Monotype Imaging introduces Akko typeface family
Monotype Imaging Holdings has launched the 24-font Akko typeface suite by Akira Kobayashi, type director at the company's Germany-based subsidiary, Linotype GmbH. The newest member of the Linotype collection, Akko is the first original typeface by Kobayashi in several years.
The Akko suite consists of two typeface families, Akko and Akko Rounded. The families each contain six fonts that range from thin to black, all with complementary italics. Both families are available as OpenType Pro fonts, which support the ability to automatically insert small caps, ligatures, alternate characters and other typographic treatments. Pro fonts offer an extended character set that supports most Central European and many Eastern European languages.
Akko fonts can be viewed, purchased and downloaded from http://www.fonts.com, http://www.linotype.com and http://www.itcfonts.com . The Akko fonts are also available for website design to commercial subscribers of Fonts.com Web Fonts.
IconsBerlin refreshes tab bar icon collection
Haase and Martin says the tab bar icon collection (http://www.iconsberlin.com/) made by iconsBerlin was revised recently and 51 icons were added.
In the section, navigation, different Icons were added -- which, for instance, symbolize functions like the changing of settings or updating process. The whole collection includes 578 tab bar icons and is available worldwide.
All icons support the high resolution of the iPhone 4 retina display. So each tab bar icon appears in a size of 60 x 60 pixels. In addition app developers get all icons in a smaller size that is 30 x 30 pixels which are used on iPhone 3 apps and on the iPad. Icons Berlin costs approximately US$72.
Graphic Inspector update improves checkup accuracy of GIF files
Zevrix Solutions (http://www.zevrix.com) has updated Graphic Inspector, which checks entire folders of graphic files for potential problems, to version 1.7.12. The new version improves checkup accuracy of GIF files and images with unknown resolution.
Graphic Inspector lets graphic professionals et crucial info on multiple graphic files instead of checking them manually. Users automatically get information on multiple raster and vector files. Graphic Inspector will display the file kind, color mode, resolution, compression, color profile, spot colors, fonts, metadata and other attributes.
With its checkup presets, Graphic Inspector lets users create custom control settings and locate files with unwanted attributes. For example, users can make Graphic Inspector warn them about all files whose color mode is RGB, format -- JPEG, resolution is below 200 dpi, ICC profile doesn't contain "USWebCoated" etc.
Graphic Inspector costs US$39.95. A demo is available for download. The 1.7.12 update...
ProjectForum upgraded to version 7.0
CourseForum Technologies has announced that ProjectForum (http://www.projectforum.com/pf/), a Mac compatible, wiki-based collaboration application for small-medium teams, has been updated to version 7.0. This release provides an user interface facelift, improved theme support, new wiki format tools and more.
ProjectForum is a commercially supported, wiki collaboration server for small and medium workgroups. It runs securely on an organization's own network, keeping information in-house. Supporting multiple workgroups from a single server, it features full version control, secure authentication options, document management, full branding support and more.
Versions are available for Mac OS X, as well as Windows and Linux, while users of the software need only a web browser. ProjectForum offers a free version, with more advanced licenses starting at US$79. A fully managed hosted version is also available and is designed for those who may want to migrate in-house later.
Apple, others sued for pay fixing, 'No Solicitation'...
Another day, another lawsuit. Joseph R. Saveri of the national plaintiffs' law firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, says Siddharth Hariharan, a former software engineer at Lucasfilm and founder and CEO of InEarth, today filed a class action lawsuit charging that several of the nation's leading high-tech companies -- including Apple -- violated antitrust laws by conspiring to fix the pay of their employees and entering into "No Solicitation" agreements with each other.
The complaint seeks restitution for lost compensation and treble damages for the anti-competitive employment practices of Apple, Adobe, Google, Intel, Intuit, Lucasfilm and Pixar.
"My colleagues at Lucasfilm and I applied our skills, knowledge, and creativity to make the company an industry leader," says Hariharan. "It's disappointing that, while we were working hard to make terrific products that resulted in enormous profits for Lucasfilm, senior executives of the company cut deals with other premiere high tech...
Time to start guessing about 'Ivy Bridge' Macs
Wow. We were just introduced to iMac with Sandy Bridge processors on Tuesday; now it's time to start looking forward to Ivy Bridge-equipped Mac. Intel (http://www.intel.com) says that, "for the first time since the invention of silicon transistors over 50 years ago, transistors using a three-dimensional structure will be put into high-volume manufacturing."
Intel will introduce a 3-D transistor design called Tri-Gate, first disclosed by Intel in 2002, into high-volume manufacturing at the 22-nanometer (nm) node in an Intel chip codenamed "Ivy Bridge." A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter.
The three-dimensional Tri-Gate transistors represent a fundamental departure from the two-dimensional planar transistor structure that has powered not only all computers, mobile phones and consumer electronics to-date, but also the electronic controls within cars, spacecraft, household appliances, medical devices and virtually thousands of other everyday devices for decades.
"Intel's...
Apple releases iOS 4.3.3
Apple has posted iOS 4.3.3 for GSM-based iPhones and iOS 4.2.8 for CDMA-based iPhones. The main focus of the updates is to address the location data logging brouhaha that has dogged Apple for the past few weeks.
