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NewerTech And OWC Introduce New 87.9 Fm Roadtrip! Model
Other World Computing Introduces 300GB Mercury Elite Storage Solutions
Prosoft Engineering Announces Drive Genius is now available through Ingram Micro Distribution.
Guest PC 1.0 Windows x86 PC emulator
iDefrag 1.06 Defragmentation & Disk Optimization
Maya 6.5 Professional 3D rendering software
Canon's New 4.0 Megapixel PowerShot A520 Digital Camera
New Mac Game Titles Available and Coming[/url]
NewerTech And OWC Introduce New 87.9 Fm Roadtrip! Model
Newer Technology (NewerTech) and Other World Computing (OWC) have announced a new 87.9 FM model of the popular NewerTech RoadTrip! FM transmitter. The RoadTrip! allows users of Apple Computer's iPod and other digital music players to listen to their favorite audio files through a car stereo.
The 87.9 FM RoadTrip! is immediately available at http://www.macsales.com/roadtrip along with the original 107.7 FM model, both for the new, lower price of $14.99.
"87.9 FM is a limited use frequency reserved for educational institutions, which broadcast at a very low output wattage, and our 87.9 Megahertz (MHz) RoadTrip! model easily provides crystal clear sound within a vehicle tuned to 87.9 FM no matter where in the U.S. your road trips may take you," said Larry O'Connor, president of OWC. "Our RoadTrip! transmitters have been very popular, and we're pleased to introduce this new model that has less competition on the airwaves and is even more affordable than before."
Both RoadTrip! models connect to a vehicle's 12-volt cigarette lighter and have a 3.5-millimeter stereo jack that is compatible with all four generations of iPods, the iPod mini, iPod Shuffle and any other device outputting audio with a standard analog mini-jack (headphone jack).
"As customers can hear in our online audio comparison sample, the RoadTrip! transmitter offers a better, more dynamic sound with better audio frequency range than its competitors," O'Connor said. "With its unbeatable price and our 30-day money back guarantee, there's absolutely nothing to lose and a whole lot of freedom and good times to gain."
More information on pricing, ordering and availability for NewerTech's RoadTrip! FM transmitter can be found online at:
http://www.macsales.com/roadtrip
Other World Computing Introduces 300GB Mercury Elite Storage Solutions
Other World Computing (OWC) has expanded its line of Mercury Elite external storage solutions with the introduction of 300 Gigabyte (GB) models priced beginning at $299.99 for a FireWire 400+USB 2.0 combo version, $319.99 for a FireWire 800/400-only version and $339.99 for a FireWire 800/400+USB 2.0 version.
Additionally, OWC has reduced prices on all of the company's Mercury Elite 400GB external storage solutions, which now start at $429.99.
All 300GB Mercury Elite drives spin at 7200RPM and feature an 8 Megabyte (MB) data buffer. Designed to combine high-speed Oxford bridge solutions and the fastest drive mechanisms available, the new 300GB Mercury Elite solutions provide data transfer rates from 60 Megabytes per second (MBps) for the FireWire 800 solutions to more than 40MBps for the FireWire/USB combo solutions.
"Our Mercury Elite drives are not just fantastic performers when it comes to providing extra storage space and world-class data backup capability, they are built to last," said Larry O'Connor, president of OWC. "These solutions have been highly recommended by publications such as Photoshop User, MyMac.com and others. The 300GB Mercury Elite drives are an excellent addition to our product line, and it's very satisfying to discount our massive 400GB solutions across the board."
Each Mercury Elite drive measures 1.5- x 9.0- x 5.5-inches, weighs less than three pounds, ships with Intech HD SpeedTools, Dantz Retrospect backup and restore software, all necessary cables and an external power adaptor, and comes with a two-year OWC warranty. The drives are compatible with Mac OS 8.6 through 9.22, all versions of Apple OS X, Linux, and Windows ME, 2000 and XP.
Complete pricing and ordering information is available online at:
http://www.macsales.com/firewire
Prosoft Engineering Announces Drive Genius is now available through Ingram Micro Distribution.
Prosoft Engineering announces the availability of Drive Genius for Mac OS X through Ingram Micro Distribution. The Ingram Micro part number for Drive Genius is F60153.
