Actualización de envíos de Revue congelación de Logitech para TV de Google

Logitech tiene envíos de repente congelados de su cuadro de para más de un mes mientras espera para una importante renovación de TV de Google, desde adentro, dijo el viernes. Ordenó su contratista gigabyte para detener la producción de en algún momento en diciembre hasta enero o bien mientras que Google corrige el software o el otro pone una nueva revisión. La producción se reanudaría cuando Honeycomb barcos para tabletas de Android en febrero o marzo, dice Digitimes, a pesar de que los dos no están directamente vinculados.

La actualización es más probable que la versión prometida agregar soporte de Android Market, aunque por qué podría detener la producción de hasta dos meses sin un cambio en el hardware se desconoce. admite actualizaciones por aire y por lo tanto cualquier sistema de envío podría actualizarse en la fábrica o por los espectadores. Producción se detiene en medio de vida un dispositivo es a menudo debido a su exceso, malas ventas o ambos.
No obstante, cualquier retraso sería un obstáculo significativo para TV de Google, algunos de cuyos números de producción también fueron desenterrados con la supuesta fuga. Logitech fue debido a que representan la mitad de las ventas de dispositivo de TV de Google millones en 2010, o 500.000 unidades. Ponga fin a la producción sería reducir ese número y se derrame en 2011. TV de Google ya ha golpeado retrasos inesperados como Google ha empujado al parecer un retraso de último minuto para muchos fabricantes, nuevo posiblemente relacionado con una actualización del firmware principales. El efecto combinado podría dejar Google sin una cantidad significativa de dispositivos en las tiendas o incluso anunciado hasta que llegue la nueva compilación.
Google no ha comentado sobre el rumor, pero Sony puede han dado una pista que calidad relacionadas con cualquier interrupción de la producción. A pesar de que Sony ha dicho que sus propias ventas de televisión fueron hasta las expectativas, también admitió una reacción temprana pobre para el software de medios de comunicación a veces limitado e inacabado. Su principal rival en el espacio de centro de medios de comunicación, Apple, ha vendido un millón Apple TV a los usuarios finales y ha estado viendo su exigencia de aumentar en los últimos dos meses, en parte debido a una recepción en gran medida positiva aunque imperfecta.

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Rovi buys Sonic, may affect Apple and DivX

Rovi Corp today confirmed that it was buying Sonic for $720 million in a blend of both cash and stock. The acquisition was characterized as a push beyond TV set-top box guides into digital and centered around both Sonic's RoxioNow video store platform as well as its buyout of DivX from June. The move would help attract Hollywood studios and speed up the adoption of paid online content.

The deal could see DivX's namesake video format used much more widely, including on DVRs and other set-tops that normally have little Internet video support. It may also have an indirect effect on Apple. The Apple TV maker recently struck a long-term deal with Rovi for what was at first thought to be a direct tie-in to the new Apple TV but has since become unclear.

Apple has never officially supported DivX and is unlikely to license RoxioNow given iTunes, but the merger today might give it access to Sonic technology over the course of multiple years.

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Apps: Flickery, FotoMagico, ForkLift

Flickery 1.9.2 ($18) - Flickery allows users to upload photos, manage sets and favorites, view contacts photos, and search for images in the Flickr database. Version 1.9.2 automatically converts RAW files to the JPEG format and includes options for converting videos to a Flickr friendly format. The update also provides better feedback on unsupported files and files that are too large. [Download - 13.8MB]

FotoMagico 3.7.1 ($29) - FotoMagico is a tool for creating slideshows with personal photos and music in only a few mouse clicks. The software includes a variety of transitions, including panning, zooming, and scaling. With the latest update FotoMagico can once again run under Mac OS X 10.5. Audio markers have also been fixed and a potential crash that could occur when moving between slides while a video was playing has been addressed. [Download - 59.5MB]

ForkLift 2.0.5 ($30) - Forklift is a file manager for Mac OS X that connects to FTP or SFTP servers and manages Amazon S3 accounts or mobile devices over Bluetooth. Version 2.0.5 is a maintenance release that addresses a number of problems. A possible crash related to certain Spotlight queries has been fixed, along with smb discovery related stability issues. [Download - 12.9MB]

TextSoap 6.4.3 ($40) - This text processing utility uses find and replace commands not only to change words, but also copy formatting throughout a document. In v6.4.3 a regression issue with Automator actions under 64-bit Automator has been fixed. Any error encountered while running an Automator workflow action is also now logged and text will remain unchanged. [Download - 5.2MB]

HoudahGeo 2.7.1 ($30) - HoudahGeo enables users to link photos to the location where they were taken. Photos can be pinned to their respective locations, removing the need for a digital camera with built-in GPS capabilities. Version 2.7.1 includes iPhoto'11 integration, as well as a waypoint bug fix. Waypoints should now properly load from an existing GPS track log file. [Download - 6.7MB]

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VUDO begins its version 2.0 UI rollout, now live on PS3

VUDU has begun rolling out its new version 2.0 User Interface for its online streaming movie rental service. The first device to receive the update is the Sony Playstation 3, which only a month ago began offering the VUDU service to its users. Also added to the update for PS3 users is the ability to now use the Move controller in addition to the Dualshock 3 controller as a remote.

The initial rollout of the new VUDU interface will also hit LG devices supporting the service in January. Compatible devices from other manufacturers will begin to see the update hitting their devices from February.

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Urbanspoon iOS app adds individual dishes to user uploads

New visual and social features are coming to the restaurant-browsing app Urbanspoon for iOS devices. Urbanspoon makes random selections of local restaurants, with user-chosen filters such as price, neighborhood and type of food served. The app then offers specific and user-updatable information for selected restaurants. Version 1.17 adds support for user-uploaded images of individual dishes, allowing users to view food shots from other customers.

The update features a new home screen with a launch pad for the customary shake feature, a Nearby feature to find restaurants by distance, a friends link, a restaurant browser keyed by location, and a running flow of recent picture uploads. A new tab for popular menu items now offers both photos and user reviews of individual dishes, adding to the content that were already available.

The app requires iOS 3.0 or newer and works on the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. It is a free app on the iTunes App Store.

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Obama cites Steve Jobs as an example of the American dream

President Barack Obama has cited Apple CEO Steve Jobs as an embodiment of the American dream, according to a report. In discussing the issue of how the wealthiest people in America today are wealthier than ever in America?s history, Obama said, ?And something that's always been the greatest strength of America is a thriving, booming middle class, where everybody has got a shot at the American dream?? Obama then moved to talking about Apple and its iconic CEO.

He continued, ?So that we celebrate wealth. We celebrate somebody like a Steve Jobs, who has created two or three different revolutionary products. We expect that person to be rich, and that's a good thing. We want that incentive. That's part of the free market.?

The past decade has been a remarkably successful decade for Apple and its redoubtable CEO. This year has seen Jobs not only singled out by Obama for a special mention, he has also been named CEO of the Decade by MarketWatch. Over this period Jobs has led Apple from being a niche player, to becoming the central force in shaping the future of mobile computing the world over.

