SanDisk announces new USB flash drives
SanDisk Corp. (www.sandisk.com) has announced three USB flash drives: the SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0, Cruzer Orbit and Cruzer Force USB flash drives.
The SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0 flash drive allows users to transfer, store and share large files with speeds of up to 80 MB/second. It's available now in 16GB to 64GB capacities with prices ranging from US$39.99 to $139.99.
The Cruzer Orbit USB flash drive (pictured) offers a way to store, transfer, and share data in a 360-degree swivel design. This pocket-sized versatile flash drive features a protective cover that rotates to shield the USB connector from damage when it's not in use. The Cruzer Orbit is available in 8GB to 32GB capacities with prices ranging from $19.99 to $69.99.
The Cruzer Force USB has a thin design and comes with password protection software. It's available in 8GB to 32GB capacities with prices ranging from $29.99 to $79.99.
iTunes sues Apple because he overpaid for an HD film on iTunes
An U.S. Apple iTunes customer is taking the company to court after he paid US$4.99 for an HD film without realizing a better suited SD version was available, reports "Macworld UK" (http://tinyurl.com/kdzckm7).
The customer, from Florida, claims that consumer protection laws have been violated. He argues that he was unaware that a standard-definition version of the film, "Big Daddy," which he purchased, was available. The HD version he bought at $4.99 cost $1 more than the SD version and the customer is now convinced Apple should be compensating the "millions" of customers who he thinks must have run into the same problem as him, reports "Macworld UK."
Extensis releases Suitcase Fusion 5
Extensis has released Suitcase Fusion 5, the latest version of the professional-grade font manager that integrates fonts directly into the creative workflow. The new version delivers features such as font auto-activation plug-ins for Adobe Creative Cloud and QuickComp for fast font mock-ups.
Suitcase Fusion 5 delivers new auto-activation plug-ins for the recently debuted Adobe Creative Cloud applications, including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and InCopy. Integrated font panels allow designers to preview and activate any font right from Creative Cloud and Creative Suite apps, without switching between applications. Designers can use Suitcase Fusion 5 on more than one machine, as they can with their Creative Cloud subscriptions.
Suitcase Fusion 5, compatible with Mac OS X and Windows, is available through distribution with Ingram Micro (US) and Synnex (Canada), through North American resellers and retailers (CDW), and direct from the Extensis website (www.extensis.com). The...
AppDelete optimized for Mountain Lion
Reggie Ashworth (www.reggieashworth.com) has announced AppDelete 4.0.9, a new version of his application deletion utility. The upgrade has been optimized for Mac OS X 10.8, sports a new user interface and a revised workflow.
You can drag any item that can be uninstalled onto AppDelete: spplications, widgets, preference panes, plugins, screensavers, etc. You can also activate AppDelete in many ways: dragging items onto main window, onto dock icon, selecting in menu, right-clicking using AppDelete workflow, dragging from Launchpad, and throwing items in the trash. When the preview screen appears you can uncheck any items you would like to exclude.
You also have several choices: delete the items, log only the items, or archive (copy) the items to a .zip file for safekeeping or reinstall at a later date. The items you delete will be moved to the trash and arranged in a folder so that you can see exactly what was deleted and you know exactly where it came from. The items will not be...
TinyBooks Pro for Mac OS X updated to version 8.0.5
Ken Winograd and Space-Time Associates (www.winograd.com) has updated TinyBooks Pro, its Mac accounting and bookkeeping program, to version 8.0.5. The upgrade sports enhanced multi-item invoice printing (B&W, grayscale or color), professional check printing, complete mileage support (business, charitable, and/or medical), enhanced interim form printing, extended transaction limits, monthly color-coding, reconciliation checkmarks, and more.
TinyBooks Pro is a single-entry bookkeeping and accounting system designed for sole proprietors, home and other small businesses, and family finances. To use you enter your expenses and income, and TinyBooks Pro does the rest. Current and year-to-date on-the-fly totals are continually displayed. Fully automatic bar-charting of all expense and income accounts make the determination of monthly trends intuitively obvious, according to the folks at Space-Time Associates.
TinyBooks Pro 8.0.5 costs US$79.99 for a single user license. It requires Mac...
Hyperbolic Software launches Quick Print for the Mac
Hyperbolic Software has introduced Quick Print 1.0, an utility that allows you to print without opening the native application. The utility also provides a range of printing options.
