Apple, Mac, iPod and iPhone News

Macworld News

Premiere Pro CS4 improves Final Cut Pro exchange
Adobe has enhanced its video editing software with improved support for Final Cut Pro, Avid and Digidesign Pro Tools.
Freeway Web editing tool adds ‘iPhone Actions’
Freeway has improved its iPhone support by adding iPhone-specific actions that will redirect users to an iPhone-optimized Web page.
OmniGraffle 5.1 improves Visio compatibility
OmniGraffle, The Omni Group's popular diagramming and layout tool, has been updated with improved MS Visio compatibility.
Alpine HD car radio offers iTunes tagging
Alpine has introduced a new accessory for receiving HD Radio signals on Alpine head units that lets you 'tag' interesting songs you hear.
Speck offers ‘satin’ case for new MacBooks
Speck is offering new SeeThru Satin cases for the new MacBook.
DiscLabel adds holiday, business designs
DiscLabel adds 15 new holiday, gift and business themes in its latest update.
From the Lab
Review: Pentax Optio A40 point-and-shoot camera
If you consider just the camera itself, Pentax’s Optio A40 is a good all-around performer. It’s small and sturdy enough to take anywhere, and it has very good image quality and shooting modes that make taking pictures a breeze.
OmniFocus 1.5 expands Mac to iPhone sync
OmniFocus 1.5 now lets Mac and iPhone OmniFocus users sync with MobileMe and Web servers.
Review: Adobe Soundbooth CS4
Adobe’s audio editing application, Soundbooth CS4, is a compromise. Although it includes more advanced features than the previous version, it’s still not willing to take on the role of a full-blown professional audio editor.
Apple TV update adds several new features
The Apple TV Software Update 2.3 released by Apple on Wednesday night brings some added features to the set top box.
iPhone Central
Rumors suggest Wal-Mart to sell iPhone 3G
Alleged internal correspondence from Wal-Mart suggests that the retail giant may begin selling the iPhone after the holidays.
iPhone Central
Frenzic games comes to iPhone
Frenzic, a fast-paced action puzzle game, is now available for the iPhone.
iPhone Central
Review: Fieldrunners for iPhone
With Fieldrunners, Subatomic Studio has redefined the “tower defense” game genre, thanks to top-notch graphics and ongoing updates.
iPhone Central
Apple shines spotlight on third-party iPhone apps
Apple on Wednesday hosted a press briefing, in which it let six iPhone app developers show off their current and forthcoming software products for the holiday season.
Macworld Podcast
The holidays & Mac gaming
In this episode of the Macworld Podcast, Philip Michaels leads a discussion about Apple’s plans—or lack thereof—for the holiday season. That’s followed by a discussion around the state of Mac gaming with Peter Cohen.
Creative Notes
Font management with Suitcase Fusion 2
Last month, Extensis updated its single-user font management tool, and James Dempsey takes a closer look at how to use Suitcase Fusion to take the headaches out of font management.
Snow Leopard: Ahead of schedule?
A slide presented by an Apple employee at a conference last week shows Apple may be ahead of schedule with its Mac OS X Snow Leopard release.
Mac 911
Regarding dumb Smart Folders
Okay, okay, Spotlight under Leopard is much improved. But Smart Folders? Eh, not so much. Here's a solution.
Ballmer: Yahoo acquisition won't happen
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said a Yahoo acquisition is still off the table, despite Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang's decision to step down.
Mobile phone chargers: energy vampires
Mobile chargers keep wasting energy when left plugged into the wall, something many consumers are not aware of.
Zenoss Core sysadmin tool adds native Mac OS X installer
Zenoss Core, an open source IT administration tool, is now available with a native Mac OS X installer.
Research sees U.S. making gains in broadband penetration
Germany, Sweden, and the U.S. are expected to be the biggest broadband penetration gainers in the next five years.
Workamajig updated for Flash 10, Safari 3.2
Workamajig, creative and ad agency software, has been updated for Flash 10 and Safari 3.2.
Mac & Windows users asked for Opera feedback
Opera is seeking user feedback over how its User Interface appears on different platforms and how the company can improve the experience.
Akvis Artwork special effect tool released
Akvis Artwork converts digital photos into oil paintings.
Wolfram introduces Mathematica 7
Wolfram Research has released Mathematica 7, a new version of its computing software for science and engineering.
Lawsuit claims iPod, MacBook Air violate flash patents
Flash memory developer Spansion has filed patent infringement suits against Samsung seeking to ban the U.S. sale of iPods and MacBook Airs, among other devices.
Review: Fireworks CS4
Adobe Fireworks CS4 includes new features and enhancements that make this a significant upgrade. The new interface is makes it easier to use most tools and controls as well as switch among various Creative Suite products.
ScreenFlow update fixes conflict with WireTap
Screen recording application, ScreenFlow, has been updated fixing several bugs including one conflict with WireTap Anywhere.
iPhone Central
Review: Google Mobile App, revisited
Google’s search supremacy has never been in doubt but the addition of voice search to Google Mobile App makes this iPhone search tool much better than its predecessor.
Judge dismisses Psystar antitrust lawsuit against Apple
Judge William Alsup dismissed a Psystar lawsuit against Apple alleging the Cupertino, Calif. company violated federal and state antitrust laws.
Google to archive 10 million Life Magazine photos
Google plans to add up to 10 million photos from Life magazine's, dating back to the 1750s, to its Google Image Search pages.
Review: Flip MinoHD mini camcorder
The latest Flip Mino shoots in 720p HD. It's a sleek and easy to operate camcorder, but it doesn't measure up to Kodak's Zi6.
Google's Schmidt: Innovation must come first
Google's Eric Schmidt calls for new government spending to improve broadband and encourage alternative energies.
Online retail spending slows in October
Online retail spending has fallen as concerns for the economy have taken over the low to middle income segment.
Most TV makers fail recycling test in U.S.
Nine of 17 TV makers surveyed on their recycling programs in the U.S. scored an F grade in a recent survey.
iPhone Central
Review: Marple for iPhone
If you’re a fan of Sudoku-like games of logic, but you’re tired of looking at 9-by-9 grids, Marple is an addictive alternative.
China Mobile to vie with Apple, Google apps stores
China Mobile plans to build an Apps Store, which will compete with Apple's and Google's.
Mac OS X Hints
Shortcuts for working with iPhoto ’08 thumbnails
Learn a few keyboard shortcuts for working in iPhoto ’08’s thumbnail view
OpenCL gets touted in Texas
Attendees at the SC08 high-performance computing conference in Austin got a progress report on OpenCL, the the Apple-spearheaded parallel computing API that figures to be a prominent new feature in the upcoming Snow Leopard update to OS X.