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Finnish firm posts striking visual analysis of Apple

Industry analyst Horace Dediu of Asymco has created an almost Mondrian-style financial chart presenting Apple's performance -- compared between the recently-released results of the company's 2010 fiscal fourth quarter (referred to as the calendar third quarter or CQ3) and the same period in 2009 -- to visually illustrate expenses, margins, profits and growth in a single, understandable graphic.

The chart, while not specifying dollar amounts, shows broadly how the company more than doubled revenue ($12.21B in Q4 2009 compared to $20.34B Q4 this year) along with areas where the company's profits and expenses increased (or decreased).

The chart's visual emphasis means it does not get into the minutia of precise figures or percentages of various categories, instead instead using the size of boxes to represent growth or decline, and the height of categories to show their importance. At a glance, even financial novices can determine which categories of product or expenses are larger, which are smaller, any new factors (such as the introduction of the iPad) have entered the mix and broadly speaking how the company has done in comparison to its year-ago performance.

Among the conclusions one can quickly see from the chart: taxes on the company stayed about the same year-over year, while Service, General and Administrative (SG&A) costs, which includes Apple's legal entanglements, rose significantly; while costs on making and selling the iPhone lineup (including the introduction of the iPhone 4, with its so-called "Antennagate" and subsequent "free bumper" program) increased significantly, it was offset by gains in profitability; and that iPhones, increased Mac sales and the introduction of the iPad contributed heavily to Apple's gain in net income, from $2.53B in the fiscal Q4 to $4.31 in 2010.

You can view the full-sized chart via the Asymco blog here.

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Hirai: PSP2 to mix touch and buttons, benefit from Apple

Sony Computer Entertainment head Kaz Hirai in a discussion posted Wednesday evening confirmed that the PSP2 would have a touchscreen. The future gaming system, which had been in development virtually since the original was launched in 2004, would have a mixture of both buttons and touch. He wouldn't be drawn into specifics by the New York Times but portrayed it as a best-of-both-worlds scenario where games could follow either an iPhone-style model, a conventional PSP game, or elements of the two.

"Depending on the game, there are ones where you can play perfectly well with a touch panel," he said. "But you can definitely play immersive games better with physical buttons and pads. I think there could be games where you?re able to use both in combination."

An early prototype has already confirmed some of the early plans, which would have included dual analog sticks, a front camera and even a backside trackpad, though this wouldn't necessarily reflect the final device.

Hirai touched on competition with Apple and Google and stressed that Sony would always have a niche of hardcore gaming, since Android and iPhone games were "fundamentally different" and often more casual. Regardless, he didn't deny the impact touchscreen smartphones had and argued that the rise of casual mobile games through Apple could feed into Sony's audience by expanding the acceptability of mobile gaming as a whole. "We?re seeing people who never had an interest in games join the gaming population," the executive noted.

Sony has usually been the biggest target of the iPhone and iPod touch in their incursion into gaming, losing share and revenue as its hardware has been neither technically advanced enough nor as fully multi-purpose. Many have dropped the platform both to consolidate media, games and phone calls around one device but also due to cost. While the up front price of an iPhone or iPod touch is often similar, the games are usually just a quarter or less the price and, increasingly, more visually appealing.

Sony has turned to price cuts and TV ads directly mocking the iPhone to try and reverse course in the short term, but with little success.

A revival of the PlayStation brand in mobile will, like Apple, emphasize a more consistent experience, Hirai cautioned. While not outright confirming the PlayStation phone, likely to be called the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, he admitted that any future phone would need to keep the "PlayStation?s strengths intact" and avoid splitting the user base deeply or at all between the PSP and the phone.

The Xperia Play may run on a significantly different platform than the PSP2, although the choice of software on the non-phone system hasn't been leaked so far. As leaked to date, the phone would run on Android 2.3 with a PlayStation app providing a library of games native to its controls. So far, it should run on a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, carry a five-megapixel camera and combine a large touchscreen with PlayStation hardware buttons, support for which has already been woven into the OS by Google.

The PSP2 may ultimately be the last piece of Sony's newer gaming strategy to fall into place, since the Xperia Play is unofficially slated to ship in April where its more focused cousin might not ship until near the end of 2011. Apple by then will have upgraded the iPhone and iPod touch, possibly with dual-core processors and more storage.

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Rogers said launching flex rate iPad, Galaxy Tab plans

Rogers may hope to preempt its rival Canadian carriers with a unique dynamic data plan created just for tablets. A new scoop said the Flex Rate plan would, like the voice plans, automatically bump up users depending on the amount of data they use. The Mobile Syrup details would have it start at $22 per month for the first 500MB of data but would kick up to $37 when running over, topping out at 5GB.

The prices would carry a slight premium over existing Rogers plans but would potentially be cheaper for those who use more than 250MB but only sometimes more than 500MB. Current plans start at $15 for the 250MB of data and move to $35 for 5GB. Unlike the existing prepaid plans, these would be recurring but wouldn't need a contract.

Rogers hasn't confirmed the plans, but if accurate they would take effect on Thursday.

The plan might give Rogers an edge in the market for those who want ongoing 3G on the iPad, Galaxy Tab or future slates. Bell's rates are mostly identical to the existing Rogers plans but don't have a flexible alternative. Telus would be the most hurt as it has just one $20, 500MB plan and instead uses a $30 overage cap with up to 5GB of use.

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Accessories: NuStand Alloy stands for iPad, Mac mini

If you're looking for a sturdy, alternative dock for your iPad -- or a better way to position your new Mac mini on a crowded desktop -- NewerTechnology's NuStand Alloy for iPad or for the 2010 Mac Mini may solve the problem. Made of aircraft-grade aluminum but with a soft silicone holder, the NuStand offers a 15-degree angle in portrait or landscape for the iPad and a vertical orientation for the Mac mini.

The aluminum body features non-skid rubber feet and a rubberized aluminum finish for scratch resistance adds to the elegant look, available in either black (iPad) or silver (Mac mini). The design makes it easy to access all ports on either device and weighs only 3.5 ounces for easy moving or transport.

The NuStand Alloy for either iPad or Mac mini is available now for $25 through NewerTech's distributor, Other World Computing.

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Rumor gives next-gen iPad a bigger speaker, iPod-style shell

A new rumor today potentially clarified some of the details of the next iPad. A Chinese contact has supplied unusually detailed specs to Mac Otakara which reiterate that the iPad will keep the 9.7-inch screen but use a design similar to that of the iPod touch (mocked up here), but with an emphasis on audio. The mystery back slot on recent case leaks is for a larger, better-sounding speaker, the source said.

The rear five-megapixel camera and front VGA camera were already known but have been supplemented with unusually detailed dimensions. The new iPad's back would be flatter like the iPod's, but the dimensions would be overall smaller, losing exactly 3mm (0.11 inches) of thickness but also 3.7mm (0.15 inches) of width and a near equal amount in height. Subtler changes would involve a redesigned ambient light sensor, although the 3G antennas on the relevant version would stay in the same place.

