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Mar 02
Playback Media Server for Mac OS X beefs up Playstation, Xbox...

Yazsoft has introduced Playback Media Server 1.5 (http://www.yazsoft.com/products/playback/information/), an update of their zero configuration media server for Mac OS X 10.5 and higher. The update offers built-in HD MKV support for the Playstation 3 and Xbox.

Playback can share media stored in folders or even make entire disks available to a Playstation 3 or Xbox 360. No configuration is required. By default, it will share almost any content on the users system. And Playback automatically integrates with iTunes, iPhoto, and Aperture. Users can share all content from these applications transparently or choose specific playlists and albums.

Those who like to tinker will appreciate Playback's built-in Access Control List (ACL) and bandwidth throttling. The ACL allows users to control which devices have access to their media. Bandwidth...

| Read more »
Mar 01
iPhone/iPod/iPad apps for March 1

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/).

Spectrasonics is offering a free app, Omni Live, which turns an iPhone or iPod touch into a wireless remote control of the "Live Mode" of Spectrasonics' software synthesizer Omnisphere. Omni Live uses the Apple device's touch screen, allowing multi-touch, wireless remote sound selection of the Omnisphere plug-in on the user's computer.

Amy Miller has released Oy! 1.0, an US$0.99 iPhone/iPod touch app that provides recorded exclamations of dismay for any occasion. It also lets users listen to 20 witticisms for many of life's most common scenarios.

X Sigman Partners has announced TigerText for the iPhone and iPod touch. It allows users to send text messages that delete off of both the sender’s and receiver’s phone after a set period of time...

| Read more »
Mar 01
Ex-Apple exec to lead new cloud-based music service

Former Apple exec, Pablo Calamera, has been appointed to the newly-created role of chief technology officer for Thumbplay, a mobile entertainment company. At Apple he oversaw technology development for MobileMe.

As of March 8, Calamera will be based in New York, reporting to Evan Schwartz, Thumbplay CEO and co-founder. Calamera brings with him more than 25 years of experience in computer, mobile, set-top box and cloud-computing. This includes a total of 10 years at Apple, six years at Danger (acquired by Microsoft) and two with WebTV (also acquired by Microsoft).  

Calamera will have oversight of all technology initiatives for the company, including its recently launched Thumbplay Music. Thumbplay Music is a cloud-based service that provides unlimited, on-demand access to millions of songs and is now offered in the U.S. in Private Beta by invitation-only (http://music.thumbplay.com).   

... | Read more »
Mar 01
Nuance unveils Dragon medical mobile apps for smartphones

Nuance Communications (http://www.nuance.com) says it will showcase a suite of Dragon Medical Mobile technologies and solutions at this week's HIMSS (Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society).

Building upon the recent success of its Dragon Dictation and Dragon Search consumer apps for the iPhone, which are powered by Dragon NaturallySpeaking software, Nuance will extend its mobile speech technologies to the healthcare industry. At HIMSS this week, Nuance will demonstrate a healthcare version of its Dragon Dictation app, which is based on Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech recognition technology. The app allows clinicians to dictate patient notes, emails and text messages instead of typing them on a mobile device. 

Nuance will also show: a healthcare version of its Dragon Search app, providing a voice-powered solution that gives clinicians a smarter way to search for medical information;...

| Read more »
Mar 01
New Pioneer receivers are Phone/iPod compatible

Pioneer Electronics (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com) has unveiled a new line of 5.1 channel A/V receivers that are iPhone and iPod compatible.

Also, the Pioneer VSX-520-K and VSX-820-K feature wireless Bluetooth transfer of audio content, allowing users to enjoy their music directly from their Bluetooth-enabled device to their home theater system and are 3D ready with the latest HDMI, version 1.4, providing more high definition connectivity options for the Blu-ray 3D specification. Th

The VSX-820-K also features “Works with iPhone” certification, an works with iPhones and iPods. Pre-orders of both models are currently available at Amazon.com.

