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Sep 03
iPhone/iPod/iPad apps for Sept. 3

Here are the latest iPhone/iPod touch/iPod/iPad apps announced. You can find 'em at the Apple App Store (http://www.itunes.com/appstore/).

Chiaro Software has announced the availability of FireRocker HD, its US$0.99 radio app for the iPad. It replaces the old radio app called Radio Tool X Deluxe; however, all users of Radio Tool X products may download the FireRocker equivalent product for free.

RinnApps has released ArtikPix 1.0.1 for iPhone/iPod touch. It's an interactive articulation app with flashcard and matching activities for children with speech sound delays. It provides an experience for children to practice sounds independently, with their parent or speech-language pathologist. ArtikPix 1.0.1 is available for free with the "th" card deck. Additional decks can be purchased in the app for $2.99 each, in groups, or all decks for $49.99.

3D Magic Kft.has introduced...

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Sep 03
Android continues to gain in mobile OS market share

Android continues to put in a powerful performance as measured by the share of mobile web consumption attributable to devices running Google's operating system, as reported by the Quantcast (http://blog.quantcast.com/) research group. It's also catching up to iOS in OS share of mobile web consumption in the US (though it still has a ways to go to catch up).

In August Android took share from every corner of the market, putting in its best month share gain since November 2009. According to Quantcast, iOS has gone from about 68% of the market to 56% since May. In that time period, the Android has brown from less than 10% to 25%.

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Sep 03
Color Converter upgrade can resize pictures

Economy-x-Talk has released Color Converter 3.0 (http://www.color-converter.com), an update of the color conversion tool for Mac, Windows and Linux systems. This tool encodes color values from and to any of the following color spaces: CMYK, H.Lab, HEX/HTML, HSV, RAL, RGB, XYZ and X11 Color Names. Additionally, it provides an RGB-based brightness value.

Color Converter can also analyze any area of your (primary) screen and display a color histogram based on the results of the analysis. A long list of X11 color names can be searched and color names can be converted to all other color spaces with a click of the mouse. With the release of Color Converter 3, Economy-x-Talk has added the ability to resize pictures.

Color Converter 3 is free a free update for current license holders of Color Converter 2. For new users the cost is just over US$10.

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Sep 03
Playrix Launches Fishdom 2 Premium Edition for Mac

Playrix Entertainment has released Fishdom 2 Premium Edition for Mac OS X (http://www.playrix.com/games/mac/fishdom-2.html). The game is available exclusively on the developer's official web site. Fishdom 2 is the sixth title in the Fishdom series, not counting the game's recent adaptation for Facebook and soon-to-be-launched Playrix's first internal iPad port Fishdom HD.

In Fishdom 2 Premium Edition, players complete match-3 levels to earn cash that can then be used on building up the aquariums of their own design. Players create their Fishdoms by adding exotic fish, various ornaments and comfort items to their tanks. The Premium Edition is enriched with content such as Fishipedia of notable facts on Fishdom creatures and their real-world counterparts, original soundtrack, hidden object mini-games, themed desktop wallpapers and a bonus screensaver.

...

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Sep 03
Digitimes Research: Apple to ship 20 million iPods by end of 2010

"DigiTimes" (http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20100903PD214.html) says that "market watchers" forecast that manufacturer Quanta will ship more than 10 million iPad touches for Apple by the end of 2010, "helping to ease the company's lower-than-expected sales of notebook products."

Digitimes Research senior analyst Mingchi Kuo predicts that overall iPod shipments will reach 20 million units with the iPod touch to account for more than 55% of that total. He thinks that the iPod nano and shuffle will each ship 20% and remaining 5% will be iPod classics.

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Sep 03
FaceBook blocking Ping?

"All Things D" (http://kara.allthingsd.com/20100902/facebook-blocked-api-access-to-ping-...) reports that, according to "sources familiar with Facebook’s platform," the site has essentially denied Apple’s Ping access to application programming interfaces (APIs) that would allow it to search for an iTunes user’s friends on Facebook who also had signed up for Ping, Apple's new social music network that's part of iTunes 10.

Normally, this API access is open and does not require permission. That is, per "All Things D," unless some entity wants to access it a lot. In that case, Facebook requires an agreement for reasons primarily centered on protection of Facebook user data...

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Sep 03
SageTV releases SageTV HD Theater 300

SageTV (http://www.sagetv.com) has released SageTV HD Theater 300 for US$149.95. It's a networked media player that lets you enjoy virtually any home video, music or photo from your home network in Full HD on your HDTV.

You can also search, browse and play internet video from YouTube and many other popular online video services on the SageTV HD Theater 300. It supports the latest HD audio formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD/MA for bitstreaming to your HDMI 1.3 receiver as well as two channel decoding to provide full audio support on all TVs in your home.

Setup with the SageTV HD Theater 300 involves connecting it to your HDTV and connecting to your home network. If you don‘t have a home network near the TV, the optional USB wireless adapter ($29.95) can be used -- or any USB storage will work as well. Any NAS with Mac or Windows compatible networking or UPnP can also be used with the SageTV HD...

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Sep 03
Revolution Software releases Broken Sword for the Mac

Revolution Software has released the "director's cut" of Broken Sword: Shadows of hte Templars, an adventure game for the Mac and PC. It's available for download at http://store.steampowered.com/app/57640/ for US$9.99, and a retail version, to be published by Mastertronic, will follow.

Here's how the game is described: "Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars - The Director’s Cut, is an update to one of the most popular adventures ever written, and boasts an all-new story arc woven into the original plot. With new facial animations drawn by Dave Gibbons (co-creator of Watchmen), enhanced graphics and audio, a context-sensitive help system designed for those stumped by the game’s ingenious puzzles, new mini-games and puzzles, and a new perspective on one of gaming’s most celebrated plots, Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars - The Director’s Cut is an essential adventure for...

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Sep 03
iPhone Max is new iPhone 4 'manager'

4Media has launched 4Media iPhone Max (http://www.mp4converter.net/iphone-max-win.html), an "iPhone Manager" for the iPhone 4 "without the restrictions and limitations of iTunes."

It's a free-to-try iPhone movies and music manager that supports transfer, convert, backup, copy, rip, and manage any format of movie, music and image between the iPhone 4, computer and iTunes. It also lets you rip CDs/DVDs, DVD folders and ISO images to the iPhone.

You can even use your iPhone as a portable hard disk. This converter offers you to create a new playlist or a new photo album, edit song tags, check and search files. It supports iTunes 9.2, iPhone 4 and iOS 4. Registration is US$49.99.

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Sep 03
ShareTool update delivers iTunes 10 Home Sharing across the Internet

Yazsoft has updated ShareTool (http://www.yazsoft.com/st/) for Mac OS X, which lets you access all of your Bonjour services from anywhere in the world, to version 2.1.1. The upgrade delivers  iTunes 10 Home Sharing across the internet, the ability to run ShareTool as a background service, and more.

Formerly known as Rendezvous, Bonjour lets you create an instant network of computers and smart devices by getting them connected to each other. ShareTool automatically configures routers supporting NAT-PMP or UPnP. Remote services automatically appear in the Finder, iTunes, and other applications.

ShareTool 2.1.1 costs US$25 for a two-user license and $45 for a family pack (five licenses). Registered ShareTool 1.x users can upgrade to ShareTool 2.x for the reduced price of $15 (for two licenses).

