Smart Scroll adds Super Scroll, Grab Scroll, more...

Developer Marc Moini today unveiled Smart Scroll 2.7.5, an update to his scrollbar customization utility, adding full support for Mac OS X 10.5.2 Leopard. The update also adds the Super Scroll setting, which makes scrolling faster, smoother, and features an iPhone-like reverse scroll method. A new Grab Scroll tool allows the user to grab a window and toss it in any direction. Smart Scroll 2.7.5 is available from Marc Moini's website, selling for $20.

Gameloft unveils Bubble Bash for the iPod...

Gameloft today unveiled Bubble Bash, a Bust-A-Move-style game for the iPod. Players choose between Malia and Kale in a tropical treasure hunt, and use multicolored bubbles to pop their way through 100 colorful levels. By joining together three or more bubbles of a certain color, players will slowly dismantle large clusters of other bubbles. Gameloft is selling Bubble Bash for $5, and it is available through the iTunes store.

Sleeping Macs reboot when waking up...

Many Mac owners are crying out to Apple for help with an issue that seems to have cropped up only recently, resulting in erratic and mysterious reboots when attempting to awaken a sleeping Mac. Users on Apple's own support forums are posting in droves about various Mac systems with the issue, though most affected systems appear to be Mac Pros and iMacs. One solution which has worked only for a portion of those affected is to reset the Mac's PRAM and SMC, while still others report no changes in their Mac's behavior.

White Silicone jacket for iPod touch debuts...

Power Support today unveiled its White Silicone jacket for Apple's iPod touch, protecting the device from dust as well as scratches and impacts. The clip is designed for a jacket, purse, or shirt and secures headphones for easy storage. The case is made from high-grade silicone, contains no toxic polymers, and includes film covers for the front as well as the back of the iPod touch. The While Silicone jacket also ships with a dock connector cap alongside a dock connector cover, and is priced at $25.

LifeShaker 1.1 enhances printing support...

Funky Cloud today released LifeShaker 1.1, a free update to the to-do list application for Mac OS X. The latest release enables printing of LifeShaker's lists and unique grid interface to a handy booklet, in addition to a number of bug fixes and performance improvements. The booklet format provides an ideal way to print from LifeShaker with the grid view shown on the front page, listing of goals and steps on following pages and space for notes at the end. When multiple page are required, LifeShaker prints in a format that allows the folded pages to nest together. The software is priced at $30, and requires Mac OS X 10.3 or later.

AAPL to grow due to Macs, not iPhone, iPod?...

Apple's Macintosh computers will play a bigger role in the company's growth than the iPhone and iPod, according to industry analysts. CNN Money reports that BMO Capital Markets analyst Keith Bachman today cut Apple's stock target from $160 to $140 per share. Bachman says that the iPhone's growth is slowing and he remains skeptical on Apple's target of 10 million units sold; his own forecast sees Apple moving around 8.5 million iPhones.

Mac Pro ATI graphics causing freezes?...

Users in Apple's forums are expressing discontent with their Mac Pros, new and old, saying that the machines are suffering from graphics freezes that seem to revolve around ATI-based video cards. Reminiscent of freezes that happened on the aluminum iMacs, the freezes sometimes display graphical distortions, such as lines or swimming dots. Some users theorize that the Radeon X1900 and the 2600 XT tend to overheat easily, especially if the card is dusty.

Survey points to 6% yearly iPod decline...

Analysis of the first month of March quarter iPod NPD data points to iPod sales of between 9.5-10.3 million, according to research firm Piper Jaffray, which would signal a 6 percent year-over-year decline. "While it is way too early to make a definitive call on March quarter iPod units, we have analyzed the first month of NPD data (Jan.) for the quarter and found that it suggests iPod units of 9.5m-10.3m," said Piper Jaffray senior analyst Gene Munster. Wall Street consensus on iPod sales for Apple's March quarter currently stand at 10.8 million units, representing a 2 percent year-over-year increase.