The new models feature expanded iPhone functions including an iPhone Control Button and Bluetooth Audio Streaming for portable media devices. The VSX-820-K's iPhone Control button that transfers iPod navigation control and on-...

| Read more »
Mar 01
CS Odessa announces ConceptDraw MindWave beta

CS Odessa has released a beta version of its mind mapping tool (http://www.conceptdraw.com/en/mindwave) for Google Wave. This is a no-charge add-in to Google Wave that can be used as part of Google Wave to map out a strategy or brainstorm on a critical topic.

The ConceptDraw MindWave for Google Wave tool allows teams to collaborate on a mind map in an interactive flowing manner building a map structure that represents the planned work. The map add-in supports Google Wave playback that allows one to step back through a map.

Once a mind map is has the contents from the interactive session the mind map file can then be downloaded to one’s desktop to be further developed using ConceptDraw MindMap for Ma OS X or Windows.

Just remember: beta software is unfinished software. So use with care.

| Read more »
Mar 01
Skooba releases Cabler Stable DLX, protective wraps

Skooba Design (http://www.skoobadesign.com) as added a new cable/accessory organizer, as well as a new collection of multi-use protective wraps, to its expanding line of tech-travel carrying cases and accessories.

The US$39.95 Cable Stable DLX (shown), which looks and opens like a book, features a grid of elastic hold-downs in different sizes and orientations. The elastic strips “float” freely under reinforced retention strips, so they can stretch and contract to accommodate a nearly limitless assortment of portable gadgets, cords, adapters, and other accessories, according to Skooba spokesperson Lorri Diggory,

With the storage grid, pockets on the opposite side, elastic loops for batteries, pens and thumb drives, and an exterior document/CD pocket, the Cable Stable DLX offers approximately 18 different storage spaces in a 12 ounce case the size of a traditional day planner. Also, the new...

| Read more »
Mar 01
Divine Fiat releases the Complete Set for Keynote

Divine Fiat has released The Complete Set (http://www.divinefiat.com/index.php?id=2), their entire collection of themes for Apple's Keynote. Keynote is the presentation component of Apple's US$79 iWork Suite.

All 14 themes are now available for US$130 -- 60% off the individual theme set price. Every theme comes in both standard and widescreen formats. Each theme also includes extras such as fully customizable icon objects, custom texture and color palates and video tutorials.

The Complete Set requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later and Keynote 5.0 or higher.

| Read more »
Mar 01
Keynote Zone releases collection of Keynote themes

Keynote Zone (http://www.keynotezone.com) has announced KeynoteZone Collection 7 for Keynote, the presentation component of Apple's US$79 iWork suite.

Several Keynote Zone themes are now available for US$69. Keynote Zone Collection 7 includes seven HD version themes. Each theme comes in five sizes, and you get everything you need for standard resolution, classic format projection, HD Projection systems or HD screens. Each theme comes in 5 sizes (800x600, 1024x768, 1280x720, 1680x1050, 1920x1080).

Keynote Zone Collection 7 works with Mac OS X 10.4.10 or higher and iWork '08 or iWork '09.

| Read more »
Mar 01
Native Instruments announces Alicia's Keys

Native Instruments has announced Alicia's Keys (www.native-instruments.com/aliciaskeys.info), software that recreates Alicia Keys' personal grand piano. Developed in close collaboration with the Grammy-winning artist, the software is used as the primary instrument on her new album and on the current world tour.

Designed as a comprehensive digital recreation of Key's own custom Yamaha "C3 Neo" grand piano, and based on Native Instruments' Kontakt 4 sampler platform, Alicia's Keys provides a piano sound designed to accommodate R&B, soul and pop styles. The instrument was recorded in Alicia's personal studio by her engineer Ann Mincieli and sampling expert Thomas Scarbee over the course of two years.