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Sep 03
PC World launches ‘iPad Media Streaming’

PC World has launched an iPad Media Streaming service. Designed in collaboration with Livedrive, it allows iPad owners to store 100GB of media and data online. This can then be accessed and played through live streaming via a 3G or Wi-Fi network, all for £39.99 per year.
 
The launch of the service comes hot on the heels of the Meet iPad service. Available as a consultation in-store, the UK service has seen thousands of iPad owners booking one to one consultations with Apple trained expert store staff to get expert advice on setting up and using the iPad to its fullest capability.
 
Available to buy at PC World stores throughout the UK, the iPad Media Streaming lets you back up the majority of your media and data files from your Mac or PC online and then lets you access them remotely through your iPad, effectively increasing its hard drive by a further 100GB.
 
This service allows you to live stream your music, videos and photos direct from your...

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Sep 03
Chronicle for Mac OS X update adds income tracking

LittleFin Software has released Chronicle 3.4 (http://www.littlefin.com/chronicle.html), an update to their home finance and bill paying application for Mac OS X. The upgrade adds the ability to track income and compare it to bill spending.

Chronicle provides a graphical means to enter and track finances. Features include: automatic bill paying reminder; long-term debt tracking; database of payments and receipts; graphs and reports which analyze trends and averages; and a sortable list of upcoming bills which can be paid on-line from within the app.

In addition, Chronicle analyzes payments by month and year and displays the information graphically. It also averages payments so it is easier to budget for bills that fluctuate, like utilities or credit cards. Finally, the sortable overview screen displays at a glance when each bill is due. Colorful icons indicate when a...

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Sep 03
LaCie spawns the MosKeyto USB key

LaCie (http://www.lacie.com) has spawned a new breed of USB key: the LaCie MosKeyto, a small flash drive that measures less than 20mm and weighs 10 grams. It comes in capacities up to 16GB with pricing starting at US$17.99 for a 4GB model.



The MosKeyto is so small it can even travel with the computer in a protective sleeve or briefcase, according to Alexis Kobassian, accessories product manager, LaCie. Because it lies flush against your device, there's no risk of damage to the port, computer or key if the drive is knocked or bumped, he adds.



Outfitted in s black plastic, the MosKeyto is also equipped with a durable nylon strap to attach to an accessible key ring and a cap to protect its USB connector. Additionally, LaCie has integrated an extra 4GB secure online storage from Wuala into the MosKeyto.

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Sep 03
SoniVox unveils Vocalizer, a vocal production synthesizer

SoniVox (http://www.SoniVoxmi.com) is offering a pre-release preview complete with MP3 and video examples of the first instrument from their new Nemesyth Audio Research Group, Vocalizer. It's a vocal production synthesizer.

Vocalizer couples a new technology synthesis engine with an open input based architecture. It's one part effect plug-in and one part virtual instrument, according to the folks at SoniVox. Vocalists, non-vocalists, and producers feed Vocalizer any audio source, and it re-pitches, effects, and re-synthesizes the original source into a whole new sound.

Primarily designed for vocal use, vocalists will enjoy the vast options afforded by Vocalizer to add previously unattainable dimensions to their voice, says the gang at SoniVox. Inversely, non-vocalists will enjoy the opportunity to use their voices in musical ways that they previously thought impossible, they add.

Vocalizer...

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Sep 03
Native Instruments releases five new instruments and effects

Native Instruments (http://www.native-instruments.com) has released five products that further extend its versatile Komplete Instruments and Effects range.

The new products include the modal synthesizer Reaktor Prism (US$79), the studio reverb Reflektor ($119), the organ emulation Vintage Organs ($119), the effect suite Traktor's 12 ($79) and the amp emulation Rammfire ($59). All products are based on the technology of Kontakt, Reaktor and Guitar Rig, and can be used both within the full versions and the free Player versions of these instruments.

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Sep 03
JABMenu for Mac OS X gets support for networked sources

JNSoftware (http://www.jonn8.com/) has updated JABMenu, a tool for utilizing your Mac OS X Address Book data through a system-wide menu, to version 2.5. The new version adds support for networked sources (i.e., Exchange and CardDAV servers) and improved flexibility in acting on contact data through enhanced scripting support.

JABMenu also adds an option to toggle related groups in the "Groups" submenu for the contacts specified in the contact source preference. Additionally, the upgrade adds a menu item to clear the data cache without having to open the preferences window and help buttons in the preferences window.

JABMenu provides access to your contacts' phone numbers, email, instant messaging, and postal addresses, URLs, and notes. Selecting a menu item can trigger an action such as displaying it in large type, copying it to the clipboard, creating a new email message, dialing the phone, or showing...

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MacTech Blog

Sep 04
Why iTunes Ping stinks... but has potential

While 1 million people have already enabled Ping in iTunes 10, plenty of picky early adopters have found it lacking.

On Wednesday, following a keynote address from Steve Jobs, Apple released iTunes 10, the latest version of the popular media management software. One of its major features is "Ping," a new music social network from Apple.

According to an Apple press release, over 1 million people have already enabled Ping in iTunes 10, making it a pretty successful launch by most standards. Nevertheless, plenty of Ping's pickier early adopters have found it to be lacking in a number of ways, citing major perceived failures and sundry minor annoyances, including the following.

1) No way to "like" or "post" podcasts on your profile. This is a major FAIL for anyone who...

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Sep 03
The looming battle for the TV OS

Andrew Eisner, Retrevo.com's director of Community and Content, predicts the next platform for apps will be connected TVs. Retrevo sees a living room where TV viewers click on a weather app or sports app instead of watching the local news.

A home where families play a board game together on the TV using the Monopoly app, or stay in touch with their friends with a FaceBook app, all from the comfort of the living room couch. Following are some of Eisner's thoughts on the looming battler for the TV OS.

"Microsoft unlikely to win this battle

"Unlike the battle for the desktop OS it doesn't look like Microsoft has much of a chance of winning this battle for the TV OS. Competition over who will provide a TV OS is heating up with Google TV getting set to take on all comers for control of the living room. Meanwhile Apple may soon lob a salvo with an updated version of their Apple TV that will plant Apple iPhone/iPad apps firmly in the living room TV...

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Sep 02
Apple patent involves rearranging idevice apps on your...

An Apple patent (number 20100223563) for remotely defining an user interface for a handheld device has appeared at the US Patent & Trademark Office. It involves using your Mac to arrange the icons on an idevice and also thinks at an Apple watch, though I'm not holding my breath on this.

In some embodiments, a host computer can be used by a user to arrange icons among a plurality of home screens or views. For example, a representation of each of the home screens available at a handheld device can be displayed on a host computer along with a representation of the available icons usable at the handheld device. A user can select representation of icons at the host computer and arrange the icons among the representations of the home screens. Icons and/or home screens can be added and/or removed. The arrangement created by the user at the host computer display can be sent to the handheld device when completed. James Green is the inventor.

Here's Apple's background and...

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Sep 02
Apple patent relates to GarageBand features

An Apple patent (number 20100223400) has appeared at the US Patent & Trademark Office regarding features -- both present and future -- of Apple's GarageBand app. The app is for correlating changes in audio.

Exemplary embodiments of methods and apparatuses to correlate changes in one audio signal to another audio signal are described. A first audio signal is outputted. A second audio signal is received. The second audio signal may be stored in a memory buffer. The first audio signal is correlated to conform to the second audio signal. The first audio signal may be dynamically correlated to match with the second audio signal while the second audio signal is received. At least in some embodiments, a size of a musical time unit of the second audio signal is determined to correlate the first audio signal. At least in some embodiments, the adjusted first audio signal is stored in another memory buffer. Chris Moulios is the inventor.