The 4.3.3 update -- compatible with the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4, third and fourth generation iPod touch, and the iPad and iPad 2 -- reduces the size of the location data cache, no longer backs up the cache when syncing with iTunes, and deletes the location cache from users iPhones when Location Services is disabled. Apple has said the tendency of iOS devices to continue updating Wi-Fi and cell tower data from Apple’s crowd-sourced database even with Location Services was a bug in previous versions of iOS.
To install iOS 4.3.3 connect your iOS device to your Mac or Windows system, computer. Choose your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch device from the Library list in iTunes, click Summary, then click Check for Update.
OWC announces memory upgrades for new iMacs
Other World Computing (OWC) has announced the immediate availability of OWC PC3-10600 DDR3 1333MHz Memory Upgrade Kits for the new Mid-2011 iMac models introduced by Apple on Tuesday.
OWC’s kits that offer up to 16GB with savings up to 65% compared to factory options, as well as memory configurations not offered as factory build option. They include:
° OWC 8GB DDR3 1333MHz Memory Kit (2 x 4GB) for all Mid 2011 iMac models -- US$104.99; 47% savings vs. $200 factory 8GB option or as low as $78.99 after OWC offered factory memory trade-in rebate. This reeplaces both existing 2GB modules for 8GB of total memory;
° 12GB RAM Configuration for all Mid-2011 iMac models -- not offered as a factory option. Add the OWC 8GB Memory Kit (2 x 4GB memory modules) to factory installed base 4GB RAM for a total of 12GB RAM; compared to $200 factory 8GB (2 x 4GB) option, OWC 8GB upgrade kit delivers 50% more RAM for 47% lower cost.
° OWC 16GB DDR3 1333MHz Memory Kit (4 x 4GB) for all Mid-2011 iMac...
Mac OS X business quadruples in five years
While a lot of the credit for Apple’s success is rightfully assigned to the iOS franchises, the OS X business has more than quadrupled in five years, according to "asymco" (http://macte.ch/xKohX), a web site that focuses on "curated market intelligence."
The article adds that this has happened without drastic price fluctuations. Still, even with this success, as a percent of total value created, the Mac accounts for just 13% of Apple’s profit, notes "asymco." Including software as part of the OS X franchise implies that OS X is enabling about 20% of Apple’s profits. iOS, on the other hand, is accounting for more than 75%. These two platforms combined amount to 96% of Apple’s profits (up from 50% four years ago).
"Microsoft’s Windows and Windows Live Division obtained sales of $4.445 billion in the last quarter with an operating income of $2.764 billion," notes "asymco." "So although Windows earned about twice what the Mac earned[1], iOS and OS X together enable 3.5 times the profits...
Canalys: Apple now has 19% of smartphone market
Canalys (http://www.canalys.com) has released its worldwide country-level smart phone market data for the first quarter of 2011, revealing that Android led the market for the second quarter running, and, with 35.7 million units shipped, increased its share to 35%. Apple has 19%, says the research group.
Overall, worldwide smart phone shipments grew 83% to 101.0 million units. Though its market share shrank from 39% a year ago to 24% in Q1 2011, Nokia held onto its worldwide leadership position with 24.2 million units shipped -- a 13% year-on-year rise -- despite the current realignment of its platform strategy.
"Nokia is under considerable strain in the smart phone market as it transitions strategy, platforms and people" says Canalys Principal Analyst Pete Cunningham. "Its worldwide reach, however, should never be underestimated. Canalys’ country-level data shows that the vendor remains number one in 28 countries, including mainland China, where it grew 79% to 8.9 million units,...
75% of US physicians own some sort of Apple device
Approximately 75% of U.S. physicians own some form of Apple device, such as an iPhone, iPad or iPod, according to the new Taking the Pulse U.S. v11.0 study from pharmaceutical and healthcare market research company Manhattan Research.
This year’s study of physician digital adoption trends includes a focus on the iPad and other tablets, professional activities across multiple screens, electronic health records and online patient-physician communication. The iPhone surged to dominate the physician smartphone market in 2011 as the number one smartphone platform used by physicians in the U.S.
“Despite the success of the Android platform in the overall consumer market, physicians are flocking to the iPhone as their smartphone of choice,” says Meredith Ressi, president of Manhattan Research.
Smartphone penetration among physicians exceeded Manhattan Research analysts’ previous forecasts to reach 81% this year. Just one year after the iPad first hit the market, adoption has reached 30% of...
'iFixIt' tears down the new 21.5-inch iMac
The "iFixIt" site has "torn down" the new 21.5-inch iMac and says its scores a "very respectable" 7 out of 10 Repairability Score. Most of the disassembly is pretty straightforward and accomplished using a T10 Torx screwdriver and suction cups.
"A casual user can easily replace the RAM, and it's moderately difficult to access the hard drive and optical drive," says "iFixIt." "However, more adventurous users (those wanting to upgrade the CPU/GPU) will have to take out the logic board, which is a tricky process; they will also have to void the warranty if they replace the CPU. It's also quite difficult to reassemble the LCD and glass without a dust mite getting stuck in between the two."
You can find the completer teardown at http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iMac-Intel-21-5-Inch-EMC-2428-Teardown/54..., but highlights include:
° The LED display is manufactured by LG and is denoted by its model number LM215WF3. This is the same display used in the previous generation 21.5-inch iMac.
