Year: 2001

Toon Boom has released a free beta update for Toon Boom Studio that adds Mac OS X 10.1 compatibility to the robust animation package. The software sells for US$349 (download) or $374 (boxed).

In its bid to continue to gain marketshare, Dell on Monday will officially announce the Dell SmartStep, a complete PC for US$599. The system features a 1GHz Intel Celeron processor, 20GB hard drive, CD-ROM drive, and 15-inch monitor. By nearly zeroing margins, Dell managed to be the only PC company to gain marketshare last quarter, nabbing 25 percent of the US market. Apple recently re-introduced a $799 iMac that features a 500MHz PowerPC G3 and CD-ROM, in an effort to put a lower cost product on store shelves.

Apple has published a feature on businesses that use AirPort to expand the reaches of creativity outside the confinements of an office. The article spotlights Emma, an Ashland, Oregon, ad agency that uses the technology. “One of our other partners, after trying it, was bouncing off the walls. He said it was the best technology he’d seen since the PowerBook. He called it life-changing. Of course, he was out by his pool when he said this.

Apple has posted a collection of “Spooky iCards” for Halloween.

PopTop Software has announced an expansion pack for the popular building-oriented simulation/strategy game, Tropico, according to Inside Mac Games. Titled Paradise Island, the expansion set will include 23 new scenarios, 12 new buildings, 4 new tourists with matching boats, additional natural disasters, new dictator attributes, and more edicts, as well as high score details, full views of buildings, and faster construction times.