Here's Apple's background and summary...

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Sep 02
Patents relate to Apple TV updates -- and perhaps its...

Three Apple patent applications at the US Patent & Trademark Office tie in with Wednesday's Apple TV announcements and may point to future developments. They describe methods to improve the experience of over-the-air syncing, and browsing of Internet-based content.

Patent number 20080301260 is for a method and user interface for accessing groups of media assets. Improved systems and methods to navigate, browse, search and/or playback digital media assets (e.g., media items) hosted on a media server are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention pertains to a user interface arrangement, such as a hierarchical menu system, that facilitates navigation, browsing and playing of media items remotely stored on a media server.

The user interface arrangement enables user scrolling or browsing with respect to a list or set of information pertaining to media items, where the list or set can be expanded to include information for additional media items that are subsequently...

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Sep 02
Some musings on yesterday's Apple announcements

Now that I'd had a few hours to think about all the announcements from Apple at yesterday's special event, here are some random musings about them.

Despite rumors of the iPod shuffle's demise, it lives on. For now. I still think that its days are numbered, now that the nano has gotten so small. Eventually, I think we'll see a 2GB nano replacing the shuffle entirely.

Hmmm, the new nano trades its camera for a touchscreen. Is that a good swap?

The iPod classic is still around, but received no update. As soon as the iPod touch reaches 128GB of capacity (it's only half that right now) you can bid adieu to the classic, which Apple seems to regard as the ugly ducking in the iPod line-up.

The new iPod touch sounds great, but I was hoping for a 128GB version now. And if the teeny nano can have an FM radio feature, why not the touch? Yes, that's right, I want it all and I want it now!

As for the Apple TV update, overall, I think it's a great step forward....

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Sep 02
Editorial: The looming battle for the TV OS

By Andrew Eisner
Retrevo.com's director of Community and Content

Everyone loves apps! A library of 225,000 iPhone/iPad apps and five billion downloads are impressive numbers for such a young platform and confirm the fast growing interest in apps-based computing.

Not only can apps run on smartphones, tablets and laptops but we predict the next platform for apps will be connected TVs. We see a living room where TV viewers click on a weather app or sports app instead of watching the local news. A home where families play a board game together on the TV using the Monopoly app, or stay in touch with their friends with a FaceBook app, all from the comfort of the living room couch.

Microsoft unlikely to win this battle

Unlike the battle for the desktop OS it doesn't look like Microsoft has much of a chance of winning this battle for the TV OS. Competition over who will provide a TV OS is heating up with Google TV getting...

| Read more »
Sep 01
The Northern Spy: iOS 4, iBooks, Apple's special...

iOS4

iOS4 has recently been released to the iPod, providing the new features to a larger number of existing Apple customers. Of most importance to the Spy were multitasking and folders, the former in operational terms, the latter in organizational.

He wasted no time in reorganizing his five home pages down to two, with most applications in folders. To do this, hold a touch until the wiggle effect starts, then drop one app on top of another. A folder with both will be created, which can then readily be renamed to suit, and additional apps can be dragged into it. Most people will wonder how they got along without application folders.

Double clicking the bottom application switching button is now supposed to produce the multitasking bar, providing quick access to currently running processes. However, within individual applications the implementation of this feature is inconsistent. Even within the same application, sometimes a single press...

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Sep 01
What I'm expecting at today's Apple event

Apple will hold a special event today at 1 pm (Pacific) and speculation has been rampant about what will be announced. I've read pretty much all the predictions, mulled 'em over and decided this is what we'll see -- and won't see.

We will see:

° A new iPod touch with a front-facing camera, higher rez display and support for FaceTime;

° A revamped iPod nano that lacks a click wheel;

° A web-based version of the iTunes Store that will -- as "All Things D" put it -- "sync up easily with the rest of the Internet and make it much easier for customers to share their musical tastes (but not songs) with friends." It could offer easier integration for services like Twitter and Facebook, allowing users to link to the store and share playlists, songs and albums.

°An Apple TV in a sleeker case with more storage, cheaper TV show rentals, running iOS with Apple TV specific apps available.

We won't see:

° iLife '11 or iWork '11 (but look for these...

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Aug 31
Apple patents range from image rendering to icons

Apple has been granted eight patents by the US Patent & Trademark Office. Following is a summary of each.
Patent number 7,788,656 is for a system for reducing the number of programs necessary to render an image. Disclosed is a system for reducing memory and computational requirements of graphics operations. The system provides techniques for combining otherwise individual operations to apply filters to images. The combined filter emerging from the combination spares the processor time and the creation of an entire intermediary image. The system further provides for application of these techniques in many contexts including where the operations are fragment programs in for a programmable GPU. John Harper is the inventor.

Patent number 7,788,582 involves techniques and graphical user interfaces for improved media item searching. Improved techniques and graphical user interfaces that assist users in searching through a group of media...

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Reviews and Kool Tools

This MacNews Category Review is the third and final part of our multi-part look at retail management software for the Mac. Products covered include Quick Business, Quick Pallet Maker, Rental, ResellerPower, SafariGuide... Read more »
It's so much more fun reviewing iPad cases than those for the iPhone or iPad because the very nature of the iPad offers designers a chance to be a bit more innovative with accessories for the tablet. Let's face it:... Read more »
Second Gear Software's Elements 1.0 (http://www.secondgearsoftware.com/elements/) is a great idevice app for writers, especially considering the kludgey workaround you need to sync iWork docs between an iPad and a Mac... Read more »
By 'Doctor Dave' Greenbaum The name Otterbox (http://www.otterbox.com) is synonymous with quality protection for your portable devices, so having a line of cases for the iPad is a welcome addition to their family.... Read more »

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Saturday September 4

08:00
Shazam updates for iOS 4.0, adds subscription model...

The great Shazam app, which I'm still using after downloading it to my iPhone on day one, has released another update, bringing the whole suite of apps (including the paid Shazam Encore and the Shazam (RED) version) to version 3.3. This one updates the app for iOS 4.0 and includes Retina Display graphics and support for fast app switching. Version 3.3 also adds some setting customization options like "tag on startup," improved artist info, a new Discover tab with tag charts and preview clips for the top songs tagged in 20 different countries, and quick shortcut icons for sending the music off to iTunes or to Facebook and Twitter.

Additionally, the free Shazam app now offers a subscription model upgrade to the paid version, which allows for as many tags as you want, extra...

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07:00
Telltale releases Puzzle Agent on the iPhone, iPad

Just an FYI before you start your Labor Day weekend (and any associated trips): Telltale Games has released its latest title, Puzzle Agent, for the iPhone and the iPad. The game got middling reviews on Metacritic, but I think that's mostly because of the genre -- if you're a fan of sharp writing and interesting puzzles to play on the drive or flight out to the country for your vacation, it's a worthwhile title to fill the time with. Even if all of the puzzles aren't perfect, the game's atmosphere is excellent, and the art style is exactly the kind of thing we need more of on the iPhone. Nelson Tethers' adventures as a Puzzle Agent exploring the Scoggins Eraser Company are a worthy addition to the App Store. You can get the small-screen version for US$4.99.

The game's also available on the iPad...

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07:00
The Macalope Weekly: The machine that goes Ping!

The man's keeping the Apple TV down, and this case that man isn't Steve Jobs. Nothing can defeat the iPod touch, and the Macalope's not breaking a sweat over reports of the Mac's lost market share.






...

