Mohu Leaf HDTV antenna 'completes the picture' with...
Mohu, a supplier of HDTV antennas, says they're endorsing a recent study of 2,000 broadband users , cited in a June 15 "New York Times" article, which "found that people who use Netflix to stream Internet video to their televisions are twice as likely to cancel, or slim down, their cable TV as they were a year ago."
The Mohu Leaf antenna allows those consumers to "complete the picture" and still receive local news, weather, popular network shows, as well as their favorite major sporting events like the NFL, in HD quality over-the-air rather than through cable boxes or satellite setups, says Mohu President Mark Buff. The Leaf is available for US$44 online at http://www.gomohu.com, on Amazon.com and will be rolling out to retail stores nationwide this summer and fall.
The Leaf is paper-thin and can be hung on a wall behind a picture frame or bookcase or just about anywhere. The Leaf was developed by a team at Mohu that works with its sister company, Greenwave Scientific.
Smartphone operating systems market growth to continue
The smartphone segment is becoming central to the development of the global mobile industry.
With mobile subscriptions' penetration of the population having already surpassed 100% in most developed markets and quickly approaching that mark on a global level, a sign of near market saturation, industry players are focusing on mobile data as the main revenue growth source for the future, according to Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com). In addition to network and service investments being made to pursue this opportunity, data services need user-friendly terminals and interfaces to engage customers, according to the research group.
Smartphones are just such devices. Following a sluggish start when mainly targeted at business users, they have witnessed exploding sales in recent years, especially since the introduction of Apple's iPhone in 2007. The iPhone "delivered a landmark consumer-focused user experience and changed the way the industry did business," says...
ModulR Case System for iPad 2 shipping
ModulR is now shipping its Case System for iPad 2 users. The core of the system is a hardshell case contoured to fit comfortably in your hands and attach to modulR accessories, including a hand strap, shoulder strap, wall mount, display and typing stand, and car headrest strap.
The case is Smart Cover compatible. Also, you can personalize a removable logo insert for your case at CafePress.com . The new modulR accessories are also compatible with the original modulR Case and can be purchased separately for US$39.99 or as a bundle. For more info go to http://www.modulRcase.com/.
Graphic Node releases 50 new Pages templates
Graphic Node (http://www.graphicnode.com) has released the Pages Templates pack, which consists of 50 templates for Pages, the word processing/document creation component of Apple's US$79 iWork suite.
Some templates consist of up to six different sections; in all, the set presents a collection of around 100 layouts. The Pages Templates includes the following template types: Book, Brochure, Business Card, Invitation, and Poster. Most of the 50 templates are available in both paper size A4 -- the standard size in most countries in the world -- and U.S. Letter, the most common paper format in the United States and Canada. Some templates are available in DL Envelope.
Users can view samples of the templates and purchase Pages Templates on the Graphic Node website. It requires Mac OS X 10.5 or later and iWork '08 or later. Pages Templates costs US$19.
GradeA 2.0 for Mac OS X adds attendance functionality
GradeA (http://www.dave256apps.com/gradea), a grading recording and reporting application for teachers, has been upgraded to version 2.0 and is now available in the Mac App Store. It requires Mac OS X 10.6.6 or higher and costs US$14.99.
GradeA allows you to record grades, email reports to students and/or parents. It supports customized categories (i.e., homework, exams, etc.) and multiple calculation methods (total points, weighted average of categories). Version 2.0 adds attendance functionality along with the ability to merge your iOS Attendance data with GradeA.
Power Manager 4.1 adds new event editor
DssW has released Power Manager 4.1 for Mac OS X. This release adds a new event editor and improvements to assist enterprise customers.
Power Manager is an automation and energy saving solution for Mac OS X. It boasts a range of energy saving events, including the ability to run applications and scripts to a schedule.
For more information, and to download a 30-day demo version of Power Manager, go to http://www.dssw.co.uk/powermanager/ . Registration is approximately US$53 and $398 for Power Manager Professional.
System requirements are Mac OS X 10.4 or later for Power Manager, and Mac OS X 10.6 for Power Manager Professional. Version 4.1 is free for users of Power Manager 4. Existing users can update using Power Manager's automatic software update.
Contact Bar for Mac OS X updated to version 1.3
iLifeTouch (http://ilifetouch.com/) has updated Contact Bar, their contact app for Mac OS X (10.6.6 or later), to version 1.3. It's now available in the Mac App Store and costs US$2.99.
Contact Bar was built to allow users to browse and interact with everyone listed in their Address Book. The idea behind Contact Bar is simplicity and having every possible piece of information possible on a contact at the user's fingertips, according to the folks at iLifeTouch. Everything is all in one place for a "Quick Contact" summarized grouping of information.
'YML' looks at Final Cut Pro X, more
The new "Your Mac Life" episode looks at the controversial Final Cut Pro X and more.
