With Apple poised to release OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion this month, TidBITS Publishing has published "Take Control of Upgrading to Mountain Lion," by Joe Kissell.

This ebook is for Mac users who want to understand exactly what's involved in upgrading to Mountain Lion, especially those who suspect that their Macs are not ready for the upgrade or who worry about potential problems when upgrading. Kissell details how to do a pre-upgrade check for software and hardware compatibility and fitness and provides advice on the best kind of backup to make in case of an upgrade disaster.

He also helps readers sort out their Apple IDs (a task best done before beginning the upgrade), and he describes how readers can clean up their disks for a fresh start with Mountain Lion. Special topics include discussions of upgrading from Mac OS X 10.4 or 10.5, upgrading with FileVault, and partitioning.

The 81-page "Take Control of Upgrading to Mountain Lion" is available now for US$15....

Digital Heaven says the ebook, "Final Cut Pro Killer Secrets," by Martin Baker is now available for free download. It's available by request at http://www.digital-heaven.co.uk .

The PDF eBook is packed with tips and time-saving techniques for the Final Cut Pro 7 editor. It also sports reference material and keyboard shortcuts. The ebook's 10 chapters cover a comprehensive range of subjects including capturing, importing, editing, effects, audio and exporting.

"While the debate about Final Cut Pro X continues to rumble on, there are many thousands of editors continuing to do great work with earlier versions of Final Cut Pro," says Baker. "As the last release of its generation, Final Cut Pro 7 contains a tremendous number of hidden features just waiting to be discovered and that's where 'Final Cut Pro Killer Secrets' comes in."

"Final Cut Pro Killer Secrets" joins freeware plug...

Here are the latest incremental updates for Mac OS X apps:

Cocktail (http:/www.maintain.se) -- a general purpose utility for OS X that lets you clean, repair and optimize your Mac -- has been upgraded to version 6. The new version is compatible with the upcoming OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion.

Noodlesoft has announced Hazel 3.0.9 (http://www.noodlesoft.com/hazel.php), an update of thehousekeeper for your folders and files. The new version is now code-signed and ready for the Gatekeeper feature of OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion.

Hamrick Software (http://www.hamrick.com) has released Vuescan 9.1.07, a new version of the VueScan software for Mac OS X that's designed to let users produce better digital images from color snapshots, negatives, slides and documents. The new version adds support for new Epson printer/...

Here are the latest Apple rumors from the blogosphere:

"If Apple releases a smaller iPad model with a 7.85-inch display, the less expensive device could eventually outsell the current 9.7-inch model, according to one analyst." -- "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com)

"Apple is said to plan smaller iPad to compete with Google Nexus: Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was skeptical of a smaller iPad, but it might be necessary to compete with smaller tablets from Amazon, Microsoft and Google." -- "HeraldNet" (http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120705/BIZ/707059979/1005)

"Apple could be on the verge of releasing a major update to iWork for OS X, perhaps even releasing iWork’12, in the coming weeks, particularly in the context of the impending...

On Tuesday Apple and Samsung filed a join statement dropping additional claims against each other as an U.s. trial looms. The narrowing had been requested by Judge Lucy Koh of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

The parties' joint statement is not necessarily the last word on narrowing., notes "FOSS Patents" (http://macte.ch/dxsJ5). Everything depends now on Judge Koh's assessment of the trial-readiness of this case, the article adds.

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.

"CNBC" reports that Samsung has emerged as the most valued brand by consumers in Asia, ending a four-year reign by Sony and ahead of close rival Apple, according to a survey by research firm Nielsen and media magazine Campaign Asia-Pacific.

Apple ranked second in the survey, and Sony placed third. The survey spanned 12 markets in Asia and asked 4,800 respondents to disclose the brand they felt was the best or the most trustworthy in 14 major product and service categories. You can read more at http://www.cnbc.com/id/48076119?__source=yahoo%7Cheadline%7Cquote%7Ctext... .

