Appletell | Apple, Mac, iPhone, iPod | News, Rumors, Reviews, How-Tos

Macintosh and iPhone/iPod/iPad product updates and announcements for April 5, 2010:

• Macintosh
• iPhone/iPod/iPad

Macintosh

• TheMacBundles’ new Weekly Special offers SmileOnMyMac’s DiscLabel for the lowest price the program ever has sold at. DiscLabel makes it easy to design great-looking labels and packaging for home and work projects. Users that also purchase either the current bundle or a Build your Own Bundle will receive an additional discount. Until April 11th, TheMacBundles is selling DiscLabel for the lowest price the program has sold for since its release.
• Privacy means a lot to American consumers, but the dawn of online communication and web surfing has made it difficult to keep your personal information out of sight from prying eyes. ConnectInPrivate.com is leveling the playing field for online privacy by offering a comprehensive, multilayered suite of tools to keep PC and mobile browsing anonymous, email secure and PCs clean of personal data.
• SuperSync has released SuperSync 3.6, a major update to their iTunes library manager for Windows and OS X. Combining power with simplicity, SuperSync lets users visually compare, merge, and access their media files from anywhere on the net. Merge individual tracks, playlists or entire libraries with a few clicks of the mouse. Version 3.6 adds support for importing music, video and playlists from iPads, iPhones and iPods.
• Digital Heaven has announced Loader 2.0, a major new version of the Final Cut Pro companion application that streamlines the process of importing media. Significant enhancements include the ability to send imported files to an existing bin and custom audio conversion settings. Loader works alongside Final Cut Pro and appears as a small tab on the side of the screen. Loader also offers the ability to sort copied media into subfolders according to the file extension.
• Yazsoft has announced Speed Download 5.2.15, an important update to their popular download manager for Mac OS X. Speed Download 5 redefines the Mac OS X download manager by combining four amazing products: a turbo-charged download manager, a fully featured secure FTP client, a file sharing utility with full encryption, and complete .Mac/iDisk/WEBDAV connectivity, into one small and easy to use application. Version 5.2.15 offers optimized performance, better compatibility and more.
• Freeridecoding has released SmartBackup 3.0, an update to its alternative backup application for Mac OS X. SmartBackup creates fast and efficient backups of your data, or full bootable clones of your system. It supports backing up to anything that is mountable on the Mac Desktop, like external harddisks, flashdrives, or network shares. SmartBackup features the use of Spotlight to enable clever dynamic backup configurations and keeps a searchable archive of multiple versions of backed up files.
• baKno has released Unlocker 1.2.0, an update to its free utility which automatically unlocks trial versions of games for the Mac or PC after purchase from its online store. The free Unlocker utility saves the customer all the time and trouble of entering a User ID and Key Code, required to go from limited to full game functionality. They need only click the link contained in their purchase confirmation email, and Unlocker automatically and permanently unlocks their new game.
• Apago Inc., a software technology company that provides innovative solutions to transform digital documents, has announced the release of PDF Enhancer 3.5. Adopted by a wide variety of companies, this automated production tool is used for the creation, standardization, and optimization of PDF documents. A major update to this powerful PDF workflow software, version 3.5 boasts faster processing speeds, improved reliability, advanced scanned document clean-up, AES security, and improved font and color handling. PDF Enhancer 3.5 is available from authorized resellers or from Apago’s online store.
• Steve Wilmes Consulting, Inc. has announced his Developer’s Cards Book for FileMaker Pro 11. The set of cards is a detailed color coded reference that has every FileMaker function, error code, script step, PHP class, Server Event and more. Developer’s Cards now includes pages on PHP Classes/Methods, FileMaker Server Event Codes, and common unicode values. Also highlights all the changes to functions, script steps, server commands, and script triggers added in FileMaker Pro 11.
• Widget Press, Inc. has introduced FormEntry Server 1.0, their new form delivery platform for working in conjunction with FormEntry for Mac and FormEntry for iPhone. Designed exclusively for Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server, syncing between form based applications for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch devices is now simple and automatic.

