: Overthrow, the final part of its epic fantasy game series -- 'Set in the land of the Shapers, a secretive sect of wizards with the ability to create new life to serve them. Play a lone traveler in this strange land and fight to bring an end to this war. Or, if you choose, join them and destroy the rebels once and for all' -- With release expected in December 2008, Spiderweb software promises a 'huge open' storyline with 'dozens of different endings' and immersive gameplay. Packing in over 80 areas to explore, five different in game factions, and in-game cities, Geneforge 5 is designed to offer ... [full story]

January 4 - 10:35am EST   Cultured Code today released the first public preview of Things, its task management application. After sending out private alpha invitations to more than 17,000 newsletter subscribers, today's announcement marks the second major step in the lifetime of the application, according to the company. Things Preview requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later, and is available as a free download until the final release ships in the Spring of 2008 for $40. [full story]

January 3 - 8:55pm EST   Users eagerly await the release of Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac, especially those that use Intel-based Macs, as this will be the first incarnation of the suite to include Universal application support. The suite has been redesigned to be more “available” to users, introducing a number of new elements, as well as reconfiguring old features to make them more obvious to new and regular users alike. While Office 2008 doesn’t ship until the start of Macworld on January 15th, Microsoft has provided MacNN with a preview of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Entourage ahead of the announcement. [full story]