AutoNavi Holdings, a Chinese maker of electronic navigation tools, has been selected by Apple to offer map services for users of future iPhones and iPads in China, reports "The Washington Post" (http://macte.ch/24Zzm), quoting two unnamed "people with knowledge of the matter."

AutoNavi will supply its maps of China to users of the iOS 6 operating system, an upgrade for iPhones and iPads that will be released by Apple this fall, according to one of the people, who asked not to be named before an announcement.

Last month Apple introduced its own maps tool for users of iOS 6, replacing Google Maps. The company is adding technology partners in China including AutoNavi, Baidu and Sina Corp. to expand the range of services to Chinese consumers and meet rising local demand for its mobile devices, notes "The Washington Post."

According to an Asymco report (http://macte.ch/dsmhh), Apple has whittled down the Windows-to-Mac OS ratio "dramatically" in the past several years -- and that ratio is even more impressive when figuring in OS X plus iOS devices. According to Asymco:

° The ratio of Windows PCs to Macs in 1995 was 15:1.

° By 2004 the ratio had dropped to 7:1, thanks to the growing popularity of laptops -- and the MacBook.

° Currently, if you figure in both OS X and iOS devices, the ratio is about 2:1.

° "Considering the near future, it’s safe to expect a “parity” of iOS+OS X vs. Windows within one or two years," says Asymco. "The install base may remain larger for some time longer but the sales rate of alternatives will swamp it in due course."

Cable digitization efforts in developing economies will be a key driver for cable broadband penetration worldwide, giving service providers access to more lucrative markets with service revenues reaching the US$50 billion mark in 2017, reports ABI Research (http://www.abiresearch.com).

Cable technology’s adoption of DOCSIS 3.0, with higher maximum speeds than DSL, has been a key competitive strength against Telco’s offering only DSL service in the United States, Canada and parts of Western Europe, says the research group.

"Cable MSOs’ marketing focusing on use of advanced services, such as video streaming, and number of devices in the home has encouraged consumers to upgrade to higher bandwidth tiers," says Adarsh Krishnan, senior analyst, TV & video at ABI Research.

Looking to next generation bandwidth-hogging services, including 3DTV and 4K video resolutions, technology providers...

Hooby Groovy (http://www.hoobygroovy.com/) has announced the Raccoon iPad Case. It's part of the Animals of Hooby Groovy Land Collection.

Hand crafted from 2mm thick felt, the design of the Raccoon iPad Case stays true to the Hooby Groovy minimalist aesthetic. It's designed to fit all current iPads (the iPad 1, iPad 2 and the new iPad). Users utilizing the Apple Smart Cover for iPad 2 and the new iPad will also be able to fit their iPads into the Raccoon iPad Case.

The Raccoon iPad Case has a sleeve-style design with an opening for the device at the top. A closure tab secured with hook and loops tape at top opening to secure the device within. There's a pocket on the back for additional storage for notebooks, pens, etc.

To celebrate the launch of the new Raccoon iPad Case, all products within the Animals of Hooby Groovy Land Collection are on sale for US$10 off the usual price....

Here are the latest iPhone/iPod touch/iPod/iPad apps. You can find 'em at the Apple App Store (http://www.itunes.com/appstore/).

Inkstone Software has announced eBook Search Pro 1.0 for iOS, an enhanced version of their ad-supported eBook Search app.The free app makes it possible to find over two million free eBooks and download them directly to the iBooks, Kindle, Nook, and Kobo apps. It does this by connecting to the free book catalogs of Feedbooks, Baen Books, Project Gutenberg, Smashwords, and the Internet Archive.

Nektony has released VSD Viewer 1.0 for iOS. The US$0.99 app allows users to open and view Visio diagrams on the iPhone and iPad.

Schott Music has introduced Schott Pluscore Sing-Along 1.0 for the iPad. The free voice trainer app with adaptable accompaniments is designed for rehearsing opera arias and other repertoire.

GMT Development has launched...