The MacTrack – iPhone, iPod, iPod Touch and Mac News

Budapest, Hungary – BinaryNights is pleased to announce the release of ForkLift 1.6, an exciting and free upgrade to the fastest and most powerful file management and transfer utility for the Mac. ForkLift takes the best of Finder: the simplicity of the interface coupled with granite functionality. This includes the Sidebar, Favorites, QuickLook, etc, but adding the ability to connect to FTP/SFTP/WebDAV servers, manage Amazon S3 and iDisk accounts, batch rename, archives and more.

This exciting new release is introducing a revolutionized user interface that is opening a new chapter in versatility and workflow perfection in file management. The most spectacular change is the option to switch between Single Pane and Dual Pane modes, complemented with a new Tabs management policy and a generally increased modularization and versatility of the UI. The 1.6 upgrade also includes extended and improved keyboard controls, including keyboard based item selection and navigation across volumes, and an improved adaptation of the Finder and Commander default keybinding sets.

Version 1.6 also brings a series of important fixes, most importantly, a fix for the tenacious Move bug from 1.5.x versions, with the Move command now working across different volumes. We’ve also fixed a number of smaller FTP and SFTP bugs, and some issues relating to WebDAV.

New in ForkLift 1.6
* Single/Dual Pane Mode
* Separated Tabs management
* Tabs remembered on restart
* Path Navigator drag&drop
* Keyboard selection
* Volume Quick List from keyboard
* Reworked Finder/TC keyboard controls
* Redesigned Info Panel
* Automatic folder size calculation
* Retains calculated folder sizes
* Open in New Tab
* Open in Opposite Pane
* improved Color Labels

Fixes
* Move bug across different volumes fixed
* FTP/SFTP/WebDAV bugfixes

Along with the new release, BinaryNights is also proud to announce the release of a ForkLift wiki that contains the complete user documentation for the app.

ForkLift 1.6
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There are four of us at BinaryNights; all of us come from different IT backgrounds. We were originally involved with developing J2EE enterprise applications for telecommunication enterprises, like T-mobile. We bought our first Mac in early 2006 and immediately fell in love with the concept. It was obvious that this is a much more progressive market to develop applications for. Desktop application development was an exciting opportunity to shift to from the repetitive enterprise tasks.

Venice & Santa Barbara, California – Spinning, the worldwide leader in indoor group cycling, has introduced the iSPINNING fitness application available on the Apple(R) iPhone App Store. iSPINNING, free for a limited time only, is an innovative new cardio and cycling application that compiles real-time data for fitness tracking. iSPINNING is the first of a suite of health and fitness apps enabled by iTMP Technology, a pioneering developer of smartphone hardware and software applications.

For iPhone and iPod touch users interested in cutting edge fitness applications, and for Spinning enthusiasts eager to integrate their fitness data with Apple’s mobile computing platforms, the new iSPINNING iPhone application is a breakthrough in fitness tracking.

iSPINNING is an iPhone-based Spinning computer and cardio fitness system that is compatible with leading fitness heart rate transmitters and a growing list of other fitness sensors. In addition to heart-related data, iSPINNING receives speed, cadence, and power data from cycling sensors so users can track cycling metrics from their road and mountain bikes too.

“For years the fitness industry has struggled with the complexities of tracking and displaying fitness data in ways that are appealing to the end user. iTMP has raised the bar with their suite of iPhone apps that collect data from body and equipment sensors to track and present it in a simple and usable format,” said John Baudhuin, CEO of Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc., creators of the Spinning indoor cycling program.

“While there are a handful of fitness apps for the iPhone, until now none of them have incorporated real-time user data in their calculations. With our wireless virtual bridge, SMHEART LINK, we connect distributed health and fitness sensors to Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch. In other words, we enable Apple’s incredible mobile computers to double as heart monitors and cycling computers,” said Michael Williams, founder and CEO of iTMP.

