Mac, iPhone, iPod and iPad product news – June 1, 2010

Macintosh and iPhone/iPod/iPad product updates and announcements for June 1, 2010:

• Macintosh
• iPod

Macintosh

• Pogoplug has rolled out some new business features today targeted at supporting some of the most useful productivity features (both by frequency in the office, and by request). These include the ability to view any document within Pogoplug (full compatibility with every standard document format to view it inside the Pogo environment) and to email files to your Pogoplug (send a file as an attachment to upload@pogoplug.com—as long as it’s coming from your registered email address, it will be stored inside your drive).
• TheMacBundles has announced it has posted a new Weekly Special on its website. Until 6/6, iMedia Converter is being sold for 49% off. It’s an all-in-one solution that easily and quickly converts/rips DVDs and videos for users’ iPads, iPods, iPhones, and other devices. Also, the special offer for LinkOptimizer is being extended until 6/6. People who order the Weekly Special also receive an immediate discount off of the already low price of the May bundle and the BYOB bundles.
• publicspace.net has announced Vitamin-R 1.11, an update to its productivity tool for creative professionals. Vitamin-R is a collection of tools and techniques designed to overcome the biggest productivity challenges facing today’s new caste of creative professionals: managing attention and maintaining motivation. This release allows the tool to run as a un-intrusive dockless application.
• ProteMac has released ProteMac KeyBag 2.2, an update to their popular stealth keystroke monitor and recorder for Mac OS X. KeyBag runs in the background, completely undetectable by the user so it won’t interfere with way you work on your computer. For home and business use, ProteMac KeyBag is a useful tool for productivity and security. ProteMac KeyBag is intended for interception and recording of everything that is entered from the keyboard on your Mac.
• Macvide has announced VideoFlash Converter 3.3, an update to their video to Flash conversion utility for Mac OS X. VideoFlash Converter allows conversion of QuickTime compatible video files to Adobe Flash. All of the most popular formats are supported, and helps bridge the gap between many video standards. VideoFlash Converter offers an easy-to-use interface that guides the user through the conversion process.
• Exibia 2.0, a brand new version of the video broadcast scheduling application for Mac OS X. Exibia allows clients in a multi-user, multi-platform environment to upload and schedule still images and QuickTime videos for playback. Exibia 2.0 introduces dozens of new features, including web-based administration, repetitive scheduling, a default playlist of slides or videos that plays between videos, playlists, bulk importing, thumbnail previews and a completely redesigned web interface.
• vjoon is integrating Adobe’s new digital magazine packaging tools into the K4 Cross-Media Publishing Platform. K4 customer WIRED is already making use of the new technology for the magazine’s successful digital edition on the iPad platform—with 24,000 issues sold its first day in the Apple iTunes App Store. The WIRED Reader is the first in a series of steps by Adobe to enable magazine publishers and retail catalogers to deliver groundbreaking experiences across tablets, smart phones and other devices using InDesign CS5. vjoon now is developing features to streamline the creation of the alternative layouts and aspect ratios required to deliver quality digital pages to the iPad and forthcoming alternative mobile platforms.
• KavaSoft has announced HyperImage 3.0, an application for downloading web photo galleries. HyperImage 3 adds an image search feature, and is optimized for the most popular photo blogs. It automatically downloads the highest-resolution user-submitted content, while ignoring the stuff you don’t want. You can download every photo from blog after blog, creating your own mirror of your favorite part of the blogosphere.
• A team of Swiss software developers has unveiled Raskin—their zoomable Mac desktop alternative. Inspired by Jef Raskin (Macintosh Inventor and Author of The Humane Interface), the visual user interface shows the contents of your computer on a single surface.

