DBest launches rechargeable, mini-speaker set
DBest (http://http://www.dbest.co.uk) has announced the retail availability of the Duo Bluetooth Rechargeable Mini-Speaker Set. The wireless stereo speakers pair with Bluetooth devices instantly, allowing you to roam freely up to 45 feet with your phone, iPod or other audio device.
The Duo Bluetooth Rechargeable Mini-Speaker Set sports high-capacity rechargeable lithium polymer batteries that purportedly deliver up to 20 hours of continuous wireless or 40 hours wired playback when fully charged. The Duo Bluetooth Rechargeable Mini-Speaker Set comes in rubberized black, red and glossy white finishes, and is available now for US$69.99 at Amazon.com, InMotion Entertainment, Frys, and Brookstone.com, among other retailers.
The Duo Bluetooth Rechargeable Mini-Speaker Set weighs 4.7 ounces. The speakers have magnetic joining bases for easy transport and come with a deluxe travel pouch for storing and protecting your speaker set when in your suitcase, purse or briefcase. The speakers’ built-...
Diabetes Pilot released for OS X, iOS
Digital Altitudes has released Diabetes Pilot (http://www.diabetespilot.com) for Mac OS X, iOS, and Windows. The Mac OS X version costs US$29.99, and the iOS version is $14.99.
Diabetes Pilot is designed to replacestraditional paper logbooks. It enables users to record glucose measurements, blood pressure, test results, insulin and other medications, meals, exercise and other related notes, and analyze trends in all these areas with various charts and graphs.
In addition, Diabetes Pilot tracks the carbohydrates, calories, fat, protein, fiber, sodium, cholesterol and other nutrients in the foods eaten by the user. The software has an integrated food database with information on thousands of foods, including hundreds of fast food items.
Belkin unveils new Thunderbolt dock, cable
Belkin (http://www.belkin.com) has announced upgrades to its upcoming Thunderbolt Express Dock, as well as a new Thunderbolt cable for both Mac and PC users. Belkin’s new Thunderbolt offerings will be on display at the Intel Exhibition Showcase, Booth M410, at Computex, June 5–9, 2012.
The US$399.99 Thunderbolt Express Dock is a docking solution that enables instant access to up to nine desktop peripherals with one cable, and provides a transition from a desktop workstation to a mobile device. Upgrades to the latest version of the dock include the addition of three USB 3.0 ports, instead of USB 2.0 ports, as well as an eSATA port.
Both the dock and Belkin’s new one-meter Thunderbolt cable ($44.99) take advantage of Thunderbolt’s 10 gigabits-per-second, bidirectional speeds, and enable users to transfer full HD movies in 30 seconds and view online content at Gigabit Ethernet speeds. They also allow for daisy-chaining of up to six additional Thunderbolt enabled products and support...
ebook lets you 'Take Control of Your 802.11n AirPort...
TidBits Publishing has released the third edition of "Take Control of Your 802.11n AirPort Network" by Glenn Fleishman. The 187-page ebook costs US$20.
The new edition is modernized for the latest version of Apple's AirPort Utility base station configuration software. It's packed with steps, tips, and conceptual descriptions that help readers create fast and reliable wireless networks using Apple's 802.11n AirPort gear.
Fleishman is a technology journalist based in Seattle. He's a contributing editor at TidBITS, responsible for much of their Web and publishing infrastructure; a columnist for the "Seattle Times" on all things Mac related; and a regular contributor to the "Economist," "Macworld" and "Ars Technica."
For more information about the book, including table of contents, author bios, and cover graphic, go to http://shop.oreilly.com/product/9781615424054.do .
Dukane announces Tilting Drawer iPad cart
Dukane (http://www.dukane.com/av) has announced the MCC40 tablet charging cart with its patented tilting drawer design. It's designed simplify the loading and unloading of tablets such as the iPad.
It also offers security as the tablets are locked in a full metal rolling cart. The MAP on the Dukane MCC40 cart costs US$2295.
SCOtutor for iBooks Author video tutorial launched
A new video tutorial app, SCOtutor for iBooks Author, has just been released and is now available in the Mac App Store. It requires Mac OS X Lion and is available for US$3.99 for a limited time.
iBooks Author is Apples free authoring application for created interactive iBooks. SCOtutor for iBooks Author takes you through the basics of mastering iBooks Author.
All SCOtutor video tutorial apps contain a high resolution video tutorial, a dedicated video player, chapter navigation, subtitles and full AirDisplay support. The tutorial is 105 minutes long.
Verbatim ships new portable power packs
Verbatim (http://www.verbatim.com) has unveiled a line-up of portable Power Packs designed for business or leisure travel, road trips, outdoor excursions and more.
