First Look: MozyHome remote backup...

Backups are an essential part of modern computer ownership, to ensure that irreplaceable data is recoverable in the event of a hard drive failure or corruption. This could range from important business data or university coursework, to personal photos or financial data. Some users do not feel they'd properly make use of all the .Mac services, so the yearly fee may be slightly cost prohibitive, while others feel that 10GB of storage is too much for them.

Aperture 2.0 appeals to amateurs, pros...

Apple's post-production photography software, Aperture, is more usable to both amateurs and pros since the company released version 2.0, according to one report. The New York Times writes that Aperture 2.0 provides a more accessible, streamlined interface and eases the process of handling photos in full-screen mode. The update also increases speed considerably when dealing with large numbers of photos, but maintains original versions of those photos more efficiently than iPhoto -- Apple's consumer-oriented photo software.

Redesigned BudCase earbud keychain ships...

Extended Access today released an updated design of BudCase, its earbud keychain case made for Apple's iPhone. The BudCase is designed to provide quick access to earbuds any time on-the-go, with the latest revision boasting a lighter and more compact form factor with a slightly increased width to accommodate a greater variety of earbuds. BudCase works with most earbuds -- including those shipped with Apple's iPhone -- and is available in black, red, or blue for $15.

Corsair debuts 16GB 'Flash Voyager' drive...

Corsair today unveiled a 16GB 'GT' Flash Voyager USB 2.0 drive (site not updated), and promised to showcase the device at the CeBIT 2008 show next week in Hanover, Germany. The new drive provides data transfer rates up to four times faster than standard USB 2.0 drives, and is optimized to take full advantage of its advanced flash controller technology as well as screened and hand-selected NAND flash chips. Corsair's Flash Voyager 16GB GT drive is priced at $170.

Mousepose 3 adds Window Highlighting...

Boinx Software today released Mousepose 3, a utility designed for presentations that dims the screen and places a spotlight on the mouse pointer. The latest release introduces Window Highlighting, expanding the focus for highlighting purposes when users hover the mouse over a window. MousePose 3 also adds Mouse Click Visualization with a more elegant animation as well as audible click feedback. The software is available for $17 as a single user license, while new Family licenses are priced at $30 and support up to five Macs in a household. The software requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later.

iPhoto 7.1.3 fixes wire-bound books, cards...

Apple today unveiled iPhoto 7.1.3, an update to its photo organization, editing, and printing application, introducing several fixes. Unfortunately, details on the update are very scarce, saying little more than "this update addresses issues with wire-bound books and cards." The update for iPhoto 7.1.3 is available both through the Apple support downloads website and through the Software Update application, located underneath the Apple Menu.

Apple influential to 'No Country for Old Men'...

The Coen brothers -- the creators of 'No Country for Old Men' which won five Oscars at this year's Academy Awards -- have discussed how Apple hardware and software were influential during the editing process of the film's creation. "They [Apple] made it really easy for us — we cut now much the same way we cut on film [using Final Cut Pro]. It's hugely faster," said Ethan Coen. 'No Country for Old Men' won 'Best Picture' this year and is the first movie edited with an entirely digital workflow on a Mac to win the Oscar, according to Macworld.

First Look: Drive Genius 2, disk utility...

Your data is only as safe as your hard drive. Backing up can protect your data, but for complete protection, you need to maintain your hard disk. Not only can hard disk maintenance keep your hard disk from failing and losing valuable data, but hard disk maintenance can speed up your computer by making it run more efficiently. Although Apple provides every Macintosh with its Disk Utility program, you may want a more powerful disk maintenance and repair program, such as Drive Genius 2 from ProSoft Engineering.

Safari not secure against phishing, says PayPal...

PayPal warns its members to avoid using Safari when making transactions, since it has a distinct lack of protection against phishing – the act of coaxing a user to click on a false link on a false web page for malicious purposes. PayPal users are typical targets for phishing attempts, where the page asks users for their personal login information. Once this information is collected, malicious users have free reign over a compromised PayPal account.

MacBook Air patent hints future expansion...

Apple has filed for several patents related to the MacBook Air that cover currently implement technology and hint at future expansion potential for the sub-notebook. Included is a patent for the collapsible port, which apparently was originally earmarked for the rear of the notebook and was to present additional options. The patent reveals that the collapsible port may show up on other Apple devices, with patent writers stating "the present invention may apply to other types of devices, and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention."

3G iPhone due mid-year with Infineon chip?...

The 3G iPhone is coming in the middle of 2008 with technology supplied by Infineon, says an analyst with the investment bank UBS. Nicolas Gaudois claims his statement is based on various checks, and particularly an HSDPA design win by Infineon set to ramp up during the second quarter of the year. This might not be of concern except that Infineon is said to also be ramping down EDGE chip production for the current 2.5G iPhone, with the intention of clearing out inventory.

iPhone mod adds haptic feedback when typing...

In an effort to make typing on the iPhone more familiar, the University of Glasgow has unveiled a hack that provides vibration feedback when a virtual key is pressed, simulating the effect of typing on a real keyboard. The patch enables what the University calls haptic feedback, which researchers say can help improve typing speeds, while simultaneously reducing errors. The hack is available from the University's Google Code page, requiring a jailbroken 1.1.3 iPhone.

AmTech: March 6th to bring corporate e-mail...

The special event Apple has planned for March 6th will likely introduce better corporate e-mail support, argues Shaw Wu of American Technology Research. The analyst cites "industry and developer sources," who say that Apple has been conducting months of beta testing in order to make the iPhone function properly with Microsoft ubiquitous Exchange Server technology. The same sources suggest that support is imminent for Lotus Notes, for which IBM has confirmed that a web client is in development.

O2 confirms Irish iPhone launch...

Coming only a day after exploration of Apple's iPhone 1.1.4 firmware revealed references to unsupported carriers, O2 Ireland has confirmed that it will soon be releasing the iPhone for its network. The debut is in fact scheduled to coincide with the beginning of the company's fourth financial quarter, with an official launch set for March 14th. This also marks the beginning of the St. Patrick's Day weekend.

Apple airs new iPod touch TV ad...

Although not yet available on Apple's website, Apple on Wednesday night released a new iPod touch commercial, touting its recently updated WiFi mobile device. Premiering on American Idol during US primetime, the ad features nearly a dozen iPod touch devices laying on a wooden tabletop, with one user showcasing various Touch features (internet, mail, maps, and video playback) using Apple's patented gestures to the lyrics "I don't want know what I want I'm looking for, but I know I want to look some more." The commercial ends showing several hands grabbing each iPod touch and a blank table showing with the "Everybody touch" caption.