iPhone/iPod/iPad

• Global Delight today announced a major update to Camera Plus Pro, the popular all-in-one iPhone camera app that adds numerous camera and photo-editing capabilities to the device, including video recording on 2G and 3G iPhones. Interface improvements, added options for Flickr uploading, and FTP sharing are just a few of the new features included in this update. As one of the top 5 most downloaded photography tools on iTunes, Camera Plus Pro is the premium all-in-one replacement for the default camera app.
• Cute Cloud is the first Ninja Fever title for the Apple’s mobile platforms. The world needs water. Drought, wildfires and environmental pollution are very serious problems in many places of the Earth. Who can give a hand better than a water-management expert? Help Nimby, a small and friendly cloud, to become a much larger cloud able to bring the maximum amount of water to the most needy places, helping them with its rain.
• Punflay has announced Rafter 1.5 for iPhone and iPod touch. Rafter’s 71 levels test your logic and problem-solving skills in ways that will have you wishing you paid a little more attention in Physics class. Rafter has one simple objective – destroy a miniscule red ball using blocks of different shapes and sizes. The app also has an innovative level creation option so you can create more levels to challenge your buddies.
• TextExpander touch, the iPhone version of SmileOnMyMac’s customizable typing shortcut tool, is now integrated in 29 iPhone and iPad apps. Users of these apps can expand their TextExpander snippets while typing within these apps. Among the apps that have integrated TextExpander touch are Twitter for iPhone, ToDo, Simplenote, iThoughts, Pocket Informant and Task Paper. The SDK consists of a free TextExpander engine library and sample code.
• Premika LLC has announced iMaria 1.0, their fun and interactive virtual girlfriend app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. iMaria lets users be in control of their own sexy English girlfriend, featuring Maria Eriksson. It lets you choose from options such as going out to dinner or having a day with Maria on the beach. You can decide where you go and what you do by using a choice menu between fun videos.
• Oceanhouse Media has announced the launch of two new Dr. Seuss eBooks, plus a children’s game for the iPhone / iPod Touch / iPad. “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” eBook app has been released to honor World Oceans Day and the book’s 50th anniversary for $3.99. “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” eBook app has been released in time for graduation celebrations, also for $3.99. Both eBooks are specially designed for both the iPhone and iPad as one app with no additional charge. Finally, “Up With A Fish” is a fun and addictive stacking game that children (and adults) love for $0.99.
• Vemedio has teamed up with Marfil to announce Jubilee, a new application solely developed for the Apple iPad. Jubilee for iPad manages the birthday of contacts in the system-wide address book. Contacts are displayed on a calendar with their respective picture. New contacts can be added and existing ones can be edited. Jubilee has 12 lovely designed built-in templates for greeting cards the user can choose from to send via email. The user can also add a personal touch by signing the card using with one finger.
• Pushme.to brings free instant messaging to your iPhone and web browser, for real-time communication with your friends with or without iPhone. If they have an iPhone/iPod Touch, you can exchange free instant messages with images, just knowing their nickname. And if they haven’t, they can send you free instant messages from your pushme.to/nickname web page and read your replies in real time.
• Thumbstar Games has announced Shifters 1.0, their new award winning game for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices. Meet the funny shifters in your handset. Cute block characters add an extra dimension to the title, all with their own style. They are pushing each other, jumping and smiling. But if same shifters meet together – they will make big a explosion. Only you can take control on them. Featuring unique game modes, Shifters combines elements of skill, strategy and fun.
• Putting the beat back into the heart of every household, iHome has introduced the iP39 Dual Kitchen Timer and Alarm Clock Radio Speaker System for iPhone/iPod to retail outlets nationwide. With stainless steel finishes, dual cooking timers, retractable docking station and an easy to clean control panel and magnetic remote control, the iP39 blends seamlessly into kitchens everywhere, while providing added functionality to the most trafficked room in the home.
• Kitty Code, LLC has announced Hurricane HD for the iPad in conjunction with the beginning of their third season of Hurricane tracking on the iPhone and the start of the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Released on April 1, 2010, Hurricane HD was the first hurricane tracking application created just for the iPad. Hurricane HD is the big brother to Hurricane, which has been tracking storms on the iPhone since September 2008. Hurricane was one of the first complex Weather Apps sold in the iTunes AppStore, and continues to provide excellence, value and worth to their customers.
• Companies can now integrate the iPhone and iPad into their IT infrastructure with equinux’s safe and cost effective solution. TARMAC is the first professional provisioning tool tailored specifically for the Apple platform. With TARMAC medium to large enterprises can securely set up and manage their iPhones and iPads over-the-air.
• Sinecure Industries has released Backlash 1.2, an update to their strategy/puzzle game for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Backlash features a highly-detailed environment, challenging levels, and crisp artwork wrapped in a challenging single-player experience. The player launches a ball with specific force and direction to bounce it into the goal. The control scheme is akin to bumper pool, but the environmental obstacles make it a daunting challenge as the levels progress.
• The Package is a physics puzzle where you influence the character (a package) by placing out springs, ramps fans, etc. You have a timer and can experiment as much as you want until you get the package through the maze-like room, past hazards, and into the green zone. You also get bonuses if you manage to pick up golden packages along the way. The game has 20 beautiful levels with increasing difficulty.
• Double Apps Inc. has announced Pounce Lite 1.2, the new free version of their card game for iPhone and iPod touch. Pounce is a multi-player speed card game. Game play is similar to solitaire, except that you are competing to play your cards faster than your opponents. Earn points for cards you play into the shared center field, and be the first to empty your Pounce pile to score bonus points. The lite version has tons of great features, beautiful graphics and best of all, it’s free.
• On the occasion of the iPad’s worldwide availability, Synium extended two of their iPhone applications to utilize the full potential this new device has to offer. MobileFamilyTree, the highly acclaimed companion application to MacFamilyTree, as well as Motocross, the exciting Motocross arcade game are available for the iPad starting today. Updates are free for existing customers. Both applications run on iPhone as well as the iPad.
• Budding fashion designers and fashionistas alike are being granted access to the most comprehensive clothing design tool to ever hit mobile phones with Style Studio: Fashion Designer 1.0, XMG Studio’s new app for iPhone and iPod touch. Style Studio takes XMG’s powerhouse customization engine and applies it to the world of fashion, allowing the user to create a full line of women’s clothes from dresses to tops, outerwear, pants and skirts.
• Independent developer Paul Masson has released Obscure Apps 1.0, a tool to find hidden treasures in the App Store. Obscure Apps helps to improve the discoverability of the App Store by presenting lists of highly rated yet virtually unknown apps: apps that are loved by small groups of people, but that rarely get the attention they deserve. The apps listed in Obscure Apps are selected by a custom algorithm incorporating planned regular updates.
• Joy Entertainment LLC has announced Music Idol 1.1 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The Music Idol app reinvents the American Idol experience, but for social media. It transforms the iPad, iPhone or iPod touch into an instant recording studio, with an endless number of judges at an idol’s fingertips. Want to be a social-media singing sensation akin to American Idol winner Lee DeWyze? Or maybe you just want to be a pompous judge like Mr. Cowell? Look no further than Music Idol.
• Jake is a multi-level, single or two player game (over Bluetooth) for iPhone and iPod touch. On the first level, Jake has the flu and the user needs to navigate him though walls of tooth brushes by tilting and avoid being hit by toilet paper rolls or being shot by the toilet brush. After Jake makes it to the toilet he moves on to level two, where he’s playing baseball. On other levels he’s a SCUBA diver, a chef, a pirate, a football player and more. Every level is different, with Jake taking on different personalities.
• Ten One Design, LLC, has officially added two new vibrant colors to its Pogo Sketch product line: Burnt Orange and Cactus. The new shades join Hot Pink and Silver to create more colorful and fashion-forward capacitive touch screen options for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad enthusiast.