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06:29
Spammers Attack Apple's Ping Social Network

An anonymous reader writes "Scammers and spammers have deluged the new Ping musical social network, created by Apple and built into the new version of iTunes. Sophos researchers have found that Ping is being overrun by scams and spam messages. 'Apple seems to have anticipated a certain degree of malfeasance, as profile pictures that you upload will not appear until approved by Apple. They are likely filtering for other offensive content as well, so they probably have means in place they could use to stop the spam.' It's ironic that the most common scams on Ping right now revolve around Apple's own iPhone."
The Sophos blog post adds that Apple is doing their best to clamp down on the spam, manually deleting many of the offending messages for now. Reader Tootech adds that Facebook integration was quickly disabled, possibly because of blocked API access.

...

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06:00
iTunes 101: Share your Ping profile

Here's a tip about something that had me confused for a while, I hate to admit. After setting up Ping in iTunes 10 and getting my profile just so, I naturally wanted to tell the eager masses where to find me. After all, many of the folks I follow on Twitter were sharing URLs to their accounts. But where did it come from?

The answer is quite simple. Log into your account, and right-click (or control-click) on the "My Profile" link. Then select "Copy link" from the contextual menu and you're all set! Paste that address in Twitter, email or where ever you want to broadcast your shiny new account.

Another, more roundabout way of accomplishing the same task is to search for yourself on Ping, and when your name shows up under "People," right-click your avatar icon and choose "Copy link."

We'll have more iTunes 10...

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00:35
iOS 4.1 Released On September 8th [Apple]

#apple

If you go over to Apple's UK site, you're sure of a big surprise: they're listing the iOS 4.1 software update as being released September 8th. The US site still says "coming soon." [Apple UK] More »

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Friday September 3

22:00
TUAW Giveaway: Chuck Gnome

Chuck Gnome was chosen as our Daily App here on the site about a month ago, and now Movable Sprites has offered us a few copies to give away to you readers. Since we last posted about it, the game has updated to version 1.1 and added in a new episode, a new mini game, new music, and lots more. Plus, the price was lowered to 99 cents (and there's still a lite version available for you to check out).

But if a buck is still too much for you to check out this gnome tossin' good time, you can enter below to win one of 10 copies from TUAW and Movable Sprites!

To enter the giveaway, leave us a comment telling us what you'd like to chuck Chuck at in real life. Here are the official rules:

  • Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States...
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21:55
Android gaining on Apple iOS in mobile web market...

Android's share of mobile web traffic climbed to 25% in August in its best one month gain since Nov. 2009.






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18:32
Yes, That's a Horse Inside an Apple Store [...

#imagecache

Did you know the one of the horse who goes into the Apple Store? Update: For those who thought this was a Photoshop, reader Chris Laseter sent us a close up. More »

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18:29
Ping Users Top One Million in First 48 Hours

Apple today announced that in less than 48 hours since its launch on Wednesday, more than one million users have joined Ping, its new social network for music. Ping lets users follow their favorite artists and friends to discover what music they’re talking about, listening to, and downloading. “One-third of the people who have downloaded iTunes 10 have joined Ping,“ said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of Internet Services. “As many more people download iTunes 10 in the coming weeks, we expect the Ping community to continue growing.“

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18:20
iMac Is “the ultimate all-in-one”

Computerworld reviewer Michael deAgonia writes that for “the past month, the latest 27-inch iMac from Apple has been the center of my digital universe.” Citing the computer’s high-resolution LED-backlit display, clean design, and speed, deAgonia concludes: “The iMac is pretty much everything I could want from a modern computer, the ultimate all-in-one.”

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17:51
PowerPage Podcast Episode 143

Episode 143 of the PowerPage Podcast is now available. You can either download it from the iTunes Store or directly (23.4 MB, MP3).

Panel: Jason O’Grady and Rob Parker

Topics: We give our first impressions of the new iPods, Apple TV and iTunes 10 announced at Apple’s September 1 event and we play “What’s on your Mac.”

Here’s what’s on our Macs this week:

Jason

  • WD My Passport Essential SE (750GB – $100, 1TB – $118 on Amazon) – Compact and high-capacity external USB hard drive, perfect for backups.
  • ...
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17:45
Aquaria Goes Open Source


[Source: Wolfire Games] Aquaria has gone open source under the GPL. Now all four of the games that pledged to open in the Humble Indie Bundle are officially open source — the others are Lugaru, created by uDevGames winner, David Rosen, Gish, and Penumbra Overture. Related Links Aquaria Goes Open Source Lugaru Goes Open Source

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17:30
Why I'm not excited about the new Apple TV

I'll admit it. I'll buy almost anything Apple makes. I was going to hold out on the iPad, but after reading more about it, I wound up in line the first day it was for sale. As they say, resistance is futile.

That's not the case with the Apple TV. When Apple brings a product out, I expect a small revolution. Some exciting new concept, or new and unique feature. With the Apple TV, it's certainly lower in price, but instead of revolutionizing the idea of a set-top box, the new unit actually takes features away from the now discarded Apple TV 'classic'.

First, there is the loss of actually owning a movie or a TV show. When the VCR first appeared in the 70s, the idea of owning a movie was quite unique. Before VHS or Betamax you went to a theater, paid your couple of dollars, or watched the oldies on TV loaded with commercials.

... | Read more »
17:30
Ping draws over 1 million users in first 48 hours

Apple announced Friday that its Ping social network for music has reached more than 1 million users in its first 48 hours after launch.






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17:18
Creating Games in the Playground SDK


Playground SDK is said to allow anyone to build casual games. Titles created with this tool do not have to be published by the developer of the Playground SDK. It’s C++ API supports hardware accelerated 2d animated sprites, background streaming of assets, dynamic texture atlas generation, 3d models, arbitrary 2d and 3d polygonal data, Flash [...]

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17:15
Apple's Ping hits 1 million users in 48 hours

Apple tonight hit a milestone quickly as it reached over one million users of Ping within the first 48 hours of its going online. The tally represents a third of the three million that have downloaded iTunes 10. Internet Services VP Eddy Cue expected that number to grow much higher, as "many more people" are likely to download iTunes....





Apple - Apple II - Macintosh - iTunes -...

| Read more »
17:10
iOS 4.1 on iPhone 3G shows marked improvement in...

As expected, iPhone 3G performance improves considerably when running iOS 4.1 in an informal speed test.






| Read more »
17:09
News: Ping Tops 1 Million Users in Two Days

Apple’s Ping music-focused social networking service may be little more than 48 hours old, but it already boasts over a million users. The Mac and iPod maker announced that Ping topped the million mark late Friday afternoon.






...

| Read more »
16:39
Etc: In less than 48 hours, over one million iTunes...

In less than 48 hours, over one million iTunes 10 users have signed up for a Ping account. No word on how many of those accounts were used for spam, though.

Read More:
Apple, previous Ars coverage

Read the comments on this post


...

| Read more »
16:30
iOS surpasses Linux as browsing platform

Seems like only yesterday that Linux was vastly outpacing iOS in terms of how many were using it as a browsing platform. Actually, make that last November; at that time, Linux's presence more than doubled the total iOS stake. Now, iOS-based browsers claim 1.13 percent of all browsing platforms, compared to a declining 0.85 percent for Linux.

To the right is a screengrab from Google Analytics, as I see traffic coming to one of my own websites. However, I'm sure the list looks very different depending on the content. For example, I'm pretty sure TUAW's #1 OS isn't any flavor of Windows (but I'll check).

How long before the total of all mobile-only OS clients outranks desktop OS users in this area?