iPhone/iPod/iPad

• Happymagenta has announced Scany 1.6, an update to their popular network exploration tool for iPhone and iPod touch devices. Scany is an all-in-one solution for network surveying, inspection, exploration, troubleshooting, diagnostics and security tasks. It scans networks and hosts for 15+ parameters with a single seamless request and also includes - ping, traceroute analyzer, remote wake and WHOIS. Version 1.6 implements animated traceroute analyzer and UI improvements.
• CoinForge LLC has released California Parks 1.1 for iPhone and iPod touch. California Parks is a resource you can use to discover new places to enjoy your favorite activities. Explore the last stands of primeval redwood forests to vast expanses of fragile desert; the lofty Sierra Nevada to the broad sandy beaches of our southern coast; all from your pocket. The California Department of Parks and Recreation manages more than 270 parks.
• Low Grav Racer 2 HD is out now on iPad and is in the Top 100 Games chart. Low Grav Racer 2 HD is bigger, better, faster and built specifically for your iPad in glorious HD.  Low Grav Racer 2 HD is a real showcase title for your iPad and has with simply stunning all new HD visuals, effects and game-play.
• Houdah Software has introduced Sudoku Duo 1.0.3, their newest Apple product for the iPad. Based on their popular ACTSudoko for the iPhone, the new app provides game play for a single player, and two players collaborating or competing. Its advanced gameplay engine allows three levels of playing difficulty, based on mastery of technique rather than number of givens. Sudoku Duo can generate an unlimited number of unique games, and provides intelligent hints with explanations.
• Zerion Software has released a brand new version of their data collection software for the Apple iPad, bringing business grade, offline data collection to the iPad. Now clients can do surveys, inspections, walk-throughs, work orders, task orders, research studies and clinical trials easily and cost-effectively on their iPad, along with their iPhones and iPod touches. With exZact, the iPad is now a serious business tool.
• Organize recipe cards, handwritten family recipes, and recipe clippings in one place with Serving Sizer Pro for iPad. Change the serving size at any time and the whole recipe is converted instantly, something your ordinary cookbook can’t do. Super fast entry - pick from 500+ ingredients, use custom sliders to pick fractional amounts and units. Easy-to-read full screen designed for cooking. Email converted recipes to your friends and family. Also convert recipes from metric to US.
• Deep Prose Software has announced ThumbDrums 1.0 for iPhone and iPad. ThumbDrums is a fun and innovative personal drumming app that lets you tap out beats on a range of different drum sets. A variety of different drum sets are available, each with its own sound and look. The drums are touch-sensitive both in the center and around the edges, and can be swiped as well. Bongos, djembe, congas, and tbila drum sets can all be played, and a stereo option is available.
• Bigredshoes has announced Smackup! 1.0 for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. When you play Smackum!, the pace gets more frantic and you are pulled into the screen by the thumb-flinging action. It is an active app that demands your attention. You test your skill by throwing punches at an obnoxious, insulting, loud-mouthed jerk as he bobs and weaves behind a podium. There is a lite and a full version that has 12 levels of play featuring multiple ridiculous weapons.
• Envivio Inc. has announced that its 4Caster C42 video encoding/transcoding platform now offers comprehensive support for Apple iPad, enabling delivery of live and on demand high definition (HD) TV services over Wi-Fi and 3G networks for Apple’s exciting new device. Available for both the 4Caster C4 and 4Caster C42, the enhancement further expands the flexibility of the industry’s leading Three Screens video delivery platform, which already powers network operator and over the top TV services for the iPhone, including premium Pay TV, sports and movie content for operators in Europe, coverage of the Olympics and NHL hockey in Canada, and telecomm Mobile TV services worldwide.
• What do you do with your new iPad when you’re not using it as an iPad? Bulgarian developer Cramzy answers the question with a new app designed to turn the iPad into the ultimate desk top companion, as they launch 23,000 Great Quotes HD and take the place of motivational posters, and one-a-day desk calendars around the world. 23,000 Great Quotes HD sports not only a huge database of notable quotables from Aaron Burr to Ziggy, but a beautiful interface designed to give you at-a-glance access to date and time as needed. Quotations can be set to rotate on a time interval, and with 23,000 of them it will be years before Jean Giradoux reminds you that “Only the mediocre are always at their best” again.
