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

Macintosh and iPhone/iPod updates and announcements for November 10, 2009:

Macintosh

• Pangea Software, Inc., has announced the release of Bracketeer 4, the latest version of their popular photo Enfusing application for Mac OS X. Bracketeer is a utility for photographers who take multiple “bracketed” exposures of a scene in order to capture a more complete range of shading in their photographs. Traditionally, bracketed exposures are used to create High Dynamic Range (HDR) images that can be Tone Mapped down to an image that a computer monitor can display. Tone Mapping is a slow and cumbersome process which usually results in somewhat surrealistic images.  Bracketeer, however, provides an alternate method to Tone Mapping called “Enfusing,” Enfused images are created directly from the bracketed source images, so no HDR image is ever created.  The results are much more realistic than Tone Mapped images, and processing time is much faster.
• Indev software has released MiniMail 2.0 with Snow Leopard support and new flexible miniature windows features. Indev has worked hard to prepare MiniMail for Snow Leopard and implement new features. We are excited about developing MiniMail further and are certain that our current and future improvements will make MiniMail an even more essential part of streamlining your time managing email with Apple’s Mail.app.
• The Enterprise Desktop Alliance has announced an ongoing series to help enterprise IT departments integrate Macs with their Windows Server-based environments. The webcasts cover Mac integration topics at a level that is useful for administrators and managers and helps them to set strategy and to implement tactical solutions. Subsequent webcasts will address topics that were identified by the IT community as important issues in Mac integration.
• Emantras is giving away an Apple Magic Mouse for the best quote for their game Lucky Me. Send in a quote which they can use to describe someone’s luck. The whackiest and funniest one will get the reward.
• Jumsoft has released Keynote Backgrounds FX 4.0, a collection of 35 skillfully crafted motion backgrounds for Apple’s presentation software. Devised to enhance presentations and set a desirable mood, Keynote Backgrounds subjects vary from futuristic imagery and lab utensils to flashes of lights and splashes of color. Keynote Backgrounds FX movies are prepared for looping to allow infinite playback for all backgrounds.
• Group Logic has announced MassTransit 6.1, an easy-to-use file transfer solution, a powerful tool for high volume transfers and automated tools for system-to-system file transfers. MassTransit provides a single tool for defining and enforcing file transfer access rights and for monitoring all file transmissions. Version 6.1 includes a new, easy-to-use web portal for occasional users, a completely redesigned user interface for power users and a number of new enterprise infrastructure features.
• Maintain has announced Cocktail 4.6.1 (Snow Leopard Edition), the latest maintenance update of Cocktail for users running Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard. This version addresses an issue in which Cocktail may unexpectedly quit while clearing Mac OS X 10.6.2 system caches. The update is highly recommended for all users of Cocktail (Snow Leopard Edition). Cocktail is an award winning general purpose utility for Mac OS X.
• Tyme Machines, makers of licensed USB drives, has announced the release of its Series 1 sculpted 3D Star Wars character USB thumb drives.  The drives are sculpted replicas of Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Storm Trooper and Yoda.  Available for sale now, they range from 4GB to 16GB for $29.99 to $59.99.
• Vestax and algoriddim today announced the release of Spin, a brand new all-in-one bundle of digital DJ hardware and algoriddim’s djay 3 software. djay 3 seamlessly integrates with the user’s iTunes library and transforms the Mac into a complete DJ setup, while Vestax’s hardware replicates the control and physical sensation of mixing and scratching on actual records. The bundling of Vestax’s DJ MIDI controller and algoriddim’s djay 3 provides a powerful solution for all DJs, from beginner to pro.
• Today, Withings has announced Twitter integration into its first-of-its-kind WiFi Body Scale. As the world’s first WiFi connected personal weight scale, it automatically records the user’s body weight, lean & fat mass, and calculated body mass index (BMI) to their secure webpage and/or free Withings iPhone application, WiScale. Now, with this new added feature, users can set up alerts to automatically post their updates to Twitter accounts, further motivating them by sharing their progress with followers.
• The Scout Laptop Shoulder Bag is the perfect combination of style and function—a rugged and sophisticated multi-purpose laptop shoulder bag that’s perfect for work and play. Get back to basics with scout- one click of the heavy duty buckle gives you access to the laptop section (with a secure flap), your documents and folders, utility pockets for accessories and a secure zippered pocket for a wallet, mobile or iPod. Water resistant, light weight canvas gives scout a rugged look and feel and STM’s new shoulder padding gives a comfortable carrying experience, even when the bag is full to the brim.Scout’s laptop section is made from high density padding and cushioned felt lining, so your laptop is as secure inside the bag as you are wearing it.
• Combine style and function with STM’s Latte Laptop Shoulder Bag, a slim, chic shoulder bag designed to cushion your laptop as you carry it from anywhere to everywhere. Latte protects your laptop from the inside out. Internally it’s surrounded with cushioned felt and high density padding; from the outside it’s disguised in a sleek, contemporary shoulder bag. A zippered pocket has space for a wallet and phone, and other external pockets allow for cables, papers and essentials.