Production has purportedly already started with shipments due in mid-to-late January, although this might only be delivery from assembly to Apple and not to customers. An earlier tip had Foxconn shipping in February but the actual launch waiting until April, when Apple would have enough stock on hand.

The claim is unconfirmed and could be inaccurate, but it roughly lines up with earlier claims and what Chinese contractors would need to know for some elements of manufacturing. Other rumors have mentioned a possible higher-resolution LCD and a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 chip, but the presence of an SD card slot has largely been ruled out. [via iLounge]

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Page Director Ad Layout now updated for Adobe, Quark

Publishing industry trade developer MEI has announced that their family of ad layout programs, including Page Director, ALS for Magazines and AdForce have all now been updated to v5.6.1 for compatibility with the latest versions of Adobe's InDesign CS5 and Quark's Xpress 8.5, while retaining compatibility back to InDesign CS4 and QuarkXpress 8. The company has also updated its supporting plug-ins accordingly.

Page Director and its siblings speed the process of "ad dummying" for publication design, taking information from placed ad orders and allocating space in the overall publication while also creating a framework to be filled in with specific copy and art later. Supporting plug-ins like FiFi and Fido restore file-path information after final artwork has been imported, reducing and updating lost-file links, while Split & Folio preserves ad information even as the master publication is split up to deal out as single pages or page ranges.

Specialized versions of Page Director, such as ALS for Magazines and AdForce (a lighter version aimed at smaller publications) gain the same new compatibility features. Upgrades are free for most customers enrolled in the company's tech-support program.

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New iPad dock mimics Kinect's touchless input

Elliptic Labs, an Oslo-based startup, is set to introduce a new iPad dock that offers touchless input similar to that of Microsoft's Xbox Kinect sensor. The company's Touchless Gesture User Interface system utilizes ultrasound to track hand movements in a zone that extends approximately one foot beyond the front of the dock and the sides of the device.

CEo Stian Aldrin suggests the technology is designed to make basic input gesturing easier when the tablet is docked and potentially further away from the user, or for situations "when you have wet or greasy hands in the kitchen," according to an interview with Mobile Magazine.

The system appears to be much simpler than Kinect, with limited range and recognition of few gestures. A preview video shows a user swiping through pictures by moving a hand from left to right or top to bottom, while music playback can be paused or resumed by bringing an open palm toward the dock.

Elliptic Labs will formally unveil the iPad dock next month at CES in Las Vegas. Pricing and launch information remains unclear.

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Fandango arrives on iPad, adds Pulse, mapping features

Fandango has ported its self-named movie app to the iPad. The title now includes The Pulse, a visual indicator of ticket sales, which can be viewed as a list or on a map. Maps are also used to help locate theaters with showtimes and tickets. Reviews and movie-related tweets can all be accessed on one screen, and trailer, video, photo and interview content should similarly take advantage of the iPad's larger display.

The app helps discover which movies are playing and where for the sake of enabling in-app ticket sales. iPad users also get a tips and tricks section teaching how to use the software.

Fandango for the iPad requires iOS 3.x or later. It's a free download from the App Store.

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Mini's Connected app for iPhone live with radio, Google Maps

BMW's Mini badge this week quietly took its Mini Connected app (free, App Store) live for the iPhone. The long in development app gives any 2011 Mini with the Connected system access to phone features often tied into the car's own control stack. Internet radio pulled over 3G routes through the audio system, while RSS news feeds and Twitter can appear on the car display or (for news) spoken aloud on a Mini with voice control enabled.

Google integration is newly added in time for the launch. Built-in access to Google Maps helps find directions but also push them to the car if it has built-in GPS. A live analytical tool will compare acceleration, braking and shifting habits and gives points for efficient driving. It now uses the iPod Out system and both displays a more device-specific interface and promises futureproofing compared to earlier Apple-to-car methods.

The Connected app works with any device that supports iOS 4.2 and integrates with the car through a USB port. A BMW Connected equivalent is already available (free, App Store) but will need a BMW car with the 6NR option package already loaded, which won't be an option until March.

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Briefly: Ableton's free Holiday packs, Eltima Flash promo

Ableton has launched two free Live Packs as a holiday promotion, while Eltima Software is offering a free Flash Optimization license with the purchase of Flash'In'App

Ableton is offering two free Live Packs as a holiday gift to all of its customers. The two packs have been created by Everett Bradley and Christopher Tignor, providing users with a funk-filled take on the classic Nutcracker Suite, as well as a number of string-based loops. Both packs use instruments that are only available as add-ons or as part of the Ableton Suite. This means users without the instruments will be limited to running the packs with saving and exporting functions disabled.

Eltima offers free Flash Optimization license with Flash'In'App purchase

A new promotion is being offered by Eltima Software that provides developers with access to a free Flash-optimization utility. Customers who purchase Eltima's Flash'In'App software will receive a free license for Flash Optimizer for Mac. Flash'In'App is a tool for adding a Flash Player component to any application without the need for any additional code. Alternatively, Flash Optimizer offers a number of video compression options for reducing the size of SWF files. A single developer license of Flash'In'App runs for $400, while Flash Optimizer usually costs $100.

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SkyFire browser for iPad now available

After reporting last week that Skyfire had submitted an iPad version of their self-titled alternative browser for the iPad to the App Store for approval, SkyFire v2 is now available. The new version brings social-web functions and other new features along with its celebrated (server-based) ability to play videos and some audios originally available only in Flash and thus normally blocked from functioning on iOS devices.

Flash videos, when requested, are re-encoded on-the-fly by SkyFire's servers into HTML5, allowing them to work on iPhones, iPod Touches and now iPads. On its initial launch on the iPhone in November, the company quickly found itself overwhelmed by demand and had to enact measures to limit sales as they scaled their service.

The iPad version of the browser boasts a social-media bar at the bottom, allowing users to quickly see Twitter feeds or Facebook statuses and respond to them without opening another app or navigating to the actual site. It also adds the Fireplace and Google feed readers and puts the Facebook "Like" button on every web page. Also new in this version are private browsing, a full-screen mode, a "popular content" feed and the ability to share pages to several of the popular services such as Instapaper, Deli.co.us, Read It Later and Pinboard.

Performance is still described as "lackluster but functional" by early testers, but it does offer the ability to access Flash-heavy sites -- such as Comedy Central -- that are otherwise incomplete experiences for iOS users. The iPad version of the browser costs $5.