The entire selection of Power Packs features a slim design for portability. Models are available that work with the iPhone, iPod, iPad and other devices in prices ranging from US19.99 to $89.99. The Power Packs can currently be found at Microcenter, Amazon.com, Newegg.com and Buy.com, and in Office Max starting in July.
Trickster for OS X gets tweaked interface, more
Apparent Software has updated Trickster (http://tricksterapp.com), a productivity application for the Mac, to version 2.0. The upgrade sports a tweaked user interface, beefed-up performance, the ability to search files by typing, custom filters and more.
Trickster keeps track of all the files the user has been recently using on his Mac. With the software, all these documents are just one click away, accessible anytime from menu bar.
You can drag and drop files from Trickster to Finder or any other application. You can open files and applications from Trickster, preview them or reveal in Finder. You can also use preset filters to only display images, audio files, videos, documents, applications, folders and specific locations such as Dropbox and download folders.
Trickster 2 is available worldwide through the Mac App Store in the Productivity category for US$4.99. It's also available as part of the Productive Macs bundle (http://www.productivemacs.com) of eight productivity...
Andrei Doubrovski releases Script Arsenal 2.0
Andrei Doubrovski has announced Script Arsenal 2.0 (http://script-arsenal.com/), a catalog allowing you to manage and apply your Photoshop scripts. It costs US$12 and requires Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later and Photoshop CS3 or higher on the Mac platform.
Script Arsenal ships with over 100 ready-made scripts for creating various effects and streamlining your everyday workflow. The catalog interface is available in eight languages. What's more, the scripts coming with it are multilingual as well.
Users can extend the catalog by including additional scripts, either downloaded from the Internet or by composing new scripts of their own.All the scripts are compatible with Photoshop CS3 and the newer versions for Mac OS X and Window.
Mac OS X software updates for June 5
Here are the latest incremental updates for Mac OS X apps.
Parallels has updated Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac to make it simple to download and automatically install Windows 8 Release Preview from the Parallels New Virtual Machine Wizard. A free trial of Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac is available for download at www.parallels.com/desktop. Current Parallels Desktop 7 users can get the update by selecting the Parallels Desktop menu and clicking Check for Updates.
Reggie Ashworth has released VidConvert 1.3.1 (http://www.reggieashworth.com/vidconvert), an update to his new video converter for Mac OS X. The new version adds support for adding DVD's directly, input support for Apple ProRes, and input support for .webm and .dvr-ms.
Tension Software has updated ProductBuilder (http://www.pomola.com/products_productbuilder/) -- which allows developers to create packages ready to be transmitted using the Application Loader (by Apple and included with the Developer tools) to the Mac App Store...
Firm ups Apple share price target to $770
In a note to clients -- as reported by "American Banking & Markets" (http://macte.ch/fgFhR) -- equities research analysts at Crowell, Weedon & Co. upped their price target on shares of Apple from US$710 to $770. The firm currently has a “buy” rating on the stock.
Crowell, Weedon & Co. expects a sequential decline in iPhone unit sales as the launch of the iPhone 4S in most international markets, and build-up of channel inventory are completed. However, the firm estimates sequential growth in both iPad (a full quarter of the new iPad and adding international markets) and Macs (better industry demand, international growth, and better availability of hard disk drives).
Apple places third in 15 Top MBA Employers survey
Apple ranks third is a new new CNNMoney exclusive list of the 15 Top MBA Employers, according to a survey of B-school students who were asked where they most want to work. Approximately 16.66% of MBAs want to work at Apple.
Here's what CNNMoney says about Apple: "The mighty iEconomy keeps powering Apple to new heights. The tech giant's valuation reached the half-trillion milestone early this year, and this year it's on track to surpass Hewlett-Packard as the biggest tech firm by sales."
In the 15 Top MBA Employers list, only Google and Apple were ahead of Apple. Amazon came in sixth and Facebook was eighth. No other tech-related firms made the list. For more info go to http://cnnmon.ie/NcmvNg .
Matrox announces Thunderbolt Docking Station
Matrox has announced the Matrox DS1 (http://www.matrox.com/docking_station/en/ds1/), a Thunderbolt docking station "that brings all the productivity benefits of a desktop computer to MacBook and Ultrabook users," according to Alberto Cieri, senior director of sales and marketing at Matrox .
From a single Thunderbolt connection, users can add multiple peripherals including a large DVI or HDMI display, a full-size keyboard, and a mouse. A gigabit Ethernet port provides connectivity to a wired corporate network, enabling data transfers 18 times faster than Wi-Fi. One SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port, two USB 2.0 ports, a microphone input, and a speaker/headphone output are also provided.
