Iconfactory releases free Trojan detection utility

The Iconfactory's Craig Hockenberry has written a new freeware Trojan Detection Utility that checks for applications in user's Downloads folder. DownloadCheck, created in response to the MP3Concept Trojan horse release of April 2004: "Although its highly unlikely Mac users will encounter a MP3 or other document type masquerading as an application, it is best to be prepared. DownloadCheck was released as a deterrent for anyone who might consider writing an exploit of this type.

Yahoo! to offer unlimited email storage for premium users

Yahoo! to offer unlimited email storage for premium users

Jim Brock, senior VP for consumer services at Yahoo!, has said that a revamped Yahoo! email service will begin rolling out this summer that will offer unlimited email storage for premium users.

SECURITY ALERT:Intego Announces Protection against a new Mac OS X Trojan Horse: AS.MW2004.Trojan

Intego, the Macintosh security specialist, was notified by Macworld (UK) on May 10, 2004 about a Trojan horse, discovered by one of its readers who downloaded and ran an application from the Gnutella peer-to-peer network. Intego carried out tests on the information received and has identified a Trojan horse - AS.MW2004.Trojan - that affects Mac OS X. This Trojan horse, when double-clicked, permanently deletes all the files in the current user's home folder. Intego has notified Apple, Microsoft and the CERT, and has been working in close collaboration with these companies and organizations.


The AS.MW2004.Trojan is a compiled AppleScript applet, a 108 KB self-contained application, with an icon resembling an installer for Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac OS X. This AppleScript runs a Unix command that removes files, using AppleScript's ability to run such commands. The AppleScript displays no messages, dialogs or alerts. Once the user double-clicks this file, their home folder and all its contents are deleted permanently.

E3: Phantoms Bring alternative Console to the gaming world

The Phantom gaming service is really the first on-demand gaming service you have access to any game, anytime. We include a piece of hardware and a receiver - it's a sophisticated piece of technology," Pronounces Kevin Bacchus of Infinium Labs, who manufacture The Phantom. "It lets you get access to an enormous library of games from the couch."

"We give you instant gratification, another way of getting your games. You wake up at 4 AM and say, 'Hey I wanna play this game,' - you don't have to wait for the stores to open, or limit yourself to the demo, you can get the full game, right now."

The Phantom appears on November 18th. Infinium Labs provides free hardware to anybody who signs up for a two year contract. A full list of games will be available in August.

And we all know that it is going to be fun!

Microsoft confirms delay of Virtual PC 7

Microsoft Corp.'s Macintosh Business Unit (MacBU) confirmed that the upcoming version of Virtual PC would not ship with Office 2004 when it is officially released next week. The new version of Virtual PC will be the first compatible version of the Windows emulator available for owners of Apple's Power Mac G5.

iTunes Music Store wins two Webby Awards

Apple's iTunes Music Store was nominated for three Webby Awards this year and brought home honors in two of those categories. Apple was nominated in the Commerce, Music and Services categories, winning the Commerce and Music awards, but were beaten out by Google for the Services entry.

UPS to recycle gear for tech companies

A new service from the shipping giant will help makers of devices like computers and cell phones dispose of aging products returned by customers

Diabetes Mentor 1.5v27 Available

Diabetes Mentor 1.5v27

Diabetes Mentor is an easy-to-use computer program for Mac which records, graphs and prints your BGs, insulin dosages, oral medications, calories, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, exercise and weight.

IPod All the Rage in High Fashion

IPod All the Rage in High Fashion

German designer Karl Lagerfeld is so obsessed with the iPod, he's designed a couture case for carrying up to a dozen of them. Why? Because he needs just such a crate to transport his collection of 40 iPods.

Apple Wants to Open Song Vaults

Only a fraction of the songs in music labels' catalogs are available for download on legal music sites.
Apple is leading the charge to get many out-of-print gems online and available for sale.

Got Game ships Alida game title for Mac OS X

Got Game ships Alida game title for Mac OS X

Got Game Entertainment today announced Alida for Mac OS X has begun shipping.

Apple Internet store opening in South Africa

Apple is increasing its presence in South Africa with the opening of an in-country Internet store, according to Macworld UK

Office 2004 shipping

Office 2004 shipping

Microsoft's Office 2004 Standard Edition and Office 2004 Student and Teacher Edition are both now shipping; French localisation schedule for June .

Edirol ships FireWire Audio interface for Mac OS X

Edirol has announced that its FA-101 10x10 FireWire Audio interface is now shipping

O'Reilly To Distributes Pragmatic Bookshelf

The newest distribution client for O'Reilly Media is
Pragmatic Bookshelf, an imprint of The Pragmatic Programmers, LLC. Founded
in October, 2003 by Andy Hunt and Dave Thomas, Pragmatic Bookshelf titles
have garnered awards and critical acclaim from the start, including a Jolt
Productivity Award from "Software Development" magazine and "perfect 10"
reviews for both of their initial offerings from influential programmer
sites slashdot.org and JavaRanch. This recognition is all the more
impressive because the books have had very limited distribution in retail
stores. O'Reilly will expand retail distribution for Pragmatic
Programmers, handle direct sales, warehousing, and shipping, plus provide
direct marketing and PR support.

"Dave and Andy take an approach to publishing that is very much in sync
with the O'Reilly approach," said Laura Baldwin, O'Reilly's COO. "They've
been very successful as a two-person company, and we're pleased to help
them reach the wider audience they deserve."

