Brand: MacNews

Intech has posted HardDisk SpeedTools 3.4, an update to its disk formatting software that improves the performance of the FireWire driver, adds support for FireWire MO cartridges, includes a fixed disk USB driver, and corrects a few bugs. Users must provide the e-receipt number from their original order to download the update; HardDisk SpeedTools sells for US$49.95.

Intel today announced a number of 802.11a and 802.11b wireless networking products, after c|net offered a preview of the new products yesterday. Intel’s 802.11a products will ship in November and support transfer speeds of up to 54Mbps, compared with the 11Mbps speed of 802.11b (the standard that AirPort is based on).

The O’Reilly Network recently published a feature on CrossOver, a plug-in for Linux that brings native QuickTime and Shockwave Director functionality to the platform. CodeWeavers, the company that developed the plug-in, told O’Reilly that Apple had been very helpful with the project, even modifying QuickTime’s license to allow them to develop the software.

Fuji today introduced the FinePix 2800 Zoom, a two megapixel camera that features a 6x optical zoom. The camera will ship next month for US$449 and will come bundled with a 16MB SmartMedia card.

Macworld UK has conducted an online poll asking which company Apple should merge with, following the news of the Compaq-HP merger. The results of the poll show that 45% of respondents prefer that Apple remain independent. As for those that would like to see a merger: 20% voted for Sony, about 10% for Sun Microsystems, 8% for SGI, 7% for Adobe, 2% for Microsoft and Macromedia, and 1% for AOL/Netscape Time Warner.