With Quick Print, you can apply filters and effects to images, or print a text file with a different font size, without modifying the original file. The tool also allows you to print any image or formatted text copied to the clipboard and, if an item is selected, the information of the file.
Other features include the ability to print applications' recently opened files, directly accessible from the Quick Print window, and to print a folder as a list of contents. Quick Print also allows to print any image or formatted text copied to the clipboard and, if an item is selected, the information of the file (date created and modified, location path, etc.). When an unsupported item is selected, the application shows the Quick Look preview, which can be printed.
Quick Print requires OSX 10.7.0 or higher. It's...
Code Line releases Art View for Creative Cloud users
Code Line has released Art View, a Quick Look enhancement for Creative Cloud and Creative Suite users. It offers quick answers to common questions.
Art View allows graphic designers to preview, inspect, and reveal dependent font and image files from within Apple's Quick Look preview feature. The utility works independent of other applications, so users that don't have graphics applications installed are still able to take advantage of its features.
Art View is available as a free, 15-day demo and is available for purchase online. A single-user license costs US$24.95. Art View requires Mac OS X 10.7 or later. For more information visit Code Line's website (www.code-line.com/).
Delineato Pro for Mac OS X now supports OPML importing
Wow!Systems and Fapptory have rolled out version 1.2 of Delineato (www.delineato.com), the mind-mapping and brainstorming tool for Mac OS X. The new version supports OPML importing, adds an edit shape feature and keyboard shortcuts.
Delineato 1.2 also fixes some minor bugs and offers more themes to apply. The app is designed for creating simple diagrams, mind maps, brainstorming, to-do lists and architectural diagrams.
Delineato Pro 1.2 costs US$6.99 and requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher. It's available worldwide exclusively through the Mac App Store (http://tinyurl.com/k6ourgl) in the Productivity category.
Stixta.com announces global expansion
Cologne (Germany) based start-up company stixta has announced the global expansion of their product. Stixta produces customized MacBook decals for businesses, artists or any other individuals.
After over a year of working with pre-designed decals for MacBooks, late last year, the company began to offer a tailored product to customers who can choose and design their own customized MacBook decals. For more info go to http://stixta.com .
Maintain serves up Cocktail 6.5 (Mountain Lion Edition)
Maintain has released Cocktail 6.5 (Mountain Lion Edition), the latest maintenance update for users running OS X Mountain Lion. It adds compatibility with Mac OS X 10.8.5 and more.
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 6.5 (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...
Runware introduces new armbands for the iPod nano
The iPod nano 7G is compatible with the Runalyzer blue heart rate monitor. Now Runware, its designer, is offering a choice of armbands for this lightweight iPod.
The Runalyzer blue chest strap connects directly to your iPod nano 7G and is compatible with the Nike Fitness application included in the device. The app is designed to allow you to better manage your activity. Knowing your heart rate zones and your ideal effort, you can keep control to optimize your effort.
The blue chest strap also works with the iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch 5G and iPad from the third generation. The Runware heartrate chest strap connects directly to your Apple accessory with Bluetooth Smart technology, purportedly giving it a range of up to 18 months for daily use.
The Armband for iPod nano 7G is available at a suggested retail price of US$19.99. The Runalyzer Blue chest strap costs $69. For more info go to http://www.runalyzer.com .
Edifier releases MP260 Extreme Connect portable speaker
Edifier has released the MP260 Extreme Connect portable speaker. It's ran all-in-one portable solution for audio applications and hands-free phone conferencing.
The system wirelessly connects to any Bluetooth-enabled device including smartphones, tablets and computers to stream music, movies, games and phone calls. The Extreme Connect packs a built-in rechargeable battery that purportedly lasts up to 12 long hours. Additional connectivity includes MicroSD port (32GB max), USB streaming and 3.5 auxiliary.
"Soft-touch" adjustments on the top of the unit allow for one touch connection and playback. The rubber trim on the top and base panels provide extra protection from bumps and scratches.
The Extreme Connect is available in black, blue, red, yellow and gray. It costs US$99.99 and is available at www.Edifier.US.com/shop-edifier .
Chronos ships PrintLife for Mac OS X
Chronos has released PrintLife for Mac OS X. The tool offers a way to create print projects on Mac OS X.