The DS1 is priced at US$249. It will be available through a worldwide network of authorized dealers beginning in September.
ABI Research: iPad dominates in first quarter of 2012
The media tablet market shipped 18.2 million devices in the first quarter of 2012 (1Q’2012), which represents a 185% year-over-year gain and a -33% sequential loss in shipments. Apple’s 11.8 million iPad shipments were spurred by the launch of a third-generation lineup and price reduction on iPad 2 models, while Samsung’s 1.1 million shipments returned the vendor to the number two spot after Amazon’s Kindle Fire shipments fizzled entering 2012.
"A pattern similar to smartphones is also occurring in tablets," says Jeff Orr, group director, consumer research. "Apple and Samsung have demonstrated staying power while other tablet vendors ebb and flow like the tide."
Only two leading branded tablet original equipment manufacturers -- RIM (233%) and Lenovo (107%) – bucked the downward first quarter shipment trends, while Taiwan’s ASUS remained flat sequentially from 4Q’2011. Several vendors, including Dell, HP, and LG are currently retooling tablet portfolios for mid-year launches of...
Judge to allow Jobs' 'thermonuclear' comments in...
A judge will allow the late Steve Jobs' "thermonuclear war' comments about Motorola in an upcoming patent trial between the company and Apple, reports "Reuters" (http://macte.ch/IgfPI).
Jobs told his biographer Walter Isaacson that Motorola had "ripped off the iPhone," commented "grand theft" and that he was "willing to go to thermonuclear war on this." In a May court filing, Apple acknowledged that Jobs was "very angry" over Google's behavior, notes "Reuters."
"To avoid any potential prejudice to Apple if Motorola attempts to use the book to appeal to the jury's passion," the filing says, "Apple asks that the court prevent any reference to the Jobs book during the trial." In a brief order filed on May 31, Chicago federal judge Richard Posner rejected Apple's request without explanation, says "Reuters."
All this is part of an ongoing battle between the two companies. Apple has previously alleged that Motorola infringes 24 of its patents (21 of them with Android-based phones, the...
iPads help budget airline reduce fuel costs
Budget airline Scoot is offering iPads to long-haul travelers "after ripping out aircraft entertainment systems weighing more than two tons to save fuel," reports "Bloomberg" (http://macte.ch/U7va4).
The Apple tablets helped the carrier cut 7% off the weight of planes obtained from parent Singapore Airlines Ltd. (SIA) even after a 40% increase in seating, CEO Campbell Wilson says. The savings will help Scoot, which makes its maiden flight today, cope with fuel prices that have jumped about 36% in two years, notes "Bloomberg."
Scoot will charge economy passengers S$22 ($17) a trip to rent the tablets, which are loaded with movies, music, games and television shows. The budget carrier will loan the iPads free to passengers in its business-class seats. It eventually intends to have users access content via a wireless system onboard planes, says "Bloomberg."
Samsung withdraws one patent claim in legal battle with Apple
Samsung has dropped another patent from its ongoing legal battle with Apple, reports "FOSS Patents" (http://macte.ch/vC0U8). The company has filed an unopposed motion to withdraw from the investigation all claims of U.S. Patent No. 6,897,843 on a "device and method for storing and reproducing digital audio data in a mobile terminal," the article adds.
An International Trade Commission (ITC) hearing on Apple's complaint against Samsung started on Thursday, May 31, and the ITC hearing on Samsung's complaint against Apple will begin today. On Thursday, June 7, there will be two preliminary injunction hearings in the parties' two federal lawsuits in the Northern District of California, notes "FOSS Patents."
Apple and Samsung have filed more than 30 lawsuits against each other across four continents. For example, Apple alleges that Samsung copied the slide-to-unlock technology of its iPhone and iPad devices.
Strophes is new lyrics reader for Mac OS X
Strophes is a new lyrics app for Mac OS X Lion. It costs US$4.99 and is available exclusively through Apple's Mac App Store in the Music category.
Strophes automatically downloads and displays the lyrics of the songs you're listening to. It's compatible with iTunes, Spotify, Rdio and Radium.
Users can do a search for lyrics by title, artist, and even words when they're not listening to a song. Strophes also integrates the ability to read artist biographies.
iCache Geode is digital wallet for the iPhone
iCache (http://www.iCache.com), which specializes in the mobile payments industry has announced the US$199 Geode, a digital wallet for the iPhone.
The Geode uses unique biometric technology to ensure all credit, debit and loyalty card information is stored safely and securely, according to Jonathan Ramaci, founder and CEO of iCache. Only the owner can access the Geode app and its contents by using his/her unique fingerprint eliminating the risk of stolen credit cards.