[via...

| Read more »
16:30
Remains of the Day: Justin Long a Mac no longer

Justin Long goes PC, Android may have gotten its logo inspiration from a surprising source, and Google and Apple may be going face-to-face in yet another market segment.






...

| Read more »

Rumor Scanner

Friday September 3

17:30
Apple Announces One Million Ping Users in First Two Days

Apple today announced that over one million users have joined Ping, the company's new social networking feature focused on music and built into iTunes 10. According to Apple, one-third of the people who have downloaded iTunes 10 in its first...

| Read more »
15:05
iOS tops Linux in internet platform popularity.

“Apple’s iOS mobile operating system is now the third-most popular platform on the Internet, with a share nearly six times larger than Android’s, a Web measurement company said Wednesday,” reports Computerworld

“Collectively the devices that run iOS—the iPhone, the iPod Touch and the iPad—accounted for 1.1% of all hardware on the Internet last month, more than enough to shove Linux off its perch as the third-place operating system on the Web.”

| Read more »
12:14
Consumer 3D HD camcorder debuts at U.S. Open.

“Panasonic used the broiling, hectic setting of the U.S. Open tennis tourney in New York Wednesday to showcase the capabilities of its first handheld consumer-grade 3D camcorder,” reports PCWorld.

“On a day so hot and humid that one athlete, Victoria Azarenka, collapsed and had to withdraw from competition, Panasonic showed how the $1,400 Panasonic HDC-SDT750 handheld unit could record clear 3D video without the large and heavy hardware usually connected with 3D videography.”
“The camcorder, available in October, comes with a removable dual-lens 3D conversion attachment which turns the 2D AVCHD-standard (Advanced Video Coding High Definition) 1080p HD unit into a 3D recording system. The 3D content can played back by connecting the camera to a 3D-capable HDTV with an HDMI cable or by inserting an SD card with 3D content into the appropriate slot on a 3D HDTV or a Blu-ray player connected to a 3D TV.”

| Read more »
11:58
Steve Jobs Defends New iTunes 10 Icon Against Criticism

With the release of iTunes 10 on Wednesday, Apple has revamped the application's icon for the first time in many years, doing away with the traditional design of music notes on top of a CD. Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced the change at Wednesd...

| Read more »
11:20
Apple Adds Showtimes to Movie Trailer Site

Macworld reports that Apple has added listings of showtimes to its movie trailer site, offering a slick HTML5 interface that utilizes geo-location to find theaters in your area.

When you visit the page, your Web browser will a...

| Read more »
11:05
Apple Removes Custom Ringtone Creation in iTunes 10

Apple's former custom ringtone editor, no longer present in iTunes 10
As noted by Mac|Life, iTunes 10 appears to be lacking the ability to create ringtones from songs purchased from the iTunes Store. The feature had allowed users to s...

| Read more »
09:38
iOS 4.2 for iPad coming soon.

“iOS 4 is the world’s most advanced mobile operating system,” reads Apple’s website.

“And soon iPad owners will get to enjoy its 100+ new features and innovations — including multitasking, folders, printing, and more. Look for iOS 4.2 coming in November for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.”

| Read more »
08:43
Apple Reportedly Looking to Push Monthly iPad Production t...

According to a new research note from Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty, Apple's manufacturing partners are now pushing out two million iPads per month, with Apple urging them to boost production to thr...

| Read more »
06:37
iOS Passes Linux to Become Third-Most Popular Internet Bro...

As noted by Computerworld, Internet research firm Net Applications has calculated that Apple's iOS has passed Linux to become the third-most popular Internet platform, surpassing Linux to trail only Windows and Mac OS X. According to Net App...

| Read more »
02:02
Apple Details Features in iOS 4.2 for iPad

Apple has posted a dedicated page detailing the new features coming to the iPad in November. iOS 4.2 is the unifying release that finally brings the iPad and iPhone in feature sync. The iPad was originally launched with iOS 3.2 and has sin...

| Read more »

Thursday September 2

16:48
T-Mobile iPhone “a definite.”

“A source from Apple tells [examiner.com] that the iPhone is a definite go for T-Mobile.

‘There were talks about it, then strong rumors. Then, there were problems with the carrier. But now, the iPhone will definitely be available for T-Mobile.’

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get an exact availability date, but it sounds like the very beginning of next year.”

| Read more »
14:00
Apple-Facebook Controversy Over Ping Rooted in API Usage,...

Earlier today, we reported on confusion surrounding the brief appearance of Facebook Connect functionality in iTunes 10's "Ping" social networking feature that initially appeared to allow users to find friends by checking their Facebook conta...

| Read more »
13:14
Apple Confirms No Software Update for Original Apple TV

Included in a nice overview of Apple's new iPods and Apple TV from Ars Technica is confirmation that users of Apple's earlier Apple TV models will not be receiving a software upgrade to enable Netflix streaming and other software features of ...

| Read more »
12:09
Apple Seeds Mac OS X 10.6.5 Build 10H535 to Developers

Apple continues its trend of weekly releases of Mac OS X 10.6.5 developer builds today by pushing Build 10H535 to registered developers. The release marks an increment of four builds since last week's re...

| Read more »
11:50
Spammers Already Taking Aim at Apple's Ping

It's been less than 24 hours since Apple released iTunes 10 and its integrated social networking functionality, Ping, but spammers and scammers are already starting to spread their messages via the service. The first major instance appears t...

| Read more »
09:42
Fourth-Generation iPod Touch Teardown Photos Posted by FCC

Engadget notes that Apple's new iPod touch introduced yesterday has appeared on the website of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Along with other standard information on radiation emissions required by the FCC for approval, t...

| Read more »
07:26
Confusion Over Facebook's Brief Appearance in Ping fo...

Screenshot from Follow Music and People with Ping video tutorial
With yesterday's release of iTunes 10, Apple also deployed a new music-focused social network feature known as Ping. When it initially launched yesterday, users creating...

| Read more »

Wednesday September 1

22:59
Twitter for iPad Offers a Fresh New Interface

Tonight Twitter released a new update to their popular Twitter application that makes it a Universal app with native support for the iPad's large display. While native support has been a long requested feature for the official Twitter app, the compa...

| Read more »
20:20
Apple Posts September Media Event Video Stream in Multiple...

Apple has posted the full stream for today's Media event. While the stream had been available for Mac OS X 10.6 and iOS users immediately after the broadcast, it is now provided in multiple formats that can be viewed cross platform on both ...

| Read more »
19:00
iTunes 10 Now Available to Download

Apple has finally posted the iTunes 10 release for download. iTunes 10 was introduced today during the keynote event. The new version of the media management application features a streamlined interface and a new networking feature called P...

| Read more »
15:50
Apple introduces new Apple TV for $99.

Apple today announced the new Apple TV which offers the simplest way to watch your favorite HD movies and TV shows on your HD TV for the breakthrough price of just $99.

Apple TV users can choose from the largest online selection of HD movies to rent, including first run movies for just $4.99, and the largest online selection of HD TV show episodes to rent from ABC, ABC Family, Fox, Disney Channel and BBC America for just 99 cents.

The new Apple TV will ship in four weeks.
Apple TV also streams content from Netflix, YouTube, Flickr and MobileMe, as well as music, photos and videos from PCs and Macs to your HD TV. Enjoy gorgeous slideshows of your photos on your HD TV using Apple TV’s selection of built-in slideshows. Apple TV has built-in HDMI, Wi-Fi, Ethernet and an internal power supply for easy set-up, and features silent, cool, very low power operation in an enclosure that’s less than four inches square—80 percent smaller than the previous generation.

