The new "Your Mac Life" episode looks at new Steve Jobs biography by Walter Issacson, the 10th anniversary of the iPod and the rebranding of the Macworld Expo to Macworld/iWorld. 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 has quietly begun work on a solar farm that apparently could help power its sprawling data center in southern Catawba County, North Carolina, according to "The Charlotte Observer" (http://macte.ch/B7hdu). Permits issued by Catawba County show that the company has been approved to reshape the slope of some of the 171 acres of vacant land it owns on Startown Road, opposite the data center, in preparation of building a solar farm, the article adds. The engineering plans show how the company will keep soil that it moves around the site from washing into creeks and other areas, notes "The Observer." The permit has no detail about the solar farm itself, including its size. A Charlotte firm is listed on the erosion control permit as the contractor. Last year it was announced that Apple was building a 500,000 square foot data center in Catawba County on the outskirts of Maiden. Maiden and Catawba County agreed to US$7.3 million in incentives for Apple in order for them to build the...

Hindsight Labs has introduced Scout File Explorer 1.0 (http://www.hindsightlabs.com/products/scout/), a simplified file manager for Mac OS X. It requires Mac OS X 10.6.7 or higher and costs US$9.99. It's available worldwide exclusively through the Mac App Store in the Utilities category. Scout File Explorer offers a two-pane, tree-style interface and offers an alternative file management interface to the built-in Finder application. Scout's tree-style file view will also be familiar to anyone who has previously used Windows Explorer, according to the folks at Hindsight Labs. Scout also offers the ability to cut and paste files and and the ability to open a terminal window at the currently viewed location. It also fully integrates with existing applications so you can drag and drop files between Scout, Finder, and the desktop.

ThinkGeek (http://www.thinkgeek.com/) says will release an accessory for the iPhone 4S that works with Siri, named Iris 9000.  The Iris 9000 is a voice control module for iPhone 4S & Siri that allows for you to control Siri from across the room. Siri on iPhone 4S lets you use your voice to send messages, schedule meetings, place phone calls, and more. Apple says that you can ask Siri to do things just by talking the way you talk. I haven't tried it, but Apple says Siri understands what you say, knows what you mean, and even talks back. What differentiates Siri from competing technologies is its ability to not only recognize words spoken in a normal tone of voice, but its capacity to pick up on the contextual meaning of a phrase, according to Apple. To use Siri with the Iris 9000, place your iPhone into the Iris 9000 cradle and use the included micro remote to trigger Siri from up to 50 feet away. Tap the Iris 9000 remote button once, listen for the Siri chime and speak your...

IMCapture has released IMCapture for Microsoft Messenger:mac (http://macte.ch/G67J1). The software is designed for capturing and recording your video and audio sessions made by Microsoft Live Messenger. With IMCapture you can create recordings and save them into various video and audio formats. The program supports MP3, MPEG4, MOV, etc. You can publish these files on Internet resources, share with colleagues and family members, and watch them repeatedly. IMCapture for Microsoft Messenger requires Mac OS X 10.5 or higher. It costs US$49.95 for a single user license.

D-Link (http://www.dlinkshop.com/store/) has announced its latest in PowerLine 200Mbps home networking solutions with a new line of mini adapters. Pricing ranges from US$59.99 to $129.99. The PowerLine AV Mini Adapter (DHP-310AV) and PowerLine AV Mini Adapter Starter Kit (DHP-311AV), as well as the PowerLine AV 4-Port Switch Mini Adapter Starter Kit (DHP-348AV) transform a home’s existing electrical wiring into a high-speed home network. PowerLine technology delivers a high-performance, reliable and secure wireless signal throughout the home that's suitabl for connecting a desktop, laptop or wired entertainment device in those hard-to-reach spots, such as homes or small offices where concrete walls, successive floors in multi-storied buildings, or other architectural impediments could inhibit a wireless signal.   Delivering speeds of up to 200Mbps over existing electrical wiring, D-Link’s latest PowerLine products are ideal for high-bandwidth network-ready devices such as the Boxee...

The PandaWare Company has updated Simple Help Editor, its cross-platform help authoring application, to version 5.0. The upgrade introduces support for localizing Help content in multiple languages, offers support for Apple's Help Bundle format, offers more flexibility in display of content, adds stability and boosts performance. Mac and Windows users can use Simple Help Editor to create software help systems that display in Apple Help Viewer, Windows' HTML Help viewer, a Web browser, or in a proprietary help window (for applications created with Real Software's REALbasic). Simple Help Editor is available as a Mac OS X Universal Binary application (for Mac OS X 10.4 or higher) and a Windows 2000 or higher application. Both can be downloaded from The PandaWare Company's web site (http://www.pandaware.com/download.html#simplehelp).
 Simple Help Editor 5.0 is available as a free download, and operates in demo mode until licensed. The demo version operates for 30 days and allows saving up...

