QUICK TAKES

Aspyr Media today announced Sims 2 University for Mac, the first expansion pack to EA's popular The Sims 2, is now live on their Web site and available for pre-order

IGG Soft today announced iBank 2 public beta, a new and completely rewritten version of its financial management software for Mac OS X 10.4.

IntelliScanner Corporation today introduced the Wine Collector 150, a personal handheld barcode scanner with included wine management software for Mac OS X

Digidesign today announced Pro Tools 7 software, which it says is an "evolutionary leap"

Apple acknowledges problem with iPod Nano

Responding to complaints that the screen on its sleek, new iPod Nano cracks too easily, Apple Computer said today it will replace any defective units.

NetNewsWire Acquired By NewsGator

NewsGator Technologies on announced the acquisition of popular Macintosh RSS reader NetNewsWire extending the NewsGator platform to the Mac desktop as well.

October 12: PowerMac, Powerbook and iPod updates?

ThinkSecret reports that Apple will not release the iPod video during the October 12 event. However, the site believes that new PowerMacs and new Powerbooks will be announced along with an improved iPod without video feature. Few details were given for the PowerMacs and the Powerbooks. The Powerbooks will use MPC7448

Video iPod revealed by BBC?

According to iLounge, BBC has accidentally revealed, during a broadcast earlier today, that Apple will unveil the video iPod next week. The broadcast is not available any longer on BBC's site. The broadcast reported: "Apple is set to unveil a new video iPod at the BBC Television Centre in London on October

MaxBulk Mailer 4.3 now available

Maxprog.com proudly present a new release of MaxBulk Mailer,
new version 4.3, available today on Maxprog website
with several interesting improvements, new features
and bug fixes. You can get it here:

http://www.maxprog.com/downloads.html

Note that upgrades are available for online
purchase here:

It is free for v4.x users.

What's new: http://www.maxprog.com/news.html

One of the best Bulk Mailer program just got better.

sfbags "kills" with new iPod nano cases

Our Friends at sfbags have just started shipping a protective case for the iPod nano from Apple. The slim iPod nano Case weighs next to nothing, and incorporates three layers of protection. The exterior is sturdy Indium nylon which comes in five eye-popping colors, the plastic middle layer provides protection against impact; and the interior layer of cushiony neoprene has a silky liner, making it smooth and easy to slide the iPod nano in and out of the case. An elastic band, cleverly sewn in the back, is for storing the ear buds.

They have also re-designed the existing small iPod Gear Pouch, and added a padded compartment which hugs the slim iPod nano. Small enough to hold on the palm of your hand, the Gear Pouch can fit an iPod nano, its WaterField case, ear buds, USB power adapter and either an arm band or a power supply. The small iPod Gear Pouch can also be used with ipod, iPod photo and iPod mini. Sweeeeeeeeeeeeet!

http://www.sfbags.com/products/nano/ipodnanocase.htm

The lightweight iPod nano Case, measures a slight 4" x 2" x .25". The case is available in Blue, Celeste, Checkers, Lead, Taxi.

http://www.sfbags.com/products/ipodpouch/ipodgearpouch.htm

The redesigned small iPod Gear Pouch measures 7.7" x 3.25" x 1.3", and weighs two ounces. The case is available in Blue, Celeste, Checkers, Lead, Taxi.

Like any products they make they are well constructed, price to sell and of course a killer fashion statement.
Go see why we call the gang at sfbags our friends at: www.sfbags.com

PC Magazine reviews Apple's updated .Mac services

Apple has updated its .Mac suite of online tools, and PC Magazine has covered the pros and cons in a brief review, covering the yearly fees, increased storage capacity, a new "groups" service, the simplified backup tool, the complete removal of Virex antivirus software, and support for French and German languages. PC Magazine points to the new Groups addition, noting that "Apple has hit on something truly useful with Groups [...] each group includes a shared calendar (which members can subscribe to with iCal or software that supports the Webcal protocol, even on Windows PCs), plus space for messages, links, and files." In summary, ".Mac has always been good, but Apple has never committed the resources to make it great. More storage and top-notch backup and antivirus tools would seem essential. We'd also like to see Apple create a free plan for people who only want e-mail."

Apple releases Logic Pro, Express updates for Tiger

Apple released Logic Express Update 7.1.1 and Logic Pro Update 7.1.1 to address "isolated reliability issues" also improve compatibility with Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger. The updates, available via the web and via the Mac OS X Software Update, resolve problems with MP3 and AAC import in Mac OS X Tiger, use of Scandinavian keyboard layout in Mac OS X Tiger, adds support for S curve modes to the Automation tool, enhances the “Enhance Pitch” plug-in, and addresses issues with realtime sample rate conversion. A full list of Logic Express 7.1.1 and Logic Pro 7.1.1 enhancements is available online from Apple's support site.