Alicia's Keys utilizes 17GB of high-resolution samples with 12 discrete velocity layers per note, and emulation of crucial sonic aspects like key release...

| Read more »
Mar 01
Wacom introduces new Cintiq 21UX interactive pen display

Wacom (http://www.wacom.com) has introduced the Cintiq 21UX, its interactive pen display delivering pen performance and ergonomics in a LCD display. It's designed for professional photographers, designers, artists and animators.

The Cintiq 21UX offers 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity. Other enhancements include rear-mounted Touch Strips placed for fingertip access while working. Each Touch Strip has an accompanying thumb-controlled Touch Strip Toggle button that controls up to four different user-assigned functions per application such as zoom, scroll, brush size adjustment and canvas rotation.

The Cintiq 21UX Grip Pen features Wacom’s new proprietary Tip Sensor technology, offering users near-zero (one gram) starting pressure for the most sensitive interactive pen display performance to date, according to Don Varga, senior product manager for Wacom Technology. The Grip Pen also features a pressure-...

| Read more »
Mar 01
NetGear announces net networking, powerline and NAS products

NetGear (http://www.netgear.com) has announced two new networking accessories for home theaters, as well as new networking accessories and NAS products.

The High-Performance Wireless-N HD Home Theater Kit (pictured) is a carrier-grade solution for wirelessly playing multiple jitter-free 1080p HD video and audio streams to every room in the house. The Universal WiFi Internet Adapter for Home Theater Devices and Gaming Consoles delivers Wireless-N performance of up to 300 Mbps through the Ethernet port of consumer electronic (CE) devices such as Internet TVs, game consoles, Blu-ray players and more.

The Universal WiFi Internet Adapter for Home Theater Devices and Gaming Consoles (WNCE2001) will be available in May at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of US$79. The High-Performance Wireless-N HD Home Theater Kit will be available in third quarter of the year with pricing for the kit and for single...

| Read more »
Mar 01
Cram for Mac OS X gets new installer, minor bug fixes

SimpleLeap Software has released Cram 1.3.4 (http://www.simpleleap.com/cram/mac.htm), an update to their $29.99 flashcard and multiple-choice testing study app for Mac OS X. The upgrade sports a new installer and minor bug fixes.

Cram is designed for students, teachers, or anyone else looking to prepare for any subject matter on their Mac with flashcards and practice multiple-choice tests. Cram features multiple study modes, and the ability to share test material with friends.

Cram works with Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6. It costs US$29.99. Version 1.3.4 is a free update for registered users.

| Read more »
Mar 01
'MacVoices' looks at the future of Macworld

On the new "MacVoices" (http://www.macvoices.com) Tim Robertson of OWC Radio guests. 


He closed out the Macworld 2010 Main Stage with an all-star roster of guests pulled from the audience to talk about what Macworld means, both present and future. The new "MacVoices" shares their thoughts.

"MacVoices" is an Internet show and podcast that delivers in-depth discussions with the most influential people in the Mac industry, as well as "the individuals who are out there making it happen on the front lines of the global Apple community," according to host Chuck Joiner.

| Read more »
Mar 01
Plextor releases line of solid state drives

Plextor (http://www.plextor.com), a developer and manufacturer of high-performance digital media equipment,has released its first line of solid-state drives (SSDs) – the PX-64M1S (64GB) and the PX-128M1S (128GB).

They use non-volatile NAND Flash memory as the storage medium. Utilizing Marvell controller chipsets, the new SSDs deliver faster speeds for system boot-up, application launch and file transfer, lower power consumption and longer battery life, among other benefits, according to Esteban Kim, director of New Business Development at PLDS.

Both the PX-64M1S and the PX-128M1S feature 2.5-inch small form factors and an integrated SATA II interface.The PX-64M1S delivers up to 110MB/second sequential read, 65MB/second in sequential write, and up to 4,200 random read IOPS and 1,200 random write IOPS.

