iLuv unveils i80 iPhone/iPod accessories...

iLuv today unveiled its i80 series of its shiny earphones, ear clips, and cases for Apple's iPhone and iPods. The i80 series is designed for women trend setters looking for accessories to enhance their latest gadgets, are fitted with crystal stones, and are available in pink as well as silver and gold. Prices for the new accessories range from $40 to $80, according to iLuv.

Fantom Drives debuts GFQ external drives...

Fantom Drives today debuted G-Force GFQ Quad Interface, a new series of photo-ready external hard drives that support USB 2.0, FireWire 400, FireWire 800, and eSATA connectivity. Boasting a maximum throughput of 300MB/sec, the enclosure features a compact fan-free heat-dissipating aluminum design for portability and near silent operation, according to the company. The G-Force GF1000Q (1TB capacity) is priced at $400, while the GF750Q (750GB) and GF500Q are available for $280 and $190, respectively.

Default Folder X 4.0.1 boosts speed...

St. Clair Software today released Default Folder X 4.0.1, an update to the Open/Save dialog enhancement utility that boosts speed and improves compatibility. The latest release adds a new preview generator that improves performance as well as reliability -- especially under Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger -- and includes an option to display the toolbar as a gray sidebar. Default Folder X 4.0.1 is priced at $35, though upgrades for users who purchased copies on or after June 1st of last year are available for free. Users who purchased Default Folder X prior to June 1st 2007 can upgrade for $15.

Apple unveils graphics card, WebObjects updates...

Accompanying the Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.2 and Tiger security updates earlier today, Apple also unveiled new versions of Leopard graphics drivers, and Web Objects 5.4.1. The new graphics update advertises that improves the stability and compatibility with the Mac OS. The update is available from Apple as a free download, both through Software Update and the company's website, and requires 10.5.2 to be installed.

SplashMoney unveiled as standalone program...

SplashData is now offering a standalone computer version of SplashMoney, its financial tracking application originally designed to work in conjunction with a Palm handheld. SplashMoney offers users a simple interface, which supports most account types – checking, savings, credit card, cash, assets, liabilities, money markets, and lines of credit. Users can also connect to many different banking institutions, such as Bank of America, American National Bank, and Chase. New users can purchase SplashMoney for $20.

Many issues resolved with latest security updates...

Apple's latest Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.2 update and 2008-001 security update for 10.4 Tiger users fixes a number of different vulnerabilities that have existed in a number of different system resources. A stack buffer overflow in Directory Services could allow a local user to execute arbitrary code, while still maintaining system privileges. The issue is resolved by improved bounds checking, and is included with the update.

Apple releases Mac OS X 10.5.2 Update...

Apple today released Mac OS X 10.5.2 Update, which it says is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Leopard and includes "general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac." The 180MB update, available via Software Update, brings AirPort networking fixes, better Back to My Mac support, Dashboard performance improvements, iCal and iChat improvements, Finder and Mail fixes, Parental Control and printing fixes, and Time machine fixes.

Apple makes Citigroup's Top Picks Live, share boost...

Apple stock was subject to slight gains as Citigroup added the Cupertino-based company to it Top Picks Live list, which allowed the computer manufacturer to maintain a Buy rating, with a target of $212 per share. According to AppleInsider, shares of the company have been on a slight rollercoaster ride since its December peak of $199.83, taking a total hit of 37-percent since that time. Citigroup expects Apple's earnings per share will beat consensus by 10 cents, possibly more, for its predicted March quarter.

Disk Order 3.0 adds plug-ins, views...

LikeMac Group has released Disk Order 3.0, an update to the double-pane file manager for Mac OS X that adds new plug-ins and a refined Editor/Viewer. New plug-ins include 'iPod Browse' that allows users to view as well as download music from an iPod's music library, a 'Rar Unpacker' to decompress files in the RAR format, and 'Send To' Mail/Application/Folder to help users quickly send emails or files to any application or folder with one mouse click. Disk Order 3.0 is priced at $30 for new users, and updates are free for registered owners.

REALbasic 2008 Release 1 now shipping...

REAL Software is now shipping REALbasic 2008 Release 1, its cross-platform development environment for Mac OS X, Linux, and Microsoft Windows. Offering over 39 minor improvements, REALbasic 2008 Release 1 includes a new feature called Introspection, which allows programmers to access the type and characteristics of an object at runtime -- before compiling a program. The new feature makes object-oriented programming easier to use and understand while allowing more advanced dynamic programming techniques in creating REALbasic applications.

Apple to open four new European stores [U]...

(Updated with Belfast information) Apple is planning to open at least three new stores in Europe (Italian), according to one report citing an official Apple map. The Cupertino-based company is branching out with retail outlets in Monaco, Zurich, and Geneva. The stores are clearly marked on a company map that was recently updated, confirming rumors about a Monaco-based location. Apple has posted job listings for the three new stores, but has yet to specify opening dates or exact locations, according to Macitynet.it. [corrected]

O2: iPhone pushing 'unheard of' data use...

The iPhone is generating "unheard-of levels of mobile Internet usage," according to Vivek Dev, COO of Telefónica O2 Europe, the sole carrier of the device in the United Kingdom. Web browsing and e-mail are two of the primary purposes of the iPhone, and O2 customers have unlimited use under current plans. Traffic is said to be so high in fact that it is straining O2's network, and this is only expected to become worse as the company switches to flat data fees. Voice and SMS plans were recently upgraded.

Apple files hand-held gaming trademark...

Apple has filed a trademark application that covers a wide array of video game and toy devices. The trademark lists "Toys, games and playthings, namely, hand-held units for playing electronic games; hand-held units for playing video games; stand alone video game machines; electronic games other than those adapted for use with television receivers only; LCD game machines; electronic educational game machines; toys, namely battery-powered computer games," according to Trademork.com.

iPhone, iPod touch price cuts coming by April?...

Prices on the iPhone and the iPod touch may drop substantially within the next two months, a report suggests. Citing an anonymous source, the report claims that by mid-April at the latest, a $100 price drop will reach the 16GB iPhone, as well as the 16 and 32GB Touches; this would put their costs at $399, $299 and $399, respectively. It is also said that sales of the 8GB Touch will stop completely, but the source does not mention a removal of the 8GB iPhone, which would have to happen if it did not also fall in price.