Coolgorilla.com: free iPod Phrase Books...

Coolgorilla.com today announced that it has released a series of free iPod Phrase Books that are available for download from the iTunes Store. Provided via a sponsorship agreement with lastminute.com, the Phrase Books are available in six different languages to translate English text into French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Greek audio. A separate podcast for each language delivers the necessary sound files, while another download installs a familiar phrase book menu system on to an iPod for quick and easy access to hundreds of audio translations.

Enfocus updates preflighting apps, adds CS3 functions...

Enfocus today unveiled several updates to PitStop Server, Instant Barcode, and Instant PDF, bringing a number of new features and enhancements. PitStop Server 4.5 now features a completely reworked user interface, due to popular demand, giving users easy access to hot folder setups, files in process, and the comprehensive history log. Using powerful control methods, users can process entire folder in either a hierarchical or flattened fashion. New users can purchase PitStop Server 4.5 for 2500 Euros (~$3700 USD).

Free iPod Phrase Books released...

Coolgorilla.com today announced that it has released a series of free iPod Phrase Books that are available for download from the iTunes Store. Provided via a sponsorship agreement with lastminute.com, the Phrase Books are available in six different languages to translate English text into French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Greek audio. A separate podcast for each language delivers the necessary sound files, while another download installs a familiar phrase book menu system on to an iPod for quick and easy access to hundreds of audio translations.

AOL unveils Xdrive, 5GB backup plan for Macs...

Following Adobe's announcement of the AIR application platform, AOL has unveiled Xdrive Desktop Lite, a backup application based on the AIR standard. Computerworld reports that AOL is offering users 5GB of backup for free, which is accessed using the downloadable Xdrive application – a first time offering for Mac users. Xdrive Desktop Lite gives users drag-and-drop functionality to backup any data. The service is also available in a 50GB flavor, which costs users a yearly fee of $100.

Australian iPhone deal could prove illegal...

Apple's planned release of the iPhone in Australia could turn out to be an illegal affair under current trade laws, according to one group of law researchers. iPhone launches are expected tot ake place in Asia as well as Australia some time during 2008, but an exclusive deal with one mobile carrier could restrict customer choice in technology markets, according to law researcher Dale Clapperton as cited by theage.com.au. Both France and Germany have both enacted measures to ensure iPhone customers in those countries can choose a carrier other than Apple's chosen partner, to protect consumer choice as well as competition.

Free 1GB Shuffle with 32GB iPod touch...

Amazon.com is currently offering a free 1GB iPod shuffle with the purchase of a 32GB iPod touch. The online retailer lists blue, green, silver, and purple 1GB iPod shuffles as eligible models that customers can add to their shopping cart alongside the 32GB iPod touch. "Just add both items to your cart and you will not be charged for the Shuffle." Amazon.com lists the 32GB iPod touch at $494 and in stock.

DAQ: first OS X 64-bit data acquisition app...

VVI has updated its data acquisition and strip chart application, DAQ Plot to version 10.5.1. Te new release adds 64-bit capabilities, making it the first 64-bit capable app of its kind available for Mac OS X. The app is traditionally used in medical device, pharmaceutics and other important health and engineering projects. The new release also uses the latest hardware-accelerated graphics techniques to deliver data acquisition is real-time and up to 50,000 samples per second.

iPhone takes center stage at Oscars...

Apple's iPhone took center stage at Oscar night when political comedian Jon Stewart, who served as this year's host, used the handset to watch 'Lawrence of Arabia' during the event. Stewart, who joked about how great technology is, watched the movie and even commented on how the flick was better in wide screen. Stewart's mention of the iPhone during the Oscars stands as testament to the device's popularity in the U.S., where the device flew off shelves to leave every Apple and AT&T store empty handed in all but two states during its launch weekend. [photos courtesy of ZDNet]

Cineon/DPX Pro for FC 3.0 due at NAB 2008...

