Macintosh/iPhone software update roundup – October 14th, 2009

Macintosh and iPhone/iPod updates and announcements for October 14, 2009:

Macintosh

• Orbicule has released Macnification 1.6, a major update to its award winning microscopy application. Macnification is a workflow solution for digital microscopy. It has been written for Mac OS X, supporting many Mac-only technologies such as Core Animation, Core Image and ImageKit. With the latest update, Macnification is now fully 64-bit. In addition, it is one of the first scientific applications to leverage Grand Central Dispatch to efficiently use all available processor cores.
• Fanurio Time Tracking SRL has released Fanurio 2.2, their time tracking and billing software application. Fanurio is highly appreciated by freelancers for its intuitive interface, flexible timer and ability to produce detailed invoices. Fanurio has lots of features for billing contracted work. It can record services and expenses, round time, apply discounts, handle subcontracted work, use multiple currencies, apply taxes, record partial payments and many more.
• atPurpose Technologies has announced atPeek 1.0, their new iPhone developer tool for Mac OS X Snow Leopard. Perfect for developers and casual users alike, atPeek was specifically designed to explore and display resources found in iPhone applications. By leveraging the OS X QuickLook plugin architecture, atPeek allows anyone to see normally unaccessible application details, and can export individual assets or entire folders for later viewing.
• DataMind Srl has introduced Beryl Plugin 1.0, their new, professional level digital image processing plugin for Adobe Photoshop and Elements. Leveraging DataMind’s proprietary state-of-the-art algorithms, Beryl is a Photoshop plugin that automatically removes the red-eye effect from digital photos. With a focus on ease-of-use, choose to have Beryl process images automatically, or manually select the threshold amount of removal required.
• The Enterprise Desktop Alliance today announced that Web Help Desk has joined its collaboration of software vendors dedicated to making it easy to deploy, integrate and manage Macs in Windows-based IT environments. Web Help Desk’s IT Service Management software brings web-based accessibility to IT service fulfillment and self-service for both Mac and PC users. Web Help Desk joins EDA founding members Atempo, Centrify, Group Logic, LANrev and Parallels.
• iPresentee has extended the finest iWeb Intros collection to be used with Apple’s Web site building application. Visitors will like the web site more if they will get a nice welcome message. iWeb Intros design uses short flash animations and sounds to give visitor a delightful first impression of the web site. iWeb Intros 2.0 includes five new welcome intros: Aboard, Old Film, Flora, Bouncy and Disco Party.
• Computer Docking Systems, LLC has announced the Dock-a-Mac, their new vertical dockng station for Apple’s MacBook. Perfect for desktop use or in the living room, this high-gloss black acrylic docking station works with any black or white MacBook. Easily and quickly convert any MacBook into a media center, and more. Manufactured, and assembled in the USA, the Dock-a-Mac is made of sturdy 1/2″ thick acrylic to withstand years of everyday business or home use.
• Softpress Systems has released Freeway 5.4.2, its award-winning website design software. This latest update includes native support for Intaglio files to allow easy editing of drawings and illustrations. For a limited period, Softpress is offering a free copy of Intaglio for every full-priced purchase of Freeway Pro. Famous for its ease of use and clean standards-compliant code generation, Freeway is the tool of choice for professionals and home Mac users who want total design freedom.
• The Mac Sale has launched its second Mac software bundle. Imaginatively titled “The Mac Sale 2,” it again promises to provide quality Mac titles at a fraction of street price. Repeating the aim of the first bundle, The Mac Sale pays a fair percentage to all developers and participants, and again partners up with the good people at MacZOT to reach out to dedicated Mac users. MacZOT provides great Mac software deals daily.
• iSkin, the first company to create the silicone keyboard protector for Macintosh computer keyboards, has released the next generation of its ProTouch keyboard protectors. The new line-up—which includes ProTouch Classic, FX and Vibes—provides enhanced typing comfort, protection against food spills, dust, key wear and more, while embedded Microban antimicrobial product protection helps inhibit the growth of odor and stain causing bacteria on the product. Additionally, a newly re-engineered design optimizes the way each key is protected, allowing a comfortable, non-obtrusive typing experience that will appeal to slow and fast typists alike.

