Ever wanted to play with those cool looking Mindstorms NXT robots from Lego? Well, if you have an Intel based Mac, you have something to smile about. National Instruments, the publishers of the software side of things, have released version 1.1 of their software and it works with the latest Mac computers. It uses a cool drag and drop interface, allowing you to assign functions to your build. Check it out, this is very cool.
Skype launch 2.7 Beta for Mac
I love Skype, so it comes as good news that you can now try out the new 2.7 Beta version. This introduces integration with your Address Book, plus the ability to organise your contacts into groups. There is also a handy icon for tweaking your sound during a call. Check it out here.
Pixelmator - a PhotoShop alternative
Head on over to the Viddler link here, and you can see Pixelmator in action. This exciting new application, which is due to begin a private beta later this month, looks very polished indeed. It looks as though it will give us all a very cost effective alternative to PhotoShop.
Intego launch FileGuard X4 Beta
Intego, today announced the public beta release of its new FileGuard X4 data protection program. FileGuard X4 creates virtual safes that provide unbreakable protection for sensitive files. Users can create as many safes as they need for different types of files; send sensitive files to others with no risk; and store safes on servers or external disks with full security.
FileGuard X4 is designed to meet the needs of mobile users who have sensitive files on their laptops, as well as home and business users who want to ensure that their confidential data is protected. Unlike Apple’s FileVault, which requires that users encrypt their entire home folder, FileGuard X4 lets users choose which files or folders they want to protect, and only the ones they want to protect. FileGuard X4’s virtual safes are easy-to-use, practical, and flexible, offering many options, such as permissions for shared access, simple drag-and-drop copying to and from safes, and unbreakable encryption.
“Identity theft is one of the leading computer security issues these days, and the only way to prevent it is to ensure that all personal and confidential documents are fully protected,” said Laurent Marteau, CEO of Intego. “FileGuard X4 lets users protect their most confidential documents, with unbreakable encryption. Even if someone gets access to their Mac, they won’t be able to break into these safes.”
Features of FileGuard X4:
· Store sensitive files in secure virtual safes
· Industry-standard encryption makes safes unbreakable
· Create as many safes as you need
· Set a different password for each safe
· Create safes by drag-and-drop, or from the Intego menu
· Safes increase in capacity as you add more files
· Change the size of a safe or compress it to save space
· Open safes by a simple double-click in the Finder
· Protect sensitive files on laptops in case of loss or theft
· Protect files on portable media, such as iPods or USB key drives
· Safes work like folders - drag files to and from your safes
· Safe icons indicate their status (open or closed)
· Use floating windows to access safes at all times
· Send safes by e-mail, or store them on servers or external disks
· Set read and write permissions for safes stored on shared volumes
System Requirements:
· Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or higher
· 20 MB hard disk space
The public beta of Intego FileGuard X4 is available for free and can be downloaded here.
Zengobi launch Curio 4
Zengobi have just launched version 4 of Curio, their project management and planning application. Apart from an updated interface, this new version adds mind mapping, snippets, resource assignments, time management and a whole lot more besides. Prices range from $69 to $149 depending on which version you purchase.
ImageWell updated - awesome app !
ImageWell is a fantastic application from Xtralean Software. If you have ever wanted to scale an image, add a watermark, a border, or perhaps a speech bubble or thought cloud, this app makes things extra easy. Loading up Photoshop just to scale an image down for web use is something you will never have to do again. ImageWell has a brilliant user interface and offers tools for quick everyday tasks, plus a whole lot more. Once you have made the settings for your image you can save the image as a file or send to your iDisk, FTP, SFTP or WebDAV server.
The update today adds support for Flickr, SmugMug, ImageShack, a new built-in font control panel that makes text editing faster and easier, and the ability to create ImageWell font collections so you can easily customize your font list.
ImageWell is free, or you can add even more features for $14.95 by buying the Xtras version.
Ecamm Call Recorder Updated
Ecamm Network have just released v2.1 of their Call Recorder, their handy little app that allows you to record both sides of a Skype conversation to your Mac.
This new version offers the following (taken from their site); Adds an option to automatically discard short recordings. Adds an option to keep the Call Recorder window in the foreground during Skype calls. Call Recorder will now properly respect Skype's mute button. Fixes a recording problem which could cause distorted sound when using certain input and output devices on a Power PC Mac. Fixes a warning message that could be displayed while recording voicemail messages with Skype v2.6 or later. Fixes a problem which caused the Call Recorder windows position to be forgotten after quitting Skype. Fixes an issue with default encoding settings on newer Macs. Fixes an issue which could cause Skype to hang after a conference call.
A demo is available, with the full product costing $14.95
Yahoo Messenger - Need Mac Users Help
The team behind Yahoo Messenger for the Mac need your help! Head on over the their poll here and place your vote. They basically want to know if you want a quicker release with Tiger only support, or wait a bit longer for 10.3.x and 10.4.x support. The choice is yours… it seems.
Apple post SuperDrive Firmware Update 2.1
If you own any of the MacBook or MacBook Pro models listed below, then head on over to the Apple Download here and update the firmware on your SuperDrive. It is said to improve readability of certain CD media, so can only be a good thing. The download weighs in at 12MB and should show up in Software Update, but can also be downloaded and applied separately by clicking our link above.
I installed the update this morning, which went fine and took about two minutes.
System Requirements;
- Mac OS X 10.4.4 or later
- MacBook Pro Core Duo (15 -inch 1.83GHz, 2.0GHz, or 2.16GHz)
- MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo (15 -inch 2.16GHz or 2.33GHz)
- MacBook Core Duo (13 -inch 1.83GHz or 2.0GHz)
- MacBook Core 2 Duo (13 -inch 1.83GHz or 2.0GHz)
Extensis X1 update for InDesign CS3
Extensis have released an updated plug-in for use with their Suitcase Server X1 Client and Adobe InDesign CS3. The updated plug-in can be downloaded here.
Bluetooth Texter Widget
I stumbled across this neat little Widget on the Apple Website. Bluetooth Texter is a freeware widget from Happymaking Games. It basically allows you to type in a message, select a mobile phone number, connect to your bluetooth mobile phone and send the message via your mobile. This is great, as typing in on a regular keyboard is so much quicker. Give it a try, it is available to download here.
Cocktail 3.8 released - look after your Mac
Cocktail… the popular maintenance utility for your Mac has just been upgraded to version 3.8. This new version has an improved interface and some addition features, such as being enabling and disabling spotlight searches for certain disks. A demo of the application is available and the full version costs $15.