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Euro Space Agency's iPhone earbuds track heart rate

The European Space Agency has partnered with Swiss company CSEM to create the Pulsear prototype headphones for the iPhone, which are the first known to monitor heart rate. They don't require a chest belt like traditional methods of collecting heart rate data. Instead, the headphones send an infrared signal through the tissues in the wearer's ear.
A tiny photo diode then records the results and sends the information to a device that plugs into the iPhone. All users need to do is wear the headphones. An app could monitor the heart rate over a set amount of time.
The technology has trickled down from the one used to monitor astronauts' heart rate. Applications could involve exercisers, hospital patients and, eventually, be developed to monitor other vitals, such as low oxygen levels. While industrial partners are being sought out, there is no indication when the technology will make it to market. [via SlashGear]

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iPhone 4 accessories: SwitchEasy's Duo offers real leather

Case maker SwitchEasy has launched its new Duo protective sleeve, using genuine leather for the exterior with a rich microfiber interior lining that helps clean the iPhone as its inserted. It is available in three colors -- black, white or tan -- and features a dual "push and slide" function that lets users remove the iPhone from either the top or the bottom of the case (a discreet inner safety strap can be used to secure the iPhone when inserted from the other end).
By using real leather, the case provides good grip while still being able to slip easily into a pocket (unlike rubber- or silicone-based cases). The built-in strap provides security and a stopping point when inserting the iPhone from the top.
The Duo sells for $30 and includes two anti-static screen guards as well as an applicator and a microfiber wipe cloth.

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Remote 2.1 app enables AirPlay, Internet radio options

Apple has posted Remote 2.1, a critical update to the official iOS app used to control iTunes or an Apple TV. The primary addition is support for AirPlay video, giving people the ability to direct content from a computer with iTunes to an Apple TV. Likewise, users can now control playback of rented movies and TV shows within iTunes on its own.
Some other changes include the ability to control Internet radio on a computer, and bugfixes directed at stability, connection and performance problems. The app is a free download, and requires only iOS 3.1.2 or better. All iPad, iPhone and iPod touch models should be compatible.




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Barron's arrives as subscription-based iPad app

Financial magazine Barron's has launched a self-named subscription-based app for the iPad. It promises a faithful digital representation of the paper edition, downloaded each week, with a home screen that shows the last six issues. Saved articles can be read offline. Some sections include the Weekday Trader, Barron's Take, the Striking Price and Getting Technical; in-app access to the Barron's website is also possible.

The magazine concentrates on investing ideas and analysis. The app should update with full articles every weekend, and get intraday analysis each weekday, including customized watchlists.

Subscribers to the paper magazine are being offered full access to the iPad app for a limited time. Going forward the cost will be $3 per week, although the app itself is a free download. Any version of the iPad firmware is supported.

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National Geographic releases Ultimate Dinopedia for iPad

Dinosaurs roam and roar on the iPad in National Geographic's latest iOS release based on their award-winning book Ultimate Dinopedia. The app catalogs and profiles more than 700 dinosaurs and includes interactive audio narration, rendered videos for select dinosaurs, a "family tree" feature and plenty of factual information and stats for the various creatures.

The program features original artwork and audio pronunciation guides, fact boxes and size comparisons, and is updated with new discoveries. There is also a visual table of contents, trivia and information on how some carnivores evolved into herbivores over the long existance of the dinosaurs.

The app is iPad-only and requires iOS 4.2 or later. It costs $6 and is available worldwide in the Books section of the App Store.

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Acer, ASUS Lenovo aping new MacBook Air's design technique

Apple's manufacturing process for the new MacBook Air may have inadvertently given its competitors an avenue for copying the design, notebook industry tips claimed Monday night. Acer, ASUS and Lenovo are reportedly building 13.3- and 14-inch ultraportables that would use a combination of Intel's Sandy Bridge chips with the Mac's display assembly technique. After Apple separated the manufacturing of the main display cell from the backlight and back frame, shaving 3-5mm from the display thickness, Digitimes was told others now had access to the same process and could use it to slim down their own notebooks.

Many of the details of the systems still aren't known, but the Acer model would replace the TimelineX series that itself was originally intended partly to undercut the MacBook Air. The first systems would most likely use LM-series Core i5 and i7 chips that strike a balance between the slower ultra-low voltage processors and the full speed but much more demanding regular parts.

At least some if not all of the Windows-based challengers would ship sometime before the end of March and would present the first known direct response to the current generation of Air models. The advantage may not necessarily last as Apple is rumored to be using Sandy Bridge in future MacBooks and would get a major leap in processor power without necessarily sacrificing graphics performance.

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Forum roundup: How much RAM should iPhoto '11 use?

Today in the MacNN forums a thread was started by Le Flaneur, a Mac Enthusiast, who is trying to figure out how much RAM iPhoto '11 is suppose to use. Yesterday one forum goer started a thread looking for some advice because his old G3, filled with accounting information, stopped working and he is trying to get it running again.

Besson3c started a thread discussing new Firefox beta interface changes. One Junior Member of the forums has been having some difficulty with their new Magic Trackpad and has asked for some advice from more experienced Magic Trackpad users. Find a list of 68 iPhone Apps from EA, reduced to 99? for the holidays in the thread titled "Giant EA Sale."

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Briefly: Localscope released for iPhone, PDFClerk discount

A new GPS application, Localscope, which provides users with information on locations around them has been released, while PDFClerk Pro has been discounted by 50 percent for the holidays

A new social data powered GPS application for the iPhone and iPod touch has been released by Cynapse. Localscope is designed to help users quickly explore a location, as well as share information with friends and family. The application collects information about a users location from a variety of sources including Google, Bing, Foursquare, and Twitter. Points of interest around the user are then displayed in a list view with realtime direction pointers and distance meters. Locations can also be plotted out on a map, or displayed through the use of augmented reality and the devices built-in camera. Localscope is currently available in the App Store at a price of $1.

PDFClerk Pro offered at half price for the holidays

To celebrate the holidays SintraWorks is currently offering a 50 percent discount on its PDFClerk Pro software. The sale will run until December 27th and can be obtained by using the coupon code "XMasNN50" at checkout. The software, which usually runs for $46, allows users to create and edit PDF documents to meet the specifications of print-shops. Tools for rearranging, rotating, adding, and deleting pages are included, along with options for managing hyperlinks and other annotation.

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TrendNET puts out first 450Mbps Wi-Fi only access point

TrendNET had the distinction late Monday of putting out the first wireless-only access point to top 450Mbps. The TEW-690AP is a simplified version of the TEW-691GR we reviewed and is intended for those who want the 50 percent boost in 802.11n speeds but either don't need wired connections or who need a wireless repeater on a local network. A lone gigabit Ethernet port helps it get online either direct from the source or to add wireless to a wired network.

As before, the extra speed comes in part through a 3x3 MIMO (Multiple In, Multiple Out) antenna layout more sensitive to signals than most competitors. Regardless of format, it supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup for a simplified secure link and supports comparatively fine control over security that includes MAC address filtering and the option of using one of four SSIDs at any given time to randomize the network.

The 690AP is shipping today and costs significantly less than the full router at $188. Using the 450Mbps speeds needs Wi-Fi either built-in or through a USB stick that can connect at more than 300Mbps.

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AT&T posts video relay app for iPhone 4 owners

AT&T has released a new iPhone app, AT&T Video Link. The software is meant exclusively for iPhone 4 users, and connects deaf or otherwise hard-of-hearing people to AT&T's video relay service (VRS). This allows calls to people with regular hearing by way of an American Sign Language interpreter.

