To convince Apple to save the most popular features from MobileMe, Command Guru has launched the iCloud Petition (http://icloudpetition.commandguru.com/). Anyone can check the services they would like to see integrated within iCloud and contribute to construct enough feedback to Apple. According to recently published Apple guidelines, the shift from MobileMe to iCloud will kill a few synchronizing goodies like keychain, System Preferences and Mail. Other services, like the Photo Gallery, iDisk space and iWeb publishing functions, will be terminated as well, and the users will have to find alternative solutions within June 30, 2012. When asked to save some MobileMe features, CEO Tim Cook said that "Apple is open to it if there is enough feedback on the subject." With the iCloud Petition, anyone can check the services they would like to see integrated within iCloud. To adhere to the iCloud Petition connect to the initiative web page and check your favorite MobileMe features. The...

DAZ 3D has released both DAZ Studio 4 Advanced and Pro -- the latest versions of its character creation, art and animation tool. DAZ Studio 4 boasts a new 3D figure platform that enables the Genesis series of figures from DAZ 3D. This new 3D figure platform allows artists to create a variety of custom characters with high detail from one common base model. The foundation for the Genesis series of figures is comprised of DAZ 3D's patent pending TriAx weight map system and a new open file format. Other DAZ Studio 4 Advanced features include: ° Auto-Fit, which provides a way to automatically fit clothing originally made specifically for your favorite fourth generation DAZ 3D figures to the new fifth generation Genesis figures. ° Progressive Rendering, which allows you to see a draft image followed by a series of better images on subsequent passes. ° A Multi-Layered Image Editor that allows you to create image layers that you can then add to underlying surface textures to create things...

In the new ebook from TidBITS Publishing, "Take Control of Spotlight for Finding Anything on Your Mac," Mac expert Sharon Zardetto has created a resource that explains how to use the Mac's built-in Spotlight search engine to find files, folders, contacts, appointments, songs, and more. Zardetto explores the hidden depths of Spotlight searching. In the process, she reveals beginner and power user techniques, including the secret grammar behind Spotlight searches so that readers can search directly using Spotlight's internal query language. The 158-page ebook is now available for US$15 at http://www.takecontrolbooks.com/spotlight .

ArtVPS has launched Shaderlight 2 (http://www.shaderlight.com), a new version of the software that brings interactive rendering to Google SketchUp. Now Shaderlight Pro users can render animations directly from SketchUp, developing their 3d concepts into animated photorealistic presentations. There's also a new feature called Replace Me, which purportedly enables users to render detailed models without the associated slow down when using large amounts of geometry. ArtVPS has linked with DynaScape, a provider of software for landscape design professionals, to offer a selection of detailed models for this new feature. The animation tool will appear as a new button on the Shaderlight toolbar and access an interface that enables users to render SketchUp scene transitions as a sequence of photorealistic images for animation. Shaderlight 2 supports the camera positions, object and layer visibility in SketchUp scenes. It will also render animations created using the SUanimate and Keyframe...

WriteIt! Studios has updated Cookie Stumbler (http://www.writeitstudios.com), an application to keep your Mac's privacy safe, to version 1.3. The upgrade adds the possibility to synchronize all configuration data and the definitions with Write!It! Studios' ew app Cookie Stumbler Mobile for the iPad so that users can customize their configuration once and enjoy ad-free web browsing on their Mac and iPad. Cookie Stumbler includes tools to detect ad/tracking cookies. It features schedules, on-click filter and automator actions to make the process customizable. The app requires Mac OS X 10.5 or higher. With Cookie Stumbler you can scan and track cookies, then remove them with a single click. It supports Google Chrome, Firefox, OmniWeb, Chromium, Safari and Flash cookies, Cookie Stumbler comes with a one-year subscription to WriteIt's update service, which includes software and definition updates. Subscription extensions are available for $10 for one year and $17 for two years for both,...

Skype is launching Skype for Mac 5.4 Beta. The launch introduces the same Facebook integration found in Skype 5.5 for Windows. We are excited to finally deliver Facebook integration to our Mac users.   You'll now be able to IM and connect with your Facebook friends without leaving Skype. You'll also be able to read and update your News Feed, as well as comment and "Like" your Facebook friends’ posts -- all within Skype for Mac. To connect to Facebook, simply sign into Skype, click on the Connect to Facebook tab and enter your Facebook sign in details. To download the beta, go to http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/get-skype/on-your-computer/macosx/beta/ .