"Drive Genius is quickly becoming our hottest product," states Gordon Bell, Sales Manager of Prosoft Engineering. "Many Macintosh users have been waiting for a replacement for Norton Utilities and they‚ve expressed great enthusiasm that Prosoft has developed such a product."
Drive Genius is packed with powerful management tools such as repartitioning on the fly volume defragging S.M.A.R.T checking secure drive shredding permission fixing and other powerful features. Drive Genius also has several maintenance tools that allow you to analyze, repair, and quickly clone an entire volume.
• Drive Genius is available for purchase online at http://www.prosofteng.com for $99 and at Apple Stores, Fry‚s Electronics, ClubMac, MacMall, Microcenter, J&R, Computerworld, MacConnection, and Amazon.com.
• Product upgrades from: Norton Utilities, Disk Warrior and TechToolPro are also available
For more information, visit:
http://www.prosofteng.com
Guest PC 1.0 Windows x86 PC emulator
Guest PC is another computer inside your Mac. That computer is an emulated x86 PC.
It is virtual, it has no separate monitor, mouse, keyboard or hard drive. It is just a Mac OS X program that allows you to install the Microsoft Windows operating system on your Mac and use the software developed only for Windows compatible computers.
Guest PC works just like a usual application and you can easily switch between Windows and Mac OS X desktops at will.
System requirements:
Mac OS X 10.3 or higher
Guest PC sells for $69.99
For more information, visit:
http://www.lismoresystems.com/
iDefrag 1.06 Defragmentation & Disk Optimization
Advanced Mac OS X disk defragmentation and optimization. Supports the very latest features of HFS+, including journaling, case sensitive filenames and adaptive hot file clustering (which means it won't mess-up the Hot Zone).
iDefrag Features
Supports HFS and HFS+ (Mac OS Extended).
Supports case sensitive and journaled filesystems.
Supports adaptive hot file clustering (“Hot Zone”).
Four powerful defragmentation algorithms:
• Compact data, moving all free space to one place.
• Optimize filesystem metadata.
• On-line defragmentation.
Defragment whilst your disk is mounted.
• Advanced programmable optimization.
Rearrange your disk the way you want.
B-Tree metadata file compaction/optimization support.
High performance user-defined file classification engine.
Per-block and accurate whole disk display.
Detailed statistics so you know whether you need to optimize.
Inspector allows you to view details of individual extents/files.
Quickly jump to specific files to examine them in more detail.
Altivec accelerated display for improved performance.
Auto-update feature ensures you always have the latest version.
Fine-grained security, just like iPartition.
AppleScript support.
New in this version:
• Added "Full Defrag" option (a combination of Metadata and Optimize algorithms).
• Added B-Tree optimizer.
• Improved performance, especially on large disks.
• Reset the next allocation pointer after defragmentation, to improve placement of new files.
• Added "match all files" statement to classification language.
• Added pre- and post- defragmentation shell scripts for on-line defragmentation; this feature can be used to automate any commands necessary to notify server software about files that need to be closed and re-opened.
• Added /sbin to the BSD class.
• Display disks (as opposed to volumes) using gray text, to make it more obvious which things you can select.
• Don't display disks that don't have any volumes iDefrag can defragment.
• Improved parser error messages in some cases.
• Improved display updates for Quick (on-line) defragmentation.
• Improved error messages displayed during extent scanning.
• Fixed a bug with the "include" statement.
• Fixed a bug that caused extent scanning errors on disks with a Start-up File.
• Fixed a B-Tree iterator leak in a couple of error paths.
• Updated help.
• Demo version now available (100MB disk size limit).
System requirements:
Mac OS X 10.3 or later, 500MHz PowerPC or better, 512MB RAM. Supports internal and external disks. To defragment your boot volume, you need to boot from a different volume (except for on-line defragmentation feature).
iDefrag sells for $30.00
For more information, visit:
http://www.coriolis-systems.com/iDefrag.php
Maya 6.5 Professional 3D rendering software
This latest release of Alias’ award-winning software is performance driven and packed with new features and enhancements to let you manage complex scenes and massive datasets more efficiently.
Whether you create content for blockbuster films, award-winning games, broadcast spots, print advertising, product design, commercial visualizations, multimedia videos, corporate websites, or any other professional arts application, Maya 6.5 will enable you to take on next generation productions with confidence.
