New lawsuit against Apple claims racial discrimination
Another day, another lawsuit. Employees of Apple's Upper West Side store in New York City have filed a suit for discrimination.
Plaintiffs Brian Johnston, 34, and Nile Charles, 25, have accused Apple of discrimination after an incident they claim occurred on Dec. 9, 2010, according to "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com). Both Johnston and Charles went to the store at 1981 Broadway when the incident allegedly began with an Apple employee, said to be white and in his 50s.
The lawsuit notes that Charles and Johnston, who are black, went to the Broadway Apple store wearing "baggy jeans and large sweaters with hoods" to purchase headphones. The plaintiffs say the Apple employee, told them they weren't welcome at the store because of their race, notes "AppleInsider."
The lawsuit was filed earlier this year in February in New York Supreme Court. The filing came to light this month after the case was moved to U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York.
New Mac Defender variant doesn't require a password
Earlier this month, Intego (http://www.intego.com), a Mac security specialist, discovered the Mac Defender fake antivirus, which targets Mac users via SEO poisoning attacks (web sites set up to take advantage of search engine optimization tricks to get malicious sites to appear at the top of search results).
Since then, several variants have appeared: MacDefender, MacProtector and MacSecurity, all of which are the same application using different names. The goal of this fake antivirus software is to trick users into providing their credit card numbers to supposedly clean out infected files on their Macs.
Intego says it's discovered a new variant of this malware that functions slightly differently. It comes in two parts.
The first part is a downloader, a tool that, after installation, downloads a payload from a web server. As with the Mac Defender malware variants, this installation package, called avSetup.pkg, is downloaded automatically when a user visits a specially crafted web...
iPhone coming to India on May 27
Two of India's telecommunication firms -- Bharti Airtel and Aircel --will start selling the iPhone 4 smartphones in the country from May 27, reports "The Wall Street Journal" (http://macte.ch/dc9CL).
Aircel says it will offer the Apple smartphone under both post-paid and pre-paid subscription plans. Bharti Airtel says it will offer similar plans.
Apple laptops excel in Consumer Reports' ranking
Apple's laptops excelled in the latest Consumer Reports' laptop ratings (http://macte.ch/lJRkK). All models of the MacBook Pro, MacBook and MacBook Air received good to great scores.
The latest 15-inch MacBook Pros led their division with 76 to 78 points (out of 100). The 17-inch models garnered 80 and 81 points, topping their category. The 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook rated 70 to 72 points. The MacBook Airs tallied 76 points.
Consumer Reports dubbed the 11-inch MacBook Air as the best choice for mobility, and the 13-inch MacBook Air as the best for mobility without sacrificing performance.
Apple's iPad 2 also fared well. In the tablet computer category, Consume Reports ranked Apple’s 32GB iPad 2 with 3G support in first place. The 32GB iPad with Wi-Fi came in second and the first generation, 32GB iPad with 3G came in third.
AT&T lawsuit talks of 'phantom' traffic
A lawsuit filed by an iPhone owner alleges that AT&T makes monitoring data usage more difficult by not only overbilling its customers for data transactions, but also charging for so-called "phantom" traffic -- actions the customer didn't initiate, reports "ABC News" (http://macte.ch/7uIRl).
The lawsuit, filed by AT&T customer Patrick Hendricks in the Northern District of California and seeking class action status, accuses AT&T of breach of contract and fraud for systematically overcharging for data usage.
"AT&T's billing system for iPhone and iPad data transactions is like a rigged gas pump that charges for a full gallon when it pumps only nine-tenths of a gallon into your car's tank," the complaint says, attempting to represent all U.S. AT&T customers with a limited data plan for Apple's iPhone or iPad.
Barry Davis, an attorney with Thornton, Davis & Fein, P.A. in Miami, the firm representing Hendricks, said the suit was filed after an independent computer...
Apple tells how to deal with Mac Defender malware
Apple has posted an article (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4650) on "how to avoid or remove Mac Defender malware."
A recent phishing scam has targeted Mac users by redirecting them from legitimate websites to fake websites that tell them that their computer is infected with a virus. The user is then offered Mac Defender "anti-virus" software to solve the issue.
This “anti-virus” software is malware (i.e. malicious software). Its ultimate goal is to get the user's credit card information, which may be used for fraudulent purposes. The most common names for this malware are MacDefender, MacProtector and MacSecurity.
Apple says it will deliver a Mac OS X software update soon that will automatically find and remove Mac Defender malware and its known variants. The update will also help protect users by providing an explicit warning if they download this malware.
Twelve South rewrites BookBook for the MacBook Air
Twelve South (http://www.twelvesouth.com) has unveiled the latest chapter in BookBooks: BookBook for MacBook Air, a new version of the company's vintage book-style case.
The new version (US$79.99), designed exclusively for MacBook Air, is made of genuine leather and is hand-distressed to ensure that no two are alike, according to the folks at Twelve South. Weighing as little as 13 ounces, it sports two hardback covers that shield against impact, while extended corners and a padded spine cushion the MacBook Air in the event of a drop.
