Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Wacom unveils Intuos4 tablet with OLED keys

Wacom unveils Intuos4 tablet with OLED keys
Wacom has released the Intuos4, the latest addition to the Intuos line of pen tablets. The company claims the device offers improved pressure sensitivity capable of recognizing 2048 individual levels, while the new tip sensor offers a near-zero starting pressure of one gram. The Grip Pen also features a pressure-sensitive eraser and two side switches that can be configured for commands such as dou...



MacHeist 3 bundle unveiled

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The Heist might be over, but the software saving fun is just beginning! Tonight, the MacHeist 3 bundle was revealed in a geek-star studded live show.

This year's bundle is, from a software perspective, really incredible. I love software bundles because they are a great way to get cool stuff, but the problem is, lots of stuff is frequently repeated across bundles, making it less and less exciting for the more seasoned Mac software-addict. This is not a bundle that can be accused of retreading old software; on the contrary, some new (and high profile) apps are available.

This is the line-up:

It wouldn't be a bundle without unlock incentives, and this year, MacHeist goes all out:

And knowing MacHeist, I'm sure there will be other surprises to come as the sale takes shape.

Continue reading MacHeist 3 bundle unveiled

TUAWMacHeist 3 bundle unveiled originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

New Mac Pro: "Do It Yourself" Is BACK

Many mac users remember that Apple launched a Do It Yourself program with the launch of the iMac G5. It was intended to allow customers to exchange some faulty parts by themselves. this program was quickly dropped as only a minority of customers might really be able to open an iMacG5 case without creating any new additional damage. The program seems to be back with the release of the new Mac Pro. Apple is currently offering many TechNotes describing how to change some components and parts found in the new Mac Pro:
- Mac Pro (Early 2009) - Bluetooth Cable Replacement Instructions 
Mac Pro (Early 2009) - Mac Pro RAID Card and Battery Replacement Instructions 
Mac Pro (Early 2009) - PCIe Fan Replacement Instructions 
Mac Pro (Early 2009) - Optical Drive Replacement Instructions 
Mac Pro (Early 2009) - Speaker Replacement Instructions 
Mac Pro (Early 2009) - Front Panel Board Cable Replacement Instructions 
Mac Pro (Early 2009) - Processor Cage Fans Replacement Instructions 
Mac Pro (Early 2009) - Processor Cage and Clips Replacement Instructions 
Mac Pro (Early 2009) - ATI Radeon HD 4870 Card Cable Replacement Instructions 
Mac Pro (Early 2009) - PCIe/Graphics Card Replacement Instructions 
Mac Pro (Early 2009) - ATI Radeon HD 4870 Graphics Card Replacement Instructions 
Mac Pro (Early 2009) - Memory DIMMs Replacement Instructions 

It is still not explain how to change the motherboard, but as most of the critical component are now located on the daughter card, some users might be able to change some parts without needing the service of a APR or certified Apple service center.

 



Adobe Director 11.5 supports 5.1-channel audio, H.264
Adobe has released the latest version of its application- and multimedia-creation software, Director 11.5. The update adds a new audio engine that supports 5.1-channel surround sound, along with real-time audio mixing capabilities. Support for H.264 and RTMP-based streaming have also been added, allowing developers to integrate HD video content. Users can now import 3-D models from Google SketchUp...



The Little Brother of NVidia GeForce 9400M

According to VR-Zone, NVidia will launch a new version of its popular GeForce 9400M.

This chips will be a cheaper version, with less features:
- Support for the DDR3 only 
- 8 PCI Express lines instead of 20 for the GF 9400M, so one can not add a second GPU on the board.
- 4 SATA ports instead of 6.
- 1 analog and 2 digital display interfaces.

This chips will of course have a lower clock speed than the GF 9400M, so it will also drain less energy. We are currently thinking that this chip might already be in some Apple products, such as he Mac mini as it features 2 digital display interfaces (HDMI + DisplayPort) while the G9400M does not offer 2 digital interfaces. So it might have been developed for the Mac mini, and only becomes available for all PC integrators now.
In addition, we would not be surprised that Apple use such chip in future entry-level MacBook or iMac as it is pin compatible with the current GF 9400M while being cheaper and most probably not affecting seriously the video performance of such models. 



