Targus Canada (http://www.targus.com) has announced the availability of iPad and laptop cases just in time for the back-to-school shopping season.
The Targus back-to-school collection continues to grow with the addition of the new A7, Unofficial, Crave and Zamba lines. Each style offers complete protection and a lifetime warranty, an important consideration for many students. Prices range from US$29.99 to $79.99.
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Acme Made (http://www.acmemade.com/) has unveiled a new collection of protective sleeves and covers for the iPad, the Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble NOOK and other portable devices.
Designed for the road warrior, the Acme Made Slick Case is a compact, zippered case with an internal divider to store cables or accessories. Your portable device can be secured into the Slick Case for book-style reading, or it can be used purely as a protective, zippered travel case.
The Slick Case is designed with Acme Made’s StretchShell neoprene that is both water and stain resistant while still offering the padding of traditional neoprene. The Slick Case is available in two sizes and fits a variety of devices. The Slick Case for the iPad is US$39.99.
For the size conscious, the Skinny Sleeve is the thinnest sleeve available with a protective screen insert sewn directly into the lining. The Skinny Sleeve...
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June winds down on "MUG Event Calendar" with an appearance by Thomas Kiel of Elgato in Australia, and the first Final Cut Pro SuperMeet in Boston. Other topics include WWDC, the iPhone, digital photography, the Adobe Creative Suite and more.
"The MUG Event Calendar" can be found at "The MUG Center" (http://www.mugcenter.com), an online resource for Mac User Groups, Mac User Groups are starting to officially celebrate the holiday season.
MUGs are good places for making new friends in the Mac community, imProving your computing skills, finding solutions to technical Problems, and perhaps locating a good deal on used hardware. For more info on MUGs, and to find the location of the one nearest you, go to
Apple's MUG page (http://www.apple.com/usergroups/).
TranslateIt! (http://www.mac.gettranslateit.com/) for Mac -- a multilingual dictionary that allows looking up words on the fly -- has been updated to version 12.5. The upgrade works with Safari 5, Firefox 3.6 and Thunderbird 3 and is compatible with the Mac OS X built-in Parental controls.
A plug-in for working with Google Chrome is available. TranslateIt! 12.5 adds WAV file support for the Speak feature (in addition to the MP3 support.) Also updated is teh Contextual menu plug-in for 32-bit applications, German localization, LetsMove smart installer and TranslateIt! widget.
With TranslateIt!, you hover the pointer over an unfamiliar word (in any Cocoa Aapplication), and you will see its translation in a pop-up window. It comes with several free dictionaries for a large number of languages. TranslateIt! supports translation from/to any language (corresponding dictionaries must...
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Elgato has released version 1.1 of their EyeTV app for iPhone that brings live TV streaming over Wi-Fi or 3G connections to the iPad.
In updating the EyeTV app to support the iPad, Elgato optimized the app to take advantage of the iPad’s much larger, high resolution screen and its video playback capabilities, according to the folks at Elgato. EyeTV 1.1 is aa "universal app" that works on both iPhones and iPads, and is a free update for existing owners.
The EyeTV app running on the iPad or iPhone works in tandem with the user's Mac at home to stream high quality live or recorded TV anywhere. In addition, the app gives full access to EyeTV's program guide for finding something to watch and the ability to remotely schedule upcoming shows for recording.
Setting up EyeTV for iPhone/iPad is easy: on a local Wi-Fi network no configuration is needed. When connecting from elsewhere, Elgato's free "My EyeTV" locator service can automatically find the path to the Mac...
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Fontlab (http://www.fontlab.com/) has released version 5 of Fontographer, the font editor for designers and publishers on both Mac OS X (10.4 and higher) and Windows platforms. This version, the first new full-featured font creator in more than a decade, is specifically designed for use in a graphic design and digital publishing workflow.
Fontographer has been almost completely rewritten, with new features, a new look, and new compatibility, according to Adam Twardoch, Fontlab’s product and marketing manager. The new design is aimed at making life easier for the graphic designer and desktop publisher, who are constantly under pressure to do more in less time, he says.
In this vein, the graphical user interface has been modernized, but functionality like keyboard shortcuts and menu choices haven't been changed. Similarly, a lot goes on under the hood of Fontographer through automatic defaults,...