The iSPINNING application will run with simulated data so users can see how the application will monitor and manage cardio fitness metrics. Additional hardware, including iTMP’s SMHEART LINK, will be required to allow the app to “listen” to your heart and your Spinner(R) bikes or outdoor bikes. SMHEART LINK stores an entire workout’s worth of data, compiling information even while the iPhone app is interrupted by a call or if the iPhone is not present. The result is an uninterrupted workout profile that can be reviewed real-time during or after a workout. iTMP’s SMHEART LINK has a suggested retail price of $149.95 (USD) and will be available for the holiday and resolution seasons online, where users can also find additional product information, accessories and receive updates. Spinning’s website, will also carry SMHEART LINK and Spinning’s cadence sensor.

iSPINNING

iTMP Technology, Inc. was founded to revolutionize the world of fitness and health metrics monitoring. iTMP partnered with industry leaders to bring cardiovascular training and cycling metrics to the iPhone and iPod computing platforms. With iTMP’s SMHEART LINK wireless bridge, athletes can track their cardio workouts anywhere, with no syncing or additional uploading software.

About Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc.
The Spinning program offers an energizing, cycling-inspired group exercise training program with expert coaching, exhilarating music and a unique mind/body philosophy – all at a self-directed pace. The Spinning program has reached more than 30,000 clubs and millions of enthusiasts in 80 countries worldwide. Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc. is the worldwide leader in indoor group cycling bikes, education and products. The company works closely with Star Trac(R) on its patented line of Spinner bikes and develops and markets Spinning instructor orientations, & continuing education programs. iSPINNING is a trademark and Spin, Spinning, Spinner and the Spinning logo are registered trademarks of Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc. logo.

Corby, UK – Mac Bundle Box today announced their third bundle promotion a MiniBundle with 5 popular Mac applications from some amazing developers. There is something for everyone, and just in time for Christmas, all serials are fully transferable as gifts. In the Mac Bundle Box MiniBundle you can get 5 applications (plus a bonus application for early buyers) for only $39 that’s a saving of over $110.

Mac Bundle Box is squarely aimed at everyone who uses the Mac platform. However their primary focus are new consumers who have just purchased their first Mac, offering them a head start in their buying of Mac software. Mac Bundle Box guarantees the consumer a massive savings, in most cases discounted more than 75% off.

Mac Bundle Box is defining rock bottom. Applications featured in their Holiday MiniBundle:

* KavaTunes (35.00) – Am application for creating an online library of all your iTunes music.

* LibrarianPro (29.95) – Manage your DVD’s, Books, Games and CD’s with ease. Fully supports barcode scanning!

* Alarm Clock Pro (19.95) – Get woken up softly, wake up relaxed and not startled.

* HyperImage (25.00) – Download web galleries and pictures online with ease. Easy bulk image downloading.

* Mac Cleanse (19..95) – Purify your system, release hundreds of megabytes or even gigabytes of storage.

* (BONUS) iWallet (19.99) – Simple expense and money management, for people who need a quick and easy solution.

Pricing and Availability:
Mac Bundle Box MiniBundle is available for only $39.00 (USD) for all 6 applications, and exclusively from their website. Most applications in the bundle will work with Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) but, some do require Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard). For more information about each application in the bundle, visit the Mac Bundle Box website and click an applications icon to view full its description.

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Mac Bundle Box was founded by Christian Owens in early 2008. Mac Bundle Box aims to provide the best Mac applications on the market at the lowest possible prices. Christian Owens has much experience in the web and application industries, working with popular social networks and other web professionals such as Chris Pirillo.

New York, NY – Chooseco LLC and Magnetism Studios are pleased to announce the publication of two titles in the classic Choose Your Own Adventure series for the iPhone. The joint venture is releasing Journey Under the Sea, and Return to Atlantis on Tuesday December 10th.

“Magnetism Studios approached us right after the launch of the iPhone 3G in July,” Chooseco publisher Shannon Gilligan says. “It was a natural fit for Choose Your Own Adventure. Magnetism has done several very fun, well-designed apps, and the iPhone makes for a great reading experience. Plus, our illustrations and the animated interface look great on the high-res screen. It’s so great to bring the books to a new audience and platform.”

Or maybe an old audience.

“Everyone at Magnetism read the Choose Your Own Adventures growing up. Even just seeing the covers of the old books makes us feel nostalgic, and we realized that a lot of other iPhone users probably feel the same way,” states Joshua Keay, Magnetism’s President. “The Choose Your Own Adventure series helped make reading cool, and we think bringing the classic books to the iPhone will help both old and new readers enjoy them.”

And the author’s take? “My favorite feature is that you can shake the phone and it will randomly take you to another page the book,” says series author and founder R.A. Montgomery. “It has the exact randomess of the paper version. I can’t stop using it.”