You can listen in this and every Wednesday evening from 5:30 to 8 pm (Pacific). Live video is on Your Mac Life! You can watch the show live at http://yml.macosg.com/ -- or you can listen in to the plain old audio feed at http://www.yourmaclifeshow.com/QT/stream.mov .
You can join one of the two Chat Rooms that run during the live show -- on the live video site or on the dedicated IRC Server at irc.chat-solutions.org in the #yourmaclife Channel.
Apple releases Thunderbolt cable FAQ
Apple is now selling an US$49 cable and has posted a Thunderbolt cable FAQ page (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4614).
Apple's Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable is a two-meter long, bus-powered cable that has a Thunderbolt connection on both ends. It can be used for connecting Thunderbolt devices and peripherals to a Mac which has at least one Thunderbolt port.
Running at 10Gbps, Thunderbolt technology can transfer a full-length HD movie in less than 30 seconds, according to Mooly Eden, general manager, PC Client Group, Intel, which co-developed the technology with Apple. The vision for Thunderbolt technology (formerly codenamed “Light Peak”) is to move media faster, simplify connections between devices, and foster new and exciting ways to build and use computers, says Eden.
Combining high-speed data and HD video connections together onto a single cable is instrumental to achieving that vision. Thunderbolt technology delivers this via two communications methods, or protocols -- PCI...
Amazon Associates Program discontinued in California
The Amazon Associates Program (http://macte.ch/ZoW3J), one of the first online affiliate marketing programs, is being discontinued for California due to a proposed law that imposes the collection of taxes from consumers on sales by online retailers.
The Amazon Associates Program developes solutions to help website owners, Web developers, and Amazon sellers make money by advertising millions of new and used products from Amazon.com and its subsidiaries, such as Endless.com and SmallParts.com. When website owners and bloggers who are Associates create links and customers click through those links and buy products from Amazon, they earn referral fees.
The California State Assembly has passed and referred to the state Senate a bill that requires online and catalog retailers to collect sales tax if they have in-state physical operations, including those operated by sister companies. The bill, introduced by Assemblyman Charles Calderon (Democrat) seeks to clarify when retailers come under...
LaCie, Porsche design hard drive for Apple fans
LaCie (http://www.lacie.com), together with Porsche Design, has announced a luxury line of hard drives available exclusively at Apple Stores and the LaCie web site. (Note: these are USB drives, not LaCie's upcoming Thunderbolt drives.)
Echoing the design of Apple’s computers, peripherals and accessories, LaCie and Porsche Design present the LaCie Porsche Design Mobile (P’9221) and Desktop (P’9231) Hard Drives that are designed to fit right in with the Apple lifestyle. They feature "robust technology, a solid aluminum frame, and puristic design."
The aluminum frame of the LaCie Porsche Mobile and Desktop Hard Drives is designed to blend with the aluminum exterior of Apple’s MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. The aluminum also regulates heat for guaranteed performance. For the environment, the aluminum frame is 100% recyclable.
The LaCie Porsche Mobile (P’9221) comes in 500GB and 1TB capacities, while the LaCie Porsche Desktop (P’9231) comes in 1TB and 2TB capacities. Pricing starts at US$...
Analyst says free iPhone would double Apple's market share
In a note to clients -- as reported by "Forbes" (http://macte.ch/hPpGo) -- RBC Capital analyst Mike Abramsky -- says Apple could double its smartphone market share by offering a free iPhone 3GS. (My take: this will never happen.)
“As its entry-level iPhone strategy, Apple is expected to cut iPhone 3GS to $0 (on contract, $399 unsubsidized) in conjunction with iPhone 5 launch,” he says. “This approach is intended to target mid-market smartphone buyers and counter Android’s mid-market expansion.”
Abramsky expects the iPhone 5 to launch at US$199 and $299 on a subsidized basis, with the iPhone 4 dropping to $99. Apple already sells the 3GS for just $49, but Abramsky adds that a free iPhone “provides a compelling offer.”
He writes that a proprietary survey of finds a free version of the phone would double the company’s global market opportunity and re-accelerate iPhone share growth outside of North America. Meanwhile, the analyst writes that he continues to expect Apple to launch a...
Quark announces Pubs-XML Accelerator 4
Quark has announced Pubs-XML Accelerator, the fourth generation of Quark’s commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) publishing solution for the intelligence community.
Pubs-XML Accelerator plugs into Quark XML AuthorTM for Microsoft Word to allow any Microsoft Word user to encode XML content for classification, declassification, handling, and dissemination and readies the content for delivery to XML, HTML, PDF, and Microsoft Word formats. The new version of Pubs-XML Accelerator supports Pubs-XML v5, the XML data encoding specification for intelligence publications.
Pubs-XML Accelerator was introduced at the Quark XML Author and Pubs-XML Accelerator User Group Meeting held recently in Washington, DC. With mouse clicks, Quark XML Author and Pubs-XML Accelerator allow users to assign document-level metadata to specific content for topical assertions and source citations or add security markup to sensitive documentation. The new version of Pubs- XML Accelerator adds:
° Support for Pubs-XML 5...