Apple granted patent for iTunes interface

Apple has been awarded a patent for the interface of iTunes, according to CNET News.com

Microsoft kills its Wi-Fi offerings

Microsoft kills its Wi-Fi offerings

Microsoft Corp. has decided to stop producing wireless networking products and will discontinue its range of gear using the 802.11b wireless networking standard, also known by the Wi-Fi marketing .

Roxio to add DVD Double Layer to Toast

Roxio Inc. announced on Tuesday that they will add DVD Double Layer compatibility to their Toast 6 Titanium and Toast with Jam 6 applications. A free upgrade for registered users will be available for download from the Roxio Web site in June. The update will enable users to burn 8.5GB of data, instead of the typical 4.7GB, on a single DVD+R Double Layer (DL) disc.

TechTV To Merge with G4

Comcast has decided to merge it's newly acquire TechTV with it's G4 TV .com
The launch is schedule for Friday May 28.

It's new name will be G4TechTV, and will feature best shows of the two networks.
No word as to how this should affect Canadian viewers.

Apple testing new Software Update functions

Apple Computer on Friday began testing changes it has made to its popular Software Update mechanism, which is built into versions of the Mac OS X operating system. The changes were reportedly incorporated into a new seed of Mac OS X 10.3.4 labeled Mac OS X 10.3.4 build 7H51a. One of the major tests includes Software Update's ability to download and update itself.

"Mac OS X 10.3.4 build 7H51a includes changes to the Software Update application," the company reportedly told testers in a set of seed notes. "To help test these changes, we are delivering this build through Software Update." According to sources, Apple has not seeded the Mac OS X 10.3.4 build 7H51a via its iMercury ftp distribution system. The only way to obtain the build is by running Software Update from a prior seed of Mac OS X 10.3.4.

Apple last seeded Mac OS X 10.3.4 build 7H50 on Wednesday, May 5th

New Must Have Books

The Robin Williams Mac OSX Book (Panther Edition)

It's here and it's the only book you will need to master
Panther, special for new comers.
From Peachpit Press ISBN 0-321-23296-8

Developing Digital Short films

This is a step by step guide to craft a award winning
Film without going bankrupt. Full of inside knowledge
this offering is a must for aspiring directors.
A real one of a kind book that should fill the gap and empower you
in the process. And you two will be able to shoot from the top
of your lungs: "Action".
From Newriders ISBN 0-7357-1231

Real World Digital Video (Second Edition)

The reference to master the powerful creative medium that is Digital Video.
Loaded with clear explanations and practical advise this book will bring you
to the next level. If you are going the Digital Film making way this is the book you want.
From Peachpit Press ISBN 0-321-23833-8

iLife '04 (Apple training Series)

Learn from the creators of iLife.
This book will let you master all concept
faster and better than any others.
Lesson files included.
That is the one you where waiting for.
From Peachpit Press ISBN 0-321-25606-9

Photoshop For Right Brainers (The art of photo manipulation)

helpful book shows you how to master techniques to translate your artistic
vision to life. Explore the artistic process and help you open your own pathways.
A very original and refreshing book.
From SYBEX ISBN 0-7821-4313-X

Flash MX 2004 (Accelerated)

A fast and furious kind of book to learn Flash MX 2004.
Loaded with full color screenshoot of real world examples
this book will help you develop complex project faster.
Lean and Mean!
From SYBEX ISBN 89-314-3506-1

Say Goodbye to TechTV

As reported by Mr. Laporte on his blog, TechTV laid off 285 workers yesterday as part of its acquisition by G4, a subsidiary of Comcast. All the employees were given 60 days notice and 100 of the existing jobs will be posted for those willing to relocate to LA. No word on which shows will survive or which hosts will be kept on. Stay tune for more info. as they become available.

Adobe posts Version Cue CS update

For those who are taking full advantage of the cross application integration within Adobe's latest Creative Suite package, Adobe has issued an update to Version Cue CS that may be download via the link provided here or via Adobe's own software update utility.

Canon introduces wide-angle PowerShot S60

Canon Inc. introduced on Monday the five-megapixel PowerShot S60 digital camera, which features a newly developed 28-100mm UA wide-angle 3.6x zoom lens. The 3.6x zoom lens goes from a wide-angle focal length of 28mm to a telephoto of 100mm (35mm film equivalent), according to Canon. Because the new lens is thinner than its predecessor, Canon was also able to make the PowerShot S60 thinner than previous models. The PowerShot S60 will be available in June

Cf/x Software releases free iMovie plug-in

Swiss developer Cf/x Software announced on Monday the release of Airport Text, their first title plug-in for iMovie. Airport Text mimics the flip-over letters and numbers that airports and train stations used to employ for arrival and departure times as well as other information. The free plug-in features fade-in and fade-out effects; the ability to use your mouse to position your title directly on the frame; text and shadow color choices; and more. You can download it, as well as many other iMovie plug-ins that are free or cost between US$1.50 and $3.50, from the Cf/x Software Web site. They all require iMovie 3 or higher

Apple releases Backup 2.0.2

Apple late Monday updated their .Mac Backup utility to version 2.0.2. According to notes provided with the update, "Backup 2.0.2 adds performance and stability improvements to scheduled backups." In addition to backing up data to a .Mac account, Backup also allows users to backup files to an external FireWire hard disk, CD or DVD disks. The update is available via the Software Update control panel.