"PrintLife is nothing like other printing software products of the past," says Robert McCullough, vice president of Sales at Chronos. "Gone are the cheesy clipart graphics and corny templates. PrintLife makes it easy to create stunning projects with the beautiful included artwork and templates."
He says PrintLife has a project for every occasion including greeting cards, collages, labels, letterhead, gift tags, contact summaries, certificates, photo pages, CD labels, raffle tickets, fax covers, activity lists, flyers, postcards, jewel cases, file folder tabs, invoices, activity summaries, invitations, posters, envelopes, name badges, contact lists, and menus. The artwork collection is over 7.6 GB in size . The collection includes 145 kits (called “iScrapKits”) containing over 5,100 graphics. All of the artwork has a resolution of 300 dpi.
PrintLife comes with 150-plus pre-designed...
World Clock Deluxe for Mac OS X ticks to version 4.10.1
MaBaSoft (http://www.mabasoft.net) has released World Clock Deluxe 4.10.1, an update of its Mac OS X tool for companies and organizations regularly communicating with people across the world, for frequent travelers, and for home users having family or friends in other countries or time zones. It's a maintenance upgrade.
With World Clock Deluxe you can display multiple clocks in a configurable horizontal or vertical palette, in the menu bar, and in the Dock, and show the time in over 1,600 cities and 200 time zones, including Greenwich Mean Time and Coordinated Universal Time. The app also lets you calculate time conversions between different cities or time zones and show the current weather all over the world.
World Clock Deluxe requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later. It costs US$10 for registered users of version 3.x and higher and $19 for new users. Family, site and worldwide licenses are available. Version 4.10.1 is a free upgrade for registered users of version 4.x.
Lesabel is new 'hack 'n slash' game for the Mac
Lesabel is a new "hack 'n' slash" action RPG for Mac OS X. It costs US$4.99 and is available at the Mac Game Store (http://tinyurl.com/ku8gvzl)
Here's how the game is described: "The king of Yeroh was bewitched by a gorgeous foreign princess. Her bad influences spawned darkness and corruption on the kingdom. Only you, a hero against your will, can save the world.
"You can unfold the story in an action-packed single player, or in co-op mode with up to 7 of your friends. The multiplayer mode has a very uncommon feature. You can play with your friends who have other gaming platforms--- on iOS, Linux, PCs, Android and of course OS X without a problem. For example. 4 Friends one with a PC, one with an iPad, one with Macbook Air and one with Galaxy S IV can join their forces in co-op mode."
Enolsoft rolls out new PDF products for Mac OS X
Enolsoft has released three PDF creating apps, listed as Enolsoft DjVu to PDF for Mac, Enolsoft WPD to PDF for Mac and Enolsoft WPS to PDF for Mac.
Each app is available at a price of US$19. For more info go to www.enolsoft.com .
NimbleHost announces RapidSearch Pro 2
NimbleHost has announced RapidSearch Pro 2, an upgrade to the professional search plug-in for RapidWeaver, web design software for Mac OS X.
The plug-in provides up-to-date search to any RapidWeaver website without relying on third party services. Version 2 brings support for multiple site map files, search statistics, more intelligent search indexing, and a complete redesign to the online management console.
RapidSearch Pro 2 requires Mac OS X 10.5.2 or higher, and Intel-based Mac, and RapidWeaver 5.x. It's available for US$19.97 from the NimbleHost RapidWeaver website (www.nimblehost.com/). A stack version is also available, which requires the Stacks plugin from Yourhead Software, available for $39.95. Review copies are available upon request.
Just Mobile releases Gum++ backup battery
Just Mobile has launched the Just Mobile Gum++, a high-capacity backup battery for smartphones, tablets and USB-powered devices. It has a suggested retail price of US$89.95.
Available in a range of colors, the Gum++ is clad in a glossy, hard-wearing shell. Inside, a 6000mAh battery has enough capacity to recharge a smartphone up to three times, says Erich Huang, co-founder of Just Mobile. Its high- power USB output keeps charge times to a minimum.
You can refill the Gum++ from USB using the supplied cable. Its five LED indicators help you keep track of the remaining charge. For more info go to www.just-mobile.com .
Package Central now supports InDesign CC
Zevrix Solutions has announced updated Package Central (http://zevrix.com/PackageCentral.php), a document packaging workflow automation solution for Adobe InDesign, to version 1.7. The new version adds support for InDesign CC featured as part of Creative Cloud.
