Macintosh/iPhone software update round-up – March 19, 2009

Macintosh and iPhone/iPod updates and announcements for March 19, 2009:

Macintosh

• Mobis Technology Ltd., an innovative manufacturer of mobile accessories, have announced the global launch of the Just Mobile Cooling Bar, which raises your notebook computer to a more comfortable typing level. Its stylish looks complement your home, office or studio.
• Kedisoft has introduced MacSnapper 1.0, their annotation and documentation utility for Mac OS X Leopard. With a focus on ease-of-use, MacSnapper was developed specifically for creating step-by-step tutorials, manuals, kiosks, user guides or even personal notes.
• Sector3 have announced the immediate availability of StuntMANIA 3.1, their fast paced 3D car stunt driving game for Windows and Mac OSX. Select from any of the nine amazing stunt cars and play either timed games, challenge games or just go crazy and have fun. Choose from eleven unique driving environments, filled with stunt and trick ramps, bonuses and hidden challenges including an awesome bonuses in each level that will allow you to take your tricks to the next level.
• Elgato has announced Turbo.264 HD, an incredibly fast and easy-to-use tool that converts video files to a format that can be played on an iPod, iPhone, and Apple TV, used on a computer, and shared on the web. Turbo.264 HD is indispensable for anyone who owns an HD camcorder. It automatically detects AVCHD camcorders and moves recordings to the Mac or iPod in one fast and easy step. Turbo.264 HD comes with an intuitive software application that enables Mac users to quickly convert any popular video format to a high-quality H.264 file in standard or HD resolutions. The powerful encoder hardware is faster than even the fastest Mac Pro and can be used to speed up the export function of other Mac applications such as iMovie.
• Caleido AG, the Swiss maker of the innovative online storage solution Wuala, announced today that it has merged with LaCie, the French manufacturer of external storage devices. Together they plan to revolutionize the storage industry by building a unique and sustainable cloud storage service.
• Maintain has announced the release of Cocktail 4.3.2 (Leopard Edition). This version adds clearing of the Inqtana.B worm, fixes an issue with secure deletion of files installed by trojans and worms, addresses an issue in which Adobe Illustrator font caches were not deleted from users home directory, fixes compatibility issues with Safari 4 Public Beta and adds compatibility with the upcoming Mac OS X 10.5.7.
• Freeverse today announced that their hit strategy game for the Mac, Commander: Europe at War, has been updated to version 1.06. This update allows players to play cross-platform multiplayer games, and also features numerous other improvements.

iPhone/iPod

• Tidal Pool Software is pleased to announce the release of Packing List 1.0 for Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. Packing List makes it easy to pack for trips and vacations. Start packing using one of the included template packing lists or start a new list from scratch. Packing List is very customizable and easy to use. Set up your own custom packing lists for different types of trips. Easily edit or add new categories and items.
• DoApp has released a free version of their hit myPixelArt drawing app for the iPhone: myPixelArtFree. myPixelArtFree allows you to create colorful art by adding “pegs” to a canvas. Choose from a beautiful array of bright colors to create patterns, images, or words. Your artwork is autosaved and can be uploaded to pixelart.doapps.com for the public to view. You can also share your creations with friends and family via email or text message. Great for both kids and adults, myPixelArtFree has all the same features as myPixelArt with the addition of an ad banner.
• BeeJive have recently implemented new anti-piracy measures in BeejiveIM for iPhone. Those with pirated apps get a “PC Load” error message followed by a link to a YouTube video clip from Office Space. Their official statement: “We have tried to keep our approach fun with an error message and a video. But we hope our message is clear: please respect the work of developers.”
• Goose Apps has introduced their first iPhone product, Lounge, taking the social networking environment of Twitter and extending it into a versatile, flexible, yet easily navigated user experience. Lounge brings a broad range of advanced social networking functionality to the iPhone. Lounge is the place to meet your Twitter friends, wherever you are. A beta Mac desktop client is also available for download.
• Finally, the iPhone music app you’ve been waiting for. All the groovy 60s sounds of a Mellotron, but a lot more portable. If you’ve been hoping to recreate the genius of “Strawberry Fields” or “Days of Future Passed,” Ellatron is here to help. Ellatron version 1.0 features 18 different voices, from classic Mellotron-esque orchestral string sections, chamber strings, woodwinds and flutes, but is brought bang up to date with a selection of organs, synthesizers and thumping drum loops.
• Rhode Island based nFinity Inc. is pleased to announce that its free QuickVoice Recorder for the iPhone is now available with voice email. QuickVoice now provides its users with a convenient way of sending voice email directly from their iPhones. Voice email is just another one of QuickVoice’s already impressive long list of features. QuickVoice is a professionally designed touch and speak recorder, offering many high-end features typically found only in dedicated hardware voice recorders.
• Xcorp Mobile Solutions has launched FlyCaddie, a GPS golf rangefinder software application to give golfers an edge and a useful tool to improve their overall game. With information currently on thousands of golf courses across the US and Canada, FlyCaddie is a must have application for any serious golfer. This interactive golf GPS rangefinder also gives the user a sky view look at the greens which helps a golfer in making informed decisions during the game.