The PX-128M1S delivers up to 130MB/second sequential read, 70MB/second sequential write, and...

| Read more »
Mar 01
Franklin 3D game engine for Mac OS X released

The Franklin Group (http://www.franklin3d.com), a division of Paradigma Software, has released Franklin 3D 1.0 for Runrev. It's a 3D game and simulation engine that integrates with Runrev 4, the cross platform software design system from Mirye Software and Runrev.

With Franklin 3D 1.0 for Runrev Pro, you can build cross-platform, hardware accelerated games for Mac OS X (with OpenGL) or Windows (with DirectX or OpenGL). Franklin 3D includes over 400 methods, including support for display control, model loading and callbacks. It includes the engine plus a collection of example projects.

RunRev is a cross-platform, visual development tool that creates applications that run on multiple operating systems and is based on Rev, the English-like programming language inspired by Apple HyperCard.

Franklin 3D for Mac OS X costs US$199.99. Non-commercial, academic versions are also available, starting...

| Read more »
Mar 01
New My Passport Studio drive features e-label smart display

WD (http://www.wdc.com) has introduced its new My Passport Studio portable drives featuring FireWire 800 interface and a customizable e-label that's always visible, even when the drive is unplugged.


The drives are formatted for Macs, compatible with Apple's TimeMachine software, and feature automatic and continuous backup with WD SmartWare software, and 256-bit hardware-based encryption. Available now at select retailers and shopwd.com, the new My Passport Studio drives are offered in capacities of 320 GB, 500 GB and 640 GB with prices ranging from US$149.99 to $199.99.

The e-label smart display on the front of the My Passport drives can be changed as often as desired using the included WD SmartWare software. Users can y create a label to personalize their drive or remind themselves of its contents. The e-label also shows available capacity and whether the drive is locked. Utilizing e-paper technology, the...

| Read more »
Mar 01
Blue Room Software releases ImageArchiver for Lightroom 1.0

Blue Room Software (http://www.blueroomsoftware.com) has announces ImageArchiver for Lightroom 1.0. It's an Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Export Service plug-in designed to simplify the creation of disk image and compressed archives of your Photoshop Lightroom image collections.

All of the image archive creation features found in Blue Room Software's peer ImageArchiver products for both Aperture and iPhoto have been brought to the users of Adobe System's Photoshop Lightroom 2 photo processing tool.

ImageArchiver for Lightroom requires Mac OS X 10.4 or higher and Photoshop Lightroom 2.0. It's Universal Binary so runs natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs.

ImageArchiver for Lightroom 1.0 costs US$9.95. A fully-functional 15 day demo is available for download.

| Read more »
Mar 01
Mass launch of the iPad delayed until April?

Say it ain't so, Steve. I need an iPad RIGHT NOW, but I can (maybe) wait until the end of March. However, an analyst is speculating that the release may be delayed a month.

When it was unveiled by Apple, it was announced that the iPad will be available in late March worldwide for a suggested retail price of US$499 for the 16GB model, $599 for the 32GB model, $699 for the 64GB model. The Wi-Fi + 3G models of iPad will be available in April in the US and selected countries for a suggested retail price of $629 for the 16GB model, $729 for the 32GB model and $829 for the 64GB model.

However, Canaccord Adams analyst Peter Misek told clients in a report -- as noted by "Fortune" (...

| Read more »
Mar 01
Maxis, DiGI to carry the iPhone in Malaysia

Just when you thought Maxis will be the only network operator to sell authorized Apple iPhone 3G and 3GS sets in Malaysia, DiGi -- a Malaysian mobile phone company run by Norway’s telecoms giant Telenor -- has announced that it will be offering the Apple iPhone 3G and 3GS in the first quarter of the year, reports "Yongkailoon" (http://www.yongkailoon.com/2010/03/01/digi-to-offer-the-apple-iphone/).