Phase One’s Capture Pilot app now offers camera control
Phase One has released Camera Control, a new Capture Pilot option that lets photographers operate their cameras remotely via their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.
It's the newest feature of Capture Pilot, which allows photographers to use their iPad, iPhone and iPod touch to wirelessly view, zoom and pan high resolution DSLR and medium format RAW, JPEG and TIFF images while they're shooting. The application’s rating and tagging features enable clients and colleagues in the studio or on remote locations to participate in the shoot and provide instant feedback.
Camera Control offers photographers a virtual camera display on their iOS device to remotely fire the camera and control the camera’s capture parameters, including ISO sensitivity, exposure mode, shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation and others.
Camera control supports a range of pro and semi-pro Canon and Nikon DSLRs, and Phase One, Leaf and Mamiya medium format camera systems. It's available now as an in-app purchase...
Apple posts info on Final Cut Pro X
Apple has posted a page of info (http://www.apple.com/finalcutpro/faq/) about Final Cut Pro X, the latest, and controversial, revamp of its software for pro video editors. Among the info in the FAQ article:
° Final Cut Pro 7 runs with Mac OS X Lion and can be installed on your Mac along with Final Cut Pro X.
° There's no way to “translate” or bring in old projects to Final Cut Pro X without changing or losing data.
° Some camera manufacturers will need to update their import plug-ins to work with the new 64-bit architecture of Final Cut Pro.
° Final Cut X doesn't yet support multicam editing -- but that's in the works.
° Third party plug-ins must be updated to run with Final Cut Pro X.
° Final Cut Pro X can't export XML, but that's in the works.
° Final Cut Pro X doesn't support OMF, AFF and EDLs, but that too is in the works.
° Final Cut Pro X doesn't allow you to assign audio tracks for export, but this is ... you guessed it ... in the works.
-- Dennis Sellers
Samsung files ITC complaint against Apple
Samsung has filed an International Trade Commission complaint against Apple, asking for an import ban against the iPhone, iPad and iPod. If the ITC agrees to investigate such a complaint, a final decision is reached within 16 to 18 months, notes "FOSS Patents" (http://macte.ch/LnSMS), a blog that covers patent news and issues.
It's the latest volley in the Apple-Samsung legal battle. On June 17 Apple amended and expanded its complaint against Samsung, asserting more patents and other intellectual property rights than before against an extended list of allegedly infringing products.
In April Samsung filed patent lawsuits against Apple over the U.S. firm's iPhone and iPad after Apple claimed Samsung's smartphones and tablets "slavishly" copied its products. This followed an Apple lawsuit filed on April 15 in the U.S. that claimed Samsung's mobile phones and Galaxy Tab "slavishly" copied the iPhone and iPad.
The lawsuit, filed April 15 in US District Court in Northern California, alleges...
iOS more secure than Android OS
Apple’s iOS mobile operating system is overall more secure against hackers and other online threats than its main rival, Google’s Android, according to research from Symantec -- as reported by "The Telegraph" (http://macte.ch/59JzC).
iOS is more resistant to three out of five types of threats, including malware and data loss, Symantec said. On the other two categories, web-based attacks and social engineering attacks, the two operating systems came out even, according to the security software company.
The security features of Apple’s software, which powers the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, are also better implemented than those of Android, according to Symantec . Measures including access control, encryption and the provenance of applications are all stronger in iOS, the research found. However, Symantec said Android is better at isolating security problems when they do emerge.
Apple posts Java for Mac updates
Apple has released Java for Mac OS X 10.5 Update 10 and Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 5 Tuesday.
Both update Java SE 6 to 1.6.0_26; the former also addresses issues in Java 1.5.x. You can obtain the updates via the Software Updates component of the Mac OS X Systems Preferences app.
Twelve South introduces new BookArc for the MacBook Pro
Twelve South (http://www.twelvesouth.com) has unveiled a refreshed version of its BookArc stand. The upgraded BookArc is designed exclusively for the latest unibody MacBook Pro models.
This desktop stand features improved stability, built-in cable management and a more precise fit for the Apple laptop. BookArc for MacBook Pro is available immediately at Amazon.com and other outlets for US$49.99.
Underneath BookArc for MacBook Pro there are two hidden cable managers that prevent your monitor, USB and power cables from slipping to the floor when you unplug your MacBook Pro. The new BookArc for MacBook Pro also ships with one extra insert to fit legacy models of the MacBook and MacBook Pro.
Jumsoft releases Money 4 for Mac OS X
Jumsoft (http://www.jumsoft.com) has upgraded Money, its finance and budgeting application for Mac OS X, to version 4. It requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher and is available for US$18.99 until July 31.