China Mobile, the world's largest mobile phone company in terms of users, will work with Apple on an alliance that may lead to an iPhone for the company’s fourth-generation TD-LTE network, reports "Bloomberg." “China Mobile and Apple hope to find a solution for close collaboration” on the TD-LTE network and compatible products, China Mobile Chairman Wang Jianzhou said in an interview. “We discussed this issue with Apple. We hope Apple will produce a new iPhone with TD-LTE. We have already got a positive answer from Apple.” China Mobile’s homegrown third-generation TD-SCDMA network technology isn’t compatible with current iPhones. Still, China Mobile attracted 8.5 million iPhone users to its second-gen network, Wang said. Those users either accept slower Internet connections on the 2G network, or access the Web over the company’s Wi-Fi network, notes "Bloomberg." The carrier got regulatory approval in December for limited trials of the TD-LTE network, which the company has said it...

"Taming Lion: a handbook for OS X 10.7" is a new guidebook to the latest and greatest operating system for the Mac. Available in ebook form only from Scrolldown Books, it offers over 300 pages of information, tips and tricks on using Mac OS X 10.7 ("Lion"). "Taming Lion" is filled with dozens of eye-popping graphics, as well. Chapters cover an introduction to Lion, the Finder, gestures & animations, LaunchPad, AutoSave, Versions, Resume, AirDrop, Address Book, iCal, Mail, Safari, Mission Control, Expose, Spaces, Automator & AppleScript, iChat, Spotlight, Time Machine, FileVault, Preview, Windows Migration Assistant, the Mac App Store, Lion Server, file sharing, screen sharing, MobileMe, accessibility, how to restore Lion, some of the geekier features of Lion, and a list of recommended third-party applications. You can download the US$6.99 ebook at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MQNPCC) or Barnes & Noble (http://macte.ch/2nKOs). The author, Dennis Sellers, has over...

Apple has released Mac mini EFI firmware Update 1.3 and MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 2.2. The former is for the Thunderbolt-enabled Mac mini and offers improved Lion Internet Recovery support. The latter is for Thunderbolt enabled MacBook Pros and also offers improved Lion Internet Recovery support. Both can be obtained via the Software Updates component of Mac OS X's Systems Preferences app. 


Ohanaware (http://www.ohanaware.com/) has released Fun Card Studio for Mac OS X, a more advanced version of Ohanaware's free e-card software, Fun Card Maker. Fun Card Studio is designed to be quick and easy to use, while allowing a greater degree of customization and personalization, according to the folks at Ohanaware. Features include one-click styles, built-in photo effects, stamp and postmark styles, a send button to send Fun Cards via Apple Mail or Microsoft Outlook, and iPhoto exporting. Fun Card Studio is compatible with Mac OS X 10.7 ("Lion") and works with Mac OS X 10.6.6 or newer. It's available at the Mac App Store. Ohanaware is running a special offer. You can buy Fun Card Studio for US$0.99 for a limited time; the regular price is $9.99.

Dashwood Cinema Solutions, developer of Mac-based stereoscopic 3D (S3D) products, has released Stereo3D (http://www.dashwood3d.com/stereo3dcat.php), an on-set calibration and analysis system. Introduced at NAB 2011, it provides the ability to simplify stereoscopic 3D camera calibration and monitoring. Stereo3D CAT implements patent-pending technology to power systems for accurately aligning the geometry and colorimetry of stereoscopic setups, calculating proper interaxial separation for any given parallax depth budget, monitoring parallax and vergence in the scene, compensating for disparities in the image and logging all settings for future reference in production or post-production, according to Dashwood Cinema Solutions Founder Tim Dashwood. Stereo3D costs US$12,499. A demo is available for download.

Quark has announced two upcoming App Boot Camp events that will be held in Denver, Colorado, and London. In each one-day event attendees will learn how to create, design, and publish apps to the App Store, as well as how to publish enriched, immersive content to those apps. Quark’s own experts as well as special industry guests will guide attendees through the process and offer insight into iPad and tablet publishing, says Gavin Drake, vice president of marketing for Quark. On Oct. 20, the company will host an App Studio Boot Camp in Denver with an agenda built to help designers and corporate publishers learn the end-to-end process of creating and publishing to an iPad app. The one-day event will offer expert instruction as well as a chance to network with attendees from around the U.S. One guest speaker is Jay Nelson, editor of "Planet Quark" and "Design Tools Monthly," as well as media partners The Seybold Report and CreativePro.com, and networking event sponsor Oskar Blues...

