Kensington says its line of USB 3.0 Docking Stations and Multi-Display Adapter products are now compatible with Mac OS X devices. Designed with DisplayLink‘s new driver for Mac, Kensington’s productivity devices will work with Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard through OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion. The new compatibility enables Apple computer users to supplement connectivity to their devices, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro or iMac.   Using either of the Kensington USB 3.0 Docking Stations and Multi-Display Adapter, Apple users can now add multiple monitors, use additional USB ports, and leverage Gigabit Ethernet for fast data connection. The products are designed to help increase productivity and are ideal for hot desk environments where you aren't restricted to one make or model of laptop. For more info go to www.kensington.com .

Wanderful Interactive Storybooks has announced interactive storybook apps for Mac OS X. They're available in the Mac App store for US$9.99. These apps, including the award-winning "Harry and the Haunted House" and "Arthur's Teacher Trouble," are part of the Wanderful storybook collection for iOS originally published by Living Books. The eight apps are in US English. Most come preloaded with story content in English, Spanish and French although several have different language configurations. Users can toggle instantly between languages with either a mouse click or a tap on the keyboard. These Wanderful apps also include a Classroom Activities guide developed for each app. For more info go to http://www.wanderfulstorybooks.com .

Nektony has introduced VSD Viewer 1.0 for Mac OS X (10.8 and higher). It costs US$9.99 and is available worldwide exclusively through the AppStore in the Business category (http://tinyurl.com/c2ba83y). Designed for anyone who use Visio drawings as a reference, VSD Viewer allows Mac users to open vsd files created with Visio 2000 - 2010, a file extension for a vector graphics format developed and owned by MS Visio. Opening a Visio drawing on Mac with VSD Viewer is as simple as drag and dropping the file to its application window. VSD Viewer allows viewing of common document formatting.

Beezwax Datatools (www.beezwax.net) has released InspectorPro 4.1, an update to the leading tool for analyzing FileMaker databases. Now developers can host InspectorPro on FileMaker Server for multi-user development teams to collaborate on database analysis. Also, InspectorPro 4.1 is extendable, allowing developers to add scripts, layouts, file references and value lists to create custom workflows supporting their FileMaker development projects. It also adds new Detection and Display types for Layout Objects, provides user interface and performance improvements, and offers various fixes to address known issues. InspectorPro 4.1 is the first product version available for use with FileMaker 12 on Windows, and also updates the OS X version. It works with FileMaker 12 databases and is available now for Mac OS X 10.6 or higher and Windows Vista, 7 and 8. FileMaker Pro 12 Advanced is required for a developer to generate the DDR (Database Design Report) to be used for analysis. The...

Worldwide PC shipments totaled 76.3 million units in the first quarter of 2013 (1Q13), down -13.9% compared to the same quarter in 2012 and worse than the forecast decline of -7.7%, according to International Data Corporation (IDC). Apple fared better than the overall U.S. market, "but still saw shipments decline as its own PCs also face competition from iPads," says the research group. The extent of the year-on-year contraction marked the worst quarter since IDC (www.idc.com) began tracking the PC market quarterly in 1994. The results also marked the fourth consecutive quarter of year-on-year shipment declines. Despite some mild improvement in the economic environment and some new PC models offering Windows 8, PC shipments were down significantly across all regions compared to a year ago. Fading Mini Notebook shipments have taken a big chunk out of the low-end market while tablets and smartphones continue to divert consumer spending. PC industry efforts to offer touch capabilities...

Boinx Software has introduced SandboxCleaner 1.0 for Mac OS X. The tool looks for incompatible QuickTime components that cause crashes with popular video and photo apps on the Mac. When QuickTime components are incompatible with OS X sandboxing, problems, like crashing, with many popular video and photo apps ensue, says Oliver Breidenbach, founder and CEO at Boinx Software. SandboxCleaner helps users find and disable these components, keeping systems up and running without a hitch, he adds. "Our users were experiencing baffling crashes with FotoMagico and iStopMotion," Breidenbach says. "It took us quite a while to figure out what was wrong. When we finally identified the issue, we realized the only way to deal with it was to scan for problematic components and provide the user with suggestions on how to resolve these issues. We spent months collating data regarding issues with outdated or incompatible QuickTime components reported by our users. Now, users can perform scans with...

