Friday, November 25th	Last updated: 6:20 PM EST

Top Stories

Apple launches "Black Friday" sale ...
Apple has launched its annual "Black Friday" sale, offering offering $101 savings on its iMac G5 and iBook G4 as well as $30 savings on JBL On Stage iPod Speakers (now $120 or $140 with remote) and $20 savings on JBL Creature II Speakers (now $80), which are available in white, red, black, and aluminum. Apple has discounted the Shure Sound Isolating Earphones: the E5C is now $300 ($100 discount); the Shure E4C is $240 ($60 discount); the Shure E3C is $140 ($40 off) and the Shure E2C is $80 ($20 off). Apple's AirPort Express is now $100 and the iSight Camera is $120, a $30 discount on each. [C o n t i n u ed... | print | email] 

Evening Edition

Forums: X800; Xbox 360; Intel iMacs?; more...
Forums roundup: Power Mac owners continue to discuss ATI's new X800 XT video card.... PowerBook owners and shoppers talk about the perceived high rate of problems with recent PowerBook models, and whether the issues are widespread or isolated.... One prospective iMac owner wants to know if the Intel-based iMacs will be worth the wait.... Mac OS X users share their performance tweaks for the operating system.... Video iPod owners continue to discuss their experiences with displaying iPod video content on a television.... MacNN Lounge members discuss the all-new Xbox 360 gaming console. [print | email] 

pdf-Office Professional 4.0 released ...
Universe Software today introduced pdf-Office Professional 4.0, its alternative to Adobe Acrobat Professional for creating PDF documents and forms. The update can import existing PDF files created by other programs--to be used as templates--and can easily add additional calculations or JavaScript to the template. Version 4.0 offers improved graphics handling, enhanced copying and pasting of formatted texts, superior handling of form field borders from previous versions, and a "snap to grid" feature in all zoom levels. Pdf-Office Professional 4.0 is available for $150, and requires Mac OS X 10.2 or later. [C o n t i n u ed... | print | email] 

Afternoon Edition

MacProVideo.com offers tutorials on DVDs
MacProVideo.com today released its entire software tutorial line on DVD as well as via direct download, while simultaneously unveiling a new Final Cut tutorial program--Capturing and Outputting in Final Cut. The tutorial "takes the guesswork out of getting video into and out of Final Cut by demonstrating important skills every video editor needs. Watch on screen as seasoned instructor and media deployment guru Francesco Schiavon demonstrates capturing and outputting video through real-time screen captures and clear voice-over instruction. It's like having an instructor in the room with you!" Capturing and Outputting in Final Cut Pro is available for $40, and the website is offering a "gift" feature to add a special message to gift purchases. [print | email] 

Apps: Lux, Gamepedia, Mini vMac, Miyu

• Lux 5.2 ($25) updates the strategy game, adding graphical enhancements and new visual effects. Version 5.2 offers additional network commands, improved translation of network messages, and a "booster shot" for autohosting. A new version of the AI software developer kit is also available. [Download - 8MB]


• Gamepedia 1.0 ($18) is a cataloging application for video and computer games that allows retrieval of game information from the internet via a search using keywords, an iSight camera, or a scanner. [Download - 3.1MB]


• Mini vMac 2.7.1 (unknown) updates the "miniature" Macintosh emulator, offering more advanced control of speed and superseding the previous "limit speed" option. Version 2.7.1 will no longer attempt to monopolize the processor. [Download - 36KB]


• Miyu 0.9.4 (unknown) is video subtitling and translation management software that provides the tools for scripting, timing, typesetting, and export. Features include playback with real-time preview, WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) scripting/typesetting, and more. [Download - 2.2MB]


• SideTrack 1.3 ($15) updates the replacement driver for Apple PowerBook and iBook trackpads, offering support for the new USB trackpad hardware found in the 2005 PowerBooks and iBooks--including the latest October 2005 models. [Download - 760KB]


• SingleFramer 2.1 (free) is a frame-capture application designed to capture individual frames from a DV camera, either manually or automatically (time-lapse). Version 2.1 features "onion-skinning" to see an overlay of the previous frame as a shot is composed, as well as the ability to load an existing movie for matching a setup from a previous day. [Download - 2.7MB]

MAXON recently announced a free upgrade to CINEMA 4D 9.5 available for both 32 and 64-bit versions, its studio effects bundle for modelling, animation, and rendering. Version 9.5 offers changes to the "Content Browser" making it easier to use, expands drag-and-drop functionality, and provides an enhanced menu structure that improves efficiency. The update adds a new shader--the ChamLum shader--which illuminates the surface of objects with a soft, slightly fuzzy look. Additionally, a "Content Browser" library containing shaders, light setups and a bunch of useful "goodies" is available for free download. CINEMA 4D 9.5 requires Mac OS X 10.3, and is available for $700.