A soft, chocolate brown, padded interior keeps the Apple laptop nestled in place when traveling. The two designer cornices on the top of the case indicate which side of the case is the top so you always open BookBook right side up.
The can be used as a traditional sleeve, or the two interior soft elastic bands can be slipped around the corners of MacBook Air to work with it inside the case. BookBook for MacBook Air is available for both the 11- and 13-...
Analyst offers three reasons why Apple's stock will go...
In a note to clients -- as reported by "Fortune" (http://macte.ch/M7940) -- Piper Jaffray offered three reasons why he says Apple's stock will soon go even higher:
° "Even if the multiple does not increase or goes down, we believe the stock will move higher based on positive earnings revisions. Apple currently trades at 10.8x our CY12 EPS of $30.78 including cash, 8.5x ex-cash. Assuming Apple does more than $48 in EPS in CY14 (25% EPS growth), at current levels the stock would trade at a 6.9x EPS including cash and 4.4x EPS excluding an estimated $120/share in cash. We believe a mid-teens multiple is warranted given EPS growth rates in the mid-to-high 20s over the next four years."
° "We believe Apple's entrance into a new product category, possibly televisions, will unlock new perceived value in the company, and thus the stock."
° "We expect Apple to announce software features for iPhones, iPads and Macs at WWDC on 6/6 that could serve as a near-term catalyst, as expectations for the...
ANSA releases 'Dragon Dictate: Watch and Learn' video...
Application Systems North America (http://www.applicationsystems.com) has announced "Dragon Dictate for Mac: Watch and Learn," a video training guide by Dan Newman.
This new series of 12 QuickTime video lessons by the speech recognition expert shows you how to get the most from Dragon Dictate. It has lessons on how to get up and running quickly, tips and techniques for accurate dictation, and more.
The 12 video lessons are: Setup and Training, Starting to Dictate, Quick Tour, Punctuation and Capitalization, Spelling and Numbers, Correcting by Keyboard, Correcting by Voice, Adding New Words, Improving Accuracy, Healthy Computing, Tips for Speaking and Dictating and Text Macros.
The "Dragon Dictate for Mac: Watch and Learn" video training guide is available immediately as a download from Application Systems North America. Physical product will be available in June. The suggested retail price is US$49.95.
Recosoft ships ID2Office 1.0 plug-in for InDesign
Recosoft Corp. (http://www.recosoft.com) has released ID2Office, an InDesign plug-in to convert InDesign files to the Microsoft Office file formats.
It converts the text, associated fonts and styles, paragraph structure, corresponding property information, frames linking information, tables, graphics and other InDesign object and document properties to the matching Microsoft Word/PowerPoint object and File properties. It converts every page into an equivalent page in the resulting Word/PowerPoint file.
ID2Office supports InDesign CS4/CS5/CS5.5. It requires an Intel-based Mac running Mac OS X 10.4.11 or higher. An annual subscription license costs US$199.
iWeb Themes Park adds new templates
iWeb Themes Park (http://www.iwebthemespark.com) has introduced new themes for iWeb, Apple's web design application. The new themes are Dice, Lines, Shining Blue, Shreds and World Stage.
All the themes from iWeb Themes Park consist of separate elements, each of which can be modified, replaced or removed. You can also mix the elements among different themes.
To use iWeb themes from iWeb Themes Park requires a Mac with iWeb from iLife '08 or later. The iWeb Themes Box of 125 themes is priced at US$29.99. Each template is available for $11.99 or $12.99. Four iWeb Themes are free for everyone.
Kerio announces Kerio Connect 7.2
Kerio Technologies has announced Kerio Connect 7.2, the latest release of its messaging and collaboration platform that provides email, contacts and calendar management through desktop email clients, web browsers and smart phones.
Intended exclusively for SMB organizations with anywhere from 5-500 employees, Kerio Connect 7.2 is an alternative to Microsoft Exchange with a choice of supported OS platforms. The new Microsoft Outlook 2011 for Mac now works natively with Kerio Connect 7.2, providing email, calendar, contact, and task synchronization with the server.
Mac users also have a choice of Microsoft Entourage 2004 and 2008 or Apple Mail and iCal as clients that also work fully with Kerio Connect. With Kerio Connect 7.2 's web access to administration, email can be configured and users can be added and deleted remotely. When users are deleted, they're automatically removed from all groups. Administrators also have the ability to prevent users from changing passwords for enhanced...
Gene Construction Kit ready for Lion
Textco BioSoftware has released an upgraded version of their DNA plasmid mapping software, Gene Construction Kit (GCK 3.5), for Mac OS X (10.4 and higher) and Windows.
In anticipation of the pending Apple operating system upgrade, this GCK release is compatible with Mac OS 10.7 Lion. Also, version 3.5 takes full advantage of the processors found inside the Intel Macs and is completely updated to Universal Binary, according to the folks at Textco.
