Apple implements iPhone lottery in Hong Kong
Apple has implemented a Hong Kong iPhone lottery system to deal with "with an influx of grey marketers and incidents of repeated violence over sales of the iPhone 4S in Hong Kong," reports "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com).
An update to the electronic's maker's Hong Kong web site now presents customers with a lottery system, by which they have three hours each day to place a request for a specific iPhone model, the article adds.
"AppleInsider" says customers who are selected will receive an email that evening with instructions on picking up their iPhone at a specific time the following day. The Apple Store IFC Mall in Hong Kong has since halted sales to walk-in customers, deferring all local customers to the new system.
GoDraw 1.0 is new drawing extension for FileMaker Go
Geist interactive has announced GoDraw 1.0 (http://www.geistinteractive.com/godraw), a new drawing extension for FileMaker Go. It lets you integrate simple drawing features into any FileMaker Go application.
You can select different pen colors and thicknesses and draw with your finger right on the layout. With GoDraw you can even draw right on top of photos. All of the drawing data is saved in the database. GoDraw ships with example files and more.
GoDraw comes in two versions. A free "lite" version and paid "full" version. It requires Mac OS X 10.5 or higher, FileMaker 10 or 11 and FileMaker Go 1.2.1 or later. GoDraw Full costs US$149 for up to five devices, $249 for an unlimited site license and $599 for a distribution license.
Plustek launches mobile duplex scanner
Plustek Technology (http://plustek.com/) has launched its new MobileOffice D412 document and card scanner that scans 13 pages-per-minute and has a 1,000 page-per-day duty-cycle.
The MobileOffice D412 is a color, duplex, sheet-fed document and card scanner capable of scanning an 8.5 x 11-inch page in 4.6 seconds. The compact design and flexible dual power configuration enables the scanner to be used in the office or with a laptop on the road.
"Because of its high scan speed, small footprint and reliable design, the MobileOffice D412 is perfect for commercial applications that require the scanning of rigid cards such as: patient registration, lockboxes, remote deposits, bank tellers, loan processing, pharmacies, home healthcare, nurses carts, and ID verifications,” says Mark Druziak, Plustek’s director of marketing and business development.
All Plustek MobileOffice scanners include a suite of document management applications, TWAIN drivers, single-touch button scanning, and scan-to-...
MopiShape is vector drawing app for Lion
Nokkeusi Application Factory has released MopiShape Bezier Drawer 1.01, an update of the new drawing and illustrating application for Mac OS X 10.7 ("Lion"). It costs US$4.99 and is available worldwide through the Mac App Store in the Graphics & Design category.
MopiShape is a lightweight vector graphic application that offers tools to place and manipulate control points to draw such as straight line, curved line, rectangle, oval and arc. Featuring resolution independence, the image quality isn't changed when expanding width or height of image at any resolution.
MopiShape provides tools to place points to draw such as straight line, curved line, rectangle, oval and arc. Users are allowed to adjust shapes by moving control points.
MopiShape allows users to export final image to common file format such as tiff, png, jpeg, gif and windows bmp. Users can use exported file to make their own home page, blog and greeting cards, etc. sharing their art works with people.
Vidconvert 1.2 for Mac OS X now lets you add DVDs directly
Independent software developer Reggie Ashworth has updated VidConvert, his video converter for Mac OS X, to version 1.2. The upgrade adds support for adding DVD's directly, input support for Apple ProRes, input support for .webm and .dvr-ms and more.
VidConvert will convert just about any type of video into one of the a variety of formats, allowing you to create videos for your iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple TV. To use you add a file, select a format and a quality, and click convert. Optionally you can change your save folder from the main window.
For advanced users you can select the Advanced quality if you choose to allow such options as custom Frame Rate, Bit Rate, etc. But for most users simply choosing Normal or High quality should be sufficient. After your conversion is finished simply add more files or quit VidConvert and the job is done.
Supported formats include iPhone, iPod, iPad, QuickTime, .mp4, MPEG-1 and 2, DivX, Xvid, and audio only formats such as .mp4 and .m4a. VidConvert...
Counting iPads, Apple passes HP in global computer market
The Canalys research group (http://www.canalys.com) says Apple, after reporting stellar results, became the leading worldwide client computer vendor in Q4 2011. Canalys includes iPads in its data, which research groups such as IDC and Gartner don't.
Apple shipped over 15 million iPads and five million Macs, representing 17% of the total 120 million client computers shipped globally in Q4, notes Canalys. Overall, the total client computer market, including desktops, netbooks, notebooks, and pads grew 16% year-on-year. Excluding pads, the client computer market declined 0.4%. The floods in Thailand, that impacted hard drive assembly plants, caused mild disruption to shipments during the quarter, but the side effects are likely to be felt in the first half of 2012.
Among the other top five computer vendors, only Lenovo managed to increase its market share, by a relatively modest two points, compared to Apple’s six-point gain over the same quarter a year ago. Acer, Dell and HP -- the...
Apple accused of withholding payments to Copie France
Though Apple has been collecting France’s "private copy tax" on sales of specific iPad models, the company has been accused of withholding payments to French copyright association Copie France, which are thought to total €4.74 million approximately (US$6.3 million) in 2011.