The app is free, as is the VRS service, through which unlimited calls can be made. Like the iPhone 4's built-in FaceTime function, however, calls can only be made over Wi-Fi, not 3G. Matching Mac and Windows clients have been available for some time.

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MacWorld 2011 to feature "MacWorld Industry Forum"

MacWorld 2011 will debut a new event at the annual conference, taking place January 26-29 at the Moscone Center West in San Francisco. The "MacWorld Industry Forum" will consist of presentations featured speakers such as Daring Fireball's John Gruber and Technologizer editor Harry McCracken along with "market" presentations covering education, digital video, enterprise deployment, tablet-based software, photography and web technologies.

Jason Snell from Mac Publishing LLC will discuss "How Apple Does 'It'," while McCracken will offer his "Thoughts on Mobile" and Gruber has titled his presentation "Apple and the Open Web: A Love Story."

Other speakers include Colin Crawford of Media7, Mike Lawrence of Computer-Using Educators (CUE), Apple veteran Bill Atkinson, Alex Lindsay of Pixel Corps, Nick Floro of Sealworks Interactive Studios and photographer Derrick Story, among others.

The Forum will take place on the opening day, Wednesday January 26th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration is now open and tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Apple working to mimic Android Voice Actions on iOS devices?

Apple may be attempting to bring new voice-recognition functionality to iOS devices, potentially mimicking Google's Voice Actions for Android handsets. Although the iPhone maker has yet to confirm such plans, the company is currently trying to fill a number of positions for employees specialized in voice technologies.

The job listings, which are all tied to Apple's iOS endeavors, range from speech recognition engineers to a speech application engineer. The company is also looking to fill a higher position for a senior speech research scientist.

"You will work with our team on a wide variety of speech-related development activities," the listings read.

Apple's HR department explicitly calls for experience with Google Voice Search or alternative technologies such as Nuance Recognizer and IBM WebSphere Voice. Interestingly enough, Steve Wozniak recently recently fueled speculation after suggesting Apple was in the process of acquiring Nuance, although he later backtracked and contradicted his initial statement.

Google has continued to expand the voice-driven features available in Android, including the Voice Search and Voice Actions. Spoken commands can be used for a variety of actions: text messaging, music playback, voice calls, directions, e-mail, browser navigation, and note taking. The system was recently updated to recognize individual users, helping to improve accuracy over time.

The iPhone currently supports a limited number of voice functions, though the commands are limited to placing calls or music playback. [via 9to5Mac]

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The Little App Factor debuts Grappler media-grabbing app

Evom developer The Little App Factory has released a new product called Grappler, designed to capture videos, music and other items off web sites, convert them to iTunes-friendly format and store them in a users iTunes library. The app features a built-in media player and search engine and integrates with a number of the most popular video and music services such as YouTube, Vimeo, Grooveshark and others.

Grappler features a one-window interface and can download almost any audio or video clip that can play in the web browser. It handles both Flash and HTML5 videos along with other formats, and its built-in URL and search mean users merely have to type in a term -- such as the name of their favourite band -- to find and download related audio and video.

Grappler is available now and costs $20. It requires Mac OS X 10.5 or later.

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Rumor: HP to put out Topaz tablets at CES, one with WiMAX

A new rumor Tuesday afternoon has claimed that HP will bring its Topaz webOS tablet out in large fashion at CES 2011. Referring to it as the PalmPad, Fox claimed three models will be on show, each of which will have minor differences. One would focus on the home and would have both a mini HDMI output for video as well as built-in WiMAX for using Sprint's 4G network.

A fourth version targeted at college and university students is also purportedly being readied and would have integration with "internal education software" as well as optional hardware customization for large-scale buyers. It may have a smaller screen the rest and would arrive in fall 2011.

All of the tablets would be based on the design of the HP Slate, which contrary to the claim is now shipping, but would evade many of the weaknesses of the Atom-based design. They would have larger displays, at 9.7 inches, but would be much lighter than even the iPad at 1.25 pounds and slightly thinner than Apple's hardware. All would have USB 3.0 ports, back three-megapixel and front 1.3-megapixel cameras, and a "multi-switch" as on the Palm Pre, according to the rumor.

Each tablet would run a previously unmentioned version of webOS, 2.5.1, presumably adapted to the tablet form factor.

The rumor is partly backed by HP committing to a webOS tablet sometime in early 2011, but questions have surfaced about the plans. Apart from an inaccuracy about the HP Slate shipping, HP is known by Electronista and others to have no significant presence on the CES show floor, either by itself or through Palm. It can no longer have a last-minute addition to the presentation schedule and so far is only scheduled to have a meeting room, where it's more likely to talk about probable PC introductions timed for the show.

Its primary, more concrete evidence is a diagram (pictured) that makes reference to both the PalmPad and an optional dock. So far, it's uncertain if this is accurate or if it reflects a finished design.

However it ships, the Topaz or PalmPad is commonly thought to be HP's true answer to the iPad. Microsoft had goaded the company to position the Windows 7-based slate as a rival to the then-unnamed Apple tablet, but numerous delays and HP's acquisition of Palm led it to relegate the Slate to enterprise, where it has sold just 9,000 models so far. The PalmPad is expected to both be more portable but also last much longer on battery and have a more intuitive interface designed for touch.

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Leak hints Mac version of Flipboard headed to Mac App Store

A leaked screenshot may represent evidence that Flipboard is coming to the Mac, according to Business Insider. The source of the image claims that the port will be distributed through the Mac App Store, which launches on January 6th. The title may be aimed at MacBook and Magic Trackpad users, as it will allegedly support iPad-like flick gestures for navigation.

Flipboard is a stylized content aggregator, which pulls material from Twitter, Flickr, Facebook and RSS feeds and merges it into a magazine-style layout. Owing in part to heavy marketing and a non-existent pricetag, the app has proven extremely popular amongst iPad users. Earlier this month it was promoted by Apple as one of the best iPad apps of 2010.

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17 percent of iPad homes have two tablets, study suggests

Roughly 17 percent of the homes with an iPad have two or more tablets, a YouGov study claims. The research firm polled 1,667 tablet owners, of which 782 said they had an iPad, and 145 said they had at least one more tablet. Use by other people is said to be primary reason for having multiple tablets; 37 percent of iPad owners explained that a partner uses the iPad "all the time," while 17 percent cited family members, and 14 percent mentioned children.

The study doesn't identify which secondary devices people are actually buying. While they could be iPads in many cases, they could also potentially include the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Tab, or devices not meant as direct competition like the Amazon Kindle. The study does note, however, that of the group planning to buy a secondary device, 69 percent chose an iPad while 24 percent picked a Kindle.

The results of the poll may suggest that Apple has a significant market waiting amongst existing iPad owners, if only in richer countries. The company sold approximately 4.19 million iPads in its most recent quarter alone, meaning that 17 percent could ultimately represent millions of units per year. A JP Morgan analyst, Mark Moskowitz, has argued that Apple will sell 26.6 million iPads in the 2011 fiscal year.