°...
Apple looking for iOS Maps Application developer
A job posting (http://macte.ch/byBJ3) shows that Apple is looking to hire an iOS Maps application developer. According to Apple, the Maps team is looking for a" proactive and hardworking software engineer."
"Along with excellent skills in object-oriented software design and programming, the successful candidate will have real-world experience developing sophisticated user interfaces," the job description notes. "Excellent communication skills are also a must, as you will be collaborating closely with Apple's peerless human interface team to add new and innovative features."
Candidates must have: a BS in computer science (or the equivalent); strong object-oriented programming and design skills; experience at the application and user interface level; a "passion for product quality and attention to details"; and excellent communication and collaborative skills. It will also help if you have: knowledge of Objective-C, C or C++; experience with the iOS software development kit and Cocoa...
iPad Study Released by Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma State University has formally released its internal findings on an iPad pilot conducted during the Fall 2010 semester, showing that the device had a positive impact in an academic environment.
“We put this powerful and creative tool in the hands of faculty and students and the end result reached beyond enhancing the academic experience of our students,” says OSU President Burns Hargis. “The report outlines a possible decrease to student and administrative expenses, increased productivity, and how the iPad crosses between academic and personal barriers.”
Bill Handy, visiting assistant professor in the School of Media and Strategic Communications, and Tracy Suter, Ph.D. associate professor of marketing in the Spears School of Business, led the initiative. Each class integrated the iPad differently but both focused on specific measurable outcomes including: expense impact, how the devise was used, viability as an eReader and overall enhancement to a student’s academic experience...
TrendNet launches 450 Mbps dual band wireless N USB adapter
TrendNet (http://www.trendnet.com) has launched the US$79.99 450 Mbps Dual Band Wireless N USB Adapter, model TEW-684UB, which it says is the world's first ultra-high performance 450 Mbps wireless USB adapter.
The 450 Mbps Dual Band Wireless N USB Adapter upgrades laptop and desktop connectivity to the highest wireless performance available, according to Pei Huang, president and CEO of TrendNet. Computers purchased with integrated wireless are most often outfitted with either 150 Mbps Wireless N or even slower 54 Mbps Wireless G technology, which bottlenecks performance to 150 Mbps or 54 Mbps respectively when connecting to a 450 Mbps router, he adds.
Advanced Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna technology with three spatial streams per antenna generates a maximum theoretical wireless throughput of 450 Mbps. You can connect to a 450 Mbps 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz wireless network at the touch of a button, with the one-touch Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS).
Accordance Bible Software releases 2011 NIV version
Accordance Bible Software (http://www.accordancebible.com) has released the 2011 version of the New International Version of the Bible for its Accordance software.
If you already own the NIV 1984, the NIV 2011 is an US$25 add-on; otherwise it's $30. As a separate module, the NIV 2011 will not take the place of the NIV 1984 in Accordance, but rather will show up in your library as NIV11. That means that if you own both, you can view the two Bibles in parallel. If you purchased the NIV 1984 earlier this year (January 1, 2011, or later) you can add the NIV11 for $20 with coupon code NIV11up.
Whoopee Games releases Molecular Deuce X 1.0 for OS X
Whoopee Games has introduced Molecular Deuce X 1.0 (http://macte.ch/vPP6Y), a puzzle game for Mac OS X 10.6.6 or higher. It costs US$4.99 and is available at the Mac App Store in the Games category.
Using the mouse, the player has to slide atoms around a screen in an attempt to build a molecule in as few moves as possible and as fast as possible. Each level has a unique playing field and a target molecule that the player has to put back together. Molecular Deuce X features 60 levels.
The player can only start an atom moving, either horizontally or vertically, and it won't stop until it hits a wall or another atom. As the player progresses through the levels they get tougher and the player will have to take a more strategic approach, such moving an atom for the sole purpose of controlling where another atom will stop.
QUByte Interactive announces Plush Wars for Mac App Store
QUByte Interactive has announced Plush Wars 1.0.0 (http://macte.ch/fESQu), their new 3D-style tower defense game for Mac OS X (10.6.6 and later). It's available at the Mac App Store in the Games category for $0.99 through May 10.
Here's how the game is described: "Plush Wars features three challenging worlds that are full of nasty ZomBears with different kinds of cannons to wipe them off the map. Plush Wars utilizes beautifully rendered 3D environments and uniquely responsive controls to create a fully engaging gaming experience. Players will have a very intense graphics experience in this new version.
"Plush Wars utilizes beautifully rendered 3D environments and uniquely responsive controls to create a fully engaging gaming experience. Players will have a very intense graphics experience in this new version. With in-depth and varied gameplay together with richly rendered graphics and responsive player controls."
Ilium Software releases eWallet GO! for Mac OS X
Ilium Software has released eWallet GO! for Mac OS X (10.5 and higher). This release adds another platform to the password app, which is already available for the iPhone, iPod touch, Android, Windows Phone 7 and Windows PC.
eWallet GO! is a password manager that lets you store and access all your important information. It comes with 29 ready-to-use templates and 256-AES encryption.
eWallet GO! makes it easy to backup your info using Google Docs or Dropbox, according to the folks at Ilium Software. Not only can you backup and restore eWallet GO! to your Mac, but if you also purchase eWallet GO! for any of its mobile platforms, you can backup and restore between your phone and your computer.
eWallet GO! costs US$4.99 on any of its available platforms. More info can be found on Ilium Software's website.(http://www.iliumsoft.com/).