"Les Echos," a French newspaper reports -- as noted by "The Next Web" (http://macte.ch/WFLBO) that Copie France sued Apple in August 2011. However, Apple disputes that it must pay the tax on sales of its iPad even though it did raise prices in February. Copie France defends authors, artists and actors’ rights in the audiovisual sector.
The private copy tax is based on devices that are capable of recording audiovisual content, which could allow their owners to make copies of music videos and movies for their own use, notes "The Next Web." For each device that has a 64GB storage or more, a company must pay €12. Apple is said to owe around €4.74 million on sales of 500,000 iPads sold in 2011.
Wisconsin school district getting iPads -- thanks, Microsoft!
The Madison, Wisconsin School District plans to buy more than 600 iPads for use in the majority of schools this spring. Another 800 iPads are expected to be in classrooms by next fall, all paid for with money from a state settlement with Microsoft, reports the "Wisconsin State Journal" (http://macte.ch/xOT22).
Pending School Board approval Monday, the iPads will debut in 20 elementary schools, 10 middle schools, and Memorial, Shabazz and West high schools by mid-March. The iPads are being paid for with part of US$3.4 million from a state-negotiated settlement with Microsoft. Wisconsin received nearly $80 million in technology vouchers as part of the 2009 settlement related to a consumer lawsuit over software, notes the "State Journal."
In December the School Board approved a plan to divide US$2.1 million of the settlement among the schools with each getting $85.09 per student. Some schools chose to spend that money on iPads while others spent it on laptops, smart boards, projectors or...
Apple dominates smartphone market in Q4
The success of the iPhone 4S and the free (with contract) iPhone 3GS that helped Apple truly dominate the smartphone market in the fourth quarter, according to the latest data from Juniper Research (http://www.juniperresearch.com/), as noted by "VentureBeat" (http://macte.ch/AmidV).
Apple’s 37 million iPhones shipped accounted for almost one-quarter of the 149 million smartphones shipped globally in the last quarter, the research firm said in its latest report. Apple took the top spot from Samsung last quarter, but Juniper also points out that Samsung’s market share jumped significantly in the last quarter, up to 21.7% from just 4.7% the previous year.
"Without the bump of a new iPhone release and the holiday shopping frenzy, Apple will likely see a major decline in smartphone shipments for this quarter," says "VentureBeat." "That means Samsung has a good chance to snatch back the No. 1 smartphone maker spot. Expect this see-saw to continue for the foreseeable future."
Analyst predicts big sales for the iPhone in China
In a note to clients -- as reported by "Fortune" (http://macte.ch/wOlz9) -- Katy Huberty drew on Morgan Stanley's proprietary AlphaWise survey of buying patterns among China's rapidly growing middle class. She says that, assuming 20% penetration, Apple should see, at a minimum, 24 million addition iPhone sales in 2013, adding US$6.50 per share to the company's bottom line.
Among other things Huberty thinks:
° That there are roughly 150 million high-end subscribers in China currently paying at least RMB 100 ($16) per month for mobile phone service.
° China Unicom (CHU), currently Apple's only official carrier, has 15 million of those subscribers, or roughly 10%.
° This year or early next, Apple will begin selling next-generation iPhones through China Mobile (120 million high-end subscribers) and China Telecom (15 million).
° Because 20% of China Unicom's high-end subscribers buy iPhones, the other two carriers' subscribers will follow suit. (8% China Mobile's high-end customers...
Most healthcare IT decision makers feel iPads create governance...
Panasonic has published a white paper on the "consumerization" of healthcare IT, specifically through media tablet devices like the iPad.
The white paper, "Diagnosis Danger: Governance & Security Issues Cause IT Concerns About iPad in Healthcare Setting," highlights the growing concerns of healthcare IT executives trying to meet the demands to support consumer-grade computing devices. The study, conducted by BizTechReports, an independent research and reporting agency, found major operational issues for media tablets in healthcare, with 66% of respondents stating consumer tablets, like the iPad, create governance challenges for their organizations. Other concerns include security, durability and EHR compliance.
The results of the survey reveal that consumerization in general has created a conundrum for healthcare CIOs and their IT departments. Pressure to adopt and integrate technologies, like consumer tablets, is growing, but concerns are also on the rise. The study showed that...
Nonprofit group speaks up on 'human costs' brouhaha
The nonprofit organization Business for Social Responsibility has published an open letter to "The New York Times" pointing out several inaccuracies and misleading statements in the newspaper's recent report that suggested Apple has ignored worker problems at its Foxconn manufacturing plant in China, reports "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com).
Last week "The Times" printed an article on the "human costs" that go into the making of Apple products such as the iPad -- including long hours and dormitory living quarters. The article included quotes from former Apple executives and an anonymous consultant at BSR and alleged that Apple has chosen to simply ignore labor abuses at Foxconn factories.
Apple CEO Tim Cook sent an email to employees (http://macte.ch/wOlz9) to employees about the report. Here's the opening of the email: "As a company and as individuals, we are defined by our values. Unfortunately some people are questioning Apple’s values today, and I’d like to address...
