Macintosh/iPhone software update roundup – June 18, 2009

Macintosh and iPhone/iPod updates and announcements for June 18, 2009:

Macintosh

• Storyist Software has announced the release of Storyist 2, a major upgrade of the company’s story development tool for novelists and screenwriters. With a new look and more than 25 new features, Storyist 2 offers additional organizational tools, enhanced interoperability with other writing applications, and a more customizable writing environment.
• Deskology has relaunched the DESKSET, a set of high-end simple and functional desk accessories designed for use alongside Mac computers. The DESKSET consists of four pieces and each piece is also available separately. The DESKSET is constructed of thick 3/16″ aluminum and features a silver matte anodized finish specifically matched to look great alongside a Mac. Laser etched cork is used on the bottom of all pieces to provide material contrast as well as prevent sliding.
• Microspot Ltd. has announced the release of Microspot Interiors Professional for the Apple Macintosh. Microspot Interiors Professional is a 3D interior design, modeling and animation program that allows you to quickly visualize interiors and create animations. Version 4.1 offers new tools for wall editing and vertex editing, and creation tools for two new cuboids with chamfered and rounded edges.
• Readdle has announced the immediate availability of ReaddleDocs 1.5, a new version of its popular document and file management solution for the iPhone. ReaddleDocs is capable to view iWork ’09 documents, upload files to WebDAV enabled online file storage systems like MobileMe iDisk and compatibility with iPhone OS 3.0. ReaddleDocs 1.5 is available on Apple App Store and a free upgrade for existing users.
• An Event Apart has announced the latest addition to the stellar speaker line-up for its upcoming event in Boston, taking place June 22-23, 2009. Joshua Porter, interface designer and founder of Massachusetts-based Bokardo Design, will present the session Designing with Psychology in Mind, exploring the web designer’s latest role as “psychologist,” thrust upon the industry by Twitter and its social software brethren.
• Close on the heels of Apple’s release of the Safari 4 Web browser, TidBITS Publishing Inc. has published “Take Control of Safari 4,” by Sharon Zardetto. The 92-page book helps beginning and intermediate Mac users learn new Safari 4 features like Top Sites and searching the page content of bookmarks and history, and it provides essential advice on smart ways to manage bookmarks, load multiple Web pages at once, fill out forms automatically, keep track of passwords, download files, keep up with favorite Web sites via RSS, and manage Web-browsing history.

iPhone/iPod

• Ambrosia Software has announced the immediate release of iToner 2.0.3, a free update to its best-selling custom iPhone ringtone utility. This update addresses minor compatibility issues with iPhone OS 3.0 and iTunes 8.2, ensuring iToner users trouble-free upgrading and ringtone compatibility with Apple’s newest software. iToner is the original utility designed to easily turn any audio from your Mac into a customized iPhone ringtone without paying per per-ringtone fees or jailbreaking the iPhone.
• Utility Warrior has announced Dictionary HaHa 1.0, their first free application for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Dictionary HaHa is a playful take on a normal dictionary containing alternative and somewhat amusing definitions for words and phrases. There are numerous categories to browse through and it looks and, surprisingly for a dictionary based title, sounds great too.
• Tweakersoft has announced AroundMe 3.0. Leveraging powerful new features in the iPhone OS 3.0, AroundMe enables users to take advantage of the embedded Maps and In-App Mail features. AroundMe quickly acquires the users location and allows them to choose the nearest Bank, Bar, Gas Station, Hospital, Hotel, Movie Theatre, Restaurant, Supermarket, Theatre and Taxi. AroundMe 3.0 also adds the ability to post directly to Twitter and a new Weather category with 3 day forecasts.
• Spinapse has released a new series of iPhone games called PixPop. This addictive new game is a hit with people who like matching games, jigsaw puzzles, hidden objects, and other visually engaging games. There are currently four games in the PixPop series: Dogs, Art, Extreme Sports, and Around the World. Spinapse will also be releasing a free version that features highlights from each game in the series.
• Renkara Media Group, Inc. has announced that it is celebrating 500,000 downloads of its AccelaStudy application from the Apple iTunes App Store. AccelaStudy products are now available in 16 languages with additional languages planned for later this year. The 500,000th copy of AccelaStudy was downloaded during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference last week.
• Fuel Games has announced Vans Sk8: Pool Service 1.1.1, with full compatibility with iPhone and iPod Touch OS 3.0. Vans SK8: Pool Service allows players to step into the shoes of pro riders Bucky Lasek or Omar Hassan, choose their board and wheels, and session an abandoned pool in one of ten unique events. The latest update adds the additional functionality of allowing players to skate to their own playlists, pulling music from their iPods.
• JayBird has announced three new sets of headphones: the upgraded JB200 Freedom Bluetooth Stereo Headphones (high performance neodymium drivers produce improved bass and audio quality, just in time for iPhone OS 3.0 users looking for the very best Bluetooth headphones for sports) and the all new TE1 Tiger Eyes Earbuds (featuring 8mm high performance neodymium drivers for warm bass, crystal clear clarity and presence of sound you’ll swear your listening live) and Endorphin Rush Athletic Earphones (the sound chambers on the Endos are true performers, providing an extraordinary level of warm bass, clarity and rich, true to life sound).
• NextWorth has announced its new trade-in service for third generation iPhones, providing enough trade-in cash to cover an upgrade to the new 3G S iPhone. Some customers will not only receive enough trade in cash to purchase a new iPhone but also have money left over after the new purchase. Trade-ins are now easier than ever with NextWorth’s Web site re-design, offering existing 3G iPhone customers an easy, fast and financially sound way to upgrade to the iPhone 3G S.
• Scosche Industries, an award-winning innovator of mobile electronics and iPod accessories, today announced it is expanding its line of kickBACK polycarbonate cases with the launch of the kickBACK S. Slated to ship in early July, the kickBACK S, is Scosche’s first hybrid case that combines polycarbonate and rubber to offer iPhone 3G S users unmatched protection and video viewing convenience.
• Send personalized postcards instantly from your iPhone. Postman, the new way to keep in touch using your pictures, greetings and even your geolocation, is now available on the iTunes App Store. Utilizing exciting and brand new iPhone OS 3.0 advances such as the Map API, Postman offers exciting new ways to compose and send beautiful postcards.
• Smule has released Leaf Trombone: World Stage exclusively for iPhone OS 3.0 with the new duet mode that was featured at Apple’s 3.0 SDK event in March. That’s right, 3.0 is required. The new Duet Mode features iPhone OS 3.0 Gamekit peer-to-peer Bluetooth, and “Achievement Alerts” via iPhone OS 3.0′s new push service.
• DS Media Labs has announced that its Light Riders racing application on the Apple App Store has gotten a major rework with the relase of the iPhone OS 3.0 update. The app now includes iPod library access and enhancements to virtually every aspect of the gaming experience.