Apple/Macintosh News

I'm pretty sure that I do not have an addictive personality. I don't drink or smoke -- I'm just not into doing anything in excess. However Will Wright's new game, the remarkably immersive Spore ($49.95, PC and Mac only), could have me signing up for the nearest 12-step program any day now.

ProteMac has announced the release of ProteMac Meter, a network activity monitor and traffic logging utility for Mac O SX. It costs $29.95 for a single-user license. A download is available.

Adobe will officially announce Creative Suite 4 on September 23, 2008. The company will also host a webcast introducing the products to the public.

Karelia Software has announced the release of Sandvox 1.5, a "major upgrade" to the company's visual Web site editing software for the Mac. Sandvox 1.5 is a free upgrade for registered users, and costs $49 for the "Regular" version or $79 for the "Pro" version.

Add another possibility to the list of possible announcements at Apple's iPod event next week: a new version of iTunes.

The market for smartphones is heating up and forcing competitors to make smart choices. With lots of players, including Apple going global with its iPhone 3G and HTC's Google Android-based phone, companies like Nokia-owned Symbian are paying attention.

Music industry insiders are buzzing about the press gathering Apple is hosting on Tuesday. The invitation shows a dancing man wearing an iPod and the slogan shouts, "Let's Rock."

AOL has sharpened its ad-targeting tools for the iPhone in a nod to the popularity of the Apple smartphones.

BOSTON (Reuters) - Dell Inc Chief Executive Michael Dell said his company may one day sell a device that competes with Apple Inc's iPhone, though he does not plan to get into that market any time soon.

WideAsleep LLC has announced the release of Fairway 1.0, a "virtual caddie" utility for the iPhone and iPod touch, now available for purchase and download from the App Store for $9.99.

Music hardware and software-maker, Native Instruments, on Wednesday launched the Guitar Rig Hero contest for users of its Guitar Rig amp modeling software.

XChange released three plug-ins for QuarkXPress 8 on Tuesday. The XTensions released are Resize XT, TeXTractor, and MathMagic Pro.

Helium Foot Software has announced the release of a public beta version of MercuryMover 2.0, its window resizing and moving utility software for Mac OS X. It's free for the public beta; once it's released, it will cost $24.

IGG Software has updated its iBank money management software and iBiz time-tracking and billing software for Mac OS X. The new updates are free for registered users; iBank and iBiz are priced at $50 and $60 respectively.

The virtual world, There.com, appears ready to reach for some new and broad audiences, announcing Tuesday night that it would finally be offering support for Mac OS X, as well as a new Facebook plug-in and an instant message application that can communicate directly with anyone on the Internet.

BOSTON (Reuters) - Apple Inc is expected to unveil new iPod music players -- and possibly price cuts -- at a media event next Tuesday but may not launch a long-awaited update to its MacBook laptop computers until a later date.

Apple's iPhone has sold by the millions in many parts of the world, but China is perhaps the most notable exception. Now reports from China's government-controlled media indicate the popular mobile device could soon make its way to the Asian nation.

Apple's iPhone 3Gs, widely available in Russia on the black market, will be offered legally by at least two phone companies.

Global Delight has released Web2 Delight 1.5, an update to its Web transfer utility for Mac OS X. A free update for registered users, Web2 Delight costs $19.95.

Apple today confirmed that much-speculated-about press conference, set to occur next week. The company sent out an invitation for the event, which is scheduled for September 9th at 10 AM PDT.

DataDirect Networks has validated its S2A9900 storage appliance to support in real-time more than 30 Final Cut Pro workstations running uncompressed High Definition video.

MOSCOW - MegaFon, Russia's third-largest mobile phone company, said Tuesday it will start selling Apple's iPhone 3G in Russia later this year.

SwitchEasy has introduced the CapsuleNeo, a hard case for the iPhone 3G with a seven point locking mechanism. It costs $29.99.

SHANGHAI (AFP) - China Mobile, the country's largest handset operator, is in the final stages of talks with Apple to launch the iPhone in China, the world's largest mobile phone market, state media reported Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's third largest mobile phone operator MegaFon said on Tuesday it had signed a distribution deal with Apple Inc. to sell iPhone 3G in Russia.

The rollout of the iPhone 3G has seen a large increase in the iPhone's global Web share, according to figures released Monday.

The latest iPhone embarrassment is a security hole that makes it simple to access stored data on supposedly locked iPhones. Apple said Thursday that a software patch to solve the problem is in the works.

Having banned from its App Store an application that turned an iPhone 3G into a wireless modem, is Apple ready to enable just such an application itself?

Apple's publicity nightmare keeps growing worse. The latest twist is more serious than dropped calls or lost e-mail -- it's a security flaw in the iPhone that could dial up trouble for users.