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| 01-31-07 / 11:39 PM : eJamming : jam over network (cjed) |
 A new audio software, eJamming, allows live synchronisation in order to do "jams" sessions over network. Players must have a Midi controller : keyboard, Midi guitar or Midi drums. Moreover received notes informations trigger an included samples set (128 GM sounds).We can listen to these sounds here (made by the famous Sonic Implants) or see a demonstration video. The bad news is that the software operates as a monthly fees (14,95$ !), too much expensive despites a 30 days free subscription. We can find freeware in that area, and even Apple provides since Tiger a new Midi network feature (sessions with latency setting in the same way) through the Audio&Midi utility (Network icon in the configuration). |
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| 01-30-07 / 11:46 PM : Rollercoaster NoLimits 1.6 (cjed) |
 NoLimits, the famous roller coasters simulation game, has been updated to version 1.6 for mac (the update was available for Windows since some months yet). It adds 9 new tracks, improvements in the graphics engine (new water effect, motionblur), a better sound, etc. As always a demo is available. |
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| 01-30-07 / 10:04 PM : ReFuse Software Lowender (cjed) |
 ReFuse Software presents Lowender, an audio plugin audio aimed at adding bass by generating new harmonics from original audio content (and not increasing existing bass frequencies as does an equalizer). To achieve a more natural result, it also uses a low-pass filter and an overdrive. It is priced 39$ (promo price until March, 1) and is sold exclusively on the editor site. |
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| 01-30-07 / 09:54 PM : Ubuntu Studio : new version soon (cjed) |
 A new version of Ubuntu Studio, the music/audio oriented Linux distribution, is planned for April. Meanwhile we can look at MAO Libre site, that provides detailed step by step procedure to install the previous version : optimized kernel, sequencer, audio loops manager, virtual instruments, etc.Still not good looking, far more less intuitive and limited than giant solutions on OSX, and lacking a strong architecture like Core Audio / Core Midi (the freeware Jack, also available on OSX, is included to manage routing between applications), it is however in a good way. |
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| 01-30-07 / 09:15 PM : Microsoft : security is his Troyan Horse ? (cjed) |
| Macbidouille reported this funny joke (sorry if it wasn't...) about VISTA description on the FNAC site : security might be the Troyan horse of Microsoft (instead fighting horse...) ! Hopefully it has been fixed since (but not the price, three times more expansive than OSX !). |
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| 01-30-07 / 09:12 PM : GizmoCall : free phone time from browser (cjed) |
| Gizmo, the famous challenger to Skype, unveiled GizmoCall, a call service through a web page (using a Flash applet). They provide 10 minutes free call per day, including foreign countries and some mobile lines. |
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| 01-30-07 / 09:05 PM : Apple : still the company to defeat ? (cjed) |
| Macosrumors makes the point about lawsuits against Apple in a two pages news. It seems the energy developed by jaleous concurrents to defeat Apple hasn't be seen before : they can't stop taking profit from Apple buzz and money. It could even have consequences on a not yet unveiled secret product that Apple plans to introduce this year. Meanwhile Microsoft grabs money back to compensate from Europe lawsuits, thanks to anormaly high VISTA pricing here, and is even granted for... |
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| 01-30-07 / 12:14 AM : StokedRider : new video (cjed) |
 A new video of StokedRider is available on editor site. This snowboarding game, that is generating high expectations (use of cellshading) is more and more impressive, the animation is very dynamic and as innovative as Lugaru one was in another area. |
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| 01-30-07 / 12:09 AM : Myst Online soon (cjed) |
| Myst Online Uru Live will be out very soon finally, february, 15 in USA. It will be available in other countries a few time later, and on mac also (a beta program is starting). |
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| 01-29-07 / 11:59 PM : UT2007 renamed UT3 (cjed) |