Originally developed for a publisher in the United States, the software automates InDesign packaging by processing files from hotfolders. Package Central offloads packaging to a central system, leaving operator workstations free from the output process. The software offers font auto-activation, e-mail notifications, detailed logs and more.
Package Central can be purchased for US$299.95 from the Zevrix Solutions website, as well as from authorized resellers. A demo is available for download. Package Central runs on Mac OS X 10.5 or higher, is a Universal Binary, and works with Adobe InDesign CS3-CS5.5.
PDF Nomad adds more than 60 languages to its OCR engine
SintraWorks has updated PDF Nomad, a PDF editor for Mac OS X (10.7 and higher), to version 2.1. The upgrade adds more than 60 languages to its OCR engine, extends its PDF form creation widgets, makes text in annotations searchable and more.
PDF Nomad's features include simple text search and extraction, file merging, page splitting, form creation, markup and annotation, booklet/magazine creation and more. You can create and fill out PDF forms, mark-up text and annotate pages with rectangles, ovals, arrows, lines and more.
With PDF Nomad, you can resize whole documents to a different page size with a single command, or resize individual pages with drag and drop, shifting page contents as needed. You can export individual pages as bitmaps (jpg, png etc.) or create spoken audio files from the document's text.
PDF Nomad 2.1 is available as a single-user license for US$49.99 from the SintraWorks website today, the SintraWorks website (http://tinyurl.com/otysszw).
IP Camera Recorder for Mac 1.58 is released
DComplex has announced IP Camera Recorder 1.58, an update to its video surveillance software for Mac/iPhone users. The main addition in this version is support for more H.264 IP Camera models.
IP Camera Recorder allows users to monitor up to 20 IP cameras simultaneously on a Mac (running OS X 10.6 or higher), record video from the cameras, detect motion and more. The companion (free) iPhone/iPad app allows users to instantly review motion events, remotely watch live video, search and playback recorded video.
IP Camera Recorder 1.58 adds support for more H.264 IP camera models, including Acti, Avtech, Basler, Toshiba, Truen, Y-CAM and more. Existing IP Camera Recorder customers can upgrade their software to version 1.58 for free.
IP Camera Recorder 1.58 software for Mac OS X comes with free 30-day trial. It can be downloaded for free from the DComplex website (http://kb.dcomplex.com). Pricing depends on number of cameras. The price for one camera is US$39.99.
Plush comes to the Mac
Red Head Games has released its first Mac OS X game, Plush. It requires Mac OS X 10.6.6 or higher.
Here's how the game is described: "Plush combines stuffed animal simulation with the imagination of a little girl to provide a unique puzzle experience. To successfully complete each level, the player must arrange the stuffed animals in such a way as to make them all 'happy' before bedtime. Each stuffed animal has it's own preferences (and physics), so this is easier said than done."
Plush 1.0.6 costs US$4.99. It's available at the Mac App Store (http://tinyurl.com/qgmrh7t) and on GamersGate.com .
Have a great Independence Day
To celebrate the Fourth of July holiday here in the U.S., MacTech and MacNews will be closed today. But we'll be back on our regular schedule as of Friday, July 5.
MCCI announces MBIM USB drivers for Mac OS X
MCCI Corp., a developer of USB drivers and firmware for the high-volume personal computer and portable device markets, has released Mobile Broadband Interface Model (MBIM) USB host function drivers for Mac OS X.
"MBIM is the new industry standard architecture for wireless broadband modems," says Terry Moore, CEO, MCCI. "It replaces AT commands with a modern message-based API. Data transfer is accelerated by replacing PPP data encapsulation with direct transport of IP packets, so the data going over USB matches the data going over the cellular network. Our MBIM drivers for Mac OS X let modem manufacturers use exactly the same firmware that they use for Windows platforms, increasing the throughput and decreasing the test and validation time."
The data-transport architecture used in MBIM was first developed for the USB NCM specification. The driver package, suitable for LTE-Advanced modems, supports high throughput, demonstrating up to 180 Mbps downlink and 50 Mbps uplink with a...
Native Instruments' Traktor Kontrol Z1 now available
Native Instruments has released Traktor Kontrol Z1, which it says is the world’s smallest professional mixer and audio interface for both Traktor DJ for iPhone and iPad, and Traktor Pro 2.
