Brand: MacNews

FireWire storage company Wiebe Tech recently unveiled the FireWire Keychain, a flash memory storage solution that delivers up to 1GB of storage in a package that measures just 1.75″x2.35″x0.85″. While larger than some of its many USB counterparts, the FireWire Keychain is capable of delivering sustained transfer rates of up to 5MB/sec, or more than five times the speed of similar USB devices. Pricing will be announced on Wednesday, January 23.

Apple will revise its Power Mac G4 configurations on Tuesday, January 22, or shortly thereafter, MacMinute has confirmed. Apple U.S. sources tell us three configurations will be offered: 800MHz, 933MHz, and dual-1GHz, with all models “shipping immediately.” Pricing and additional specifications are unclear, although sources suggest that Apple may make the SuperDrive standard on all systems. MacUser UK, meanwhile, is also reporting that the high-end Power Mac G4 configuration will top out at dual-1GHz.

French Touch, the France-based gaming company that developed the shareware game WaterRace, has reportedly closed its doors, according to JeuxMac. The company cited weak sales and distribution issues regarding WaterRace for its closure, and has abandoned all games that had been in development.

During the past week, our friends at MacDesktops have posted 14 new pictures, including: Depressing Dawn (Sky), Disco (Art), G4 dock (PowerMac G4), Rhode Island State Capitol (Landscapes – Urban), and Winter Castle (Art). MacDesktops is updated daily with two new pictures.

In other earnings news today, Iomega this afternoon posted a fourth-quarter profit of US$3.9 million, as revenues tumbled 43 percent from the year-ago quarter, from $331 million to $189.9 million. “We are focused on building upon our profitable core Zip product line and expanding our position in external CD-RW solutions in order to reverse the revenue decline,” Werner Heid, president and CEO of Iomega said in a statement. The company saw revenue for its Zip, Jaz, and CD-RW products all decline significantly.