Online Retail Profits Up, Search Spending Doubles

U.S. retailers more than doubled their search engine adspend in 2004, spending $877,630 on average, compared with $399,923 in 2003, according to a Forrester study of nearly 140 nationwide retailers.

Yahoo Personalized Movie Recommendations Launched

Yahoo today launched personalized movie recommendations based on users' tastes and interests for current and past films, reports Search Engine Watch

Feds shut down BitTorrent hub

Homeland Security agents target site where versions of the new "Star Wars" movie were found last weekend.
I guess the "Dark Side" is taking over....

Nokia Unveils Handheld Linux Tablet

Ahead of the LinuxWorld Summit in New York, Nokia unveiled its first device in what it calls the "Internet Tablet" category. The handheld Nokia 770, which sports a 4.1-inch touch screen, is also the company's first device without a built-in mobile phone - relying instead on Wi-Fi Internet connectivity.

Trend Micro Beta Blocks Mobile Malware

With incidents of mobile malware on the rise, Trend Micro is beta testing Mobile Security 2.0, which it bills as an all-around antivirus and spam detection solution for phones and PDAs. Mobile Security provides real-time antivirus scanning, as well as on-access and on-demand scanning.

BitTorrent Creator Opens Online Search

BitTorrent creator Bram Cohen has launched an online search that links to torrent files, which are used to download content via the protocol. The move comes in the midst of a crackdown by the entertainment industry in conjunction with Federal agencies against illegal file sharing happening on BitTorrent Web sites.

New FileMaker?

Good news for all you FileMaker users,
File Maker Pro 8 is in development, and might be released later this year.
Apparently it will also have compatibility with FileMaker 7 files. ThinkSecret reports.

South Africa Apple stores this year

According to IfoAppleStore, Apple plans to open retail stores in South Africa before the end of the year. Three Apple owned retail stores will open in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Pretoria.

ABC News and NBC News announce plans to offer podcasts

ABC News and NBC News announced plans Tuesday (May 24) to offer podcasts, the rapidly growing mobile technology.

Trojan holds PC files for ransom

A unique trojan threat that locks up files on a PC then demands money in return for unlocking them is identified.

Apple releases Bonjour for Windows

Apple has released Bonjour for Windows. Bonjour (formerly known as Rendezvous) enables automatic discovery of computers, devices, and services on IP networks.

Mobile phone sales reached new records in first quarter

Mobile phone sales hit a new high in the first three months of the year, while the top three manufacturers tightened their grip on the market, according to a study published Wednesday.

Flash Optimizer for Mac 1.0 compresses Flash files

Berlin, Germany-based software developer, Eltima Software, on Wednesday released Flash Optimizer for Mac 1.0, a new utility the company says will reduce Flash file sizes by up to 80 percent of their normal size. The application uses proprietary algorithms that can optimize various components of Flash files, like vectors, shapes, morphing, Z-buffer and fonts. With 50 Flash optimization options available, the company says the main advantage of Flash Optimizer is that it does not stop at optimizing parts of the file, but continues with compressing SWF core itself. Flash Optimizer for Mac 1.0 is available now.

Apple updates Pages, Keynote

Apple on Wednesday released updates for its iWork suite of applications. According to notes provided with the update, Pages 1.0.2 address an issue with page navigation and organization.

Activision buys game conversion developer Beenox

Activision on Wednesday announced the acquisition of Beenox, a developer of Mac game conversions.

OmniGraffle 4 updates interface, adds features

The Omni Group has announced the first public beta release of OmniGraffle 4, its diagramming and drawing application. New to this release is an improved user interface and new features that help users brainstorm, draft, import, export and manage documents.

RadTech announces tekmõd regular–stylish, versatile protection for laptops with a twist

 
RadTech™, makers of mobile computing accessories and more, today announced immediate availability of the tekmõd regular, an addition to an innovative line of computer notebook cases. The tekmõd regular is intended for 12-15 inch notebooks with standard (4:3) viewing ratio.