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CopyTrans offers easier way to transfer iTunes libraries

CopyTrans, a PC software company from Switzerland, has unveiled a cross-platform solution to help one of the most common problems facing "switchers" and others who want to move their entire iTunes libraries from a Windows PC to a Mac: how can I do this while preserving aspects like play counts, album artwork, rankings and more? While it can be done manually, CopyTrans TuneSwift can ease the transfer process, as well as restore iTunes libraries.
The program preserves music, video, app purchases, audiobooks, iOS device backups and podcasts -- as well as the "extra" information people who have invested time in creating their library prize, like artwork, playlists and ratings. This also allows iOS device owners to keep their device linked to the original library, even as it has been moved to a new machine.
A user will download the Windows version of the program and transfer their iTunes library to an external drive, then connect that drive to the Mac and use the Mac version, presently in beta, to "restore" it to iTunes on the Mac.
CopyTrans Tuneswift is being made available free until March 15th. The Mac version can be downloaded here and registered free for MacNN readers using the code TUNESWIFT-MACNN. The Windows version is available here and can also be registered free using the same code.

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Rollei estrena cámara 3D, marco de fotos digital para Europa

Rollei de Alemania acaba de presentar su cámara 3D de Powerflex y marco 3D digital de Designline. El primero tiene un sensor de 5 megapíxeles y un par de lentes, al igual que 3D Real de Fujifilm de deportes W3. En la parte posterior es una pantalla de barrera de paralaje de 2.8 pulgadas que mostrará imágenes en 3D sin necesidad de gafas 3D.

La cámara se puede conectar a televisores 3D para mostrar las fotos, aunque esto generalmente requiere las gafas del conjunto. La cámara puede grabar en 720p a 30 fps, así y capturar fotos tradicionales, 2D en tarjetas de memoria microSD. La cámara se despachará en enero en Europa, con un precio en el equivalente de $393.

El 3D de Designline tiene una pantalla de 7 pulgadas con una resolución de 800 x 480 píxeles. Viene con el software de Blaze Video Magic 3.0 que necesita para convertir imágenes 2D en imágenes en 3D para la visualización. El marco de lo contrario ha integrado oradores y puede actuar como un lector de e-book. Tiene modos de presentación de diapositivas, vista previa y zoom y puede operar en su batería incorporada para hasta tres horas. La navegación es a través del mando a distancia incluido o panel táctil. No hay ninguna memoria interna, con almacenamiento de información limitada para tarjetas SD y MMC.

El marco se envía al mismo tiempo en Europa, del mismo modo el precio $393. [vía PhotographyBlog]

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Apple refurbs: Macs starting at $499

Today's refurbished deals from Apple's online store include price drops on items like Mac minis, MacBook Pros, iPads and more. Prices start at $499 for the 2.26GHz Mac Mini with 2GB of RAM and a 160GB hard drive. Also available is the refurb. Mac mini with Snow Leopard Server, a 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of RAM and dual 500GB hard drives for $749 after a $250 price break.

The 13.3-inch MacBook Pro with a 2.4GHz processor, 4GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive has seen a price break to $1019, down 15%. Also priced at $1019 is the 21.5-inch iMac with a 3.06GHz Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive. Save $400 on the 21.5-inch iMac with 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of RAM and a 1TB hard drive, now $1099. The 2.13GHz MacBook Air with 2GB of RAM and a 128GB solid state drive is now $1099 after a $200 price break. Currently refurbished iPads start at $429 for the 16GB Wi-Fi ready iPad, and go up to $779 for the 64GB Wi-Fi and 3G ready iPad.

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Aplicaciones: Elevador de carga Flickery, FotoMagico,

Flickery 1.9.2 ($18) - Flickery permite a los usuarios subir fotos, gestionar conjuntos y Favoritos, vista contactos fotos y búsqueda de imágenes en la base de datos de Flickr. Versión 1.9.2 automáticamente convierte archivos RAW a formato JPEG e incluye opciones para convertir vídeos a un formato amistoso de Flickr. La actualización también proporciona mejor información de archivos no admitidos y archivos que son demasiado grandes. [Descargar - 13,8 MB]

FotoMagico 3.7.1 ($29) - FotoMagico es una herramienta para crear presentaciones de diapositivas con fotos personales y música en sólo unos pocos clics del ratón. El software incluye una variedad de transiciones, incluidos la panoramización, zoom y escala. Con la actualización más reciente FotoMagico puede ejecutarse una vez más en Mac OS X 10.5. Marcadores de audio también se han solucionado y un accidente potencial que podría producirse cuando se mueven entre las diapositivas mientras se reproduce un vídeo ha sido abordado. [Descargar - 59,5 MB]

Montacargas 2.0.5 (30 Dólares) - elevador de carga es un administrador de archivos para Mac OS X, en el que se conecta a servidores FTP o SFTP y administra las cuentas de Amazon S3 o dispositivos móviles con Bluetooth. Versión 2.0.5 es una versión de mantenimiento que aborda una serie de problemas. Se ha corregido un posible accidente relacionado con determinadas consultas lo más destacado, junto con smb descubrimiento relacionadas con problemas de estabilidad. [Descargar - 12,9 MB]

TextSoap 6.4.3 ($40) - Esta utilidad usos buscar y reemplazar de procesamiento de texto en comandos no sólo a cambiar palabras, sino también Copiar formato a lo largo de un documento. En v6.4.3 se ha solucionado un problema de regresión con acciones de Automator bajo Automator de 64 bits. También ahora se registra cualquier error encontrado mientras se ejecuta un Automator acción de flujo de trabajo y texto permanecerá sin cambios. [Descargar - 5.2 MB]

HoudahGeo 2.7.1 (30 Dólares) - HoudahGeo permite a los usuarios vincular fotos a la ubicación donde se tomaron. Fotos pueden ser cubrió a sus respectivas posiciones, eliminando la necesidad de una cámara digital con capacidades integradas de GPS. Versión 2.7.1 incluye integración de iPhoto'11, así como también una corrección de errores de waypoint. Waypoints ahora deben cargar correctamente desde un archivo de registro de seguimiento GPS existente. [Descargar - 6,7 MB]

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Sony entering tablet wars with VAIO tablet spotted at FCC

Sony's hints of tablet plans were validated today with an FCC filing. The slates would all fall into the business-focused VAIO PC group and would include multiple models, all with some variant of the PCG-31xxxL model number. Most of their details aren't known, but the VAIO name implied they would use Windows 7.

The tablets aren't due to have full photos and other details revealed until January 20, hinting strongly that Sony's CES presentation on January 5 will introduce the tablets. Microsoft has planned a second attempt at pushing tablets at its own keynote that day that will try to focus more on business users and less on direct iPad competition, likely feeding into Sony's own plans. Rumors circulating around the Las Vegas events have made Dell and Samsung the centerpieces of Microsoft's discussion.