A free upgrade is being offered to current GCK 3.0 license holders. To mark the release of GCK 3.5, Textco BioSoftware is offering special "introductory discount' pricing to both new customers -- -and labs-- looking to expand the use of GCK to additional users. For more info, and a free demo, go to http://www.textco.com/resources.php .
Portfolio mobile for Mac gets reporting features
Bare Reef has announced Portfolio mobile 1.0.14 (http://www.portfoliomobile.com), an update to its stock portfolio management application for Mac OS X (10.6 and higher). It's available for US$24.99 in the Finance category of the Mac App Store.
Version 1.0.14 includes new features including reporting and categories. These new tools help users track their investments in more powerful ways and aid in preparation of tax filings, says Bare Reef President Greg Hoover.
Portfolio mobile offers: support for multiple portfolios; support for trading in multiple currencies; technical charting; broker integration using Open Financial Exchange (OFX); portfolio performance comparison and charting; and web-based management and backup.
Inpreflight For Indesign ready for CS 5.5
Zevrix Solutions (http://www.zevrix.com) has updated InPreflight Pro -- its quality control, packaging automation and preflight reporting solution for Adobe InDesign -- to version 2.9.2. The new version adds compatibility with Adobe Creative Suite 5.5.
InPreflight provides a preflight solution for service providers, printers, ad agencies, designers and publishing houses. It gathers information about document fonts, colors and links and lets users locate potential problems according to preflight presets. The software is also a packaging automation solution that allows users to preflight and package multiple documents.
Among other abilities, it can collect all files into one folder, eliminating the need to collect the same links multiple times for each design. In addition, InPreflight lets users print graphic preflight reports and save them as fully searchable interactive PDF files, providing a way to analyze, archive and send reports to service providers.
InPreflight Pro/Studio can be...
Boris XML Transfer 3 introduces support for Avid Media Composer
Boris FX (http://www.borisfx.com) announced Boris XML Transfer 3. New to version 3, the Avid to After Effects workflow allows for direct import and translation of the Avid AAF format file.
Boris XML Transfer is an Adobe After Effects plug-in designed for the transfer of Avid Media Composer and Apple Final Cut Pro program sequences to Adobe After Effects. The plug-in preserves all aspects of an Avid Media Composer or Apple Final Cut Pro project, including edits, cuts, dissolves, and treatments.
In addition, Boris XML Transfer offers the ability to translate Boris Continuum Complete effects used in Avid or Final Cut Pro projects to corresponding Boris Continuum Complete effects in After Effect. Version 3 for Mac OS X is immediately available through the Boris FX worldwide reseller channel and direct from the Boris FX web site for a manufacturer's suggested retail price of US$299.
Version 3 is a free upgrade for all Boris XML Transfer Version users. A fully functioning 14-day trial...
Data Rescue gets support for new file types
Prosoft Engineering has updated Data Rescue (http://www.prosoftengineering.com), the data rescue utility for Mac OS X, to version 3.2. The upgrade has support for many new file types, as well as improvements in overall functionality and results.
Data Rescue is a hard drive and file recovery software for the Mac. It works even when your hard drive fails to mount or boot. The software doesn't attempt any repairs to the drive it's scanning; it focuses on data recovery, not hard drive repair. You will need to save your recovered files to either an internal or external hard drive (USB or FireWire), removable media device (such as a Zip or MO) or a networked drive.
There are two ways to run Data Rescue. You may run it from the Boot DVD or you may run it as an application, depending on your circumstances. Data Rescue costs US$99 for a personal use license and $249 for a professional use license. Version 3.2 is a free update for registered users.
Cheetah3D for Mac gets new Preferences window
Cheetah 3D (http://www.cheetah3d.com/) -- software for modeling, animating and rendering 3D objects -- has been updated to version 5.7. The upgrade adds a new preferences window, extends the hotkey handling, allows the customization of many user interface colors and improves the Collada exporter.
The new transform tool now supports multi-object selections, a gadget mode to arbitrarily align the transform gadget and improved snapping tools for precise modeling. Version 5.6 also introduces post- and pre-rotations. The added support for many video codecs like H.264 or MPEG-4, plus many small workflow enhancements, rounds out the new features.
Cheetah3D costs US$149 for a single user version; however, version 5.7 is a free update for all registered users of version 5.x and is a $69 for an upgrade from versions 1.x, 2.x, 3.x and 4.x. It requires requires at least Mac OS X 10.4. It's a Universal Binary product, which means it will run natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs.
'MacVoices' looks at helping start-ups start up
On the new "MacVoices" (http://www.macvoices.com), Mark Fuccio is off on a new adventure, helping tech start-ups, well, start up. There are many challenges facing anyone trying to bring a product, hardware or software, to market. M
Fuccio discusses some of those, including determining the right price, finding funding through a variety of sources, and some of the pitfalls that are and are not obvious. He shares his thoughts on the Kickstarter model, and covers how his new company, Tactics will offer consulting on all of this and more.