When combined with the Traktor DJ app, the Z1 adds headphone cue and dedicated faders, filter and effects controls, and 3-band EQ for each channel. The integrated audio interface boosts audio output. Traktor Kontrol Z1 also offers Traktor Pro 2 DJs a mobile mixing interface.
The Traktor Kontrol Z1 comes with software and license for Traktor LE 2 and connects to iPad and iPhone with an included 30-pin connector. Using the Z1 with iPad 4 and iPhone 5 or later requires a Lightning adapter sold separately.
Traktor Kontrol Z1 is available at retailers worldwide and at the NI Online Shop for US$199. For more info go to http://tinyurl.com/pzb3779 .
Boston University sues Apple
Boston University is suing Apple, claiming the company ripped off one of its computer engineering professor's patented electronic semiconductors, reports the "Boston Herald" (http://tinyurl.com/lxlb4up).
In a lawsuit filed yesterday in U.S. District Court of Massachusetts, the university alleges that a small electronic component patented by computer engineering professor Theodore D. Moustakas in 1997 is included in the iPhone 5, iPad, and MacBook Air. "Defendant’s acts of infringement have caused and will continue to cause substantial and irreparable damage to the University," BU alleges in its complaint.
Tech analyst Roger Kay of Endpoint Technologies Associates told the "Boston Herald" that he wouldn’t be surprised if a successful verdict or settlement netted BU in the realm of US$75 million. He said: "Courts can be irrational in these cases. You get these ridiculous judgments sometimes and they may think of Apple as a big, rich company that doesn’t deserve all that money.”
Senomix rolls out mobile time tracking tool
Senomix Software Inc. has released Senomix Timesheets for mobile devices, a networked time tracking system ready for use with iPad, Android, iPhone and other modern tablets and phones. It links with the company's Mac OS X and Windows applications.
Developed using the latest in WebSocket and HTML5 communication technologies, Senomix delivers a time tracking solution ready for use with a company's own office equipment whether employees are working in the office or on the road.
With all data automatically synchronized on an office's server the moment a user saves their time, employees can enter a full week's timesheet, or record information daily or hourly from their Android device or Apple iPhone or iPad as best fits their work habits. Linked with Senomix's desktop Mac and Windows applications, time tracking data is immediately available for reference by managers and accounts staff for client billing and project scheduling, providing a way to coordinate employee work wherever staff are...
Bretford introduces high capacity charging cart for the iPad,...
Bretford Manufacturing, an U.S. manufacturer of technology-enabled furniture for learning and business environments, has introduced its highest capacity charging cart for the iPad and iPad mini.
Designed to support Apple devices in education, business, healthcare and other professional environments, the Mobility Cart 42 for iPad and iPad mini can charge, store, secure and transport up to 42 iPad and iPad mini devices. The cart is being shown first at the ISTE Annual Conference and Expo 2013.
"We see iPad deployments on the rise in all types of organizations," says Dan Berger, product management team lead for Bretford Manufacturing. "More devices are needed now than just a few short years ago. With this new cart, up to 42 iPads can be charged simultaneously and kept secure for one large group or for sharing between smaller groups. We've increased capacity, and at the same time, increased the slot width to accommodate the most popular iPad cases."
All Bretford Mobility Carts,...
Eltima Software releases Airy for Mac OS X
Eltima Software has released Airy, a Mac OS X app for downloading videos from YouTube and extracting MP3 sounds from them. It requires Mac OS X 10.7 or higher and costs US$19.95.
Airy supports MP4, WebM, FLV, 3GP in various resolutions. If you need to extract the soundtrack from the initial video, enter the link in the Eltima Software app, choose MP3 format and click Download.
A free trial version of Airy allows five free downloads. For more info go to http://tinyurl.com/m7zl4jl .
Apotop announces AP-U6 USB 3.0 drive
Apotop has announced the AP-U6 USB 3.0 external storage drive. Thanks to its compact size and slim profile, it's designed as a cost-efficient way to expand the storage capacities of MacBook Air.
Due to MacBook Air notebooks having limited storage capacities, Apotop designed the AP-U6 to act as an integrated external storage device that goes unnoticed. Its aluminum body and silver color complement MacBook Airs, and its shape resembles the MacBook power connector.
Available in 32GB and 64GB models, is available at Newegg and Amazon with pricing starting at US$49.99. For more info go to http://tinyurl.com/m7zl4jl .
