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May 30
Apple introduces 16GB iPod touch

Apple has introduced a 16GB iPod touch for US$229 alongside its 32GB and 64GB models.

Like its bigger siblings, it sports 4-inch Retina display and dual-core A5 chip. However, as noted by "Macworld" (http://tinyurl.com/oqckzm6), it lacks a few of its siblings’ features: For one thing, you’ll find no rear-facing camera on the model. Apple dropped the fancy 5-megapixel iSight camera from the 32GB and 64GB models, leaving only the front-facing FaceTime HD camera, with its 1.2MP photo and 720p video capabilities.

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May 30
New WD Sentinel RX4100 offers advanced network storage features

WD has expanded its product portfolio addressing small- and medium-sized businesses (SMB) with the addition of WD Sentinel RX4100, its first 1U rack-mount small business storage server.

"Following upon the success of our first SMB storage server, the WD Sentinel™ DX4000, we are responding to customer and partner requests to expand our portfolio with a solution for customers that have a rack based computing infrastructure," says Thomas Gallivan, vice president of marketing for WD's SMB solutions group.

The WD Sentinel RX4100 lets SMBs to centralize and store all of their documents and digital assets in one secure location. While installation and setup is simple and intuitive, the product delivers enterprise-class features such as RAID protection, automatic server-based backup and restoration capabilities, redundant network and power options, as well as integrated network attached storage (NAS) functionality and iSCSI SAN capabilities for virtualized network...

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May 30
Fan favorites to headline iTunes Festival in London

Apple has announced that fan favorites including Justin Timberlake, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Jack Johnson and Jessie J are among the headliners at this year’s iTunes Festival in London. Running every night in September at the Roundhouse, the iTunes Festival features over 60 acts performing at the legendary venue.

Performances can be watched live or on-demand by millions of iOS users around the world on their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, as well as by music fans with iTunes on their Mac or Windows PC or in HD with Apple TV. Tickets are free for competition winners only.

"This year’s iTunes Festival is the best ever with an incredible lineup of global superstars and stellar emerging artists," says Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. "Music fans around the world are going to love watching this incredible month of music, whether in London at the Roundhouse or on their iOS device. We’re honored so many renowned artists are part of this...

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May 30
NetSpot adds more Wi-Fi site survey features for the Mac

NetSpot has announced NetSpot 2.1, an update of the Wi-Fi site survey software for Mac users. New features and improvements include the ability to create detailed custom reports, the capability to visualize frequency band and PHY mode coverage, the ability to import zones and snapshots from other projects, and calculation speeds that are purportedly 2-3 times faster.

NetSpot allows  visualizing their networks, identifying areas of weakness and correcting problems. Premium paid additions are offered for users who need more advanced Wi-Fi survey features. NetSpot works over any 802.11 network on MacBook running Mac OS X 10.6 and higher.

The Free edition of NetSpot is geared toward the home user. The Pro edition gives network experts features such as multi-floor scanning, active scanning, the ability to scan hidden networks, and automated troubleshooting. The Enterprise edition includes all the features of the Prp edition and provides licenses to all users within a...

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May 30
MotionArtists adds HTML 5 commands, more

Smith Micro Software Productivity and Graphics Group (http://motionartist.smithmicro.com) has updated MotionArtist -- an US$59.99 tool that lets users add motion to their comics, create interactive HTML5 presentations as well as uniquely styled photo-shows -- to version 1.1. The upgrade, free to registered users, adds new tap or click "trigger" commands for HTML 5.

MotionArtist 1.1 also adds Artboard and Timeline navigation to support gesture controls on multiple devices. Plus, there are visual effect improvements, including default panel styles, sequence for blur and fade, improved arrange in 3D and auto-camera.

It's a composition and presentation application unlike anything that exists in the world of digital comic creation, says Steve Yatson, senior director of Product Marketing at Smith Micro Software. It boasts GPU acceleration for a fast work environment and 3D layering...