MacVoices" is an Internet show and podcast that delivers in-depth discussions with the most influential people in the Mac industry, as well as "the individuals who are out there making it happen on the front lines of the global Apple community," according to host Chuck Joiner.
Apple releases Logic Express 9.1.4
Logic has released version 9.1.4 of Logic Express. Apple says the update improves overall stability and addresses a number of minor issues. The update is recommended for all users of Logic Express 9.
You can download Logic Express 9.1.4 at http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1015 or via the Software Update component of Mac OS X's Systems Preferences app. It's a 138.74MB download and requires Mac OS X 10.5.8.
iHS iSuppli: iPad stings computer sales
Rising consumer interest in media tablets like Apple's iPad is beginning to take a toll on the global computer market, with shipments of desktops and notebooks in the first quarter of 2011 declining compared to the same period in 2010, according to new IHS iSuppli (http://www.isuppli.com) research.
Worldwide computer shipments amounted to 81.3 million units in the first quarter of 2011, down 0.3% from 81.6 million during the first quarter of 2010, says the research group. Three out of the world’s top five computer makers suffered year-over-year declines in shipments during the quarter (but, interestingly, not Apple).
No. 3-ranked Acer, which sells a high proportion of netbook-type computers that face a direct competitive threat from media tablets, bore the brunt of the downturn, with its first-quarter shipments plunging by 20.4% to 9.2 million units, down from 11.6 million during the same period in 2010.
“The increasing momentum of the media tablet market, led by the iPad, is...
Objectify for Mac lets you create Objective-C Code from JS
Tigerbears has introduced Objectify 1.0, a new Mac application for Mac and iOS developers that creates Cocoa class implementations based on JSON content.
Objectify saves developers time and effort by building customizable model classes from JSON content, whether from a web service or a local source, according to Bill Kunz, founder of tigerbears and developer of Objectify. These classes can be exported as Objective-C source code, ready to be used in the developer's editor of choice.
JSON is becoming the de facto standard data format for web APIs (application programming interfaces) and is used in thousands of applications on the Mac, iPhone and iPad. Modeling this content in software is a time-consuming chore for iOS and Mac developers that invites bugs and heartache until now, says Kunz.
Objectify saves Cocoa developers time and effort by automatically building customizable model classes from JSON content, he adds. . These classes can be exported as Objective-C source code files,...
Samsung must show cell phones to Apple in legal brouhaha
Samsung Electronics has been ordered to turn over five of its not-yet-released mobile phones to Apple, reports the "Courthouse News Service" (http://macte.ch/YxXXw). Sitting in Federal Court in San Jose, Judge Lucy Koh ruled that Apple deserves the quick production of cell phone samples three months earlier than usual in the litigation process, though she drew the line at requiring testimony from Samsung executives, the article adds.
"Apple has demonstrated good cause for some, limited expedited discovery," Koh said. "While Apple has not yet filed a motion for preliminary injunction, courts have found that expedited discovery may be justified to allow a plaintiff to determine whether to seek an early injunction.
Among other evidence presented by Apple, the judge cited a TV news report that quotes a Samsung executive saying, "We will have to improve the parts [of the Galaxy Tab 10.1] that are inadequate. Apple made [the iPad 2] very thin," notes the "Courthouse News Service." The...
Strategy Analytics: Samsung Galaxy S Overtakes the Apple iPhone...
Galaxy S smartphones from Samsung outsold Apple iPhones in Japan during the first quarter of 2011, which places Samsung in the ranks of the top four handset vendors of Japan for the first time, according to Strategy Analytics (http://www.strategyanalytics.com). Android smartphones are now outselling iOS smartphones in Japan, according to the research group.
“The Japanese market had always been tough to crack for foreign vendors as all previous attempts had failed," says Tom Kang, director of the Handset Country Share Tracker service at Strategy Analytics. "With smartphones, things are changing rapidly. First, Apple shook up the market with the iPhone, and now, for the first time, Samsung, is shipping more handsets than most local vendors, such as NEC, Casio and Kyocera.”
Neil Mawston, Director, Strategy Analytics, adds: “Strategy Analytics believes that the healthy demand for the Android-powered Galaxy S at NTT DoCoMo drove Samsung growth in Japan. Samsung is the main player behind...
Active Tables for Adobe InDesign shipping
DTP Tools has released Active Tables, a plug-in that turns Adobe InDesign into a spreadsheet editor. The plug-in allows users to insert formulas instead of final numbers, having the numbers re-calculated when the source data changes.
Formulas can process text and conditions, such as adjust tax amount on the invoice automatically based on the customer location. Active Tables allows designers to stay in InDesign and not have to go back to Numbers, Excel or other program to edit the source.
Active Tables plug-in is sold for US$79 per license. A 14-day demo version for InDesign CS3-CS5 on Mac OS and Windows is available for download (http://www.dtptools.com/activetables).
DEVONAgent Express is new web search utility
DEVONtechnologies (http://www.devon-technologies.com) has released DEVONAgent Express on the Mac App Store. It requires Mac OS X 10.6.6 and costs US$$4.99.