iPhone/iPod

• Jelly Car 2 [iTunes App Store link], the sequel to the top downloaded driving platform game, launched this weekend and already has skyrocketed to the number one paid App position on iTunes. What’s new for Jelly Car 2? The beloved squishy car is back with more than 30 new levels, new power-ups and three new modes. Jelly Car 2 also features a new custom level editor for creating your own puzzles complete with ramps, wheels, levers and more, in addition to new Sticky Wheels for driving up walls and a Balloon Ability for floating out of trouble.
• Go!TOKYO provides train map, exit information, Google Maps, off-line maps (English and Japanese) for certain areas and information on which train car to get on to get to the nearest exit and transfer points. It covers all the subway stations and JR Yamanote Line.
• Outside Ventures has announced Beauty Minder 1.0, their new beauty organizer for iPhone and iPod Touch. Beauty Minder enables you to take complete control of all your beauty events. Never miss an appointment, while maintaining all key contacts in one beautiful place. Features include Google maps, direct dial and email, expense tracking, reminders, and calendar function. Beauty Minder is fully customizable to enable you to track other events, including health, wellness, and fitness.
• Just in time for the holiday season gift rush, yoox.com has announced the launch of a new iPhone app, an interactive mobile shopping application available for free via Apple’s App Store. The new application, Yoox.com Style Gift Guide, was developed in-house by Yoox Group’s Technology team and offers consumers the chance to explore yoox.com’s selection of fashion & design gifts anytime, anywhere, and ship gifts to friends and family worldwide. This is the second foray for yoox.com into the world of mobile e-commerce, after the successful launch of yoox.com web fashion shopping application for iPhone and Android in April.
• The Dropbox iPhone app can now be yours (for free) from the App Store. It’s now 3.0 compatible too! Also in the works is an update to the app that includes optional passcode locking, better handling of images and more. For all you non-iPhone users, fear not! They’ve got some more mobile magic on the way.
• Tumble Jumble [iTunes App Store link] has launched onto Apple’s App Store for iPhone and iPod touch! The game is a colorful physics-based puzzler, with players employed by the Intergalactic Rodent Removal Company. Defy the laws of physics to rotate and drop a variety of block-shaped rodents into containers while avoiding lasers and dangerous enemy critters. Further amazing physics-altering power-ups will keep you on your toes! Cut-scenes and stylish vector animations reveal Tumble Jumble’s madcap storyline throughout more than 60 challenging levels.
• Sunstorm Interactive has announced WW2 Beachhead 1.0, their fast-action arcade game iPhone and iPod touch game. WW2 Beachhead features amazing graphics and dynamic war-time sound effects in which players have to defend their position against overwhelming enemies. Players must use precise aim and fast reflexes to suppress the attacking waves and win the chance to fight another day.
• Just in time for the holiday season, Broken Thumbs Apps has announced that Santa’s Run is now available in the iTunes App Store! Easy to learn, but difficult to master, Santa’s Run will be sure to get you into the holiday spirit and bring you hours of joy as you help Santa deliver presents across the globe. And, while playing the game, enjoy our original, catchy Holiday jingles and colorful backgrounds.
• Griffin Technology Inc., has announced a collaboration with Chilewich l Sultan LLC, the design innovator of modern vinyl textiles. The result is a collection of accessories, co-branded: Griffin + Chilewich.
• Aboveground Systems has announced the arrival of DaVinci’s Secret Machines on the iTunes App Store. The unique puzzle game challenges players to piece together a variety of the famed artist’s original designs, and features multiple solutions for every level. With its emphasis on imaginative play, puzzle gamers, creative types and inventive “tinker-ers” will all enjoy this title.