Mac Product Watch (5/15 to 5/19)

UK users don't need to feel like second-class citizens any more with Apple providing a "localised" Mac OS X Server 1.2 update. It's available on CD-ROM only, with a nominal handling fee, including value-added tax.

Nakae Software Development Co. has released FilterIt 3.0, a collection of real-time plug-ins for Adobe Illustrator 8.0 and later. The $129 package includes 82 different available effects accessible from either Illustrator's Tools palette or Window menu commands. Among the effects are warp, wave, lens, roughen, fade, align and others. A free demo is also available.

XLR8 has made available Version 2.0 of its InterView media-capture software. The software allows import of analog video and audio via a Universal Serial Bus connection and supports real-time video at resolutions of up to 320 by 240 pixels, as well as "snapshots" up to 640 by 480 pixels. It comes bundled with QuickTime 4.0, Strata VideoShop 4.5 and Strata TuneBuilder. It's available for $99 and bundled free with the $129 XLR8 DualPort USB PCI card.

Apple has released the AppleScript Update 1.4.3, which fixes a few problems with the previous version and adds some "enhancements." It should work on all Mac OS 9-equipped systems.

Why I live at the P.O.: Qualcomm has a new Eudora Internet Mail Server 3.0, its Internet-based e-mail server for the Mac. EIMS 3.0 adds support for the IMAP4rev1 protocol, AppleScript and Appearance Manager support as well as performance and interface enhancements. For the next 90 days it's available for $399, with a $150 upgrade for users of previous versions.

Michael Amorose has taken it upon himself to develop Goo Library 1.5, a Mac programming library for building Carbon applications. It's compatible with Metrowerks' CodeWarrior Beta Tools for Mac OS X and is available free for download.

Mac OS 9.0.4 users can download Apple's Multimedia Update. It contains a new audio extension for better playback of audio CDs, as well as improved support for USB-based audio devices. Also in the update are revised drivers for ATI Rage 128 Pro video cards.

Canon U.S.A. has introduced two new digital cameras, the EOS D30 and the ultra-compact PowerShot S100. The EOS D30, measuring 5.9 by 4.2 by 3 inches, is no hulking giant either; it features a 3.25-megapixel CMOS sensor, interchangeable lenses and a 1.9-inch LCD monitor on the camera's back for viewing images. It will be available in the fall for a retail price of $3,500. The PowerShot S100, based on Canon's ELPH Advanced Photo System film cameras, weighs less than 7 ounces but provides 2.1 megapixels of resolution and a 2x optical zoom lens. It will cost $699 and be available in June.

Farallon Communications has released its SkyLINE 11MB wireless PC Card for PowerBooks. This compact card, based on the same IEEE 802.11b Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum standard as Apple's AirPort cards, allow mobile users to connect to high-speed networks without physical connections at a range of up to 150 feet. The estimated price is $199.

How many translucent devices do you need? APS has introduced its see-through Back-UPS Pro 500, a USB-ready uninterruptable power supply. It features power management software that plays nice with Mac OS 9.0.4, and it has seven outlets. Available in mid-June, the Back-UPS Pro 500 will retail for $180.

At Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, LaCie demonstrated next-generation FireWire-based DVD-RAM drives that support single-sided, 4.7GB and double-sided, 9.4GB removable storage media. The drives will also read CD-ROM, CD Audio, CD-R, CD-RW and video CD media, as well as DVD-R, DVD-ROM and DVD discs. A price has not been set; the drives should reach the market in "late summer."

Preview Systems introduced its Vbox Builder and SDK development tool kit for building distributable, preview versions of applications; it includes software rights management and digital security components. Pricing was not announced but reportedly is available on request.

Subband Software has released AMP Radio 1.6.5. The update to the $10 streaming MP3 player includes a new 10-band equalizer, a playlist menu and bug fixes.

Adaptec has updated its CD recording application Toast to Version 4.1, adding Mac OS 9 compatibility, bug fixes, improved support for Universal Serial Bus and many FireWire peripherals, and on-the-fly MP3 decoding. It's a free update for owners of Deluxe or OEM version 4.0 or later.

Aladdin Systems announced and distributed InstallerMaker 6.5.2, an update to its application-installation utility that works with Mac OS 9's Software Update tool for automatic download and installation of USB drivers.

Microsoft Corp.'s Macintosh Business Unit said it is demonstrating Microsoft Internet Explorer Macintosh Edition for Mac OS X at this week's Apple Worldwide Developer Conference in San Jose, Calif. The Redmond, Wash., company delivered a pre-release version of the software with Developer Preview 4 of Mac OS X and said it will ship Carbonized versions of its Internet Explorer browser and Outlook Express e-mail client simultaneous with the release of Mac OS X.

Apple has released Video Extension 1.0, which will allow Mac OS 9-equipped older Macs, such as those with built-in video or video cards on NuBus systems, to reclaim the full range of video resolutions lost when they were upgraded to the new OS.

It may not be the market leader in the Web production market, but fans of Freeway have always liked its interface, which hews closely to the DTP model. However, past versions have lacked certain functionalites, such as the ability to create frames. With Freeway 3, SoftPress Systems hopes to put such concerns to rest: the new version features a 10x speed boost for some functions; support for multiple-language site production; HTML 4.0 layer tools; a new link map with automated checking features; improved support for multimedia standards such as QuickTime and Flash; the ability to import Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator files with automatic graphics file-format conversions; new Freeway Actions that can be written in JavaScript; and a new rollover editor for interactive buttons. The introductory price is $249; a free demo is available.

The modular code base for Adobe's InDesign was a big selling point for the would-be Quark killer; it was supposed to make upgrading and adding functions to the page-layout application a breeze. A Lowly Apprentice Production's ShadowCaster is one such plug-in -- it adds a floating palette to InDesign that allows users to create soft shadows on text and graphics, obviating the need to switch to an image-editing application. Available only for download, ShadowCaster costs $100.

Thomas Riley has come up with a unique recovery tool called Search & Rescue. This $25 shareware utility can save a "RAM Image" file containing your Mac's entire memory; the file is then searchable for recovery of data lost in an application crash. It requires only a 68K Mac running System 7.1 or later.

Late Night Software has released Script Debugger 2.0, an update to its popular AppleScript authoring environment and replacement for Apple's Script Editor. Like its predecessor, Script Debugger 2.0 can handle scripts larger than 32K. In addition, Version 2.0 features split-pane editing; watch points for variables; Tool Tips; optional line wrapping; support for all OSA languages; improved search and replace; a revamped, palette-based interface; and more. The retail price is $189; owners of Version 1.0 can upgrade for $79 through June 15 or $99 after that date.