AmpliTube 2 Duo bundles Notion Progression...

IK Multimedia today unveiled AmpliTube 2 Duo, a version of its AmpliTube 2 software that is bundled with Notion Music's Progression – an application for creating, learning, and distributing music. When combined, IK claims the pair allows users to create custom sounds using "ultra-accurate" sound models. IK Multimedia and Notion are offering AmpliTube 2 Duo from IK's website, but pricing is not readily available. Existing IK customers can crossgrade for $270.

MacNN reviews new Airport Express, Time Capsule...

MacNN recently posted reviews for both the new Apple Airport Express and the 500GB Time Capsule. Through the course of testing, MacNN's own Wallace Wang found the Express to be a good value for home users, as it supports a wide range of wireless standards, provides printer and audio sharing, as well as compatibility with PCs. The addition of the Draft N standard to the device allows it to remain current with Airport cards in machines.

Adobe clarifies statement on iPhone Flash player ...

Despite Adobe's positive-sounding statement yesterday, CEO Shantanu Narayen clarified that he meant Flash on the iPhone would require more than just the iPhone SDK to pull off successfully. Since Flash requires a very close relationship with Safari – something Apple is normally very hesitant to allow – Narayen says it would need to work closely with Apple to develop a satisfactory implementation of Flash for the iPhone, according to CNET.

Apple releases Time Machine, Airport combo update...

Apple today released a combination update for Time Machine, bundling with it Airport driver fixes. What the update actually fixes is unclear, simply stating "This update is recommended for all users and includes compatibility improvements for using Time Machine with Time Capsule, as well as AirPort driver fixes." The update is available through Software Update under the Apple menu, but Apple has not released its typical accompanying web pages on its support site.

JumpStart converts FileMaker DBs for mobile web...

FMWebschool recently announced JumpStart, a web-based application that allows users to access FileMaker databases from remote locations using a cell phone. JumpStart allows users to visualize their database, and configure which layouts are viewable with which permission sets. FMWebschool is offering JumpStart to FMGateway hosting clients for no charge, while non-client users can pay $10 per month to access the service.

Adapter allows DVI-over-USB connections...

Gefen has introduced a new USB to DVI Graphics Adapter that allows users to connect additional displays Mac OS X systems. This tiny adapter allows a plug and play connection of a DVI or VGA display to any USB 2.0 port so you can add digital video displays or projectors to your laptop and personal computer for simultaneous video delivery without needing a DVI port. Output video is delivered in the DVI-I format, allowing for either VGA or DVI display compatibility.

Damage Effects for Final Cut debut...

Digieffects has begun shipping Damage, a new set of plugins for video and film post production professionals. Damage is a collection of four effects designed for post production professionals who want to create an extensive variety of digital and/or analog defects, errors and artifacts in their footage. It supports Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, Apple Final Cut Pro, Autodesk Combustion and Boris RED.

Music functions off-limits to iPhone SDK developers...

Any functionality related to music playback is inaccessible by the iPhone SDK, a new report claims. While the SDK allows access to many other functions of iPhone and the iPod touch, such as dialing, the camera and Internet access, The Inquirer writes that any components connected to iTunes are off-limits, preventing developers from accessing one of the most popular features of the phone, next to web browsing and Google Maps.

X-GEAR 1.1 available for all AmpliTube users...

IK Multimedia has announced that its X-GEAR software, currently in version 1.1, is now available for free to owners of any "Powered by AmpliTube" package, in addition to registered owners of the StompIO floor controller. X-GEAR acts as a unifying host interface for guitar players, compatible with the StompIO and generic MIDI controllers; users mix and match combinations of amp and effects modelers, added via AmpliTude software such as Metal, Jimi Hendrix and Ampeg SVX.

Sonica plug-in syncs Maya to sound...

EI Technology has released the public beta version of Sonica, a plug-in for the Maya rendering suite. The software is used to synchronize animation in Maya to sound; it does this by extracting spectrum and waveform animation from a track, and generating dependency nodes that can be connected to others for different effects. Multi-tracking is supported, and pre-made scripts are included for common representations of sound such as vertical bars.

Study: Electronics spending to crash, may hurt Apple...

American spending on electronics is about to take a sharp slide, suggests a study by ChangeWave Research. In a survey of over 4,400 Americans conducted between February 18th and the 25th, a full 33 percent said they would be spending less on electronics in the next 90 days, versus only 19 percent who said they would spend more. Although "spending less" responses tend to dominate in most months of the year except for the run-up to Christmas, the gap is now the largest it has been since 2002, a factor which may both reflect and harm an already damaged US economy.

Scribbles 1.2 adds independent layer control...

atebits has released v1.2 of Scribbles, its Mac drawing tool. The software is deliberately simplified, so that users do not have to wade through a sea of menus to produce a quick sketch or illustration; drawing tablets are supported, and users do not have to pre-define the size of their canvas. The update makes several important changes, notably the ability to independently translate, rotate and scale layers, which were previously static.

Code crashes Safari in iPhone 1.1.4, fixed for Mac/PC...

A new exploit has surfaced for the iPhone's Safari browser that, while drawing parallels to an earlier issue, requires no user input to function. According to iPhone World, the vulnerability is triggered by previously conceived code that has been refined in the above manner. The issue affects firmware version 1.1.4 iPhones, and presumably previous versions. Safari on the Mac and PC were also affected by this vulnerability, but it was recently fixed in Safari 3.1, released today.

Plustek unveils 7200dpi consumer film scanners...

Plustek today unveiled several new OpticFilm scanners, the 7300, 7500i SE, and 7500i AI, three consumer models that feature a scan resolution of 7200 by 7200 dots-per-inch. In addition to offering four-scan multisampling and a multi-exposure engine, the 7500i models feature SilverFast's Infrared Smart Removal of Defects technology, which removes defects on the surface of the film in the scanned image. The two 7500i models will sell for $400 and $600 respectively, while the 7300 is priced at $300.