DEVONagent Express, the latest Mac product from DEVONtechnologies, makes the search technology behind DEVONagent available from any app on the Mac and is easy-to-use, says Eric Böhnisch-Volkmann, president of DEVONtechnologies. Just like Spotlight searches the computer DEVONagent Express searches the web and presents the results directly in its menu.
DEVONagent Express adds a menu to the right hand side of the menu bar that lets the user choose the best search engine for the job, then type a query, and run the search. The app comes with more than 80 pre-fab plug-ins that let it talk to the earch engines and services that people use every day: Google, Bing, Yahoo, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Wikipedia, the App Store, and many, many more.
All results are collected and presented directly in the menu, can be previewed when hovering...
Quark, Perseus Books Group partner for digital publishing
Quark and The Perseus Books Group have entered into an agreement to implement Quark’s dynamic publishing software for book production, with a target launch of early fall.
Through its Constellation service, Perseus will use Quark’s dynamic publishing solution to simplify and automate the process of publishing books across formats. A core feature of the Quark solution is the ability to create a single-source document that can be delivered across multiple types of media. The original book file is created in an e-book compatible format that is ready for export to the Web, social media, and mobile devices without further conversion.
Once implemented, all publishers using Constellation will be able to allow their creators to author structured content easily in a Microsoft Word user interface that does not require knowledge of XML, says David Steinberger, CEO and president of The Perseus Books Group. It also minimizes training and increases productivity by leveraging familiar tools, he...
'Early bird' discount for 2011 FileMaker Conference...
Attendees registering for the annual FileMaker Developer Conference have until June 17, 2011 to take advantage of the “early bird” discount and save up to US$300 off the full conference registration price. After June 17, the full conference fee of $1,595 will apply.
The 2011 FileMaker Developer Conference will be Aug. 2-5 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel in San Diego, California. This year’s conference features over 60 FileMaker sessions including many that cover the core of FileMaker solution development, including: "FileMaker Calculation and Scripting Essentials," "Practical Techniques for Improving WAN Performance," "Surviving as an In-House Developer" and "Data Modeling in Practice."
Attendees can also learn more about FileMaker Go for iPhone and iPad with sessions that explore design, sync, and integration strategies. For a complete listing of all sessions, go to http://www.filemaker.com/r/dc2011_pr . In addition to increasing their technical expertise, attendees can meet...
Kanex releases mLinq, AirBlue
Kanex (http://www.kanexlive.com) has released two new products: the mLinq and the AirBlue.
The US$99 mLinq is an USB-to-HDMI adapter that supports full 1080p HD. It's designed to enable a simple and cost effective way for extending and connecting your Mac to a second or third display in high-definition. Mac users can now utilize up to three displays showing content from; the notebook screen, a second display via the Mini DisplayPort to your Apple LED Cinema Display and the third from the USB port to your HDTV.
For legacy Macs (2006-2009 models) that don't include a Mini DisplayPort connector, the mLinq lets the computers connect to any HDMI enabled external display such as an HD projector, monitor or an HDTV. The mLinq is USB powered and sports a built-in LED light.
The $49 AirBlue is a portable, Bluetooth music receiver that enables you to wirelessly play, listen and control all your favorite media from your iPod touch, iPhone or MP3 player through your home stereo or speakers. To...
Enhance Technology shipping 3TB HDD storage system
Enhance Technology (http://www.enhance-tech.com) has announced the availability of 3TB SATA drives for its EnhanceRAID workgroup & departmental storage systems. The E400 and E800 Series are purportedly the first desktop storage systems shipping with 3TB SATA drives.
The EnhanceRAID series 3TB offers 24TB in 0.31 cubit feet for the desktop 8-drive E800 Series and 12TB in 0.20 cu ft for desktop 4-drive E400 Series. Its True backplane design lowers latency and increases reliability, according to the folks at Enhance Technology. Multiple host interfaces are available for easy data transfer and sharing between workgroups & departments.
The EnhanceRAID E400 and E800 Series storage systems populated with 3TB HDDs are now available immediately through its worldwide dealer network. For more information, go to the Enhance Technology web site.
Box Shot 3D for Mac OS X gets Collada import feature
Applications for Life (http://www.appsforlife.com/) has announced Box Shot 3D 3.4, an update to their US$60 Mac OS X/Windows compatible utility that renders 3D shapes using provided images. The upgrade brings the support of Collada format and fixes some issues.
Box Shot 3D allows you to render software boxes, book covers, magazines, CD, DVD and Blu-Ray boxes, cans, bottles, mugs, bags and more. No 3D knowledge is required.
Box Shot 3D costs US$80. A demo version is available for download at the Applications for Life web site.
VintageScene for Mac OS X updated to version 2.0
JixiPix has released VintageScene 2.0 (http://www.jixipix.com/vintage-scene/vintage-scene.html), an update of the retro photography application. It requires Mac OS X 10.6 or later and costs US$7.99, though version 2.0 9 is a free update for registered users.