• iPad; the iPhone’s slick bigger brother, is finally out and no time has been wasted in skinning it with your favorite designs. Hot and fresh off the press to keep your sexy new iPad scratch-free and looking sweet, GelaSkins has something for almost everyone. Don’t worry, in the unlikely event that you can’t find something to suit your tastes, making your own custom iPad skin is ridiculously easy with their DIY service. What are you waiting for? Go and get it.
• Mello Apps Limited has announced Vegetarian Scanner 1.0 for iPhone. Vegetarian Scanner takes a photo of the ingredients label of a food product and determines the vegetarian status of any food additives contained in the product. Users also have the option of searching through a database of food additives on the iPhone instead of using the iPhone camera. This is done entirely on the iPhone and no network connection is required for any of the features in Vegetarian Scanner.
• EZChat is all about maximizing these opportunities for making new relationships. Whether you’re at a networking event, your best friend’s wedding or a crowded airport, EZChat’s capabilities let you learn about the people who surround you before you meet them so you can discover if you share similar pastimes, social or business interests. With EZChat, you can transform your cyber-interactions into real-life and immediate physical engagements.
• iFunia has expanded its family of Mac Video Converter products to include iFunia iPad Video Converter and iFunia DVD to iPad Converter. The new iPad Converter utilities offer a quick and simple way to help Mac users to convert their digital video content for Apple’s new iPad portable media player.
• Pariahware, Inc. has announced Biblicious 1.1, a game for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Players can choose from three game modes, a 10 through 50 question game, and whether questions come from the Old or New Testaments, or the entire Bible. After a game mode is chosen, Flip Ant, your game show host, will ask you to choose your game type.
• Pixelglow Software has launched Instaviz 1.6, the next version of the best diagram sketching software for the iPhone and iPod touch - now specially redesigned for the iPad. Instaviz turns roughly sketched shapes and lines into beautifully laid-out diagrams. Users can sketch on the larger, 10-inch display of the iPad and edit their settings with the new popover controls - working their ideas into mindmaps, flowcharts and other diagrams faster and easier than before.
• GetAppQuotes has announced the launch of it’s free App School today. With the newly founded App School, GetAppQuotes is aiming to educate mobile app entrepreneurs on what it really takes to create and sell a successful mobile application. From developing to pricing to marketing to submitting mobile apps, GetAppQuotes has a lesson for that. GetAppQuotes was started last December to help entrepreneurs with mobile app ideas connect with talented mobile developers.
• app4mac has released SecretBox for iPhone and iPad, their powerful application that allows you to manage credit card details, SSN numbers, software licenses, e-mail account details, product registration codes and serial numbers. All are easily stored in SecretBox’s flexible database. Most people will use SecretBox for personal use, but businesses can also use SecretBox for managing their customers passwords or software licenses. The iPad version can sync the data with the Mac version.
• With the release of the iTough Fact Generator, Omegasoft brings the legendary “Tough Guy Facts” internet meme (often associated with celebrity and TV tough guys such as Chuck Norris, Jack Bauer, Mr.T, and Vin Diesel) to the Apple iTunes store. iTough presents over 500 of the absolute best facts wrapped in amazing graphics and sound, packaged with a variety of customizable options and social networking features.
• Pantone LLC has announced the myPANTONE X-Ref iPhone application and Web tool that let graphic, digital, multimedia, fashion, interior and industrial designers easily cross-reference all PANTONE® Color Libraries—from the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM and PANTONE Go to PANTONE FASHION + HOME.
• Engineous Games has announced that Sketch Nation Shooter, its revolutionary iPhone shoot-em-up creator, is now available for $0.99 in the App Store. Sketch Nation Shooter is a powerful, easy-to-use tool for users to create their own games, either by taking a picture of their drawings with the iPhone camera or by importing drawings through the photo library. Once imported into the game, users can choose where to place enemies, power-ups and level obstacles and pick weapon patterns using the simple in-game editor. Players who are not in a drawing mood can use the preinstalled art packs or simply download other users’ games.
• TikiCase has announced the release of a new phenomenon in iPhone cases. iTiki is a South Pacific deity from the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii, who protects iPhones from enemies. iTiki is more than just the original tiki-based iPhone case. It’s the silicone incarnation of the same spirit who, according to legend, created the first woman. When he got thirsty, he invented really tasty rum drinks. Now the iTiki wants to protect your iPhone.