O2 offers iPhone free on £35, new Apple phone imminent?
O2, Apple's mobile phone partner in the UK, is to offer the iPhone 3G for free as part of a new contract deal available from next month.

TomTom Joins the Open Invention Network

According to the following press release, TomTom joined the Open Invention Network, the company formed to enable and protect Linux and the associated technology patents.

This move is most likely linked to the on-going dispute between TomTom and Microsoft around patent infregements, Redmond's giants claiming hte Dutch company used some if its technology, while the latest is now claiming the opposite. With all those legal action around software concept-linked patents, it is quite obvious that this is a juicy market for lawyers but not necessarily for companies...

 



GDC09: iPhone gaming roundup

Filed under: , , , , , , , ,

The Game Developers Conference is on in San Francisco, and game companies are starting to pull out the major announcements on what's coming to the iPhone in the next year. Here's a roundup of all the titles we've heard mentioned already.
  • EA announced a huge lineup of ports from their already popular games: everything from Command and Conquer: Red Alert to SSX to FIFA, Madden, and NBA are all coming in some form to the iPhone. They're also working on bringing over the Wolfenstein RPG and Spore Creatures (which was the DS port of Spore), as well as a big list of casual board games (Scrabble is only the beginning), and versions of Need for Speed: Undercover, and Tiger Woods PGA Tour. And most amazing? All of these are due out before the end of the year. Someone's lighting a fire under iPhone developers at EA.
  • id software announced that they're bringing Wolfenstein 3D Classic to the iPhone in an official form -- that one's already been submitted to the store and should be out soon.
Click the link below to read on.

Continue reading GDC09: iPhone gaming roundup

TUAWGDC09: iPhone gaming roundup originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Commander: Napoleon at War comes to Mac OS X
Freeverse has launched the war-based game Commander: Napoleon at War for the Mac, after being previously announced in January. The latest instalment in the Commander series is a high-level turn-based strategy game that provides the same gameplay mechanics as its predecessor, and takes place in the Napoleonic era. In addition to the mechanics, Napoleon at War offers several new features such as a m...



Wacom unveils Intuos4 tablet with OLED keys
Wacom has released the Intuos4, the latest addition to the Intuos line of pen tablets. The company claims the device offers improved pressure sensitivity capable of recognizing 2048 individual levels, while the new tip sensor offers a near-zero starting pressure of one gram. The Grip Pen also features a pressure-sensitive eraser and two side switches that can be configured for commands such as dou...



MacHeist 3 bundle unveiled

Filed under: ,

The Heist might be over, but the software saving fun is just beginning! Tonight, the MacHeist 3 bundle was revealed in a geek-star studded live show.

This year's bundle is, from a software perspective, really incredible. I love software bundles because they are a great way to get cool stuff, but the problem is, lots of stuff is frequently repeated across bundles, making it less and less exciting for the more seasoned Mac software-addict. This is not a bundle that can be accused of retreading old software; on the contrary, some new (and high profile) apps are available.

This is the line-up:

It wouldn't be a bundle without unlock incentives, and this year, MacHeist goes all out:

And knowing MacHeist, I'm sure there will be other surprises to come as the sale takes shape.

Continue reading MacHeist 3 bundle unveiled

TUAWMacHeist 3 bundle unveiled originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

New Mac Pro: "Do It Yourself" Is BACK

Many mac users remember that Apple launched a Do It Yourself program with the launch of the iMac G5. It was intended to allow customers to exchange some faulty parts by themselves. this program was quickly dropped as only a minority of customers might really be able to open an iMacG5 case without creating any new additional damage. The program seems to be back with the release of the new Mac Pro. Apple is currently offering many TechNotes describing how to change some components and parts found in the new Mac Pro:
- Mac Pro (Early 2009) - Bluetooth Cable Replacement Instructions 
Mac Pro (Early 2009) - Mac Pro RAID Card and Battery Replacement Instructions 
Mac Pro (Early 2009) - PCIe Fan Replacement Instructions 
Mac Pro (Early 2009) - Optical Drive Replacement Instructions 
Mac Pro (Early 2009) - Speaker Replacement Instructions 
Mac Pro (Early 2009) - Front Panel Board Cable Replacement Instructions 
Mac Pro (Early 2009) - Processor Cage Fans Replacement Instructions 
Mac Pro (Early 2009) - Processor Cage and Clips Replacement Instructions 
Mac Pro (Early 2009) - ATI Radeon HD 4870 Card Cable Replacement Instructions 
Mac Pro (Early 2009) - PCIe/Graphics Card Replacement Instructions 
Mac Pro (Early 2009) - ATI Radeon HD 4870 Graphics Card Replacement Instructions 
Mac Pro (Early 2009) - Memory DIMMs Replacement Instructions 