Crunch 1.0 for OS X lets you extract files from iOS apps
Pragmatic Code has announced Crunch (http://www.pragmaticcode.com/crunch/), a Mac OS X application for extracting the material of iOS application files. It requires Mac OS X 10.7 ("Lion") and costs US$9.
According to the folks at Pragmatic Code, Crunch is designed to offer help for iOS designers and developers. iOS png images aren't readable by default on a Mac, but Crunch converts them to their native format so you can you look at the original images. Crunch has also a Quick Look plug-in, so you'll be able to see each app's icon overlaying the standard .ipa file icon in the Finder.
When you start Crunch, it will detect all the apps from your iTunes library and let you filter them by platform (iPhone, iPad, or universal). You can then select the app you want to export, and it will extract all the content of the application so you can look at the structure of the app and see all the files contained in the application package.
Lemke Software releases Xe847 for Mac OS X
Lemke Software has purchased all of the Xe847 intellectual property rights and technology assets from the original developer, Digital Arts GmbH. It's now available for Mac OS X.
Xe847 (http://www.xe847.com/what.html) "allows users to make their photos look like they intended when they took the initial picture," according to Thorsten Lemke, founder and CEO of Lemke Software. In partnership with Xe847's inventor and development team, Lemkesoft has already begun to re-engineer and improve the algorithms, adding artificial intelligence with fuzzy logic, and creating an all new user interface, he adds.
The first new Xe847 software products are available now. They include an Xe847 plug-in for Adobe Photoshop at US$39.95 USD as well as a Plug-in for GraphicConverter, with more to come later this year.
The Fashion World awaits on the Mac App Store
Teyon has released Fashion Advisor, a hidden object puzzler with fashion mini-game tie-ins, is now available in the Mac App Store. It requires Mac OS X 10.6.6 or later and costs US$2.99.
Here's how the game is described: "Step into the glamorous world of fashion as Lilly, a creative director at an advertising agency. Her duties consume most of her free time and there's not much time left for her passions; Shopping and creating her own fashion creations, but Lilly's about to get her lucky break.
"She must prepare models for a fashion shoot for the agency's biggest client. Help her shop for over 450 clothes and accessories, create stunning hairstyles and gorgeous outfits in this unique hidden object puzzler with clever fashion mini-game tie-ins. Fashion Advisor will bring out the diva in you."
New table lamp charges iOS devices
Flos (http://www.flosusa.com/) an Italian lighting manufacturer, has introduced the D’E-light table lamp designed by the French product designer, Philippe Starck.
It comes in polished aluminum featuring a USB socket above the light diffuser for an iPod, iPhone or iPad. The US$396 lamp also features a 2700K Flat Panel for 299 total Lumens.
GEAR4 launches Renew SleepClock
GEAR4 (http://www.GEAR4.com) has rolled out the Renew SleepClock, which lets you track and manage your sleep from your iPod, iPhone or iPad.
Renew SleepClock teaches you about your sleep efficiency, helping you to understand and adjust your sleep habit, according to the folks at GEAR4. Because you can see how you're sleeping, you can compare data over time in order to sleep better, not just longer, he adds.
Renew SleepClock purportedly knows when you’re trying to go to sleep by sensing your breathing rate. It knows when you’re falling asleep, and fades down your sleep soundtrack when it knows you’ve gone to sleep. It offers complete customization of wake up options, enabling you to choose radio, your iPod music or gentle wake-up sounds.
Renew SleepClock will be available in US Apple retail stores in March for US$199.95. Renew, a free app, can be found on the Apple App Store.
Jill-e unveiled E-GO bad for the iPad 2
Jill-e Designs has announced the US$99.99 E-GO Leather Tablet Tote for the iPad 2. It's a functional, supple leather carry bag with chic appointments that organizes, transports and protects your essential "tech-cessories," according to the Gail Backal, president and co-founder of Jill-e Designs.
The E-GO Leather Tablet Tote will be available in mid-February via the Jill-e Designs' web site (http://www.jill-e.com) and a growing list of retailers worldwide.
The E-GO Leather Tablet Tote is a body-hugging, messenger-style bag featuring roomy exterior pockets both front and rear for quick-access items and an adjustable cross-body strap, Backal says.
The interior offers soft padded protection for a tablet or e-reader device, plus room for a notepad and various other belongings. Initially the bag will be available in black or white leather with sassy accent color edge trim.
Sandvox for Mac OS X gets new Slide Show object
Karelia Software has updated Sandvox (http://www.karelia.com/sandvox), its web development tool, to version 2.5. The upgrade sports a new Slide Show object for media presentations, social media notification upon publishing, support for Mac OS X Lion features, including Resume, Autosave, Versions and Fullscreen, localization into three new languages, and more.
Sites created using Sandvox automatically comply with the latest HTML5 web standard, and can be seen on modern mobile devices, according to the folks at Karelia Software. Once finished, users can upload their site to their favorite host directly from within Sandvox.
