Apple Rumors

Macintosh and iPhone/iPod/iPad product updates and announcements for May 4, 2010:

• Macintosh
• iPod

Macintosh

• Karelia Software has announced a screencast video training course for its Sandvox website builder. Divided into nineteen chapters with a running time of 2.5 hours, the course is available for viewing online, or as a DVD that includes multiple video sizes and additional bonus materials. The training is divided into five sections, walking the viewer through tasks such as injecting custom HTML code onto the page and performing Search Engine Optimization with Google’s tools and much more.
• Ergonis Software has released Typinator 4, a major leap forward in the evolution of text expanders. Typinator 4 introduces a new feature called “QuickSearch” that takes usage and management of text snippets to the next level. Instead of remembering hundreds of cryptic abbreviations, you just type a hot key and enter a few characters, choose from the resulting list and the required text snippet appears in your document right away. It’s like Spotlight for snippets, only much faster.
• Apimac has announced Encrypt Email 2.0, a new major release of their new email privacy software application for Mac OS X. Perfect for both personal and business use, Encrypt Email is an easy-to-use client for sending encrypted emails and/or encrypted attachments. Encrypt Email sports new improvements and fixes for all known bugs. Version 2.0 now offers support for using Mail for sending messages and encrypted files.
• Nova Media today unveiled launch2net Premium, a 3G connection manager with the ability to share your Mac’s 3G connection with iPads and other devices. launch2net Premium can share a 3G modem connection using its Mobile Hub technology. It supports most 3G surfsticks available and already includes connection settings for network providers worldwide. The powerful statistics of launch2net Premium can display details of every mobile data connection.
• Dejal Systems, LLC has announced Simon v2.5.7, the essential server monitoring tool for Mac OS X. It checks web pages, FTP and DNS servers, local or remote ports or volumes, and other services for changes or failures, and notifies you via e-mail, sound, speech, Twitter, SMS, HTML reports, and other means. Version 2.5.7 includes a couple of important fixes, and may be the last release before version 2.6, which drops Mac OS X 10.4 support.
• Zevrix Solutions is offering BatchOutput DOC, its output automation solution for Microsoft Word on Mac OS X, at 50% off on macZOT today, May 4. In addition to batch printing, the software allows to carry out powerful professional PDF production directly from Word eliminating the need for time consuming post-processing. Users can split Word documents into single pages, reduce file size, protect PDF on different levels and optimize resolution and compression.
• Gray Matter Labs has announced SnapRocket 1.0.2, the easiest OS X window switcher available to date. SnapRocket is a keyboard based desktop navigator which doesn’t rely on arbitrary window grids or lists. Instead, users can navigate among their open windows using only the cursor keys and quickly switch to any application running on their desktop. Easily customize keyboard options, overlay color, and navigation options.
• LittleFin Software, LLC, has announced the introduction of Compartments 1.0 for Mac OS X, an easy-to-use home inventory application. Designed to be intuitive, fast, and fun, it allows household items to be entered quickly, and easily searched and sorted by location, type, or any custom tag. Drag & drop photos and other info are easily added to each item listing. FEMA recommends that every household keep a complete inventory with photos to prove loss after a catastrophic event.
• ExactCODE GmbH has released OCRKit 1.1, an update to their powerful, yet affordable OCR solution for Mac OS X. OCRKit recognizes text from images and PDF documents and transform them into searchable PDFs by using advanced Optical Character Recognition technology. Version 1.2 improves overall text recognition accuracy and stability, and features a new de-screen image filter, which reduces print moire patterns, helping to improve the text recognition rate such difficult documents.
• Flash’In’App by Eltima Software is a Cocoa framework that helps developers load and fully manage Flash movies in their own Mac applications. Flash’In’App contains a set of classes, which offer the ability to load, play and manage any SWF files within the application. The developed app can communicate with SWF file via External API, FSCommands and Variables. It is also possible to create custom-shaped windows and running Windows Flash-enabled applications’ GUI on a Mac.
• Reinvented Software has released Feeder 2.1. Feeder is a versatile RSS editor for creating news feeds, podcasts and appcasts. Version 2.1 adds support for WebDAV publishing, a completed updated iTunes Store preview and customizable colors for iTunes U page previews. This release also adds drag and drop Sparkle appcasts, improves MP3 tagging, working with Twitter accounts, gesture support and will now run as a 64-bit application on Snow Leopard.