Akvis (http://www.akvis.com) has released version 7.5 of its photo collage program, Akvis Chameleon. The new version offers support for GPU acceleration that speeds up image processing. Some minor bugs have been fixed, as well. The software is available as a standalone program as well as a plug-in for Photoshop on Mac OS X and Windows systems. The plug-in version is compatible with Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo, PhotoImpact, Corel Photo-Paint and other software. For a free trial, Akvis offers 10 days of fully functional use. Users of the latest versions (5-7) of Akvis Chameleon can upgrade to version 7.5 for free. For new users the cost is US$75 for the home version (plug-in or standalone), $90 for the home deluxe version (plug-in or standalone) and $230 for the business version (plug-in or standalone, for commercial use.)

Other World Computing (http://www.macsales.com) is offering OWC PC3-10600 DDR3 1333MHz 8GB memory modules that provide 12GB and 16GB memory configurations for the new, speed-bumped MacBook Pros By installing the RAM upgrades themselves, new MacBook Pro model owners can add up to double the factory maximum installed memory at a savings of up to 75%, compared to factory upgrade options, according to the folks at OWC. To make memory installation an easy DIY process, OWC offers free installation videos. Upgrade options are: ° OWC 4GB DDR3 1333MHz Memory Module -- US$33.97 (or $26.97 after OWC offered factory memory trade-in rebate.) This replaces an existing 2GB module for 6GB of total memory. ° OWC 8GB DDR3 1333MHz Memory Upgrade Kit (2 x 4GB) -- $63.99 (or $49.99 after OWC offered factory memory trade-in rebate.) This replaces both existing factory 2GB modules for 8GB of total memory. Up to $150 less vs. factory 8GB option. ° OWC 12GB DDR3 1333MHz Memory Upgrade Kit (8GB + 4GB) -- $...

Apple has turned to Jeff Robbin, who helped create the iPod and the iTunes Store, to guide development of the company's HDTV effort, reports "Bloomberg" (http://macte.ch/LOVFk), quoting unnamed "people with knowledge of the project." According to the sources, Apple is working to integrate seamless content search features into the device. "For example, instead of having to separately check to see if a movie or show is available through Netflix or a cable service, all the material could be integrated," the sources told "Bloomberg." Robbin worked for Apple in the 1990s as a system software engineer. After leaving Apple he developed a number of applications for the Mac including Conflict Catcher and helped developer the SoundJam MP, MP3 playing software, for Casady & Greene. In 2000, Apple bought the rights to the software, hired Robbin and turned it into iTunes with Jeff as lead developer He was also involved in developing the iPod, as co-lead of the initial iPod team with Tony...

Apple has released Apple TV 4.4.2 for its set-top box. The new version adds support for the following: ° Photo Stream, which lets you view photos taken on your iOS device and pushed to your Photo Stream in iCloud; ° AirPlay Mirroring, which lets you wirelessly stream what's on your iPhone 4S or iPad 2 screen to your HDTV; ° The National Hockey League: you can now watch live games, view highlights, scores, and more; ° "The Wall Street Journal": you can view up-to-date news, business commentary, and financial analysis; ° New slideshow themes: Photo Wall, Flip-up, and Shifting Tiles. ° Support for subtitles on Netflix when available. Apple TV devices with software version 4.4 and 4.4.1 have an issue with updating software to later versions. Apple says that the recommended way to resolve this is go to Settings -> General -> Reset -> Reset All Settings, prior to updating. Note: If you apply the software update without resetting all settings first, the updater will reset the...

Apple, Nokia, RIM and Sony Ericsson are expected to join the "LTE club" in 2012 as more telecom service providers around the globe are also going to launch LTE services in the coming year, reports "DigiTimes" (http://www.digitimes.com), quoting unnamed "industry sources in Taiwan." LTE (Long Term Evolution) is a wireless broadband technology designed to support roaming Internet access via cell phones and handheld devices. Since LTE offers improvements over older cellular communication standards, some refer to it as a 4G (fourth generation) technology along with WiMax. A total of 35 LTE networks globally have already entered commercial operations, with the number of such networks to exceeding 100 prior to the end of 2012, according to data released by GSA (Global Mobile Suppliers Association). By 2015, the number of LTE service subscribers will reach 290 million and annual sales of LTE-enabled smartphones will surpass 154 million units, estimated market research firm In-Stat

Apple is involved in a new program designed to improve the number of women in technology and computing is creating accelerated results for its participants, according to an announcement today from the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT). NCWIT Pacesetters is a fast-track program in which executives from universities and corporations commit their organizations to fundamental enhancements in their recruitment and retention of women. With the goal of bringing "net new" women to the computing and technology workforce, the Pacesetters program helps members employ innovative methods to attract previously untapped talent pools of women and retain women who are at risk of leaving. "The work these organizations have done to increase women’s participation is so impressive, and the benefits are clear: an expanded talent pool to fill the growing number of computing-related occupations, and improved technology innovation through a greater diversity of perspectives,"...