| Epic announced that UT2007 has been renamed UT3 (to be more in phase with the use of the Unreal Engine 3, UT2003 and 2004 were using the Unreal Engine 2). Moreover a levels editor will be bundled, as well as perhaps some solo player levels. It is expected for second half of the year (2007) on PC, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. |
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| 01-26-07 / 11:51 PM : Macbook Pro 17' games benchs, MXM video card (cjed) |
| Barefeats provides new benchs of mac performances in games. This time it is about last Macbook Pro 17'. We can also read an article about NVIDIA MXM technology (and ATI counterpart), that makes laptops video card removable. |
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| 01-26-07 / 11:43 PM : Leopard : DVD player and Blu-Ray (cjed) |
| Macosrumors gives some precisions on yet known Leopard new features (as the new DVD Player), but none regarding secret features. We can also see some screenshots here. Meanwhile Macworld speaks about VISTA and games, and Apple response. |
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| 01-25-07 / 09:19 PM : Devine Machine Krishna Synth (cjed) |
 Devine Machine announced Krishna Synth, a new synth plugin for OSX and Windows that offers various types of synthesis : Frame Oscillator (new synthesis using Frame Analysis, a kind of sampling technology that identifies key audio frames in samples and can then reproduce them by interpoling between these key frames - what we find in recent piano modeling softwares), analog modeling, filters, FM modulation, effects. A video is available on the site. The product is due in Spring. |
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| 01-24-07 / 10:15 PM : WoW The Burning Crusade : record sales (cjed) |
| Blizzard Entertainment announced that the expansion The Burning Crusade for WoW reached the record of starting sales for a video game, with 2,4 millions copies sold during the first day. In fact it seems it was like the last Starwars DVD introduction at the Fnac at Champs Elysées last week, in the night of 16 to 17, january. |
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| 01-24-07 / 10:01 PM : 4Front TruePianos : demo available (cjed) |
 Some new precisions have been added to 4Front's TruePianos, the new piano modeling software annouced recently (following PianoTeq) : required resources are low, even in 96 Khz mode, and it takes benefit from multiple core processors to spread the load. A demo is available yet (for Windows) and the OSX version is due for the first quarter. The software is priced 144 euros. |
| 1 comment |
| 01-24-07 / 09:49 PM : Garritan Gofriller Solo Cello (cjed) |
 Garritan announced Gofriller Solo Cello, a samples library dedicated to solo cello. It uses a new technology called Sonic Morphing, that allows to align sound samples (and their vibrato) triggered for each velocity range (pp to ff). Moreover the convolution principle is used to simulate resonance of the body. It is bundled with Kontakt 2 Player and will ship in february. |
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| 01-24-07 / 09:30 PM : Tascam FireOne (cjed) |
 Tascam presented the FireOne, a new Firewire audio interface that provides 2 inputs (2 mic and guitar pre-amp) and 2 outputs at 24 bits/192Khz. The new feature is the introduction of a jog wheel (wheighted, with surrounding leds) that allows to zip through the tracks of a sequencer. The interface also manages Midi and includes transport control buttons and 8 assignables buttons. It can be powered through Firewire or thanks to an external power supply. It is priced 225 euros. |
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| 01-24-07 / 09:16 PM : CME : new UF master keyboards (cjed) |
 CME unveiled a new serie of master keyboards, the UF 50, 60, 70 and 80 (respectively 49, 61, 76 and 88 keys). The 76 keys model is semi-weighted with aftertouch, while the 88 keys has hammer-action (with aftertouch). The new feature is the integrated wireless Midi interface besides USB, and added controllers (8 knobs, 9 faders, 6 shortcut knobs, 6 buttons for remoting a sequencer).As always there is an input for breath controller besides sustain and volume pedals. Velocity curves have also been extended, and the power can be supplied by the USB connection. |
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| 01-24-07 / 08:54 PM : Digidesign Structure (cjed) |
 Digidesign presented this week at NAMM its virtual sampler Structure (another new concurrent to Kontakt 2 following EastWest's Play). However it only operates as a RTAS plugin (requires ProTools). It manages audio up to 24 bits/192 Khz with 7.1 surround, up to 128 instruments, offers 20 types of effects (including convolution reverb), direct from disk. It can import SampleCell, Kontakt 2 and EXS24 patchs. The software is bundled with a special samples library made by EastWest. |