Sony is one of the last major PC makers to express an interest in modern tablets and is known to have designed what's now the VAIO tablet only as a reaction to the iPad. As recently as May, it was insisting on a wait-and-see approach and had acknolwedged it had ignored the idea for years until Apple entered the category. [via Engadget]

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Huffington Post iPad app gets major overhaul

The Huffington Post has released an overhauled version of its iPad app, 2.0. As before the app provides access to content from the Post's news site, in categories such as politics, business, technology and entertainment. The redesign features a dramatically altered interface, letting users flick through story tickers in a manner similar to the Pulse and BBC News iPad apps.

The Huffington app includes a dedicated Slideshows section, which can be navigated using swipe gestures. Users can also comment on articles, and send links to other people via Twitter and Facebook hooks. The app is a free download, requiring only iOS 3.2.

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Briefly: MO-Call 2.0 comes to App Store, New Keynote themes

Morodo has launched version 2.0 of MO-Call, its mobile VoIP application, in the App Store, while Keynote Themes Plus has released 10 new themes for Keynote

Morodo has announced the launch of MO-Call 2.0 for the iPhone 4. The mobile VoIP application offers cheap long distance calling rates and can be used to make calls over a WiFi network. The latest update adds a number of new features including a new user interface, additional payment options, and full account management. Users can now view call records, order history, and SMS delivery reports all from within the application. MO-Call is a free download in the Apple App Store.

Keynote Themes Plus outs 10 new themes for Apple's presentation software

Keynote Themes Plus has released 10 new themes for Apple's presentation software. The new designs include: Blue Map, City Time, Green Orbit, Ink Drops, Medicine, Official, Orange, Thumbs Up, Warning, and White Oval. All of the themes are available in 5 sizes, including HD resolutions, and can be transferred to the iPad for mobile use. The 10 new theme scan be purchased as a bundle for $20, while single themes with a moving background cost $12 and static themes cost $8. Additionally, two free themes, Cheers and Snowflakes, have been released as a free gift to Keynote users.

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Apps: AirRadar, iRip, TotalFinder

AirRadar 2.0.9 ($20) - AirRadar can be used to scan for available wireless networks. The software provides graphs of network signal strength and will automatically join the best open network in range. The latest maintenance update addresses a number of issues and improves overall stability. [Download - 8.1MB]

iRip 2.0.2 ($25) - iRip provides users with tools for transferring music from an iPod to an iTunes Library. The new update includes drag and drop support for moving files from iRip directly to iTunes, as well as a completely recorded interface that is said to offer improved efficiency. Support has also been enabled for movies, book, and photos. [Download - 2MB]

TotalFinder 1.1.3 ($15) - TotalFinder is a tool that adds tabs, hotkeys, and other various tweaks to the Mac OS X Finder. Version 1.1.3 has been fully localized into Finnish and now shows wind titles in Expose. A bug that could prevent windows from receiving focus has also been addressed, along with a crash that could occur when unplugging a monitor. [Download - 3.7MB]

Deliver 2.1.5 ($20) - Deliver allows users to share files across the Internet and local networks. The software features support for FTP, MobileMe, Amazon S3, along with other major services. An error that could occur when cackling email transmissions manually has been addressed with the update, along with a bug that prevented Deliver from transferring files to FTP directories with suppressed listings. [Download - 6MB]

MyTunes RSS 4.0.7 ($19) - MyTunes RSS allows users to access their iTunes library from other computers across either a local network or the internet. Version 4.0.7 includes several flash player configuration bug fixes, as well as configurable playlist file type and window width/height options. A flash player issue with the "select on start" option has also been addressed. [Download - 31.7MB]

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Navfree USA appears in US App Store

Following a successful launch of their UK and Ireland editions, GeoLife has brought their free Navfree GPS navigation app to the US, featuring voice guidance, auto-rerouting and turn-by-turn directions. The app is completely free of charge, with no monthly or annual charges. Later editions will also require no data connection, but this first edition does require data to search for addresses.

Navfree uses map data from OpenStreetMap (OSM) and uses crowd-sourced reports to update the maps with current conditions or changes. The app features a built-in map report tool so that users can send reports themselves.

Maps are stored on the iPhone or iPad, so no data connection is required to browse maps or create routes. The US version allows uses to search Google or Microsoft's Bing directly from within the app. Maps can be viewed in 2D, 3D or safety screen views.

Other features of the app include night maps, automatic zoom to junction, iPod library access within the app, automatic rerouting if you miss a turn, moving updated map display, detour features, routing options and dedicated pedestrian navigation. Premium content will be coming soon and can optionally be purchased directly through the app.

Navfree requires iOS 4.0 or higher and works with all iDevices capable of running iOS 4. Because all maps are included in the app, it weighs in at 1.76GB. Navfree is available in English, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Swedish.

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Kno's 14-inch tablets ship Tuesday

Kno on Monday night said that its 14-inch tablets will ship on Tuesday. Both the single- and dual-screen versions will be available and will cost the promised $599 and $899, respectively. New sales are currently limited to an invite-only system due to high demand, Kno said, although it hasn't said how many it will be shipping on launch day.
The two are some of the first American tablets to ship with NVIDIA's dual-core Tegra 2 and are unique in shipping with a customized, heavily optimized Linux variant instead of Android. Either can multitask, play HD video and otherwise drive the larger displays with both multi-touch and pen input. Kno has focused the interface around rendering print-quality textbooks for education but also supports a full HTML5-capable browser with Flash and supports extras like audio recording and playback.
Apart from the second screen, differences mostly focus on storage and weight, with a base one-screen Kno carrying 16GB of flash in its 2.6-pound frame and the dual-screen model moving up to 32GB and 5.6 pounds. Either is meant for use on a desk.
A launch comes as a bid to corner the tablet market for schools before Apple and centers on a rare textbook deal that supplies digital versions of McGraw Hill, Pearson, and Wiley texts for as much as 50 percent under the cost of the paper edition. Kno has been counting on the costs of going digital outweighing the initial prices, which run at least $100 higher than Apple's 9.7-inch cheapest.
Apple has made tentative entries into education with the iPad but hasn't targeted as directly as its relatively new counterpart.