The GeoCard works everywhere consumers already shop and turns into any card with the touch of a button, says Ramaci. Since most scanning terminals cannot read barcodes from a phone screen, the Geode also has an e-ink screen for all loyalty and membership cards.
iCache’s Geode also acts as an iPhone case and is available in black/yellow, green/white, pink/white or purple/white. It includes a card reader, the GeoCard and a micro-USB cable.
The Bard's Tale released for the Mac
InXile Entertainment's The Bard's Tale is now available in the Mac App Store. It requires Mac OS X 10.6.6 or higher and costs US$9.99.
Here's how the game is described: "You are the Bard, a selfish rogue weary of pointless sub-quests and rat-infested cellars. Through magical song you summon characters to join you in battle, heal your party, and take damage on your behalf. Ready your weapon as you embark on a quest for coin and cleavage! Prepare to immerse yourself in over 20-30 hours of adventure."
Aquafadas releases Digital Publishing System 2.0
Aquafadas has released version 2.0 of its Digital Publishing System. The upgrade includes ePub3 support, six new games and 40 additional new features.
Besides apps, fixed-layout ePub3 is the most important way of publishing to the iPad, according to Aquafadas CEO Claudia Zimmer. Aquafadas’s ePub3 export supports full text search, high resolution images, video, read-aloud audio, slideshows, and more.
With Digital Publishing System 2.0, apps can be more interactive with Google Maps integration, six new games (including jigsaw puzzles and Sudoku), scrollable layouts and long-page layouts. Universal app support for iPad and iPhone enables reading across devices, while designers create dedicated content once and Aquafadas’s distribution system delivers the right content file to a device.
The standard version of Aquafadas’s Digital Publishing System is available as a free download at avepublishing.aquafadas.com. A one-time publication fee applies only at the time of publishing.
Excel Software releases SafeWebApp
Excel Software has announced SafeWebApp (http://www.safewebapp.com/), a new approach for software and Internet developers to protect, deliver and monetize web content.
SafeWebApp is a free, Web App controlled browser. It supports device specific licensing, user feedback, vendor notifications and public discoverable indexes.
According to the folks at Excel Software, SafeWebApp offers a way to turn virtually any web content into a sellable product that can be securely licensed and delivered to specific devices for paying customers. The web content can include HTML, flash, videos, PDFs and essentially anything else that is accessible within a web browser.
When a customer buys a web App, they receive the app name, serial number and link for the royalty-free SafeWebApp viewer. SafeWebApp is currently available for Mac OS X, Windows and Linux computers with future support planned for tablets and phones.
No software purchase is required to create, publish, protect or sell web apps. The...
Mac OS X software updates for June 4
Here are the latest incremental updates for Mac OS X apps.
Spiderweb Software (http://www.spiderwebsoftware.com) has rolled out a new update for Avernum: Escape From the Pit, their indie fantasy role-playing adventure for the Mac. The 1.0.2 upgrade features quite a few bug fixes and balance improvements.
Noodlesoft has released Hazel 3.0.7 (http:///www.noodlesoft.com/hazel.php) for Mac OS X. The update of the automated organization tool for the Mac sports some user interface changes.
Strider Software has rolled out TypeStyler 11.3 (http://www.typestyler.com), an update of its . The upgrade offers numerous bug fixes and enhancements.
ProjectWizards (http://projectwizards.net/ ) has updated Merlin, its project management software for the Mac, collaborates, to version 2.8.5. It now has a web module. The following browsers are supported: Safari 3, Firefox 2.0+ and Internet Explorer 7.0.
Palringo (http://www.palringo.com) has revved its rich-messaging
application to version 4.3.3....
Netflix surpasses Apple in online movie biz
Riding a tidal wave of growth for subscription video on demand (SVOD), Netflix in 2011 surged past Apple to become the largest U.S. online movie service in revenue terms, according to a new IHS "Screen Digest Broadband Media Market Insight Report" from information and analytics provider IHS (http://www.isuppli.com).
Netflix’s share of U.S. online movie revenue soared to 44% in 2011, up from less than 1% in 2010. This caused the company to rise to first place in 2011. Meanwhile, Apple’s share of total revenue declined to 32.3% last year, down from a 60.8% in 2010, despite enjoying strong revenue growth.
"2011 marked a sea change in the online movies business that saw the balance of consumer spending shift from a DVD-like transactional model to more TV-like subscription approach," says Dan Cryan, research director for digital media at IHS. "The online movie business more than doubled in 2011 to reach $992 million and it is expected to double this year as well."
In the United States,...
Analyst: iTV will be 42-55 inches, cost $1,500-$2,000
In a note to clients -- as reported by "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com) -- Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster says a 55-inch Apple-branded TV (the rumored "iTV") is a certainly -- it's just a matter of when it will be released.
