Briksoftware (http://briksoftware.com) has announced UnPlugged 3 for Mac OS X. It's an update of the power-supply notification system that allows users to know when the power supply of their MacBook changes. UnPlugged 3 adds compatibility for the Notification Center and adds the ability to have different frequencies of battery charge notifications when the battery charge is low and when it is high. The update also provides localization support for English, German, Italian, Russian and Simplified Chinese. UnPlugged requires OS X 10.6.6 or later. It costs US$5.99 and is available exclusively through the Mac App Store in the Productivity category (http://tinyurl.com/bpv3lpb).

PCI Geomatics, a developer of remote sensing and photogrammetric software and systems, says it now supports KOMPSAT-3 imagery within its software suite. KOMPSAT-3, a new satellite built and operated by the Korean Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) was launched on May 12, 2012, from the Tanegashima Space Center of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan. KOMPSAT-3 is an optical imaging satellite capable of imaging the Earth with a resolution of 0.70 m Panchromatic and 2.8 m Multispectral (Blue, Green, Red, Near-IR). KOMPSAT-3 includes the Advanced Earth Imaging Sensor System (AEISS), which is a high-resolution imager (Pan and MS). This prime instrument of the mission was developed by KARI. "We have worked closely with KARI to validate our software’s support for KOMPSAT-3 imagery," says Dr. Philip Cheng, senior scientist at PCI Geomatics. "Our software includes support for the new Single Pass Stereo Mode, which will be capable of extracting high-resolution DEMs. Users of...

Laird Plc, an electrical component maker, says revenue from its largest customer -- "widely assumed to be Apple -- fell 17% in the first quarter from a year earlier, contributing to a 2% fall in overall revenue, according to "Reuters" (http://tinyurl.com/cycxvng). The company makes electromagnetic shielding and heat control components for wireless devices. Laird told "Reuters" it expects another quarter of declining revenue before growth resumes in the second half of the year as customers and the company itself launch new products.

Maintain has released Cocktail 6.4 (Mountain Lion Edition), the latest maintenance update for users running OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion. Cocktail is a general purpose utility for OS X that lets users clean, repair and optimize their Mac. This version adds ability to change standby delay and ability to disable shadow in window captures. It also adds compatibility with the latest versions of supported web browsers and contains improvements on the clear system caches procedure. Cocktail 6.4 (Mountain Lion Edition) requires OS X Mountain Lion or OS X Mountain Lion Server (10.8). Cocktail (Lion Edition) for OS X 10.7, Cocktail (Snow Leopard Edition) for OS X 10.6 and Cocktail (Leopard Edition) for OS X 10.5 are available for download from the Maintain website. Cocktail costs US$14 for a single user license and is available for purchase from the Maintain website (http://maintain.se/cocktail). The license is valid for Mountain Lion, Lion and Snow Leopard and editions of Cocktail. Cocktail (...

Apple has rolled out iOS 6.1.4 for the iPhone 5. According to Apple it sports an "updated audio profile for speakerphone." To update your iPhone 5 to iOS 6.1.4, open Settings -> General -> Software Update and tap Download and Install when the update appears. You can also connect your phone to your computer and apply the update from iTunes, or download it manually at http://tinyurl.com/bebc5jb .

Reggie Ashworth has announced VidConvert 1.4.3, an update to his video converter for Mac OS X. The app now has German and Russian localizations for the first time. Also, .trp files can now be added as input and the maximum video bitrate has been raised. VidConvert is a video converter designed to make converting your videos simple and easy. The software will convert just about any type of video into one of the many popular formats of today. VidConvert requires Mac OS X 10.5 or higher. It costs US$7.99 for a single user license. A demo is available for download at the product web site (http://www.reggieashworth.com/vidconvert).

FileWave has released version 6.0 of its Systems Management Suite with new features and updates for deploying, managing and maintaining a diverse environment of devices and operating systems, including OS X, iOS, Windows and Linux. Inventory is now built into FileWave, integrating asset and license management. Version 6.0 also features improved mobile device management with optional cloud-based profile storage for enhanced scalability. Other new features include a new web-based, self-service Kiosk Application (iOS 5 and 6 compatible) for a more engaging user experience, and improved tiered administration, that allows for department and classroom level control. For more info go to www.filewave.com .

