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Posts with tag update

Pixelmator 1.2 "Draftsman" in the wild

Posted May 12th 2008 9:00AM by Mike Schramm
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Software, Cool tools, Graphic Design

My picture editor of choice, Pixelmator, has updated to version 1.2 (as with many other applications, it's just in time for the Apple Design Awards deadline), which they're calling Draftsman. Among the new features are the much-awaited addition of rules and some guides to the UI (with a flashy little indicator as the mouse passes by), as well as the ability to edit color balance and the color curves. There's also a new Polygonal Lasso, and the Transform tool has been reworked "from scratch" to work faster and better.

Pixelmator continues to impress, and with every update, it's becoming a more and more robust little photo editor. Just recently, they laid out "a flight plan" on the blog for what they're up to for summer: the next release, 1.3, will be called Tempo, and focus on making the app just as fast as it is visually striking. And they make another bold claim as well: by the end of the summer, they're aiming to be "completely bug-free." Good luck with that.

But there's no question that development is rolling along for Pixelmator. The app is available as a free trial over on their site, or a full version for $59. If you're looking for an alternative to the 'Shop, Pixelmator is a great way to go.

Photon 1.1 Released

Posted May 10th 2008 5:30PM by Steven Sande
Filed under: Multimedia, Software

Photon, the speedy digital photo workflow app and labor of love from Mike Bernardo's Green Volcano Software, has been updated to v1.1.

Photon differs from Aperture, Photoshop, and the like by focusing on the front end of the photography workflow. Importing RAW images from DSLRs is fast, and Photon's stacking feature simplifies sorting and culling your photos. The update includes:
  • An overhauled caching engine to improve import speed and responsiveness
  • A "Discards" stack for unwanted image files that provides a direct route to Trash
  • A "File stack" feature for moving existing files to a new spot on your hard drive(s)
  • Improved memory card download performance
  • The ability to save and recall stacks when re-launching the app.
The update is free to registered Photon users, or you can buy Photon for $69 (Universal Binary).

Thanks to Mike B. for the tip!

Adobe Reader and Acrobat security updates

Posted May 8th 2008 2:30PM by Steven Sande
Filed under: Software, Security

Adobe Reader 8 LogoDanger, Will Robinson! Adobe is warning that "critical vulnerabilities" have been found in Adobe Reader and Acrobat 8.1.1 and earlier. They are recommending that Acrobat 8 and Adobe Reader users install the 8.1.2 update as soon as possible. Those who are using Acrobat 7 are advised to install the 7.1.0 update quickly as well.

A full summary of the security concerns and links to the update files can be yours by visiting the Adobe security update site. Note that while Acrobat & Reader 8.1.2 have been out for some time, the 7.1 update is fresh this week and the security issue is newly disclosed.

[via Macintouch]

Even more supposed 3G iPhone shots

Posted May 7th 2008 10:00PM by Mike Schramm
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Rumors, Apple, iPhone


Engadget continues to do their part in fueling the fire of rumors that we'll see a second edition of the iPhone this summer. First they supposedly touched it themselves, then they nabbed some shape and spec hints, and now they've got yet another set of "leaked" photos, from a Chinese phone forum.

As usual, we have no idea if this is the real thing, a prototype, or just a little Photoshop fakery. The most obvious difference between what Engadget saw first and what's posted here is the color on the back, but then again, why wouldn't Apple release iPhones in different colors? They've certainly done that with iPods.

None of this guarantees anything, but I will say that if I was shopping for an iPhone, the AT&T memo would be enough for me to hold off on a purchase until mid-June at least. There is an iPhone update storm coming, and the thunder and lightning seem to be getting closer together.

LogicielMac Update keeps your applications current

Posted May 7th 2008 7:00PM by Robert Palmer
Filed under: Software

Software Update is pretty awesome for Apple software, but have you ever wanted that functionality for the rest of your apps? 19-year-old developer Louka Desroziers created a nifty little menubar app called LogicielMac Update that checks for updates to the applications installed on your machine. There are options to automatically download the updates and install them. You can also create an ignored list of apps that you don't want to update.

The app gets most of its information from LogicielMac (logiciel meaning "software," and Mac meaning "best platform ever"), a Francophonic site similar to VersionTracker and MacUpdate. But fear not, English speakers, as LogicielMac Update is localized for English. (Update: Reader Mark noticed that his copy of Firefox was updated with a French-localized version ... so take note, Anglophones! Thanks, Mark!)