The agenda has been set for the Second Annual Boston SuperMeet (http://supermeet.com/), to take place on Thursday, Oct 27, at the Stuart Street Playhouse, Radisson Hotel Boston in Boston, Massachusetts. Featuring Oscar and BAFTA winning film and sound editor, Walter Murch and Andrew Weisblum, A.C.E. for Avid, this SuperMeet promises to be the single largest gathering of editors, gurus and digital filmmakers in the Northeast. Tickets are on sale online only and can be purchased at the SuperMeet web site. The SuperMeet stage show will begin at 7 p.m. and continue until 11 p.m. Doors open at 3:30pm for the "SuperMeet Digital Showcase" featuring over 15 software and hardware developers. Tickets are on sale online for US$10.00 each and $7.00 for students and teachers with a valid ID.

SCOtutor for Lion 1.0 (http://macte.ch/yOASc) is a new video tutorial app produced by Don McAllister of ScreenCastsOnline, but with a twist. It's the first app to feature onscreen subtitles in English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese and Simplified Chinese. SCOtutor for Lion is a multilingual HD video tutorial, designed to explore and explain many of the new features in Apple's latest operating system and is aimed at both new and experienced Mac users. SCOtutor for Lion is being made available for a special introductory price of US$3.99 for a limited time via the Mac App Store.

Fujitsu (http://www.fujitsu.com) has announced new capabilities for sending scanned paperwork to the Apple iPad and iPhone, in addition to new functionality allowing users to upload scanned documents to a range of cloud-based services using its ScanSnap S1500, S1500M, S1300 and S1100. With the launch of its first official app for both the iPad and iPhone -- ScanSnap Connect -- consumers have a way to send and store their scans to their mobile device, and organizations have a solution to assist with collaboration between colleagues and business partners. Furthermore, ScanSnap now enables users to scan documents directly to Salesforce Chatter and SugarSync, in addition to the scanner's cloud services support for Evernote and Google Docs. The ScanSnap S1500, S1500M, S1300 and S1100 are all capable of supporting the new enhancements. Current users can update their existing software using the built-in online update feature accessible from the ScanSnap icon help menu that resides in the...

Realore Studios' Roads of Rome 2 is now available at the Macgamestore (http://www.macgamestore.com). It requires Mac OS X 10.4 or higher and costs US$6.99. Here's how the game is described: "Caesar, the governor of Rome, has been poisoned, and there's no potion strong enough in the world of mortals that can cure him of his terrible disease. Caesar's daughter Julia is in despair and Victorius, an honorable general, sets out on a long journey to the kingdom of the Gods. The lands of barbarians are full of dangers, so be careful! Clear up your way and build roads, leave gifts and offerings on the Gods' altars and help Victorius find the magic potion that will save Caesar's life. "Your quest will be long and difficult, but if you succeed, the Gods are sure to smile down on the citizens of Rome! Shatter the peace and quiet of the Gods' kingdom and help Victorius accomplish lots of challenging tasks on his way."

In the second quarter of 2011, Android overtook iOS to become the market share leader in mobile application downloads, according to ABI Research (http://www.abiresearch.com). The market shares of Android and iOS were 44% and 31%, respectively, according to the research group. "Android’s open source strategy is the main factor for its success," says Lim Shiyang, research associate. "Being a free platform has expanded the Android device install base, which in turn has driven growth in the number of third party multi-platform and mobile operator app stores. These conditions alone explain why Android is the new leader in the mobile application market." Recent quarterly shipment growth figures also explain Android’s ascent to the top app download position, he adds. iPhone shipment growth in Q2 2011 slowed to 9% from 15% a quarter earlier. In contrast, Android smartphone shipments increased 36% in Q2 2011, compared to 20% in Q1. Android’s install base now exceeds iOS by a factor of 2.4-to-...

