Firebox X protects against Java vulnerabilities...

WatchGuard Technologies recently updated its Firebox X network protection hardware to neutralize the latest Java threats against Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger users. Malicious web pages are reportedly the most common methods of implementation for viruses or attacks, but WatchGuard says that its equipment prevents against these kind of incursions by running network traffic through its Application Proxy technology – a proxy that separates user traffic from web-source to neutralize these exploits. Application Proxy is currently available in all of WatchGuard's products, including the Firebox X line of protective hardware.

OsiriX 3.0 adds Leopard exclusivity, new interface...

OsiriX Medical Imaging Software today was updated to version 3.0, adding, among other things, Leopard compatibility and exclusivity. The new version has been revamped to include both a new, intuitive user interface, and vastly enhanced application performance. The radiologist-designed software has several new third-, fourth-, and fifth-dimension navigation features that have been added. OsiriX is a completely open source project, distributed under the Open Source General Public License.

Safari 3.0.4 security update released [win]

Apple has released a security update for Safari 3.0.4 for Windows. The new release addresses an issue where visiting a malicious website may result in the disclosure of sensitive information. Specifically, WebKit allows a page to navigate the subframes of any other page. Visiting a maliciously crafted web page could trigger a cross-site scripting attack, which may lead to the disclosure of sensitive information. This update addresses the issue by implementing a stricter frame navigation policy. This issue is addressed for Mac OS X in Security Update 2007-009. http://images.macnn.com/macnn/nimagesii/app_070112_safari.jpg

Apple fixes more bugs with Security Update 2007-009...

Apple has released Security Update 2007-009 for both Mac OS X Leopard and Tiger (Intel, PowerPC). The company recommends the update for all users. Among the included security enhancements are the closures of several bugs where visiting a maliciously crafted website may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution. For instance, a Tiger-specific format string vulnerability exists in Address Book's URL handler. By enticing a user to visit a maliciously crafted website, a remote attacker may cause an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution. This update addresses the issue through improved handling of format strings. Another Tiger-specific issue, the potential for memory corruption in the handling of images with an embedded ColorSync profile is exploited by enticing a user to open a maliciously crafted image. This update addresses the issue by performing additional validation of images.

Aspyr ships The Sims 2 Bon Voyage expansion pack...

Aspyr today announced that the Mac version The Sims 2 Bon Voyage has begun shipping throughout North America. Due in stores nationwide later this week, the title was licensed from Electronic Arts as the sixth expansion pack for The Sims 2; it was developed for the Mac by Aspyr Studios, Aspyr¹s internal development team: "Whisk your Sims away from their everyday routines and take them on exciting trips to three exotic locations! Whether relaxing on a lush tropical island in a luxury suite, camping with the family on a pristine mountaintop, or exploring the culture of the Far East, your Sims will enjoy new activities to relax and rejuvenate them. It is available for $35 as pre-order from Amazon.com.

Sonnet unveils 21-in-one card reader for MacBook Pro...

Sonnet today unveiled its new 21-in-one Multimedia Memory Card Reader and Writer ExpressCard/34 product, allowing users to read information from and write information to over 21 different media card types. The card, designed to sit flush with the edge of a MacBook Pro, the reader will take media from MP3 players, digital cameras and picture frames, cell phones and other devices that use Memory Sticks, MMC, SD, XD, among others. Sonnet is selling the device for $30, and requires a MacBook Pro running Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger or later.

Apps: MaxMenus, Meridian, Sapiens

• MaxMenus 1.5.1 ($30) haxie-free utility and launching application. Allows access to your commonly used applications, documents, folders, volumes, preferences. The new version 1.5.1 addresses several compatibility issues with Apple's Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard). The release of MaxMenus 1.5.1 is for compatibility purposes primarily and is available immediately in download form at no cost to registered users of the software. For non-registered users, a 30 day trial version of the preference pane is the default configuration. [Download - 568KB]


• Meridian 3.3.3 ($20) alarm clock and timer for Mac OS X that features improved compatibility with Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard). Meridian starts with an improved Menu Bar Clock, and adds Alarms, Time Zones, Timers, Stopwatches, and Chimes. It can show you the time in any city, remind you when it's time for an important meeting, track a parking meter, or help you time your latest podcast. [Download - 3.2MB]


• Application Wizard 2.3 ($20) lets you quickly open, quit, show and hide applications, open them automatically at startup and force them to open using Rosetta, turn single application mode on and quit background-only applications and the Finder. The Address Book item can now be added to the Special menu, so that you can quickly access your contacts. Application Wizard lets you view cards, display phone numbers in large type, create pre-addressed email messages, visit home pages, invite contacts to a chat, copy mailing labels and create vCards. [Download - 2.3MB]


• Sapiens 1.1 ($20) application launcher. It predicts the applications you will likely need and offers a visualization of this prediction in an intuitive way. Sapiens is activated by moving the mouse in a circle therefore touching the keyboard is really the last resort to be used in case you want to search for a specific application. New in this release: launch animation improved in Leopard, double icon Leopard bug fixed. [Download - 968KB]


• Valentina 3.5.1 ($200) build Local Applications in Ruby and Web Applications with Ruby on Rails. Provides improvements to time/date handling and encryption in all Valentina products, and 12 improvements in Valentina Studio. Documentation is now available for setting up Valentina with Ruby on Rails and support for ActiveRecord 1.5. Support for ActiveRecord 2.0 is currently under development. Support for is also available on the Windows and Linux versions. [Download - 21.8MB]

Domination sci-fi strategy game released...