He predicts the iTV will be 42 to 55 inches with prices ranging from US$1,500 to $2,000. The analyst says it will add 4-8% to Apple's annual revenues.
So when will we see it? Munster expects the iTV will be unveiled later this year and will hit the market about six months after it's announced.
NetMarketShare: Mac OS X, Safari, iOS all down slightly
According to the latest market share survey from NetMarketShare (http://www.netmarketshare.com), the market share for Mac OS X, Safari and iOS all dipped slightly month.
According to the report, among desktop operating systems, Mac OS X had 6.44% of the global market share in May compared to 6.53% in April (that's global market share; in the US it's over 10%). Windows remains dominant with 92.53% as of May. That's up from 92.59% in April.
When it comes to browsers, Safari had 4.62% in May compared to 4.81% in April. Internet Explorer had 54.05%, Firefox had 19.71% and Chrome had 19.58%. That compares to, respectively, April percentages of 54.09%, 20.20% and 18.585%, respectively, for the browsers.
The iOS's still dominated in May, according to NetMarketShare. It had 62.65%, compared to 19.69% for Android, 12.17% for Java ME, 2.09% for Blackberry, and 1.86% for Symbian. That compares to 63.19%, 19.27%, 11.83%, 20.4% and 2.24%, respectively, in April.
NetMarketShares' monthly surveys...
ETSI approves new nano-SIM format
The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) has announced a new nano-SIM format, reports "The Verge" (http://macte.ch/034l5).
Approved this week at a meeting held in Japan, the new form factor will be 40% smaller than the current micro-SIM format -- measuring 12.3mm wide by 8.8mm high, and 0.67mm thick. Nano-SIMs will also be packaged in a way that allows them to be backwards compatible with existing SIM card designs, reports "The Verge."
Apple was competing with Motorola Mobility, Research in Motion and Nokia on a smaller SIM card standard. Apple wants a "nano-SIM" that would let it design even smaller products.The MicroSIM card, with a design smaller than traditional SIM cards, was pushed by Apple in 2010 with the launch of the iPhone 4.
"AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com) says that the press release issued by ETSI on Friday did not name Apple as the backer of the chosen standard, "but the dimensions listed by the institute match those of Apple's proposal."...
Real-time Collaborative Whiteboard released for Mac, iPad
LightPlaces has introduced BaiBoard, its new online collaborative drawing application for Mac OS X (10.6 or later) and the iPad. It's available for free at the Mac App Store and Apple App Store.
BaiBoard allows users to collaborate with Facebook friends on joint drawing and designing projects in real-time. Users can also publish finished diagrams via Twitter, Facebook or a website with a customized URL.
BaiBoard offers a single user mode or multi-user collaborative mode. All diagrams are saved and can be retrieved anytime. The software offers a range of built-in drawing tools, shapes and stencils, as well as syncing, sharing, snapshot functions.
Tomb Raider: Underworld comes to the Mac
Feral Interactive has released Tomb Raider: Underworld (http://macte.ch/WWQ4H) for the Mac. It requires Mac OS X 10.6.8 or higher and costs US$24.99.
Here's how the game is described: "Archaeologist-adventurer Lara Croft embarks on a daring expedition to find a sunken world deep beneath the Arctic Sea. From the crystalline waters of coastal Thailand to the rain-lashed jungles of Mexico and beyond, Lara won’t stop until she has opened its secret gates.
"Her journey pits her against a formidable adversary who is after the same prize, and she will need all her wits, courage and athletic prowess to get to it first. As Lara, players will experience an astonishing level of physical interaction with a beautiful, unpredictable and treacherous world in a platforming game of unparalleled sophistication."
Quark Bundles 14 XTensions for free with QuarkXPress 9
Quark says anyone purchasing or upgrading to QuarkXPress 9 from now through June 30 will receive Gluon’s newest ProPack 9, worth US$219, free of charge.
Gluon’s ProPack 9 contains 14 Mac XTensions (9 Windows XTensions). It helps automate and eliminate repetitive steps. To see the full list of the XTensions included in ProPack 9, go to http://gluon.com/product-propack.html .
The offer is valid for anyone purchasing a copy of QuarkXPress, including education, non-profit, and government organizations. All existing QuarkXPress customers, including those using versions of QuarkXPress dating back to version 3, can upgrade to QuarkXPress 9 for $349.
Griffin, Threadless team up for new iPad, iPhone accessories
Griffin Technology, in partnership with Threadless, has debuted a new series of accessories for iPad and iPhone inspired by the designs of the Threadless.com community.