G-Form offers 'world's most rugged laptop case'
G-Form, an athletic gear company recently known for the Extreme Sleeve for iPad that has sustained a 500-foot drop from an airplane and a 12-pound bowling ball, has introduced the Extreme Sleeve for Laptop. The company says it's the "world's most rugged laptop case."
Designed for the laptop user who is always on-the-go, the Extreme Sleeve can be placed in a bag, backpack or suitcase. It's designed to "protect your laptop from impact unlike any other sleeve on the market," says Thom Cafaro, innovations manager at G-Form.
The Extreme Sleeve for Laptop utilizes RPT ("Reactive Protection Technology "), which allows the Extreme Sleeve to be soft, flexible and light-weight, while still offering unparalleled protection, he adds. RPT is a combination of PORON XRD material and proprietary G-Form technology that instantly stiffens upon impact and absorbs over 90% of the energy.
The Extreme Sleeve for Laptop -- which comes in 11-inch, 13-inch and 15-inch versions -- offers consistent, repeated...
Altec Lansing announces Orbit USB Stereo Speaker System
Altec Lansing (http://www.alteclansing.com) has announced the Orbit USB Stereo (iML247), a USB powered speaker system engineered for the multimedia user who needs an on-the-go audio solution with plug and play simplicity.
The Orbit USB Stereo significantly amplifies and enhances the sound of any laptop, netbook or computer without compromising portability thanks to its compact design that interlocks the two speakers and stows the cord, says Steve Schlangen, Altec Lansing senior product manager. and the Orbit USB Stereo makes a big impression despite a small footprint. To use, twist and split apart the two speakers and connect to a computer via USB.
When done, the two speakers lock back together and are ready to go. To maximize portability, the design is easy to pack or toss in a bag and features hidden internal cord storage to eliminate tangling. Retractable stands let the user aim the sound in any direction.
At the core of the Orbit USB Stereo is Altec Lansing's Audio Alignment...
Lola's Magic Cube arrives on Mac App Store
BeiZ has released Lola's Magic Cube 1.0 (http://www.beiz.com/lola3.html) for Mac. The puzzle game requires Mac OS X 10.6 or later and can be purchased at the Mac App Store for US$3.99.
Here's how the game is described: "Lola's Magic Cube is a new kind of kids' puzzle game that can be played with Mac computers. The game comes with three difficulty levels and the easiest level can be played even by three year old kids with some help from an adult. The hard level provides challenge all the way up to 7-8 year old kids. More stunning patterns will be available soon for the harder levels.
"The hard level provides challenge all the way up to 7-8 year old kids. More stunning patterns will be available soon for the harder levels."
Upcoming Seagate GoFlex will have 3TB of storage
Seagate (http://www.seagate.com) has unveiled what it says is the world’s first 3.5-inch hard drive featuring 1TB of storage capacity per disk platter, breaking the 1TB areal density barrier,
The company’s GoFlex Desk products are the first to feature the new hard drive, delivering storage capacities of up to 3TB and an areal density of 625 Gigabits per square inch. Seagate is on track to ship its flagship 3.5-inch Barracuda desktop hard drive with 3TBs of storage on three disk platters -- enough capacity to store up to 120 high-definition movies, 1,500 video games, thousands of photos or "virtually countless hours of digital music" -- to the distribution channel in mid-2011. The drive will also be available in capacities of 2TB, 1.5TB and 1TB.
GoFlex Desk external drives are compatible with both the Mac and Windows systems. Each drive includes an NTFS driver for Mac, which allows the drive to store and access files from both Mac OS X and Windows computers without reformatting.
Seapine ALM adds Agile support, more
Seapine Software has announced details about its release of Seapine ALM 2011.1. The new version of this popular application lifecycle management suite of tools will include customer-requested features, including enhancements to help software developers and testers better meet internal and industry standards and regulations, says Jeff Amfahr, director of product management, Seapine Software.
Seapine ALM 2011.1 includes new features and enhancements for TestTrack, Surround SCM, and QA Wizard Pro. The changes include enhancements for enabling better creation and re-use of test cases, tracking test execution progress, and ensuring adherence to best practices and compliance requirements during testing.
Seapine ALM 2011.1 also adds new Surround SCM features, including support for shelving in-progress changes, enhanced trigger capabilities, and more. Seapine added workflow history diagrams and improved task board and traceability reports to TestTrack, as well as TestTrack TCM enhancements....
MetaCommunications releases free online proofing, review...
MetaCommunications has released Approval Manager 2011, available in both Standard and free Express editions. For the first time it's available separately from the MetaCommunications Workgroups 2011 suite.
Approval Manager 2011 includes features for automating online proofing and review for marketing, creative and production environments. It focuses on automating the workflow of your team and how it interacts with reviewers to gather approvals, feedback, or variation selection, says Robert Long, president of MetaCommunications.
