Apple fixes iSync vulnerability with security update

Apple released Security Update 2005-004, which delivers an updated version of iSync 1.5 and is recommended for all Macintosh users. The update protects against a buffer overflow vulnerability in iSync could lead to local privilege escalation. "The iSync helper tool mRouter contains a buffer overflow vulnerability [that] could result in the execution of arbitrary commands as root by local system users. Security Update 2005-004 fixes this problem by providing a patched version of mRouter." Apple also said that iSync 1.4 is also affected by this vulnerability and encourages users to update to the freely available iSync 1.5, and then apply Security Update 2005-004. Mac OS X users can obtain the update via Apple's Software Update mechanism.

Stone Design Announces iMaginator™for Mac OS X 10.4 (TIGER)

Image Processing made cheap and easy!

Stone Design, the original Mac OS X software house with over 19 years of experience, today announced it will ship a powerful new image processing application named “iMaginator” on April 29th, concurrent with Apple's release of Mac OS X 10.4 (aka Tiger). According to the Oxford English Dictionary, iMaginator means “One who imagines”.

Unleashes the Tiger!

iMaginator provides over 106 effects, transitions and filters to let you alter images in real time, providing an intuitive and easy to use interface for Mac OS X 10.4's Core Image technology. Layer images and text and apply any number of effects to achieve astounding artistic results. You can instantly save processed images to TIFF, JPEG or create QuickTime movies.

According to Stone Design CEO Andrew Stone, “iMaginator must be seen to be believed! When Tiger ships, just download it and you’ll see that this application truly unleashes the Tiger. Users of Stone Studio and Create will recognize the easy to use features such as the Effects/Images library and the Image Drag Well for instant saving of images and chains of effects for later reuse.”

Incorporates Latest Technologies

iMaginator is a Core Image “Image Unit” harness, and automatically loads and displays any custom image processing plug-ins you add. It comes packaged with 100 Tiger Image Units, and seven new custom plugins from Stone Design, including Crop Fade Mask, Oval Mask, Make Transparent, Colorize, Grayscale and Polka Dots. iMaginator provides interfaces for modifying the plugins which include blurs, color adjustments, distortions, styles, compositing effects, edge sharpeners and transitions. With a 200 page searchable manual covering all aspects of the program, you'll be creating masterpieces in minutes.

iMaginator incorporates SpotLight technology for instant searching and is applescriptable. iMaginator is a LinkBack server which means you can copy the resulting image and paste into a LinkBack client server, such as Stone Design’s flagship page layout and web authoring application, Create®. Then, when you want to edit the image, you simply double-click it in Create® to modify the image again in iMaginator. When you save your edits, your changes show up immediately in Create®.

Inexpensive and Shipping April 29th!

Software architect Andrew Stone continues, “We have worked very hard to provide you with a complete and stable product at the same moment that Mac OS X 10.4 becomes available. You will be able to download and try iMaginator at full strength for two weeks free, and you’ll be amazed at what you can do. At a price to low to mention, with Free Upgrades For Life, it’s a must-have piece of software!” Don't get caught in the rush, order your copy right now.

http://www.stone.com/pr/Announcing_iMaginator.html

NAB: Apple launches Final Cut Pro Studio

Apple has combined upgraded versions of Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Motion and Soundtrack Pro, in Final Cut Studio: "the ultimate HD video production suite".

This time last year the company announced it was bundling all the above products in Production Suite.
Final Cut Studio will be available in May.

Final Cut Pro 5, Soundtrack Pro, Motion 2 and DVD Studio Pro 4 will also be sold separately.

Final Cut Pro 5 is a major upgrade to Apple's award winning editing software. It features powerful new multicamera editing, native HDV support, precision editing tools, scalable real-time effects processing, advanced real-time colour correction and image manipulation filters and audio control surface support.

Soundtrack Pro is Apple's new audio editing and sound design application. It uses action-based editing to creatively design new sounds, instantly repair imperfect location recordings, and add sound effects or musical Apple Loops. Apple says it saves time by bringing audio in and out of your video editor thanks to seamless integration with Final Cut Pro and more.

