iWeb 2.0.3 update improves stability

Apple today unveiled iWeb 2.0.3, an 18MB patch that improves the application's stability and reliability with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. The update says little more, mirroring closely the vague nature of the patches that were released yesterday for iWork. The patch is available through the Software Update utility, or from Apple's website.

Briefly: Apple search surge, Leopard backup...

In brief: Apple jumps to number 10 in search activity, a new book on backing up in Leopard debuts, a user has compiled a list of closed-captioned movies on iTuns, Encore and PlayFirst are teaming up for Mac games, and Rocket Raid cards are now certified for Matrox ... The unveiling of the MacBook Air has caused a surge in search activity for Apple, which ranks #10 on the Lycos 50 top 10 search terms for the Week Ending Jan. 26, 2008. Apple jumped from the number 17 spot on last week's list. In other news, former President Bill Clinton sees more search interest this week than his wife, presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton. Search activity for Mr. Clinton is up 1,400 percent.

MagicFrames 3000 plug-in Universal ships...

HumanSoftware today began shipping MagicFrames 3000 plug-in Universal, its plug-in for Corel and Adobe Photoshop/Elements. The plug-in adds edges, frames, borders, or special pattern effects to images. Users choose from more than 3,000 frames and 1,200 edges using an editable layering system. The update works in RGB16b mode, and features a special dialog box to easily create custom frames. MagicFrames 3000 is priced at $100.

Apple launches basic Mac tutorials...

Apple today launched a series of tutorials geared toward PC owners who are entertaining the prospect of owning a Mac. The three current guides already available include 'Anatomy of a Mac,' 'Move to Mac,' and 'Windows on a Mac.' Anatomy of a Mac explains the process of using a Mac right away, including the internet setup assistant and the desktop. The tutorial covers the Finder, Dashboard, Mail, the Safari Web browser, iChat, Address Book, iCal, Preview, iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, Spaces, Time Machine, and System Preferences. The video also introduces Stacks and the Menu Bar.

Macessity ships MX4 Rack Tray for Mac mini...

Macessity has unveiled its MX4 Rack Tray for Mac mini, a device made specifically for Apple's smallest desktop Mac. The tray features designated locations for one Mac mini at each corner, supporting up to four of the systems while providing ample ventilation via air slots in the base. Holes located in the tray sides allow for easy cable management, according to Macessity, while cable ties (not included) hold down excess cabling. The MX4 Rack Tray is priced at $60, and includes mounting screws.

LANDesk Security Suite 8.8 enhances protection...

LANDesk Software today unveiled LANDesk Security Suite 8.8, an update that brings data leakage progression, wireless access point detection enhancements, patch management, host intrusion prevention, and other enterprise-level benefits. Data leakage prevention allows administrators to govern what information can leave a facility, reducing the chance that sensitive data will be made available to malicious or naive employees. New customers can purchase LANDesk Security Suite 8.8 for $60.

xScope 2.0 adds 'Dimensions' tool...

Artis Software and The Iconfactory have released xScope 2.0, an update to the application that allows users to measure as well as compare and contrast anything on the screen. The update adds 'Dimensions,' a simple tool that projects a beam from the mouse cursor to instantly locate the edges of images, margins, and blocks of text. The latest revision also adds screen support for Apple's iPhone and Windows Mobile. xScope 2.0 is priced at $28, with upgrades from version 1 available for $10. The software requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later.

Apple TV update delayed 1-2 weeks...

Apple today announced that its new Apple TV software update, which allows users to rent high definition movies directly from the living room, is "not quite finished." The company says it plans to make the free software download -- which CEO Steve Jobs unveiled during his keynote speech at Macworld in San Francisco earlier this month -- available to existing Apple TV customers in "another week or two."

Ferrari president tips hat to Apple...

Italian sports car manufacturer Ferrari has given praise to Apple Inc. (Italian), calling the company a "myth" that started from nothing and evolved into the most innovative company in the world. Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo dubbed Apple revolutionary, adding that the Mac and iPod maker boasts extraordinary communication skills, according to setteB.IT. Montezemolo also made light of the fact that Apple is close to young people, and cited Google as well as Ralph Lauren among the most dynamic companies today.

Kollective updates TINBOT hard cases...

Kollective.de has introduced an updated version of its TINBOT iPod cases. As the name implies, they are made of impact-resistant tin, but they are also lined internally with neoprene, preventing scraping and offering extra protection against outside forces. The updated cases have been slimmed down, but focus primarily on offering new art choices from illustrators such as Christopher Lee, Jeremy Madl and Kurt Ketchum. Additionally, people can buy a matte-white TINBOT if they want to add their own decoration.

Street: Apple has hard road to 10 million iPhones...

Apple may have a difficult time reaching its 2008 sales goal of 10 million iPhones, says market publication The Street. The publication notes that while Apple has sold over four million iPhones to date, to reach 10 million by the end of this year, it will have to average 2.5 million phones per quarter, which is 200,000 more than what was sold during the last, holiday-driven December quarter. The company is also facing a number of financial obstacles, internal and external.

iTunes U adds new PBS material, more...

The iTunes U section of the iTunes Store (iTunes link) has expanded with material from a number of different institutions. Among these is PBS, which has added content from the national network, and local stations such as KQED (San Francisco), WETA (Washington, DC), WGBH (Boston) and WNET (New York). This consists mostly of video snippets for teachers, such as clips on topics like solar eclipses and nanotechnology, but also full-length documentaries, and lesson plans for shows like Ken Burns' The War.

Apple stock undervalued 20-23% - analyst...

ValuEngine Bulletin, believes that Apple stock is currently undervalued, according to financial analyst Steve Hach. Based on its proprietary models, ValuEngine estimates that the market is at or near the bottom, suggesting that this may be the time to buy Apple stock. Its historical charting model triggers a buy recommendation any time Apple stock’s price falls below $135.24, which corresponds to an undervaluation level of 20 percent to 23 percent. Currently, the forecasting model states that Apple stock is 23.8 percent undervalued.

FastMac intros 17-inch MacBook Pro battery

Upgrade specialist FastMac has announced a new upgraded notebook battery, designed specifically for the 17-inch MacBook Pro. By swapping it with the default unit, owners are said to gain extended battery life, over and above the 5.75 hours promised by Apple. Along those lines, the FastMac battery is rated at 71Wh, surpassing Apple's 68Wh figure. Both batteries, however, use lithium-polymer cells, and have LED lights to indicate charge status. The new FastMac model should ship within 10 days, and can be pre-ordered now for $100; this is said to be $30 cheaper than a replacement from Apple.

Eye-Fi update brings iPhoto integration, more

Eye-Fi recently unveiled Eye-Fi Manager 1.2.5.0, an update to its device management software for the Eye-Fi wireless storage card. The update brings with it iPhoto integration, and increased stability for both Mac and PC users. Users also receive a firmware update, which improves the card's performance when it is in less-than-optimal broadcasting conditions, and enhanced compatibility with Kodak's Easy Share cameras. Existing users are able to upgrade for no additional charge.