Netgear rolls out R6100 Wi-Fi Router
Netgear is expanding its family of next-generation 802.11ac wireless products with the US$99.99 R6100 WiFi Router. The R6100 is a dual band router that supports combined Wi-Fi speeds up to 1200 Mbps with Fast Ethernet wired connections.
It prepares your home network for new or upgraded devices that integrate 802.11ac WiFi support, such as the latest MacBook Air, says Sandeep Harpalani, Netgear's director of product marketing for core networking products. The R6100 offers improved performance and whole-home wireless coverage by incorporating simultaneous dual band WiFi technology. The 2.4 GHz band supports legacy devices while the less interference-prone 5GHz band is perfect for multiple HD media streaming and online gaming, says Harpalani.
What's more, the R6100 works with the free NETGEAR genie app and software for installation and network management, ensuring you a hassle-free transition to 802.11ac. For more info go to www.netgear.com/fastestwifi .
Apple to announce latest financial results on July 23
Apple will announce its latest financial results on Tuesday, July 23. Three months ago the company provided guidance for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 for revenue of between US$33.5 and $35.5 billion and gross margin between 36% and 37%.
Though the third-quarter earnings come after the announcements of this year's Worldwide Developers Conference, most of the products introduced there won't ship until next quarter, so the impact to Apple's bottom line may be minimal, notes "Macworld" (www.macworld.com).
Apple kicks off Back to School deals
Apple has kicked off its annual Back to School deals for educational buyers and includes iTunes Store, App Store and iBookstore gift cards.
According to Apple, you can "buy a Mac for college and get a $100 gift card to spend on apps and more -- and also save with education pricing. Or buy an iPad or iPhone and get a $50 card.
You can place your order on-line and choose free shipping. You can have your order shipped to you or pick it up at your local Apple retail store. To start shopping go to http://tinyurl.com/ma2mchr .
Landscaper's Companion for the Mac grows to version 1.5
InfiniteNIL Software (www.infinitenil.com) has updated Landscaper's Companion for Mac OS X to version 1.5. The upgrade gives users the ability to add their own plants to Landscaper's database of over 26,000 plants.
Landscaper's Companion was first introduced as an iOS app by Stevenson Software. Stevenson Software commissioned infiniteNIL to bring the app to the Mac. The Mac app has all the same features as the iOS version, such as a database of over 8,500 plants and over 9,000 images.
Plants can be browsed by 16 categories, marked as favorites, and searched for based on their name, color, type, sun, water, grow rate, size, and other characteristics. Most plants include cultivation information, common uses, and potential problems they may have. Users can add their own notes and images to each plant.
Landscaper's Companion requires Mac OS X 10.7 or higher. It costs US$34.99 and is available worldwide through the Mac App Store in the Reference or Lifestyle category.
Batch Output Server now compatible with InDesign CC
Zevrix Solutions has updated BatchOutput Server (http://zevrix.com/BatchOutputServer.php), an output workflow automation solution for Adobe InDesign, to version 4.9. The new version makes BatchOutput Server compatible with InDesign CC.
Under BatchOutput Server workflow, production artists and prepress operators simply submit files to hotfolders that reside on the network. BatchOutput Server automatically outputs the files from its dedicated station using hotfolder settings, and will auto-activate document fonts as well.
BatchOutput 4.9 can be purchased from the Zevrix Solutions web site for US$699.95, as well as from authorized resellers. A demo is available for download. BatchOutput 4.9 is available for Mac OS X 10.5 and higher, a Universal Binary, and works with Adobe InDesign CS-CS5.
Pyle makes a splash with the Sound Flow speaker
Pyle Audio has unveiled Sound Flow Bluetooth speaker. Portable and lightweight, the marine grade, shock resistant and waterproof speaker system withstands use in the most difficult environmental conditions, according to Pyle Audio President Abe Brach.
The speaker also connects to most qualified Bluetooth devices wirelessly. Its built-in lithium battery and USB charging cable create both indoor and outdoor functionality. The Sound Flow is available at www.PyleAudio.com for US$69.99.
Maintain serves up Cocktail 5.5.1 (Lion Edition)
Maintain has released Cocktail 5.5.1 (Lion Edition), the latest maintenance update for users running OS X Lion 10.7. This version contains improvements on the clear DNS cache procedure and addresses compatibility issues with Safari 6.0.5.