The core features of the OS X version of Maya are the same as those in the version of Maya Complete 3 for Windows NT, Windows 2000 Professional and IRIX, except for features specific to an operating system.
Maya on the Mac is designed to work with all other Macintosh applications and therefore lets you use any of the Macintosh-based compositing solutions.
Enjoy improved file input/output, faster redrawing and significantly improved interactivity in polygon modeling, deformations, 3D Paint and Maya Artisan. Add to this significant performance increases throughout Maya and you'll see why you'll be ready for next generation productions.
Manage complex scene files with reference locking, reference editing, proxies, and enhancements to nested references. All of these tools give you more control to focus on specific sections of massive datasets, the management of scene load times, parallel and collaborative workflows, scene sharing and overall scene performance.
The new STEP translator gives you the ability to quickly import large datasets from most major CAD packages for the creation of high quality product images and animations directly from CAD data
A host of new features and overall performance improvements in this release include new Rapid Scanline and Final Gather algorithms, as well as detailed depth shadows.
A new form of network rendering included with Maya Complete and Maya Unlimited allows use of additional CPUs in a mental ray for Maya render. This additional functionality supports Interactive Preview Rendering, batch and command-line rendering, as well as pre-lighting (textures and vertices).
New in this version:
Performance-driven release optimized to meet the needs of games, film, broadcast and digital publishing professionals seeking dramatic performance enhancements while working with massive datasets. By re-architecting the software to boost performance across the package, Alias has prepared Maya to provide the power and reliability to work with the heaviest models, scenes and animation data. Customers on the Maya Platinum Membership Program can download the software today.
System requirements:
• Mac OS X 10.2.4 or higher
Maya sells for $1999
For more information, visit:
http://www.alias.com/eng/index.shtml
Canon's New 4.0 Megapixel PowerShot A520 Digital Camera
Canon's new PowerShot A520 compact digital camera combines the sought after simplicity of a family-focused camera, a phenomenally faithful four megapixel image sensor and a powerful 4x optical zoom to produce pictures that all can be proud of with the image quality Canon is renowned for. The camera will be in stores this March for an estimated street price of $299.99*.
Named for their use of AA batteries, Canon's A-series digital cameras offer comfortably placed controls and feature high image quality in order for consumers to capture, save and share images of meaningful memories, personal milestones and family functions.
"We created the A520 model to give consumers an enhanced level of image quality and resolution without sacrificing the flexibility, freedom and fun that digital photography can be," explained Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the consumer imaging group at Canon U.S.A., Inc, a subsidiary of Canon, Inc. (NYSE:CAJ). "The PowerShot A520 digital camera continues Canon's long-standing tradition of providing consumers with imaging excellence in an affordable and uncomplicated package."
Like its little brother, the PowerShot A510 digital camera, the new PowerShot A520 model also is 13 percent smaller and 10 percent lighter than previous models, and is also equipped with a longer 4.0x 35-140mm (35mm format equivalent) optical zoom lens with Canon optics for sharp images. The new lens features all-glass construction and two aspherical elements in a seven-element formula.
In order to make the camera smaller, Canon engineered the new PowerShot A520 model to accept SD and MMC media. Even with its small size, the camera sports a large 1.8-inch LCD screen for easy preview and review. It also includes Canon's exclusive DIGIC image processor for fast processing speed, excellent image quality, and crisp, vibrant colors.
The PowerShot A520 digital camera requires only two AA batteries, while providing the same number of shots (300 with LCD screen on) as previous models that used four batteries, thanks to reductions in power consumption made possible by improvements in key components and circuit design.
The PowerShot A520 digital camera is equipped with a nine-point AiAF "Smart" autofocus system and 13 shooting modes. The standard shooting modes are Full Auto, Program, Manual, Shutter-priority, and Aperture-priority with additional modes including Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Fast Shutter, Slow Shutter, Special Scene, Stitch Assist and Movie. The Special Scene modes, which helps make it easy for beginners to achieve optimum results in many popular photo opportunities, has been enhanced with the addition of two new settings called Night Snapshot and Kids & Pets. The PowerShot A520 digital camera is also capable of recording movies with sound for up to three minutes per clip, making it perfect for capturing memories in motion.