iPhone/iPod

• Swap It lets users share text, web links (URLs) and pictures between iPhones and iPod touches. It builds on the advent of “copy” and “paste” in the iPhone OS 3.0, and adds needed utility to the iPhone OS platform. Swap It can transfer text, URLs, images, web archives and anything else your clipboard can hold. The app works in a bidirectional manner, it will “swap” your clipboard with that of your peer’s, and gives you the final say on whether your clipboard is overridden.
• Appnoose Ltd has released ITGO, Interval Trainer GO 1.0, a dedicated interval signaling application for the iPhone and iPod Touch. ITGO was specifically designed to offer advanced user controlled signaling in the form of vibration, sound and visual alerts while playing user-defined fast/slow interval song playlists. Interval Trainer GO feature set make it a worthy contender for the best designed interval trainer for the iPhone or iPod Touch.
• Glass House Games is offering its highly-rated iPhone arcade puzzle game Bugsy for free for a limited time. Bugsy is their challenging, fast-paced, fun and addicting arcade puzzle game designed for the iPhone and the iPod Touch. With unique gameplay, 125 levels of increasing difficulty, and 3 different types of Rogue Enemies, you are guaranteed hours of enjoyment. If you like challenging, mind-bending puzzle games, you will enjoy Bugsy.
• French developer DotEmu has announced a second update for his last retro iPhone game Golvellius: Valley of Doom [iTunes App Store link]. In order to offer the best gameplay experience to the community, Golvellius benefits of a tweaked interface and a faster animation. To celebrate the launch of this update, the game is on sale for a limited time at half the original price.
• JL Software has announced edition 1.5 of their popular Handbook of High-Risk Obstetrics for iPhone or iPod touch. Version 1.5 adds dozens of high-resolution ultrasound images of fetal anatomy. Handbook of High-Risk Obstetrics is a new and original reference source for the medical student or resident physician who needs a comprehensive yet concise guide to perinatal care. The Handbook covers all major areas of high-risk pregnancy, and is cross-referenced and indexed with over 3600 search keywords.
• iPhone publisher, Clickgamer, has announced the new brain-training game, Genius Defense Force, for iPhone and iPod touch. Genius Defense Force offers gameplay where players must add, subtract, multiply and divide their way to victory. The full campaign offers 30 action-packed levels appealing to contestants of any age and skill level, with players receiving a performance grade after every stage.
• Rev out of the gate and into the action with the release of 2XL ATV Offroad, the latest offroad racing game from the makers of 2XL Supercross. Featuring 18 one-of-a-kind ATV race tracks, 2XL ATV Offroad raises the bar for gameplay and graphics on the iPhone and iPod Touch. This new addition to the App Store includes an advanced career mode and achievement system that allows the rider to work their way to the pinnacle of the ATV world. After getting the basics down and building riding skills, race against your friends with the multiplayer mode and see how your times stack up with other players on the online leader boards.
• Technocel has announced their latest innovation, the Technocel PowerPak, a portable battery and home charger combined into one unit. This patent pending technology will replace all your chargers with a single universal solution that will safely power your USB devices at home, in the car, at the airport, or anywhere else. If your device is running low on juice, the PowerPak built-in battery reserve will refuel it, whether there is a wall outlet available or not. The PowerPak will be available starting November 1, 2009 for MSRP of $49.99.
• Monsoon Multimedia has announced the availability of the HAVA Mobile Player application for iPhone and iPod Touch users. The HAVA Mobile Player app allows HAVA customers to view and control their home television service, including cable, satellite and TiVo, from anywhere in the world on their iPhone. The HAVA Mobile Player for iPhone was designed for seamless integration with Apple’s unique smartphone allowing viewers to control their home television service (whether it’s cable or satellite, receiver or DVR, standard or high definition) via the touch screen interface.
• Freeverse has released the first update to the popular iPhone and iPod Touch game, Skee-Ball, which features user-requested additions and new items. The official Skee-Ball game, developed by Graveck, now has optional accelerometer control and tutorial tips to explain the Star ranking system. New prizes include the awesome Brewskee-Ball ball featuring the Brewskee-Ball logo and the ever popular Taco!