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| 01-24-07 / 12:08 AM : Lexicon MX300 and MX500 (cjed) |
 Lexicon presented two new effects modules, the MX300 and MX500 (they follow the MX100, 110, 200 and 400). They offer 16 reverbs (one more on the MX500, that supports surround mode thanks to its quad processors and multiples outputs), delays and modulation effects. The new feature is the Hardware Plug-In connection, that allows to use the module as an external effects plugin in a sequencer, not using analog inputs/outputs, but through USB (MX300) or Firewire (MX500).All parameters can be recalled from the software plugin interface, keeping high audio quality from the hardware module and saving computer resources. They are priced respectively 400$ and 500$. |
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| 01-23-07 / 10:39 PM : New IBM - Motorola collaboration (cjed) |
| Yesterday we learnt that the processor onboarded on the iphone is an Xscale (derived from ARM), although Intel participated on the initial design. Today was announced a new collaboration between Freescale (Motorola) and IBM. It is about joining skills and production facilities to develop 45nm technology, and improve CMOS and SOI. |
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| 01-23-07 / 01:15 AM : New Eastwest softwares (cjed) |
| During the NAMM, EWQL announced new softwares (they were in beta testing) : Fab-Four : a 8 Go samples library from legendary Beatles's instruments (guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, stringed instruments, recorded with the same microphones, effects and amps). Quantum Leap Pianos : 150 Go of piano samples (the famous Bechstein D-280, Steinway D, Bösendorfer 290 et Yamaha C7) ! Recorded in 24 bits with 3 mics positions, they provide up to 16 level of velocity, resonance and repetitions management. Quantum Leap Gypsy : 8 Go of latin instruments (flamenco guitars, trombone, violin, accordion, percussions). QUANTUM LEAP MINISTRY OF ROCK : 18 Go of rock instruments (guitars, bass, drums) dry or with effects, legato. QUANTUM LEAP VOICES OF PASSION : 8 Go of sing phrases (1000) from 5 singers (India, Bulgaria, Syria, etc), a phrases generator. QUANTUM LEAP SD2 - THE NEXT GENERATION : 10 Go of percussions from various orgine. The rhythms can be modified fully as a simple midifile. These libraries use the new Eastwest player, PLAY (64 bits ready), and will be shipping early march. They are priced 495$ each. |
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| 01-22-07 / 11:52 PM : SmoothStab and Chris real sax : collaboration (cjed) |
 Chris (alias fongi) from soundsonline forums proposed its help on the song SmoothStab : he worked the last days to add a live sax (real) part. With his agreement here is the final mix :SmoothStab_sax.mp3 |
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| 01-20-07 / 01:11 AM : Univers-sons : the NAMM in live (cjed) |
 The staff from Univers-sons music shop made the trip to Los Angeles for the NAMM. They provide videos taken inside the show. Today (opening) the video presents the Roland, Arturia, TC Electronic and Toontraks exhibitions. That is here and the video quality is great (mpeg4). Very nice initiative ! |
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| 01-20-07 / 12:58 AM : UVI Soundcard Retro Keyboards (cjed) |
 USB presented Retro Keyboards, a 6 Go samples library of vintage clav/electric piano (7 instruments). We can watch a video and listen to a demo on the page. The plugin (compatible with AU/VST hosts) is priced 149 euros. |
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| 01-20-07 / 12:17 AM : NAMM : M-Audio Virtual String machine (cjed) |
 M-Audio presented Virtual String machine. After string machines emulations included in Nostalgia (Zero-G) and into the recent String machines from Puremagnetik, M-Audio provides 60 sets of samples (32000 total) made from the reeman String Symphonizer, Eminent 310, ARP Omni II, ARP Quartet, Crumar Multiman, Polymoog, Elka Rhapsody, Korg PE2000, Logan String Melody, Eminent Solina, Roland RS202, Yamaha SS30, etc. The plugin (AU, VST, RTAS) offers 500 presets.An audio demo is available on the page. |
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| 01-19-07 / 12:50 AM : Myst Online: Uru Live will ship on OSX (cjed) |
 Through IMG we learn that Myst Online: Uru Live (multiplayer) will be ported to Mac thanks to TransGaming's Cider virtualization system. Meanwhile we can look at a trailer of the game here. |
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| 01-19-07 / 12:26 AM : NAMM : Korg M3 (cjed) |