Sandvox 2.5 requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher and is currently available in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese and Chinese. The Sandvox 2.5 update is available today free of charge for any registered owner of Sandvox 2.
Sandvox 2 is regularly priced at US$79.99 and available directly from Karelia Software or through the Mac App Store....
Shaderlight switches on real world lighting
Shaderlight, a rendering plug-in from ArtVPS for Google SketchUp for architects and designers, has been updated to version 2.1.
ArtVPS has combined forces with Visa Lighting to provide users with a library of lighting fixtures as SketchUp 3D models, incorporating IES lighting files that are ready to render. The 3D models include the correct lighting information so that when rendered with Shaderlight Pro the scenes are illuminated, as they would be in the real world.
Selected from Visa Lighting’s complete collection of fixtures on Google’s 3D Warehouse, the Shaderlight ready SketchUp models are available to download from Google’s 3D Warehouse (http://macte.ch/hczs8). Users simply import a model from Shaderlight’s 3D Warehouse library into their SketchUp scene and hit render. Shaderlight will then render the correct lighting and color detail for each individual fixture.
These lighting fixtures with embedded IES light profiles will only render correctly using Shaderlight 2.1. This new...
Token for Mac OS X updated to version 1.2
Dale Gillard has updated Token (http://dalegillard.com/token.html), a menu bar app that interacts with iWork '09, to version 1.2. Recent iWorks and iBooks Author documents and templates open directly from the Mac menu bar.
Token is available on the Mac App Store for US$2.99. It requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher. Token automatically saves your iWork documents every 10 minutes.
iPhone/iPod touch/iPad apps for Jan. 27
Here are the latest iPhone/iPod touch/iPod/iPad apps. You can find 'em at the Apple App Store (http://www.itunes.com/appstore/).
Sovereign Dynamics has announced Global Feed 1.0 for iOS. The free app designed to stream news based on Geo-IP location. It's completely configurable by the end user.
Eys-Apps has released My Wedding Organizer 1.0 for iOS devices. Based on the prospective date of the wedding day, the US$1.99 app calculates the personal wedding countdown and assists the user in taking care of all upcoming tasks in a timely manner. An integrated cost calculator helps to keep track of total costs, money already paid, and outstanding payments.
M5859 Studios has unveiled Inside the World of Dinosaurs, narrated by Stephen Fry. It's a $13.99, interactive digital dinosaur encyclopedia that utilizes the multimedia capabilities of the iPad. Every dinosaur or object can be spun around in 3D motion, allowing you to study the details such as skin texture and color.
iHomeEducator has...
Jon Rubinstein, former Apple exec, bids HP adieu
Jon Rubinstein, the former Apple exec who took over handheld maker Palm and moved with it to Hewlett-Packard in a 2010 acquisition, has left HP effective today, according to "AllThingsD."
Rubinstein is said to have no immediate plans, and had completed a 12-24 month commitment to stay with HP after the acquisition. "Jon has fulfilled his commitment and we wish him well," HP spokeswoman Mylene Mangalindan said.
In a brief comment to "AllThingsD," Rubinstein said, "I am going to take a well deserved break after four and a half years of developing webOS."
Rubenstein, who left Apple in 2006, served as the head of the Mac hardware engineering division before becoming senior vice president of the company's iPod music player division. For more, go to http://macte.ch/gFI2M . Read more at http://macte.ch/e7CsO .
Apple Italy now informing customers of mandated, two-year...
Apple has complied with a court order in Italy and is informing customers at its online store about a legally mandated two-year warranty, reports "The Register" (http://macte.ch/AHf0w).
Now featured at the top of the main page of Apple's online store is a "communication to protect consumers" that links to a PDF explaining the court's ruling. The change to Apple's online store in Italy was first noted by setteBIT and detailed by The Register.
A small "Communication to protect consumers" has appeared at the top of the Italian Apple store, linking to a PDF document setting out the court decision against the company. That ruling found the company guilty of pushing its extended AppleCare warranty while failing to alert buyers of the legally mandated two-year warranty applicable to all Italian retailers, but was being appealed by Apple, notes "The Register."
In December 2011, Italy's Antitrust Authority fined Apple 900,000 euros (approximately US$1.2 million) for its handling of customer...
Samsung loses another German lawsuit against Apple
One week after dismissing Samsung's first German patent infringement lawsuit against Apple, the Mannheim Regional Court also rejected Samsung's second complaint, reports "FOSS Patents" (http://fosspatents.blogspot.com/).
"For Samsung, this outcome must be disappointing. But the Korean electronics giant is known for its fighting spirit and unlikely to back down," writes Florian Muellers for "FOSS Patents. "It remains to be seen whether Samsung will appeal any of these rulings to the Karlsruhe Higher Regional Court. Presumably, Samsung will have to analyze the reasoning behind this decision in order to decide on a possible appeal."
This is the latest development in the ongoing battle. Earlier this month, in Italy, Judge Marina Tavassi of the Tribunale di Milano -- the Milan-based Italian first-instance court for patent cases -- rejected a Samsung request for a preliminary injunction against the sale of the iPhone 4S in Italy.