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In its Mac OS X 10.6.4 ("Snow Leopard") upgrade Apple included new antivirus signatures to help fight off some of the more "high profile OS X exploits found in the wild, reports "Maximum PC" (http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/apple_sneaks_antivirus_signatures_osx?).
The most notable of these is a file disguised as the iPhoto application which, when launched, lets attackers send spam, take screenshots, access files, and more.
"Our guess is that the Apple marketing department couldn't find a positive light to spin the new OS enhancement, so it was conveniently left out of the patch notes," "Maximum PC" says. "Cnet pointed out, and we agree, that Apple's ongoing refusal to acknowledge security flaws in its products exposes users to greater danger since they are lulled into a false sense of...
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Here are the latest iPhone/iPod touch/iPod/iPad apps announced. You can find 'em at the Apple App Store< (http://www.itunes.com/appstore/).
Akai Professional has announced the SynthStation music production app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch in the iTunes App Store.The $9.99 app transforms the Apple device into a portable music production studio.
Animal Instinct has unleashed Dog Be Mine 1.0 for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. The $0.99 app brings together the latest information about choosing a puppy, house breaking and training and more. Dog Be Mine also gives instant access to maps and information about local services such as breeders, closest vets, kennels and other points of interest for dog owners.
SuperlaSof has released Chinese Holidays and Festivals 1.0 for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad users. The $1.99 app calculates and displays any of the 30 traditional...
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Apple saw its shares continue to rise Friday, hitting both new 52-week and all-time highs in afternoon action, reports "MarketWatch" (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/apple-shares-climb-to-new-all-time-high...).
Apple stock hit US$275 before pulling back slightly to $273.61. For the year, the shares have jumped about 30% as the company has seen strong demand for its new iPad tablet computer and anticipation for iPhone 4, notes "MarketWatch." Analysts surveyed by FactSet Research have target prices on Apple ranging from $280 to $350 a share, with a median price of $325.
Susquehanna Financial's Jeff Fidacaro issued a note to clients predicting that next weekend could be a "2 mln - 3 mln iPhone event" -- two to three times bigger than the launches of Apple's Phone 3G and 3GS in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
According to "Fortune" (http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/06/18/iphone-launch-2-3-million-says-an...), the analyst cites both the size of Tuesday's pre-order (600,000 units) and what he expects to be strong upgrade demand, especially from owners of the iPhone 3G. With this in mind, Fidacaro is raising his iPhone numbers from:
° 7.8 million to 9.4 million for the third quarter;
° 36.8 million to 46.7 million for 2010.
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Markzware (http://www.markzware.com) has has updated FlightCheck Professional, a pre-flighting solution, to version 6.75, which adds support for Adobe Creative Suite 5.
FlightCheck is a prepress application used to manage printing quality control for print jobs. This solution provides both a native file and Adobe PDF preflight check. It's designed to help users scan and prepare PDF and other document types for commercial printing.
The software upgrade of FlightCheck Professional 6.75 for Macintosh is available immediately. You can upgrade to FlightCheck Professional from version 5.0 through 6.1x for US$99. You can purchase and download it from the Markzware store. The full version is available for $399. Registered users of FlightCheck Professional 6.5 may update to 6.75 for free.
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Teamsoft (http://www.teamsoft.com) has released a new version of WebAgenda for the Mac or PC, which lets you your schedule the important things in your life, and share the schedules with people that are important to you.
Your email address is your user ID. Your password is emailed to you. You can use it immediately, with nothing to install, or configure. You can keep your agenda and contact information private, or share it with your friends and associates.
Any information from WebAgenda can be also be linked to your iPhone or iPad. You can use your iPhone or iPad web browser, or use one of our many iPhone and iPad applications available from Apple iTunes to access your data on the TeamAgenda server.
You can try WebAgenda for free and save 10% on any TeamAgenda purchase. If you work for a an educational or charitable organization this 10% is in additional to your normal...
The latest edition of "MacNotables (http://www.macnotables.com/wordpress/), a podcast that serves as home to Mac personalities who will comment on the latest news and opinions in the Mac community, is available.
Ted Landau is getting an iPhone 4.0, and talks about why the decision was easy for him, his acquisition strategy, and the implications of the online pre-order meltdown. That's just the beginning.