Money provides small businesses and home users with a tool to track their finances. Among other features, version 4 features a redesigned interface, allows direct downloads from banks, and institutes smart importing rules and a document-based system that allows multiple users to work with a single copy of the application.
Jumsoft General Manager lgirdas Unguvaitis says Money 4 provides a flexible way of recording financial transactions in multiple types of accounts: cash, bank, credit card, loan, investment, and asset. With Money 4, users can create a budget plan and monitor the actual outcome. The Portfolio feature displays a view of investments.
Money 4 is available from the Jumsoft website and the Mac App Store in the Finance category. A free trial version is available from the...
Waterproof, wireless mouse scampers from Seal Shield
Seal Shield (http://www.SealShield.com/) has announced the US$69.99 Silver Storm waterproof, wireless mouse. The company says the new mouse has been designed to help prevent cross contamination infections that are spread from shared computer input devices.
The Silver Storm mouse is a wireless scroll wheel mouse that is 100% waterproof, washable and even dishwasher safe. It sports antimicrobial product protection and a rechargeable lithium battery, so there are no batteries to buy or change.
The Silver Storm can purportedly hold a charge for up to a week, and is recharged by the included USB quick-charge station with integrated three-port USB hub and RF Nano receiver. It will arrive this fall and be available in black or white.
Nancy Drew: Captive Curse available at the Macgamestore
Her Interactive's Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse is available at the Macgamestore (http://www.macgamestore.com). It requires Mac OS X 10.5.8 or higher and costs US$19.95.
Here's how the game is described: "A terrifying myth comes alive in Germany! Many years ago a monster stalked the German forest surrounding Castle Finster. According to locals and storytellers, the monster disappeared when it claimed a victim. Now everyone is frightened by the sights and sounds of something large stumbling through the darkness. Can you solve the mystery before the monster adds another chapter to this legend?"
iWeb Themes Park introduces five new templates
iWeb Themes Park (http://www.iwebthemespark.com) has released five new themes for iWeb, Apple's web site creation tool: Idea, Linen, Ornamental, Planks and Rough Surface.
The renewed iWeb Themes Box now has 130 iWeb themes. All the themes consist of separate elements that can be modified, replaced or removed.
To use iWeb themes from iWeb Themes Park requires a Mac with iWeb from iLife '08 or later. The iWeb Themes Box of 130 themes is priced at US$29.99. Each template is available for $11.99 or $12.99. Four iWeb Themes are free for everyone.
KeyCue update for Mac OS X adds optional legend
Ergonis Software (http://www.ergonis.com) has released KeyCue 5.3, an update of the keyboard shortcut "cheat sheet." The new version adds an optional legend that explains the meaning of symbols used in the shortcut table.
KeyCue uses the same key symbols that are used throughout Mac OS X, but some of these are obscure and need an explanation, especially for users who are new to the Mac. Switchers will particularly appreciate the new legend, according to the folks at Ergonis. Like the shortcut table itself, the legend is compact and context-sensitive.
What's more, KeyCue 5.3 disables itself in Screen Sharing in order not to interfere with a copy of KeyCue running on the remote Mac. The new version also increases compatibility with iKey, Eclipse, iChat and other third-party applications, and it improves overall performance, particularly during collection of complex menu structures and in cases when KeyCue was invoked multiple times in a row.
KeyCue 5.3 requires Mac OS X 10.4 or higher...
Ohanaware Releases HDRtis Pro 1.0.3 For Mac OS X
Ohanaware has released HDRtist Pro 1.0.3 (http://www.ohanaware.com/hdrtistpro/) for Mac OS X 10.5 (or higher) running on an Intel Mac. The upgrade is faster, support of color profiles has been improved, and more.
HDRtist Pro is the more advanced version of Ohanaware's freeware HDRtist. It's been designed to provide more creativity with HDR images, while maintaing an easy-to-use interface, according to the folks at Ohanaware. Utilizing Apple technology, HDRtist Pro is able to wield and manipulate 128-bit floating-point images (that's 16,843,009 times more precision than a JPEG photo).
The app's engine has been designed to work with multiple exposures, single RAW images, and can make single JPEG images look like HDR. One-click styles, editable HDRs, and a "drop-N-click" system are all featured in HDRtist Pro.
HDRtist Pro costs US$29.99 for new users. Version 1.0.3 is a free update for registered users.
FxFactory Pro Effects available for Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5
Noise Industries (http://www.noiseindustries.com) has announced FxFactory 2.6 for Final Cut Pro X and Motion 5. The upgrade makes more than 140 filters, generators and transitions from FxFactory Pro available inside the new Final Cut Pro X.
FxFactory allows for background renders, firing up multiple processor cores and graphics cards to deliver your results. Version 2.6 "embraces the modern architecture of Final Cut Pro X" and Motion 5, according to the folks at Noise Industries.
