MediaEdit 3 gets unlimited layers...

Mien Software has released MediaEdit 3 for the Mac, a consumer-level video editing tool, which edits virtually all QuickTime readable formats and supports unlimited layers. The new release adds support for nlimited media layers can add video, audio and text and uses non-destructive editing. I talso sports multiple levels of undo, live previews and background rendering and can capture video and audio. MediaEdit 3 has a timeline, can resize and position clip display region and comes with standard effects, filters and transitions. Completed videos can be exported to QuickTime, DV, MPEG-4 and to the web.

Industry torn as computing shifts towards mobility...

The iPhone is among the most widely accepted portable internet devices, and some in the industry are torn on whether this is a sign of the prophesized death of desktops. PC Magazine writer Lance Ulanoff argues that the iPhone, coupled with the long-awaited SDK, is creating a brand new era of computing standards that will some day kill the desktop, and possibly the laptop. Ulanoff argues that the iPhone has found a market with many different groups.

Security Update fixes Aperture 2.0 print issue...

Apple today released a new Security Update, following closely behind last week's update, fixing a printing-related error in Aperture 2.0. Security Update 2008-002 v1.1 addresses reliability issues stemming from the "Printer Settings…" button in Aperture 2.0, and says the issue affects no other applications. Users who have installed Aperture 2.0, Mac OS X 10.5.2 Leopard, and the former security update are recommended to download this new patch.

Hoyle Card Games digital download available...

Macgamestore.com today announced the availability of Hoyle Card Games as a digital download, a collection of over 150 games developed by Encore Software. Previously available only as a boxed version, the digital download allows users to create a custom avatar and play against others or the computer in Texas Hold'em, Hearts, Bridge, and Crazy Eights, among others. Hoyle Card Games is currently available for $20, and is 780MB in size.

Mac demand to stay strong during downturn...

Although the U.S. economic slowdown has led to a pullback in PC spending by both consumers and corporations, planned purchases of Apple computers remain relatively strong, even in the slower buying environment according to a new study by ChangeWave research. Apple is the leader among consumers who plan to buy a laptop (31 percent) over the next 90 day. Similarly, Apple planned desktop computer purchases (28 percent; down 1 point) are close to record levels. The study also finds that Apple continues to set the standard for customer satisfaction among corporate respondents who use the Leopard operating system – with 53 percent saying they are Very Satisfied with the software. In comparison, Windows XP Pro has a 40 percent Very Satisfied rating and Microsoft Vista Business achieved just 8 percent.

Safari 3 license unusually restrictive?...

Apple's license for the Safari web browser -- of which v3.1 was recently released -- may be unnecessarily restrictive, an Italian site observes. In spite of the fact that the software is a free download, and ships by default on all Macs, its license currently states that it "allows you to install and use one copy of the Apple Software on a single Apple-labeled computer at a time."

Lumifi releases Mac Research Widget...

Lumifi, a company specializing in research and work collaboration services, says it has developed a new widget for Mac OS X. Sitting in the Dashboard, the Research Widget duplicates some of the functionality of the Lumifi portal, by letting users enter quick search queries. Unlike tools from Google or Yahoo, however, the Lumifi widget is said to prioritize the connections between words, instead of the popularity of a website.

Airline uses free iPods to lure travellers ...

A transatlantic airline is giving away iPods in order to lure and retain customers, according to an announcement. Eos Airlines says that between today and April 11th, people booking flights between New York and London will be eligible for some form of free iPod, depending on ticket prices. Those spending $4,000 or less on a round trip can secure either an iPod nano, or 15,000 points for Eos services; if the tickets cost more than $4,000, people can pick an iPod classic, or 30,000 points.

Apple settles in 'millions of colors' court case...

Apple has agreed to an out-of-court settlement in a long-running lawsuit over the MacBook and MacBook Pro, writes the Chicago Tribune. Two California photographers, Fred Greaves and Dave Gatley, filed the class action suit in May of last year, over Apple's claim that the Pro could display "millions of colors." According to the filing, the reality is that Apple fakes the notebooks' color range through software dithering, and yet offers the extended color option in a Mac OS X drop-down menu, without any mention of software emulation.

Gartner: Apple ordering massive 3G iPhone numbers...

Apple may have already lined up the production of millions of next-generation iPhones, according to a Gartner analyst. Ken Dulaney says that based on talk he has heard from Asian sources, he believes Apple has placed an order for 10 million updated iPhones, equipped with 3G broadband. These may not even count towards the 10 million in unit sales Apple hopes to achieve within 2008; the suggestion is that Apple will reach its target based on sales of first-generation iPhones alone.

Yahoo Messenger 7 adds phone, SMS, voicemail, more...

Yahoo today announced a new version of Yahoo Messenger for Mac that introduces a number of new audio and voice capabilities. Users can now place PC-to-PC calls, as well as Phone Out/In, with a full voice message and SMS service on the Mac. By creating a Phone In account, Yahoo will provide users with a telephone number that they can be reached at from a standard phone, starting at $2.50 per month, and is available in France, the UK and US.

WireFusion 5 available for Mac, OpenGL compatible...

Demicron recently announced support for the Mac platform by unveiling WireFusion 5 for Mac, its architectural and industrial design software for small and medium sized design firms. According to Architosh,WireFusion allows designers to create realtime 3D visualizations using content imported from Maya, Lightwave 3D or any other application that can export to VRML or X3D file formats. WireFusion 5 is available for $1500 for a standard professional license.