Glue Tools today announced that it will release Cineon/DPX Pro for Final Cut 3.0 at NAB 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The latest release of Cineon/DPX for Final Cut Pro includes Cineon and DPX Sequence Presets along with a full Cineon or DPX Codec, completely eliminating the need to render sequences in Final Cut Pro's timeline. "No More Red Render Bar!" the company states. "Your imagery can be directly loaded into Final Cut Pro or Compressor, without needing to be compressed into an intermediate codec or movie format." The company is already accepting pre-orders for Cineon/DPX for Final Cut 3.0 at $400 per license. The update requires Final Cut Studio 2 and QuickTime 7.3.1. Upgrades for customers who purchasd Cineon/DPX Pro for Final Cut 2.5 after February 1st will receive a free upgraede to 3.0 when the software is made available at NAB.

iToppers offers new, custom MacBook skins...

iToppers.com has launched a redesigned website featuring new original graphic skins for iBooks, MacBooks, and MacBook Pros. The revised site also allows visitors to order a custom skin with personally-chosen graphics. "Now you can add even more style to the best looking portable computer out there with iToppers graphic skins for your Apple MacBook and iBook," the website reads. "Easy to install, [they] protect your MacBook or iBook from scratches." Customized iToppers are priced at $40 for the 17-inch MacBook Pro, $35 for the 12-inch iBook, and $37 for the 14-inch iBook. Premade iTopper skins are priced individually, with most ranging between $17-20.

Dream Chronicles 2: The Eternal Maze ships...

PlayFirst has launched Dream Chronicles 2: The Eternal Maze, the second game in the Dream Chronicles series that incorporates components from hidden object, adventure, and mystery genres. Developed by KatGames, Dream Chronicles 2 continues the story of Faye's adventure between the mortal and fairy world in search of her husband and daughter. With help from Faye's mother-in-law Aeval, players must solve puzzles to unravel the mystery and restore Faye's family. Dream Chronicles 2: The Eternal Maze is priced at $20 and requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later.

iPresentee releases 50 Keynote animations...

iPresentee has created a new pack of animations designed to expand Apple's Keynote features. The company's latest release includes 50 high quality animations for Keynote, allowing users to select the desired animation and drag it to the chosen slide. "Press play and enjoy the way your presentation comes to life," the company said. "Use iPresentee Keynote Animations and no one will forget your presentation. Creating an unforgettable presentation with iPresentee animations is a snap." iPresentee's 50 new animations are priced at $30, and are compatible with Pages as well as Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Express.

Eye-Fi Manager 1.5 adds 'Smart Boost'...

The Eye-Fi crew today released Eye-Fi Manager 1.5, an update to the Eye-Fi Card firmware that adds a new feature -- 'Smart Boost' -- to make wireless photo uploads more efficient and determine the most efficient way to upload photos to a desired location. "In the past, the Eye-Fi Card would first upload your photos from the camera to the Web, where they would then be sent to your online photo-sharing site and to your computer via the Web-based Eye-Fi Service," the Eye-Fi crew said.

Mobile, iPhone versions of LinkedIn debut...

Two cellphone-optimized versions of LinkedIn's social networking website have launched, say members of the company. The site is geared towards exploiting connections for career purposes, by getting users in touch with past and present coworkers and classmates. The site also points out connections in job hunting, and links people to experts with job advice.

Apple serves Cease & Desist to Hymn Project...

The creators of the Hymn Project have once again been forced to shut down, a site moderator has announced. Apple has served the current website with a cease-and-desist order, insisting that all downloads of the associated software be removed. The moderators are further blocking anyone from linking the software on the site, or even pointing people to functionally similar applications.

Adobe releases AIR, Flex 3...

Adobe has released two new products intended for developing "rich" Internet applications. AIR allows programmers to create apps using web-based languages, including Ajax, HTML, Flash and Flex; the end result primarily runs in a web browser, but can also be geared to read and write local files, and work in tandem with locally-stored applications. AIR and its SDK are free downloads, and operate on Mac OS X 10.4.9 or later.