The Elan Folio (US$49.99, pictured), allows the user to carry an iPad like a personal notebook. It features a protective cover that flips open for quick access to the Multi-Touch display and closes like a book to protect against dirt and smudges. The cover also locks into place in back to turn the folio into an adjustable stand for optimal viewing and typing.
The new Griffin + Threadless Elan Folio collection includes four original Threadless designs: “Peacock,” “City Canals,” “Circle Dots,” and “Atlantis.” The case features a canvas exterior, microsuede interior lining, and a loop to store a stylus. The new Elan Folio cases for iPad are now available at both http://www.griffintechnology.com and http://www.threadless.com .
For the iPhone, the new additions to the Griffin + Threadless collection include two-slim cases...
Satechi releases 4-port USB hubs
Satechi (http://www.satechi.net) has released two new 4-Port USB Hubs. The Premium Aluminum 2.0 4-Port USB Hub and 3.0 4-Port USB Hub provide users a way to support additional devices without creating bulk and require no software or a complicated installation process.
The Satechi Premium Aluminum 2.0 4-Port USB Hub (US$24.99) is designed as a companion for a Mac. The design features an aluminum finish and white cable complementing the Apple aesthetic. The Premium Aluminum 2.0 4-Port USB Hub features a strip-shape design to take up little desktop space and allow for portability.
The slim Satechi 3.0 4-Port USB Hub ($39.99) supports up to four additional USB devices at up to 10x faster speeds than USB 2.0. Similar to the Satechi Premium Aluminum 2.0 4-Port USB Hub, it boasts boasts a thin and portable design.
AViiQ unveils second gen portable charging station
AViiQ has released the AViiQ Portable Charging Station with Cable Rack System, a portable sleeve designed to simplify on-the-go charging while eliminating tangled or misplaced cables.
It's designed to charge up to 4 USB devices by using only one outlet port. TheAViiQ Portable Charging Station is available in different trims, including black genuine leather.
The AViiQ Portable Charging Station with Cable Rack System comes with a 30-day money back 100% satisfaction guarantee. It's available starting from US$79.99 at http://www.AViiQ.com .
Clarion in-vehicle controller for the iPhone
Clarion Corp. has announced Next GATE, a smartphone controller for the iPhone. It controls applications residing on the smartphone, allowing for functionality in any vehicle.
App partners include: TuneIn, Pandora, Vlingo, INRIX Traffic, and InfoGation with more to come. Likewise the company says it'sy working with multiple app partners to expand the functionality of Next GATE.
The functions of the applications are running on, and leveraging the power of, the smartphone and its wireless connectivity. Clarion’s Smart Access Cloud Telematics Service will enable users to download additional approved apps under development now and in the future.Bluetooth functionality allows for hands-free calling and enables iPhone features such as voice dialing and voice activation.
Clarion’s Next GATE will be available beginning June 1 at Crutchfield and on Amazon.com. The suggested retail price is US$269.99. To learn more go to http://www.clarion.com/us .
Deal Spotlight: MailHub for OS X Lion
Today's special deal is Hands Off! for OS X Lion. It's being offered for US$9.99; the regular price is $19. To take advantage of this special pricing go to http://mupromo.com/deal/12874/6603 .
MailHub for Lion is a smart assistant for Apple Mail in Mac OS X 10.7. With it, email can be filed, deleted or have actions set against it without leaving your in-box. Email from a contact or thread can be batch-filed to a mail-box (or deleted) with a series of mouse clicks or key strokes. The promo also includes a free upgrade to MailHub for Mountain Lion when it's released.
Mac-only Cheetah3D 6.0 with bullet physics released
MW3D-Solutions has released Cheetah3D 6.0 (http://www.cheetah3d.com), an update to its professional level 3D modeling solution for Mac OS X. The biggest change in the upgrade is the smooth integration of the Bullet physics engine for the simulation of rigid-body and soft-body dynamics
This makes it easier to, for instance, create a bowl of marbles spilling or simulating a flag waving in the wind. CCheetah3D provides such tools as subdivision surface modeling, joint-based character animation system, UV unwrapping, texture painting, rigid and soft body dynamics, PDF import, global illumination renderer, and more.
Version 6.0 also offers the possibility to extend Cheetah3D with JavaScripts and support for many common file formats, like FBX, 3DS or Collada. And there's support for full screen mode in Mac OS X 10.7 Lion.
Bubble Chart Pro Plus for Mac OS X floats to version 3.0
Bubble Chart Pro Plus, a Mac OS X desktop application, has been revved to version 3.0. The app is designed to solve the problem business managers face when trying to prioritize their projects by simultaneously comparing competing project criteria such as rewards, costs, resource requirements, timing, and risks.