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May 29
ITC panel to review ruling in Apple, Samsung legal battle

The International Trade Commission said late Tuesday it would take a second look at an ITC judge's decision that Samsung had infringed one Apple patent for a text-selection feature in its smartphones and tablets, reports "Reuters" (http://tinyurl.com/o234kxb)

The ITC panel will also look at the judge's decision, made in March, that the South Korean company, which supplies some Apple chips, did not infringe a second patent which detects if a microphone or other device is plugged into its microphone jack, reports "Reuters." A final decision is due on Aug. 1.

This is all part of the ongoing, global legal battle. Apple and Samsung have filed more than 30 lawsuits against each other across four continents. For example, Apple alleges that Samsung copied the slide-to-unlock technology of its iPhone and iPad devices.

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May 29
ZAGG launches the Origin two-in-one sound system

ZAGG has released the Origin, a two-in-one sound system that combines a desktop speaker and portable speaker into one unit.

The Origin’s travel-size speaker offers crisp, high-fidelity sound on-the-go, and works with any Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, tablet, or device, including Mac OS X, Windows, iOS and Android, according to Kent Wuthrich, executive vice president of marketing for ZAGG. The portable speaker connects magnetically to the larger desktop speaker where sound output is transferred.

With full battery power, the portable speaker purportedly offers 10-15 hours of continuous play and is recharged when docked. The Origin’s desktop speaker provides room-filling sound with full dynamic range and rich, deep bass, says Wuthrich. Powerful audio drivers allow the volume to increase without losing sound clarity or quality. he adds. The Origin comes complete with a remote control and USB ports for auxiliary use.

Available online at ZAGG.com and ZAGG retail...

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May 29
'Early Bird' discount ends June 18 for FileMaker...

FileMaker says attendees registering for the annual FileMaker Developer Conference have until June 18 to take advantage of the "early bird" discount and save US$300 off registration.

After June 18, the full conference fee of $1,595 for the Standard Registration package and $2,195 for the Gold Registration package applies. The 18th annual FileMaker Developer Conference, Aug.12-15, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel in San Diego.

Attendees will discover new, innovative technologies in the FileMaker Platform to help them build powerful, robust solutions for iPad, iPhone, Windows, Mac and the web, says Ryan Rosenberg, vice president, marketing and services, FileMaker Inc. Conference highlights include:

° 80 sessions covering core basics, design, development, integration, the web, iOS, and business;

° Updates on future FileMaker software development;

° Hands-on tips for developing iOS, desktop and web solutions;

° "Under-the-hood" technical...

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May 29
Tim Cook speaks at AllThingsD conference

"We have some incredible plans that we have been working on for a while," Apple CEO Tim Cook said at his AllThingsD conference talk.

Some of those plans could still involve a TV. Cook reiterated the market is of "great interest" to Apple and that the current experience is outdated. Cook also declared Google Glass to be a niche product, while adding (in a possible iWatch hint) the broader wearable computing market is a very interesting area.

The Apple CEO said Apple will likely offer more developer options for customizing iOS, while preserving the user experience. He also hinted that Apple isn't opposed to a bigger iPhone per se, only one that doesn't meet its standards. Read more at http://tinyurl.com/ornqjgp .

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May 29
Napoleon Total War: Gold Edition comes to the Mac on July 3

Feral Interactive says the historical strategy game Napoleon: Total War™ - Gold Edition will be released for the Mac on July 3. Developed by Creative Assembly and published by SEGA for Windows, the game is the latest Mac installment of the Total War series to be launched by Feral Interactive and follows Empire: Total War - Gold Edition.

Here's how the game is described: "Napoleon: Total War -- Gold Edition is a sophisticated combination of real-time battle tactics and turn-based political strategy that immerses players in a meticulous re-creation of the Napoleonic wars that wracked Europe in the early 19th century. The Mac version of Napoleon: Total War - Gold Edition comprises the base game and all the game updates, improvements and downloadable content, including The Peninsula Campaign, which sees Napoleon battle for control of the Iberian Peninsula against the allied forces of Spain, the United Kingdom and Portugal.