It is still not explain how to change the motherboard, but as most of the critical component are now located on the daughter card, some users might be able to change some parts without needing the service of a APR or certified Apple service center.

 



Adobe Director 11.5 supports 5.1-channel audio, H.264
Adobe has released the latest version of its application- and multimedia-creation software, Director 11.5. The update adds a new audio engine that supports 5.1-channel surround sound, along with real-time audio mixing capabilities. Support for H.264 and RTMP-based streaming have also been added, allowing developers to integrate HD video content. Users can now import 3-D models from Google SketchUp...



The Little Brother of NVidia GeForce 9400M

According to VR-Zone, NVidia will launch a new version of its popular GeForce 9400M.

This chips will be a cheaper version, with less features:
- Support for the DDR3 only 
- 8 PCI Express lines instead of 20 for the GF 9400M, so one can not add a second GPU on the board.
- 4 SATA ports instead of 6.
- 1 analog and 2 digital display interfaces.

This chips will of course have a lower clock speed than the GF 9400M, so it will also drain less energy. We are currently thinking that this chip might already be in some Apple products, such as he Mac mini as it features 2 digital display interfaces (HDMI + DisplayPort) while the G9400M does not offer 2 digital interfaces. So it might have been developed for the Mac mini, and only becomes available for all PC integrators now.
In addition, we would not be surprised that Apple use such chip in future entry-level MacBook or iMac as it is pin compatible with the current GF 9400M while being cheaper and most probably not affecting seriously the video performance of such models. 



O2 offers iPhone free on £35, new Apple phone imminent?
O2, Apple's mobile phone partner in the UK, is to offer the iPhone 3G for free as part of a new contract deal available from next month.

TomTom Joins the Open Invention Network

According to the following press release, TomTom joined the Open Invention Network, the company formed to enable and protect Linux and the associated technology patents.

This move is most likely linked to the on-going dispute between TomTom and Microsoft around patent infregements, Redmond's giants claiming hte Dutch company used some if its technology, while the latest is now claiming the opposite. With all those legal action around software concept-linked patents, it is quite obvious that this is a juicy market for lawyers but not necessarily for companies...

 



GDC09: iPhone gaming roundup

Filed under: , , , , , , , ,

The Game Developers Conference is on in San Francisco, and game companies are starting to pull out the major announcements on what's coming to the iPhone in the next year. Here's a roundup of all the titles we've heard mentioned already.
  • EA announced a huge lineup of ports from their already popular games: everything from Command and Conquer: Red Alert to SSX to FIFA, Madden, and NBA are all coming in some form to the iPhone. They're also working on bringing over the Wolfenstein RPG and Spore Creatures (which was the DS port of Spore), as well as a big list of casual board games (Scrabble is only the beginning), and versions of Need for Speed: Undercover, and Tiger Woods PGA Tour. And most amazing? All of these are due out before the end of the year. Someone's lighting a fire under iPhone developers at EA.
  • id software announced that they're bringing Wolfenstein 3D Classic to the iPhone in an official form -- that one's already been submitted to the store and should be out soon.
Click the link below to read on.

Continue reading GDC09: iPhone gaming roundup

TUAWGDC09: iPhone gaming roundup originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Commander: Napoleon at War comes to Mac OS X
Freeverse has launched the war-based game Commander: Napoleon at War for the Mac, after being previously announced in January. The latest instalment in the Commander series is a high-level turn-based strategy game that provides the same gameplay mechanics as its predecessor, and takes place in the Napoleonic era. In addition to the mechanics, Napoleon at War offers several new features such as a m...


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