Major Apple Announcement on October 12

Apple has once again got Apple fans and computer rumor mills buzzing with news that it will make a major announcement on October 12, 2005. Apple has recently sent to media outlets an invitation to media event. The invitation features a red curtain and the words "One More Thing..." which is Steve Jobs' famous line from MacWorld presentations, just prior to the announcement of a major product or service offering. An image of the announcement is shown below.

Apple rumor sites are devoid of any reliable speculation on what product or service might be offered during the event, but a fury of ideas is likely to come forth over the next week. Stay tuned!

Actualy one that keeps on coming back is the Video iPod.......Stay Tuned we said!

Degunking Your Mac, Tiger Edition" from Paraglyph Press

"Your beloved Mac has gunk; I guarantee you. I, like you, once thought my
baby was gunk-free, but I was wrong. Five minutes with the handy Degunking
12 Step program inside the front cover [of "Degunking Your Mac, Tiger
Edition" (Paraglyph)], created an appreciable increase in speed on the G4
Powerbook on which I tested the program."-- Morgan Swann, Blogcritics.org


In this book you will learn how to:

-Configure the essential Tiger features to make their Macs run faster
-Quickly clean up their Macs, speed them up, and improve security
-Streamline their file system so they can work faster and more
efficiently
-Reduce the clutter that fills up hard drives, including uninstalled or
seldom-used programs
-Simplify their start-up operation so the Mac boots quickly and cleanly
-Reduce or eliminate spam, and clean up and organize email folders

Degunking Your Mac, Tiger Edition
By Joli Ballew
Publisher: Paraglyph Press
ISBN: 1-933097-05-1, 350 pages, $24.99 US, $36.99 CA
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/1933097051/

Mactracker 4 for OSX Available

Ian Page is pleased to announce that Mactracker 4 for Mac OS X is now available for
download with versions for Windows and Mac OS 8.5 - 9.2.2 coming in the near
future.

In addition to all the latest Apple hardware, the major new features include
a rewritten search engine, Smart Categories (similar to Smart Playlists in
iTunes), color labels, independent database updating, Unicode support for
comments, a new category called "This Mac" which shows the current Mac, and
the addition of Apple Hardware Test versions. A complete list of changes is
included in the Read Me which is available from the help menu within
Mactracker 4.

To download simply visit http://www.mactracker.ca or select "Check for
Updates" within Mactracker.

zStand, The monitor stand and hidden hub, that stands apart

Continuing in the Art-Techo style of fusing technology and art, Pressure Drop today announces zStand, the first sleek, stylish monitor stand that ingeniously includes a USB 2.0 and FireWire 400 combination hub hidden in the back. The zStand is designed to perfectly accommodate a Mac mini, providing a place to store the computer safely inside the stand while organizing a user?s desktop.

The zStand is constructed of solid steel for strength and powder-coated white and silver to perfectly match the Mac mini. Delivering beauty through its stylish "Z" shape but brawn through its dual, hardened-steel support walls, zStand gracefully elevates monitors weighing up to 50 lbs. to a more ergonomically correct height, easing common neck and shoulder fatigue associated with improper monitor positioning.

As with other Pressure Drop products, the zStand is not only an artistic addition to a user?s space but a demonstration of technology blending with art. Hidden from view is a combination hub employing the lightning-fast Cypress TetraHub to provide four additional USB 2.0 ports, and the industry-standard TI controller chip to provide four additional Firewire 400 ports. zStand offers more expansion ports for the Mac mini than any other hub on the market today. (excluding other Pressure Drop products)

?Users are going to love the multi-functionality and style of the zStand?, said David Gawlowski, CEO of Pressure Drop. ?We have created a distinguished, high quality monitor stand with the technology hidden away but immediately accessible. It is Pressure Drop's crusade through the Art-Techo movement to stop technology from taking over our space and start blending it into the background, and we believe zStand exemplifies the future of technology product design."

zStand is available now from Pressure Drop?s online store at pressuredropinc.com ships with a choice of 12 inch or 6 foot USB and FireWire cables for connection to either a Mac mini or a standard desktop computer.

About Pressure Drop

Pressure Drop is the leader in the emerging Art-Techo Movement, a mission to transform a consumer's expectation of what technology products should look and perform like. As creators of the first Art-Techo computer peripherals, PaperHub and TrestleHub, Pressure Drop has proven that the computer peripheral industry is ready to evolve beyond utilitarian plastic boxes and chaotic tangles of wires and cables. Pressure Drop is instead creating stylish, visionary peripherals that fuse art and technology. Discover the Art-Techo movement at pressuredropinc.com.

Take Control of Your iPod: Beyond the Music released

If you own an iPod or are thinking about purchasing one, our latest
ebook - "Take Control of Your iPod: Beyond the Music" - will help you
make the most of your iPod experience. Although this ebook covers the
basics of plugging in a new iPod and transferring music to it, most
of its 128 pages focus on all the other cool stuff you can do with
your iPod. And since an iPod is still fairly expensive, it's great to
put it to work in ways other than playing music.