Demos of Approval Manager and a comparison of its editions can be found at http://macte.ch/irzGz . Manager Express edition is free and includes unlimited users, storage, and proofs. Approval Manager Standard edition starts at US$995 and includes complete workflow management.
Spot Documents announces 5GB Free Cloud Storage Plan
Spot Documents (http://www.spotdocuments.com/) has announced a free 5GB storage plan, where workers can have access to vital documents and files wherever they are.
Any kind of file can purportedly be stored using the system, which provides previews and full content searching with iPad, iPhone, Mac and web clients. A single account can host multiple repositories, each of which can hold hundreds of thousands of files.
All the clients are a free download from the Apple App Store for iOS devices and the Mac App Store for Mac OS X. Clients initially log in to a demonstration read-only account that allows users to see the searching capabilities of the service.
Signing up for Spot Documents allows users to automatically upload files as they are created on the desktop for later viewing, managing and editing on the iPad, Web or other clients. It scales to larger projects. Any type of file up to 5GB in size can be stored.
MassTransit gets Microsoft Outlook plug-in
Group Logic (http://www.grouplogic.com), a provider of enterprise-class connectivity solutions, has released MassTransit 7.2. This new release adds an optional plug-in for Microsoft Outlook, allowing end users to invoke MassTransit from their existing email client in order to securely send large files.
MassTransit provides a file transfer solution for infrequent file transfers, a tool for high volume, high frequency transfers and automated tools for system-to-system file transfers. It provides your organization with a single tool for defining and enforcing file transfer access rights and for monitoring all file transmissions, according to T. Reid Lewis, CEO of Group Logic.
Users can log into their MassTransit-powered corporate file transfer website and within three clicks begin sending files as large as many gigabytes securely over HTTPS. There's no browser plug-in or FTP client to install and typing a few characters of the recipient’s name brings up a pre-loaded contact directory. To...
Manpower 4.0 gets native Cocoa toolbar, printing
Code by Kevin has released Manpower 4.0 (http://macte.ch/UABmF), a program that provides a three-pane interface designed to make reading Unix documentation pages on Mac OS X as easy as reading e-mail.
Manpower is a Mac OS X graphical user interface to the main system of Unix software documentation, the "man page." Man pages are typically accessed in the Unix terminal, which can be tedious and difficult to read. Manpower provides a three-pane interface.
Manpower 4.0 offers a native Cocoa toolbar and native Cocoa printing. It can be set as default viewer for man pages. The latest version offers improved AppleScript support, support for hyperlinks in man page and integration with the native Mac help viewer.
To install Manpower, download the latest version. It can be installed anywhere on your machine. The download is a 30-day demo; you can purchase a license to use the program past the 30-day trial period. The app is also available from the Mac App Store. Mac OS X 10.6 is the...
O'Reilly publishes Microsoft Outlook for Mac book
O'Reilly has published "Microsoft Outlook for Mac 2011 Step by Step" (http://oreilly.com/catalog/0790145314253) a 448 page book designed to teach readers how to organize your email, arrange your calendar, and manage tasks with Microsoft Outlook for Mac 2011. There are sections on how to:
° Switch from Microsoft Entourage with minimal disruption;
° Manage all your e-mail accounts in one place with Outlook;
° Use the Calendar to schedule meetings and appointments;
° Set custom rules to sort your email automatically;
° Prioritize and track every task;
° Customize Outlook to accommodate the way you work.
Author Maria Langer has written over 50 books about business and productivity software (Microsoft Office, FileMaker Pro), Web publishing software (WordPress), social networking services (Twitter), financial software (QuickBooks, Quicken), and operating system software (Mac OS). In addition to being a bestselling author, she also writes, narrates, and creates video training materials for...
Activity Audit update refines journaling ability
DssW has released Activity Audit 1.1 for Mac OS X. The app creates a journal of the applications used on a Mac.
This new release refines Activity Audit's ability to journal when your Mac is in use. Auditing can now be suspended while the Mac isn't actively used. These periods include when the Mac is sleeping, the display is sleeping, and while the user is Fast User Switched. By suspending auditing during these times, the journal now provides a more accurate picture of when the Mac is really in use, according to Graham Miln, director of DssW.
Activity Audit now includes a status menu to show when auditing is taking place. The status menu provides quick access to Activity Audit and iCal, as well as the option to stop auditing at any time.
Activity Audit creates calendar events as applications are launched and quit. These events create a complete audit trail showing users the applications they were using and when. The resulting calendar provides a visual insight into how a user's Mac...
iSuppli: Apple App Store to account for 76% of mobile app...
Combined revenues from the four major mobile application stores run by Apple, Nokia, Google and Research in Motion will leap 77.7% in 2011 to $3.8 billion, with the Apple App Store projected to eat up a gargantuan three-quarters share of the total market, according to new IHS Screen Digest research.
To no one’s surprise, the Apple App Store continues to head off all competition. Projected figures for the Apple App Store this year call for revenue of $2.91 billion, up 63.4% from $1.78 billion in 2010. Given that Apple devices such as the iPhone, iPod and iPad are the market leaders in their field, the company’s App Store is expected to take in 76% of revenue this year and retain 60% market share by 2014, despite efforts by the other stores to match Apple’s ability to monetize its users, IHS believes.
