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

Macintosh and iPhone/iPod updates and announcements for October 27, 2009:

Macintosh

• There are only three days left to purchase the new MacFriendly Bundle of 12 applications for Mac users. The Bundle represents a savings of over 85% off the list prices. Additionally, two bonus applications will be added to the bundle for all customers when 1000 bundles have been sold. The latest version of each application is included in the bundle.
• Jumsoft has announced Keynote Objects FX 4.0 for Apple iWork. Keynote Objects FX is an excellent collection of 150 high-quality 3D images. The strikingly realistic images can be added to presentations as well as text documents to lend them a touch of authenticity. The subjects in Keynote Objects FX 4.0 range from classic furniture and flowers to gift boxes, and the latest selection includes 50 brand-new objects, including many options for sports enthusiasts and leisure-themed objects.
• Agile Web Solutions today announced 1Password 3 public beta, its award-winning password and identity manager for Mac OS X. Over a year in the making, 1Password 3 is the most significant upgrade in company history, incorporating years of customer feedback and new innovation. Version 3 adds ground-breaking features like 1PasswordAnywhere which allows users to view their 1Password information on any computer with a modern browser.
• St. Clair Software has announced HistoryHound 1.9.7, its fast, efficient multi-browser utility for searching the contents of web pages and RSS feeds. Version 1.9.7 broadens HistoryHound’s capabilities with support for the latest versions of Safari, Opera, and Google Chrome. It also adds the ability to search pages pointed to by webbookmark, webhistory, and webloc files, and improves speed and robustness as well.
• Macvide has announced FlashVideo Converter 3.6, an update to its professional Flash to Video conversion utility for Mac OS X. The FlashVideo Converter is a powerful and versatile program for converting any flash video file to one of many popular video formats including iPhone/iPod mp4, Mobile 3gp and MPEG2. FlashVideo Converter able to convert all FLV and SWF files with ActionScript support.
• Second Gear has released Today 1.8.2, an update to its flagship productivity application Today. Version 1.8.2 wraps up several small bug fixes for existing users on Snow Leopard. Today makes it easy to get a one day snapshot view of your upcoming events and tasks in a compact window. Adding new events and tasks is just as easy. You can quickly schedule next week’s meeting or a quick task in Today. No iCal required.
• Zevrix Solutions has announced Instant Backup 1.6.5, an update to its simple and very affordable solution to securely back up selected data on-line and locally. Instant Backup is designed to back up the most important and sensitive active projects - the ones users don’t want to take any chances with. And FTP backup assures that the data won’t be lost in the case of theft, fire or flood. The new version adds support for Mac OS X 10.6 and addresses some usability and connectivity issues.
• Booq, a leading brand of premium laptop carrying cases for creative professionals, has unveiled the Viper rush work-in laptop case. Viper rush is a hard-sided case designed to keep up with your fast-paced day at work, at home, and everything in between. Available at booqbags.com and retailers throughout the country, booq combines sophisticated design and functionality to deliver high-quality bags and cases for the next generation of ambitious professionals.
• Macgamestore.com has announced the release of Macinarium on its web site. Created by Amanita Design, Machinarium is an award-winng point-and-click adventure game by the team that created the critically acclaimed web games Samorost and Samorost2. Machinarium world is populated only by robots of various forms and functions. One of the most interesting places in this world is old, rusty and legendary city of Machinarium where the game takes place.
• Brothers Ian Gillespie and James Gillespie, developers and partners in IGG Software, will personally present IGG’s finance management applications, iBank and iBank Mobile, in demonstrations at four major Apple retail locations this November. Demonstrations of iBank will focus on ways the app can streamline users’ personal money management, including importing data from other Mac or PC finance apps and more.