 
The tekmõd regular 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 regular'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 regular 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.

 
The tekmõd regular is available in a variety of color combinations, or for larger notebooks, the tekmõd XL is also available.

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

Jobs Confirms Paris Apple Store "in 2007", Report Says

Apple Computer will open a retail store in Paris, France "in 2007... Oui, Oui!

Video downloads or iPod video?

With Apple recently releasing an iTunes update that includes the ability to play QuickTime movies, analysts, along with many of those in the Macintosh community, are predicting that Apple will soon partner with record companies to sell music videos over the web. Netimperative columnist Charles Arthur was quick to speculate that with the newest release of QuickTime, "Apple is lining up something dramatic: an online video music store." "With that huge back catalogue of music videos out there, which otherwise just get aired by MTV or VH1 but don't generate much money, there's a strong incentive for the record companies to dust off the videos and deliver them to Apple," Arthur said. "For those looking to sell video, music videos are the easy way to go. They're self-contained, tell a story, appeal to a young audience which will remain faithful, they're memorable, you can return to them repeatedly and enjoy them, they're short (and so easily transported) and they offer fantastic branding for an artist." According to one Wall Street analyst, the recent addition of video support in iTunes puts Apple in position to partner with record companies to sell music videos. “The music industry doesn’t have an outlet to sell music videos and likely would cooperate with Apple,” Merrill Lynch analyst Steven Milunovich said in a research note obtained by iPodlounge. “In addition, Netflix said that given Apple’s recent hiring and lease of space, the company has designs on subscription video of some kind. And Apple has expressed interest in high definition video.” As others, including Arthur, have predicted, Milunovich said the video support could hint at the possible release of a video iPod, or iPod video. “Selling videos may be a precursor to a video iPod,” Milunovich said. “The new features within iTunes allow users to download full versions of Quicktime music videos. We previously speculated that iPod video capability for short clips could be available by Christmas.”

Quake leaps into next generation

One of the most popular sci-fi shooters, Quake, is getting a new lease of life as a next-generation console game.

Jobs bets Yahoo! will raise prices in 5 months

Steve Jobs is betting that Yahoo! will soon raise prices on its online music service

Business Card Composer 3.1 offers Tiger support

BeLight Software today released Business Card Composer 3.1,
bringing Tiger compatibility to the popular business card tool.

Ambrosia releases WireTap Pro 1.1.0

Ambrosia Software today announced the release of WireTap Pro 1.1.0, a major revision to the company's utility that allows users to record any audio on their Mac.

'Podcast Secrets Revealed' ebook available

A new 75-page ebook is available by Jeff Mills that teaches new users the history of podcasting, as well as how to set up their own podcasts.

Sonnet Announces PodFreq mini

It's the smaller cousin to the PodFreq which we reviewed here in March! Sonnet Technologies, best known for their processor upgrades for Macs, proudly introduces PodFreq mini, an FM transmitter.

Fetch 5.0 adds SFTP, Bonjour support

Fetch Version 5.0 has added many new features and enhancements including support for SFTP, StuffIt, Bonjour (Rendezvous), unicode, resuming uploads and automatic passive mode. In addition, changes have been made to the user interface, making it “easier and more productive,” according to the developer. Enhancements have also been made to file transfer performance, server compatibility, AppleScript support, online help, ease of configuration and reliability.

Book Of The Week: iPod & iTunes The Missing Manual

Yes! It's here, and of course it's complete! Full, Jam pack with more how to, tips and tricks that will make you a iPod Master.
Over 400 pages, well crafted and highly informative, the third edition of the iPod & iTunes Missing Manual is the best and most complete yet. All the answers to your questions are here plus a very usefull iPod & iTunes troubleshooting section make this offering impossible to put down.

We give the iPod & iTunes The Missing Manual Third Edition by JD Biersdorfer edited by David Pogue and publish by O'Reilly
(ISBN 0-596-00877-5) a perfect score of 5* out of 5, making it our Book of the week.