The ebook's author, Steve Sande, has an infectious enthusiasm for all
things iPod, and I've enjoyed learning how to transfer my calendar
and contact information from Now Up-to-Date & Contact to the iPod,
how to read long text-based ebooks on the iPod screen, and how to
off-load photos from my digital camera to the iPod. Those are just my
favorite topics... Steve also explains how to synch other calendar
and contact programs to an iPod, make backups to an iPod, use an iPod
as an emergency boot drive, display photos on a color-screen iPod
from your computer, use an iPod to drive a slideshow presentation,
turn an iPod into an alarm clock, play iPod games, and even install
Linux on an iPod. On the audio side of life, Steve also discusses
effective ways to record meetings or voice memos, listen to
speech-synthesized ebooks, and move podcasts and an variety of
audiobook formats to the iPod.

If you're looking to buy a new or used iPod, a detailed appendix
helps you wrap your head around all the different models by
explaining the current members of the iPod family and providing a
complete timeline of iPod releases.

You can read more about the ebook, download a free 31-page sample,
and place an order at:

http://www.takecontrolbooks.com/ipod-btm.html

XtremeMac First to Market With Comprehensive Line of iPod nano Products

iPod nano gets cased, charged, crystallized and more with new line of accessories

Leading iPod accessories manufacturer XtremeMac today announced a comprehensive line of products compatible with Apple’s new iPod nano. The lineup includes a variety of cases, chargers and car accessories as well as a new version of the company’s best-selling AirPlay FM Transmitter, dubbed AirPlay2, and MicroBlast, the first portable speakers designed specifically for iPod nano.

All of the new products are expected to be shipping between now and the first week of November. They are available through the company’s website at www.xtrememac.com and will also be sold through several major retailers. “Just six weeks after the launch of iPod shuffle, XtremeMac announced the most extensive line of accessories of any manufacturer,” said XtremeMac CEO Gary Bart. “Now, four weeks after the launch of the iPod nano, we’re doing it again by announcing 12 new products with 37 new SKUs. We are pleased to note that all of these products will be rolling out over the next few weeks and most will be available in the Apple Retail Stores in time for the holiday shopping season.”

XtremeMac’s new line of accessories includes:
• AirPlay2 FM Transmitter: An updated version of XtremeMac’s best-selling FM transmitter designed to work with iPod nano as well as iPod and iPod mini. New features include three programmable station presets, mono mode for better reception in crowded radio markets, and a vibrant blue display with easy-to-read white characters. Available in black or white .

• MicroBlast: The first portable speakers designed specifically for iPod nano, MicroBlast enables you to play and charge iPod nano simultaneously. The crystal clear protective cover allows you to safely leave iPod nano docked while on the go and doubles as a base for the unit when opened. It is powered by the included AC adapter or four AA batteries and is available now.
• Iconz: Covering the entire face of iPod nano while providing play-through coverage for the Click Wheel and a built-in screen protector, Iconz combine eye-catching artwork with complete protection. Available in 12 designs including SpongeBob SquarePants, Darth Vader, Bart Simpson, Speed Racer, Scooby Doo, Batman and Tweety Bird, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Angels.

• TuffWrap: A silicone case with attitude, featuring stylish curves around iPod nano’s Click Wheel and display, a clear screen protector and tread-style side grips. Available in nine new colors packaged in groups of three or a single translucent white case .

• MicroFlex Car: A flexible car mounting system that positions iPod nano exactly where you want it while charging it through your vehicle’s 12-volt accessory outlet. MicroFlex Car is compatible with AirPlay2 and XtremeMac’s Cassette Adapter, allowing you to play iPod through your car stereo while charging. Available in black for $49.95 or bundled with a black cassette adapter.

• Car Charger: An updated version of XtremeMac’s popular car charger that allows you to power and charge any Dock Connector iPod through a 12-volt accessory outlet. Available in black or white for $19.95 or bundled with matching AirPlay2.

• SportWrap: This dramatically slimmed-down version of the popular SportWrap protects iPod nano from moisture while you bike, jog, walk or work out by securing it to your arm or wrist with one of two adjustable Velcro straps. Available in black .

• MicroSport: A unique solution for taking iPod nano with you while jogging or walking, this rugged foam rubber grip is designed to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand and is secured with an adjustable hand strap. Available in black or purple

• iceFrame: This crystal clear, two-piece shell is made of impact-resistant plastic that showcases iPod nano’s design and provides full access to its controls. Each iceFrame comes with interchangeable Click Wheel accent rings in black, white, red and blue and matching connector posts .

• MicroShield: A clear, two-piece shield that snaps securely onto the front and back of iPod nano providing protection from scratches and an integrated belt clip.

• MicroGlove: Sporty two-tone neoprene sleeves with contrasting trim and stitching as well as a removable carabiner. MicroGlove provides clear screen protection and play-through Click Wheel protection in five color combinations.

• iBling: Allows you to create sparkling interchangeable covers for iPod nano with 750 colorful stones, non-toxic glue, an application tool and two clear snap-on shields.