Samsung has sought to ban the iPhone 4S in France and Italy...
Tim Cook emails Apple employees about factory worker reports
According to "9to5Mac," Apple CEO Tim Cook sent out a lengthy letter to all of the company employees that are a direct response recent reports of factory worker mistreatment.
Per "9to5Mac," here's the opening of the email: "As a company and as individuals, we are defined by our values. Unfortunately some people are questioning Apple’s values today, and I’d like to address this with you directly. We care about every worker in our worldwide supply chain. Any accident is deeply troubling, and any issue with working conditions is cause for concern. Any suggestion that we don’t care is patently false and offensive to us. As you know better than anyone, accusations like these are contrary to our values. It’s not who we are. For the many hundreds of you who are based at our suppliers’ manufacturing sites around the world, or spend long stretches working there away from your families, I know you are as outraged by this as I am. For the people who aren’t as close to the supply chain, you have...
Apple now world's largest smartphone vendor
According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics (http://www.strategyanalytics.com), global smartphone shipments grew 54% annually to reach a record 155 million units in the fourth quarter of 2011. Apple reclaimed top position as the world’s number one smartphone vendor during the quarter.
"Global smartphone shipments grew 54% annually to reach a record 155.0 million units in Q4 2011," says Alex Spektor, associate director at Strategy Analytics. "Apple overtook Samsung to become the world’s largest smartphone vendor by volume with 24% market share. Apple’s global smartphone shipments surged 128% annually to 37 million units, as distribution of the iPhone family expanded across numerous countries, dozens of operators and multiple price points.”
Neil Mawston, executive director at Strategy Analytics, adds: "While Apple took the top spot in smartphones on a quarterly basis, Samsung became the market leader in annual terms for the first time with 20 percent global share during...
PrivacyScan available at the Mac App Store
PrivacyScan is now available on the Mac App Store. It requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher and is available at an introductory price of US$4.99 at the Mac App Store in the Utilities category.
PrivacyScan protects online and offline privacy by shredding files that can be used to track your web browsing and computer usage. Going above and beyond United States DoD (Department of Defense) government standards, PrivacyScan's shred feature can overwrite data with up to 35 passes.
PrivacyScan works by searching for known applications which leave files on your computer that could lead to privacy concerns. It offers support for a range of items, including web browsers such as Safari, Camino, Chrome, Firefox, Flock, iCab, OmniWeb, Opera, SeaMonkey, and Shiira, privacy threats presented by Flash Cookies, as well as standard apps such as Finder, Preview, and QuickTime.
Once a scan has run its course and privacy threats have been detected, PrivacyScan offers a variety of choices for cleaning -- from...
DB-Text is new text format manager for Mac OS X
Tension Software has released DB-Text 1.0 for Mac OS X. The app is able to import, edit and manage text format. It requires Mac OS X 10.6.6 or higher and costs US$5. It's available at the Mac App Store and the Tension Software website (http://www.pomola.com/products_dbtext/).
DB-Text can import data both in CSV (comma separated value) text format or in TSV (tab separated value) text format coming from Mac OS X, Windows and Unix systems. Data can be manipulated and exported as text (as they were imported) or saved inside a native DB-Text document.
A pop-up inside the import dialog lets you specify field destinations. DB-Text supports data browsing before import inside the import dialog and an optional 'Use first row as header" feature.
AJA Io XT with Thunderbolt is shipping
The new Io XT Thunderbolt-enabled professional video I/O device is now shipping from AJA Video Systems (http://www.aja.com). The company says it's the only Thunderbolt-enabled video I/O device on the market with dual Thunderbolt port.
Io XT connects to a Thunderbolt-enabled Mac via a single cable. An additional Thunderbolt port is provided, enabling users to daisy-chain Io XT to other Thunderbolt peripherals including high bandwidth storage and high resolution displays through a single interface; simplifying the connection of multiple devices.
The portable device supports capture and playback of 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 HD and SD formats and can unify disparate formats via its 10-bit realtime Up/Down/Cross conversion capability. Io XT also provides compatibility with the most popular NLE programs, the newest codecs, video formats, stereoscopic 3D workflows, and more. It has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of US$1,495.
TextSoap Express 1.0 slips onto the Mac
Unmarked Software has released TextSoap Express 1.0, a plain text cleaning solution based on its TextSoap product. It requires Mac OS X 10.7.x ("Lion") and is available through the Mac App Store with a retail price of US$23.99. However, it has an launch price of $14.99 through Feb 5.
TextSoap Express is designed specifically for the occasional user who needs the basics in cleaning up email text without fonts, styles, or colors. It includes the Scrub cleaner from its sibling, TextSoap. Scrub can tackle many of the common text problems found in emails and web such as text wrapping or removing old quote marks.
Express provides five custom cleaners that can be customized to the specific needs of the user, with 10 different core text actions to manipulate text. The software automatically manages the creation of custom cleaners, letting users select a custom cleaner and start dragging in the text actions they desire.
