Macintosh/iPhone software update roundup – January 26, 2010

Macintosh and iPhone/iPod updates and announcements for January 26, 2010:

Macintosh

• iPresentee has released Keynote Motion Themes 9.0, a package of new Keynote themes to be used with Apple’s Keynote presentation software. This new package includes fifty two themes in all, and introduces five new themes: Blue Illusion, Red Illusion, Green Illusion, Black Illusion and Yellow Illusion. Forty seven more designs are carried over from the previous version. New Keynote Motion Themes are available in standard and HD formats.
• Zevrix Solutions has announced InPreflight Pro 2.6.13, a maintenance update to its document preparation solution for Adobe InDesign. InPreflight combines batch-packaging, quality control and graphic reports, going well beyond the InDesign basics. For example, batch-packaging can collect shared links of multiple documents into one folder helping graphics and print professionals save gigabytes of space and hours of time. The new version addresses a relinking issue of collected images.
• SuperMegaUltraGroovy has announced FuzzMeasure 3.2, an update to the award-winning audio and acoustics measurement package for Mac OS X. This release carries many general improvements, including new AppleScript commands, 64-bit support for Mac OS 10.6, and various performance enhancements. Since FuzzMeasure deals with large quantities of data, the 64-bit support in 3.2 is a welcome feature for users that regularly capture measurements at higher sample rates and bit depths.

iPhone/iPod

• AmazBarcode is a barcode scanning item search tool for iPhone and iPod touch. After detecting a barcode, it shows the item page on Amazon.com. By using this software with Amazon.com Shopping Card and Wish List, you will be able to check the item on your Mac or PC later.
• Pangea Software has announced the release of their latest game—Warheads—an action-arcade game with spectacular visuals and intense audio. The game is inspired by the classic arcade game Missile Command, but it brings a modern feel to the genre. Incoming warheads attempt to destroy your cities, and you tap the screen to launch ground to air missiles to intercept them. There are also various powerups which increase your defensive capabilities, and give you more points and ammo.
• PhatWare Corporation has announced WritePad French Edition 3.0 for iPhone and iPod touch. WritePad French Edition offers natural handwriting recognition input in the French language in addition to keyboard entry and integration with Bing Translation services. WritePad recognizes cursive, print, and mixed handwriting styles. To enter the text you can simply write with your finger on the iPhone screen in either landscape or portrait mode employing your own handwriting style.
• Ki Systems, Inc. has announced the release of KiBiz 5.5 and the introduction of KiBiz Mobile. With this new mobile application you can now view sales, products, contacts on your iPhone/Droid. KiBiz 5.5 is a customizable integrated multi-user business management and accounting system that fosters greater productivity and efficiency. From managing contacts, staff and customer relations, to managing the sales, inventory, purchasing, fulfillment, invoicing, payments, and accounting.
• ColorMe is a coloring booklet for children at the age of 2-6 years. Diverse pictures and color palettes will trigger the development of your child’s imagination and shape his/her senses. A very friendly and intuitive application enables your child to easily create extraordinary pictures. With only the touch of a finger, the selected element will be filled with colors. Shaking the iPhone will cause the cleansing of the picture, therefore providing endless possibilities. It is also possible to save the masterpieces of your child in the image gallery.
• Together with traditional Scandinavian children’s book publisher Satukustannus, game studio BeiZ has announced Mandy and Andy Renovating 1.0, their first interactive children’s book for iPhone and iPod touch devices. Mandy and Andy Renovating consists of cuddly characters and a story full of surprises. Cuddly cats, Mandy and Andy help their friend in renovating his cottage. Children can listen to the story or read it by themselves and peek under the “flaps” to see which animals are hiding.
• Republic of Fun, has announced the release of Slug Wars, their first self-published game for the iPhone and iPod touch. Slug Wars is a real-time strategy game that brings to light the epic battles fought by brave slugs in yards across the nation. Slug Wars is all about managing unit queues for maximum impact on the battlefield. Slug units move down one of three lanes to reach the enemy base, engaging enemies along the way. Players carefully utilize eight different types of combat slugs, ranging from slow-moving (even for a slug!) tanks to salt-shaker-wielding kamikazes to defend their base from the slug onslaught while trying to capture their enemy’s base. Effectively selecting the order to release slug units is the key to success in this surprisingly deep, yet easy to play strategy game.
• Together with traditional Scandinavian children’s book publisher Satukustannus, Beijing-based game studio BeiZ has released the interactive iPhone book for children: Mandy and Andy Renovating. The book consists of cuddly characters and a story full of surprises. Together the two lovable friends have provided entertaining and educational moments for children for over 30 years and are now ready to enter digital time. Satukustannus educational books have clear graphics and promote children’s reading in a fun and non-violent way.
• RogueSheep has announced RoseGlobe 1.1 for iPhone and iPod touch devices. RoseGlobe turns an iPhone into an elegant, love-themed snow globe. Users can decorate the globe with photos of their sweetheart, which is filled with dancing hearts that react to movement and gravity just like a real snow globe. The elegant globe in the simulation can be decorated with any photo from the user’s library, or a new photo can be taken directly in the application.
• Lilliput Labs Pty Ltd has announced WebPresenter 1.1, an update to their mobile web presentation tool for iPhone and iPod touch. WebPresenter allows web developers and designers to demo their iPhone optimized websites running on an actual iPhone or iPod touch. Wirelessly connect your iPhone or iPod touch to a computer and stream the rendered website using the iPhone’s built in WebKit browser to that computer. Version 1.1 includes performance improvements, and more.
• Freeverse has announced Parachute Ninja, coming soon for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Launch your ninja through 30 action-packed levels and 4 picturesque regions to exact revenge on a mysterious enemy. Parachute Ninja is a unique slinging platformer with tap-activated parachute and satisfying physics. Defeat hovering enemies, avoid danger and collect fireflies to get the highest score as you embark on your flinging, flying adventure.
• After 12 years in the industry working for companies such as EA and Rockstar Games, Kevin Ng has released WordCrasher for iPhone and iPod touch. WordCrasher differs from other word games by offering a tactile, physics-driven environment and high production values.
• The PixelMags platform is officially live on the iTunes Store and is taking the digital publishing world by storm. PixelMags is fast becoming the preferred portal for the publishing world, with a list of publications that continues to grow. The first week alone generated an incredible 1 million page views. Over 53 million iPhone & iPod Touch users now have access to more than thirty titles, including MacUser, iCreate, and Advanced Photoshop, and more are going live every day.