Brand: MacNews

Prudential Securities analyst Kimberly Alexy today warned that Apple could possibly miss its top-line forecast for the quarter ended June 30. Apple will reports earnings on July 17; analysts are looking for a profit of 15 cents per share, or around US$53 million.

CE Software has released QuickConference 1.6, a new version of its instant messaging software for Mac and Windows TCP/IP networks. The new version makes it easier to spot new messages, adds an auto-reply feature, and sports a redesigned interface. A 30-day trial version is available. Pricing is based on the number of users, starting at US$119.95 for a 5-pack and going up to $699.95 for a 100-pack.

Mac OS X 10.1, the first significant update to Mac OS X, may not ship at Macworld Expo New York, according to The Register. Instead, the upgrade, which will add a host of functionality and performance improvements, will ship at Apple Expo in September, speculates the article. Regardless, sources claim that DVD playback will be delivered by Macworld Expo.

Apple today announced the release of AppleWorks 6.2 for Mac OS X, an update to the company’s productivity software. Beyond enhancements common to all Mac OS X applications, there’s no mention of what the new version delivers. AppleWorks 6.2 is a free update for current user, while new users can pick up a copy for US$79. The public preview of AppleWorks for OS X had more than 200,000 downloads, Apple said.

As the PC sector and US economy as a whole continue to show little signs of improvements, some high profile companies are forcing their employees to take paid vacations as well as eliminating jobs. Compaq, Sun, and HP are forcing employees to take at least a week off before the end of the year, and the three will be closing operations this holiday week in the US. Apple remains one of only a handful of companies that has yet to announce layoffs during the past year’s economic slowdown.