Cool Stuff for the Mac Pro.

Section: Software + Apps, Miscellaneous, Third-Party, iPod + iTunes, iPod touch, iPhone, iPhone, iPhone SDK & Apps, Mac + Computers, Software

Macintosh and iPhone/iPod updates and announcements for August 4, 2009:

Macintosh

• One Laptop per Child, a non-profit organization focused on providing educational tools to help children in developing countries “learn learning,” today announced it will partner with PocketMac software in a unique fundraising promotion. This is the first time Macintosh software has been used as the lynchpin of a fundraising campaign. For every copy of RingtoneStudio 2 for iPhone sold, PocketMac will donate to OLPC.
• TheMacBundles has announced that it’s started offering weekly specials on high quality software. Just as TheMacBundles offers the best value in bundles for both consumers and developers, the weekly special offerings provide consumers with the lowest available prices on great software while also providing developers with the highest percentage of the proceeds from sales in the industry. To help consumers stay apprised of the latest bargains, they can join a new opt-in mailing list.
• Yazsoft has announced Playback 1.0.3, an update to their new zero configuration media server for Mac OS X. With a focus on ease-of-use, Playback allows anyone to share their media with any Playstation 3, Xbox 360, or other UPnP compatible device. Playback can also share media stored in folders or even make entire disks available to a Playstation 3 or Xbox 360. By default, Playback will share almost any content on the users system. No configuration required.
• SimpleLeap Software has released Cram 1.0 with Twitter integration. After a three month beta period, the 1.0 version of the flash card and multiple-choice study and test preparation application has been released just in time for the back to school rush. Among many user-interface refinements and polishing, Cram for Mac features the ability for users to have their test scores tweeted out upon viewing their test results.
• Turning Technologies has announced the latest release of their poplar TurningPoint AnyWhere for the Mac platform. To accommodate various presentation styles and technology integrations, TurningPoint AnyWhere combined with Turning’s ResponseCard keypads or ResponseWare, a web-based polling application, creates a wireless response and voting system allowing presenters to ask interactive questions within their preferred presentation application: Mac Keynote presentations, PDF content, web pages, multimedia, and more.
• Samson Technologies has announced shipment of the Samson Go Mic. Go Mic is a USB condenser microphone designed to record professional quality while providing maximum portability. Its unique design provides the user with a built-in spring-loaded laptop mount or tabletop stand in one 2.5-inch by 1.5-inch package. The microphone is supported by a multidirectional hinge; ensuring consumers record only the intended audio and can easily tuck the microphone away when not in use.

iPhone/iPod

• Last week, Software Advice set out to try to answer the question: Which smartphone will own the healthcare market? Doctors, nurses, students and many others in the healthcare industry responded to their survey and provided results that are bound to be conversation starters. Which smartphone won out? Visit to softwareadvice.com to see.
• Fractal Softworks has released Crystal Clear for iPhone and iPod touch. The goal is clearing crystals from the board. However, instead of being puzzly, as one might imagine, it leans a lot more towards the arcade side, where the player’s performance depends more on their dexterity and quickness than on an intricate strategy. The game is very casual, and anyone can jump in and have fun. However, if one cares about getting as high a score as possible, some strategies and subtleties do emerge.
• Makebari has announced SpaceWars Deathmatch (iTunes App Store link), a retro real-time action packed space fighting game for solo and WLAN battles. Mastering solo mode will give you the power to go up against your buddies in real-time multiplayer mode. Just connect up to 4 iPhones to the same WLAN and you’ll be ready to go, maybe bringing with you those great LAN party memories.
• eCOMPOSITE has announced 321run Free 1.0, a free version of their popular running trainer for iPhone 3G and 3GS devices. Developed specifically to leverage the iPhone’s GPS capabilities, 321run Free allows the fitness minded to keep track of their runs, progress, speed, as well as see at-a-glance where they’ve ran. Set a distance or duration goal and its built-in coach will give progress at every 5 minute intervals for each mile, or kilometer.
• Grantwood Technology, LLC has announced the release of the RunWallet, an armband product designed to comfortably carry IDs, bank/credit cards, car keys, hotel keys, cash/coins during exercise, with the added ability to carry the iPod Shuffle. The RunWallet can be used as a fitness wallet attached to the supplied armband or simply attached to your shoe, attached to a belt or simply placed in your pocket. The RunWallet is also compatible with our other tuneband armband products.
• Zerion Software has launched an updated version of its exZact data collection platform for the iPhone and iPod touch client with a 30-day free trial. The exZact mobile client, iFormBuilder web application, and DataViewer web application, work together as a complete solution for mobile data collection. The platform provides a secure, scalable, flexible, and efficient solution for teams on the go.
• iRingPro has released its second and third iPhone ringtone collections today. Combining a number of surprising new features, iRingPro is once again redefining the ringtone category and challenging the status quo in an industry based on the repurposing of pop songs. The world may never sound the same, and thank goodness for that.
• Pangea Software has announced The Finger for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. The Finger is an incredibly cool 3D animation app for the iPhone and iPod Touch, and the basic idea is that you manipulate a 3D hand to form and display hand signs.  A built-in animation editor lets you construct hand signals that can say anything from “You are insane!” to “She’s hot!” to… well… other “expressions” best left to the user’s imagination.  The Finger comes with over 90 built-in hand gestures, but users are able to create their own using an intuitive touch interface to manipulate the fingers, thumb, and wrist.
• Vemedio today releases its first application for iPhone and iPod Touch called SnowRemote and with it a new update to its much complimented radio software Snowtape. SnowRemote enables the user to remote control Snowtape wirelessly within his local home network.
• Saltlick Labs has announced the release of Little Black Book 2.0 for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Designed for bachelors and bachelorettes to protect intimate moments between couples, Little Black Book is the perfect sidekick for securing private love affairs. Users can keep track of relationships with a 5-star rating and romance counter, personal details and measurements, and private photo gallery.
• Back in May 2009, FDG Entertainment launched KRYZER, a whole new stunning rotational action shooter experience for iPhone and iPod touch devices. Finally, a free lite version has been released! Get ready for an awesome experience and download your copy of KRYZER lite now.
• Griffin Technology, Inc., has announced its latest case offering for iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS: Elan Form Etch. The new case builds upon a classic Griffin design by presenting users with an unmatched combination of detail, style and functionality.
• AmericanGreetings.com—the online division of American Greetings Corp—has introduced a new application for all iPhone users that allows them to send e-cards, powered by the online greeting company, from anywhere. The introduction is the latest effort from AmericanGreetings.com, which continues to develop new ways for consumers to connect and celebrate special occasions in any setting.
• Electric Pocket has introduced its PhoneFace photo speed-dial application for the iPhone—the first of its kind to connect with Twitter to retrieve profile photos of frequently called contacts. PhoneFace has been a very popular application among users of BlackBerry and Android smartphones.
• Spaceweather has released Perseids 1.0, an innovative iPhone app to help sky watchers experience the annual Perseid meteor shower, which peaks this year on August 11th and 12th. Perseids counts down the days to the shower’s peak, offers breaking news alerts, an easy-to-use sky map, and a live photo gallery populated with meteor photos from around the world. You can now carry an entire meteor shower in your pocket.

Full Story » | Written by Kirk Hiner for Appletell. | Comment on this Article »