The titles are available exclusively via the iTunes App Store for $3 (USD). Additional information and links can be the Magnetism Studios website.

Choose Your Own Adventure
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About Chooseco, LLC
Chooseco, LLC publishes The Choose Your Own Adventure series. Widely commended for its appeal to reluctant readers, the series is among the most popular series for children ever published, with more than 250 million copies sold in 38 languages. Chooseco has sold over 1.5 million copies since the series re-launch in 2006. Each story is written from a second-person point of view, with the reader assuming the role of the protagonist and making choices that determine the main character’s actions in response to the plot and its outcome.

About Magnetism Studios
Magnetism Studios, based in New York City, is a product design studio committed to bringing together the worlds of technology, design and entertainment. With a full product line ranging from software and online greetings to t-shirts, all their products feature a clean and playful aesthetic. Since 2005, Magnetism has been developing for Apple’s Macintosh Dashboard platform, and in 2008, Magnetism expanded its offering to create a new line of apps for Apple’s new iPhone platform.

Erlangen, Germany – iPhone and iPod touch users now can e-mail individual Christmas greetings personalized with a photo of themselves or a friend dressed up as Santa Claus – directly and from any place in the world with “Fabulous Christmas Greetings” by Enabling Labs.

Send fabulously funny Christmas Greetings to your friends and beloved, dressed up properly like the real Santa in hats, caps, beards, glasses and lots of other items. Pick from a huge range of Santa accessories to disguise your photo individually, freely and originally.

The handling is quite easy: The user takes a photo with his iPhone camera of whoever he wishes to appear in that greeting, or selects one from the iPhone photo library. With a few touches on the screen, the person in the picture can be dressed with a hat, adorned with a variety of beards or glasses and decorated with one of the many seasonal framings.

Finally some personal lines and seasons greetings can be added in a color, size and text style of one’s choice, and the personal greeting card is finished. The user then saves the greeting card to the iPhone photo library, from where it can be sent off directly by e-mail or transferred to a Mac or PC to be printed out.

Pricing and Availability:
Fabulous Christmas Greetings is available at the iPhone App Store at a price of $1.99 (USD). Evaluation copies available on request.

Fabulous Christmas Greetings
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JSP Late Research GmbH is specialized in products and services in the field of operating control, image processing, and mobile solutions. Our main business is the development of operating control software for the realization of everything from consolidated operating and control functions to complex facility control systems. The enterprise was founded in 2000 in Pfofeld/Germany. Copyright 2000-2008 JSP Late Research GmbH. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone and iPod are registered trademarks of Apple Computer in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Vilnius, Lithuania – iPresentee, the developer of add-ons for Apple’s iWork and iLife applications, releases free Christmas Mail Stationery templates to be used with Apple’s Mail software. New Mail Stationery package includes ten wonderful templates: Santa Claus Letter, New Year’s Day, Christmas Wreath, Merry Christmas, Gift, Snowman, Christmas Letter, Christmas Socks, Santa Claus and Christmas Tree.

Christmas is on its way and there’s a good cheer everywhere. Everyone wish to spread joyous of Christmas among dear ones. Therefore iPresentee presents Christmas Mail Stationery templates designed especially for Christmas holiday.

Christmas is coming! Send the warmest Christmas wishes to your friends, family members, colleagues and others. Creating an e-mail with Christmas Mail Stationery templates is exactly the same as creating an e-mail using the usual Mail Stationery templates. New Mail Stationery templates comes with an installer to make sure the templates end up in the right place and would be displayed in Apple Mail New Message Stationery menu automatically.

Minimum Requirements:
* Mac OS X 10.5 with bundled Mail application
* 15 MB Hard Drive space

Pricing and Availability:
Christmas Mail Stationery templates are offered free of charge. Free Mail Stationery templates for Christmas are available for download at the iPresentee’s website. Samples and more information about Mail Stationery templates are available immediately at the iPresentee’s website.

iPresentee
Christmas Mail Stationery templates
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Located in Vilnius, Lithuania, iPresentee company was founded in 2007 by a group of professional and enthusiastic IT designers. With a focus on the Mac platform, iPresentee’ perspective goal is to create high quality, easy to use and fun add-ons for Apple’s iWork and iLife applications. Copyright 2007-2008 iPresentee. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, and Apple Keynote are registered trademarks of Apple Computer in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Luxembourg City, Luxembourg – publicspace.net announces the fifth minor update to the recently released A Better Finder Rename 8. The new version adds the ability to selectively remove blocks of numbers from file names. The utility is already well known for its ability to create and manipulate sequence numbers.