 Korg unveiled the M3, derived from the OASYS and KARMA (it has nothing to do with the old M3-R expander of the M1, a one oscillator per voice version of the M1, while the later and the M1-R expander offered two per voice). The M3 is the response to Yamaha Motif XS (also declined in three keyboards versions) but it only includes 256 Mo of ROM (towards 355 Mo), 64 Mo of RAM (expandable to 320 Mo, 1 Go max on the Motif XS), 120 voices polyphony (128 on the XS), 2 tones max per voice (up to 8 on the XS).The display is of touch-screen type, and the price is unknown yet, so finally it can't be compared rigth with the Motif XS. No demos available yet.s |
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| 01-18-07 / 11:48 PM : Apple TV processor (cjed) |
| From AppleInsider we learn that the Intel processor used in the Apple TV might be an old Pentium-M (pre Core Duo) at 1 Ghz (350 Mhz bus, 2 Mo cache), and that the video card may be an NVidia with 64 Mo of DDR2. It might onboard 256 Mo main memory (DDR2 400 Mhz). |
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| 01-18-07 / 10:16 PM : Apple : record results (cjed) |
| Apple results for last quarter are stunning for the last quarter : more than 7 billions $ of sales, 1 billion $ of net result (+75%), 50% sales increasing for the ipod compared with the same time last year (+65% for MacBook), a net margin that grows from 27 to 31% (without mentioning the even greater margin with the iphone when it will be released). |
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| 01-18-07 / 09:39 PM : Cubase AI4 (cjed) |
 We can now find a short description of Cubase AI4 on the Steinberg site, the version working (and bundled) with new Motif XS :Cubase 4 audio engine, 48 audio tracks, 64 Midi tracks, HALion One, VST plugins recall on the Motif as with Midi setup recall, integration of Motif as a plugin through Studio Connections Integration, file sharing, 25 VST effects and 15 VST3 effects. |
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| 01-18-07 / 09:24 PM : Audio Ease Altiverb 6 (cjed) |
| Audio Ease presented Altiverb 6, that brings support for Pro Tools (RTAS) and Intel macs (universal binary), and also a brand new user interface. It is declined in two versions : regular (sampling up to 96 Khz, stereo, 595$) and XL (ProTools HD support, surround, sampling up to 384 Khz, 995$). |
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| 01-18-07 / 09:04 PM : NAMM : Roland V-Synth GT unveiled (cjed) |
 Roland now provides on its site the description of the V-Synth GT. It brings AP (Articulative Phrase) synthesis to reproduce nuance of acoustic instruments acoustiques (and others), Vocal Designer and Variphrase, Sound Shaper II and a new color touch-screen display. No demos yet. Price is unknown at this time. |
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| 01-18-07 / 08:29 PM : Motifs XS demos, K-Sounds Piano 2 (cjed) |
| Motifs XS demos are in fact available at Yamaha Europe site. That is here. We can also look at a Motif fan site to grab samples, programs, songs (for motif ES). We learn that he loves the famous piano samples library K-Sounds Piano 2 (for Motif, Triton and Kurzweil K2xxx), that is derived from the well known Kawai EX concert grand (61 to 150 Mo, 115$). |
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| 01-18-07 / 12:10 AM : Miroslav Philharmonik Classik Edition (cjed) |
| IK Multimédia presented Miroslav Philharmonik Classik Edition, a light version of Miroslav Philharmonik : 1,5 Go only (250 instruments), 16 parts, 256 voices polyphony. It is priced 249$. |
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| 01-18-07 / 12:00 AM : NAMM : Arturia Jupiter-8V (cjed) |
 Arturia a also announced the Jupiter-8V, a virtual instrument that emulates the famous Roland Jupiter 8. It offers 400 presets, up to 32 voices polyphony, 2 oscillators per voice, analog sounding effects, a live oriented step sequencer. It should be shipping soon. |
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| 01-17-07 / 11:53 PM : NAMM : Arturia Origin (cjed) |
 Arturia (whose site has been revamped) presented the Origin, its first hardware synthesizer, based on the combination of various modules, such as ARP2600, Moog Modular, Minimoog, CS80, and Prophet VS. It contains 500 presets, 32 voices polyphony, a step sequencer, 24 bits/96 Khz converters, 2 analog ins and 10 outs, an optical out. More informations are due in march. |
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| 01-17-07 / 11:35 PM : NAMM : Yamaha MM6 (cjed) |