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iPhone Apps: Duty, Circus Ponies Notebooks, Time Square Official New Year�s Eve Ball

Duty 1.0 ($4) - Laranea has recently launched a new Google Tasks client designed specifically for the iPad. Duty works with the users Gmail, Google Calendar, or Google Apps account, and enables them to move and edit multiple lists, add tasks, and organize items. It also features an offline mode and integrated split-screen support. [Download - 0.4MB]

Circus Ponies Notebooks 3.0 ($30) - Circus Ponies Notebooks, the popular note-taking and organizing application, has been released for the iPad. Through this program users can build diagrams from shapes and lines, and even create sketches using their fingers. Built-in voice annotation is provided as well, along with multi-font text support and the ability to add attachments. [Download - 11.4MB]

Time Square Official New Year? 1.1.1 (free) - The new Time Square Official New Year?s Eve Ball app is designed to put iPhone and iPad users in the middle of the New Year?s Eve festivities in Times Square. Users can contribute to the celebration by submitting photos of friends and family, as well as customizing their Toshiba Countdown Clock with personal images and time zone. [Download - 4.3MB]

VLC Remote 5.5 ($5) - Hobbyist Software has introduced VLC Remote 5.5, an upgrade to its remote controller app that gives wireless control over the VLC media player. With this update comes the ability to browse and play YouTube videos, and to share what?s being watched on Facebook or Twitter. Additionally, a new indicator shows which item is currently playing in the playlist. [Download - 2.2MB]

Merriam-Webster Dictionary 1.0.1 (free) - Merriam-Webster Dictionary is now available to iPhone and iPad users as a free dictionary application, complete with built-in voice search functionality. Included in the program are a wide range of words and example sentences to browse through, a word of the day option, and a history log that keeps track of the most recent words viewed. [Download - 18.8MB]

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Apple hammers on FaceTime with new iPhone 4 TV ad

Apple has begun airing a new TV ad for the iPhone 4, dubbed "Under the Covers." The spot once again concentrates on FaceTime video calls, this time with a father pretending to be Santa Claus in a conversation with his son. The ad is airing unusually close to Christmas, with only a few days of potential Christmas shopping left.

FaceTime has been a regular theme in ads for the iPhone 4. Video calling remains a relatively rare feature on North American phones, and the iPhone 4 was the first iPhone model to include a forward-facing camera. Apple has since expanded the concept to the Mac and fourth-generation iPod touch, and appears poised to do the same with the second-generation iPad.

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Apple Holiday gift guide

In the midst of promoting their latest app Voices 2 a few days ago, the iOS development company Tap Tap Tap made a brief mention on their blog that the pulled app Camera+ photo-enhancing app was soon to return to the App Store -- the first mention of it since it was removed -- and shortly afterward it was restored to the store as Camera+ v2. The app was originally pulled due to a violation of Apple's policy on undocumented features.

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PHYX Stylist is a new collection of video processing tools designed for the FxFactory platform, which plugs into Mac-based pro video programs like Adobe's After Effects and Apple's Final Cut Pro (and Express) and Motion. The package includes a filters and generators to create effects without compromising quality or image density, and for a limited time is on sale for half its normal price.

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Ford tonight acted on a promised upgrade to Sync and launched AppLink. The framework lets third-party smartphone apps talk to and control Sync with only the app, not the car, having to know the tasks. An updated Pandora Radio can stream audio from its 3G connection to the car, give the dash display track ID, and support thumbs up or down through spoken controls; the Twitter client OpenBeak can feed updates and read them back with text-to-speech.

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A post by Taiwan celebrity and race driver Jimmy Lin has drawn attention this evening as he showed what appeared to be a small iPad. The photo of a "toy iPad mini" showed what appeared to be an almost literally shrunk 3G iPad with very few changes. While the photo was too small to show whether or not iOS is on the screen, it did show a working device using an interface layout consistent with what Apple uses.

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Avatron has released Print Sharing, a $3 app that prints wirelessly to a wide range of printers, including shared and network printers. It works with both Apple's own AirPrint or its own print engine, and includes options not found on most other AirPrint apps such as dual-sided printing, page order, choice of paper trays and more -- depending on the printer model. "Print Preview" is available to all printers.

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The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), which represents the largest public pension fund in the country, is currently pushing Apple and other companies to revamp existing rules for handling board elections. The agency is pushing for a change that would require board members to receive a majority vote to keep their seats.

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MacWorld 2011 will debut a new event at the annual conference, taking place January 26-29 at the Moscone Center West in San Francisco. The "MacWorld Industry Forum" will consist of presentations featured speakers such as Daring Fireball's John Gruber and Technologizer editor Harry McCracken along with "market" presentations covering education, digital video, enterprise deployment, tablet-based software, photography and web technologies.

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The popular photo-styling and sharing iOS app Instagram now has over one million registered users only three months after its debut, according to a post on the company's blog. The free app lets users take pictures with their device's built-in camera, style them using retro-flavored filters and upload them to popular social services. The company believes that this is "only the beginning" and has plans for a more expansive web site, more funding and an Android version of the app planned for 2011, according to an interview with TechCrunch.

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Evom developer The Little App Factory has released a new product called Grappler, designed to capture videos, music and other items off web sites, convert them to iTunes-friendly format and store them in a users iTunes library. The app features a built-in media player and search engine and integrates with a number of the most popular video and music services such as YouTube, Vimeo, Grooveshark and others.

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The FCC in voting for its net neutrality rules cited Android as a reason for softening the conditions for wireless neutrality. The official statement from chairman Julius Genachowski (PDF) argued that relatively open mobile operating systems meant there was less need to prevent "unreasonable discrimination" as there was on the desktop. The requirement for supporting open devices on Verizon's 4G service played a role.

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Today in the MacNN forums a thread was started by Le Flaneur, a Mac Enthusiast, who is trying to figure out how much RAM iPhoto '11 is suppose to use. Yesterday one forum goer started a thread looking for some advice because his old G3, filled with accounting information, stopped working and he is trying to get it running again.

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Motorola will be one of the first to have an LTE smartphone on Verizon's just-launched network, the carrier's COO John Stratton reaffirmed on Tuesday. Confirming earlier hints, Stratton said Motorola would be "right there" when Verizon moves 4G from modems down to the phone level. Neither company has confirmed the timing to the Wall Street Journal, although Verizon has gone on record as planning for the first phones to arrive at or before mid-2011.

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Apple this afternoon updated its photo-organizing and editing app iPhoto '11, part of the iLife '11 suite, to v9.1.1 -- adding new themes to its built-in e-mail options and restoring both a preference to allow photos to be e-mailed using external mail applications and the option to size photo attachments as Small, Medium or Large. The update also addresses a number of issues and improves overall stability.

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A new social data powered GPS application for the iPhone and iPod touch has been released by Cynapse. Localscope is designed to help users quickly explore a location, as well as share information with friends and family. The application collects information about a users location from a variety of sources including Google, Bing, Foursquare, and Twitter. Points of interest around the user are then displayed in a list view with realtime direction pointers and distance meters. Locations can also be plotted out on a map, or displayed through the use of augmented reality and the devices built-in camera. Localscope is currently available in the App Store at a price of $1.

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Acclivity has released an update to its small business accounting software, launching AccountEdge 2011 today. The premier feature of the new update is integration with AccountEdge Mobile for iPad and iPhone, with the iOS apps launching alongside the update. The new iPad app is launching with the release of AccountEdge 2011 and the iPhone version will arrive shortly. The iOS apps will sync cards, items, jobs and activities, while creating quotes, orders, billing for services or time and record expenses. The iOS apps communicate with the desktop software via the online storage service Dropbox.

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Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has sent an open letter to the FCC, arguing in support of extensive protections for net neutrality. The plea suggests the Commission is the only agency "still wearing a white hat," as few other government agencies are generally viewed as helping to protect the rights of the population.

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