... | Read more »

Documentation Scanner

Friday September 3

16:46
Mac Pro (Mid 2010), Mac Pro (Early 2009): Issues wit...

If you have three displays connected to each graphics card in one of the following configurations:

a Mac Pro (Mid 2010) that has either the ATI Radeon HD 5770 or ATI Radeon HD 5870 graphics upgrade kit
or
two ATI Radeon HD 5770 graphics cards
or
a Mac Pro (Early 2009) that has a ATI Radeon HD 5870 graphics card
 

... one of the following issues may occur:

When using a DVI connection, a Mini DisplayPort, and an HDMI connection, the display connected via DVI may turn black.
When using a DVI connection and two HDMI displays, the display connected via DVI may turn black.
When using a DVI connection and a HDMI connection, adding an additional HDMI connection or a Mini DisplayPort connection may cause the initially-connected HDMI device to no longer appear in the Graphics tab of System Profiler.

 

| Read more »
13:28
iTunes for Windows: Device Sync Tests

iTunes for Windows includes Device Sync Tests within iTunes Diagnostics. Device Sync Tests can assist you in troubleshooting an issue when trying to sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch in iTunes. This can assist with issues around syncing contacts, calendars, mail accounts, bookmarks, and notes over USB on your computer.

| Read more »
10:44
Magic Trackpad: Avoiding unintentional clicks

Learn what to do if your supported Mac portable trackpad or Magic Trackpad unexpectedly appears to select (or drag across) a given area on the display after you install Magic Trackpad and Multi-Touch Trackpad Update 1.0.

| Read more »
10:13
Mac OS X Server v10.6: Server may not receive DHCP-s...

Mac OS X Server v10.6 may not receive an IP address for a network interface if the Firewall service is enabled with the default firewall rules.

If the interface is configured to use DHCP then it will not receive an IP address or other network configuration information.
If the interface is configured to use DHCP with manual address, the interface will have the desired IP address but will not receive its subnet mask, router, DNS Server, or Search Domain settings from the DHCP server.

| Read more »
10:13
Mac OS X Server v10.5, v10.6: Symlinks in FTPRoot fo...

The optional FTP service automatically generates symlinks to the appropriate share paths inside of the configured FTPRoot folder. If a share point is unshared or FTP access is disabled for a share point, these symlinks are not automatically removed.

| Read more »
07:30
Get Automator working again in iTunes 10

As has been already reported in Macworld, Automator actions that talk to iTunes all broke upon the release of iTunes 10.0. This is because each action specifies in a text string in its Info.plist file that it requires iTunes version 4.6 or higher, and alphabetically, '10.0' is smaller than '4.6.' I frequently use 'Add to iTunes as a Spoken Track' (activated in System Preferences » Keyboard » Services). Here is how I got it working again.
'Add to iTunes as a Spoken Track.workflow' is found in /System/Library/Services. Navigate to that location and double-click the workflow file. Don't Panic! We are not going to modify this file; we're just looking for error messages when it's opened in Automator.



Automator complains that the actions 'Import Audio Files' and 'Add Songs to Playlist' could not be loaded because the application iTunes is the wrong version.



Navigate to /System/Library/Automator. WARNING: Do not...

| Read more »
07:30
iTunes 10 Album Art Controller

iTunes 10 includes a QuickTime X-like controller available right from the album art!



I was playing around with iTunes 10 today and happened to click on the album art in the Now Playing section (lower left corner) and the album art window popped up full-size like normal. I noticed that there wasn't a title bar and alas, there was a controller, just like the one on QuickTime X videos, that you can use to play/pause, skip, scrub, fast forward, rewind, and change the volume of the track! So now there's one additional way to control your music in addition to the mini player. I'm not sure if this is a Snow-Leopard only thing, but it's very nice.



[crarko adds: I tested this, and it works as described. Was this available in 9.2.1 on Snow Leopard? I never use the Now Playing drawer in iTunes so I didn't notice if it was or not. I looked on Leopard and it wasn't there in 9.2.1. How about in iTunes 10 on Leopard? I doubt it, since it looks...

| Read more »
07:30
Use Sync Apps Search Field in iTunes 10

In iTunes 10, Apple has removed the filter/search field from the Sync Apps window for an attached device. The text field allowed you to search for a string and filter your list of apps like in Spotlight. It's not really missing; it has just been replaced.



Just like in any iTunes window -- whether browsing the App Store, Music Store, etc. -- the universal Search field in the upper right can now be used to filter/search through your own apps in the Sync Apps list.



[crarko adds: I tested this, and it works as described.]




...

| Read more »
07:30
Restore the old iTunes icon

A lot of people find the new iTunes 10 icon unattractive and out of place. This hint goes well together with other hints about restoring what was preferred about iTunes 9.



This simple trick will restore your old iTunes icon (or you can replace it with another of your choice), and will work for any other app as well.
Right-click on iTunes.app and select 'Show Package Contents', browse to Contents/Resources and copy the file iTunes.icns to a safe location.



Now take the the old icon and overwrite the new icon with it. You will need to authenticate from an admin account to do this. The old icon can be obtained from an old version of iTunes, if you have access to a non-upgraded machine or a Time Machine backup.



You need to start and stop iTunes a few times before it picks up the new icon, and you might even need to reboot your computer.



A demonstration video can...

| Read more »

Thursday September 2

13:37
iMac (Mid 2010): Using the correct Mac OS X system s...

Learn what to do if your iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010) or iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010) exhibits symptoms that indicate the wrong Mac OS X system software is installed. Symptoms may include:

Upon opening iMovie, a message states that iMovie requires a graphics card that is compatible with Quartz Extreme and that one or more of your graphics cards do not support Quartz Extreme. 
The computer may not go to sleep when you choose Sleep from the Apple () menu.
Difficulty opening or a message may appear when you open the DVD Player application.
Only one video resolution available in the Displays System Preferences pane.
Using the Grab application (located in the Utilities folder) to take a screenshot may produce only a blank image with a white background.
The correct LCD profile may not be present in the Color tab of the Displays System Preferences or under the profile in ColorSync Utility.
Compatibility and...

| Read more »
10:57
iTunes Store: Movie and TV rental video formats

The iTunes Store offers a choice of movie rental and TV rental video formats. The information below will help you choose the format best suited to the device you view your rental on.

| Read more »
07:30
Improved iTunes 10 Classic Visualizer

The iTunes Classic Visualizer is great. For starters, it keeps you interested, and it seems uncannily good at matching the mood of the visuals to the style of music. The new Visualizer style just doesn't make sense to me -- pulsating orbs?



Anyway, the problem with the Classic Visualizer is that it would always force a low resolution on you when using full screen mode.



I'm happy to point out that the Classic Visualizer in iTunes 10 now uses your current display resolution when you go into full screen mode. Now it looks absolutely awesome on a nice 720p/1080p TV set. Unfortunately it still blanks secondary displays in full screen mode.



I know I'm not the only one to have searched for an answer to this, only to be disappointed with the 'Use screen zoom' solution that's been around for years.



[crarko adds: I tested this, and it works as described, although I didn't try the external...

| Read more »
07:30
Make the iTunes 10 control buttons horizontal

iTunes 10 provides a different layout for the Close, Minimize and Maximize buttons. Instead of being ordered horizontally, in iTunes 10 they're arranged vertically, like a traffic light.
Reverting the buttons to a horizontal layout can easily be done. With iTunes not running, open Terminal and enter the following code:



defaults write com.apple.iTunes full-window -1



To restore the vertical layout, simply use this command:



defaults write com.apple.iTunes full-window -0



[crarko adds: Thank you very much. iTunes 10 has a lot of good points, like better performance, but some of the UI changes are perplexing.]