 Yamaha also presented the MM6 a light version of the Motif (fewer features than the previous MO low range models), at only 699$. This workstation offers for that price 70 Mo of rom, only 32 notes polyphony, 16 parts, an arpegiator and a sequencer. Cubase LE is bundled, so considering the basic keyboard (61 keys) and limited integrated sequencer, an expander is probably a better choice (original Motif Rack or Motif ES rack).The demo songs are online. |
| 1 comment |
| 01-17-07 / 09:48 PM : NAMM : Motifs XS6, XS7 and XS8 (cjed) |
 Yamaha annouces new Motifs XS6, XS7 and XS8. Compared with Motif ES they bring 355 Mo of Rom (and up to 1 Go for samples through DIMMs), 8 elements per voice, 16 multitimbral parts, 4 arpegiators and VCM (Virtual Circuitry Modeling) effects, a vocoder and Cubase AI bundled. They are priced respectively 2799$, 3539$ and 3999$, far more higher than previous models. Audio demos are expected soon on the description page.s |
| 2 comment |
| 01-17-07 / 08:54 PM : 203.145.131.158 stop spam (cjed) |
| The famous spammer (operates on many sites) is back from another IP (after having been blocked probably). |
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| 01-16-07 / 10:35 PM : GString : full XP strings impro (cjed) |
| XP GStrings uses a new strings multi made recently with Gold Pro XP. It's a simple long live played song (6 mn) without any additional instruments : XP_GStrings.mp3 |
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| 01-16-07 / 09:23 PM : WoW Burning Crusade released (cjed) |
 The Burning Crusade expansion for WoW is now shipping. There is also a collector edition. Details can be found here. |
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| 01-16-07 / 09:20 PM : New Roland V-Synth at NAMM (cjed) |
| Roland should unveil a new V-Synth at NAMM this january, 18. They intentionaly putted this video online. |
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| 01-16-07 / 09:16 PM : Ueberschall Scoretrax (cjed) |
| Ueberschall also announced Scoretrax , a new samples library providing 300 royalty-free loops (7,5 Go, 40 styles). It is priced 599.95$. |
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| 01-16-07 / 09:10 PM : Ueberschall Liquid Trumpet (cjed) |
| Ueberschall presents Liquid Trumpet, a new 1,5 Go library providing trumpet loops in various styles (jazz, funk, pop, soul, afro cuban, buena vista, bebop and electronica). As uasual with this Liquid technology, it allows not only to alter tempo and scale, but also notes (pitch), close to a real midifile. It is priced 199.95$. |
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| 01-16-07 / 08:54 PM : Pianoteq group buy (cjed) |
| Pianoteq will start a group buy for its piano simulation software, starting january, 19 and ending february, 11. The price could fall down to 179 euros (249 euros initial price). The number of participants is however limited to 100. Besides a new verrsion of the software is due in march. |
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| 01-16-07 / 08:41 PM : Overloud Breverb (cjed) |
 Overloud announces Breverb, an high end software reverb (AU and VST) that is requiring low CPU resources and uses an hardware like user interface. The presentation datasheet can be found here (no site nor audio demos at this time). |
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| 01-15-07 / 11:16 PM : VirSyn TERA 3.2 UB (cjed) |
 VirSyn provides an update to its synthesis software TERA 3.2, compatible with Intel macs. We can also listen again to audio demos here. |
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| 01-13-07 / 05:15 PM : The iPhone name : Apple Phone ? (cjed) |
| Cisco finally decided to sue Apple for using the name iPhone, that they some years ago deposited. The facts are that Apple, with the imac in 98 and its iApps later, initiated this naming scheme. And a lot of opportunist companies deposited close names, planning to sell these later to Apple... Now that Apple surprised these bad competitors renaming the iTV Apple TV, we can easily expect that it will be the same with the iPhone (that will not ship until june), that is Apple will rename it Apple Phone... On macosrumors we indeed learned just before the Macwolrd that the iPhone name wasn't really a problem... As a proof, we can look at the iPhone case : as with the Apple TV there isn't any mention or name except the Apple logo... We will see next if competitors try to use the Apple trademark !s |
| 2 comment |
| 01-13-07 / 12:12 AM : OpenGL : ATI and NVIDIA to catch up with DirectX (cjed) |
| In an article at IMG we learn that it was ATI that challenged Apple to implement multithreading support in OSX OpenGL, and that ATI and NVIDIA are working to bring OpenGL on par with DirectX10 (implement in OpenGL its new features). |