Kidz Gear launches headphones for Apple devices
Kidz Gear (http://www.GearForKidz.com) has expanded its line of Wired Headphones for Kids to include a new Apple version designed specifically for the iPod, iPhone and iPad -- the Kidz Gear Apple Wired Headphones for Kids.
This Apple-specific version of the headphones features KidzControl Volume Limiting Technology for a safe listening experience while helping to protect children’s hearing. according to Kidz Gear founder Laurie Peterson. It also sports an inline microphone and a remote with controls for track up, track down, and more.
The headphones can be used to record audio, issue a voice command to iPhone’s SIRI personal assistant and answer phone calls on the iPhone, or talk through an internet phone, such as Skype. The Remote controls volume up and down, as well as lets the user play, pause, skip a track, return to a previous track or even hear the playlist that is currently active.
Ergonomically designed with soft padded child-sized ear-cups, the Kidz Gear Apple Wired...
Digital Film Tools releases Film Stocks plug-in
Digital Film Tools (http://www.digitalfilmtools.com/index2.htm) has released Film Stocks (US$195) with plug-in support for Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, Adobe After Effects CS5 and up, Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 and up, Apple Aperture, Apple Final Cut Pro 6 and 7, and Avid editing systems.
It offers artists simulations of 288 different color and black and white photographic film stocks, motion picture film stocks, and historical photographic processes. Film Stocks offers a range of preset looks as well as the necessary controls to create analog film stock presets from scratch, including color correction, curves, colored filters, sharpness, diffusion, vignetting and film grain.
You can apply one of the many presets and customize the settings, or create your own looks and simulations and save them as presets to use in the future or share with colleagues. For example, you can select from Agfa, Fuji, Ilford, Kodak, Polaroid and Rollei color and black-...
Read&Write 5 Gold released for the Mac
Texthelp Systems has announced Read&Write 5 Gold for Mac (http://www.texthelp.com/North-America/our-products/readwrite), the newest release of its literacy support software program.
Read&Write 5 Gold for Mac is a customizable toolbar that integrates with common applications, including Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, Safari and Adobe Reader. It provides students of all ages -- especially those with reading and writing difficulties, learning disabilities, and English Language Learners -- with support tools.
Read&Write 5 Gold for Mac’s expanded toolbar includes new features and enhancements to provide even more support for the variety of learning styles and abilities found in today's schools, colleges and universities, and the workplace, says Jack Dolan, president of Texthelp Systems. New features include a picture dictionary, verb conjugation checker, vocabulary list builder, paragraph translator, confusable word checker, Pages integration, and more.
bility! Texthelp Web Apps...
GoGadget syncs data between iDevices, Macs
Mark/Space has released an update to the Mac version of GoGadget -- and introduced a Windows version. It connects media players, mobile phones, tablets, GPS navigators, gaming systems, digital picture frames, and more for synchronization of media files and documents with computers.
According to the folks at Mark/Space, GoGadget brings media sync to virtually any device that connects to a Mac or Windows PC via a standard USB cable. It lets you choose between and sync photos, music, videos, ringtones, documents, files, and folders between mobile devices and Macs and PCs. For example, Mac users can sync playlists from iTunes and albums from iPhoto.
GoGadget transfers entire playlists, albums of photos, folders, documents, ringtones and videos -- whatever a gadget or device can play and display. The GoGadget product web page (http://www.markspace.com/gogadget) includes a sampling of devices supported by the application. For more obscure devices, GoGadget includes a device editor feature...
Qmadix introduces boostpac eclipse, boostpack quick
At this week's Macworld/iWorld Expo, Qmedix (http://www.Qmadix.com) premiered two new auxiliary battery pack options to its boostpac brand: the boostpac eclipse and boostpac quick shot. Pricing hasn't been announced.
The boostpac eclipse and boostpac quick shot are universal, rechargeable auxiliary battery packs that support iPod, iPhone, iPad and Android devices. Both auxiliary packs feature an LED battery indicator light that measures the remaining battery life, and Smart Technology that enables automatic shutoff to avoid overcharging.
Users can recharge the battery packs from any computer or laptop with the included USB 2.0-to-micro USB charging cable. The boostpac eclipse transforms into a docking station for iPhone and iPod charging.
New device charges 16 iPads at a time
A new 16-port professional USB charging station -- the PowerPad 16 -- can charge up to 16 iPads at a time. The station can be placed in a cabinet, cart or carrying case. It can also be mounted on a table, wall or under a counter”
Created by Datamation Systems (http://www.ipadcarts.com/) the Power Pad 16 (DS-IP-PP16) can be used to replace power strips and the AC adapter bricks of the standard chargers. It's not an "universal" USB charger but Datamation Systems is creating other versions that will accommodate most USB devices, according to Vice President Joe Mazz. Contact Datamation for pricing.
Doxie Go + Wi-Fi is new, portable scanner
Apparent has unveiled the US$239 Doxie Go + Wi-Fi (http://www.getdoxie.com/product/doxie-go-wifi/), a new Doxie model that scans anywhere -- with no computer required -- then sends scans wirelessly to devices and the cloud.
Featuring a built-in battery and memory chip, it scans everywhere you go, then pushes scans directly from the scanner to Mac, PC, iPhone, iPad, or Evernote. The Doxie Go can scan everything from bills and receipts to reports, recipes, cards, and photos.