Bubble Chart Pro Plus combines a prioritization system with interactive bubble and bar charts to help managers rank and choose which projects to fund. Managers can integrate multiple competing criteria into a single value score for each project. The value score is calculated based on the manager's strategic business goals and preferences. The prioritization system was developed based on decision research by scientists from Harvard, MIT, and the University of Southern California.
Bubble Chart Pro is available for Mac 10.6.8 and above. Single user licenses start at US$249.97. A free demo version is available for download (http://www.bubblechartpro.com
Tekkeon announces Pocket Power Pack
Tekkeon (http://tekkeon.com) has announced the TekCharge MP1820 Pocket Power Pack, a pocket-sized high-capacity power pack to charge and power just about any 5V portable device.
The TekCharge MP1820 connects to any compatible device in two ways: using the user’s own USB device cable or using an adapter tip. While the first option is the simplest, Mini USB and Micro USB adapter tips are included with TekCharge MP1820 for connection to current models of BlackBerry, HTC, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson mobile phones, or Kindle 2, Nook, MP3 players, portable media players, pocket video cameras, portable routers, GPS, and MP3 players. Additional device-specific adapter tips are available from Tekkeon for a nominal fee.
According to the folks at Tekkeon, the TekCharge MP1820 features an intelligent design that optimizes the power output, while safely charging portable devices. They add that, not only does TekCharge MP1820 identify and provide the exact output power for...
Mac OS X software updates for June 1
Here are the latest incremental updates for Mac OS X apps.
ExactCODE has updated ExactScan Pro (http://exactscan.com/) to version 2.20 with support for several Canon DR ImageFORUMA DR-series document scanners. ExactScan is software for professional Mac document scanning.
Microspot (http://www.microspot.com) has released MacDraft Professional version 6.0.5, an update for its 2D drafting, design and illustration software for Mac OS X. Included in this upgrade is improved functionality for reading DWG files and support for AutoCAD AC1024.
ThinkTime Creations has announced Instant 1.1 (http://instantmacapp.com/), a new version of the Polaroid making app for Mac OS X. This feature update includes a pair of new Polaroid filters, options to share on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Picasa Web Album, options to process multiple images at the same time, and more.
Quark (http://www.quark.com) has announced today the availability of a new, free update to QuarkXPress 9 that allows designers to...
UK: digital music revenue overtakes that of physical formats
UK digital music revenue has overtaken sales of physical formats such as CDs and records for the first time, reports the "BBC" (http://macte.ch/fYbPl).
According the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) digital accounted for 55.5% of the £155.8m spent on music in the UK in the first three months of this year. This boosted the record industry's overall market value by 2.7% to £155.8m and helped to offset a decline in sales of CDs.
The BPI's figures show income from digital sales has risen by nearly a quarter year-on-year to £86.5m. However, revenue from physical formats, such as CDs and vinyl dropped by 15% and now represents just £69.3m, notes the "BBC."
Asia-Pacific Mac sales up 40%
Asia-Pacific sales allowed global Mac shipments to grow 6.9% in the March quarter, meaning that Apple once again outpaced overall PC shipment growth, notes "AppleInsider." The total worldwide PC market saw its shipments increase 2.2% year-over-year in the March quarter.
However, Apple didn't beat the overall market by as wide of a margin as it did in December. During that quarter Mac shipments grew 24.8%compared to a 1.7 percent decline in total PC shipments.
"We believe the slowdown (in the March quarter) can be attributed primarily to the absence of any upgrades of Mac models during the quarter, which has typically been a catalyst for shipment growth," Wolf says. "However, we expect Apple to upgrade both the iMac and MacBooks in June, in advance of the back-to-school buying season."
Jobs' appearances at 'D' conference now available...
The late Steve Jobs' six appearances at the annual "D: All Things Digital" is now available for free on iTunes, reports "AllThingsD" (http://macte.ch/UYNDv).
The appearances were during the years 2003 to 2010. "... as a memorial to a great man and in the spirit of sharing a priceless piece of history, we are making all six of these appearances available on iTunes for free, in high-quality video. We thank Apple for its cooperation in making these videos available for all," says Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher, the hosts of the D conference.
Apple looking for connector engineers, designers
As noted by "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com) two new job postings on Apple's "Jobs at Apple" page point to a possible redesign of the current 30-pin dock connector used by the company's portable devices since the third generation iPod was released in 2003.
One job listing is for a "Connector Design Engineer." Here's Apple's job description: "The Connector Design Engineer will be responsible for managing multiple connector designs and developments in support of the iPod product lines. Cross-functional development and consulting will be a major part of your daily work. As a Lead Engineer you be responsible for identifying appropriate connection technology requirements for new products and follow through with selection and development of suitable interconnect products. This will often involve adaptation of existing connectors or complete new designs. Interfacing with connector suppliers to direct and implement the necessary design changes or creation of completely new designs...