SanDisk Corp. (http://www.sandisk.com) has unveiled a line-up of new retail products and introduced a new preservation solutions category. SanDisk developed the SanDisk Memory Vault using Chronolock technology, which incorporates the key elements of advanced solid-state storage to create a proprietary memory management solution for storing digital photos. This allows the device to provide consumers with peace of mind that their precious photos and videos will be preserved for up to 100 years, according to Bob O’Keefe, vice president, retail marketing, SanDisk. The SanDisk Memory Vault comes in 8GB and 16GB capacities with manufacturer's suggested retail prices of US$49.99 and $89.99. With the 64GB SanDisk Extreme Pro SDXC UHS-I Card: SanDisk doubled the performance and capacity of its professional-grade imaging lineup to create a new SD card based on the latest SD 3.0 specification’s Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus architecture. The card offers the fastest write performance of any SD card...

Fidelity Media has updated MegaSeg, the DJ mixing app and broadcast automation system made especially for Mac, to version 5.7.2, featuring full compatibility with OS X Lion. It's available at the Mac App Store. The new version also delivers over 60 improvements including new Lion-style scrolling and optimizations for Multi-Touch trackpads. Additional refinements throughout the app cover features such as ambient video, category browsing, decks, events, mic play-thru, MIDI, playlists, and the scheduler. MegaSeg Pro provides advanced features for pro DJs and VJs, radio and TV stations, and hospitality businesses such as restaurants and hotels. The Pro edition incorporates video playback for ambient visuals, hot keys for instant sound effects, automated music scheduling, ad messaging events, track separation rules, request lists, and more. The DJ edition offers features including visual beat syncing, headphone outputs for preview, MIDI support, automatic volume control, fast category...

Slappstick (http://www.slappstick.de) has updated AppyDays, a Mac OS X utility for tracking discounted apps, to version 1.4. Users can now filter Mac App Store categories. Also, there are now separate filters for every platform. With AppDays one click directs you to the Apple App Store or Mac App Store immediately. The small application window can be left open while people work on their computers. AppDays displays discounted apps in the stores. It sports filters available for price (Mac and iOS) and category (iOS only). AppyDays for Mac requires Mac OS X 10.6 or later. It's available for free at the Mac App Store in the Reference category.

Apple has greed with South Korea’s fair trade regulator to revise its customer-service policy for iPhone users in the country to address complaints about the handling of faulty devices, reports "Bloomberg" (http://macte.ch/bS66H). Consumers who find defects in their Apple smartphones within a month of purchase will receive new devices instead of refurbished ones, the Fair Trade Commission says. South Korea became the first country to convince Apple to change its global customer policy, notes "Bloomberg" Korean iPhone buyers have complained Apple only gives devices refurbished with used parts when there are problems with the product, even though its service warranty states customers can get refunds, new phones or free repairs, the commission said. Under the revision, consumers have the right to choose between the options.

The long awaited VMware Fusion 4 ships today. VMware promises the new version to not only be faster but have a variety of new features that support Mac OS X Lion. It's available now at http://www.vmware.com/vmwarestore/fusion-for-mac for a promotional price of US$49.99 through the end of 2011 (normally $79.99). "Enhancements to VMware Fusion 4 make it a breeze to run Windows and Mac Applications side by side on a Mac," says Pat Lee, director, client product management, VMware. "Offering full integration into Apple OS X Lion, VMware Fusion 4 builds on our proven, award winning platform to provide an easy, fast and reliable way to run Windows applications on a Mac." VM Fusion 4 boasts more than 90 new features and is optimized for multi-core Macs. Using the latest version on Lion, you can choose which Windows programs to add to Launchpad, experience them in Mission Control, view them in full screen or switch between them using Mac gestures. And, you can limit spotlight to the Windows...

Kapeli (http://kapeli.com/dashexpander/) has released Dash and DashExpander, two free Mac applications. Both require Mac OS X 10.7 ("Lion") and are available at the Mac App Store. DashExpander saves you from typing long strings of text by defining abbreviations that are later expanded whenever you type them. You can collect text snippets that you often reuse. Dash is a code snippet manager and documentation browser. It builds on top of DashExpander and provides extra functionality for developers. Dash also features Wiki pages for each Cocoa class and method.