All FxFactory-based plug-ins continue to be available in previous versions of Final Cut Pro and other hosts, including the new Motion 5. The upgrade to FxFactory 2.6 is free for current FxFactory Pro customers. FxFactory Pro is available for US$399 for new users.
Briksoftware releases Camouflage 2.0 for Mac OS X
Briksoftware has updated Camouflage (http://macte.ch/AHaQh) for Mac OS X (10.6 and higher) to version 2.0 and is offering it for US$19.99 at the Mac App Store in the Productivity category.
Designed for desktop video creation and other presentations from the OS X Finder, Camouflage 2.0 hides your Desktop icons for you. It allows for activation or deactivation via a system menu or via a hotkey.
Users can double-click on the desktop to open a new Finder window. Camouflage supports multiple screens and automatic wallpaper changing, too.
Texthelp Systems announces new suite of web apps
Texthelp Systems (http://www.texthelp.com), a provider of literacy software solutions, has announced new suite of Assistive Technology Web Apps at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference being held June 27-28 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Texthelp Web Apps provide support tools that will work within multiple browsers (e.g. Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer) on mobile devices including the iPad, iPod touch, Android tablets, smart phones, as well as Macs and PCs. The first Apps in the suite will include: Read&Write Web, Bookshare Reader, Speech, and Dictionary.
The Read&Write Web toolbar opens within a browser and interacts with web content providing: text-to-speech to read HTML content aloud with dual color highlighting, Dictionary and Picture Dictionary to look up unfamiliar words, Translator to translate selected words into multiple languages, Study Skills to highlight and extract important pieces of information, and Fact Finder...
Manhattan Edit Workshop takes training online via Class on...
Manhattan Edit Workshop (http://www.mewshop.com/) has announced the upcoming online availability of its training courses for aspiring and professional editors, filmmakers, and cinematographers.
In partnership with Class on Demand (http://www.classondemand.net/media/), a provider of professional educational products for creative markets, Mewshop is prepping to take its immersive, hands-on training to the next level. The first training course, Hands-on With FCP X, with instructor Ari Feldman, is set to take place on Saturday, July 9, and Sunday, July 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Eastern) at the Manhattan Edit Workshop, 80 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1501, New York City.
Approximately 48 hours after the training course has been completed, "Hands-on With FCP X" will be available for instant purchase at the Class on Demand website. The online training will encompass the complete course.
Vitamin-R 1.65 adds support for Potion Factory's Hit List
Publicspace.net has announced Vitamin-R 1.65 (http://www.publicspace.net/Vitamin-R/index.html), an update of its Mac OS X compatible productivity tool for creative professionals. The new version adds drag and drop support for "to dos" from Potion Factory's The Hit List to do list manager.
Vitamin-R is a collection of tools and techniques for managing attention and maintaining motivation. According to the folks at publicspace.net, it complements the task capturing and organizing features of modern to-do list managers by forcing you to concentrate fully on one task a time and keeping distractions at bay. It breaks down large, vaguely defined tasks into a series of short "time slices" of between 10 and 30 minutes, each with specific and actionable objectives.
Vitamin-R provides you with the "Now & Later Board," complete with FastType magic, to give you a place to quickly dump all those things that go through your head and allows to get back to the task at hand.
Vitamin-R may be...
WWDC Interview: MacTEK
While in San Francisco, TUAW and MacTech Magazine teamed up to speak to developers at Apple's WWDC 2011 about the keynote and how Apple's new technologies will help them and their customers. In the weeks following the event, we'll bring you those videos on TUAW, MacTech and MacNews.
If you aren't currently a reader of MacTech Magazine, check out the special WWDC free trial subscription offer for MacTech Magazine here.
This video features Neil Ticktin (Editor-in-Chief, MacTech Magazine and MacNews) and Doug Hanley of MacTEK Consulting & Training at WWDC. Doug was kind enough to tell us about their thoughts on the announcements on WWDC, and how it will affect their plans moving forward.
WWDC Interview: FrogPad
While in San Francisco, TUAW and MacTech Magazine teamed up to speak to developers at Apple's WWDC 2011 about the keynote and how Apple's new technologies will help them and their customers. In the weeks following the event, we'll bring you those videos on TUAW, MacTech and MacNews.
If you aren't currently a reader of MacTech Magazine, check out the special WWDC free trial subscription offer for MacTech Magazine here.
This video features Victor Agreda, Jr. (Editor-in-Chief, The Unofficial Apple Weblog) and linda marroquin of FrogPad, Inc. at WWDC. linda was kind enough to tell us about their thoughts on the announcements on WWDC, and how it will affect their plans moving forward.
Apple's international sales are 'on fire'
"The Motley Fool" (http://macte.ch/o4CVZ) -- a multimedia financial-services company -- says Apple's overseas demand is "exploding." Currently, Apple collects 44% of its sales from its home United States market; however, five years ago, that figure was 59%.