The new camera's grip is ergonomically improved, and the control layout is even easier to use than before. Other camera functions including self-timer and review have also been enhanced for greater creative flexibility from previous models
Image quality is enhanced and improved as a result of Canon's proprietary DIGIC (Digital Imaging Integrated Circuit) image processor. DIGIC combines the roles of image processing and camera function control into one chip, resulting in faster display and write times for each image and lower power consumption, which extends battery life. Moreover, because DIGIC technology was designed specifically for use in digital cameras it is also capable of handling JPEG compression and expansion; memory card control; LCD/Video control and processing gain control (control of CCD signal amplification); Auto Exposure; Auto Focus; Auto White Balance control and most other functions.
Located on the backside of the PowerShot A520 digital camera is the Print/Share button. This button simplifies and accelerates direct printing to compatible Canon and PictBridge-enabled printers and one-touch image transfer to computers*** for use with image processing programs, uploading to the Internet, or as email attachments. When the camera is connected to a compatible printer or computer via the supplied USB cable, the Print/Share button illuminates to let the user know to press the Print/Share button to begin the printing or downloading process.
The PowerShot A520 digital camera kit includes a USB cable, audio and video cable, wrist strap, 16MB MultiMediaCard and two AA-size Alkaline batteries as well as the Canon Digital Camera Solution Disc Version 22, featuring the latest versions of Canon's powerful software and ArcSoft PhotoStudio.
Optional Accessories
In addition to its rich feature set, the PowerShot A520 digital camera is compatible with a wide variety of optional accessories including supplementary wide-angle (WC-DC52), telephoto (TC-DC52A) and close-up lenses (52mm Close-up Lens 250D). These accessories enhance the new camera's versatility and make it easier to use in specialized applications such as real estate and insurance photography. An underwater housing, WP-DC60, is also available and can be used at depths up to 130 feet. The combination of the A520 digital camera with the WP-DC60 housing unit is great for family vacations at the beach, while skiing, or simply to help protect the camera from the elements.
New High Power Flash HF-DC1
Canon was able to improve the performance of the A520 digital camera's built-in flash relative to its predecessor - the PowerShot A85 digital camera, with a maximum distance range of approximately 11 feet at ISO 100. To further enhance the built-in flash of the A520 digital camera, Canon has developed a new optional accessory called the High Power Flash HF-DC1. The flash is a supplementary unit that operates wirelessly and increases the effective flash range up to approximately 30 feet. The HF-DC1 flash is supplied with a mounting bracket so it can be attached to the camera, but it can also be hand-held or mounted on a tripod or accessory light stand to adjust the lighting angle for pro-like quality results. Multiple HF-DC1 units can be synchronized with a single camera for even greater lighting flexibility. This smart high powered slave flash unit is compact and compatible with almost every PowerShot digital camera
For more information, visit:
http://www.usa.canon.com
New Mac Game Titles Available and Coming
NOW AVAILABLE, best-sellers from MacSoft/Destineer:
Rise of Nations Gold Edition
$49.99 MSRP - UPC 828068103132
Multiple award winner also includes "Thrones & Patriots" expansion pack! Selling like crazy!
Atari Arcade Classics
$19.99 MSRP - UPC 828068103163
Value pack includes retro classics Pong, Centipede & Breakout!
Macintosh Board Game Trio
$39.99 MSRP - UPC 828068103156
Value pack includes #1 requested MacSoft Scrabble, plus Monopoly and Risk II. A very hot seller!
Railroad Tycoon 3
$49.99 MSRP - UPC 828068103149
The best Railroad Tycoon has ever been!
COMING SOON from MacSoft/Destineer:
Close Combat: First to Fight
$39.99 MSRP - UPC 828068103170
Multi-platform release coming in March 2005 with a multi-million advertising/PR budget. Winner "Best of Show" at last week's MacWorld Expo. Based on a training tool developed for and in cooperation with the USMC.
Dora the Explorer Animal Adventures
$19.99 MSRP - UPC 828068103187
Coming in February.
Kids love Dora! Join the Nick Jr. favorite and her animal friends for fun and learning.
