Brand: MacNews

An interesting Forbes.com article takes a good, hard look at Iomega and the company’s uncertain future. With sales of Zip and Jaz drives languishing, and other products such as CD-RW and PocketZip being unprofitable, the company is lacking both a sound future and presence in the industry. The article speculates that incorporating Iomega’s products into other, non-PC devices may be the only solution to ensure its longevity.

Discreet today announced combustion 2, a new version of its visual effects software. combustion 2 features new multi-format project capabilities, including video, HDTV, and 64-bit color; advanced tool sets that include a fully-editable, interactive schematic view, a composting flowchart, a fully-integrated 2D particle system, and an interactive text and motion graphics module; and performance enhancements.

The OpenGL Architecture Review Board, which Apple is a member of, today announced version 1.3 of the OpenGL specification. The new version adds several new features and enhancements to the 2D and 3D graphics technology that improve both quality and performance. Mac users can expect Apple to update it OpenGL driver in the near future with support for the new specification. Additional details can be found in the press release.

Apple has been nominated for four awards from Wired magazine, notes Macworld UK. The PowerBook G4 is a nominee for Most Wired Design, along with the Apple-designed Harman Multimedia SoundSticks. Apple’s 17-inch LCD Studio Display has been nominated for Best Wired Extra, while Apple itself is up for the Designer of the Year and Most Wired Ad Spot awards.

Exhibiting confidence in Apple’s management, 3Com has announced that it has appointed Apple CFO Fred Anderson to its board of directors. The company has also downsized its board from 14 members to eight.