Apple's total iPad shipments were 19.5 million units from January to March, and the iPad mini accounted for 12.5 million units, according to "DigiTimes" (http://tinyurl.com/d85pwgs). This shows that "the 7- to 8-inch segment has already become the mainstream of the market," the article adds. The second-generation iPad mini -- expected to sport a Retina display -- could make an appearance as soon as August, says "DigiTimes," quoting unnamed "sources from the upstream supply chain." "As tablet players are turning their focuses from the 10-inch segment to 7-inch for the second half of 2013, sources from the upstream supply chain believe the competition between Apple iPad mini and 7-inch Android tablets will become fiercer than before," the article adds.

CleverFiles has released Disk Drill 2.0, an update of the free data recovery software for Mac OS X. The upgrade adds a streamlined interface, new methods of lost partition recovery and the ability to rebuild the catalogs of HFS+ partitions that won't mount correctly. Disk Drill features Quick Scan that recovers files that have been accidentally deleted and helps in less severe data recovery cases. Deep Scan looks for files based on their structure. Disk Drill's Search for Lost Partitions feature offers a way for any file systems still recoverable on a disk. Bonus features include Disk Image Backup, S.M.A.R.T. data monitoring, Live Preview of found items, Portable Mode and more. Disk Drill is compatible with any Mac running Mac OS X 10.5 or newer (including Mac OS 10.7 and is 64-bit ready. Disk Drill 1.5 basic is free and is available worldwide from the CleverFiles website (http://www.cleverfiles.com). There are also pro ($89), expert ($169) and enterprise ($299) editions.

Bensoftware has announced SecuritySpy 3.0.4, an update to the multi-camera video surveillance software for the Mac. The new version includes support for more network cameras as well as t improvements to media streaming from network devices. SecuritySpy boasts features such as motion detection, real-time compression of multiple video and audio feeds, and network video and audio streaming, SecuritySpy is designed for demanding video surveillance applications. The software supports a variety of network cameras and video servers, including the popular ACTi, Axis, Panasonic, Sony and Vivotek ranges, as well as FireWire, USB, and PCI video input devices. SecuritySpy features motion detection, which can be used to trigger recording as well as email alerts and audio alarms. The built-in web server allows remote viewing of live video and audio, previously captured footage, as well as configuration of the software, from over the internet using a web browser or a mobile device such as the iPhone...

Apple, seeking to help finance a $100 billion capital reward for shareholders with borrowed money, is selling its first bonds in almost two decades in what may be the biggest U.S. corporate offering on record, reports "Bloomberg" (http://tinyurl.com/cyfujku). The article notes that Apple intends to issue debt as soon as today, including floating-rate notes maturing in 2016 and 2018 and fixed-rate securities due in 2016, 2018, 2023 and 2043, according to a regulatory filing. Proceeds may help the company avoid repatriation taxes on its $102.3 billion of funds held overseas as CEO Tim Cook returns an additional $55 billion to shareholders through 2015 to compensate for a stock that’s been hammered by signs of slowing growth. "You’ll see a meaningful amount of interest,” Ashish Shah, the head of global credit investment at New York-based AllianceBernstein LP, which oversees $256 billion in fixed- income assets, told "Bloomberg." “It’s a high- quality name which brings in a lot of...

A federal judge has set new trial dates in November to decide whether US$450.5 million of damages awarded by a jury to Apple in a patent dispute with Samsung should stand, reports "Reuters" (http://tinyurl.com/dyl9kkb). In March, Judge Lucy Koh slashed a $1.05 billion jury award by more than 40% and set a new trial to determine damages. On Monday the judge ordered that the new trial on damages should take place between Nov. 12 and 18. This is all part of the ongoing, global legal battle. 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.