For more information, visit:
http://www.macsoftgames.com
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NOW AVAILABLE from Freeverse Software:
3D Bridge Deluxe 2005 Edition
$24.95 MSRP - UPC 0 80627 04012 2
A great way to learn or brush-up on your game, now upgraded and improved for 2005! Many bidding styles including Weak 2 bids, Stayman, Gerber, and Blackwood conventions, and more! Solo play with colorful computer characters and the easiest online play with other Mac users around the globe.
Robin Hood: The Legend of Sherwood
$29.99 MSRP - UPC 080627040245
Mission-based RTS with beloved characters/settings! Richly detailed settings. Sharp looking package!
Big Bang Board Games
$24.95 MSRP - UPC 080627040153
Apple Design Award-winning classic board game fun with Chess, Backgammon, Checkers, Reversi and more!
Spartan (Mac)
$29.95 MSRP - UPC 080627040160
Turn-based strategy, rich in historical detail.
Burning Monkey Solitaire 2005 Edition
$24.95 MSRP - UPC 080627040139
FV's #1 seller! More fun (and monkeys) than you would expect from any ordinary computer solitaire game!
Airburst Extreme
$29.95 MSRP - UPC 080627030116
Fast and furious bubble-popping action!
COMING SOON from FREEVERSE:
Burning Monkey Mahjong 2005 "3D"
$24.95 MSRP - UPC 0 80627 05001 5
Due to ship February 24, 2005
The Burning Monkeys are heading to the Far East to challenge you in the most beautiful Mahjong Solitaire game ever! Dozens of tile sets and infinite layouts and more jokes and animations then you can shake a banana at!
Knight Shift
$39.95 MSRP - UPC 0 80627 05005 3
Due to ship March 1, 2005
A light-hearted romp through vales of swords and mists of sorcery, KnightShift is a unique blend of RTS/RPG that will keep you clicking late into the night!
BumperCar Browser 2.0
Only $29.95 MSRP - UPC 0 80627 05003 9
Due to ship March 15, 2005
BumperCar 2.0, the content filtering Mac OS X web browser, is a major revision to last years MacWorld San Francisco's Best of Show winner. BumperCar has been rewritten from scratch using Apple's WebKit technology. It now features faster rendering of complex pages, increased stability and takes advantage of web standards for improved compatibility. Key features remain the simplest to use and most comprehensive set of content filtering and parental controls available for any platform. Preschool, Home, Middle and Upper School modes included. Additionally, a new educational version allows automatic network updating of white and black lists, making BC Browser 2.0, with it's client-side content filtering, an ideal solution for schools with 1-1 iBook initiatives.
X2: The Threat
$39.95 MSRP - UPC 0 80627 05004 6
Trade · Fight · Build · Explore. The ultimate test of combat, tactical, navigational and entrepreneurial skills, "X2 - The Threat" is a space simulation of breathtaking depth and scope. Due to ship late March 2005.
For more information, visit:
http://www.freeverse.com
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AVAILABLE NOW from Feral Interactive:
Chessmaster 9000
$39.99 MSRP - UPC 644247001552
The best Chess game ever, featuring a fresh new "X" look!
Bionicle: The Game
$29.99 MSRP - UPC 644247002108
International kids phenomenon, fantasy action, now for Mac!
Ford Racing 2
$19.99 MSRP - UPC 644247002412
Drive the best Ford cars since 1949 in this value-priced, name-brand impulse buy!
COMING SOON from Feral Interactive:
Commandos Battle Pack
$49.99 MSRP - UPC 644247001354
Feral brings this million-selling series to the Mac for the first time! Includes both Commandos II: Men of Courage and Commandos III: Destination Berlin. Due to ship in February 2005.
For more information, visit:
http://www.feralinteractive.com
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AVAILABLE NOW from GraphSim Entertainment:
X-Plane v8.0 (Mac DVD)
$49.99 MSRP - UPC 740569000393
Latest version of the world's most comprehensive and powerful flight simulator. A HOT seller!
For more information, visit:
http://www.graphsim.com
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COMING SOON from macXware:
MacFonts 2
$29.99 MSRP - UPC 831666005159
Add even more to your fonts library with this collection of 1000 more high-quality OpenType and TrueType fonts made for Mac OS X users. Shipping early February.
For more information, visit:
http://www.macXware.com
Charles W. Moore
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