It includes the Doxie scanner, companion software with ABBY OCR, and a bundled Eye-Fiwireless SD card. Doxie 2.1 software is included; the iOS sync app is free at the Apple App Store.
SMK-Link rolls out three new products
SMK-Link Electronics Corp. (http://www.smklink.com/) previewed three new products at this week's Macworld/iWorld Expo. One is the The Bluetooth Calculator Keypad.
"Most OS X computers purchased over the past several years were supplied with Apple’s redesigned Wireless Keyboard," says John Blair, general Manager of Branded Products. "This elegant keyboard, which features a reduced-footprint design, provides however no numeric keypad. Whether you’re using an iMac, Mac Pro or MacBook, you’ll need an add-on peripheral keypad for extended data entry or spreadsheet use. Our new Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard integrates transparently with these Apple platforms-wirelessly connecting via Bluetooth to enhance user productivity with keypad entry and calculator capabilities."
SMK-Link’s new PadDock 10 Stand and Stereo System cradles (and charges) your iPad so it's ready to run apps in any screen orientation and ready to sync with iTunes. When you’re ready to go out, snap your iPad out of the PadDock...
Tropico 3: Gold Edition for Mac released
Feral Interactive today has released Tropico 3: Gold Edition for the Mac. It is now available for US$34.99 online for direct download from a variety of digital partner sites worldwide including http://www.feralinteractive.com and the Mac App Store.
Here's how the game is described: "Tropico 3: Gold Edition is a combination of strategic city-builder and humorous political simulator that invites players to reign as El Presidente, dictator of the resource-rich Caribbean nation of Tropico. To govern is to choose, and as players build their island’s infrastructure, manage the economy and keep competing factions on side, they will have plenty of opportunity to find out whether they prefer to rule with a velvet glove or an iron fist.
"To maintain their grip on power, players will need to create a cult of personality around El Presidente, composing his silver-tongued speeches, manipulating the media and building monuments in his honor. El Presidente’s character will determine the way he is...
Firetask for Mac OS X adds Organize view, more
Gerald Aquila has released Firetask for Mac 2.0, a task management application that combines GTD and traditional task management elements. The new version adds a drag 'n drop-enabled Organize view that was previously only available on the iPad, a filterable Calendar view and the functionality of searching in active task lists.
Additional new features include custom repeat patterns for scheduled tasks, time-based reminders via Growl, and emailing of project and category task lists. Firetask's user interface also got a facelift, including a more GTD-like tool navigation, a completely redesigned graphical date chooser, improved drag 'n drop due to double-click enabled inline-editing and support for fullscreen mode on Mac OS X 10.7 ("Lion").
Firetask is available at the Mac App Store for US$39.99. Version 2.0 is a free update for registered users.
ExtremeZ-IP for Lion revved to version 7.3
Group Logic (http://www.grouplogic.com) has released ExtremeZ-IP 7.3, an update of the Mac OS X software that helps enterprise customers integrate Macs into existing Window infrastructures.
ExtremeZ-IP 7.3 upgrades focus on performance optimizations and reliability and compatibility improvements, with continued full support for Mac OS X 10.7 ("Lion") .A new license for ExtremeZ-IP 7.2 is US$395 for a three-client server and $1,495 for a 10-client server. Upgrade pricing and an enterprise licensing program is also available. Version 7.3 is a free upgrade for existing customers.
iPhone 4S accounts for nine out of 10 iPhones sold
Though Apple didn't break down iPhone sales by model when it reported first-quarter earnings earlier this week, new consumer survey from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) does and finds the iPhone 4S to be the most popular model of the device.
According to CIRP’s survey -- as reported by "AllThingsD" (http://macte.ch/Lr3Sy), the 4S accounts for 89% of iPhone sales since its debut, while the iPhone 4 and 3GS accounted for 7% and 4%, respectively.
What's more, the higher-end 4S models were hot sellers. Of the 89% figure, 21% were 64GB models, 34% were 32GB systems, and 45% were 16GB.
Survey: 21% of info workers use one or more Apple products
According to new data (http://macte.ch/9ZN4H) from the Forrester Research Group, 21% of information workers are using one or more Apple products for work. Almost half of enterprises (1000 employees or more) are issuing Macs to at least some employees -- and they plan a 52% increase in the number of Macs they issue in 2012.
Plus, 27% support the iPad. Forrester interviewed 10,000 information workers about what products they used to get work done -- at the office and at home. According to their survey:
° Managers and execs are more than twice as likely to use Apple products.
° Younger info workers are twice as likely to use Apple products as older ones.
° Higher income workers are more likely to use Apple products.
° Info workers in countries outside North America and Europe are more likely to use Apple products for work.
Study: Jobs considered one of the 'greatest innovators of...
The annual Lemelson-MIT Invention Index (http://web.mit.edu/invent/n-pressreleases/n-press-12index.html), which gauges Americans’ perceptions about invention and innovation, shows that one out of every four teenagers and youth adults consider the late Steve Jobs the greatest innovator of all time.