Cocktail is a general purpose utility for OS X that lets users clean, repair and optimize their Mac. This version adds the ability to change standby delay, the ability to disable shadow in window captures, the ability to show the Debug menu in App Store and Photo Booth, and compatibility with the latest versions of supported web browsers. It also provides improvements on the clear system caches procedure and updated network optimization presets.
Cocktail 5.5 (Lion Edition) requires OS X 10.7 and is tested for compatibility with OS X/OS X Server 10.7.5. It costs US$14 for a single user license. For more info go to http://maintain.se/cocktail .
Landscaper's Companion for the Mac grows to version 1.5
InfiniteNIL Software (www.infinitenil.com) has updated Landscaper's Companion for Mac OS X to version 1.5. The upgrade gives users the ability to add their own plants to Landscaper's database of over 26,000 plants.
Landscaper's Companion was first introduced as an iOS app by Stevenson Software. Stevenson Software commissioned infiniteNIL to bring the app to the Mac. The Mac app has all the same features as the iOS version, such as a database of over 8,500 plants and over 9,000 images.
Plants can be browsed by 16 categories, marked as favorites, and searched for based on their name, color, type, sun, water, grow rate, size, and other characteristics. Most plants include cultivation information, common uses, and potential problems they may have. Users can add their own notes and images to each plant.
Landscaper's Companion requires Mac OS X 10.7 or higher. It costs US$34.99 and is available worldwide through the Mac App Store in the Reference or Lifestyle category.
Eternal Storms Software releases Briefly for Mac OS X
Eternal Storms Software has released Briefly 1.0 for Mac OS X. The app allows users to create still motion videos -- videos where photos are shown only for the fraction of a second -- with just a few clicks and share them on video services like YouTube and Vimeo.
Users can import photos from their hard drive, flickr or Instagram and add a soundtrack from their iTunes library. Briefly then does the rest. It can output video up to 1080p or it can choose the best resolution automatically or eliminate the occurrence of black borders around the photos.
Briefly requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher. It's available exclusively on the Mac App Store (http://tinyurl.com/knv32t4) for the introductory price of US$$4.99 (the regular price is $7.99). A free 15-day trial is available at the Eternal Storms web site (http://eternalstorms.at).
Mac Mini Vault increases capacity
Mac Mini Vault says its seventh Mac mini colcation cabinet has gone online, increasing the current capacity to over 1,000 Mac minis.
Along with this new cabinet, a build out has begun to double capacity for Mac minis by 2015. To celebrate this achievement Mac Mini Vault is offering discounted promotional pricing. The Mac mini Enterprise colocation service includes features such as remote reboot control, network interface graphing, free hands-on support hours, and more. For more info go to http://www.macminivault.com .
Apple searched by French antitrust group
A 24-hour investigation of Apple, its major wholesalers and distributors took place in France last week, according to "Les Echos" -- as translated by "The Next Web" (http://tinyurl.com/m7s3zdl).
The financial newspaper says Autorite de la Concurrence, the French competition authority, has confirmed the searches took place but declined to offer any further comment. Documents were reportedly seized by investigators during the raids.
"Les Echos" suggests that the investigation might have been carried out over ongoing concerns with Apple’s alleged anti-competitive behavior. eBizcuss, then the largest Apple reseller in France, sued the technology giant in December 2011 for what it described as an unfair advantage over stock and new shipments.
HoudahGeo for the Mac gets Lightroom 5 support
Houdah Software (http://www.houdah.com/) has updated HoudahGeo, a geocoding solution for the Mac, to version 3.5. The new version adds support for Adobe Lightroom 5.
HoudahGeo costs US$29 for a single-user license for new users. A demo is available for dowload. HoudahGeo requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher.
Recosoft announces PDF2ID 4.0
Recosoft Corp. (www.recosoft.com) has announced PDF2ID Standard and Professional 4.0 for InDesign Creative Cloud. These apps are PDF-to-InDesign and XPS-to-InDesign conversion solutions.
PDF2ID converts PDF and Windows XPS files into editable InDesign files enhancing PDF and XPS file content reuse and recovery within InDesign. PDF2ID eliminates the requirement to acquire and install additional PDF and XPS data recovery tools.
PDF2ID works with Mac OS X 10.6.8 or higher and is available in a variety of configurations. Go to http://www.recosoft.com/products/pdf2id for details.