BrainDistrict has released RaySupreme, a 3D modeling and rendering program for Mac OS X, Windows and Linux systems. It costs US$39.99 and is available at http://www.braindistrict.com . RaySupreme enables users to create 3D work by simply typing English text. People who are not experienced in 3D can quickly and easily create complex scenes and environments, according to Ritchie Lopez of BrainDistrict. This new approach to 3D graphics is called Text-to-3D. "Imagine the possibility of creating a complete 'modern day' scene like a living room environment by typing your text description of it," says Ritchie. "Now imagine typing an alternative year like the 1920's, then watching while your scene renders to another time in history. No programming, no special skills is required." RaySupreme includes: primitive objects, polygonal modeling, lathe, extrude, Boolean operations, smoothing, materials, and more. The rendering engine includes final gathering for global illumination, caustics, photon...

For more than 23 years, SimCity has entertained over 30 million fans worldwide and it returns to the platform that started it all on June 11. Electronic Arts has announced that SimCity will be coming to the Mac on June 11 exclusively as a digital release via Origin and other online retailers. Fans who purchase SimCity will be able to play the game on Mac and PC, regardless of which version they buy, as well as access their cities from across both platforms. Players who have previously purchased SimCity for PC, either as a physical or a digital copy will receive the Mac version as a free digital download on Origin on June 11. Players will be able to play both versions with the same Origin account, allowing them to continue their cities, achievements and leaderboard progress across the PC and Mac. SimCity has been rated E10+ by the ESRB. For more info go to www.SimCity.com .

According to "9to5Mac" (http://tinyurl.com/clg8vla) --based on documents published on the Access (formerly PalmSource) -- Apple has licensed patents from the portfolios of several former technology companies including some from Palm/PalmSource which were originally bought by HP. Access appears to own patents from Palm, Bell Communications Research and Geoworks and has licensed them to Apple for 1B Yen, the article adds. Microsoft previously took out a license on these same "foundational patents."

Korg (www.Korg.com) has announced the Kross keyboard. It will be available in August for US$699 for a 61-key model and $999 for a 88-key version. Kross is a mobile, affordable, keyboard workstation with audio/MIDI recording capabilities, AC or battery operation (6xAA), and a selection of cutting-edge sounds. Available with 61 keys or 88 fully weighted keys, it’s the first battery-powered, full-featured Korg keyboard workstation, according to the folks at Korg. The Kross sports analog-style step sequencing and a built-in audio recorder. The piano, electric piano, and drum sounds have been taken from some of Korg’s flagship instruments. Kross includes a 6-track MIDI sequencer as well as an analog-style step sequencer. The sequencer design features 16 buttons that are used to turn individual notes on or off for creating original rhythm patterns. SMF-format data can be exchanged with a computer via an optional SC card. A set of workstation and production tools include a stereo audio...

microLARGE software has announced Disklens 1.1, an improved version of the menu bar search utility for MacOS X. Disklens combines Apple's Spotlight search technology with a different user interface. Version 1.1 brings support for Spotlight comments, adds preferences for customizing search result presentation, brings a few user interface improvements like grouping search results by month, and extends the list of supported languages with French and Spanish. Disklens reqquires Mac OS X 10.7.4 or higher. It can be purchased for US$4.99 at microLARGE Software's online store (http://microlarge.com). A fully functional 15-day trial is available for download.

Cross Culture has released Mergemill Pro 4.5, an update of their app for cleansing and de-duplicating data. The latest release is an enabler that automates many of the data extraction and processing steps in data mining. Mergemill Pro takes diverse sources of data -- such as databases, web pages, e-mails and more -- and merges them with templates to produce the desired output, from web pages to customized e-mails. The program features data-processing capabilities such as data filters, multi-level data sorting, BASIC scripting, and multiple search-and-replace actions. Mergemill Pro supports Unicode and other text encodings, and has project scheduling and auto-run functionality. Users can control output in templates through scripting with tags for content insertion, arithmetic expressions, looping, branching, statistic calculations and for marking text blocks for variable assignment or special output actions. Mergemill Pro 4.5 is available for Macs running OS X 10.5. It can be purchased...