Landau addresses the rapid-fire rate of Apple product and update announcements, the "Mac is
dead" discussions and why they are wrong, and why the iPad will replace some, but not all currently Mac-oriented tasks. The new Mac mini, the future of Apple TV, and whether it might include an Apple TV (you know, the kind with a screen), and Steve Jobs' performance at D8 are all included in the discussion.
"MacNotables" panelists include Christopher Breen, Bryan...
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Apple has updated MobileMe, its US$99-per-year suite of Internet tools. And it's released an accompanying, free Find my iPhone app. However, contrary to some rumors, Apple is not offering MobileMe for free.
The revved MobileMe sports an updated version of Mail Web with a tweaked interface that offers widescreen and compact views. Other changes include server-based rules for sorting messages, better SSL security, an enhanced formatting toolbar, better junkmail filtering, and the ability to send mail from an external address.
The MobileMe update also tweaks the interfaces for Calendars, Gallery, iDisk and Find My iPhone. All now feature Mail’s top bar of iPad-ish button. The separate buttons for each MobileMe Web app have disappeared.
The Find My iPhone app for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad on Friday offers MobileMe users a dedicated interface for tracking down one of the devices, if it's lost, when they’re away from their computer.
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On this week's "Tech Night Owl," Gene Steinberg, the Owl himself, and guests look at the iPhone 4, iOS 4 and the FTC's possible action against Apple.
You can tune into the live broadcast stream Thursday nights from 6-8 Pacific, 9-11 Eastern from http://www.technightowl.com/radio ; an archive of the show will be available for downloading and listening at your convenience within four hours after the original broadcast. You can also access our show's podcast feed, now available at http://www.technightowl.com/nightowl.xml .
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MacProVideo.com has released two new training programs for Ableton Live 8 and Cubase 5.
The first tutorial is called "Live 8 404: Making Electronic Dance Music." Created by the Dutch DJ and record producer, Olav Basoski, this tutorial shows how he uses Live 8 to produce chart-topping electronic dance anthems.
The second new release is called "Cubase 401: Mastering in Cubase." This tutorial is produced by one of Steinberg's very own Cubase Product experts, Matthew Loel T. Hepworth. In this three-hour tutorial, he shows how to utilize the mastering plugins including compressors, mulitband compressors, EQs, limiters, and maximizers.
These tutorials are available from MacProVideo.com's web site for both HD Download and streaming through the company's extensive Online Tutorial Library.
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Zevrix Solutions (http://www.zevrix.com) has released BatchOutput 3.8.1, an update to its professional solution to automate printing and exporting from Adobe InDesign. The new update addresses an issue related to EPS export presets management.
BatchOutput is designed to automate and simplify InDesign production workflows of service providers, printers, ad agencies and publishers. With BatchOutput, users only need to select the files to output and adjust the settings, and the rest will be done automatically.
BatchOutput 3.8.1 can be purchased for US$129.95. A demo is available for download. Upgrades to BatchOutput 3.8.1 free for licensed users of version 3.x, and $47.98 for the users of earlier versions. Every order includes a free license of File Courier (a $19.95 value). BatchOutput is available for Mac OS X 10.4.2 and higher, a Universal Binary, and works with Adobe InDesign CS-CS5.
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Apple has posted the session videos for its 2010 Worldwide Developer Conference online: http://developer.apple.com/videos/wwdc/2010/ . They're available in either HD or standard definition.
You can watch over 100 in-depth technical sessions from WWDC 2010. All presentation slides are in PDF; also offered is session related sample code. And it's all free to registered Apple developers.
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Here are the latest iPhone/iPod touch/iPod/iPad apps announced. You can find 'em at the Apple App Store (http://www.itunes.com/appstore/).
Disney Publishing Worldwide has released the Toy Story 3 read-along app on the Apple iPad. Children can join Woody, Buzz, their pals, and a crew of new toys on an adventure in this interactive reading experience packed with 3D effects, exciting games, sing-along tunes, puzzles, and coloring pages. Children can hear the story read aloud, record their own narration, or explore at their own pace.
The Toy Story 3 app for the iPad is US$8.99 and comes with a one-month free subscription to disneydigitalbooks.com. The Toy Story read-along app, the Toy Story 2 read-along app and The Princess and the Frog read-along app can also be directly downloaded from the Apple App Store.
ONYX Apps has announced DjembePad 1.0, a $1.99 digital drum simulator and...