IDC: May personal computer shipments reflect slow second quarter...
The personal computer (PC) market continued to suffer slow shipment growth in top countries across regions in May, according to the "International Data Corporation (IDC) Monthly PC Tracker."
April shipment growth had improved slightly from March in Latin America and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), but May growth has come in slower than April for each of these markets except India and UK.
IDC's quarterly PC forecast from May projected worldwide PC shipment declines of -11.7% in the second quarter of 2012 (2Q13), -4.7% in the third quarter, and -1.6% in the fourth quarter, resulting in total annual growth of -7.8% for 2013. This follows a decline of -13.3% in the first quarter of 2013 and -4.0% for all of 2012. The results for May are behind pace for achieving the projected 2Q13 growth rates, although stronger June results could still make up most if not all of the difference.
"The expectation for the second quarter was not all that high, showing only minor improvement from the...
Free Fonts collection available on the Mac App Store
128bit Technologies has introduced its Free Fonts -- Commercial Use OpenType Fonts collection on the Mac App Store. All fonts are in OpenType font format and include a commercial use license to use in any home or business design project.
Forty-five free fonts are offered, with more added regularly. They're cross-platform compatible. Plus, the collection includes a custom font preview app to see how the fonts look when applied to text, before you save and install them.
Free Fonts support Mac OS X 10.6 (64-bit) and later. You can download them at http://tinyurl.com/ol7wyed .
Adobe to acquire Nelane
Adobe (www.adobe.com) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately held Neolane, which specializes in cross-channel campaign management technology, headquartered in Paris, France, for approximately US$600 million in cash.
Neolane integrates online and offline marketing data from across an enterprise -- performing audience segmentation and delivering marketing messages across channels. It offers a platform for automation and execution of campaigns across the Web, email, social, mobile, call center, direct mail and point of sale (POS). This enables marketers to deliver consistent customer experiences, personalized campaigns and increased ROI, says Brad Rencher, senior vice president and general manager of Adobe’s Digital Marketing business.
The transaction, which is expected to close in July, is subject to customary closing conditions. The potential financial impact to Adobe of this transaction is not reflected in financial targets previously provided by Adobe.
Batch Inpaint 2.0 for Mac OS X gets revamped interface, more
Batch Inpaint (http://tinyurl.com/ob292xw), the Mac OS X app for batch retouching of photos, has updated to version 2.0. The tool allows removing or retouching undesirable objects on the scene pretty much like its flagship cousin Inpaint does, and offers means to process multiple photos at once.
Version 2.0 features a new look with a revamped interface. Many of tools have been reworked. For example, the zoom function now centers the image to the mouse cursor. Batch Inpaint 2.0 also features several new selection tools (Lasso, Polygonal Lasso, Magic Wand).
Batch Inpaint is available for Max OS X 10.7 or higher. The price for a license is US$19.99.
Apple posts Canon Inkjet Printer Drivers 2.12
Apple has posted Canon Inkjet Printer Drivers 2.12 (http://support.apple.com/kb/DL899) for Mac OS X. They require Mac OS X 10.6.1 or later.
The update installs the latest software for your Canon Inkjet printer or scanner. It's a 46MB download.
Apple releases Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 4.07
Apple has released Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 4.07 (http://tinyurl.com/pvwprpb). It requires Mac OS X 10.7.5 or later.
This update adds RAW image compatibility for the following cameras to Aperture 3 and iPhoto '11: Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G6; Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GF6; and Sony Alpha SLT-A58. It's a 11MB download.
NoteSuite released for OS X, iOS
Theory.io has released NoteSuite for the Mac and iPad. They're integrated suites of note-taking tools with special introductory prices available through July 15, 2013.
According to the folks at Theory.io, NoteSuite breaks down the silos that keep different kinds of files separated on mobile devices. For example, NoteSuite for iPad allows users to take notes, manage to-dos, clip web pages, annotate, and read and search PDFs, and more.
NoteSuite stores users' data safely on their iPad or Mac, employing cloud services for syncing and backup. According to the folks at Theory.io, this ensures users' never pay extra to access notes offline, data will not vanish if a web service gets cancelled, access to notes will not be jeopardized by security concerns or lost Internet connections, and users' data can never get held hostage for higher fees.
NoteSuite for iPad, normally priced at US$4.99, is available at a special introductory price of $1.99 through July 15, and is a free upgrade for...