As revenues climbed from about US$14 billion in fiscal 2005 to $64 billion in the past year, overseas sales led the charge, says "The Motley Fool." International revenue soared 78% in fiscal 2010 showing that Apple's international sales "are simply on fire," the article adds.
"The Americas are still Apple's largest market in terms of profit, though they beat the European market (which, interestingly, also includes the Middle East and Africa) by only a slim amount," says "The Motley Fool." "Growth rates continue to soar in Apple's Asia-Pacific region, and it's not unimaginable for that area to constitute the company's largest market in the next half-decade -- or sooner."
Analyst raises iPad, Mac sales projections
In a note to clients -- as reported by "Barron's" (http://macte.ch/he6uk) -- Needham & Company analyst Charles Wolf says he's raised his Apple estimates to reflect higher iPad and Mac shipments in the current quarter and the September quarter.
He raised his iPad forecast for the third fiscal quarter from 7.5 million to nine million units. Wolf cut his iPhone estimate for the fiscal fourth quarter from 17.5 million to 16 million unit, assuming Apple will seek to reduce channel inventory before introducing the iPhone 5 sometime in the quarter, presumably after Labor day.
The analyst is increasing his third quarter Mac estimate to 4.25 million units from 3.75 million, to match an historical 16% average increase he’s observed over the last five years. Macs have shown a 15.6%, rise quarter to quarter, in fiscal quarter four, so Wolf raised his number to 4.9 million from a prior 4.5 million.
Apple releases Thunderbolt Firmware Update
Apple has released a Thunderbolt Firmware Update that addresses performance and stability issues on Thunderbolt-equipped MacBook Pros and iMacs.
The firmware update -- a 468KB download -- requires Mac OS X 10.6.8, and a Mac with a Thunderbolt port. The update is available via the Software Update component of the Mac OS X Systems Preferences app, or as a downloadable installer at the Apple Support website (http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1407).
Running at 10Gbps, Thunderbolt technology can transfer a full-length HD movie in less than 30 seconds, according to Mooly Eden, general manager, PC Client Group, Intel. The vision for Thunderbolt technology (formerly codenamed “Light Peak”) is to move media faster, simplify connections between devices.
Combining high-speed data and HD video connections together onto a single cable is instrumental to achieving that vision, says Eden. Thunderbolt technology delivers this via two communications methods, or protocols -- PCI Express for data transfer...
iCADE for iPad available at ThinkGeek
ThinkGeek has released the US$99.99 iCADE gaming cabinet (http://macte.ch/xVHp8), a retro-styled cabinet designed specifically to house an iPad or iPad 2 and to "transport users to the days when they spent endless hours playing classic arcade games."
“We partnered with ION Audio to make our vision of the iCADE a reality,” says Ty Liotta, head of ThinkGeek’s GeekLabs. “After it was announced as an April Fool’s Day joke back in 2010, thousands of our customers wanted it and we’re excited to make it a reality through this partnership.”
The iCADE is a desktop-sized arcade game cabinet that features a fully functional gamepad, complete with retro arcade joystick and buttons. Gameplay is made simple by just sliding an iPad into the built-in cradle and connecting it to the iCADE via Bluetooth. The iCade is powered by two AA batteries. The ThinkGeek iCADE also features the original April Fool’s Day retro style graphics.
Users can play classic Atari games available now for download from the...
Ultimate Music Studio for iPad available with Alesis IO Dock
Alesis, a manufacturer of professional audio equipment and electronic drums, says the iO Dock, a pro-audio dock for Apple’s iPad and iPad 2 is now shipping to pro-audio and instrument retailers.
The iO Dock is designed to be the "missing link" between the Apple tablet, its associated App Store’s catalog of audio and video apps, and the world of professional audio equipment. With the iO Dock and an iPad or iPad 2, musicians and producers can record, perform, create and craft music.
Built to accommodate current app-development standards including Core MIDI and Akai Pro’s AkaiConnect SDK, the iO Dock is a universal iPad audio-recording, playback, and MIDI device that bridges the user’s choice of music-creation and performance apps with most professional input and output instruments and devices.
The iO Dock provides microphone and instrument users with two combination XLR and 1/4-inch inputs, each with its own gain control and switchable phantom power for condenser microphones. The guitar...
iVigilo apps are for camera monitoring, alerting
Naboo (http://www.naboo.eu) has announced the iVigilo camera management and alerting apps for the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Mac OS X (10.6 and higher).
The apps provide remote camera security, life casting, baby monitoring and global webcam monitoring functions. An iVigilo system consists of iVigilo Dashboard for iOS and iVigilo Alert Centre for Mac OS X.
iVigilo Dashboard is an US$4.99 camera management and alerting app. It communicates with and controls all functionality of the iVigilo Alert Centre on the Mac through a peer-2-peer connection over Wi-Fi or mobile networks.