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| 01-12-07 / 10:41 PM : Prey demo available (cjed) |
 At IMG we can now download the demo of Prey (454 Mo, very fast connection). Despites minimal requirements (G5 or Intel at 1,8 Ghz, Radeon 9600) it works well in fact with the 1,25 Ghz G4 fitted with Radeon 9000 Pro, the same as with Doom III (same 3D engine). However the sound is mono and frequency slowed, perhaps due to compatibility problem with the Echo MIA (Doom III had also such problem, it only worked with internal audio). |
| 1 comment |
| 01-12-07 / 08:58 PM : Macplus : review of Parallels Desktop (cjed) |
| Macplus provides an interesting review of Parallels Desktop, where we finally learn how it compares with bootcamp in a graphic way : only 8 Mo from the VRAM can be allocated to the virtualization system, that is even an old Quake III cannot work. However it is fully compatible with 2D (nominal speed), and allows seemless integration of Windows applications in OSX windows containers. |
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| 01-11-07 / 12:16 AM : AF : RME Audio Fireface 400 review (cjed) |
 Audiofanzine provides a complete review (as usual) of the RME Audio Fireface 400 : Firewire, 8 analog inputs and 8 outputs (24 bits 192 Khz, high end converters mentionned in the test), complexe routing matrix, 2 Midi in / 2 Midi out, formats conversions (optical), standalone mode. At 900$ on average, it isn't overpriced. |
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| 01-10-07 / 11:58 PM : Lightwave 3D v9 demo (cjed) |
 The famous modelisation/raytracing/animation softwareLightwave 3D will be out in universal binary v9 soon. Meanwhile we can download a fully functional demo (28 Mo), that works for 30 days. |
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| 01-10-07 / 11:51 PM : CodeWeavers CrossOver 6.0 available : video (cjed) |
 CodeWeavers CrossOver 6.0 is now shipping on Intel macs (59,95$). We can watch a video of it running some famous Windows applications fully integrated in OSX, or even Half Life 2 (playable but fps is not great). CrossOver doesn't require Windows to run, but its compatible applications and games are limited (however 3D is supported in compatible games). |
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| 01-10-07 / 11:29 PM : D2X-XL, Mupen64 & Bugdom 2 UB updates (cjed) |
 Here are some welcomed updates to games found at Macgamefiles : D2X-XL 1.9.60 (OpenGL version of the famous Descent 2), Mupen64 0.5.1 (N64 emulator, brings fixes in audio system and better compatibility with Intel macs), and finally Bugdom 2 - Universal Binary 3.0.5 (update, full version and demo). |
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| 01-10-07 / 11:23 PM : Wing Commander Saga Prologue 1.0 (cjed) |
 At Macgamefiles we can download a preview demo of Wing Commander Saga Prologue, a 3D space game (freeware) in the mood of the famous Wing Commander series. The game seems well done and the demo (275 Mo) requirements are not too high. |
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| 01-10-07 / 11:16 PM : Electronic Arts : make money with ipods games (cjed) |
| In that article game editor Electronic Arts explains why he started developing games for ipods. The installed base is huge so profits are high. |
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| 01-10-07 / 09:32 PM : Pictures of the iPhone (cjed) |
| Engadget provides many screenshots of the iPhone taken at the Moscon Center. The finition is great, without mentioning the totally new patented multi touch technology, sensitive to many places at a time, and using a hard surface (uncommon).s |
| 2 comment |
| 01-10-07 / 09:27 PM : The Apple TV handles H264 1280*720 (cjed) |
| On the Apple TV specifications page we learn that it finally supports H264 format up to 1280 * 720 at 24 fps (progressive scan), that is impressive (max resolution found on today high end video-projectors). |
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| 01-10-07 / 12:20 AM : Mackie VLZ3 (cjed) |
 Mackie presents the third version of its analog mixing consoles, the VLZ3. They incude new XDR2 pre-amps, 130 dB dynamic and a rugged steel chassis. That is here. |
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| 01-09-07 / 10:03 PM : Apple TV and iPhone : that's all ? (cjed) |