VintageScene is software for converting new photographs into retro, aged, and vintage style effects. With it you can take total control over the age, fade, distress, weathering, and tint of photos, assign paper age and color, choose an overlay or border to accentuate the age of the photo, add details, and more. Version 2.0 adds a new user interface, as well as a new effect called "Faded Time" that recreates a photograph that has been faded and severely weathered.
With VintageScene, you can emulate looks from the early 1800s all the way through current times. You can also: control the age and color of a photo; assign paper age and color; choose an overlay or border to accentuate the age of the photo and add details; save presets...
VidConvert 1.0.4 for Mac OS X gets Passthrough option
Independent software developer Reggie Ashworth has updated VidConvert, his video converter for Mac OS X, to version 1.0.4. The upgrade contains a new Passthrough option in the Advanced panel.
There are also a new Same as Source folder output option and a new menubar shortcut to delete files in the main list. Now files with duplicate names will add a suffix instead of overwriting. There were also improvements made to the Info panel reporting, along with miscellaneous bug fixes and optimizations.
VidConvert will convert just about any type of video into one of the a variety of formats, allowing you to create videos for your iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple TV. To use you add a file, select a format and a quality, and click convert. Optionally you can change your save folder from the main window.
For advanced users you can select the Advanced quality if you choose to allow such options as custom Frame Rate, Bit Rate, etc. But for most users simply choosing Normal or High quality should be...
GroupLogic Unveils mobilEcho
GroupLogic has unveiled mobilEcho (http://macte.ch/C3V1d), a secure mobile file management (MFM) software product for the iPad. It enables enterprise IT organizations to provide secure and managed corporate file access for enterprise iPad users, based on existing security and access control policies, according to the folks at GroupLogic.
Apple recently said more than 80% of Fortune 100 companies are either currently using or testing iPads within their organizations. Whether directly acquired by the enterprise or brought into the workplace by employees, enterprise IT organizations are struggling to offer secure access to enterprise file servers without a native, user-accessible file system on the device.
GroupMobile says mobilEcho addresses this problem by enabling enterprise IT organizations to rapidly install and provide simple, secure and managed mobile file management for corporate iPad users. It can be purchased via the GroupLogic web store.
Beginning today, GroupLogic also...
Apple buys patents from Freescale Semiconductor
Apple recently recorded the receipt of 200 patents and pending patent applications from the electronics company Freescale Semiconductor, reports "PatentlyO" (http://macte.ch/L8X4F), a patent law blog.
Although not recorded until May 18, 2011, the assignment is dated April 11, 2011. "PatentlyO" notes that the law doesn't require that patent assignments be recorded. However, the recordation of rights protects the assignee against others who may later claim rights under color of title. The assignment records available only indicate that Apple received an “assignment of assignors interest.”
"Thus, it is unclear from the information now available whether (1) Apple obtained full title to the patents and (2) whether Apple purchased the rights or obtained them through some other type of transaction," says "PatentlyO." "However, a cash purchase is likely because Apple has a large multi-billion-dollar cash surplus while Freescale has a large multi-billion-dollar debt that has come due. The...
Apple defends iOS developers in Lodsys lawsuit
According to several sources -- including "Macworld" (http://www.macworld.com) and "The Loop" (http://www.loopinsight.com), Apple's legal department has come to the defense of iOS app developers with a letter to Lodsys regarding its patent dispute with app developers.
In the letter to Lodsys, Bruce Sewell, Apple senior vice president and general counsel said, "“Apple is undisputedly licensed to these patents and the App Makers are protected by that license,” wrote Bruce Sewell, Apple Senior Vice President and General Counsel."
“Thus the technology that is targeted in your notice letters is technology that Apple is expressly licensed under the Lodsys patents to offer to Apple’s App Makers,” he added. “These licensed products and services enable Apple’s App Makers to communicate with end users through the use of Apple’s own licensed hardware, software, APIs, memory, servers, and interfaces, including Apple’s App Store. Because Apple is licensed under Lodsys’ patents to offer such...
Apple's Scott Forstall on Most Creative People in Business...
Scott Forstall, Apple's senior vice president of iPhone software, places number two on the "100 Most Creative People in Business 2011" list by "Fast Company" (http://www.fastcompany.com).
Here's what "Fast Company" has to say about Forstall: "Jonathan Ive's slick designs may grab the headlines whenever Steve Jobs introduces a new product, but it's Scott Forstall's smart software that fills Apple's coffers. As senior VP of iPhone software, Forstall is the chief architect of iOS, the industry-defining operating system that runs on more than 160 million iPhones, iPads, and iPods.
"The popularity of that tap, pinch, and swipe interface has sent Cupertino's earnings rocketing: Revenue hit a record $26.7 billion in the last quarter of 2010; 65% of it came from sales of iOS devices. Apple's Mac operating system is now being remodeled around Forstall's baby, with this summer's OS X Lion update set to include numerous features borrowed from iOS, including multitouch controls."