Cricket Wireless to offer iPhone on June 22
Cricket Communications, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leap Wireless International, will be the first pre-paid carrier in the US to offer iPhone to its customers. Beginning on Friday, June 22, Cricket will offer iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 with its US$55 per-month, all-inclusive unlimited talk, text and data plan.
"Our customers want the best products available and we are excited to bring iPhone to our pre-paid consumers with an industry leading $55 per-month service plan," said Doug Hutcheson, president and chief executive officer, Leap Wireless International, Inc. "Launching iPhone is a major milestone for us and we are proud to offer iPhone customers attractive nationwide coverage, a robust 3G data network and a value-packed, no-contract plan."
The iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 will be available in Cricket company-owned stores and select dealers in nearly 60 markets, online at http://www.mycricket.com/iphone . Starting today, customers can receive more information on the launch by registering at...
Secretary lets you keep an eye on your Mac when you're out
3y3.net has introduced Secretary 1.0, their new computer monitoring tool for Mac OS X 10.5 or higher. It costs US$19.99 and is available worldwide through the Mac App Store in the Business category.
Secretary records every key pressed in your Mac and takes a snapshot of the screen with every mouse click detected. You can even receive an email every time a keystroke session is started.
Secretary creates full HTML reports for every session where you can see all keys pressed and snapshots taken. It runs silently, showing only a small icon in the status bar.
Whenever you plan to leave your Mac alone, start the application, configure the settings and start the recording session. Then, simply suspend the computer. If anyone open the computer Secretary will catch all activity in the log file.
Alice Dev Team releases USBMate for Mac OS X
Alice Dev Team has rolled out USBMate 1.0, an accelerator and optimizer application for Mac OS X 10.6 or higher. It costs US4.99 and is available worldwide through the Mac App Store in the Utilities category.
Featuring a file storage system optimization, USBMate was developed specifically to use for USB Flash drives, external hard disks and Flash memory cards. Features include the ability to erase temporary files left by Snow Leopard, Lion or Windows, along with a fully functional anti-virus program.
When you erase files, they're only moved to the trash. The data itself isn't erased. You can use USBMate and see how much free space you really have available.
SUGARfx Rolling Credits comes to Final Cut Pro X
Noise Industries brings SUGARfx Rolling Credits, a collection of text generators, to FxFactory. Designed by SUGARfx exclusively for Final Cut Pro X, Rolling Credits offers a wide variety of movie credits.
Rolling Credits offers editors a collection of 12 text generators. Editors can choose from modern, conventional, creative or off-the-wall movie credits, all customizable to fit specific project needs, according to the folks at Noise Industries.
A demo version is available to download (http://www.sugarfx.tv/info/rollingcredits_SUGARfx.html). Registration is US$49 through FxFactory.
Indie is new photo/video accessory for the iPhone 4/4S
AP Camera Systems has launched the indie, a photo/video accessory for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. It provides image control and optimized camera operation features.
Manufactured in the USA from CAD drawings guiding CNC machines, each indie is produced from a solid block of aerospace grade aluminum. This allows the indie to securely carry the iPhone in a tailored compartment behind a magnetically closed sliding door, according to the folks at AP Camera Systems.The indie offers complete access to the touch screen, home button, headphone/microphone jack, top mic, dock connector port, bottom microphone and speaker, and both the front and rear facing cameras.
With the iPhone accessory's "on center" design, wherever you point your arm your lens will follow, which simplifies things like hand held news shots, fast moving action or self-recording while video blogging.
The indie sports a standard 37mm accessory lens mount, but also boasts 15mm rails or rods. Common in professional film making...
Nest thermostat now available at the Apple store
Apple is now offering the Nest Learning Thermostat through both its online store. The internet- and iOS-enabled thermostat will sell for US$249.
The thermostat was created by former Apple executive Tony Fadell, the "father of the iPod." It's the first product from startup Nest Labs (http://www.nest.com/), which was founded by Fadell after he left Apple in 2010.
iPad launch in China may be getting closer
An Apple device compatible with China Unicom Corp.'s mobile network has received a network access license, a regulatory website shows. The suggests that Apple is a step closer to being able to sell its new iPad in China, reports "MarketWatch" ().
According to China's Telecommunication Equipment Certification Center, an Apple device with third-generation, high-speed wireless data capabilities has been issued the license needed for the company to begin sales in China. The device, listed as "model number A1430" is compatible with the 3G standard wide band code division multiple access, or WCDMA, notes "MarketWatch."