Version 8.0 delivered a new user interface, save-able presets, automatic software updates and a brand new multi-threaded renaming engine that enables the software to automatically resolve file name conflicts, re-order renames to avoid deadlocks and provide an improved interactive experience.

System Requirements:
* Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
* Universal Binary for Intel and PowerPC
* 5 MB Hard Drive space

Pricing and Availability:
A Better Finder Rename may be purchased for $24.95 (USD). Family, Business and Enterprise licensing is also available. Customers may chose to include a “forever upgrade” with their purchase.

A Better Finder Rename has long been the most comprehensive file renaming solution for the Macintosh and has transformed the tedious and time-consuming task of renaming multiple files into a simple matter of seconds for thousands of creative professionals across the world. It is based on over 10 years of listening to our users and addressing their requirements to the best of our abilities.

publicspace.net
A Better Finder Rename 8.0.5
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publicspace.net was founded by Frank Reiff in 1996 with the aim of producing affordable best-of-breed software for the Macintosh. In the past decade, our A Better Finder series of file utilities and our MacBreakZ personal ergonomic assistant have become familiar fixtures of the Macintosh community. publicspace.net is also active in the Windows software market.

Sursee, Switzerland – uncomplex gmbh has released Mailplane 2.0. Acting as a site specific web browser for Google’s Gmail, Mailplane is a full fledged Mail client for the Desktop. Version 2.0 sports many new features, including full Gmail 2 support, new Gmail add-ons and keyboard shortcuts, better account notifications, more ways to create email attachments, plus a new OmniFocus clipping plugin.

Mailplane fully integrates the Gmail web interface into the Mac experience, offering users the best of both worlds. And since Mailplane doesn’t change the way Gmail works, its unique features can still be enjoyed, including conversations, labels, global access, endless storage, spam protection, and the ever fast and powerful Google search.

Mailplane supports multiple Gmail and Google Apps accounts; the app lets the user easily switch between accounts without the need to sign in/sign out from the Gmail accounts.

With full iLife integration, users can browse and attach files from their iPhoto and iTunes libraries. Downloads can be directly imported into iPhoto as well. The integrated screenshot tool lets the user take and attach a window, screen or region.

Users can Drag and Drop files and images on the dock application icon, or any Mailplane window to create and upload attachments. And with automatic photo optimization, image attachments can be converted and resized to make the message even smaller.

Mailplane can play a user defined sound, as well as show the number of unread messages in the application icon, account drawer and status menu item. As Mailplane monitors all Gmail accounts, unread message counters and message subjects are displayed for each account. For even more appealing notifications, Mailplane fully integrates with Growl. Mail can be sent directly from the Mac address book, Safari or any application showing “mailto” urls.

Mailplane 2.0 highlights include:
* New Gmail 2 add ons and keyboard shortcuts like Apply/Remove label, navigate to label, and hide spam counter
* Much improved account notifications including a “Do not disturb” mode
* More ways to create email attachments (clipboard, better drag/drop support)
* Mailplane URL to access searches and conversations from any application
* OmniFocus clipping plugin to create task with a Mailplane URL

Minimum Requirements:
* Mac OS X Version 10.4.11 Tiger or 10.5.5 Leopard
* Universal Binary for PowerPC and Intel
* 15 MB Hard Drive space
* Internet connection
* One or more Gmail account(s)
* Optional: iPhoto 5 or later
* Optional: Growl (http://growl.info)

Pricing and Availability:
Mailplane 2.0 is available in English, Brazilian Portuguese, Catalan, French, German, Icelandic, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian (Bokmal), Portuguese (Portugal/Europe), Polish, Romanian and Russian. A single user license is priced at only $24.95 (USD) and may be used by a single person on two Macs. A Family option (5 users in same household) is available for only $15.00 (USD). Educational discounts are available. For commercial use, volume and site discounts are offered. A full-featured, 30-day demo is available and a recommended update for all customers. Mailplane 2.0 will be a free upgrade for all registered 1.x customers.