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Take this info with a very big grain of salt. Following the successful launch of the iPad, with sales that continue to beat many analyst predictions, Apple's stock prices soared to record highs this month and its market cap surpassed Microsoft's for the first time.
However, BAM Investor (http://www.baminvestor.com), a hedge fund financial model based on behavioral analysis, has announced publicly on Twitter that it predicts the share price of Apple to fall to US$42 as soon as fall 2010 or as late as fall 2011
"As far as timing, our behavioral analysis model indicates AAPL could reach the 45 dollar level as early as the summer/fall of 2010 or as late as the fall of 2011," says says BAM Investor founder and CEO, J.G. Savoldi. "I understand that this forecast will shock most investors -- and for good reason. The cardinal rule of forecasting is to only predict price or time, but never both. In...
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Maintain has released Cocktail 4.7.5 (Snow Leopard Edition), the latest maintenance update of Cocktail (http://www.maintain.se/c) for users running Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopard"). This version adds Mac OS X 10.6.4 compatibility, support for latest versions of Safari, Chrome, Opera and OmniWeb web browsers as well as clearing of the latest variants of the HellRTS and OpinionSpy trojan horses.
This version also contains improvements on the clear Internet caches procedure and updated Automator actions.
Cocktail 4.7.5 (Snow Leopard Edition) requires Mac OS X/Mac OS X Server 10.6 or later and is tested for compatibility with Mac OS X/Mac OS X Server 10.6.3. Cocktail (Leopard Edition) for Mac OS X 10.5 and Cocktail (Tiger Edition) for Mac OS X 10.4 are available for download from the Maintain web site.
Cocktail is a general purpose utility for Mac OS X that offers a variety of practical...
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Newer Technology (NewerTech) has announced NuRAM Memory Upgrades up to 8GB for the new Mac mini "Unibody" models introduced Tuesday by Appl.
The NewerTech NuRAM Memory Upgrades Kits for the new Mid 2010 mini, as well as kits for iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro, Mac mini (2009), and PC compatible computers that utilize PC8500 DDR3 1066MHz CL7 204 pin SO-DIMM memory modules, are available immediately from NewerTech's exclusive distributor, Other World Computing (OWC), as well as through the retail channel. For more info go to http://www.newertech.com/products/nuram.php .
The NuRAM 4GB DDR3 Memory Module (1 x 4GB memory module) costs US$134.99 and replaces one factory installed memory module for 5GB or 6GB total RAM. This upgrade isn't available as a factory option. The NuRAM 8GB DDR3 Memory Kit (2 x 4GB matched memory modules) is $249.99.
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Griffin Technology (http://www.griffintechnology.com) has announced their first accessories for Apple’s new iPhone 4. Griffin’s announcement includes: Elan Holster Metal (US$34.99), Elan Passport Wallet ($39.99), Reveal ($24.99( and four different Screen Care Kit options, the first offerings in a line of devices for iPhone 4.
“Each new Apple creation presents us with exciting development opportunities,” says Mark Rowan, president of Griffin Technology. “Our new accessories for iPhone 4 represent an ongoing commitment to what we do best -- enhancing the daily technological experience.”
Let the Verizon iPhone rumors start anew. A "DigiTimes" report (http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20100617PD215.html) quotes "sources from component makers" as saying that Pegatron Technology has received CDMA iPhone orders.
If it actually happened, this would be the first time Apple has produced a version of the iPhone for a CDMA wireless network, which is different from AT&T’s GSM technology.
Vodafone, co-owner of Verizon Wireless, already sells the iPhone in Europe. Verizon is on CDMA.
"DigiTimes" says that Pegatron will also start shipping a CDMA version of the iPhone 4 to Apple in the fourth quarter and is currently using its plants in Shanghai, China to produce the products, The company is also purportedly working on gaining orders for MacBooks and iPads from Apple.
-- Dennis Sellers
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Apple shares hit an all-time high on Thursday, a day after the retail and technology bellwether said it sold more than 600,000 iPhone 4s.
Shares hit US$272.90 before slipping to $270.96, up 1.4 percent for the day. And as noted by "Fortune" (http://macosg.me/2/ea), the analysts have been bumping up their share price targets. Here are the ones we've heard about; we'll add more as they come in:
Kaufman Bros.' Shaw Wu raised his estimate from $320 to $340. Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster: raised his to $348 from $340. And Caris and Co.'s Robert Cihra upped his from $310 to $325.
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