FelixDev has released FileAngel 1.0 for Mac OS X 10.6 and greater. It offers a Finder-like interface for displaying deleted files and the functionality to undelete files in a variety of circumstances. From basic mistakes such as accidentally emptying the trash to the recovery of erased files from freshly formatted disks, it also provides data recovery from most filesystem types. FileAngel works on digital cameras, phones, and disks formatted for most operating systems. Additionally, it has the option to search only in free space on Macintosh formatted disks. FileAngel offers an automatic icon preview of the deleted files built in, allowing the user to see the deleted files contents before performing the data recovery. It opens your device in Read Only mode and searches for remnants of file contents. A free trial of the product is available from the FelixDev web site (http://www.felixdev.com/) that allows previews of the deleted files it finds. FileAngel costs US$99 for the...

fuse (http://www.fuseplusyou.com) has debuted the US$49.99 PowerSlice Charging Station bundle, which includes two iPod/iPhone-compatible charging Slices within the package. The new bundle allows consumers to charge up to four electronic devices at once (including three iPods and/or iPhones) via the universal charging base and included pie-shaped “Slices,” each of which contains a charging tip. The Slices are interchangeable. Other Slices can be purchased separately to charge smartphones, digital cameras and handheld gaming systems. The built-in USB 2.0 port on the base station also allows for charging of a fourth device, such as an e-reader or Bluetooth headset. The PowerSlice includes an on/off switch so users can control when devices are charging, eliminating unneeded energy use. It features a UL-rated plug for added safety and protection, says Ken Eisenbraun, president of fuse parent company, foneGEAR.

The Marbians have crashed onto the Mac App Store in the Games category. They/it require Mac OS X 10.6 or higher and cost US$4.99. Here's how the game -- which has over 70 puzzles -- is described: "Won’t you help the Marbians return to their UFOs in this retro-themed off-the-wall marble puzzle game from Nordisk Film Games Publishing? Experience retro-meets-modern themed levels in over 70 challenging puzzles in this physics-based puzzle game." "Get your angles right and send the Marbians in their marble-encased spacesuits spiraling and smashing off walls to overcome challenging obstacles and find a path back to their UFOs. Bounce the aliens off walls and collect moon rocks to earn more points."

Cross Culture has released Mergemill Pro 4.1, an update of their app for cleansing and de-duplicating data. Mac OS X 10.7 ("Lion") users can now choose any high-quality voice in a language provided by the OS and use Mergemill Pro to turn web pages and emails to near-natural speech. Also, users can set up an automated voice announcement system that reads some generated text at scheduled times. Mergemill Pro takes diverse sources of data -- such as databases, web pages, e-mails and more -- and merges them with templates to produce the desired output, from web pages to customized e-mails. The program features data-processing capabilities such as data filters, multi-level data sorting, BASIC scripting, and multiple search-and-replace actions. Mergemill Pro supports Unicode and other text encodings, and has project scheduling and auto-run functionality. Users can control output in templates through scripting with tags for content insertion, arithmetic expressions, looping, branching,...

Stellar Phoenix (http://www.macintosh-software.net/) says its Mac series of system optimization tools are now compatible with Mac OS X 10.7 ("Lion"). Stellar Mac Tools are utilities that help user to maintain, repair, optimize, protect and recover their data from Mac. Stellar Mac tool includes system utilities like Speed up Mac, Drive Clone, Drive Defrag, Partition Manager, Mac Data Recovery, Entourage Repair and Photo Recovery.

The next meeting of The Macintosh Business Users Society of Greater Philadelphia (http://www.macbus.org/) will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 6:30 pm. For this month's meeting, MacBUS member Ben Romney will present "Going Paperless: Drastically Reducing the Amount of Paper." This session will focus on strategies and techniques for moving towards a paperless work environment, or reducing the amount of paper coming in and going out through hardware, software and organizational practices. A general Mac troubleshooting Q&A session will also be held. Attendees are encouraged to bring questions and invite friends or coworkers who may find the meeting beneficial. MacBUS was the first user group in the United States to focus on the business and professional uses of the Macintosh operating system.  The group of approximately 75 members meets this month at: University of the Arts Connelly Auditorium in Tera Hall 8th Floor 211 South Broad Street, Philadelphia Meetings are usually held on...