Apple also will lead the way with revenue gained from in-app purchases -- or additional purchases made within a paid application, such as bonus game levels -- which will serve as a key...
Analyst: new iMacs will help Apple gain market share
Following last year's iMac refresh, Apple saw 23.7% sequential growth and UBS analyst Maynard Um with UBS expects the same thing to happen this year with the revved iMac line-up.
"Apple continues to provide more value," he said in a note to clients -- as reported by "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com), noting that the four basic iMac configurations held their same prices with improved internal hardware, "and we expect it to continue to gain share in the PC market."
Desktop Macs have fallen from more than 50% of the company's Mac shipments in 2006 to 26% of total units in the second fiscal quarter of 2011.
However, "Mac desktop sales have also seen a significant boost when Apple issues an update for its flagship product in that category, the iMac," notes "AppleInsider." "In Apple's first fiscal quarter of 2010, when the iMac hardware was completely redesigned with an edge-to-edge glass display, desktop sales increased by 70% year over year."
New iMacs get Sandy Bridge processors, Thunderbolt technology
As expected, Apple has updated the iMac with next generation, Sandy Bridge quad-core processors, new graphics, high-speed Thunderbolt I/O technology and a new FaceTime HD camera.
Starting at US$1,199, the new iMac is up to 70 percent faster and new graphics deliver up to three times the performance of the previous generation, according to Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. The new iMac features quad-core Intel Core i5 processors with an option for customers to choose Core i7 processors up to 3.4 GHz.
These next generation processors feature an integrated memory controller for an amazingly responsive experience and a powerful new media engine for high-performance video encoding and decoding, says Schiller. With new AMD Radeon HD graphics processors, the new iMac has the most powerful graphics ever in an all-in-one desktop, he adds.
The iMac is the first desktop computer on the market to include Thunderbolt I/O technology. The 21.5-inch iMac...
Adobe releases Creative Suite 5.5
Adobe has released the Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 product family, which delivers advances in HTML5 and Flash authoring, enabling designers and developers to create compelling content and applications, according to David Wadhwani, senior vice president and general manager, Creative and Interactive Solutions, Adobe.
Creative Suite 5.5 products also feature significant innovation in the areas of video production and editing and delivers new capabilities in the exploding area of digital publishing, he adds. With Creative Suite 5.5 content authors can deliver work to multiple platforms, operating systems, web browsers, smartphones and tablets -- iOS, Android and BlackBerry Tablet OS devices.
Focused on the latest wave of mobile devices, this release of Creative Suite gives web designers and developers a software solution that allows them to produce HTML5 content in the browser and deliver "high-impact mobile applications through sweeping advances in Flash tooling," says Wadhwani. Designers...
Formula Capital investor: Apple will become trillion dollar...
Investor James Altucher of Formula Capital thinks Apple will eventually be worth more than US$1 trillion, maybe even $2-$3 trillion, reports "Daily Ticker" (http://macte.ch/TVgY0).
Apple is currently worth about $320 billion, so $1 trillion would be a price of about $1,000 per share. the article adds. Why does Altucher think Apple's stock will go to the moon?
Because Apple's growth rate is astounding for a company its size, and the company's global market share in its key markets -- smartphones, tablets, and Macs -- is still very low, he tells "Daily Ticker." Also, factoring out Apple's $65 billion pile of cash, the stock is trading at a low price-earnings multiple.
Apple releases Boot Camp Update for new iMacs
Apple has released Boot Camp 3.2 Update for the just-announced iMac rev. It addresses issues with Japanese and Korean keyboards.
Boot Camp 3.2 requires Windows 7 and is a 638KB download. For more information about this update, please visit this website:http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/ .
MAC Group acquires Tenba photo bag business
MAC Group (http://www.MACGroupUS.com), a manufacturer and distributor of professional photographic equipment, has announced developments and future plans for its Tenba (http://www.Tenba.com) bag division.
After several years of partnership, MAC Group recently completed the final phase of fully acquiring the Tenba photo bag business and its worldwide patent and trademark portfolio from Robert Weinreb, who founded the pioneering company 35 years ago. MAC Group says it will dramatically increase its investment in the growth of the company in the U.S. and abroad, and has plans in place to expand substantially in both product scope and market share.
“We’ve grown our bag business over fourfold in as many years,” says Tenba and MAC Group President Jan Lederman. “The company is forecasting 2011 to be its biggest year by far, and is expecting the business to double over the next two years. This has been building for some time and, especially given the highly competitive nature of this...
Clean Slate 1.0 available on the Mac App Store
Old Jewel Software has introduced Clean Slate 1.0 (http://macte.ch/8muxU), its new Mac OS X utility for developers, presenters and the messy. It requires Mac OS X 10.6.7 to run and is available at the Mac App Store for free through May 8. After that it will cost US$1.99.
Clean Slate is designed to let you clean up your desktop by hiding all the icons that normally junk it up using either a menu bar extra, a keyboard combination, or a Dock icon. It's useful for taking screenshots, giving presentations, or just making a Mac's desktop look more organized, according to the folks at Old Jewel Software. Clean Slate is available on the Mac App Store for free until May 8, 2011.
