Tuesday, June 3, 2003

LiteSwitch X 2.0 Dock alternative released. Proteron LLC has released LiteSwitch X 2.0, a new version of their application switcher for Mac OS X. LiteSwitch X is positioned as an alternative to Mac OS X's own Dock. The new version of LiteSwitch X now can exclude applications from the switcher; advanced options have been added like allowing the tilde key to move the switcher in reverse; and an option not to gray out icons of hidden applications. LiteSwitch X v2.0 is a free update for existing customers. A new license costs US$14.95. [MacCentral] 10:24:24 AM

Apple releases QuickTime 6.3 with 3GPP [The Macintosh News Network] 10:23:43 AM

QuickTime 6.3 adds 3GPP, improves iApp support, more. Apple released Tuesday QuickTime v6.3, a new version of its multimedia technology. QuickTime 6.3 adds support for the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard, bridging a connection to passing multimedia content over wireless networks on devices like cell phones and PDAs. Although Apple is emphasizing the QuickTime 6.3 update as a major step forward for the adoption of the 3GPP standard, that's not the only improvement. The software also gains automatic detection of streaming transport; improvements to DV audio and video synchronization; and enhanced support for Apple's own Keynote, iMovie and iDVD applications. [MacCentral] 10:23:29 AM

Apple iSync 1.1 expands phone support [The Macintosh News Network] 10:23:12 AM

iSync 1.1 adds broader phone support, Safari bookmarks. Apple Tuesday released a new version of iSync, its synchronization software. The new version supports more than 20 cell phones from leading manufacturers like Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and Siemens. What's more, iSync 1.1 now enables .Mac subscribers to synchronize bookmarks using Apple's own Safari Web browser. iSync enables Mac users to share contact, calendar and other data with cell phones, PDAs and other devices. The software also enables users of Apple's .Mac subscription service to synchronize such data between different computers. [MacCentral] 10:22:56 AM

Bluetooth 1.2.1 improves phone support. Apple released on Tuesday an update to its data synchronization software iSync that adds support for more than 20 cell phones. The company has also published an update to its Bluetooth software to provide enhanced support for certain phone models, and it's recommended for iSync 1.1 users. The 4.3MB update provides enhanced stability and support for several Symbian OS-based mobile phones, according to Apple. That list includes the Nokia 3640, Nokia 7650 and Sony Ericsson P800 models. [MacCentral] 10:22:41 AM

Apple Updates QuickTime And Safari [MacSlash: A daily dose of Macintosh News and Discussion] 10:22:20 AM

Driving While Intaxicated. Oregon lawmakers think they've landed on a clever way to pay for road maintenance: Instead of a gas tax, they're evaluating a scheme to electronically monitor the mileage that each driver travels and assess a per-mile road-use fee. Privacy and environmental advocates are not impressed. By Will Wade. [Wired News] 10:21:33 AM

3-D Tour Puts Stars Within Reach. A new exhibit at New York's Hayden Planetarium takes viewers on an interactive trip through space. The Virtual Universe immerses visitors in the cosmos -- stars, nebulae, galaxies and more. Erik Baard reports from New York. [Wired News] 10:21:20 AM

TiVo to Sell User Viewing Data. TiVo begins offering advertisers and broadcasters information on the viewing habits of its customers in an effort to help the entertainment industry better understand the impact of digital video recorders. [Wired News] 10:21:02 AM

AT&T chief sees more IT gloom ahead. AT&T CEO David Dorman calls it the "ever-receding imminent recovery." Is there any end in sight to the decline in information technology spending? [CNET News.com] 10:20:28 AM