"It also includes three unit packs, the Imperial...

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May 29
Basil Salad Software releases Scuttlebutt Pro for Mac OS X

Basil Salad Software has introduced Scuttlebutt Pro 1.0, a new Yammer client designed specifically for Mac enthusiasts. It requires Mac OS X 10.8.3 and higher, a Yammer account, and an Internet connection.

Written with the Mac power users in mind, Scuttlebutt Pro supports Yammer external networks and allows simultaneous log-ins using multiple Yammer accounts. The client allows people from different locations and time zones to share workplace-sensitive information.

Scuttlebutt is a native Cocoa application written with the Mac power user in mind. The folks at Basil Salad Software say it was developed in response to people's requests on Yammer's user support forums (which is now offline) to have a native client for the Mac and not a cross-platform application based on Adobe AIR.

Scuttlebutt Pro debuts at US$49.97. It's available from http://scuttlebuttapp.com with a 30-day free trial.

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May 29
App Studio package for education available

App Studio is introducing a new package that enables higher education institutions to incorporate digital publishing into curriculum and equip students to create apps for tablets and smartphones.

Customers can also use the new education plan to create digital marketing and campus communications. App Studio is software that uses HTML5 to transform InDesign and QuarkXPress projects into native apps for iOS, Kindle Fire, and Android devices.


The new App Studio Education Plan includes: 250 user subscriptions to App Studio; up to 100 course projects; 4 x Multi-Issue Pro plans (four different digital publications for the iPad and iPhone); 1 x Multi-Issue Premium plan (one digital publication for iPad, iPhone, Kindle Fire, Android tablet, and Android smartphone); optional 250 QuarkXPress licenses; and Bronze App Studio support

The ongoing price of this package is US$4,995 per year. However, for a limited time App Studio is offering the package for a special launch...

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May 29
StockXloader 4 for OS X gets a free update

BragIt has released version 4.1 of StockXloader (http://stockxloader.com), a native Mac OS X application for fully automated downloading of stock market quotes and indexes to the technical analysis program ProTA or ProTA Gold from BeeSoft, or to MS Excel or Numbers. Or you can drag & drop a text file for import into other applications. It collects quotes for almost any stock exchange in the world. The free update expands its use and simplifies current usage.

StockXloader 4.1 offers two new choices of what to do with the downloaded and converted data. One is "Default Text App", which will open the final resulting file in the application you've set as the default for text files. The other is "Show File in Finder," which will select and show the final resulting text file.

StockXloader is fully optimized for Retina Macs with high-resolution graphics and text. It's compatible with Mac OS X 10.6 and...

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May 29
Output Factory for InDesign revved to version 1.3.19

Zevrix Solutions (http://zevrix.com) has announced Output Factory 1.3.19, an update to its professional output automation solution for Adobe InDesign. The new version lets users apply specific HTML export settings across batches of InDesign documents in addition to the option to export each file with its current HTML settings.

With Output Factory, users can output hundreds of documents or just single files with full control over batch printing, layer versioning, automatic preflighting, file delivery, and more. All they need to do is select the desired InDesign files and adjust workflow settings.

Output Factory can be purchased from the Zevrix website for US$169.95; a "lite" version costs $119.95), as well as from authorized resellers and Adobe Exchange. A demo is available for download. BatchOutput users can upgrade to Output Factory for 4.97. Output Factory is available for Mac OS X 10.5-10.8 on Intel-based...

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May 28
CAVU Media Launches Brushmarket.com

CAVU Media has announced BrushMarket.com, a custom Adobe Photoshop Brush resource for graphic designers using Macs or Windows systems.

The ecommerce store offers graphic designers, artists and creative professionals brush options to complement their design efforts. With each purchase, the customer accumulates points that can be applied to future purchases or merchandise that is made available.

All downloads are $0.99 USD and royalty-free (personal and commercial). Art students and alumni of art schools can register and receive a 20% lifetime discount of each order placed. For more info go to http://www.brushmarket.com .