Mailplane 2.0
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Located in beautiful Sursee, Switzerland, uncomplex gmbh is a privately funded company founded in 2007 by Monique and Ruben Bakker. With an focus on the Mac platform, uncomplex’ mission is to combine great web applications with the productivity and beauty of OS X. Copyright 2007-2008 uncomplex gmbh. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, are registered trademarks of Apple Computer in the U.S. and/or other countries. Google, Gmail, and the Google logo, are registered trademarks of Google Inc.

Toronto (ON), Canada – Zevrix Solutions announced today the release of BatchOutput DOC 2, which provides advanced solutions for demanding enterprise and office publishing environments through automation of printing and PDF output. With BatchOutput DOC, users only need to select the files they wish to output and adjust the settings, and BatchOutput will do the rest automatically. And because BatchOutput can run in the background, it enables users to output large jobs efficiently without monopolizing a workstation.

The new version introduces the following advanced solutions which automate, simplify and streamline the direct PDF output from Microsoft Word:

* Split multi-page Word documents into single page PDF files.

* Assign variable output file names which can include page number, user name, date and other values.

* Reduce PDF file size and optimize documents for various purposes such as web, print, or on-screen viewing. BatchOutput DOC lets users precisely control the image resolution and compression which can help dramatically reduce the PDF file size without compromising its quality.

* Apply the Mac OS X Quartz Filters which can, for example, change PDF color tone or lightness.

* Encrypt and password protect PDF documents using various levels of security. For example, users can specify passwords to restrict printing, copying and document opening.

* Define output folders and save the favorites ones for instant access.

BatchOutput DOC can automatically process thousands of documents saving users the time and hassle of outputting each file manually. And the new PDF production solutions make the software equally indispensable for exporting of single Word files as well.

Pricing and Availability:
BatchOutput DOC 2.0 runs on Mac OS X 10.4.2 or later (including Leopard), is Universal Binary, and works with Microsoft Word 2008. BatchOutput DOC 2.0 can be purchased for US$34.95 from the Zevrix Solutions website, as well as from authorized resellers.

Zevrix Solutions
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Located in Toronto, Canada, Zevrix Solutions provides productivity solutions for Adobe Creative Suite software, graphic file diagnostics, and Microsoft Office on Mac OS. Zevrix Solutions makes it easier for professionals to achieve more while doing less by automating their everyday tasks, producing error-free documents, saving disk space and cutting down on production costs.

Alameda, California – Karelia Software has released version 1.5.3 of Sandvox (R), its award-winning website creation software for Mac OS X, and is offering holiday savings on both the Regular and Pro Editions of Sandvox.

Version 1.5.3 is a maintenance release that includes important updates and fixes, including including better support for animated GIF images and loading of third-party plugins. This new version is compatible with the recently released version (1.5) of the Sandvox Developers’ Kit. To take advantage of new plugins from Karelia and third parties, Karelia is urging all current users to update, and is inviting others to jump in the Sandvox and give it a try.

Sandvox 1.5.3 is available for downloading on a trial basis and for purchase in both Regular and Pro editions from Karelia’s website. Single-user licenses are regularly US$49.00 and US$79.00 respectively, but between December 10th and 24th, Karelia Software is offering 20% off purchases. Using the coupon code SANTAVOX, Karelia’s online store will generate the discount, which also applies to gift purchases.

Sandvox 1.5 comes bundled with 50 designs, and additional designs are available free to those who sign up for Karelia’s email list. Other quality designs are available from Blueball Designs and Sandvox Web Designs, with more third-party designs available soon.

A Universal Binary for PowerPC and Intel architectures, Sandvox 1.5.3 requires Mac OS X “Tiger” version 10.4.11, or “Leopard” version 10.5 and above, and is available in English, French, Danish, German, and both Simplified and Traditional Chinese. More information about Sandvox is available at Karelia’s website (created with Sandvox, of course).

Review copies for traditional and online media are available. Please direct requests to our media matters address and include your name along with your publication’s or podcast’s name and/or URL and any information about particular features or needs of special interest to your readership or audience.

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Karelia Software, founded in 2001, is a California-based developer of Macintosh software, including the Apple Design Award-winning applications Watson and Sandvox. Its products are designed to appeal to Mac users who seek simple yet powerful software for home and business.