MacNews
Apple 'un-pull's iOS devices in Germany in never-ending legal dispute
Apple, which has spent the past day pulling older models of the iPhone and iPad inventory from the shelves of its online store in Germany, is now restoring them.
Apple has pulled several iPad and iPhone models from its German online store after Motorola Mobility enforced a patent injunction against its rival, reports the "BBC" (http://macte.ch/7GmXq). Now in a statement given to "AllThingsD" (http://macte.ch/TVRgM), Apple confirmed that the iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and 3G/UMTS-based iPads should be returning to the shelves of its German online store in a matter of hours.
Forensics firm cracks Apple's FileVault
Apple's FileVault disk encryption can be circumvented in less than an hour, according to a computer forensics firm, reports "The Register" (http://macte.ch/pGMcM). Technology from Passware can purportedly capture the content of a Mac machine's memory, via Firewire interfaces, before extracting encryption keys.
Apple pulls iOS devices in Germany in ongoing legal dispute
Apple has pulled several iPad and iPhone models from its German online store after Motorola Mobility enforced a patent injunction against its rival, reports the "BBC" (http://macte.ch/7GmXq).
The move follows a December ruling that Apple had failed to license one of Motorola's wireless intellectual properties. iPhone users in Germany may also face the loss of their push email iCloud service after a separate patent victory by Motorola, notes the "BBC." Apple has said it will appeal.
Australia: Apple widens its legal claims against Samsung
Apple has widened its claims against Samsung in its ongoing patent battle with the company it was revealed in the NSW Federal Court in Australia, reports "The Australian IT" (http://macte.ch/0XsKN).
Samsung lead barrister Neil Young SC said Apple had "enormously" expanded its patent bid which initially involved three patents of features in the Korean company's Galaxy Tab 10.1, the article adds. The lawsuit now encompasses 278 claims across 22 patents that cover 10 Samsung devices.
Avid releases video editing app for the iPad
Avid has released its first video editing application for the iPad -- Avid Studio, available immediately at the Apple App Store. The company says it's the first iPad app for video editing to offer frame-by-frame editing accuracy and access to all kinds of media.
As a special launch promotion, Avid Studio for iPad is being offered for US$4.99.
iBooks Author templates available at the Mac App Store
Jumsoft has introduced Book Pallete 1.0, a themes application developed specifically for iBooks Author on the Mac. It requires Mac OS X 10.7.2 or later, costs US$2.99 and is available worldwide exclusively through the Mac App Store in the Graphics & Design category.
Book Palette app contains 10 templates that bring plenty of options to Mac users who wish to publish their own e-books. All templates contain the full range of standard section and page layouts provided in the iBooks Author app, including covers, chapter pages, text pages, tables of contents, glossary pages, and more.
RAGE: Campaign Edition comes to the Mac
Bethesda Softworks, in partnership with Aspyr Media, says RAGE: Campaign Edition is now available for the Mac worldwide.
This new shooter from id Software has been published for the Mac by Aspyr.. The game can be digitally downloaded in English, French or German now via Apple's Mac App Store, Aspyr's own digital store GameAgent.com, and through other supporting Mac digital retailers.
Tunewear releases Security Locker for the iPad 2
Tunewear has released the US$99.95 Security Locker for iPad 2. The iPad 2 can be worn around the neck for in-store, or for back-office applications.
The Security Locker can be secured to desk or table to prevent the iPad 2 from disappearing when used for in-store demos, trade show booth presentations and even school exhibits. The clear polycarbonate hard case is designed with a security lock and wire features. It's built to both prevent theft of iPad 2 and protect it from dirt and scratches.
Jewel Quest The Sapphire Dragon released for the Mac
Macgamestore (http://www.macgamestore.com) has released Jewel Quest: The Sapphire Dragon Collector's Edition, the sixth game in the Jewel Quest series by iWin. It costs US$13.99 and requires Mac OS X 10.5 or higher.
Here's how the game is described; "Jewel Quest: The Sapphire Dragon Collector's Edition leads you through 200 brand new jewel boards as you unearth ancient wonders and discover the secret behind the elusive Sapphire Dragon. While piloting his Cessna in a Himalayan snowstorm, Raj crash-lands on a frozen mountain, thus kicking off the adventure.
Umotion 2D is new Mac compatible, 2D animation tool
NuOxygen Game Publishing has released Umotion 2D (http://macte.ch/ZFHth), a new 2D animation tool for Macintosh and Windows systems. A demo version is available.
Using this tool you can create 2D animations and export them directly into Unity, Umotion 2D comes with tutorial videos and a short user guide.
