LifeAgent 2.2 backs up to .Mac, Flickr, more...

Memeo today unveiled LifeAgent 2.2, a new version to its automated software backup solution, that introduces support for Flickr and .Mac iDisks. Using LifeAgent, users can automatically back up data to a network folder, external hard drive, removable media, the internet, and now Flicker and iDisk. By securing multiple backup locations, LifeAgent helps ensure that data will be safe in the event of an emergency. LifeAgent is available for $30 from Memeo's website.

UK firm simplifies iPhone video streaming...

A London-based web technology firm has developed a server-based video streaming technology, capable of sending video feeds to factory-condition iPhones. Guardian.co.uk reports that the server technology – called Millicent by developer Best Before – would allow broadcasters to provide edited video feeds for the iPhone, and allegedly already has two UK broadcasters interested in what the architecture can offer.

Hear enhances Mac OS X sounds...

JoeSoft has announces the availability of Hear, a sound enhancement program for the Mac. The developer says this add-on "greatly" improves audio quality in movies and music throughout all Mac OS X applications. It offers a wide array of settings, purportedly delivering intra-app sound that is richer and clearer with regard to dialog. "Hear is a great new program that makes everything sound better on your Mac. All your music will be vastly improved, your movies will surround you with rich sound and your games will now blow you away" says Greg Brewer, CEO of Prosoft. "Once you've listened to your music or movies with Hear, you will never want to be without Hear." Hear is priced at $50.

Apple updates MacBook/Air/Pro, iMac, kybd firmware...

Apple today released a number of updates, including firmware updates for its MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro as well as firmware for its iMac. The Mac BookAir EFI Firmware Update 1.0, MacBook EFI Firmware Update 1.2, and Mac Book Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.5 fixes several issues to improve the stability of the notebook computers, while the iMac EFI Firmware Update 1.3 fixes several issues to improve the stability of iMac computers. Apple's Firmware Restoration CD 1.6, for its Macs, can restore the firmware of an Intel-based Macintosh computer and the company notes that restoring the firmware will reset some of the computer's preferences to defaults.

SDK beta firmware 'timing out' for iPhone developers...

Developers participating in the iPhone SDK beta are discovering that the device is "bricking" itself after the limited-time beta expires. TUAW readers point out that this shouldn't come as a surprise, since a note posted for developers says that the beta would indeed expire if not kept current. Another user notes that the next development firmware version has yet to be seeded to non-enterprise developers, while another still says that a call to the Apple Developer Connection revealed an updated SDK masquerading as an older one.

Mossberg hedges on 3G iPhone comments ...

Wall Street Journal columnist Walt Mossberg is claiming that his previous comments indicating that a 3G iPhone would debut in the "next 60 days" were based on the same, widely reported speculation to which other pundits have access, and that he has "no idea" when Apple will release the new device. Silicon Alley Insider reports that Mossberg said "If I knew when this date was, why would I announce it in the middle of a sentence at the Finnish embassy, rather than report it in the Wall Street Journal?" The veteran writer made the comment while discussing the limits of cellular broadband in the US, noting that third-generation access in the country is still slow compared to other areas of the world.

Anti-hacker features added to QuickTime...

Apple's recent QuickTime 7.4.5 release includes exploit prevention mechanisms designed to block attacks from hackers, according to a recent report from eWeek. QuickTime for Windows Vista now features ASLR (address space layout randomization), technology that randomly arranges key data addresses to prevent developers of malware from predicting targets. ASLR is already used by Mac OS X Leopard to reduce the effectiveness of exploit attempts.

Apple gains visual effects, display patents...

The US Patent & Trademark Office has officially granted three new patents to Apple, two of which are connected to visual effects. The first, Methods and apparatuses for the automated display of visual effects, describes a means of generating real-time graphics on a data processing system. The patent does not list many specifics, but suggests that game developers may find it saves time. The patent was originally submitted in April of last year.

iTunes solidifying grip on music business...

Research firm Ipsos has released a new study on the digital music industry, the results of which position Apple as the leader. Some 82 percent of American music downloaders are familiar with iTunes, versus a next-best figure of 76 percent for Napster. Some 38 percent of downloaders think of iTunes first when it comes to digital music, and while most major online outlets have had their name recognition increase during 2007, only iTunes showed a substantial growth in use past the first 30 days, up to 24 percent last year from 18 percent in 2006. Services such as Rhapsody and Walmart.com saw their 30-day-plus use decrease.

Apple updates iTunes games catalog, pulls old titles...

Apple has made several changes to its catalog of iPod games on the iTunes Store (link). Zuma, a well-known puzzle title by PopCap, has been added to the list of games compatible with Nanos and Classics; several other games have had their section removed however, including Bejeweled, iQuiz, Lost, Mahjong, Mini Golf, Musika, Royal Solitaire and Vortex. iQuiz and Vortex are already installed by default on modern-generation Nanos and Classics.

Keyboard Maestro 3.0 adds, improves macros...

Stairways Software has released the third edition of Keyboard Maestro, a utility meant to improve the convenience of Mac OS X by enabling macro shortcuts, which can be activated at any time. Users can control apps, open documents and run scripts, using either a keyboard or a mouse; it is further possible to specify at what times commands are executed, and run options remotely via a web server. The software also comes with custom program and window switching tools.

Apple ships Final Cut Server...

Apple on Tuesday finally began shipping Final Cut Server, its media asset management tool for video production houses. The software announced last year automatically gathers media assets across a network to let editors work from a common pool of resources, including on Storage Area Networks (SANs). While intended for and working closely with Final Cut Studio, Mac and Windows clients let users search for content they can edit without having to depend on Apple's creative software. It can scale from just two users to the largest broadcasters, the company says.

68% of Chinese surveyed aware of iPhone...

Despite a lack of the of a localized version or solid confirmation of plans to do make one, a recent study indicates that 68-percent of all Chinese surveyed showed knowledge of the iPhone, but also discovered that it might not sell very well with its $500 price point. According to The iPod Observer, the price tag was the most frequently mentioned restriction that would prevent people from buying one, but information regarding how many felt this was not readily available.