iPhone/iPod

• PixTalk is a photo communication tool for all travellers. It is also the only language tool you need for travel. PixTalk carefully selects 100 pictures that could tell almost everything needed when traveling. What you have to do is point at the pictures to show what you need.
• MotionDrum is a drum simulator that lets you drum by simply waving your iPhone or iPod Touch in the air. No tiny buttons to tap; just take your device in hand and air drum in one of four different directions. You can choose from a multitude of drum and percussion sounds, as well as sound effects and beat box samples. Use it at parties, concerts, or anywhere else that serious air drumming is required.
• Zoo Games, Inc. has announced that Groovin’ Blocks—the popular puzzle/rhythm game hybrid first seen on Wii—is now available on the iTunes App Store. Like its console predecessor, the game features addicting puzzle action centered around high-energy original music. The portable version will feature all-new levels and new songs to keep you rockin’ on the go. Presented with a minimalistic style, the gameplay is easy to learn, but to become a Groovin’ master, players will need quick wits and the ability to keep a beat. Luckily, the game’s auto-save feature makes this a perfect title for those small blocks of time that iPhone gamers live for. With a perfect balance of casual action, Groovin’ Blocks will be livening up lunch breaks and dull commutes this fall.
• Geospace and developer RogueSheep today announced the WORD SPIN game for iPhone and iPod touch is available from the App Store. The WORD SPIN App combines the elements of popular word games, crossword puzzles and word searches into a portable game for iPhone and iPod touch. The app is a great way to sharpen language skills by identifying words and anagrams from two to eight letters in length. For decades, the Original WORD SPIN has been both entertaining and challenging for everyone from kids to scholars.
• Creaceed today released Vocalia 2.1 speech recognition on the App Store. In addition to English, French and German, Version 2.1 adds Spanish, Italian and Dutch and updated CeedVocal SDK for iPhone speech recognition. Thanks to Vocalia, people owning an iPhone v1, 3G or a 2nd generation iPod Touch have access to speech recognition features like on iPhone 3GS. Vocalia is based on CeedVocal SDK, the speech recognition technology developed by Creaceed for the iPhone.
• WebIS Inc. has announced a major update to its Calendaring/To Do application for the iPhone, Pocket Informant. This release adds push alarms, calendar filtering, automatic sync, optional mini-text-in-month view, improved performance and stability, and much more.  Pocket Informant offers Calendaring and To do management in one easy to use application and is the premiere Personal Information Manager for iPhone, Windows Mobile, and BlackBerry devices.
• Drinking budget down these days? Got a $5 bill burning a hole in your pocket?  In desperate need of a drink? Well, APPSolute Media and Lush Life Productions have a solution to all of your problems. Step 1: Download Happy Houred from your iPhone or iTouch (for FREE). Step 2: Search for specials near you. Step 3: Find Mr. McPints in Austin, TX offering $2.50 vodka tonics for the next hour. Step 4: Redeem your $5 for 2 tasty beverages.
• Sunstorm Interactive Inc. today announces Real Deer Hunting 1.0, their first hunting game for iPhone and iPod touch. Real Deer Hunting tests players’ skill, patience, and persistence as they find themselves in realistic locations, using all the tools of the trade to bring in and bag that elusive monster buck. Building on the style and knowledge of over 50 value games and hunting simulations, Real Deer Hunting provides the most realistic hunting experience available.
• Just in time for Halloween comes the “iFreak” iPhone and iPod Touch application for Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant. “iFreak” allows fans to join the freak show. Users can take a photo and transform into their favorite freak from the film, including the bearded lady Madame Truska, Loafhead, Gertha Teeth, Mr. Tiny, Wolfman, Rhamus Two-Bellies, Evra Von, and Larten Crepsley. Users can mix and match characters and add endless features until they are completely satisfied, save it, and share it. The “iFreak” application also contains a gallery of photos from the film and the official trailer.
• Bikini-babes, zombies, bombs, music, bloodshed, slingshots; never before has a single game combined all of the essential elements into one unified whole. But now, Smort brings us Bikini Zombie Babes. They come in wave after wave. They are scantily clad. And yes, they are trying to eat your brains. The alien invaders have cloned one of the most beautiful women on the internet—Marina Orlova of hotforwords.com—and they are ready to do battle: