Adobe says that Creative Suite CS5 will be launched on April 12. No details have been given except that the Mac version of the suite will be Intel only and written in Cocoa.

The CS5 release will be the first major update to the company's flagship publishing applications since Creative Suite 4 was introduced in September 2008.

AppAdvice (http://appadvice.com/appnn/2010/03/exclusive-ibooks-prices-revealed/) says the typical price of an ebook for the iPad will be US$9.99. The site notes that this is despite the fact that Apple offers publishers the same deal iPhone developers get: they set their own price and Apple keeps 30%.

The iPad will come with an iBookstore app. will feature books from major and independent publishers. The free iBooks app lets you buy books from the iBookstore. Once you’ve bought a book, it’s displayed on your Bookshelf. Just tap it to start reading.

The Messenger for Mac 8 Beta was released today. The app provides real-time collaboration between people in different locations. You can use instant messaging and audio and video calls to communicate with your contacts.

The new beta includes A/V support which allows users to communicate with their contacts via instant messaging and audio and video calls. You can download it here: http://www.microsoft.com/mac/downloads.mspx . Just remember: beta software is unfinished software so use with care.

On this week's "Your Mac Life," the gang looks at rumors of Apple branded TV's, Steve Jobs' emails and unannounced security flaws in Mac OS X.

In the archive, you'll hear interviews with Kerrin Burke about his kidney transplant, and iPodMeister CEO Kris Schrey and Gus Mueller on the Acorn image editor.

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's integrated hardware and software system make it the most valuable personal computer maker in the world, according to a research note from Deutsche Bank.

As reported by "Silicon Alley Insider" ("http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-of-the-day-revenue-vs-operating-profit-share-of-top-pc-vendors-2010-3), Deutsche Bank assembled the revenue and operating profits of the top ten computermakers in the world. It then charted which companies are capturing the greatest share of the pie to determine which vendor is capturing the most value.

While Apple has just 7% of the share of revenue, it's grabbing 35% of the operating profit. Other companies are losing profit margins because they have to pay Microsoft for software. Deutsche Bank also notes that Apple, Dell and HP have 80% of the operating profit share on 40% of the revenue share.

xTuple, which specializes in Mac and open source enterprise resource planning (ERP) software for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), has announced the general availability of version 3.5 of its namesake product. 

This latest version saves employee time and cuts costs by automating many routine tasks that are often performed manually or by expensive external systems, according to the folks at xTuple.  Version 3.5 also continues the company’s recent push to add more enterprise-class functionality to the core package.
 
This latest version of xTuple also gives users of the free PostBooks Edition the ability to run their xTuple database in the cloud via Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2).  During the month of April, the company will be providing the xTuple cloud service at no charge and encouraging feedback to help define what will eventually be a commercial service, billed monthly possibly across all three Editions of the software.
 
xTuple...

Universal Audio (http://www.uaudio.com), a manufacturer of professional audio recording products, has announced a new addition to its line of premium analog recording hardware: the 4-710D Four-Channel “Twin-finity” Mic Preamp & DI with Dynamics.

At the core of the 4-710D are four channels of tone-blending “Twin-finity” mic preamps with true-bypass 1176-style compression, according to the folks at Universal Audio. Based on the original 710 Twin-Finity preamp, each of the four mic preamp channels allows for continuously variable tone between 100% tube and 100% solid-state.

The 4-710D is expected to be released worldwide in Q3 2010; Pricing has yet to be announced.
 

Future Media Concepts (FMC) -- a digital media training organization for postproduction, broadcast, and content creators -- has announced new course options for their FMC|Online division.

Beginning this month, the updated online curriculum includes 45-minute advanced training sessions for US$45. FMC|Online utilizes the latest in desktop sharing technology, creating a virtual classroom for students with live group classes conducted by manufacturer certified trainers. In addition to FMC|Online's 2-day and 3-day course options, the new 45-minute sessions provide experienced users with a quick and efficient way of remaining up-to-speed on the latest software tips and tools from Apple, Avid and Adobe, says Ben Kozuch, co-founder of FMC. "

The 45-minute sessions are geared toward experienced students looking to expand their knowledge quickly and economically, he says. Registration is currently open for all FMC|Online 45-minute courses. To view course information, including...

Fabrix (http://www.fabrixcases.com) has introduced its new Magic Sleeve for the the iPad. It's an US$32.90, slot-in styled case built to the dimensions of the Apple device.

The Magic Sleeve is constructed of lightweight materials and is designed to add little weight to the iPad. Each Fabrix Magic Sleeve is also lined with soft cushioned paddings for [rotection against scratches and light bumps. In addition, it features a new inner "pillow flap" design that secures the iPad in position while inserted into the sleeve, preventing the iPad from accidentally
slipping out of the sleeve.

All of the above is achieved without the use of any metal zippers or even velcro strips, making this sleeve "Checkpoint Friendly" at airports, according to the folks at Fabrix. The Fabrix Magic Sleeve is available in a variety of color and design options.

Haeleo Corp. (http://www.valuadder.com) has released ValuAdder 5, an update of its business valuation software. It's compatible with Mac, Windows, Linux and Unix systems.

Now in its fifth generation, ValuAdder has purportedly served over 15,000 business people and professional advisor customers world-wide. A set of standards-compliant business valuation methods under the Asset, Income and Market approaches is complemented by tools for financial decision making and structuring a business acquisition.

In ValuAdder 5 takes, a revised Start Tab Screen serves as the user's Command and Control Center offering instant suggestions on the valuation process, best practice method choices, and techniques to organize and complete the business valuation projects in record time. Contact Haeleo for pricing options.

Random House, the world’s largest book publisher by sales, could keep its books from the iPad "as the Bertelsmann unit fears the effects of the tablet device on the pricing of electronic books," reports "The Financial Times" (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4d11b5fc-36b9-11df-b810-00144feabdc0.html),

Random House’s five big rivals -- Macmillan, Simon & Schuster, Hachette, Harper-Collins and Penguin -- have reportedly agreed to bring the iPad. Markus Dohle, Random House chief executive, hasn't excluded the possibility of doing the same, but said he was treading carefully, as Apple’s pricing regime could erode established publishing practices. Dohle told the "Financial Times" that the iPad spelled “changes, in particular for our stakeholders”, which would require the publisher to consult further with its authors and their...

Kobo (http://www.KoboeReader.com), a global eBook retailer, has announced support for dedicated eReaders with a new application available through its “Powered by Kobo” partner program for hardware manufacturers and retailers.

Kobo’s application provides a eReading experience and storefront and will be embedded in leading eReaders launching in 2010. The company today also unveiled its Kobo eReader, a dedicated eReading device showcasing its new application.

The launch of the Kobo eReader application marks a first in this emerging market -- standard software available for hardware partners worldwide, according to Michael Serbinis, CEO of Kobo. Kobo has developed a strong global following for its eReading applications for the iPhone, BlackBerry, Palm Pre, and Android-based smartphones, and full color, touchscreen tablets including the upcoming iPad, he adds.

The “Powered by Kobo” program...