iPhone/iPod/iPad

• Hard Candy Cases is proud to announce an addition to their iPad accessories family: the Kickstand.  With a snap-on shell made of lightweight polycarbonate that shields the body without adding bulk, the hidden “kickstand” feet fold out for a comfortable horizontal typing display.  Created by in-house design genius, David Adam, the Kickstand is one of the few cases that will work with the Apple iPad dock and Apple iPad Keyboard to support a vertical viewing position.
• 99Games has announced that Natalia Pogonina, a top female Grandmaster with a FIDE rating of 2501 will be joining the online community of their game Chess Elite. Chess Elite is a feature-rich correspondence Chess game that allows players to enjoy quality games with other Chess players spread all over the world. Players can view their career summary and check the details of their games against other players. The newly introduced chat feature allows them to discuss Chess tips and tricks.
• Independent iPhone developer Alexandru Brie has announced Self Help Classics HD 3.0, an update to the best seller ebook app. Self Help Classics is a unique collection of best public domain works in the field of personal improvement, self help, motivation and business books. Version 3.0 brings a redesigned refined interface, enhanced graphics and usability, full iPad compatibility and like its users already expect, brings a new great personal improvement book into this unique collection.
• DDH Software has announced HanDBase for iPad 4.6.0, a new iPad version of the legendary mobile database application. Tailored to take advantage of the unique characteristics of the iPad, HanDBase brings true relational database features to the iPad platform. Special features include split screen views, popovers, and enhanced editing. There is also integration with the popular HanDBase Gallery of thousands of database designs, plus the ability to email records and databases to other users.
• Fairlady Media has announced that their newest game, Spazzle Gold for iPhone and iPod touch, is now free on the App Store. The game was featured on Free App A Day and rocketed up the charts with almost 20,000 downloads. In this nutty new critter-whacking game, players can defeat everything from sly moles, rabbits, and gophers to crazy disco-loving aliens in space. It has unlockable themed worlds, Plus+ global leader boards and awards, and in-app purchases of brand-new worlds.
• Davka Corporation has announced iBless Food 1.0 for iPhone and iPod touch. iBless Food is a lookup guide and reference for the Hebrew blessings recited before and after eating. iBless Food displays a scrollable list of more than 380 different foods, including appetizers, main courses, fruits, vegetables, snacks and desserts. iBless Food includes the text and audio of the blessings recited before and after eating, as well as the text of the Grace After Meals.
• Bliss Software Inc has announced Lazy Diet 1.0, a great iPhone application featuring new approach to lose weight and always stay in a good shape. Lazy Diet is based on subliminal effect of sound and it sends messages that get processed in our brain. After that our body starts to produce more energy and human growth hormone, ensuring muscles build-up. During this process people normally lose a lot of calories as our body consumes energy to increase muscles.
• MeYuMe has introduced Invaders World Tour 1.1, a mashup of retro arcade games, updated for the iPhone and iPod touch. A la Space Invaders, players must shoot and destroy formations of attacking aliens who drop bombs as they descend to Earth. Firefights grow more frenetic as players advance through 60 levels, in command of their ship and weapons. Featured are advanced graphic simulations of smoke, flames, explosions, shock waves, and coronas powered by the Torque 2D Game Engine.
• AppKitchen has announced Engine Sound Off! 1.0 for iPhone and iPod touch. Engine Sound Off! is for car fans looking for a fun, nuetral method to rate engine sounds, and simulate driving their actual car without turning the ignition. The players’ individual car engine sound is uploaded seamlessly into the driving simulator, giving them a more user-generated experience than ever before available. Engine Sound Off! also scores the uploaded engine sounds that the car fan can share and more.
• Jump into a new world of casual gardening with Bloomies, a new game for the iPhone and iPod touch, available now on the App Store. Indie developer Phantoom Entertainment presents a new time management title with vibrant colors, cutesy aesthetic and simple controls, developed for a casual audience of all ages. Grow and manage the most beautiful garden with the help of the friendly bees while unlocking tons of achievements and rewards. With a leisurely pace, drop by your Bloomies garden for a few minutes a day to relax, water the flowers, make a few upgrades and feng-shui the blooming beauties, all for just $0.99.
• Gameprom has announced an update to Pinball HD. The pinball sim now features a whole table view in portrait mode (slide up or down your both thumbs), optimized performance, and multiball in Jungle Style after completing each maze level.
• Indie game developer DHG Games has announced Motocross Challenge 1.1 for iPhone and iPod touch devices. Motocross Challenge is an amazing Motocross racing game where you race through gorgeous scenic locations, handle high-flying jumps and execute death defying tricks. Motocross Challenge will please gamers in need of a pure racing arcade burst as well as 16 bits era nostalgics. The game features 10 tracks to unlock through 30 racing events, highscores and leaderboards and more.
• Scosche Industries has announced the availability of four new earphones—IDR655m, IDR355m, IDR355md, and IDR305m—all featuring Scosche tapLINE II Remote and Mic.  Scosche moved the user friendly control surface to where the wires fork, making switching tracks or adjusting the volume easier than ever before.  The integrated mic on the new models has also been placed higher up on the right channel so it is closer to the user’s mouth.
• Nickelodeon has announced two new apps for the iPhone and iPod touch: SpongeBob’s Krusty Komics and ParentsConnect FunOnTheRun. SpongeBob’s comic book app features three all-new, never-before-seen stories created exclusively for the iPhone, while Nickelodeon’s parenting website ParentsConnect makes its iPhone debut with an app that delivers top local kid and family resources. The new apps—currently available in the App Store—join Nick’s full suite of applications which boast more than 6.6 million downloads worldwide.
• The acclaimed national nonprofit StoryCorps has announced the release of the StoryCorps App for iPhone. StoryCorps, the renowned American oral history project, has recorded more than 30,000 American stories in all 50 states. The StoryCorps iPhone App, developed by Bottle Rocket Apps, is currently available at www.storycorps.org/iphone or in the App Store.