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

Macintosh and iPhone/iPod/iPad product updates and announcements for February 2, 2010:

• Macintosh
• iPod

Macintosh

• CreativeBe has announced the public beta release of Rucksack, an upcoming archive and file system utility. Designed by Apple Design Award Winner Dietmar Kerschner, Rucksack lets users open, create and convert archives, as well as split and combine files. Rucksack aims to make working with archives simple and accessible to non-technical users. Rucksack supports all popular archive formats including RAR, StuffIt, Zip, and more.
• Softpress Systems and SmileOnMyMac have announced that for a limited period, all purchases of Freeway 5 Pro will include a free copy of PDFpen when purchased from the Softpress Store. Famous for its power, ease of use and clean standards-compliant code generation, Freeway is the tool of choice for professionals and home Mac users who want total design freedom and prefer to focus on creative issues, not on coding.
• MacFriendly has announced their new Bundle of 12 applications for Mac users. The Bundle is available for a limited time and represents a savings of over 85% off the list prices. The bundle includes the latest version of each application. The MacFriendly Bundle provides an unprecedented selection of high quality software at unprecedented low prices. The MacFriendly bundle sale ends on February 26, 2010.
• Fixed behind or on the desktop, even onto a facing wall, anywhere, in fact, where you wish to have cables temporarily held yet easily removable or extended—CableDrop gently grasps your power and peripheral cords so they do not fall off your desk every time you unplug your laptop. CableDrop’s unique design makes cable management fun and can also be used as a general purpose clip in a multitude of creative ways.