Wednesday, November 23rd	Last updated: 9:15 PM EST

Evening Edition

Briefly: MacNN review; Thanksgiving special
In brief: MacNN has reviewed Sophie's Cards v4 ($40), a FileMaker-based database of greeting card photos and text.... The G5 Drive Bracket Team today announced its Thanksgiving weekend special, offering its G5 Drive Bracket for $40.... Marware fifth-generation iPod products are now available through Dr. Bott resellers worldwide.... Adobe is hosting a breakfast event in Stockholm, Sweden, on November 24, focused on the company's Creative Suite and Cinema 4D.... The Sinbad Development Team today released Sinbad 1.1, its freeware web searching application featuring 23 modules for finding various types of information.... The fight for the itunes.co.uk domain is finally over as Ben Cohen has officially abandoned all further attempts to get the domain it once owned back from Apple..... Otter today began shipping the OtterBox for iPod nano, its waterproof case for the popular MP3 player. [updated] [print | email] 

EdgeBlur debuts three new notebook stands
EdgeBlur today announced three new models of surfACE laptop computer stands, designed to suspend the notebook at a comfortable working height. When used in an armchair, the surfACE completely supports the weight of the mobile computer on the armrests to relieve weight, pressure, and heat from the users legs. When used upside-down the surfACE performs the same functionality on sofas and beds, while two side boards offer surfaces for a mouse and other peripherals. SurfACE is a system of interchangeable parts that can be added and detached to create a custom configuration, and any brand of notebook computer with a width of 16 1/2-inches or less is compatible with pre-assembled models. The SurfACE 1.2 ($100), surfACE 1.3 ($120), surfACE 1.4 ($130), and surfACE 1.5 ($150, shown at right) are available with a lifetime guarantee for the original owner. SurfACE 1.5 features a new hardware connecter that fixes to a standard camera tripod to create a height-adjustable workstation. [print | email] 

Afternoon Edition

Apps: EarthDesk, SuperDuper, FTP Suite

• EarthDesk 3.1 ($20) is a free update to the dynamic desktop map application that makes use of a new display settings interface, updates the daylight saving time database, and fixes a rare bug that would cause EarthDesk to stop responding. [Download - 5.69MB]


• SuperDuper! 2.0 ($30) updates the disk copying utility for Mac OS X, adding the ability to easily schedule backups and providing additional imaging options. Version 2.0 allows more control over shutdown, offers better AppleScript support, and more. [Download - 2.3MB]


• FTP Suite 4.2 ($80) is a free upgrade to the software library allowing REALbasic applications to implement the FTP protocol. Version 4.2 adds two "Smart Commands": DirectCommand to send a command directly to an FTP server, and SITECommand to send a standard FTP SITE command to an FTP server. [Download - 811KB]


• Filegazer 1.1 ($20) allows fast navigation through a file system in order to cope with the increasing capacity of modern hard drives. New features include a shortcut menu for selecting the source for a browser menu, improved memory management, and a bugfix. [Download - 1.3MB]


• ScreenAction Studio 1.0 ($30) captures on-screen action while importing video clips, images, and sounds. Features include the ability to change cameras live during capture, record with date and time, widescreen/full-screen movie settings, and more. [Download - 6.5MB]


• EyeHome 1.7 (unknown) accesses digital content stored on Macintosh systems--photos, music, video, and movies--to be viewed on a TV and home entertainment system. Version 1.7 offers iTunes 6 and iPhoto 5 compatibility, as well as a bug fix affecting Mac OS X 10.4.3. [Download - 15.7MB]

In brief: The FastIcon has released a new icon set for desktop use, "iSimple," containing 12 freeware icons.... Marware today introduced its new line of cases for fifth-generation iPods (Sport Grip Backwinder shown at right, $20), designed to preserve the slim profile of the device while providing maximum protection.... A FAQ on TiVo's forthcoming support for the iPod notes that TivoToGo service is not yet available for the Mac, and iPod support is even further out.... Peachpit has released new books in the Apple Pro Training Series: DVD Studio Pro 4 ($50), Shake 4 ($55), and Optimizing Your Final Cut Pro System ($55).... Sid Meier's Civilization III system requirements have been set to Mac OS X 10.3.9 running on a PowerPC G4/G5 at 500Mhz or faster.

Morning Edition

SkipJam iMedia Center adds iPod support ...
SkipJam announced today support for the iPod, providing docking directly to the SkipJam iMedia Center. Using Firewire or USB 2.0, users can connect their iPods directly to any iMedia Center or to any iMedia enabled PC and immediately play music, photos and video throughout their home. The SkipJam iMedia support for the iPod also allows SkipJam users to record audio or video content directly onto the iPod Storage, creating a plug'n'go recording solution which records shows directly onto the iPod drives for portability. [C o n t i n u ed... | print | email]