Contour unveils iSee iPhone v3 clear case...

Contour Design today unveiled the iSee iPhone v3, a new version to its iSee line of clear cases, advertising a sleeker design and additional protection. The iSee features a two-piece snap together polycarbonate chassis, which is 30-percent lighter and 20-oercent thinner than the previous model, while still offering full protection. The iSee iPhone v3 also features removable silicone port covers for the dock and headphone connectors. Contour Design is selling the case for $30.

Opinion: Why is Apple waiting on Blu-Ray?...

When Blu-Ray and HD DVD were first discussed, Apple said it would commit to Blu-Ray, but was allegedly waiting for a winner to be proclaimed in the next-generation format war. Robert Cringely, a writer for PBS wonders what Apple is waiting for, since Toshiba recently announced that HD DVD was to be no more. Cringely theorizes that Apple could be waiting to add official Blu-Ray support into its professional apps, like Final Cut Studio 2.

Spring Up!, a realistic physics game...

Frozax Games has announced the release of a new physics-based action game called 'Spring Up!' for Mac OS X. Using realistic physics, Spring Up! offers a unique game experience with bouncing balls and bricks. The player needs to clear levels by launching balls on color-matching elements. A player-controlled paddle at the bottom of the screen gives additional points when catching the items. The levels are made up of various dynamic and motorized blocks, as well as fans, bumpers or teleporters. It can guide or slow down the player in its efforts to complete the 72 levels. Using credits won making big plays and combos, the player can buy around 50 upgradable items for its own customizable garden, such as trees, statues, fountains, flowers and much more.

MacDraft 5.6.4 adds Mac OS technologies...

Microspot today unveiled MacDraft 5.6.4 in both Professional and Personal editions, its 2D drafting and technical illustration software, adding installers that take advantage of several Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger and 10.5 Leopard technologies. The new version features installers for both QuickLook and Spotlight, allowing users to quickly search for, and view, their documents. MacDraft 5.6.4 is a free update for existing users, while new users can buy MacDraft starting at $130.

Developers rejected from iPhone program...

Hundreds if not more of the developers who applied to Apple's iPhone Developer Program have been rejected for membership. The $100 program promised developer support, entry to the iPhone AppStore and other benefits. Part of a published portion of the rejection letter reads: "We have received your enrollment request. At this time, the iPhone Developer Program is available to a limited number of developers and we plan to expand the program during the course of the beta period. We will contact you again regarding your enrollment status at the appropriate time." As pointed out by TUAW, however, "this is less about 'rejection' than it is about developers being unable to commit resources when Apple won't give a firm go-ahead. Feel free to think about it as a 'limbogram' rather than an outright rejection."

SubEthaEdit 3.1: easy remote connectivity features...

TheCodingMonkeys today announced the release of SubEthaEdit 3.1, an update to its collaborative text editing software, adding a number of different features to make internet collaboration easier. The new version adds automatic port forwarding, allowing users to connect easily without manual setup. iChat invites allow users to drag and drop iChat contacts onto the software to invite users to a session. SubEthaEdit 3.1 is available for €29 (~$45).

Toon Boom releases Storyboard 1.5 ...

Toon Boom Animation has announced the release of both Storyboard and Storyboard Pro 1.5 today. In addition to several performance improvements and the support of Mac OS X 10.5 that apply to both products, version 1.5 also brings new features in the Pro version only. In this latest release, Storyboard Pro adds support of Final Draft, Acrobat and Photoshop file format and improved editing capabilities in the timeline as well as enhanced drawings tools.

16GB iPhone seeing shortages worldwide...

The recently introduced 16GB iPhone is seeing shortages that are restricting Apple's ability to serve both foreign markets and even its own, according to checks by iFUN. In the US, the online Apple Store lists the high-end handset as shipping in 5-7 days, while T-Mobile Germany's iPhone page makes no mention of the device, listing only the 8GB version. Austria and France also continue to display the 8GB model alone.

iPod Update 1.3 for 5th generation released

Apple has released update 1.3 for fifth-generation iPods through iTunes. The new release contains "bug fixes," supersedes all previous versions and weighs in at about 6.3MB. You can install the new update by connecting your iPod to your computer and running iTunes.

India not banning BlackBerry after all...

RIM’s BlackBerry smartphone will not to be banned in India, said the country’s telecommunications secretary in an interview Friday. Earlier reports of blocking BlackBerry’s from the country involved the government’s concern over national security as RIM’s proprietary encoded transmissions could not be monitored. Indian telecommunications companies are willing to co-operate with the government and keep logs of messages sent to or from BlackBerry phones for a certain period of time, if that would appease government security agencies’ concerns.

OWC launches new 1.0TB FireWire+USB drives...

Other World Computing (OWC) on Friday announced new OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro FireWire+USB 2.0 Combo storage drives featuring SATA technology. Starting at just over $100, the new drives feature capacities up to 1.0TB and offer the latest Oxford 934 performance chipset, two FireWire 400 1394A six-pin ports, and a single USB 2.0 port. The company says that the drives may be stacked or can stand vertically (using an included stand); they measure only 9.3" (length) x 1.4" (height) x 5.6" (width).

iPhone debuts in Austria, Ireland...

Apple on Friday introduced the iPhone to Austria and Ireland, the first countries to receive the handset since 2007. Already confirmed via its website, T-Mobile will be the exclusive carrier in Austria and is both announcing and launching the iPhone today. The European provider will offer just two service plans for the phone. A €39 Classic plan offers 1,000 minutes of calling to any network, Visual Voicemail, up to 3GB of data transfer per month, and SMS text messages at 25 Euro cents each; a €55 Supreme plan offers both unlimited calling and text messages with the same data cap. A two-year contract is required.