Puretracks hits DRM-free mobile music fray...

Puretracks, with labels Universal, Sony BMG, Warner, EMI, and various independents under its belt, is offering a new DRM-free mobile music store and service for BlackBerry smartphones from Research In Motion (RIM). As the latest company to take a stab at Apple's music download dominance, the new music service competes directly with Apple's WiFi iTunes store for the iPhone and iPod Touch and will work with the BlackBerry Pearl, BlackBerry Curve and BlackBerry 8800 series smartphones. Using compressed DRM-free AAC/AAC+ file formats, Puretracks Mobile Edition will be unveiled March 12 at the South By Southwest (SXSW) event in Austin, Texas. A full version of the mobile music service is expected to launch at CTIA Wireless April 1.

Apple updates BaseStation software

Apple on Tuesday issued an update to its BaseStation software for its wireless devices, including the AirPort Express Base Station, AirPort Extreme Base Station, and its recently introduced Time Capsule backup device (see our First Look). The update, which first appeared as "AirPort Base Station Update 2008-001" via the Software Update, includes general fixes and compatibility updates for AirPort Utility, AirPort Disk Utility, and AirPort Base Station Agent; however, it is now available as AirPort Utility v5.3.1 and is described by Apple as "the setup and management utility" offering a variety of options for each device. The 8.8MB update is available for both Tiger and Leopard (and Windows).

Microsoft issues update for Office 2008 for Mac...

Microsoft has released Office 2008 12.0.1 for Mac OS X, a new update to the productivity suite that fixes vulnerabilities in Office 2008 that an attacker can use to overwrite the contents of your computer's memory with malicious code. The new release also fixes an issue that could give a local user who does not have administrator permissions access Office 2008 program files. This issue occurs when the non-administrative user account was assigned User ID (uid) 502. This issue affects only computers that have more than one local user account, and primarily affects environments, such as public computer labs and workplace networks, where access to program files is restricted.

WiebeTech offers RTX Dual-Bay RAID

WiebeTech has announced the RTX200H-QR, a new RAID hard drive solution featuring RAID 0/1 for two drives in TrayFree bays. The TrayFree technology doesn't force the user to install hard drives into trays -- you can imply slide in a SATA drive and shut the door. The RTX200H-QR is compatible with four different interfaces: eSATA, FireWire 800, FireWire 400 (via included converter cable) and USB2. The new new metal bays also have two LEDs for power and access. Bays are lockable for added security. Hardware RAID 1 offers best possible protection of data by mirroring the drives in real time. Hot-swappable bays allow the user to remove and replace failed drives without shutting down the system. The new unit is priced at $500.

iPod nano overheats, sparks in Japan

The Japanese industry ministry is reportedly investigating an incident in which an iPod Nano "overheated and discharged sparks." Reuters quotes the ministry "The battery part of the product overheated while being charged and sparked," Apple's iPod safety manual states "When you're using iPod or charging the battery, it is normal for iPod to get warm. The exterior of iPod functions a a cooling surface that transfers heat from inside the unit to the cooler air outside." As such, iPods have been known to overheat when placed in cases that do no allow adequate ventilation.

ReceiptWallet 2.0 adds cataloging...

GGT Enterprises has announced the release of ReceiptWallet 2.0, an upgrade to the company's receipt and document management application for Mac OS X. This release adds new features for cataloging non-receipt documents, an updated interface, support for on-the-road document scanning via Apple's iSight camera and the ability to organize documents into multiple libraries that can be tracked separately. With ReceiptWallet, paper receipts and documents can be scanned from any TWAIN-compatible scanner. Web or email-based receipts can be saved as PDF files from any Mac application and automatically sent to ReceiptWallet using the Print command. In addition, ReceiptWallet has support for the popular Fujitsu ScanSnap scanner.

Apple works to trademark 'thinnovation'...

Apple has filed for a new trademark with the European Trademark Office, simply entitled Thinnovation. Apple has been using the term in slogans ever since it revealed the MacBook Air on January 15th, inserting it primarily into web and print advertising. These uses are the focus of the International Classifications in the trademark filing; the trademark would also apply to installation and maintenance, as well as educational and training purposes.

PocketMac GoBetween adds Entourage...

PocketMac has launched two new versions of its GoBetween sync software, for Microsoft's Entourage 2004 and 2008. GoBetween is used to improve on the support of Apple's iSync software, which does not always properly support all software and devices. The newest versions of GoBetween ensure that contact, calendar and task information is properly transferred from Entourage to iCal and Address Book, and from there to iSync and whatever devices may be connected.

Apple updates Shuffle, MacBook Air software

Apple has released software updates for two of its most recent products. MacBook Air owners now have access to the SMC Update 1.0 package, which according to Apple "fine tunes the speed and operation of the internal fan." The software installs to the "Applications/Utilities" folder, and is a 551KB download that requires Mac OS X 10.5.1 or later. iPod shuffle owners can meanwhile download the v1.0.4 firmware patch, which delivers "enhanced support" for the new 2GB Shuffle, as well as unspecified bug fixes.

Symantec ships AntiVirus Dual Protection...

Symantec has released a new anti-virus suite, AntiVirus Dual Protection. The package actually contains two pieces of software -- AntiVirus 11 for Mac and AntiVirus 2008 for Windows -- and is intended for owners of Intel Macs, who may use the Boot Camp feature of Mac OS X Leopard to run Windows XP or Vista on a separate partition. Each application is tailored to the specifics of its platform, requiring the two versions.

First Look: Bling! It image enhancement...

To sell items on auction sites like eBay, you need to show others what you’re selling. Take a good picture of the most run-down item and it can still attract buyers. Take a lousy picture of the most valuable item and the picture alone can turn off potential buyers. To increase your chances of attracting buyers and making a sale, take the best pictures possible. If your pictures still look drab and dull, spice them up with Bling! It.