iPhone/iPod/iPad

• Fifty Sixty Software has released WordBag 1.1 for iPhone and iPod Touch users. This is a full-service reading app with a polished interface that enables easy reading of a user’s copy and pasted text from internet sites. The text is stored on the device and can be called up and read quickly, with larger fonts and a Rapid Visual Serial Presentation format for a comfortable reading experience that’s easy on the eyes.
• NeoLink Net has released Mem Card Lite Game 1.0 for iPhone and iPod Touch users. Mem Card Lite Game is not a typical memory app with the traditional flipping and pairing of cards. This game is a unique venue for better memory building, injecting a fun and interesting twist that is missing in most contemporary memory games. Fire cards are placed randomly in the layout which must be avoided in order to win the game.
• Ahlquist Software has released Sudoku Sensation! 1.0 for iPhone and iPod Touch users. The app contains 100 new, high quality Sudoku puzzles which were created by the same company that makes the crosswords for the New York Times. The gorgeous interface features completely customizable attributes to make it easy for users to set the look and game play exactly how they like it. The developers have even added space for players to make notations in the margins of the puzzles.
• Pramod Shankar has released Golf Yoga 1.0 for iPhone and iPod Touch users. Golf Yoga is a low cost approach to improving golf skill through golf fitness. Using graduating yoga poses, the app helps prevent golf related injuries while increasing stamina, muscle flexibility, strength and concentration. The app is an instruction guide for avid golfers on how to regain focus and improve their health, along with their golf score.
• MellisugaSoft has released Carpet Flight 1.0 for iPhone and iPod Touch users. The application is very unique as the first flying carpet game on the iTunes market. Players can enjoy the 3D view from their carpet as they dodge golden orbs and try to collect bonuses in this entertaining and challenging game. The game rewards players with various bonuses that help them to fly higher, faster and longer, thus prolonging the flight and the fun.
• Rexi Media has released PresenterPro for iPhone and iPod touch. PresenterPro is a robust repository of techniques for advanced presenters. These techniques spring from psychology, sociology, advertising, even poker. Edge shifts constantly. If you want to keep people’s attention, you need to know how strong you are now. When you are only attending to the present, you also have more mental resources to cater to your audience and the environment, which should fuel the flow of your speech.
• Brisk Mobile Inc. has introduced 2360: Battle for Cydonia, their new sci-fi action game for iPhone and iPod touch devices. Set in the future on the planet Mars, warring factions battle for the right to colonize the red planet. Battle for Cydonia features an innovative control mechanism immersing players in this compelling adventure game. Battle for Cydonia is mission based, ensuring lots of gameplay variety, and offers 21 Levels of pulse-pounding, finger shaking action.
• EDUmobile has announced the first of a series of free iPhone webinars called Kick-Start Your iPhone Programming that will be conducted on 6th and 13th February. EDUmobile has opened up the doors and made available another 50 seats, on a first-come-first-served basis. EDUmobile is also offering lucky 3 attendees the entire course for free on a random draw basis. The Webinar will cover a wide range of topics that will touch on various aspects of iPhone development.
• GP Imports has introduced App Genie 1.0, their new suite of applications and utilities for iPhone and iPod touch devices. Designed specifically to take advantage of the iPhone’s unique capabilities and touch interface, App Genie is a unique collection of 26 most incredibly useful apps and utilities carefully integrated into one consistent and easy-to-use package. A sampling includes a Barcode Scanner, Currency Converter, GPS Locator, Sound Meter, Voice Compass, and others.
• About Objects, Inc. will be offering a completely revamped version of its most popular iPhone development training course that will include coverage of Apple’s new iPad tablet computer. The 5-day, hands-on course, entitled Introduction to iPhone and iPad Development, will be offered initially at the Hilton Garden Inn in Cupertino, California April 26-30, and then in Reston, Virginia in late May.
• Profusion Studios has announced iStunt 1.1, an update to their popular 2D Snowboard game for iPhone and iPod touch. Developed specifically to leverage the iPhone’s unique capabilities and touch interface, iStunt is an addictive 2D game with a strong emphasis on physics. Perform amazing stunts while snowboarding through impossible scenarios in a unique game experience. iStunt features 25 unique levels which require earned skills during gameplay.
• Excelltech Mobile has released Fake-A-Call Free 3.01, their free app for iPhone and iPod touch. Fake-A-Call allows users to activate a fake phone call immediately or at a preset time. It can be used as an excuse to get out of uneasy situations or simply trick friends with its realistic conversations. Set an iPhone to “call” itself at any time and initiate four preset conversations or custom recordings. An array of advanced settings leaves users able to completely emulate an actual phone call.
• Independent developer Esa Helttula has released Partial Sums Addition 1.0, a new educational math app for iPhone and iPod touch devices. The app can be used to teach and study the partial sums addition method. The Partial Sums Addition app allows the user to solve random addition problems step by step and animates all the steps. The app is easy to use and it has an intuitive interface with customizable colors and other settings.
• iconsBerlin has announced its iPhone tab bar icon editor. App developers don’t need to work with expensive image editor anymore. The online editor enables app developers to create tab bar icon art at no cost within a couple of minutes. iconsBerlin’s editor simplifies the creation process as the developer may draw as he selects colors from palette. Though iconBerlin offers a complete icon set as well, that one specific icon may be missing while a project’s dead line is approaching.
• MultiEducator has introduced American Dreams - Speeches and Document in US History, their new historical reference for iPhone and iPod touch. Developed specifically to leverage the iPhone’s unique capabilities and touch interface, American Dreams features 480 speeches and documents covering important events that have come to shape the history of the United States. Effortlessly search for any document, save favorites, as well e-mail documents to friends and colleagues.
• Yazsoft has announced Instaplaylist 1.0.3 for iPhone and iPod touch devices. Instaplaylist is a hot, new universal remote for music. It allows you to create and manage a playlist of YouTube music videos from your iPhone or iPod touch. The videos play on your computer while you control playback from your iPhone. Videos continue to play even if you exit Instaplaylist or turn your iPhone off. Instaplaylist works with any computer capable of visiting YouTube.
• Helium Foot Software has announced the release of GroceryList 1.0 for iPhone OS, the fastest way to make a grocery list. GroceryList uses the newly invented Multi-index to quickly navigate through the 1,500 items found in a typical grocery store. With an emphasis on tapping, there’s little reason to resort to the keyboard. When it’s time to go shopping, GroceryList speeds users through the store by listing items in order by aisle.
• VerySoftware has announced “i love him” and “i love her” apps, their free Valentine’s Day apps for the iPhone. “i love” apps enable you to be just two taps away from your Valentine. They offer you the simplest way to call or text your loved one directly from your home screen. You can admire his or her photo every time you are about to make a call. What a great way to show how truly special your Valentine is to you.
• Parachute Ninja has dropped! Freeverse’s newest platform action game for the iPhone and iPod touch is now available for only $.99. Launch your ninja through 30 action-packed levels and 4 picturesque regions to exact revenge on a mysterious enemy. Defeat hovering enemies, avoid danger and collect fireflies as you embark on your flinging, flying adventure, using tap-activated parachute mechanics.
• Dot Next has announced Cupid at work 1.0, their new arcade game for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. With Cupid at work, users have a chance to play the nasty god of love piercing the lonely hearts with his arrows dripping with sweet poison. There are 20 different characters, each with its unique look and style. To make two characters fall in love with each other players will need patience, agility and a quick eye. An arrow must hit its aim at the same very moment when characters meet.
• MobilEaZe, LLC has announced iChalk Mobile 1.0 for iPhone and iPod touch devices. iChalk is a fun drawing application designed around the great past time activity sidewalk chalk. It provides a number of different uses beyond what users may expect. Social networking features allow users to share their artwork via email or Facebook. In addition, various chalk colors and sizes allow users to create different drawings or messages each time.
• Savoy Software has announced Liquid Scale, an app for mobile image processing, which offers innovative opportunities for retouching while the operation remains extremely simple. The program makes it possible to scale images in any way without distorting or reducing the motif. It is even possible to move two motifs closer together or remove individual persons out of the image.