Virtual Programming has released Domination in digital download format, marking the sequel to its "Massive Assault!" game title. Players enter the universe of Domination to become part of the renewed global conflict between the Free Nations Union and the Phantom League on distant planets. The new game features land, sea, and air strategic warfare in a sci-fi setting. The game is priced at $30, and requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later.

Apple posts Christmas ship times, specials...

With Christmas fast approaching, Apple has provided many specials for its wide variety of products, with details posted in the Apple online store. In order to make sure that customers receive product by Christmas, a minimum purchase date last is available through the online store portal. Dates range from December 13th to the 19th for standard orders, and December 20th to the 21st for overnight shipped goods. Some computer configurations could add some delay, and may not result in a Christmas delivery.

Analyst: 24-25m iPods sold in two months...

Apple may have sold as many as 24-25 million iPods during the first two months of its December quarter, according to one research analyst. "While it is too early to make a definitive call on December quarter iPod results, we have analyzed the first two months of NPD data (October and November) for the quarter and found that it suggests iPod units of 24m-25m," said Piper Jaffray senior analyst Gene Munster, whose current iPod unit estimate for December of 2007 is 23.5 million, above Wall Street consensus of around 23 million.

Briefly: iPhone eBook, Aperture guide...

In brief: An iPhone troubleshooting/usage eBook has been released, a tutorial explains how to restore single images in Aperture, there's a 20% off SmileOnMyMac products, The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile is now Leopard-compatible, and SL MultiTracks Volume 7 has been released in Apple Loops format ... Ted Landau, in association with TidBITS Publishing, has released "Take Control of Your iPhone," a 195-page ebook explaining how to use iPhones more effectively and with less hassle, including dozens of step-by-step problem-solving procedures. The book covers activation, set up, ringtones, the core iPhone applications, and hardware peripherals, as well as how to best use Wi-Fi, EDGE, and Bluetooth connections. Through the end of December, an introductory offer drops the ebook's $15 price to only $10.

Apple TV in the lead, sales may rise...

The new breed of retail-based internet video delivery devices which has emerged over the last few years is currently led by Apple's set top box -- Apple TV -- according to a new study by ABI Research. What's more, the firm says devices like Apple TV will see shipments of 1.2 million next year. Apple unveiled its wireless media streaming device on September 12th of 2006 during a special event in San Francisco. The device has seen limited success since it began shipping on March 21st of this year, and Apple has turned most of its attention to other areas -- primarily its iPhone cellular handset.

Apple refurb, Amazon sells $1,219 MacBook

Amazon.com is currently offering Apple's 13.3-inch White 2.2GHz MacBook with 1GB of memory, a 120GB hard drive, and an 8x SuperDrive DVD/CD burner for $1,219 after a $75 rebate. Apple's online store is selling its current-generation 1GB iPod shuffle in blue, green, pink, and orange for $79 each alongside previous generation 4GB iPod nanos in pink, red, and blue for $149 each. The company's previous generation 8GB iPod nano is also available in black and red for $179. Reconditiond MacBooks are currently limited to one model: the Black 2.16GHz MacBook with 1GB of memory, a 160GB hard drive, and an 8x SuperDrive DVD/CD burner for $1,249.

AKVIS Frame Suite Christmas decorations...

AKVIS has released AKVIS Frame Suite 2.6 for Mac and Windows systems. AKVIS Frame Suite enables users to apply frames and edge effects to pictures, simplifying the process of creating greeting cards from personal photos. The latest revision adds new Christmas decorations to the pattern library, joining the 12 edge effects to provide a vast number of photo frame possibilities. AKVIS Frame Suite 2.6 is available for $50, and requires a G3 or better Mac. The software is also compatible with Mac OS X Leopard.

Denon S-series brings iPod, WiFi support...

Denon today rolled out a last-minute gift option through two new compact stereos designed to pull content from non-traditional sources. The S-52 and its smaller S-32 counterpart both bring Ethernet and 802.11g WiFi that lets each system take music from any Mac, PC, or other networked storage and play it from the device using a relatively complex LCD menu system. It can not only play AAC, MP3, and WMA songs but also Internet radio and lossless formats like FLAC and WAV, Denon says. Those with a subscription or a free trial for Real's Rhapsody service can also stream content directly from the Internet, including both their own libraries and preset channels. Even the time is calibrated online, Denon says.

AmTech: 3G for iPhone is 'niche technology'...

Although a 3G iPhone has been guaranteed for 2008, its importance has been overrated, says Shaw Wu of American Technology Research. HSPA 3G is intermittent in Europe and Japan, Wu says, let alone in the United States; so while the technology can offer speeds up to 3.6Mbps (through the likes of AT&T), users end up defaulting to 2G technologies such as EDGE most of the time. 3G also comes with increased costs: parts such as power amplifiers may add as much as $15 to the price of building a phone, an amount that may then be saddled onto the backs of shoppers.

Piper: 11"/13" ultra-portable at Macworld Expo...

Expectations for the widely-anticipated Mac sub-notebook have changed, say members of research firm Piper Jaffray. Analyst Gene Munster argues that where the firm previously expected an 8- to 11-inch system, they now believe that Apple's "thinnest and lightest" notebook ever will sit somewhere between 11 and 13 inches. It will also be fairly expensive for its size, coming between $1,099 and $1,999; this may be attributable to the option of a 64GB flash drive, or even the inclusion of touchscreen technology similar to that of the iPhone.