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

Macintosh and iPhone/iPod updates and announcements for %B %e, %Y:

Macintosh

• Nisus Software has announced the release of Nisus Writer Pro 1.4, an update to the latest version of their critically acclaimed word processor. This version introduces several built-in menus that provide tighter integration with Sonny Software’s Bookends and a more convenient inter-application workflow.
• KavaSoft has announced iConquer 3, the latest version of the original game of world conquest for Mac OS X. iConquer 3 takes advantage of 64-bit technology in Snow Leopard, and includes an updated interface with new Preferences, Plug-ins, and New Game windows. iConquer lets up to six people play against each other over the internet. iConquer 3 features an improved network engine. Bonjour allows you to easily connect to other iConquer players on your local network.
• iSkysoft Studio has released iSkysoft iPhone Ringtone Maker for Mac which is a professional audio editing software to help you convert various popular audio formats such as MP3, WAV, WMA, M4A, AC3, etc. and video formats including MP4, MPG, MPEG, VOB, AVI and more. It directly connects with iTunes Library, offers easy trim functionality with waveform and fad in/ out effect for the ringtone.
• Jumsoft has released Pages Clipart 5.0, a collection of 500 high-quality images that are designed to illustrate presentations, invitations, web pages, posters, newsletters, and a variety of other documents. In addition, Jumsoft is offering a 10% discount when the package is purchased during its first week of availability. Subjects vary from office stationery and medical appliances to food, with a large selection of leisure and holiday images now included in the latest version.

iPhone/iPod

• Search for “Halloween” in the app store, and you’re going to turn up more results than you know what to do with. Thankfully, the good folks at Appmodo have put together a list of their top 10 to help you separate the tricks from the treats. These apps may not all be scary, but they’re worth the price, and a couple are even free.
• A new community driven website, App of the Day, allows registered users to nominate one application per day to be showcased on the site, including screenshots, descriptions, and comments from community members. Newsstand and Tweetie have been featured so far, with updates to come regularly.
• RadTech has announced the Dock Extender Cable, which allows you to dock your iPod or iPhone from a distance, or while in a case. Small diameter, flexible cable provides connection pathways for power, audio output, USB data sync, play controls, accessory power and composite video. It does not support S-video output or input for recording audio. Compatible with iPhone, iPod (touch, classic, video), & iPod nano (2nd & 3rd Gen).
• Bridging the gap between the online and broadcast worlds, the NPR Radio by Livio is the first internet radio with an exclusive menu dedicated to NPR stations and programs. With one device, NPR fans can now personalize their NPR experience, and easily switch back and forth between the local NPR Member station they know and love, and on-demand content and programs from NPR.org and stations across the US.
• There’s a new way to meet the people you wish you knew with the launch of Loopt’s Loopt Mix app. Loopt is a popular social-mapping app that allows you to discover the world around you on your mobile phone. What started as a popular feature for meeting new people nearby has now grown into its own app: Loopt Mix introduces you to the people you wish you knew. You see a list of people, profiles/interests, their latest status, ranked by their approximate distance to you.
• iBetFootball PRO is an application that downloads statistics from the developer’s website into the app and computes predicted scores for upcoming pro football games. This application is a translation of the successful pro football handicapping system that has been available for the last seven years at www.footballbet.net, and uses the exact same winning formulas. This app is not a game or a simulation, it is a tool to help you pick winners, beat the point spread and win big money.
• Jumboo, developed by Handjoy for iPhone and iPod Touch, is now finished. Jumboo is a fresh arcade game with addictive gameplay for both casual and hardcore players. The main character of this game is a big gorilla living in the jungle. You, as its master, control the gorilla’s moves by simple finger slides. Your goal is to jump as high as possible and not fall from the platforms. You can do short jumps or long jumps, chaining them to get the juicy combos.
• In celebration of the version 1.2 release, TapFactory has announced a 7-day 50% off sale on Contact, their speed dial app for iPhone and iPod touch. Sale begins Tuesday October 20, and ends Tuesday October 27. Contact allows users to create speed dials to their Home screen that support dialing, SMS and email, all built into the same speed dial. The built-in icon library features over gorgeous Apple-worthy icons to use as your speed dial icon.
• Performance Journeys has announced Disney at Work: Epcot Notescast for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Through this new interactive showcase, put the organizational lessons and stories of Disney to work in your own organization. Learn powerful best-in-business insights on how to improve your workplace by benchmarking the new technologies and international cultures of Epcot. Created by J. Jeff Kober of Performance Journeys, it’s loaded with scores of stories and examples and over 250 photos.
• Do you want to feel like a hero saving the world, or maybe you want to taste the vampire life, or you just enjoy 2D cartoon graphics? In any case, Ancient Vampire is now available for the iPhone. In the world of Ancient Vampire, the Earth is devastated by the evil and the only chance of salvation is to drink a magical potion able to transform you into a vampire with supernatural powers. The only way to get back to human is to reach a castle and beat monsters, creatures from the after death, and the strongest demon (aka “the boss”). So what you’re going to do?
• Oniric Games has announced Silent Swords 1.1 an update to their stealth action game for iPhone and iPod touch. Designed exclusively for the iPhone and iPod touch, Silent Swords is inspired by the genre’s classics that takes full advantage the iPhone’s unique control features: tap to move, shake to jump, swipe to attack. Your mission is to help the Little Black Ninja break out of the top secret military base that holds him prisoner. Version 1.1 includes new control options and unlockable levels.
• Just in time for Halloween, UK based Cute Logic has released GhostWriter 1.0. GhostWriter adds spooky messages to pictures users take with the iPhone camera. iPhone owners can use the app to record their Halloween festivities or to play a trick on their friends. Users may select from a range of Halloween themed messages, or let GhostWriter choose one at random. Pictures can be saved to the iPhone Photo Library or shared via email.
• Toughturtle LLC has released FirePlace 3.0, an update to their hit entertainment app iPhone and iPod Touch. FirePlace is the go-to App for an instant romantic setting on that special date, to relax on a cold fall/winter night, or whenever. FirePlace is a virtual fire for your iPhone or iPod touch, but with a whole host of new features to give users a more customized and relaxing experience.