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May 28
Commonwealth Bank CEO sees Apple as a competitor

CEO Ian Narev says the competitive threat posed to the Commonwealth Bank by the likes of Apple and Google is as great as that of its big three rivals, according to ZDNet" (http://tinyurl.com/q7qocyw).

"We consider we have got very, very good competitors in the major banks, we have got very good competitors in the next tier banks," Narev told the G100 Congress in Sydney on Tuesday. "We worry every day about all those competitors, but we worry equally about the niche players, many of them well resourced, many of them international. The Apples, the Googles, the Samsungs, the PayPals, the credit card companies, who can pick particular slivers as a result of the application of technology into financial services and compete. We need to be prepared for that."

According to "ZDNet," he says he welcomed competition. However, he added that it was unclear how regulation of the financial services sector...

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May 28
Computer outlook falls as market increasingly looks to tablets

Worldwide computer shipments are now expected to fall by -7.8% in 2013 according to the IDC research group (www.idc.com) The new forecast reflects a shift in computer buying trends as users increasingly consider alternatives such as delaying a computer purchase or using tablets and smartphones for more of their computing needs.

In place of a limited decline of -1.3% in 2013 followed by a gradual increase in volume, the new outlook calls for a more substantial decline of -7.8% in 2013 and -1.2% in 2014 with shipment volume reaching only 333 million in 2017 – still below the 349 million shipped in 2012 and a peak of more than 363 million shipped in 2011.

The updated forecast reflects the significant drop in volume during the first quarter of 2013 as well as the transitions happening in computer design as vendors bring products to market that are optimized for Windows 8, including more thin, convertible, touch, and...

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May 28
Widget Press introduces FormEntry 2.3

Widget Press has announced an update to its FormEntry family (www.widgetpress.com/formentry) of software. FormEntry for Mac, FormEntry Server and the all new FormEntry Touch have all been updated to version 2.3. These applications are designed exclusively for iOS, Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server, and allow for custom iOS form app creation and deliver to any iPad, iPhone and iPod touch device.

FormEntry 2.3 features image, barcode, PIN, ratings, web browser controls and WebDAV, SFTP, Open In, Save Transmittal plug-ins. The software allows Mac authors can develop rich form based applications for their iOS users. Once created on a Mac, the authors can send their forms over Wi-Fi to any iOS device to be completed.

FormEntry for Mac 2.3 can be purchased for US$99 from the Mac App Store and FormEntry Server 2.3 can be purchased for $199. FormEntry Touch is the free iOS app that can be...

| Read more »
May 28
MaBaSoft conjured up version 3.3.4 of Application Wizard for OS...

MaBaSoft (http://www.mabasoft.net/) has conjured up Application Wizard 3.3.4, an update of the Mac OS X software that provides access to your applications, documents, folders, and disks. Now, on Mac OS X 10.6 or later, the Recent Folders submenu of the Special menu lets you browse the folders you have recently opened using the Finder.

The Background-only Applications submenu of the Quit menu in Application Wizard 3.3.4 now shows process identifiers so that you can distinguish multiple instances of a same process. The clickable area of the Application Wizard buttons in the menu bar has been slightly increased. Finally, a bug that could cause Application Wizard to quit unexpectedly when particular processes were launched has been fixed.

Application Wizard -- which requires Mac OS X 10.4 or higher -- lets you open, quit, and make applications active, run AppleScripts, and turn single application mode...

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May 27
Remember our soldiers on Memorial Day

MacNews and MacTech will be running a limited update schedule today in honor of Memorial Day. Originally called Decoration Day, is a day to remember those who have died in our nation's service. Remember our soldiers, past and present, and have a safe and wonderful holiday.

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May 24
Judge: court will likely rule Apple worked to inflate ebook...

In a pre-trial "tentative view," Judge Denise Cote said the U.S Department of Justice will likely be able to prove that Apple colluded with major book publishers to falsely inflate the prices of e-books sold through the iBookstore, reports "Reuters" (http://tinyurl.com/nfw824c).