Though part of the “Apple Generation,” many young Americans surprisingly chose Thomas Edison (54%) over Jobs (24%) as the greatest innovator of all time. Trailing Jobs was Alexander Bell (10%), Marie Curie (5%), Mark Zuckerberg (3%), Ameila Earhart (3%) and Temple Grandin (2%).
When asked about how new technology like smartphones and tablets influences and impacts their personal lives, 40% of respondents said they couldn’t imagine their life without it. Americans also have a clear understanding of the role invention and innovation play in the health of the nation with nearly half (47%) saying that a lack of invention will hurt the U.S. economy, notes Lemelson-MIT.
AT&T sees record iPhone activations
AT&T (http://www.att.com) has announced its fourth quarter fiscal results highlighted by record sales, strong wireless network performance and improved wireline revenue trend, according to Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and CEO. What's more, iPhone activations set a record.
For the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2011, AT&T's consolidated revenues totaled US$32.5 billion, up $1.1 billion, or 3.6%, versus the year-earlier quarter.
Compared with the fourth quarter of 2010, operating expenses were $41.5 billion versus $29.3 billion; operating loss was $9.0 billion, compared to operating income of $2.1 billion; and AT&T's operating income margin was 27.7%, compared to 6.7 percent.
The fourth quarter was AT&T's best ever for iPhone activations. The company saw 7.6 million iPhones activated out of the 9.4 million smartphones it sold.
Apple has 58% of global tablet market
According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics (http://www.strategyanalytis.com), global tablet shipments reached 27 million units in the fourth quarter of 2011. Android jumped to a record 39% global share, while Apple maintained its leadership at 58%.
"Global tablet shipments reached an all-time high of 26.8 million units in Q4 2011, surging 150 percent from 10.7 million in Q4 2010," says Peter King, director at Strategy Analytics. "Demand for tablets among consumer, business and education users remains strong. Apple shipped a robust 15.4 million iPads worldwide and maintained its strong market leadership with 58%t share during the fourth quarter of 2011. Apple shrugged off the much-hyped threat from entry-level Android models this quarter."
Neil Mawston, executive director at Strategy Analytics, adds: "Android captured a record 39% share of global tablet shipments in Q4 2011, rising from 29% a year earlier. Global Android tablet shipments tripled annually to 10.5 million...
Apple, GE ads dominate NFL playoff games
The NFL Playoffs are often an interesting test run for advertising during the Super Bowl. According to data released today from Ace Metrix, which specializes in television advertising effectiveness, Apple, General Motors (Cadillac), Applebee’s, Nissan, and Google were the most effective advertisers during the past three weekends of playoff football.
Apple held the top two spots with their iPhone 4G commercial touting new camera features (Ace Score: 659) and Siri ad (Ace Score: 658). Cadillac zoomed alongside Siri with its ad demonstrating its braking systems, achieving an Ace Score of 658. Nissan’s Vision ad was the 4th most effective playoff ad (Ace Score 652), followed by Google’s Muppet ad (Ace Score 644).
"We expect to see many of these same advertisers in the Super Bowl, and it will be interesting to see how they adapt their playoff strategies to television’s biggest stage," says Peter Daboll, CEO of Ace Metrix.
Ace Metrix will reveal the Top Ads of the Super Bowl on Feb. 8.
Mindwrap announces FiledRight document management system
Mindwrap will introduce its new FiledRight Document Management system (http://www.filedright.com) for Mac OS X at the upcoming MacWorld/iWorld show at Moscone Center in San Francisco on Jan. 26-28.
Designed specifically for Macintosh-based small business users, FiledRight incorporates Mindwrap's experience in the imaging and document management marketplace. It offers integrated scanning, batch processing capabilities and more. FiledRight works in concert with the popular open source FireBird relational database to provide indexing, searching, and management of all types of scanned and desktop office documents.
Product bundles will be available for 5, 10, and 25 users and include the FiledRight server, client workstation, indexing and query screens for common business needs, administration tools, and scanner driver, starting at a special MacWorld-iWorld introductory price of US$1999. Technical support contracts are available on a yearly basis.
Eye Scream Factory releases 74 DVE transitions
Eye Scream Factory (http://www.eyescreamfactory.com) has released 74 DVE transition presets created by Kevin P. McAuliffe, senior editor at MIJO in Toronto, Canada, and an Avid Media Composer editor for 15 years. The presets include a variety of organic and fluid DVE transitions.
Editors can preview and apply presets to host application video inside the Avid FX or Boris RED Library Browser. The package also includes Avid and Final Cut Pro 7 bins containing all of the presets, giving Avid Media Composer 6 editors, Avid Symphony 6 editors, and Final Cut Pro 7 editors who use Boris RED 5 instant access to the DVE transitions without ever having to leave their timeline.
All the included preset effects can be customized and combined with other effects. Editors can then save new customized presets to the Avid FX or Boris RED Library Browser -- or an Avid or Final Cut Pro 7 bin - for future use. In addition, the presets can be used with Boris RED 5 or Avid FX 6 as a standalone application or...