Kodak Delays Wi-Fi-enabled EasyShare Camera

Camera with Wi-Fi support delayed til October: The EasyShare One has Wi-Fi built in and was promised for June. Instead, it will ship in October, still in time for Christmas. The encryption part of EasyShare One's Wi-Fi module wasn't slated to ship until October originally; this portion was necessary for WEP and WPA as well as 802.1X, which was needed to use the service over T-Mobile HotSpot locations as part of a promotion. The EasyShare One can transfer photos over Wi-Fi, but it can also browser galleries stored on Kodak's online photo-printing service, clunkily renamed from Ofoto to Kodak EasyShare Gallery

Apple Releases 10.4.1 Hot on the Heels of Tiger

Last week, Apple released Mac OS X 10.4.1 Update for the just-released Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger" operating system. (And, of course, Apple did so within minutes of our publishing TidBITS-780. Sigh.) The standalone version of the Mac OS X 10.4.1 Update weighs in at 37 MB, but is somewhat slimmer (19.4 MB) via Software Update.

Qualcomm Acknowledges Eudora Bug

Qualcomm Acknowledges Eudora Bug -- As reported by our friends at MacInTouch, Qualcomm has acknowledged that recent versions of its Eudora email software for Macintosh could incorrectly delete messages from the Inbox associated with an IMAP account.

Canada411 1.2 - Widget for finding people in Canada, is now available for download.

A wireless kit for the Mac mini available separately?

According, to a MacBidouille reader, a well known French retailer, Fnac, sells boxes labelled “Upgrade Airport+Bluetooth Mac Mini” in its stores. The reader purchased the kit for 100€, without any problem. The kit contains the Bluetooth module, Airport Extreme card as well as two antennas with their screws.

Apple iPod market expanding, iPod now holds 76% share of all U.S. portable music players

Fetch 5 released for Mac OS X

Fetch Softworks announces that Fetch 5, the latest version of the most downloaded file transfer client for the Macintosh, is now available.

Google and Apple lift tech shares

Shares of search engine Google and computer firm Apple surge, driving Wall Street higher.

IPod Plug-In Sets Music Free

A handy plug-in for Winamp wins praise for allowing iPod users to move music off their iPods.
More info to be found on wired news site.

DVForge cancels PodBuddy due to threat from DLO

DVForge today announced that it will be unable to launch and sell the previously announced PodBuddy product due to a disagreement with DLO (Digital Lifestyle Outfitters) over a patent that it holds

Smart Label Printers drivers released for Mac OS X

Seiko Instruments USA has announced the release of a Mac software driver for the company’s flagship line of Smart Label Printers

Monster iCruze now shipping through multiple nationwide dealers

Monster is proud to announce that iCruze is now shipping and available via multiple dealers throughout the US including Best Buy, Comp USA, Good Guys and Ultimate Electronics, that goes for Canada also. If you have the means this could very well be the ultimate iPod add on toy !

TuneStage for iPod connects to stereo via Bluetooth

Belkin Corp.'s new TuneStage for iPod connects an Apple iPod to your stereo or home entertainment system wirelessly through Bluetooth. Coming in late July, 2005, the US$179.99 TuneStage consists of a Bluetooth transmitter that attaches to any iPod with a dock connector. It works without batteries, drawing its power from the iPod. The receiver then connects to the home stereo using a 3.5mm audio cable or RCA stereo connectors. The Belkin Web site was not updated with info about the new TuneStage as this story was published.

Apple moving to Intel chips?

A report in the Wall Street Journal on Monday says that Apple has been in discussions with Intel Corp. to supply the company with chips for its Macintosh computers. Neither company would confirm the report and an Apple spokesperson characterized it as "rumor and speculation." The report cites two industry executives who claim to have knowledge of recent discussions between the companies. They said Apple will agree to use Intel chips. It was unclear if this would mean Apple would abandon the PowerPC or if a new line of Macs powered by the Intel chip would be introduced. We don't belive that will see Apple and Intel in the same boat soon!