To hide the icons on the desktop, users have a choice of using their own desktop background or any other picture they may have on their computer. Users can choose to have Clean Slate activate using a keyboard shortcut that they define, though the default shortcut (command-shift-2) is meant to fit in easily with the...
NewerTech announces NuPad base for the Mac mini
Newer Technology (http://www.newertech.com) has expanded its line of accessories for the Mac mini with the introduction of the new US$4.99 NewerTech NuPad Base for the 2010 Mac mini (http://macte.ch/EHSOF).
The NuPad Base provides a flat, formfitting, non-skid rubber foot that eliminates the sliding and skidding that can occur from day to day use and access of a 2010 Mac mini. Precision cut to match the shape of the Mac mini’s underside access door, the NewerTech NuPad Base is applied via adhesive backing and solves the problem of the 2010 Mac mini sliding out of position on smooth surfaces such as desktops and entertainment center shelving.
With the NuPad Base installed, everyday actions such as inserting a DVD no longer result in having to readjust the mini’s orientation, while access to the mini’s access door remains unhindered. The NewerTech NuPad Base also provides added anti-skid stability when two 2010 Mac minis are used in a stacked position on a desktop or when suspended...
Epson introduces new 13-inch printer
Epson America has introduced the latest 13-inch printer to join its line of products, the Epson Stylus Photo R2000 (http://www.epson.com/R2000). Taking advantage of Epson's pigment printing technology, this printer produces prints with a glossy look and feel that's optimized for serious photography and other high-level creative applications, according to Richard Day, senior product manager, Professional Imaging, Epson America.
The Epson Stylus Photo R2000 provides several features and qualities that are typically found in professional-level printers, such as pigment-based inks, flexible media handling, and significantly larger capacity cartridges that deliver up to 50% more prints, he adds. The printer's connectivity options include Ethernet, Wireless-N and USB 2.0. Supported media include cut sheet and roll paper, photographic and fine art media, canvas, art boards, and CD/DVDs.
The R2000 uses Epson's MicroPiezo print head with AMC and Epson UltraChrome Hi-Gloss 2 Ink. The printer's...
IDrive now supports Time Machine
Pro Softnet Corp. -- which offers the IDrive online backup service -- has announced that users of its IDrive Mac client software version 1.4.2 can now enjoy full support for Apple Time Machine backups.
Once the Time Machine folder is selected for backup to the IDrive online account, IDrive automatically keeps the latest Time Machine data protected for a redundant backup. If the local Time Machine backup becomes lost or corrupted, individual files/folders, or the entire Time Machine backup can be restored back to the Mac.
What's more, the new Rapid Serve program offered by IDrive allows large restores to occur via an IDrive Portable Hard Drive. IDrive Portable is a 320GB portable USB hard drive available for purchase from IDrive.com. After purchase, the IDrive Portable drive is loaded with the customer's most recent Time Machine backup and shipped free for a hassle-free restore using Apple's Migration Assistant.
IDrive online backup accounts range from 5GB of storage absolutely free...
Winter Wolves releases Always Remember Me game
Winter Wolves (http://www.winterwolves.com) has released Always Remember Me, a otome life/dating simulation game for Mac, Windows and Linux systems. It costs US$19.99; a demo is available for download.
Here's how the game is described: "The story is about Amarantha Fitch, Amy for her friends, who works part-time in a ice-cream parlor during the summer to pay for her studies. Engaged with Aaron, one day they have a car accident, and Aaron suffers from short-term amnesia. He doesn't remember Amy anymore!
"Will you be able to make him remember again? Or perhaps it's time to move on. Maybe Amy will fall in love with someone else? The game plays like a detailed life simulation game: through a town map you can move to different locations, each one offering several different actions which change based on the time of the day, day of the week and plot status, ensuring a very high replayability!
"The game features beautiful manga artwork, classic stats based dating sim, 9 different endings, a...
Native Instruments releases Komplete Audio 6
Native Instruments (http://www.native-instruments.com) has released Komplete Audio 6, a six-channel audio interface for studio and live usage. As the successor to the Audio Kontrol 1, it provides more connectivity, increased audio performance and a host of practical new features, complemented by a versatile software package for music production and DJing, according to the folks at Native Instruments.
Based on the latest generation of Native Instruments’ USB Audio interface technology, the Komplete Audio 6 addresses the typical needs of musicians and producers in a portable package. With four balanced analog inputs and outputs, complemented by a digital S/PDIF stereo I/O and an integrated MIDI interface, the unit can be used as the centerpiece for a range of setups.
Due to 24-bit/96kHz Cirrus Logic converters and +11dBu analog output stages, Komplete Audio 6 delivers audio quality for studio and stage, while revised Mac OS X and Windows Audio drivers enable low-latency performance....
skEdit text/HTML editor updated to version 4.1.5
Before Dawn Solutions (http://www.beforedawnsolutions.com) has announced skEdit 4.1.5, an update of their text/HTML editor. It's available at the Mac App Store for US$29.99.
With a focus on web development, skEdit Text/HTML editor includes features to assist in the editing of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Perl, Python, ASP, Ruby/Rails, SQL, ActionScript and ColdFusion.
Version 4.1.5 includes bug fixes to the language scanner and preference management. It requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher.