Tech Transitions released exclusively for FCP X
Noise Industries has added Idustrial Revolution's XEffects Tech Transitions to its repertoire of products for FxFactory 3. The new visual effects package, made exclusively for Final Cut Pro X, lets editors add transitions to projects without layers, key framing, or complex mattes.
Tech Transitions offers 28 transition effects, all with adjustable settings. Effects can be slipped, lengthened, shortened and cut and pasted like any other transition.
PDF Nomad for Lion adds watermarks feature
SintraWorks has updated PDF Nomad, a PDF editor for Mac OS X 10.7 ("Lion"), to version 1.2. The upgrade adds features such as watermarks and "exploding" into chapters.
PDF Nomad is available as a single-user license for the introductory price of US$19.99 from both the Mac App Store and from the SintraWorks website (http://macte.ch/uiF4v). A demo is available from the latter.
CameraBag 2 released for the Mac, PC
Nevercenter has released CameraBag 2 for Mac and PC. It's an update of the desktop photo app.
Redesigned from the ground up, CameraBag 2's new Analog Engine pairs a full suite of photographic tools with the filters and vintage simulations of previous versions. According to Nevercenter President Tom Plewe, the key innovation in version 2 is a straightforward approach to layering, rearranging, and tweaking all of these effects in realtime. CameraBag 2 ships with 100-plus, adjustable filters and 25-plus professional controls
Avadon: The Black Fortress updated to version 1.0.4
Spiderweb Software has updated Avadon: The Black Fortress (http://www.spiderwebsoftware.com/avadon/index.html), an indie fantasy role-playing game for Mac OS X, to version 1.0.4. The upgrade fixes bugs and typos and improves performance with the Magic Trackpad.
Avadon: The Black Fortress requires Mac OS X10.5 or later and costs US$19.99, though version 1.0.4 is a free upgrade for registered users. You can download the game from the Mac App Store or the Spiderweb Software website.
AAS updates ready for Lion
Applied Acoustic Systems has released updates for all of their instruments (except Chromaphone) that bring full compatibility with Mac OS X 10.7.x ("Lion").
The updates include Tassman 4 v4.1.7, Lounge Lizard EP-3 v3.1.5, Ultra Analog VA-1 v1.1.5, Strin Studio VS-1 v1.1.4, Lounge Lizard Session v3.1.5 and Ultra Analog Session v1.1.5. For more info go to www.applied-acoustics.com .
My Living Desktop for OS X revved to version 5.0.2
Amuse has released My Living Desktop 5.0.2 (http://www.mylivingdesktop.com/) for Mac OS X, a new version of their video desktop and screen saver utility. More applications are now automatically added to the Auto Deactivation feature.
My Living Desktop is a cross between a video desktop (moving wallpaper) and screen saver. With its built-in video importer, users can import their own movie scenes for use as video desktops. Anyone can have family movies, movies of friends and special events, vacation movies and more as their desktop -- or as a screen saver.
Apple has 12.4% of mobile subscribers, 29.6% of smartphone market
comScore (http://www.comscore.com), which "measures the digital world," released data from the comScore MobiLens service, reporting key trends in the U.S. mobile phone industry during the three month average period ending December 2011.
The study surveyed more than 30,000 U.S. mobile subscribers and found Samsung to be the top handset manufacturer overall with 25.3% market share. Google Android strengthened its lead in the smartphone market to reach 47.3 percent market share.
iPhone/iPod touch/iPad apps for Feb. 2
Here are the latest iPhone/iPod touch/iPod/iPad apps. You can find 'em at the Apple App Store (http://www.itunes.com/appstore/).
Taptivate has announced Face Fun for iOS devices. The US$0.99 app allows the user to take a picture of two friends and automatically have their faces swapped. The image can then be shared via email, Twitter and Facebook, including tagging.
Cook talks of Apple's charitable efforts
In a "town hall" meeting at Apple's Cupertino, California, campus last week, CEO Tim Cook talked about Apple's charitable contributions, notes "The Verge" (http://macte.ch/86W1x).
Cook said that Apple has donated a total of US$50 million to Stanford's hospitals, split into $25 million for a new main building and $25 million for a new children's hospital. The CEO also spent "quite a bit of time" talking about Apple's status as the leading contributor to Project RED, to which Apple has given over $50 million.
Judge to Apple, Motorola: trim those patent claims
This week Circuit Judge Posner, who is serving by designation on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois to preside over an Apple v. Motorola Mobility lawsuit, entered an order that, among other things, tells the parties to trim the number of patents in play, reports "FOSS Patents" (http://macte.ch/LSVJ2).