The iVigilo Alert Centre contains a built-in digital video recorder (DVR) that can record from any of the active cameras either manually, time-lapsed or on motion detection. Subsequently the centre creates alerts based on user-selected parameters (signaled by the specified cameras), which are then relayed to the user through the iVigilo Dashboard app installed on the mobile device. The iVigilo Alert Centre can...
New Bluetooth speakerphone released
SuperTooth (http://www.supertoothstore.com/) has released the US$129 SuperTooth HD, an advanced Bluetooth speakerphone with the ability to communicate on social networks all via voice commands.
The SuperTooth HD is compatible with all Bluetooth-enabled phones, including iPhones, BlackBerrys and other smartphones with an Android or Windows Mobile operating system. You simply pair the SuperTooth HD with phones and drive.
Beat Produce is new loop editing virtual instrument
AMG has released Beat Producer (http://www.beatproducer.com/), a loop editing virtual instrument for musicians, producers, DJs and rappers.
It offers a range of loop editing features, allows access to AMG’s libraries and brings together industry standard formats, including REX files, Apple Loops and ACIDized WAV file. Key features of Beat Producer include:
° The ability to import industry standard loop files;
° Control of tempo and pitch;
° The ability to examine loop waveforms and edit slices individually within the loop’s groove using the additional groove- locked work track if desired;
° A 32 part TR-Style step sequencer available on each rack;
° The ability to assign MIDI control of most parameters for real-time, interactive control;
° Two stereo groove tracks and 32 step sequencer tracks in each of its eight racks, making 272 tracks per instance;
° The inclusion of 64-bit, fully editable audio effects processors and three pages of synth processing per rack;
° A customizable...
WriteLock tech available in the ToughTech product line
You can lock down data with CRU-DataPort’s (http://www.cru-dataport.com) new WriteLock technology, now available in the line of ToughTech storage enclosures. Models are shipping now with base units starting at US$120.
At the push of a button, WriteLock allows you to “lock down” all data on the hard drive prohibiting any changes or accidental erasing. ToughTechs with WriteLock provide the functionality, speed and data capacity of an external hard drive enclosure with the Read Only feature of CD-ROMs and DVDs, according to the folks at CRU-DataPort.
WriteLock technology is available in 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch drive sizes and is available in quadruple interfaces (eSATA, FireWire 800/400 and USB 2.0), so it can connect to any computer (Mac OS X, Linux and Windows XP/Vista/7). All appropriate cables and adapters are included.
For added security, ToughTech Secure models with WriteLock offer 256-bit FIPS 140-2 Validated or 128-bit FIPS 190 hardware-based encryption without degradation of...
Smartfish introduces Mouse Pad Travel Pouch
Smartfish Technologies (http://www.getsmartfish.com) has announced the Mouse Pad Travel Pouch for notebook users. It will be available in early July in blue and black for US$14.95.
It's a mouse pad that provides a smooth, 9-inch diameter surface work area for you to mouse around on a plane, train, in a hotel. It then zips up to become a protective pouch you can pack up to tote your notebook mouse and any other computer accessories.
The padded neoprene safeguards your accessories while packed away in your briefcase or laptop case. If you don’t want to tuck it away in your bag, you can use the snap handle to hang it from your backpack or suitcase for accessibility.
URL Extractor for Mac OS X revved to version 3.3
Tension Software has released URL Extractor 3.3 (http://pomola.com/products_urlextractor/urlextractor.html). The upgrade imports list of URLs from an external text file to use for starting extraction point .
URL Extractor 3.3 adds additional utility commands for the URL table list and imports list of keywords from an external text file to use for search engine extraction point. There are additional utility commands for the keyword table list . Also, version 3.3 adds google.co.jp (japan) and google.cn (china) to the list of available search engine for search engine extraction.
URL Extractor is a Mac OS X app for extracting emails address and generic URLs from files on the HD or directly from the web using a list of "starting" web addresses and working unattended after the startup. You can retrieve and start search from web pages using keywords from various international Google sites.
URL Extractor can extract thousands of URLs from the web starting from a single web page and using "...
Maintain Serves Up Cocktail 4.9.4 (Snow Leopard Edition)
Maintain has released Cocktail 4.9.4 (Snow Leopard Edition), the latest maintenance update of Cocktail (http://www.maintain.se/c) for users running Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopard") and higher. The upgrade adds Mac OS X 10.6.8 compatibility, adds clearing of the latest variant of the MacDefender (Mac Shield) trojan, contains improvements on the "Purge inactive memory" procedure, as well as other minor bug fixes.
Cocktail 4.9.4 (Snow Leopard Edition) requires Mac OS X/Mac OS X Server 10.6 or later and is tested for compatibility with Mac OS X/Mac OS X Server 10.7 Cocktail (Leopard Edition) for Mac OS X 10.5 and Cocktail (Tiger Edition) for Mac OS X 10.4 are available for download from the Maintain web site.