While she stressed that the view was not final and that she had read only some of the evidence so far, her comments could add to pressure on Apple to settle the lawsuit, in which the Justice Department accuses the company and five publishers of conspiring to fix e-book prices, the article adds.

"I believe that the government will be able to show at trial direct evidence that Apple knowingly participated in and facilitated a conspiracy to raise prices of e-books, and that the circumstantial evidence in this case, including the terms of the agreements, will confirm that," Cote said.

Orin Snyder, a lawyer for Apple...

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May 24
Disk Order for Mac OS X gets a Dropbox plug-in

LikeMac Group (www.likemac.ru/english/) has released Disk Order 3.2.4, an update of the double-pane file manager for OS X with advanced features. A Dropbox plug-in is now included.

It makes it possible to browse through files on a server, download and upload, or even view and edit them. Simple file dropping is also supported.

Disk Order is designed to makes file management easy. It lets you browse archives like regular folders, connect to FTP(S) servers, view/edit files and other. It's also supplied with plugins which allow to download music from iPod/iPhone/iPad, provide Dropbox support and enable other useful features.

Disk Order 3.2.4 requires Mac OS X 10.5 or higher and an Intel Mac. It can be downloaded free of charge on 30-day trial term basis. The full version can be purchased for US$29.95.

| Read more »
May 24
Spatial Infographics Solution comes to ConceptDraw Pro

CS Odessa (www.conceptdraw.com) has introduced a Spatial Infographics Solution for ConceptDraw Pro 9. The new solution permits users to draw professional infographics that orient viewers so they can be self-directed to a point of interest.

The maps and images are scalable vector images that can be exported to Adobe PDF format, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Visio, graphic image file, or HTML. ConceptDraw Pro 9 supports Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. The ConceptDraw products are licensed per user and users have the capability of running ConceptDraw on either supported operating system with their purchased product.

ConceptDraw Pro has a suggested retail price of US$199. It's available as a standalone product. It's also included in ConceptDraw Office suite ($499), which in addition to ConceptDraw PRO, the ConceptDraw Office suite includes ConceptDraw MindMap and ConceptDraw Project.

| Read more »
May 24
PDF Nomad 2.0 adds scanning, OCR, more

SintraWorks has updated PDF Nomad, a PDF editor for Mac OS X (10.7 and higher), to version 2.0. The upgrade adds scanning, OCR, AppleScript support, automatic page deskewing, bookmarks management and more.

PDF Nomad's features include simple text search and extraction, file merging, page splitting, form creation, markup and annotation, booklet/magazine creation and more. You can create and fill out PDF forms, mark-up text and annotate pages with rectangles, ovals, arrows, lines and more.

With PDF Nomad, you can resize whole documents to a different page size with a single command, or resize individual pages with drag and drop, shifting page contents as needed. You can export individual pages as bitmaps (jpg, png etc.) or create spoken audio files from the document's text.

PDF Nomad 2.0 is normally available as a single-user license for US$49.99 from both the Mac App Store and from the SintraWorks website (...

| Read more »
May 24
Akvis Retoucher 6.0 gets batch processing

Akvis has released Akvis Retoucher 6.0 for Mac OS X and Windows systems (http://akvis.com/en/retoucher/index.php), an update of the app for restoring damaged photos by removing dust, scratches, stains, and by reconstructing the missing parts of a photo automatically.

Version 6.0 adds a Batch Processing feature that lets you automatically process a series of images. Also, there are some bug fixes.

Registered users of Retoucher can upgrade to version 6.0 for free, except the owners of the old Business version. They must pay $19 for an upgrade to the new version. A free evaluation download of Akvis Retoucher 6.0 is available at the Akvis web site. It sells for US$87.

The software can be used as a standalone application and as a plugin to image editors (Adobe Photoshop, Corel PaintShop Pro, and other image editors). It runs on Mac OS X 10.4-10.8, both 32 and 64 bit...

| Read more »
 
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