Apple’s new releases

The G5s weren't the only new releases Apple unrolled during its WWDC keynote. Apple previewed the newest iteration of the OS X operating system, Panther, which will be available for US $129 by the end of the year. In his keynote address, Steve Jobs introduced a revamped Finder that he likened to the iTunes playlist, features to ensure better integration in Windows networks (like support for SMB-based directories on Windows servers), and the interface-management tool Expose, which allows users to view and organize open windows. Other new features include the security feature FileVault, a revamped Mail application, a font-management system and improved networking capabilities.

Panther also includes iChat AV, an instant-messenging client that offers support for audio and full-screen, full-motion video over broadband; although the application is free for Panther users, Jaguar users can get it for US $29. In a happy bit of synchronicity, iChat AV works with Apple's newly-debuted video-conferencing camera, iSight. The camera is already available for US $149; it has a noise-suppressing microphone and an auto-focus lens, as well as the ability to send video at a 30-frames-per-second rate. iSight is designed to be mounted on the top of the computer screen and to tilt and rotate.

Those who have not yet succumbed to the lure of video chat can surf the Web on Apple's final release of Safari. The browser has been in beta since its launch in January 2003 at Macworld Expo, but the 1.0 version has now been released. http://www.apple.com/safari/download/

Free Issue of "The Better FileMaker Developer"

The Better FileMaker Developer has released the seventh edition of its learning series. This issue includes a fresh look at the inside secrets of FileMaker relationships and their use in Portals. It is free for a limited time to all FileMaker users. http://www.bfmd.net/

Best Mac OS X Product

At the Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) Apple announced the winners of its annual Apple Design Awards. As with last year, the awards recognize Mac OS X software that excel in seven categories. Topping the list with two awards was Salling Clicker 1.5 from Salling Software, taking Best Mac OS X Product (Best of Show) and Most Innovative Mac OS X Product. Using Bluetooth networking, owners of select Sony-Ericsson cellular phones can control scriptable applications such as iTunes or Keynote on their Macs (especially cool is the capability to run "proximity sensor" scripts that activate when the phone comes into the Mac's Bluetooth range).
http://developer.apple.com/wwdc/designawards.html
http://homepage.mac.com/jonassalling/Shareware/Clicker/

Alarm Clock Pro

Alarm Clock Pro 6.2.7 is a digital alarm clock that can speak alarms, shut down, sleep, or wake the system, address new email messages, log out the current user, connect/disconnect from an ISP, and more. The new version adds an Alarm Menu in the menu bar to display all alarms. Alarm Clock Pro is US$15.95 for Mac OS X and Mac OS 8.6 and up. http://www.koingosw.com/products/alarm_clock_pro.shtml

Palm Desktop 4.1 Released

New in Palm Desktop 4.1 is a Send to Handheld application that enables you to add image or MP3 music files to a Palm OS device by dropping them onto the application's icon. Send to Handheld can also copy files directly to SD (Secure Digital) cards installed in the Palm. Owners of Palm Tungsten T handhelds can play back MP3 files using the recently released RealOne Mobile Player, which is a free 350K download, or included with the new Palm Zire 71
Palm Desktop 4.1, which runs under either Mac OS X or Mac OS 9 (though Palm recommends you don't synchronize the same handheld in both environments), also features improved, rewritten AppleScript support. The installer is a free 11.2 MB download.
http://www.palm.com/support/macintosh/mac_desktop.html
http://www.palm.com/solutions/personal/realone/