Cocktail is a general purpose utility for Mac OS X that offers a variety of practical features designed to simplify the use of advanced UNIX function. A single user license costs US$14.95.
Recover PDF Password for Mac OS X upgraded to version 3.0
Eltima Software has updated Recover PDF Password, a Mac OS X app for recovering recover lost or forgotten passwords for PDF documents, to version 3.0. The upgrade offers a faster password recovery process thanks to program optimization for multi-core computers.
Recover PDF Password 3.0 also adds an additional recovery method: Dictionary search. The software supports all versions of Adobe Acrobat up to version 9.X and can recover Unicode passwords.
Recover PDF Password is designed to recover passwords for PDF documents in case they were lost or forgotten. It can recover both "Owner" and "User" passwords. The first protects the document from copying, editing or printing, while the second protects the document from opening.
Recover PDF Password also has a "Decrypt" option that can create an unprotected copy of a PDF file in case it's protected only with "Owner" password. Digital signature removal is also available.
Recover PDF Password for Mac costs US$39.95 for a single user license and...
Kerlmax fires off Sharpshooter 2.0 for Mac OS X
Kerlmax has released Sharpshooter 2.0, an upgrade to its screenshot utility app that gives you finer control over using Mac OS X's built-in key combinations.
Version 2 adds automatic processing options. Sharpshooter now lets you automatically rename screenshots with your own naming scheme, move them to folders, change the image file formats, and open them with other apps. Several other features were added to improve usability and fulfill feature requests.
When Apple released Snow Leopard, they changed the default naming of screenshots from "Picture 1" to a slightly more descriptive format like "Screen shot 2011-04-01 at 12:00:00 PM". Sharpshooter takes this a step further and lets you manipulate and process a screenshot.
After taking a screenshot, Sharpshooter can present the new image to you in a window where you can file it away into any folder, change the image file format, and rename it to something descriptive.
Sharpshooter 2.0 requires Mac OS X 10.6.6 or later and is priced at...
Troi Automatisering releases Troi File Plug-in 5.0.3 for...
Troi Automatisering (http://www.troi.com/) has released Troi File Plug-in 5.0.3 for FileMaker Pro 11.
Troi File Plug-in is a tool for getting access to information outside the FileMaker Pro database. Any files or folders stored on the computer can be accessed through the functions of the plug-in.
Troi File Plug-in 5.0.3 is a maintenance update that includes bug fixes and improvements. A fully functional demo version is available for downloading at Troi's website.
Troi File Plug-in 5.0.3 works with FileMaker Pro 9, 10 and 11. The plug-in can also be used with runtimes from FileMaker Pro Advanced 9, 10 or 11. The plug-in is available for Mac OS X 10.5.7 or higher, Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7. QuickTime 7 or later is needed for some image related functions. Licenses cost US$89 per user.
Troi File Plug-in 5.0.3 also works with FileMaker Server 9, 10 or 11 as a server-side plug-in and as a plug-in used by the web publishing engine. To use this, you need to purchase a special...
iOS and Android now supported by almost 50% of US companies
According to recent end-user research conducted by Strategy Analytics (http://www.strategyanalytics.com), the number of US companies supporting Google Android and Apple iOS has reached unprecedented levels of adoption.
At 42% and 49 percent respectively, these operating systems still trail the RIM BlackBerry which, at 72%, remains the top corporate mobile phone choice. The Strategy Analytics Wireless Enterprise Strategies (WES) service report, “2011 Enterprise Mobility Mid-Year Recap and Outlook,” also reveals an average of 11% employee-owned devices (BYOD -- Bring-Your-Own Device) that are reimbursed by US businesses.
“In contrast to the relatively modest, but growing level of reimbursement for BYOD devices, the exponential growth in enterprise support for iOS and Android suggests that Apple and Android devices and supporting ecosystems are gaining credibility in their own right as corporate standard-issue with appropriate levels of IT support,” says Andrew Brown, director of...
Singapore soldiers to be issued iPads
New recruits to Singapore's military, air force and navy will be issued iPads soon, reports the "AFP" (http://macte.ch/6lscR). The defense ministry will issue "about 8,000" of the Apple tablets to recruits starting in November.
The ministry said it was also planning to issue the devices to other servicemen next year. The cheapest iPad2 device currently retails in Singapore for Sg$668 ($538). Defense chief Neo Kian Hong told the "AFP" that adopting the iPad would allow the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) to take advantage of the technological abilities of the city-state's youth.
Apple changes app refund times in India
"The Economic Times of India" (http://macte.ch/GBUPN) says that Apple changed its return policy on apps from minutes to seven days. The capital city's government found that Google and Apple had violated the law and on June 8 ordered them to alter their trading rules, according to the report.
Apparently, Apple did, and Google didn't. So the Taipei city government has fined Google Tw$1,000,000 ($34,600) for refusing to grant customers a seven-day trial period when they download apps for their cell phones, reports "The Economic Times."