 Apple finally presented only two new products : Apple TV that we already knew (is that really usefull to pay 299$ for a 720*480 video system when VLC, Free and my Epson projector allow 854*480 resolution since 3 years - and there is much better now in that domain). The iPhone on the contrary is really revolutionnary, futurist (see the videos here).Then the target is the Zune. The iPhone brings a stunning touchscreen (200 patents for the whole device), uses OSX !, provides Dashboard and iTunes like user interface, with same navigation system through music albums, fliping windows, automatic display mode switch thanks to motion sensors, extreme display resolution (160ppp), allows to send emails freely through Yahoo (exit SMS...), Safari browser with zoom (from OSX), a GPS. However we will have to wait the last quarter here in France, and the price (499$) will not compete with ipods (for now). Nothing new about Leopard so (expected in june...) nor on new macs (new Mac Pro were planned). But the iPhone is a new concept (PSP-Zune-futurist assistant and mobile) and we can hope a new show dedicated to macs before spring, a little before Leopard ships. The wait to the later could lead to think that Apple has been impressed by VISTA, or they want to prevent Microsoft from taking new ideas for the planned VISTA update (or Apple is not impressed and takes all the time they want). Unusual in a keynote where the share tends to go lower (before rising), this time it goes up from 85 to more than 92$.s |
| 2 comment |
| 01-09-07 / 01:34 AM : Zero-G : Degrees of Abstract (cjed) |
 Zero-G presents Degrees of Abstract, a 1350 esoteric samples library (2 Go) for Kontakt 2, Reason, Stylus RMX, EXS24 and HALion : manic beats, chilled out pads, disturbing SFX, serene vocals, futuristic synths, gentle guitars. We then can expect something similar to Atmosphere. Demos are available on the site. |
| 1 comment |
| 01-09-07 / 01:11 AM : NeoOffice 2.1 announced : OpenXML, VBA (cjed) |
 A new version of NeoOffice, 2.1, is expected next spring. It will notably bring compatibility with Microsoft OpenXML proprietary format, and VBA scripts from Excel documents. |
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| 01-09-07 / 01:06 AM : Avid is back on mac (cjed) |
| Following Adobe Premiere come back on mac, Avid will start an open beta of its video software suite for OSX, and in universal binary ! Another proof of the potential of OSX and great new features that will be announced today. |
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| 01-09-07 / 01:01 AM : Review : Mac OS X Shines / VISTA (cjed) |
| Just in time, the magazine Information Week provides a long review titled Mac OS X Shines In Comparison With Windows Vista. And it is about Tiger (OSX 10.4), the now old system ! |
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| 01-09-07 / 12:45 AM : Today the Macworld day ! (cjed) |
 We will know this evening (7pm Paris time) announces from Apple that should revolutionize 2007... or not (but Apple can't deceive after having put so much expectations with the message on their site). It should first be final fight against VISTA. Macbidouille reported some new infos about Leopard that should bring Sun ZFS filesystem. But the great thing will be assurely the new OSX interface (50 percent of this 10.5 version new features are unknown at this time).We also expect the usual keynote stream in mpeg4 HD. And why not an interface similar to that ? |
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| 01-07-07 / 11:28 PM : X-Plane : 4m precision Paris 3D scenery (cjed) |
| Again thanks to Ludomac we learn that some fans provide freely an X Plane scenery for Paris (and other places like Versailles and Roissy) in 3D with 4 meters precision. We can download the data here (400 Mo). A stunning video (with views from a chopter) is also available. There is also another cool video of this scenery on youtube. Finally there is other scenery of that type, as Alpes vol 1 from Xp-Simulation (commercial product, 300 Mo, a 36 Mo demo can be downloaded). And we can browse screenshots of world zones covered by the global scenery bundled with X-Plane 8 (60 Go on 8 dual layers DVDs !) : click on the world map to access to many examples. On another side that is true that FSX (flight Simulator 10) screenshots are cool too ! We have to wait how X-Plane will react. |
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| 01-07-07 / 11:21 PM : Prey trailer (cjed) |
| Ludomac presents a trailer of Prey. The video is tunning for its effects, dynamic, inventivity and cedibility of the environment, ambient. |
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| 01-06-07 / 02:28 PM : 220.226.63.254 stop spam ! (cjed) |
| Recently i started receiving spam (messages including medical commercial or fake links) sent by the send message page of the site. I added an image verification (as for comments) to prevent bots, an email field and also ip logging. That stopped for a while but i just received a new spam, that is the message was sent manually on the site. The IP is 220.226.63.254 (email is probably fake or not the real source). Searching WhoisIP, it originated from an indian company, Reliance Infocom Ltd (see Whois entry). If it doesn't stop i will have to send a notification to antiabuse.support@relianceada.com. After verification this spammer operates on many sites (is identified so) and traceroute command doesn't help much. |