“Growth is coming back this year,” DiGi’s Chief Executive Officer Johan Dennelind said in an interview with "Bloomberg" (http://www.bloomberg.com) television in Kuala Lumpur. The DiGi deal will end Maxis Communication’s monopoly on selling iPhones in Malaysia, "Bloomberg" adds.

| Read more »
Mar 01
Conde Nast plans iPad magazines

Publisher Conde Nast is planning versions of its magazines for Apple's upcoming iPad, reports "The New York Times" (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/01/business/media/01conde.html).

The first magazines for which it will create iPad versions are "Wired," "GQ," "Vanity Fair," "The New Yorker" and "Glamour," the article adds. "GQ" will have a tablet version of its April issue ready. "Vanity Fair" and "Wired "will follow with their June issues, and "The New Yorker" and "Glamour" will have issues in the summer. Condé Nast plans to test different prices, types of advertising and approaches to digitizing the magazines for several months before wrapping up the experiment in the fall.

“We need to know a little bit more about what kind of a product we can make, how consumers will respond to it, what the distribution system will be,”...

| Read more »
Mar 01
NetMarketShare: Mac OS X, Safari lose market share in February,...

Mac OS X and Phone market share for Internet usage dipped from January to February, according to the latest market share survey from NetMarketShare (http://www.netmarketshare.com). However, the iPhone saw a slight increase.

According to the report, among operating systems, Mac OS X had 5.02% of the global market share in February, compared to 5.16% in January (that's global market share; in the US it's almost 10 percent). Windows remains dominant with 92.12% as of February. That's up from 92.00% in January. Apple's highest percentage was 5.27% in October 2009.

The iPhone's market share also rose, according to Net Applications. The Apple device had 0.50% of the global market share in February, compared to 0.48% in January. Of course, I've long argued that the iPhone should also be included in the Mac OS X market share, as it runs a derivative of Mac OS X. If it were measured this way,...

| Read more »
Mar 01
Apple admits iMac product issues, says they've been...

The "Gizmodo" site (http://www.gizmodo.com) says that Apple has released a statement to them, admitting the production issues with iMacs.

According to the site, Apple says "We've addressed the issues that caused flickering and yellow tint. Customers concerned that their iMac is affected should contact AppleCare."

In February, Apple released the 27-inch iMac Firmware Update to address to address screen flickering/yellow tint issues. It was the second firmware released to fix the glitches; the first came in December. According to Apple, the 27-inch iMac Display Firmware Update 1.0 updates the display firmware on 27-inch iMac computers to address issues that may cause intermittent display flickering. You can obtain it via the Software Updates component of the Mac OS X System Preferences app.

| Read more »
Mar 01
'MUG Event Calendar': two anniversary celebrations,...

March opens with a full "MUG Event Calendar" for the week.

Macworld 2010 is still making waves at more than one Mac User Group, Alan Oppenheimer will visit a California group to talk about security, a Final Cut Pro User Group will celebrate three years together in Louisiana, while an Australian group will celebrate 30 years of Australian Macworld with Anthony Caruana. Other topics on this week’s agenda include home theater, iPhoto, backup, the Mac mini as media center, iDisk, troubleshooting network connections, 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...

| Read more »
Mar 01
Rimeage adds 5400N, 3400 to its pro series line

Rimage Corp. (http://www.rimage.com), a provider of on-demand CD/DVD/Blu-ray Disc publishing systems, has introduced its newest disc publishing systems: Rimage Professional Series 5400N and Rimage Professional Series 3400. Both are available with DiscFlow for the Mac.

Rimage Professional Series 5400N and 3400 are compact, all-in-one solutions designed specifically for retail applications and disc publishing in front office settings. The Professional Series offers an entry point into on-demand disc publishing. These systems provide an integrated solution, in a compact footprint, that combines the premier printing technology of the Everest thermal retransfer print system with full disc publishing capability for CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray Discs.

The new models feature a rotating input carousel with three bins enabling end users to keep CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs available at all times. This function is...

| Read more »
 
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Delifishes Review
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