File It Away 1.0 released for Mac OS X
TeachTech (http://teachtechcolorado.com/) has introduced File It Away 1.0 for Mac OS X (10.6.6 or later). It costs $1.99 and is available through the Mac App Store in the Utilities category.
Providing a drag-and-drop interface, File It Away is an utility for keeping Mac files and folders filed away. You can drag files or folders to the File It Away icon, and you can choose to move or duplicate them.
The icon for the utility is automatically placed in the Dock at purchase. File It Away doesn't do anything you can't do in the Finder; it's just designed to make things easier and quicker.
NewerTech announces AdapaDrive bracket
Newer Technologies (http://www.newertech.com) has announced the NewerTech AdaptaDrive™ converter bracket for installing any capacity size 2.5-inch SATA hard drive or Solid State Drive in a 3.5-inchSATA drive bay equipped desktop Mac, PC or external enclosure.
The NewerTech AdaptaDrive is available immediately at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of US$24.99 from NewerTech’s exclusive distributor, Other World Computing (http://www.newertech.com/products/adaptadrive.php). It supports 1.5GB/s and 3.0GB/s drives, so existing notebook hard drives can be utilized for extra storage. Or a high performance 3G SSD such as the Mercury Extreme Pro can be added.
The AdaptaDrive is fully SATA 3.0 Revision 3.0 (6GB/s) compatible. It measures 5.77 x 3.98 x .35 inches and comes in a black painted aluminum design.
Backblaze Online Backup launches 'Locate My Computer'
Backblaze, an online backup provider offering unlimited backup for US$5 per month, has launched Locate My Computer, a new feature that enables users to locate lost or stolen computers.
It allows users to see the ISP, IP address, and location of the computer if it has been misplaced -- even the thief’s files if the computer was snatched by nefarious individuals. Locate My Computer is free to all Backblaze customers. Visit http://www.backblaze.com/lost_computer.html for more information.
As long as Backblaze remains installed and the computer can connect to the Internet, the Locate My Computer feature will enable users to:
° Use Backblaze's map to get a representation of where their computer is located;
° See the Internet Service Provider the account is attached to and obtain contact information;
° Obtain the specific IP address the computer is using;
° Use the "Date Range Restore" feature to see files uploaded after theft.
InnoPocket releases SeeThru Folio for the iPad 2
InnoPocket (http://www.innopocket.com) has released the SeeThru iPad 2 Folio, an US$34.99 transparent form-fitting hard case designed to allow you to show off and see the iPad 2's design while still keeping it protected.
It offers a functional three-in-one utility design. The SeeThru iPad2 Folio acts as a protecting shield, a display stand and a typing slant.
It's made from two clear polycarbonate shell. The top and bottom shells are jointed with a patent swivel hinge that rotates 360 degreems allowing the top cover to fold completely underneath the back cover exposing screen. It also sets up in multiple landscape and portrait positions. You have full access to all side buttons and ports with the case in place.
iPhone 5 to have curved glass design?
The latest in the never ending rumors on the iPhone 5 may have a curved glass design.
According to reports at "DigiTimes" (http://www.digitimes.com) and other sites, Apple is going to adopt a curved cover glass for its next generation model of the smartphone. The company has reportedly has purchased 200-300 glass cutting machines to be used by glass makers, according to unnamed sources in Taiwan.
"DigiTimes" says there's no timetable yet for the volume production of iPhone 5 as Apple is currently still working with related suppliers including those involved in cover glass, glass cutting, lamination and touch sensors to improve yield rates. The next gen phone will arrive sometime between June and September, depending on which source you believe.
Foxconn fire not expected to have major impact on iPad 2...
The explosion and following fire breaking out at Foxconn's production base of iPad 2 in Chengdu City, western China, hasn't affected the assembly lines of the tablet computer, according to Taiwan-based Chinese-language newspaper "Commercial Times" -- as reported by "DigiTimes" (http://macte.ch/HR3Dm).
The location of the explosion is used to house coating lines and store some chemical materials, "CT" reports. As many iPad supply chain players have been concerned about the impact of the accident, Foxconn has replied to them that production will continue as originally scheduled. However, Foxconn is expected to increase the proportion of total iPad 2 output at its production base in Shenzhen, southern China, adds "DigiTimes."
Apple retail stores get a revamp
On Sunday Apple on Sunday unveiled a new look to its global retail stores, celebrating the store's 10th anniversary.
The update uses dedicated iPads by all its products as sales tools for comparison shopping and customer assistance. Also, there's a new in-store app on the iPad is there "to answer questions from customers and keep them in the store," says "USA Today" (http://macte.ch/IufIJ).
The first stores sporting the revamped look and iPad "smart stations" opened Sunday morning in Sydney, Australia. This was followed by openings in Japan, Italy, France, Spain, the United Kingdom and then the US.
MEI Releases InPorter 3 to support cross-media publishing
Managing Editor Inc. (MEI) has released a new version of its InPorter file-import utility for the vjoon K4 Cross-Media Publishing Platform.