RunRev has announced LiveCode 6.0, the first open source edition of its rapid application development platform that allows you to create your own mobile and desktop apps. LiveCode 6.0 comes just five weeks after the close of one of its Kickstarter campaigns. RunRev raised nearly half a million pounds (US$750,000) to fund the development of the next generation app development platform.   LiveCode 6.0 represents the company’s first Community Edition, free to anyone wanting to access the LiveCode engine for custom development of full-featured mobile and desktop apps. Educators, students and business professionals have put support behind the development of open source LiveCode, recognizing the platform’s ability to change the face of programming in learning and commercial environments, according to the folks at RunRev.   LiveCode 6.0 is released under the GPL3 license, which allows anyone interested in developing mobile apps to do so with the LiveCode Community Edition -- provided users...

At this week's National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) event, Boris FX (www.borisfx.com) announced Boris Continuum Complete (BCC) 8.2. The upgrade features up to 100% improvement in render time for OpenGL-accelerated filters. In addition, nearly all BCC AVX for Avid filters can now be rendered in real-time. BCC 8.2 FxPlug for Apple Final Cut Pro and Motion is available now as a free download from www.borisfx.com for BCC v8.x FxPlug users. BCC 8.2 AE for Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro, BCC 8.2 AVX for Avid, and BCC 8.2 for Sony Vegas Pro will be available as free downloads for BCC v8.x users during the second quarter of the year.

Cory Moll, the founder of a union for Apple's retail employees is leaving the company after deciding to pursue other options, reports "CNET" (http://tinyurl.com/bqfpzss). He's been with Apple since 2007 and founded the Apple Retail Workers Union. He's leaving his job by his own choice as of today, notes "CNET." "I feel that the time has come to go explore the world, discover new opportunities and learn new skills," Moll said in an e-mail.

Tension Software has updated DB-Text -- a tool to import, edit and manage text based archives -- to version 1.2. The upgrade offers new export functions with new dialog and selection of exported fields. DB-Text 1.2 also sports improved iImport functions, a Sandbox release, advanced preferences, auto detection of CSV or TAB file format to import, and minor bug fixes. DB-Text is available for US $6.99 both from the Mac App Store and the Tension Software web site (www.pomola.com/products_dbtext/ ).

At the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show this week in Las Vegas, Intel made some key announcements regarding Thunderbolt technology, the fastest data connection available in your personal computer. Intel introduced the Intel DSL4510/4410 Thunderbolt controllers which add DisplayPort 1.2 capability when connecting to native DP displays, improve power management, and reduce platform bill of materials cost. Intel (www.intel.com) also previewed early prototype silicon of its next-generation Thunderbolt controller codenamed Falcon Ridge, which runs at 20Gbs, enabling 4K video file transfer and display simultaneously. Initial production is expected before the end of this year, with ramp in 2014. 

At this week's National Association of Broadcasts (NAB) event, Sonnet announced the Echo Express III-D desktop and Echo Express III-R rackmount Thunderbolt-to-PCI Express Expansion Chassis, the newest members of the company's Echo family of Thunderbolt expansion chassis for PCIe cards. Featuring three PCIe slots, a 300W power supply, and 75W auxiliary power connector, both new Thunderbolt-to-PCIe expansion chassis enable the use of a wide variety of high-performance PCI Express cards -- originally designed for use in desktop computers -- with any Mac with a Thunderbolt port. These Sonnet products support every Thunderbolt-compatible PCIe card available. Both the Echo Express III-D desktop and Echo Express III-R rackmount chassis feature dual Thunderbolt ports to support daisy-chaining of devices, and are designed for users needing the optimum solution for connecting three PCIe cards to their computer. Each new chassis supports up to three full-length, full-height, single-width PCIe 2...