There was no press release to announce the changes, but Apple has tweaked its MacBook Pro line with, as you might guess, faster processors and beefier video chips. The US$1,199 13-inch model now packs a 2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor and a 500GB, 5400RPM hard drive,. The $1,499 model has a 2.8GHz Core i7 with a 750GB, 5400RPM hard drive. The entry level 15-inch MacBook Pro ($1,799) sports a 2.2GHz quad-core Core i7 system with a Radeon HD 6750M graphics processor, 512MB of GDDR5 memory, and a 500GB, 5400RPM hard drive. The 2.4GHz quad-core Core i7 model ($2,199) has an AMD Radeon HD 6770M graphics processor with 1GB of GDDR5 memory and a 750GB, 5400RPM hard drive. The $2,499 17-inch MacBook Pro boasts a 2.4GHz quad-core Core i7 processor, a Radeon HD 6770M discrete graphics processor, 1GB of GDDR5 memory, and a 750GB, 5400RPM hard drive. The 2.4GHz Core i7 chip on the high-end 15-inch or the 17-inch model can be upgraded to a 2.5GHz quad-core Core i7 chip for an extra $250....

Dag Kittlaus -- the co-founder and CEO of the company that created the Siri voice control feature, which Apple launched along with the iPhone 4S, has left the company, though the departure was "amicable," according to "AllThingsD" (http://macte.ch/ifreU). Quoting unnamed sources, the article says there were several reasons for the departure, including Kittlaus’s family being in Chicago, a desire to take time off and an interest in brainstorming new entrepreneurial ideas. Kittlaus has led the speech recognition efforts for Apple since Apple bought Siri in April of 2010. Siri on iPhone 4S lets you use your voice to send messages, schedule meetings, place phone calls, and more. Apple says that you can ask Siri to do things just by talking the way you talk. I haven't tried it, but Apple says Siri understands what you say, knows what you mean, and even talks back. What differentiates Siri from competing technologies is its ability to not only recognize words spoken in a normal tone of...

iLuv Creative Technology (http://www.i-luv.com) has introduced the iMM155 VibroTM II, the latest addition to their patent pending Vibro Series of digital alarm clock docks. It will be released in November at a street price of US$69.99. The VibroTM II is an alarm clock dock allowing consumers to wake to their favorite songs on their iPhone or iPod, FM radio, the Shaker or any combination with the Shaker. When placed under a pillow, the Shaker’s vibrations are guaranteed to wake even the heaviest sleeper or the hearing impaired, says Pia Chon, marketing director at iLuv. Available in four colors, the iMM155 has a large LCD display designed to be easy to read from anywhere in the room; also 10 brightness level adjustments let you find the setting most appropriate for you. Additionally, the iMM155 features Time Sync to reconcile time with your iPhone or iPod and also highlights the alarm setting and time instead of just a bell indicating the alarm is set. Users can charge their iPhone or...

Selectsoft has introduced Crystal Caverns of Amon Ra 1.0, a match-3 game for Mac OS X (10.6.6 or higher). It's available in the Mac App Store for US$4.99. Here's how the game is described: "The gameplay of Crystal Caverns combines match-3 strategy with arcade-style shooting as players try to capture crystal orbs running along a twisting path. Meet the challenge of the Guardian as you blast through over 1000 incredible levels, filled with twists and turns, winding caverns, sphere teleports, and more."

newMacgadgets (http://newmacgadgets.com/) has introduced their new iPad 2 Wall Mount Display. The US$79.95 display allows businesses to secure the Apple tablet while displaying their message or advertisement in an open environment. Constructed from one-inch clear acrylic, the Wall Mount Display can hang in either the landscape or portrait position. Screws for mounting to the wall are concealed behind the iPad 2 and aren't accessible unless the tablet is removed from the display. A three-6th clear cover secures the iPad 2 within the base and allows access to the screen. The cover is held in place with stainless steel, Torx tamper-proof screws. An optional clear cover can also be ordered with a button guard preventing access to the on/off button. Slots are also provided for the charging cable and earphones. The iPad Wall Mount can also work as a free standing display for table tops. Hardware is included for securing the display to a hard surface.

Two World II Game of the Year Edition is now available at the Macgamestore (http://www.macgamestore.com). It require Mac OS X 10.6.3 or higher and costs US$49.95. Here's how the game is described: "Two Worlds II Game of the Year Edition includes the award-winning 'Two Worlds' II and the add-in 'Pirates of the Flying Fortress' plus all upgrades, that have been released so far. "Special items like a Pirate-Pin for the players Armor are part of this special offer. This Item not only looks great but also gives the player a big boost for his character! But that isn't all there is so much more, like Artwork, Wallpapers, Videos and the brand-new Soundtrack plus two additional multiplayer maps."