Jobs says Podcasting support coming with iTunes update

Apple CEO Steve Jobs told the assembled crowd at "D3: All Things Digital," that Apple would add Podcasting support to its next version of iTunes (4.9), which is due within 60 days. Apple will also be launching a service that will allow users to upload Podcast content -- Apple will then choose which content it will make available through iTunes, people at the event told MacCentral. Jobs also indicated that Apple had 70 percent market share for downloaded music.

Wal-Mart cedes DVD rental biz to Netflix for a plug

Apparently Walmart has backed off of the DVD rental business in order to allow Netflix to regain their rightful place as masters of the DVD rental universe!

Apple recalls more G4 batteries

update Apple Computer is recalling 128,000 batteries that were shipped in its PowerBook G4 and iBook G4 laptops over the past eight months, marking the second time since last summer that it has issued such a warning

Never too young for a copyright lesson

At sixth-grade commencement, U.S. patent office director expected to lecture children in Utah about ills of illegal file trading.

House approves spyware bill--again

Members of the House of Representatives can't decide how to punish spyware makers, so they approve two bills with different approaches.

ELECTRIC RAIN RELEASES SWIFT 3D 4.5 FOR 3 D EXPORT TO FLASH AND VIDEO

Leading 3D animation software for Macromedia ® Flash™ adds FLV, QuickTime and AVI video formats, expanding its entry-level appeal to video design and production markets

Electric Rain, Inc. ® announced the release of Swift 3 D ® version 4.5, a standalone application allowing designers to build and export vector and raster-based 3 D animations for Macromedia Flash, as well as FLV (Flash Video), QuickTime, AVI and other popular formats.

Long known for its approachable interface, high-quality vector output and tight workflow integration with Macromedia Flash, Swift 3D can now be utilized in conjunction with popular video editing tools such as Adobe ® After Effects ® or Apple ® Final Cut Pro ® to add 3D elements, titling, and motion graphic effects to video projects.

“Swift 3D 4.5 marks an exciting release for us,” said Mike Soucie, President of Electric Rain. “With the introduction of video export, Swift 3 D is positioned to deliver its incredible ease-of-use and affordability to new markets beyond Flash by fulfilling the needs of the broader graphic design industry, from small-scale design shops to full-service advertising agencies.”

In addition to providing vector and raster style video export, Swift 3D 4.5 introduces a host of vector rendering enhancements including pen-style outlines for improved cartoon rendering, adjustable shadow density and color, realistic transparency, render speeds up to 50 times faster, control over outlines at intersections, support for Level 3 EPS and enhanced SVG output.

“Every release of Swift 3D continues to amaze us with new technological advances” said Eric Bort, Creative Director of Living Children design firm. “Electric Rain's ability to listen to their users’ suggestions has helped make version 4.5 the best upgrade yet in terms of output and flexibility. Swift 3D allows us to rapidly create custom 3D graphics for web and now video, with faster rendering and tons of control over styling. The people at Electric Rain know their audience well and understand exactly what it takes to produce exceptional web-ready 3D.”

Swift 3 D V4.5 is available immediately on the Windows and Macintosh OS X platforms. The SRP for Swift 3 D V4.5 is $229.00 US D for the download and boxed C D version. Upgrades from Swift 3 D version 4.0 are $79.00, and upgrades from Swift 3D versions 2.0, 3.0, and Swift 3D Xpress are $129.00. Swift 3 D V4.5 is currently available from the Electric Rain website at http://www.erain.com .

About Electric Rain, Inc. Electric Rain is a software company with a vision of bringing easy-to-use 3D and multimedia tools to designers and developers. Through the release of their Swift 3D product line and the company’s proprietary RAViX rendering technology, Electric Rain has quickly become the industry-leading developer of 3D-to-vector solutions. More information about Electric Rain, its products and technologies is available at http://www.erain.com