Macintosh/iPhone software update roundup – December 30, 2009

Macintosh and iPhone/iPod updates and announcements for December 30, 2009:

Macintosh

• Ambrosia Software has announced the release of Soundboard 1.0.5. Like cart machines in broadcast radio studios, Soundboard lets users map sound effects, audio clips, or musical accompaniment to keys on the Mac keyboard, easily triggered with a single tap. Soundboard answers the needs of podcasters and broadcasters everywhere looking for an elegant way to instantly incorporate sound clips into their live performances, or to quickly and efficiently use onboard audio to create custom musical mashups.
• Zevrix Solutions has announced the release of ArtOptimizer 2.3.1, an update to its workflow automation solution for Adobe Illustrator. ArtOptimizer allows to reduce Illustrator job size and speed up processing by eliminating excess image data and performing essential image adjustments. The software lets users save gigabytes of disk space, accelerate file output and cut costs through faster processing. The new version addresses a critical issue related to image processing.
• Uniea has put together a New Year’s promotion at the last minute. The code is “newyear” and it is good for 20% off on any purchase in the online Uniea store. The offer is valid From 1/1 to 1/3 only and is valid worldwide.

iPhone/iPod

• Pocket Organ C3B3 is a musical keyboard application for iPhone/iPod touch that simulates the Hammond Organ. The sound is generated with the synthesis of the waveforms from “Virtual Tonewheel System” controlled by 9 drawbars like the actual Hammond Organ. You will be surprised at the real sound generated from this App! Pocket Organ C3B3 is a Hammond Organ in your pocket.
• Atrium Designs LLC has released Pocket Girlfriend version 1.2 for iPhone and iPod Touch users. The app’s updated features make it the perfect, interactive lady friend. Pocket Girlfriend is portable, customizable and even sexier than before. Additionally, the new version makes it possible to add voice recordings to the Pocket Girlfriend list of assets. Pocket Girlfriend has been rated the number one top paid entertainment app in five countries.
• Spiked Bat Productions Inc. has released Bobble Boxers 1.1 for iPhone and iPod Touch users. The game places hilarious bobble head characters with their own special fighting moves into boxing matches against each other or human players. The app’s unique multi-player functionality allows users to pit their chosen Bobble Boxer against another player’s for hours of addictive fun. Each one has their own special signature fighting moves to use during a bout.
• PureBlend Software has released TuTuneMe 1.0, a unique, highly customizable, gesture-based music player app for iPhone and iPod touch users. Optimized to make listening in the car more convenient, safe, and fun. From a distance, the app’s interface is easy to see and use. Intuitive gestures play/pause music, switch songs/playlists, adjust volume, and much more. TuTuneMe users can customize the app’s gesture actions and visual themes.
• Quadion Touch has announced the release of Rune Trails 1.0, a fresh and entertaining puzzle for iPhone and iPod touch. Rune Trails is a challenging brain teaser that will just keep you coming back for more. The goal of the game is really simple: Rely on wits and strategy to stay alive as long as you can. Intuitive and very easy to learn, Rune Trails features simple yet challenging gameplay that is extremely addictive and fun.
• Matrix Knowledge Management Pty Ltd has announced the V Phone 1.0, an app that lets iPhone users make VoIP calls and send SMS messages over the internet. As well as the ability to make VoIP calls, the V Phone has the distinct advantage over its competitors of being able to send text messages using your VoIP Provider. The iPhone mobile voip app integrates with your phone’s contacts making it easier for users to make a call or send a text message.
• 288 Vroom LLC has released 100 Horror Stories And Sounds 1.0, a slick new eBook reader and sound effects player for iPhone and iPod touch. There are 100 great horror short stories, novellas, and full-length novels, possibly the largest horror collection in a stand alone app. 20 high-quality, eerie sounds of storms, screams, ghostly music, and things that go bump in the night set the perfect mood for a good horror story. Perfect for the horror fan in everyone.
• David Ross Software has announced Uni Sudoku 1.3, one of the most highly rated Sudoku apps for iPhone and iPod Touch. Enjoy 10,000 puzzles of five different difficulties or enter puzzles from your favorite game book, newspaper or website to solve. Version 1.3 offers subtle refinements and improved graphics to the game. You can now flip the device 180 degrees for left-handed controls. There is also a new option for darker pencil marks, and much more.
• The folks at Creative:Interactive, Inc. love baseball and they love the Sox. Join them in counting down the days until their own Boston Red Sox beat the New York Yankees at Fenway Park during the season opener on April 10, 2010. This iPhone app will be a hit with Red Sox fans counting the days until spring training and opening day arrive. The app also features a slideshow of 10 great photos of Fenway Park and some of our favorite players. Half the net proceeds from the sale of the app will be donated to the Red Sox Foundation.
• Vitaliy Pronkin has announced availability of FingerDancer 1.4 for iPhone and iPod Touch. FingerDancer is unique simple yet addictive fast paced multitouch game. The goal of the game is to touch colored circles continuously appearing and disappearing on the screen. The update introduces several difficulty modes and game levels, OpenFeint integration, gameplay and UI improvements, support for iPhone OS 2.2.1
• CMG Research Ltd has announced Sudoku Grab 1.7.4, an update to their popular application for iPhone and iPod touch. Sudoku Grab uses image processing techniques to locate the puzzle in the camera view and then applies OCR to identify the digits of the puzzle. The user can then “grab” the puzzle and store it in their puzzle book. This update adds an Augmented Reality mode where the solution to the Sudoku puzzle is superimposed on top of the live camera feed.
• Scosche Industries has announced its 2010 iPod/iPhone accessory lineup. The new lineup will feature a variety of products that complement the various iPod and iPhone models, enabling Scosche customers to Listen, Power, Protect, and Connect.
• One app development company thinks friends should tell friends about an App Store holiday sale that will make their new iPhone or iPod touch a true file-sharing device – for 30 to 40 percent less. For a limited time this holiday season, Avatron Software has “slashed” the prices of its two acclaimed productivity apps: Air Sharing is 40 percent off, or $2.99, and Air Sharing Pro is 30 percent off, or $6.99.
• Braineo is a simple game with virtually no learning curve…and it’s free. In Braineo, you are shown an image for a limited amount of time and then it flips over (disappears) so several multiple-choice questions can be asked about the image. The questions start out easy and get harder as time goes on. It’s fun and easy because every answer is shown to you, but you soon find out that sometimes it is hard to recall details you just saw (unless you are that Mentalist guy on that popular TV show).