Year: 2002

MacPlay is now shipping realMyst, the real-time 3D version of the hit adventure game Myst for Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. The game features 360 degree freedom of movement; effects that bring the world of Myst to life including day to night transitions, dynamic lighting, weather effects, and special interactive effects; a new Rime Age ending; new sound effects and an original soundtrack with digitally remastered music; and larger and higher quality movies and animations. realMyst sells for US$29.99.

Publicspace.net has released A Better Finder Rename 4.5, a new version of its utility for Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X for quickly renaming multiple files. The new version adds contextual menu integration into the Mac OS X Finder, a full MindVision licensed installer, and a new feature that allows trailing spaces to be removed from file names. A Better Finder Rename 4.5 sells for US$14.95.

BT plans to launch the UK’s first public access wireless IEEE 802.11b network by June 2003, according to Macworld UK. BT hopes to have the service installed in 400 coffee shops, retail, and business premises by that time, and up to 4,000 sites by mid-2005. The company is currently negotiating with Costa Coffee. Pricing options will include annual subscriptions and prepaid vouchers.

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference 2002, which runs in San Jose, CA, May 6-10, is currently taking early bird registrations for US$1,295, a $300 discount from the regular price. The reduced registration price is only offered through Sunday, April 14. Apple also recently announced that attendees of the conference will receive a free copy of Zero G Software’s InstallAnywhere – Mac OS X Edition, which normally sells for $1,995.

The State of Maine, which placed a US$37.2 million order with Apple in December 2001 to equip its seventh and eighth grade students and teachers with iBooks, has started receiving the units, according to a feature that is trumpeted on Apple’s home page with the headline “Congratulations, State of Maine.”