The only improvement I could see is showing the difference between free updates and upgrades (that you must pay for in order to get). I always hate it when I download an upgrade without thinking, wiping out my perfectly good old copy that I paid for.

LogicielMac Update is donationware, so show Louka some love if you like what he's made. The download is 1.2MB, and Leopard is recommended. If you've felt unsatisfied by other update managers, check it out.

Thanks, Michael G!

Like Thought Updates Opacity

Posted May 7th 2008 3:00PM by Steven Sande
Filed under: Software, Graphic Design

Do you spend part or all of your time creating resolution-independent graphics for the Web? If you do, then you're probably familiar with Opacity. It's a powerful tool for creating icons or other graphic elements that are designed for viewing on a screen rather than on paper.

The developer of Opacity, Like Thought, LLC, is now shipping version 1.1 of their app. Opacity 1.1 requires Mac OS X 10.5.2 and has a redesigned interface with a new grid and dynamically generated images in the toolbar. To make life easier for new users of Opacity, Like Thought also added a "How To" screencast and four new templates.

The biggest addition to Opacity 1.1 is support for SVG vector graphics for the Web. Opacity creates reusable workflows called factories, which now support such cool features as gamma stripping in PNG images, automatic uploading to Web sites using Cyberduck, and multi-page PDF images.

If you own Opacity 1.0, this is a free upgrade. A demo is available for download, and you can purchase Opacity for $89.

iMac ATI Radeon HD Graphics Firmware Update 1.0.1

Posted Apr 28th 2008 10:30PM by Cory Bohon
Filed under: iMac, Software Update

Apple just released an update for iMacs sporting either a ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro or a ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT graphics card. According to Apple, the update will "improve system stability" by installing a firmware upgrade on the graphics cards. This does affect the newly released iMacs.

After this update is installed, you should see ROM version: 113-B2250L-259. You can download the update by opening Software Update (Apple menu > Software Update) on the affected system, or by downloading the installer package directly from Apple.

Apple also notes: To complete the firmware update process, please follow the instructions in the updater application (/Applications/Utilities/iMac ATI Radeon HD Graphics Firmware Update.app). The updater will launch automatically when the Installer closes.

TUAW previews Hahlo 3: the Legendary Edition

Posted Apr 25th 2008 9:00AM by Mike Schramm
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Software, Features, Freeware, Internet Tools, iPhone

John Gruber's (and my) favorite Twitter web app for the iPhone is about to get better -- if you've been on the Hahlo for iPhone homepage lately, you'll have seen that Dean Robinson is working on version 3 of Hahlo (titled, hilariously for us gamers, the Legendary Edition).

TUAW got to take a look (along with all of the other beta users) at the new software, and here's a short preview running through what the new Hahlo will look like, as well as updates to the system, including a brand new Settings page, inline replies, hashtags and searching, and lots of other cool tweaks and updates.

Our preview starts right after the jump.

Continue reading TUAW previews Hahlo 3: the Legendary Edition

Apple iPhone SDK Beta 4

Posted Apr 23rd 2008 9:12PM by Cory Bohon
Filed under: iPod Family, iPhone

Apple released the fourth version of the iPhone SDK beta today. The iPhone SDK now includes OpenGL ES support for the iPhone (Aspen) simulator. Here's what Apple's developer website says about the update:

The fourth beta version of the iPhone SDK includes Xcode IDE, iPhone simulator with Open GL ES support, Interface Builder, Instruments, frameworks and samples, compilers, and Shark analysis tool.

You can download the SDK update by logging into the iPhone Dev center and clicking the download link.


Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

9:31p New beta build is called 5A258f

9:31p SDK download is 1.15 GBs

9:32p No word yet as to whether pwnage will work with the new firmware--probably not. The last time it took almost a week for pwnage release to catch up (that was version 1.1).

9:34p We're getting tips that Apple is sending out e-mails to developers enrolled in the SDK beta. The e-mails include the same message as above,

9:35p Firmware sizes about 200+MB each for iPhone and iPod touch

9:36p Apple continues with its beta pre-installation advisory. Testing devices may be locked permanently into testing mode.