...

| Read more »

Wednesday September 1

21:29
iTunes Store: How to rent TV Shows

You can rent TV Shows from the iTunes Store and watch them on your Mac or Windows computer, iPhone, or iPod touch.1

| Read more »
19:23
Apple security updates

This document outlines security updates for Apple products.

| Read more »
19:23
About the security content of iTunes 10

This document describes the security content of iTunes 10, which can be downloaded and installed via Software Update preferences, or from Apple Downloads.
For the protection of our customers, Apple does not disclose, discuss, or confirm security issues until a full investigation has occurred and any necessary patches or releases are available. To learn more about Apple Product Security, see the Apple Product Security website.
For information about the Apple Product Security PGP Key, see "How to use the Apple Product Security PGP Key."
Where possible, CVE IDs are used to reference the vulnerabilities for further information.
To learn about other Security Updates, see "Apple Security Updates".

| Read more »
18:56
iTunes Store: TV episode rental frequently asked que...

See the frequently asked questions below to learn more about renting TV episodes from the iTunes Store.
Note: TV rentals are currently only available in the US.

| Read more »
15:28
iOS Developer Program

The iPhone Developer Program is now the iOS Developer Program. You will continue to access the same program benefits and technical resources for developing and distributing your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch apps.

| Read more »
15:27
iOS SDK 4.1 GM Seed Now Available

iOS Developer Program members can log in to the iOS Dev Center to download iOS 4.1 GM seed and iOS SDK 4.1 GM seed. Review the Xcode 3.2.4 Readme and the iOS SDK 4.1 GM seed Release Notes before installing and developing with these new releases.

| Read more »
15:25
Getting Started with Game Center

Game Center is Apple's new social gaming network that allows your users to invite friends to play a game, start a multiplayer game through auto-matching, track their achievements, and compare their best scores on a leaderboard. Learn everything you need to know about developing your apps for Game Center, from understanding the fundamentals to updating your Game Center app once it’s on the App Store.

| Read more »

Technology Showcase

Aug 26
Video looks at digital storytelling features of...

A new online video (http://www.memoryminer.com) shows some of the best ways for using MemoryMiner, a digital storytelling application for Mac OS X. Designed an an complement the iLife suite, the software is all about capturing and exploring your life memories.

MemoryMiner allows anyone to zero in on the stories depicted in their photos by linking them to each other based on people, places and time. While photos are used as the starting point, the goal is always uncovering the backstory.

With MemoryMiner, you can directly record audio or video to capture the backstory of a photo. You can attach documents, web URL's, or other media to add depth and context. Each photo becomes a frame in a storyboard that can be browsed by periods in a person's life, where people overlap, by place, by time, or any combination.

MemoryMiner requires Mac OS X 10.5 or higher. It's Universal Binary so runs...

| Read more »
Jul 30
Ergonis posts video on using Typinator

Ergonis Software has posted a video (http://www.ergonis.com/products/typinator/movie.html) on Typinator (http://www.ergonis.com/products/typinator/), its tool for auto-typing text and auto-correcting typos system-wide across all Mac OS X applications.

With thousands of predefined corrections for common typos and misspelled words for US and British English, German and French, Typinator is not only just a typing assistant that speeds repetitive typing tasks, but also a system-wide auto-correction tool that automatically fixes typing errors and misspelled words. You just define an abbreviation along with its replacement text or picture. Whenever you type one of your abbreviations in any application, Typinator inserts the corresponding...

| Read more »
Jul 19
Seagate introduces GoFlex Home for centralized storage

Seagate (http://www.seagate.com) has unveiled the newest addition to its GoFlex family of hard drives -- the GoFlex Home network storage system. When it's connected to a wireless router, an entire household can centrally store, easily access and continuously back up files wirelessly from Mac and Windows systems on the home  network.

The new centralized storage system simplifies the backup process by being compatible with the Apple Time Machine, as well as including a version of the backup application for both Mac OS X and Windows operating systems, says Darcy Clarkson, Seagate vice president of Retail Sales and Marketing. With the GoFlex Home storage system, families can also wirelessly stream photos, movies and music to most network connected DLNA devices, such as game consoles or a GoFlex TV HD media player, from any room in the house.

The GoFlex Home is available in 1TB and 2TB capacities at...

| Read more »
Jul 13
Are you swimsuit ready? How about remote access ready?

Summer is just around the corner, and if you’re human, you’re not going to want to be stuck inside an office when it’s gorgeous out. But you can’t just shirk your responsibilities either. Don’t worry, there is a way you can get out, enjoy the summer and stay productive. Set up remote access from LogMeIn (https://secure.logmein.com/welcome/default.aspx?originid=7872&destinatio...) now, and you’ll be in business, wherever you are, all summer.

With LogMeIn Free (https://secure.logmein.com/welcome/default.aspx?originid=...

| Read more »
Jul 12
Video demos SonicPics for the iPhone

There's a new video demonstrating the features of SonicPcs for the iPhone. The app -- available in an US$2.99 and free, "lite" version -- is a tool for turning your images into custom slideshow movies that you can share with your friends online!.

SonicPics lets you add images from your iPhone's photo library or camera, arrange your photos, and then narrate the project to create an enhanced m4v video (complete with chapters). You can take photos of your kids, special events, weddings, vacations, the new pet, or first day at camp and narrate them with SonicPics.

When the recording is complete, you can publish your movie to your YouTube account or to your computer. You can view the video at http://www.sonicpics.com/public/index.php#4 .

| Read more »
Jun 24
Video looks at SSDs vs HDDs

Solid State Drives (SSDs) are gaining in popularity. So should you buy a SSD or a traditional hard disk drive?

Other World Computing (OWC) has compared the two types of drives. You can find the SSD vs HDD Shootout at : http://eshop.macsales.com/Customized_Pages/Framework.cfm?page=ssd-speed-... .

| Read more »
Jun 14
OrigAudio posts video on the Rock-It

OrigAudio has posted a video (http://www.origaudio.com/) on the Rock-It, an US$49.99 vibration speaker system.

The Rock-It works with iPods, iPhones, laptops and more. It takes music from the device and generates it into vibration sequences. It sends those vibrations through the Rock-It "pod," which you can stick to any object.

The Rock-It requires two AAA batteries (not included) or an USB connection. It comes with an USB cable and four replacement sticky pads.

| Read more »
Apr 17
Screencast looks at installing, using PDFPen

A new screencast (http://screencasts.smileonmymac.com/SCO170-pdfpen-Module01-832x468-h264_...) offers an introduction and installation guide for PDFPen from SmileOnMyMac.

