January 13 - 8:50pm EST   Synthe FX has released the latest version of its control app, Luminair 1.1.5, that allows users to manage and view intelligent DMX lighting fixtures and consoles directly from the iPhone or iPod touch interface. The update offers performance enhancements, particularly with projects containing large numbers of tracks. A number of bugs have been fixed and the company added a 10-percent-off coupon for Enttec's ODE Art-Net to DMX converter. [full story]

August 12 - 10:15pm EDT   Yazsoft has announced ShareTool 1.2.2, an upgrade to its Bonjour-based remote access application. ShareTool allows users to access Macs from remote locations, with support for all Bonjour-based services, such as iTunes music sharing, screen sharing and more. New in v1.2.2 is a major reworking of the user-interface, with emphasis on simplicity of use, updated ShareTool protocols and a built-in Help menu. Also new is remote printing ability and Sparkle support. Version 1.2.2 also offers remote login detection. The new version is available now for $20 (two-user license is $30, a five-user license is $75), and requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or higher. [full story]

July 29 - 6:30pm EDT   SyntheFX has released a handy iPhone app for A/V and theater professionals. Luminair 1.0 allows remote control of intelligent DMX512-A lighting systems via the iPhone. DMX is a widely-used standard for digital control of stage lighting, special effects and fog machines. Luminair uses Artistic Licence's Art-Net protocol through a Wi-Fi connection to interface with DMX devices. The app includes an on-screen "mixer," channel layout interface and data analyzer. [full story]

July 23 - 1:20pm EDT   Flying Mac has updated FarFinder 1.1, with remote Spotlight and iSight support. FarFinder offers an interface similar to the Mac's Finder across multiple operating systems and web browsers. Users can search a Mac from a remote location, running both Finder, and now Spotlight, searches -- all over a secure connection. Version 1.1 adds the Spotlight support and allows users to remotely capture iSight camera images. The new update is available now, free to registered users. It costs $35, and is available for a 15-day trial period. [full story]

July 8 - 8:20pm EDT   Zilog says it has created the ultimate remote control -- allowing the iPhone, Blackberry Curve and other Wi-FI devices to control everything from stereos to water heaters. The company says Crimson Connects provides the “first compehensive digital home control and monitoring solution in the marketplace.” Zilog has says it has completed application interfaces for the iPhone and BlackBerry Curve, and is working on support for other mobile devices. [full story]

July 2 - 1:25am EDT   Microsoft recently unveiled Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac 2, a major update to its Windows PC VNC connection software, allowing users to access an unlimited number of clients. Microsoft gave RDCC a visual overhaul, offering users a more familiar interface, and also included access to print servers from both Intel and PowerPC-based Macs. Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac 2 is available from Microsoft's website for no charge. [full story]

June 16 - 10:25am EDT   TuneConnect 2.1 is a re-written revision of the open-source 'iTunes remote' software for Mac OS X. Written in 100 percent native code, Tuneconnect 2.1 uses a 'specially developed 'neural iTunes HTTP API' called Tunage to allow many different types of devices to share iTunes information, offering almost complete control of iTunes across a network. Version 2.1 of the web-based utility fixes some of the bugs that cropped up in the initial release and adds support for a small handful of the most-requested features from users. [full story]

June 12 - 7:40pm EDT   iPhone software developer Alloysoft this week released Signal 1.1.2, its new software that allows an iPhone, iPod touch or Pocket PC device to be used as an advanced wireless remote for iTunes and other applications. Controlling either iTunes on a Mac, or iTunes, Winamp and Windows Media Player on a PC, Signal gives the user control not only of content playback, but also the browsing of content, searching of media libraries, creation and editing of playlists, and even the ability to remotely change music album art on a remote machine. [full story]

May 30 - 12:20am EDT   Scandyna on Thursday unveiled the Dock Pack, a combined set that bundles its high-end iPod dock with the Micropod SE speakers. The Dock features a 2x15 watt RMS Class T amplifier and seven inserts for various iPods, while being operated by remote control. The amp also features an output line for an optional subwoofer, and the included power adapter charges the iPod as it plays. Scandyna is selling the setup for $300 in over 30 countries. [full story]

April 11 - 6:55pm EDT   Flying Mac today unveiled FarFinder, a remote file access for the Mac that allows users to browse and retrieve their files from their Mac using a standard web browser. In addition to working on a desktop or laptop computer, FarFinder can also be used through Safari on the iPhone and iPod touch. Since files can't really be downloaded to the iPhone, FarFinder will email the file to a desired address. FarFinder is currently available at a special price of $20. [full story]

April 4 - 7:50pm EDT   DEVONtechnologies has released Desktop Transporter 2.6 a new version of its remote maintenance and management solution for users who administrate multiple Macs across a network. The new release shows constantly updated thumbnails of all shared desktops on the local network. The update frequency can be adjusted and the list of shared desktops filtered. Desktop Transporter 2.6 also uses server-side scaling and clipping for reducing network load and for increasing responsiveness. Keychain support makes it unnecessary to remember all the passwords for the shared machines. Desktop Transporter 2.6 requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 later and a fast LAN and/or Internet connection is ... [full story]

April 3 - 7:30pm EDT   The TeamViewer remote maintenance software, which until now has only been available for Windows PCs, is now available as a beta for Mac OS X. The new version runs from Mac OS X 10.4 and offers cross-platform support. This means that not only other Macs, but also Windows systems can be remotely controlled. Following the establishment of a connection to the remote computer by means of a Partner ID, changes and maintenance work can be carried out or programs can be installed and executed. Unlike the final version, TeamViewer for Mac is not yet equipped with the function for transferring files between computers. The so-called customer module from the Windows version, ... [full story]

February 28 - 10:00pm EST   Backups are an essential part of modern computer ownership, to ensure that irreplaceable data is recoverable in the event of a hard drive failure or corruption. This could range from important business data or university coursework, to personal photos or financial data. Some users do not feel they'd properly make use of all the .Mac services, so the yearly fee may be slightly cost prohibitive, while others feel that 10GB of storage is too much for them. [full story]

February 26 - 5:00pm EST   Alloysoft recently unveiled Signal 1.1, an update to its remote control application, adding support for AirTunes and several other features. Users can now tap on an album to display additional controls for multiple speakers, allowing them to toggle the master setting or any sets of AirTunes-enabled speakers they have. Signal 1.1 is available from the Alloysoft website, selling for $25, while current users of RemoteAmp are able to receive a 40% discount if they upgrade. [full story]

February 4 - 4:35pm EST   App4mac today unveiled CheckUp 1.0, a new utility designed to check and monitor the health and behavior of a Mac, even from a remote location. CheckUp monitors processor, memory, disk, and network activity, and allows users to terminate any process that is currently being worked on by the computer. The software functions with PowerPC G4 or G5 processors, and any Intel based Mac. App4mac currently costs $50, and comes with a license that entitles users to install the application on two computers. [full story]