InPorter 3 now supports version 6 of vjoon K4, the database solution integrating Adobe InDesign and Adobe InCopy. The server-side module streamlines and automates the process of getting content from external sources into the vjoon K4 database. InPorter handles any kind of object that vjoon K4 can handle -- InCopy documents, InDesign layouts, image files of various kinds, graphics, ads,
multimedia and more -- as well as XML content, such as text from a Web CMS.
It works by monitoring hot folders that are linked to customer-configured feeds from external sources, such as DAMs, Web CMS platforms, content repositories, business systems or archives. InPorter places the incoming files in specific locations within the vjoon K4 workflow, where editors and designers have immediate access to them.
It can input InDesign layouts from archived sources for new...
The iPhone 5 Experiment' is underway
MEDL Mobile's app developer and marketing expert Rob Shoesmith is conducting "The iPhone 5 Experiment."
He plans on camping out on the streets of London for the launch of the iPhone 5 (whenever that may be). As part of his marketing and PR experiment, he's following one rule: he can't spent any money on anything he's taking with him. "
"I love marketing and PR and thought about camping out for the iPhone 5 and asking companies to make my stay a luxurious one," Shoesmith says. "'The interest has been amazing and things are really starting to snowball. At this rate I believe I could possibly generate more media coverage than I need a couple of years ago with my app Problem Halved."
He has a number of activities planned to pass the time including michellin starred dining from his tent, a personal training session and even a live band to keep him entertained. Shown are some of the items Shoesmith has had contributed.
You can follow his progress at http://www.robshoesmith.blogspot.com...
Tumult releases HTML5 animation builder for Mac OS X
Tumult has released Hype (http://tumultco.com/hype), a HTML5 animation builder for Mac OS X. Animations and interactive content made with Hype work on desktops, smartphones and iPads with no coding required.
Hype sports a keyframe-based animation system. It leverages a recording system to create effective motions and transition, according to the folks at Tumult.
Hype is available from the Mac App Store for an introductory price of $29.99. It requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher.
Hype's scene editor is powered by WebKit (the engine behind Safari and Chrome). Users can invoke arbitrary JavaScript for flexibility and leverage Hype's own JavaScript application programming interface to manipulate the document. Exporting to HTML5 involves copying a few lines of HTML code into an existing document and moving a resources folder. Hype also supports publishing exported documents to Dropbox.
iPad 2 part of Rutgers' Mini-MBA
The Rutgers Mini-MBA Program is offering business professionals an accelerated Digital Marketing course during the week of July 11-15.
The pioneering use of the new Apple iPad 2 in the course is transforming what was already recognized as one of the top executive education programs, says Eric Greenberg, director, Marketing Programs, Center for Management Development (CMD), Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
This program is designed for executives working in marketing, advertising, communications, sales, IT professionals looking to expand into a marketing role, or anyone who is responsible for developing a digital media or social media plan for their organization. The cost of the Rutgers Mini-MBA: Digital Marketing course is US$4,995, which includes all instructional materials on a pre-loaded iPad 2 and fees.
The Rutgers Mini MBA Program may qualify for corporate tuition reimbursement. For those interested in academic graduate credit, a three-credit course waiver is...
Plum Amazing updates iKey, yTape and CopyPaste
Plum Amazing (http://www.plumamazing.com) has new versions of the iKey, yType and CopyPaste. All require Mac OS X 10.6 or higher and are available at the Mac App Store
iKey (US$29.99), now up to version 2.5.1, is an automation utility, a program that creates shortcuts to accomplish repetitive tasks. All you have to do is put together three necessary parts of a shortcut: one or more commands that give the shortcut its functionality, a context in which it runs, and a launcher that defines how the shortcut is activated.
CopyPaste Pro 3.1 is the latest incarnation of the $30 multiple clipboard editing, display and archive utility. You can use the Clip Browser (horizontal browser) or Clip Palette (vertical browser) to see clips from different points of view. You can use the CopyPaste Tool to act on clipboard data.
yType ($9.99) is a new productivity tool that runs in the background to amplify your typing ability. Type a few characters to paste a much larger block of text.
Kwik Photoshop plug-in updated to version 1.1
Kwiksher has released Kwik 1.1 (ttp://www.kwiksher.com), an update of the plug-in for Adobe Photoshop CS5 designed to simplify the creation of interactive, animated content for both iOS and Android devices.
Targeted to designers and illustrators who want to create comics, magazines, and interactive books, Kwik allows users to add buttons, animations, and with the new version, videos to static Photoshop compositions. Version 1.1 allows users to add video and brings new animation and button action types and more.
Kwik requires Photoshop CS5 for OS X, the Ansca Corona software development kit for Mac OS X, a certified iOS and/or Android developer membership and Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later. It's normally priced at US$79.99, but is currently available at the special introductory price of $49.99 directly from Kwiksher. Kwik is free for projects with only one or two pages.