PDFPen is a PDF editing and form-filling tool for Mac OS X. PDFpen costs US$49.95, and PDFpenPro is $99.95. Family pack licenses, which cover up to five computers in one household, are $74.95 for PDFpen and $129.95 for PDFpenPro. Upgrades from earlier versions of either application are $25, and free to users who purchased after June 1, 2008. Upgrades from any version of PDFpen to PDFpenPro 4.0 are $50.

| Read more »
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Software Updates via MacUpdate

VueScan 8.6.57 - Software for scanners....
VueScan 8.6.57VueScan is a scanning program that works with most high-quality flatbed and film scanners to produce scans that have excellent color fidelity and color balance. VueScan is easy to use,... Read more
X Lossless Decoder 20100904 - Encode, tr...
X Lossless Decoder 20100904X Lossless Decoder (XLD) is a tool for Mac OS X that is able to decode/convert/play various \'lossless\' audio files. The supported audio files can be split into some... Read more
WindowShade X 5.0.5 - WindowShade and Mi...
WindowShade X 5.0.5WindowShade X provides an exciting and useful way of organizing your work on Mac OS X. With this handy tool, you can assign the following actions to the minimize button and a... Read more
Songbird 1.8.0 - Versatile open-source m...
Songbird 1.8.0Songbird... Download the Songbird player and rock your mobile. Take your music with you, share playlists with friends, watch video, find out when favorite bands play your town, and... Read more
Reason 5.0 - Professional music creation...
Reason 5.0Reason ... Making music should be as easy as powering up a computer, loading up a powerful piece of music software, and getting down to business. Reason gives you one-step loading of... Read more
Adobe After Effects CS5 10.0.1 - Profess...
Adobe After Effects CS5 10.0.1Adobe After Effects CS5... Whether you\'re working in broadcast and film or delivering work online and to mobile devices, this software enables you to create... Read more
Google Chrome 6.0.472.53 - Modern and fa...
Google Chrome 6.0.472.53Google Chrome is a Web browser by Google, created to be a modern platform for web pages and applications. It utilizes very fast loading of web pages and has a V8 engine, which... Read more
Synergy 4.4.4 - Adds iTunes controls to...
Synergy 4.4.4Synergy places three buttons to control iTunes in your menubar: previous track, next track, and play/pause; as well as providing you with visual feedback about the currently playing tune... Read more
Things 1.4.1 - Elegant personal task man...
Things 1.4.1Things is task management solution that helps to organize your tasks in an elegant and intuitive way. Things combines powerful features with simplicity through the use of tags and its... Read more

Crazy Labor Day App Sale Returns – Tons...
In what is becoming a holiday weekend tradition, lots and lots of developers are putting their apps on sale. From the big guys to the small ones, they all want to cash in on the rush this weekend. Seems like the magic price point is $0.99 for sale... | Read more »
AutoCAD Triumphantly Returns to Mac and...
It is hard to even imagine what computer-aided design would be like without an application like AutoCAD.  It has redefined the way that an entire generation of engineers look at problems and been a big proponent for PCs in the industrial design... | Read more »
Three Freebies Worth Playing
Terry Touch™ – From the mind of a 16 year old working under the tutelage of ustwo™, the company that will trademark anything they get their hands on, comes Terry Touch™. If you happen to download Terry Touch™, treat it more as a morning coffee... | Read more »
Official Twitter App Updated for iPad Co...
When Twitter acquired Loren Brichter’s acclaimed Tweetie app and made it the official Twitter app on iPhone, it came with the promise that Twitter for iPad was in the works as well. Twitter has just updated Twitter for iPhone to version 3.1,... | Read more »
iMindMap Mobile HD Review
Developer: Think Buzan Price: $32.99 Version: 1.0 Design Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Features Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Integration Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Value Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars Overall Rating: 3.94 out of 5 stars | Read more »
Facebook Places, meet InCrowd
Earlier this month, Facebook announced their much-anticipated Places feature, integrating social networking with geo-locations to create a more personal and unique social experience. Today, Booyah Inc. announced an application that allows you to... | Read more »
Five For Friday: Week of September 3, 20...
Dodonpachi Resurrection – Dodonpachi might be hard to roll off the tongue, but the game play is very familiar. This is a flying shooter in the ever popular R-Type style. Your ship resides at the bottom of the screen and you blast everything reigning... | Read more »

Price Scanner via MacPrices.net

Labor Day Weekend Sale! MacBooks, MacBook Pros, iM...
 MacConnection has MacBook Pros, White MacBooks, and iMacs on sale for up to $300 off MSRP after rebate. Shipping is free. Their prices are the lowest we’ve seen for these models from any Apple... Read more
iPads in stock with 24-hour shipping available
All iPad models are now in stock at The Apple Store with 24-hour shipping available: - 16GB iPad Wi-Fi: $499 - 32GB iPad Wi-Fi: $599 - 64GB iPad Wi-Fi: $699 - 16GB iPad Wi-Fi+3G: $629 - 32GB iPad Wi-... Read more
Save $330 with Apple refurbished 15″ MacBook Pros
 The Apple Store has Apple Certified Refurbished May 2010 15″ MacBook Pros available for up to $330 off MSRP. Each MacBook comes with an Apple one-year warranty, and shipping is free. Note that stock... Read more
Save $230 with Apple refurbished 13″ MacBook Pros
 The Apple Store has Apple Certified Refurbished May 2010 13″ MacBook Pros available for up to $230 off MSRP. Each MacBook comes with an Apple one-year warranty, and shipping is free. Note that stock... Read more
Save $380 with Apple refurbished 17″ MacBook Pros
 The Apple Store has Apple Certified Refurbished 17″ May 2010 MacBook Pros available for up to $380 off MSRP. Each MacBook comes with an Apple one-year warranty, and shipping is free. Note that stock... Read more
2010 Mac minis on sale for up to $40 off MSRP
B&H Photo-Video has the new 2010 Mac minis on sale for up to $40 off MSRP. Shipping is free, and no rebates are required. NY sales tax only: - Mac mini Server: $959.99, $50 off MSRP - 2.4GHz Mac... Read more
Additional 3% off White MacBooks for MacPrices.net...
 MacMall is offering MacPrices.net readers an additional 3% off the price of the 13″ 2.4GHz White MacBook until September 30th. Including their already low price, the discount drops the price on this... Read more
New iPods on sale for up to $15 off MSRP, preorder...
MacMall has the new 2010 iPods available for order today up to $15 off MSRP: - 2GB iPod shuffle: $47.99 - 8GB iPod nano with touch: $143.99 $5 off MSRP - 16GB iPod nano with touch: $171.99 $7 off... Read more

Jobs Board

Does the iPod touch have the same screen...
When looking at the video above, it seems that the iPod touch 4th generation screen doesn’t have the same wide angle viewing as the iPhone 4 next to it.  This could just be our eyes playing tricks on... Read more
*Apple* Retail Intern - Apple (Cupertin...
Requisition Number 4878015 Job title Apple Retail Intern Location Santa Clara Valley Country United States City Cupertino State/Province California Job type Full... Read more
Vendor Manager, *Apple* Online Store -...
Requisition Number 5585699 Job title Vendor Manager, Apple Online Store Location Austin Country United States City Austin State/Province Texas Job type Full Time Job... Read more
Client Services Technician - Mac at Vera...
for the Mac client community * Evaluate the current Mac environment and recommend, test, and implement ... field/equivalent experience * Advanced knowledge of Apple Mac client and server operating... Read more
Apple Architect at Unisys (Reston, VA)
- Specialist with Apple Technology and Consulting in Apple Technology Products The candidate must have Unix ... tools Packagemaker, as well as thorough knowledge of Mac OS X Leopard (10.5) and Mac OS... Read more
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Greetings, and welcome to the new MacTech web site! Our home page is designed to be your Industry Dashboard -- so you can have a snapshot of all that's relevant in the industry in one easy location. Many readers tell us that because the information is updated so frequently, they are now checking the site multiple times a day. Here's a quick run down of the features on the new web site, which can be subtle. We truly hope you register so that we can keep you up to date about new features as they are implemented. And, please use the BETA button in the top right to provide us any feedback, suggestions or bugs. We love to hear from you.