• Stone Design has announced Twittelator for iPad 1.0.1, an evolution of its award winning Twitter client. With a focus on aesthetics and ease of use, Twittelator for iPad breaks new ground. Twittelator for iPad is based on the mature framework used in Twittelator Pro for the iPhone. Its beautiful user interface allows you to always keep your friends’ tweets in view while you explore the rest of what Twitter has to offer.
• HomePipe Networks Inc. has announced official support for the highly popular AirSharing Pro and OneDisk iPhone and iPod touch applications. This enables existing OneDisk and AirSharing Pro customers to use these award winning apps to safely and efficiently access all their home content without limits from their iPhone or iPod touch devices anywhere, anytime.
• Ivan Karpan and Evgeniy Lebed have introduced GlobeConvert Pro 1.0, an international currency and units converter for the iPad based on their top-rated, free iPhone app of the same name. GlobeConvert Pro features 11 different categories: area, currency, energy, length, power, pressure, speed, temperature, time, volume and weight. The currency converter contains 190+ different currencies, and updates monetary exchange rates minute to minute.
• yianni-software has announced Chance! 1.0 for Apple’s revolutionary iPad device. What Chance! has over checkers is that more than one playing piece can occupy a tile. Excitement is added to the game when partly broken playing tiles break as a player passes over them. Unlike the traditional game of Ludo, players can take a risk and land on chance tiles which can yield either good or bad outcomes, including the ability to smash or repair tiles.
• Marware has announced that the Eco-Vue carrying case for the iPad is now shipping. The Eco-Vue is a stylish eco-leather folio case for iPad that delivers 3 solutions in 1. The folio cover allows the iPad to stand while in use. The flexible hand strap provides a secure grip. The Eco-Vue can also be used as a low-angle tabletop stand, which helps provide an ergonomic typing solution for the iPad.
• WhiteBoard Share is a business app that lets you take a picture of a whiteboard during business meetings, and clean the image up automatically. It removes the unwanted artifacts from the whiteboard images, making them easier to read, share and print. It also reports the approximate percentage of savings in toner usage, which helps companies go green. There are many whiteboard apps in the App Store, but none have been developed by a company with a long history of digital imaging technology…and no other one is free. That’s why over 10,000 people have used Whiteboard Share.
• Blue Mango Learning Systems has launched an iPad visual knowledge base for iPad users. The knowledge base contains visual, step-by-step guides for Keynote, Numbers, Pages, iBooks, Mail and Safari. This new site is a resource that will help iPad users get the most out of their iPad applications. In addition, the iPad knowledge base is an excellent example to iPad developers of how effective visual documentation can be in supporting their customers.
• Griffin Technology Inc., celebrated Apple’s long-awaited new release by announcing their new A-Frame multi-position tabletop stand for iPad. The company also announced new versions of their popular PowerBlock AC wall charger and PowerJolt DC car charger, updated for iPad. The new devices join Griffin’s line-up of now available accessories for iPad.
• NewPCgadgets has introduced the new Security Case for the iPad. Now you can secure your iPad and prevent unauthorized use by others. With dozens of sleeves and cases already in the marketplace, newPCgadgets has designed the first locking one. Sleek and stylish to enhance the look of your iPad, the Security Case is a must for any hardcore apple enthusiast. Available in black leather the new Security Case for the iPad retails for $44.95.
• RadTech has announced Gelz for iPad—a form-fitting Silicone protective Apple iPad case. Colorful, rugged, stylish and durable for long-lasting protection of your iPad’s elegant finish. Skin-tight case enhances your grip when carrying and handling, and provides good impact protection from bumps and drops. Made from low-tack, medium density Silicone so it won’t attract lint and debris.
• TOM BIHN has introduced the Co-Pilot personal carry-on travel bag, sized specifically for travel essentials, including your iPad. The Co-Pilot is a small, carry-on sized travel bag sized to fit the essentials, the items that you want close at hand and easily accessible during your flight. The iPad will fit in its Apple case or in its Apple case within the TOM BIHN Cache for iPad sleeve inside of the main compartment of the Co-Pilot.