Macintosh/iPhone software update round-up – December 29, 2008

Macintosh and iPhone software updates and announcements for December 29, 2008.

• HP has launched a home server designed for use with both Windows and Mac computers. Based on the Microsoft Windows® Home Server platform, the HP MediaSmart Server ex485/ex487 is a central repository for automatically backing up and accessing digital music, videos, photos and documents from multiple computers on a home network. The MediaSmart Server automatically organizes files across all PCs, streams media across a home network and the Internet, and publishes photos to popular social networking and photo sharing sites.
• Mudbug Software has announce Webify 1.1, an update to their popular image editing utility for Mac OS X Leopard. Serving as a easy-to-use image browser, Webify was specifically developed as a productivity tool to help prepare images for the web. Quickly and easily resize, scale, rotate and flip many images at once and save them in JPEG, JPEG 2000, PNG, PDF, PSD, or TIFF format.
• AirFight is an advanced 3D flight simulation game for the iPhone that’s easy to learn but a considerable challenge to master. A social game where players can interact from their respective iPhone or iPod touch devices. AirFight can be played by one or two players. A solo player can engage with the game’s own enemy fighters. Players can constantly hone their skills by raising the degree of difficulty. The sensation when flying over water at dizzying speeds is tough to beat. The game becomes especially entertaining when two players battle against one another in the game’s multiplayer mode.
• Like the best-selling Ocarina, Zephyr is a tool for unlimited self-expression. With this app, users can express thoughts by writing or drawing on a snow covered screen. Zephyr senses every touch and tilt to supplement each message with a unique wind sound, creating a unique visual and audio story. Gently composed writing might be accompanied by the sound of a lightly blowing breeze. Quickly drawn designs might generate the sound of blustery winds. Usera can release their snow and wind compositions into the atmosphere. These messages ultimately land in the hands of people across the globe.