Realore has announced All My Gods Free for Macintosh, a free trial version of its god-sim strategy game. It requires Mac OS X 10.6.6 and is available at the Mac App Store (http://tinyurl.com/d9wx3t9). Here's how the game is described: "All my Gods allows players to immerse into the atmosphere of Ancient Rome and play as a young aspiring godling. The mission is to develop into a mighty Roman god and build a great Empire. With the release of All my Gods Free players have a chance to feel what it's like to be a Roman god without paying a dime. "The game begins when one of the oldest gods, Saturn, decides to retire and wants his son to take his place. Other Roman gods decide that first Saturn's heir has to prove that he is worthy of their trust and divine powers he is about to receive. "All my Gods is a city-building god-sim strategy that allows players to immerse into the atmosphere of Ancient Rome and play as a young aspiring godling. The mission is to develop into a mighty Roman god...

MaxUpgrades has announced the SSD SATA Module with heat sink for the iMac 2012 models. It's available in an US$99.95 single SSD drive kit and a $119.95 dual SSD drive kit. SSD SATA Module with heat sink for iMac 2012 Models enables the iMacs to use dual standard 2.5 inch Form Factor SSDs, or an SSD + HDD configuration. It also fulfills RAID 0 or RAID 1 requirements of identical SSDs of same capacity, make and model,with the highest capacity and maximum Performance SSDs available in standard 2.5-inch form factor (such as the Crucial 960GB M500 Samsung 840 Pro series.) For more info go to www.MaxUpgrades.com .

Apple has won a court ruling that it doesn’t infringe patent claims brought by intellectual property licensing firm Golden Bridge Technology, reports "Bloomberg" (http://tinyurl.com/bltvnws). The company sued Apple in 2010 over patents for boosting connections in mobile networks. U.S. District Judge Sue Robinson in Wilmington, Delaware, also canceled a jury trial that was scheduled to begin today over two patents for 3-G network communications held by Long Branch, New Jersey-based Golden Bridge. Golden Bridge sued Apple in 2010 over patents for boosting connections in mobile networks. "The record evidence remains consistent with the finding of non-infringement," Robinson wrote in an order April 25 affirming earlier decisions on the patent descriptions, notes "Bloomberg." Golden Bridge plans to appeal.

Winter Wolves has released Bionic Heart 2 for the Mac. It's a "deep and dark, sci-fi visual" novel/game told from four points of view. Here's how Bionic Heart 2 is described: "Take control of Luke, Tom, Tanya and Tina. Each character has their own personality, complete with quirky traits that could potentially whip the story straight into a plot twist. Bionic Heart 2 is the only visual novel featuring a scene with TWO talking brains! The game also features beautiful manga artwork, a full original soundtrack, and meaningful choices that will have repercussions on the whole universe." You can download the demo and buy the game from Winter Wolves website at www.winterwolves.com/bionicheart2.htm . It costs US$19.99 to purchase.

Apple will challenge a November 2012 jury verdict that awarded $368 million in damages to Nevada patent-holding company VirnetX, a filing with U.S. regulators showed -- as noted by "Macworld" (http://tinyurl.com/bwfn5qv) In a Form 10-Q filed this week with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Apple said it had not yet recorded the millions owed to VirnetX on its balance sheet. "The Company is challenging the verdict, believes it has valid defenses and has not recorded a loss accrual at this time," Apple said in the SEC filing. VirnetX filed its lawsuit against Apple in August 2010. The company claimed that Apple’s FaceTime and Message, a video chat application and SMS text-replacement, respectively, infringed on four of its patents.

Worldwide PC shipments totaled 76.3 million units in the first quarter of 2013 (1Q13), down -13.9% compared to the same quarter in 2012 and worse than the forecast decline of -7.7%, according to the "International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker." The extent of the year-on-year contraction marked the worst quarter since IDC began tracking the PC market quarterly in 1994. The results also marked the fourth consecutive quarter of year-on-year shipment declines. Despite some mild improvement in the economic environment and some new PC models offering Windows 8, PC shipments were down significantly across all regions compared to a year ago. Fading mini notebook shipments have taken a big chunk out of the low-end market while tablets and smartphones continue to divert consumer spending, says IDC. Apple fared better than the overall U.S. market, but still saw shipments decline as its own PCs also face competition from iPads. PC industry efforts to offer touch...

Quark says Quark XML Author now supports the Japanese language with a fully-localized and integrated user interface. Quark XML Author is the add-in to Microsoft Word that enables the creation of structured XML content through the familiar Word interface. With Quark XML Author all content creators, not just technical experts, can create valid XML-based content components. Now Quark XML Author supports Japanese-speaking content creators as well as users from around the world who create Japanese-language materials. In addition to a fully localized and integrated user interface, Quark XML Author now supports Microsoft IME and Microsoft Office IME (2007/2010) for Japanese, including keyboard and IME Pad support. For more info go to http://tinyurl.com/byjvekf .

A new report (www.soluto.com/reports) from Soluto a Web service company, quantifiably concluded that the "MacBook Pro is the best Windows PC on the market," beating out traditional PCs. The report based its findings on a number of criteria including application crashes, blue-screens-of-death, long boot times, etc.  According to the report, "if you’ve ever looked for an excuse to buy a MacBook -- now you have it."   On a related note, millions of people improve their Windows on Mac experience by using Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac, the No. 1-selling solution for simultaneously running Windows and Mac apps side-by-side without rebooting. Parallels Desktop will even simply move your entire PC to your Mac so you can have everything you need on one computer.  Parallels Desktop (www.parallels.com) is also a great way for people to run more than on version of Windows on a Mac, which comes in handy if you want or need to run Windows XP, Windows 7 and/or Windows 8.  A free trial of Parallels...

A Beijing court has ordered Apple to compensate three Chinese writers for selling their works via its app store without getting their permission, reports "ZDNet" (http://tinyurl.com/avpg77f), translating an article from the "China Daily" newspaper. The Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People's Court ruled in favor of the authors. Apple will have to pay them in excess of 730,000 yuan (about US$118,000) for the infringement. Apple had not gotten permission before selling their books on the Apple App Store, according to the court. The presiding judge, Feng Gang, said Apple has the duty of checking whether the books uploaded by third-party providers are in line with current laws.

Literature & Latte has introduced Scapple, a project planning and organization tool for Mac OS X (10.6.8 or higher). Scapple is designed to help you get ideas down quickly and make connections between them. More like a freeform text editor, it allows you to make notes anywhere on the page and to connect them using straight dotted lines or arrows. Creating notes can be done by double-clicking anywhere on the canvas and then typing. Making connections between ideas involves dragging and dropping one note onto another. Notes can also be dragged from Scapple into Scrivener, Literature & Latte's content-generation program. Scapple is now available for purchase from www.literatureandlatte.com/scapple.php for US$14.99. A fully-featured, 30-day trial is also available for download.

Native Instruments has released Pulswerk, a new Maschine Expansion designed for minimalistic house and techno. It was created by sound designer Denis Gökdag, the creator of NI's Maschine Expansion Transistor Punch, and the name behind Surround SFX and Zynaptiq. Aside from its 30 drum kits, Pulswerk contains 20 Special Kits created exclusively with pitched sound sources. The Expansion also features an array of Multi-Effect Kits containing pre-sequenced, tempo synced effect chains and 60 new Massive presets. Pulswerk is available at the NI Online Shop for US$49. A compact version of Pulswerk is also available for iMaschine in the in-app store for $0.99. For more info go to www.native-instruments.com/Pulswerk .

AT&T, in announcing the results of its first fiscal quarter, said it had activated 4.8 million iPhones during the period. The Apple smartphone accounted for 80% of AT&T's six million total smartphones. During the fiscal quarter, AT&T reported strong earnings per share and cash flows in the first-quarter driven by strong mobile data growth, solid postpaid net adds and continued strong gains in U-verse services, says Randall Stephenson, company chairman and CEO. "Our wireless network performance continues to be terrific," he adds. "And that helped drive our best ever first quarter for smartphone sales, improved wireless churn and strong growth in mobile data revenues. We also posted record sales of our U-verse high-speed IP service. Across all of these areas, we’ve built a solid foundation for future growth in mobile Internet and IP broadband, which will only expand as we progress with Project VIP.” For the quarter ending March 31, AT&T's consolidated revenues totaled...