Apple's advanced animation suite, Motion 2, now offers a fresh toolset and new features such as GPU-accelerated rendering, and new filters and effects.

The latest upgrade to Apple's DVD authoring software, DVD Studio Pro 4, introduces the next-generation of DVD delivery with HD DVD support for both H.264 and HDV and advanced authoring options like Alpha Transitions and multiple video and audio tracks.
Apple VP of applications marketing Rob Schoeben said: "The arrival of Final Cut Studio ushers in a new era of high definition video production that relies on effortless integration of video, audio and effects to elevate production values. Final Cut Studio allows producers to edit in a broad range of HD formats, add stunning motion graphics, sculpt the perfect soundtrack and burn their projects to high def DVDs.” All according to Macworld.

Adobe to Acquire Macromedia

Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq: ADBE) has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Macromedia (Nasdaq: MACR) in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $3.4 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, which has been approved by both boards of directors, Macromedia stockholders will receive, at a fixed exchange ratio, 0.69 shares of Adobe common stock for every share of Macromedia common stock in a tax-free exchange. Based on Adobe’s and Macromedia’s closing prices on Friday April 15, 2005, this represents a price of $41.86 per share of Macromedia common stock.


The combination of Adobe and Macromedia strengthens our mission of helping people and organizations communicate better. Through the combination of our powerful development, authoring and collaboration tools – and the complementary functionality of PDF and Flash – we have the opportunity to drive an industry-defining technology platform that delivers compelling, rich content and applications across a wide range of devices and operating systems.


By combining the passion and creativity of two leading-edge companies, we will continue driving innovations that are changing the ways people everywhere are experiencing and interacting with information.

XtremeMac Spins Off Pro Division to Gizmac

XtremeMac, the premier accessory manufacturer for Apple Computer's iPod, today announced that in an effort to focus all of its resources on the iPod market, it has sold its line of pro server products to Gizmac, LLC. The highly popular XrackPRO and XtroVERT server products, will now be manufactured, marketed and sold by Gizmac. XrackPRO and XtroVERT comprise XtremeMac's pro solutions business unit. Gizmac, an Apple-centric accessory company, is led by Tim Cave, one of the original founders of XtremeMac and co- creator of the pro product line.

"Now that Gizmac has acquired our pro solutions business unit, XtremeMac can focus solely on the iPod market and fulfill our commitment to bringing the best iPod accessories to the industry," said Gary Bart, president and CEO of XtremeMac. "Gizmac is a good fit for our pro line as Tim has personal knowledge of the product as one of its original creators."

Tim Cave created Gizmac as a privately held separate entity to provide for expanded support of pro customers and as such is no longer associated with XtremeMac.

Effective immediately, Gizmac assumes full control and responsibility for all sales, marketing, customer service, warranty and technical support for the XrackPRO and XtroVERT, and the pro products will no longer bear the XtremeMac brand.

XrackPRO is a Noise Reduction Enclosure specifically designed for Apple's Xserve and Xserve RAID. The solidly built XrackPRO provides 12U (21.0") of industry standard 19" rackmount space in a desk-height enclosure quiet enough to work next to.

XtroVERT is a vertical enclosure for Apple's Xserve RAID. XtroVERT allows users who have neither the space nor the need for a 19" rack to utilize the power of Xserve RAID.

Information on Xrack PRO and XtroVERT can be found at www.xrackpro.com.

About XtremeMac
XtremeMac, the iPod Xperts, was one of the first iPod accessory companies on the market when it debuted its line of iPod accessories in January 2002, at Macworld Expo. XtremeMac products can be purchased online at www.XtremeMac.com, or at The Apple Store, and through XtremeMac's network of resellers and distributors.
Company Website: http://www.xtrememac.com/

H2O Audio’s release first Waterprof iPod Headset and Case

Watersports enthusiasts can now take their iPod mini with them
while participating in sports such as kiteboarding, surfing, snowboarding,
swimming and kayaking. H2O Audio’s patented waterproof headset is
lightweight and designed to stay securely fastened through the
wipeouts, flips and turns endured by today’s rough water
and snow enthusiasts.

