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

Macintosh and iPhone/iPod updates and announcements for July 7, 2009:

Macintosh

• Wuonm has announced Layers 1.1, an update to their popular screen capturing utility for Mac OS X. Version 1.1 sports a new feature called WebShot. Capture complete web pages directly from the major Mac browsers, Safari, Firefox, WebKit and Opera. Screenshots captured in Layers are Adobe PhotoShop compatible, allowing anyone to save them as fully layered PSD files, composite images or as separate image files.
• Tidal Pool Software has announced the release of MacProxy 1.0 for Mac OS X Leopard. MacProxy provides system-wide network proxy support for the Mac, including for applications without proxy support. It provides a simple and intuitive user interface via a menulet control and a System Preference pane. Easily enable/disable the proxy and quickly switch between multiple proxy servers.
• Macvide has announced VideoFlash Converter 2.7, their video to Flash conversion utility for Mac OS X. Developed specifically for Mac users, VideoFlash Converter allows conversion of QuickTime compatible video files to Adobe Flash. All of the most popular formats are supported, and helps bridge the gap between many video standards. VideoFlash Converter offers an easy-to-use interface that guides the user through the conversion process.
• St. Clair Software has announced the release of Default Folder X 4.2.1. Default Folder X enhances the file dialogs in all Mac OS X applications. It provides fast navigation to your files, convenient previews, integrated Spotlight tagging, and more. Version 4.2.1 adds file previews to Default Folder X’s hierarchical menus, refines support for OpenMeta tagging and offers many compatibility and feature improvements.
• Small business software developer Acclivity has announced the release of the long-awaited Canadian version of AccountEdge, their small business accounting solution for the Mac. The release marks the return of AccountEdge to Canada after an eight-year absence. The Canadian version of AccountEdge comes packed with new features. The command centre interface has evolved with a more streamlined design, plus the addition of the Task List, a sliding drawer for quick access, and more.
• MildMannered Industries has released Baseline 1.5, the superfast disk scanning app for Mac OS X. Version 1.5 adds a much requested feature, allowing users to select and delete multiple items from their hard drives. Multiple levels of undo are also supported, in case of over-enthusiastic deletions. Baseline 1.5 now uses zip for compress files and folders and includes many fixes for stability and memory usage.
• Icon Lab has introduced their latest stock icon set titled Unity. This package includes 225 stylish and professional icons in various sizes and formats for web design, as well as application development on various platforms. This pack is a great choice for designing and developing web sites, web applications, as well as Macintosh and Windows applications.

iPhone/iPod

• After months of development, Pixel Stream LLC has released Leaf Bound: Mecha Monkey Mayhem, a highly addictive game which allows for the player to take control of the hero Yuri as she bounces from leaf to leaf to reach the top and stop the evil mecha (robotic) monkey bosses. Sure enough, the evil mecha monkey minions are up to no good, and will try to stop Yuri at all cost. Be ready for all their monkey tricks and weapons, and help Yuri defeat the bosses equipped with deadly sleighs, industrial pirana cranes and even laser-armed rocket ships!
• Blocks2 is a unique and exciting puzzle game. It is based on the concept of falling blocks, much like Tetris or Lumines. The game borrows elements from this genre, but takes it even further. Basically, the player’s mission is to rotate and place falling, square shaped blocks so that equally colored squares are arranged next to each other. These squares are then converted into points.
• Roadee, the first openstreetmap based navigation system, is now on the iPhone. With Roadee, you can navigate to each address, point of interest, contact of your addressbook or your home. It also displays speed and driving directions. Furthermore, you can search for any point of interest and start navigating right away.
• Blowfin, Inc. has announced Ninjahit 1.0 for the iPhone. Ninjahit is a ninja assassination game played with friends and co-workers. You are the ninja and your assignment is to take out your target before someone else eliminates you. Once you locate your target the app opens the camera feature and you take a snap shot of your target. It’s the element of surprise that makes the game so fun.
• Bent Pixels has announced the release of Aqueous 1.0 for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. Run your fingers thru the calming water, tilt your iPhone and a relaxing Waterwall transforms your day. Create your own, perfect acoustic environment that will transport you off into a state of unparalleled relaxation. Allow this soothing application to lull you to sleep, enhance your meditation or simply dial your world down.
• Random Ideas, LLC has announced the release of What’s Goin Down 2.0 for iPhone and iPod Touch. What’s Goin Down is a sophisticated, professional grade TCP server network monitoring tool. It allows you to test network connectivity to virtually any TCP based network service, including HTTP, HTTPS, POP, IMAP, SSH and SMTP, and can be used over WiFi, 3G, or Edge network connectivity.
• Readdle has announced Air Sail 1.1, its extremely fun and addictive racing game for iPhone and iPod touch. The game’s mission is to guide a small ship across the pond by using player’s breath. Air Sail features cute cartoon graphics with 15 pretty levels filled with lily pads, leaves, flowers and rocks. Air Sail has peer to peer Wi-Fi multiplayer that allows players connected to the same Wi-Fi network to compete with each other.
• syncRage has announced Sorty 1.0, their new game for iPhone and iPod touch. Drag all the colored balls over the bar of the same color getting rid of them and providing more space for new balls. To get more points, easily connect neighboring balls of the same color by dragging over them. Following the principle of endless gaming, the challenge always gets bigger. Every 5000 Points, bombs fall down which clear the playing field.
• syncRage is providing its first successfull iPhone game with a free version for novice drivers. The player has to avoid an ever increasing number of other vehicles, while passengers have to be transported over the asphalt of New York. Taxi Drive enjoys an enormous popularity! Easy to play, very intuitive controls, challenging and really fun! To share this gameplay excitement with a greater audience, Taxi Drive is now available as a Free-Version with one playable map and all functionalities.
• Rats! is a frantic game of rodent extermination in a race against time before the rats have a chance to mate and overrun the maze. To stop the vermin you use bombs, radioactive waste, gas, poison, plague rats, blocks and gender changing chemicals. Each weapon has its own characteristics so they need to be placed strategically or the rat population will keep increasing. And as the rat population increases your pulse rate will too!
• With increased memory, video recording capabilities, voice control, a compass and other clever features, it’s no surprise that the new Apple iPhone 3GS has sold over one million units. So don’t leave your new device vulnerable; safeguard your investment with OtterBox Defender and Impact Series™ cases, compatible with both iPhone 3G and 3GS models.
• Nothing like a good old recession to get the public’s blood boiling over busted investments, foreclosures, ponzi schemers and just about any other gift-wrapped corruption the financial industry has blessed us with over the last year.  While there isn’t a sure fire cure for your economic blues, iPhone/iPod Touch owners can now purchase the Squash the $treet app for $0.99 and exact some digital revenge on Wall Street right in the palm of their hands.
• Rock Ridge Games has announced that its first title, First Pitch Baseball, is now available in the Apple App Store. Just in time for All-Star Weekend, Rock Ridge is bringing all the pressure of the pitcher’s mound to your iPhone for an introductory price of 99 cents. In First Pitch Baseball, players find themselves alone on the mound, dealing with the exhilarating anxiety of throwing the first pitch in a stadium full of screaming fans.
• GAMEVIL USA, Inc., the LA-based mobile games publisher, today announced that the free version of its classic action role-playing game ZENONIA for iPhone and iPod touch is available on the App Store. ZENONIA Lite features the opening worlds of the critically-acclaimed hit game ZENONIA, which has been one of the best selling paid RPG in June.