At this week's National Association of Broadcasts (NAB) event, Blackmagic Design announced the US$995 Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera, a pocket sized digital cinema camera that includes features such as Super 16mm sized 1080HD sensor, super wide 13 stops of dynamic range, built in SD card recorder for Apple ProRes, lossless compressed CinemaDNG RAW capture and active Micro Four Thirds lens mount. The new Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera has most of the features of its bigger brother, including its feature film look, but has been redesigned with a smaller size that is less than an inch thick and can be held easily in your hand, says Grant Petty, CEO of Blackmagic Design. It's so small that it can be used in situations in the field where a larger camera could be dangerous, he adds. The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera features an industry standard Super 16 sensor size. The camera includes a SD card recorder that allows the full sensor dynamic range to be recorded in professional ProRes...

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) -- which recently denied Apple’s trademark application for the iPad mini because Apple's patent filing merely described the product -- has now withdrawn its objections, notes "MacRumors." A second objection related to Apple's use of the iPad mini overview page as its specimen proving that the named product was being offered for sale. "The issue has in fact mostly been resolved without Apple having had to address the examiner's objections," notes "MacRumors" (www.macrumors.com). "Presumably responding to the publicity surrounding the initial decision, the USPTO has preemptively withdrawn its two main objections to Apple's objections." Avid has announced Avid Pro Tools 11, an update of its digital audio workstation for music and audio production. This latest version enables audio professionals to take on the most demanding productions with new, high-powered audio and video engines, 64-bit architecture, expanded metering, and direct...

Sorenson Media has released Sorenson Squeeze 9, an upgrade of its video encoder that improves the encoding workflow and optimizes multi-screen video encoding. Benefits of the newest version of Squeeze include industry-first HTML5 optimization; an enhanced, more intuitive streamlined user interface and optimized user experience; enhancements to video quality and speed; and improvements to the product’s review and approval functionality. According to Mitch Holyoak, vice president of engineering for Sorenson Media, says Squeeze 9 makes encoding video files for playback in HTML5 easy and intuitive. Users simply drag and drop a single HTML5 preset onto a source file, and Squeeze then automatically creates two output renditions of the file -- one in MP4, the other in WebM -- together with a coding of the video onto an HTML5 web page, using the video tag. The two renditions enable native video playback in all major browsers, including Safari, Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Firefox. "HTML5 is...

A "handful" of Samsung smartphones infringe an Apple patent on text selection, according to the initial determination of a U.S. International Trade Commission judge, notes the "IDG News Service" (http://tinyurl.com/br27qyd). The patent in question concerns the selection of text on the browser of a handheld device by covering it with a translucent layer, where the layer becomes active for user inputs, the article adds. In his initial decision, Judge Thomas Pender found several Samsung phones did infringe two parts of U.S. patent RE41,922, filed by Apple in 2002.

A federal judge will not allow a lawsuit accusing Apple, Google and other technology companies of conspiring not to poach each other's employees to proceed as a class action, "but left the door open for affected workers to eventually sue as a group," reports "Reuters" (http://tinyurl.com/ckhy4yx) U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh in San Jose, California, said the five software engineers who brought the case had yet to show that the proposed class plaintiffs had enough in common to allow them to sue together. However, in light of new evidence, she said the nature of the "alleged overarching conspiracy" and desire to litigate it all at once weighed "heavily" in favor of class certification. As a result, she gave the plaintiffs a chance to seek class certification again, notes "Reuters."

Mushkin has announced the worldwide availability of its new line of 1.8-inch Chronos GO SATA III (6Gbps) solid-state drives (SSDs), now shipping in 120GB, 240GB and 480GB capacities. The new line of 1.8-inch drives feature a smaller, lighter footprint than the previous generation, and offer performance and reliability improvements for power users, according to Nicolas Villalobos, director of Global Marketing at Mushkin. Originally designed as an enterprise-class drive, the new Chronos SSD has been adapted and re-engineered to deliver the highest possible storage capacity in a drive optimized for high-performance and ultimate reliability, even in the most demanding 24x7 environments, he adds. For more information, visit http://www.mushkin.com/ .