ITC says Apple doesn't violate Elan patents
Elan Microelectronics, a Taiwanese designer of touchpad chips and modules, says it will appeal a ruling in the U.S., after an International Trade Commision judge said the company's patent-related claim against Apple revealed no breach of trade laws, reports the IDG News Service (http://macte.ch/LyT5Z).
Elan received a notice from the U.S. commission last week of a preliminary ruling that Apple did not violate international trade laws, nor did Elan prove patent infringement, the article adds. The company "regrets" the preliminary ruling and says it will ask the International Trade Commission to review the content of the chief judge's ruling and come out with a result favorable to it.
In March 2010 Elan asked the U.S. trade agency to ban the import and sale of some Apple products, including the iPad, because of alleged patent infringement. The company claims Apple “knowingly and deliberately” used Elan’s technology, while continuing to introduce infringing products The petition also...
Apple fifth on list of companies with best corporate reputations
The American public's positive perception of the reputation of corporate America is on the rise, according to the Harris Interactive research group (http://www.harrisinteractive.com). Apple now ranks fifth among companies with the best corporate reputation.
Harris Interactive says overall corporate reputation is experiencing rehabilitation as the American public gives high marks overall to corporate America, specific industries, and the largest number of individual companies in a dozen years. This, according to the findings of the 2011 Harris Interactive RQ Study, which measures the reputations of the "60 Most Visible Companies in the U.S." This is the 1 th year for the study, established in 1999.
Of the 20 notable changes in reputation among the 54 companies measured in both 2010 and 2011, 18 had significant positive increases, compared to only two declines. Sixteen companies received an RQ score over 80, which is considered to be an "Excellent" reputation, a sharp increase from the...
NetMarketShare: Mac OS X, iOS, Safari set market share records
In April, Apple has increased their usage share in all four major devices they produce, according to the latest market share survey from NetMarketShare (http://www.netmarketshare.com). The Mac OS, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch all gained share in the last month. On three devices, Apple has reached an all-time high usage share.
According to the report, among operating systems, Mac OS X had 5.40% of the global market share in April compared to 5.25% in March (that's global market share; in the US it's almost 10%) -- the highest percentage ever. Windows remains dominant with 89.91% as of April. That's down from 89.58% in March.
When it comes to browsers, Safari had 7.15% in April compared to 6.61% in March, while Internet Explorer had 55.11% Firefox had 21.63% and Chrome had 11.94%. That compares to, respectively, March percentages of 55.92%, 21.80% and 11.57%, respectively, for the browsers.
The iOS's market share also rose, according to NetMarketShare. It had 2.24% of the global market...
Mac OS X fastest growing client operating system
As the global economy recovered, worldwide operating system (OS) revenue totaled $30.4 billion in 2010, a 7.8 percent increase from 2009, according to Gartner (http://www.gartner.com). Mac OS X and Linux (server) and Mac OS were the fastest-growing subsegments in the client and server OS segments, respectively, while Microsoft maintained its leading position in the overall OS market, with 78.6% market share, says the research group.
"Generally, client OSs outperformed server OSs and grew 9.3% 2010, while the server OS segment grew 5.7%" says Matthew Cheung, principal research analyst at Gartner. "The long-pending demand for computer refreshment was unleashed as the economy stepped out from the economic turndown, which drove growth of client OSs."
Among client OSs, Mac OS was the fastest-growing subsegment in 2010 as the unit shipments of Mac desktop/laptop devices saw strong sales, although from a much-smaller basis. Windows client was still the largest client OS segment, with high-...
Apple now second largest buyer of MEMS
In 2010 Apple became the world's second largest buyer of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensors for consumer electronics products and mobile handsets, as it snapped up parts for products including the iPhone 4 and iPod Touch, according to IHS iSuppli (http://www.isuppli.com).
The company’s purchases of consumer/cell phone MEMS sensors rose by 116.7% in 2010, the highest rate of any major buyer. Apple’s purchases rose to US$195 million in 2010, up from $90 million in 2009.
This strong increase propelled Apple past Nintendo. Apple in 2010 also came within a hair’s breadth of taking the number one spot, trailing leading purchaser Samsung Electronics by just $5 million.
“Consumers in 2010 happily bought up Apple products including the iPhone 4, the iPad and iPod Touch,” says Jérémie Bouchaud, principal analyst for MEMS at iSuppli. “Much of the appeal of these products lies in their sophisticated user interfaces, which rely heavily on MEMS sensors, specifically accelerometers,...
Quark launches QuarkXPress 9 Teacher-Try-It Program
Quark has announced the QuarkXPress 9 Teacher-Try-It Program, an exclusive chance for teachers in North America to receive a complimentary copy of the newest version of QuarkXPress.
The program, which is running from May 1 to Nov. 1, aims to help teachers in K-12 and higher education institutions gain experience with QuarkXPress 9. The Teacher-Try-It program is open to K-12 and higher education educators at accredited institutions in the U.S. and Canada who teach classes in graphic design, digital media, print media, journalism, imaging arts, interactive media, interactive arts and development, new media, as well as other study areas that can be submitted to Quark for consideration.
To learn more about the program and sign up to participate, visit the online form (http://www.quark.com/Products/QuarkXPress/Programs/Education/Teacher_Try...) or contact Quark Education at edusales@quark.com.