9:37p If you're new to the SDK program, make sure you phone has been pre-activated with AT&T before you attempt to load the beta software. Once the beta firmware is loaded, you may not be able to activate with AT&T's network.

9:38p No word yet on any other changes, other than those mentioned in the e-mail / website.

9:39p Apple just put the release notes on their website. You can find them here: http://developer.apple.com/iphone/library/navigation/index.html

9:40p Code signing is now ENFORCED by Apple.

9:41p SDK no longer uses the Aspen code name for the simulator.

9:42p Audio Toolbox got a big load of new stuff

9:42p NSXMLParser support

9:43p UIFont is re-done with ascender and other professional font support that has been long missing.

9:46p Please keep sending in info as you find it out everyone! We really appreciate your tips. If you need anonymity, check out our tip line. Thank you to everyone for the great feedback so far!

Update: A blue and green birdie sang in our ear about the UIApplication delegate class: "There are definitely some very interesting methods added to UIApplication's delegate, including methods for badging the Springboard icon, and methods related to gaining and resigning "active" status - seems like background apps may be permitted somehow."

AppleTV update 2.0.2

Posted Apr 14th 2008 5:42PM by Erica Sadun
Filed under: Software Update, Apple TV

TUAW reader Charles Kirschner writes in with the heads up that Apple TV software just updated to version 2.0.2. No word yet as to what this new release brings with it but my guesses are bug fixes. If you're near your unit, do us a favor and upgrade and let us know what (if anything) you notice that has changed. Thanks!

MacBook Air Bluetooth EFI Update 1.0

Posted Apr 10th 2008 9:30PM by Cory Bohon
Filed under: Software Update, MacBook Air

Today, Apple updated the MacBook Air with the Bluetooth EFI update 1.0. Apple has yet to tell in any support notes what this update actually does.

However, for those souls that are willing to download and install the latest (un-noted) updates, you can find this update in your MacBook Air's Software Update app (Apple Menu > Software Update). You can also download the 1.2MB update from the Apple support downloads website.


Thanks to everyone who sent this in!


[Update:] Since posting this story, Apple has updated the link information and has taken off the "EFI" on the title of this update. You can find the update information here.

iMac EFI Firmware Update 1.3

Posted Apr 8th 2008 6:20PM by Cory Bohon
Filed under: Software Update

In addition to the MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air EFI updates, the iMac EFI firmware was also updated to version 1.3. Apple says that this update "fixes several issues to improve the stability of iMac computers."

You can download this update by opening Software Update (Apple menu > Software Update) or by downloading the installer package from the Apple's support website.

Please note: To complete the firmware update process, please follow the instructions in the updater application (/Applications/Utilities/iMac EFI Firmware Update.app). The updater will launch automatically when the Installer closes.


Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

MarsEdit 2.1.3 helps keep drafts in WP and Blogger

Posted Apr 4th 2008 12:00PM by Mike Schramm
Filed under: Software, Cool tools, Blogging

Daniel Jalkut posts that TUAW's favorite blogging app, MarsEdit, has hit version 2.1.3. Mainly a bug fix update, the biggest change is that drafts in WordPress and Blogger are now better handled -- their "draft" status is apparently better preserved.

Additionally, a few markup elements, specifically "#tags#" and "#askurl#" have been tweaked to work better, and there is also improved handling of URLs in localhost-based blogs.

MarsEdit is available, as always, for $29.95 from Red Sweater, or free for a 30-day trial period.

Front Row 2.1.3 update

Posted Apr 2nd 2008 8:40PM by Cory Bohon
Filed under: Software Update

Just when you think Apple's update spree is over, they send you a Front Row update. This update, version 2.1.3, will provide you "bug fixes and improved iTunes compatibility." This update coincides with tonight's iTunes and QuickTime updates.

You can get this update by opening up Software Update (Apple menu > Software Update).

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

iTunes 7.6.2 update

Posted Apr 2nd 2008 7:52PM by Cory Bohon
Filed under: iTunes, Software Update

Today, Apple released iTunes 7.6.2, an update to the previous version of iTunes (7.6.1). Usual Apple update lingo shows that this update fixes some bugs in order "to improve stability and performance."

You can download this update by opening Software Update (Apple menu > Software Update).

Just an aside: past updates have shown us that iTunes updates come before any iPod/iPhone firmware update, so could this mean some new iPhone firmware will crop up soon? Only time will tell.


Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

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