H2O Audio SV-iMini Key Features
• Waterproof housing for the iPod mini
• Waterproof speaker headset
• Unique watertight scroll-wheel control assembly
• Impact-resistant design
• Compatible with standard headphones for land use
• Allows easy access to iPod mini functions
• Sleek, lightweight design


About H2O Audio
H2O Audio is the leading innovator in waterproof MP3 player
accessories for water, snow and other extreme environments. H2O
Audio provides patented waterproof headsets and housings, allowing
consumers to transform their action sports experience. For more information
about San Diego-based H2O Audio please visit http://www.h2oaudio.com

New iWire! Broadcast is the ultimate Internet audio browser for Mac OS X

East Bay, developer of next-generation media search tools, announces their new iWire! Broadcast an audio browser. The iWire! Broadcast goes beyond the limits of other media players by allowing users to browse over 10,000 live radio stations from all cultures and music genres. 

“We wanted to create an audio browser that offered thousands of choices to users,” stated Craig Stadler, Founder of East Bay Technologies. “Users can now listen to radio shows, educational broadcasts or tons of tunes from all over the world.”

 iWire! Broadcast allows users to play a different station every x amount of seconds, defined by the user. This feature is very similar to the scanner in a car radio. iWire! Broadcast uses streaming media so it does not take up any hard disk space.  This program requires Mac OS X 10.2, 10.3 or greater with Safari browser, QuickTime™, RealPlayer™ and Windows Media Player™.

Purchase and download iWire! Broadcast for a (very low) one time fee, with no subscription fee. For more information on iWire! Broadcast and other East Bay Technologies products please visit www.eastbaytech.com.

RadTech announces immediate availability of tekmõd

RadTech™, makers of mobile computing accessories and more, today announced immediate availability of tekmõd, a new breed of computer notebook cases designed for versatility and packed with practical features.

tekmõd works the way you want to work: use it as a conventional top-loading case for quick and easy access to your notebook; or use the unique stay-on feature to work right out of the case ­ with unrestricted port, slot, drive and storage pocket access! A convenient flip-out riser-stand provides the perfect incline for ergonomic keyboarding. An internal suspension system cradles and lifts the rear of the notebook allowing ample ventilation and air circulation to ensure cool running. tekmõd's pockets and pouches completely flatten when empty, yet expand to accommodate a variety of items such as power supplies, cables, peripherals, documents, wallets, keys and more!

Combining sleekness and durability, tekmõd is constructed with an outer layer of top-grade 1680D ballistic waterproof Nylon. Reinforced throughout, an internal layer of impact-absorbing 1.6mm high-density Polyethylene armor plating and closed-cell foam provides superior protection for your notebook ­ without the bulk! Its heavy-duty, removable shoulder strap lets you sling the tekmõd over your shoulder or you can carry it like a briefcase with its contoured rubber handle.

"My tekmõd made it so easy and comfortable to travel with my laptop. It was a much better experience going through airport security with quick and easy access to my laptop. I never had to remove my laptop... I simply unzipped, connected and powered-on - in a matter of seconds," states Amy Catalano, Marketing Consultant, George P. Johnson Inc.

tekmõd was voted an "Editor’s Choice" and received the highest rating in Laptop Magazine’s roundup of the best notebook cases. Enjoy a whole new level of freedom and functionality. The slim profile, unrivaled portability and versatility of tekmõd lets you work anywhere and quickly get down to business ­ in style!

The tekmõd XL ­ available now for 14-17 inch notebooks in a number of striking color combinations , tekmõd sub-14inch models coming soon in May ‘05.

More information on the tekmõd available at: http://www.radtech.us/Products/tekmod.aspx