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| 01-06-07 / 01:43 AM : A few Ajax technology in the site (cjed) |
| The display of last twelve news on the homepage now uses Ajax technology to retreive the news content selected when clicking on its link (sends an asynchronous request - XMLHttpRequest with a handler - and draws / hides the div using DHTML). Many news can be opened simultaneously, without hanging the browser (very fast indeed) and without any flicker effect so. With HTTP 1.1 only two requests (ports) can be sent at a time, so as to prevent servers from heavy load.s |
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| 01-05-07 / 10:02 PM : Garritan Concert & Marching Band (cjed) |
 Garritan presents Concert & Marching Band, a 2 Go library of marching band samples (trumpets, trombones, saxophones, horns, mellophones, sousaphones, marching percussions, etc.). It is priced 239$. |
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| 01-05-07 / 09:32 PM : 112dB Morgana : vintage virtual sampler (cjed) |
 As reported by audiofanzine, the company 112dB (original name !) presents Morgana, a virtual instrument aimed at reproducing the vintage sampler technology circa 1984 (8 bits resolution, digital quantization artefacts, etc.), however famous for its musicality. A mac version will follow shortly the Windows one. |
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| 01-05-07 / 09:23 PM : The Movie demo (cjed) |
 Macgamefiles released at download the demo of the game The Movie, that allows to build a movies studio, write and direct films, produce them, in the Hollywood style. It can be found here and the download size is huge (800 Mo). |
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| 01-05-07 / 09:15 PM : History of role-playing games on computers (cjed) |
 The site Armchair Arcade published the first article of a serie dedicated to history of role-playing games on computers. The first part deals with the 1980-1983 days. |
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| 01-05-07 / 09:08 PM : SketchFighter 4000 Alpha review (cjed) |
 AppleLinks provides an appealing review of the famous game SketchFighter 4000 Alpha. We can also watch a video on the Ambrosia Software site. |
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| 01-05-07 / 09:03 PM : TransGaming Cider to integrate SafeDisc (cjed) |
| TransGaming, the editor of Cider solution allowing to play Windows games directly on OSX, announces that they will include the Macrovision SafeDisc technology, a common copy protection system on Windows. |
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| 01-04-07 / 11:27 PM : Prey in gold master (cjed) |
| Aspyr announced that Prey is now declared Gold Master. It then should be out soon. Its minimum requirements are an 1,8 Ghz processor mac and Radeon 9600. |
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| 01-04-07 / 11:12 PM : Belight Software : Live Interior 3D (cjed) |
 Belight Software presents Live Interior 3D, a new software aimed at 3D interior modeling/preview. The UI seems really well done, following Apple guidlines for Tiger applications. A beta version is even downloadable here (187 Mo). |
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| 01-04-07 / 10:56 PM : Theocacao : develop for Leopard only (cjed) |
 The site Theocacao (that is looking good moreover) explains in an article why developers should make applications targeted to Leopard only : availability of Objective-C 2.0, new Cocoa APIs, etc. In fact many seem to have taken this way. |
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| 01-04-07 / 10:46 PM : Adobe Production Studio on mac (cjed) |
| Macnn reported that the next version of Adobe Production Studio suite (video and audio) will be developed also for mac. It will include, besides After Effects, Photoshop and Illustrator (always available on OSX), Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Encore DVD and Adobe Soundbooth. That is finally the return of Premiere on mac, that had been stopped when Apple released Final Cut Pro. |
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| 01-03-07 / 09:19 PM : Impact of litigations on videogames industry (cjed) |
 IMG reported that the site Gamasutra provides an article about impact of litigations (patents, copyrights) in the gaming industry (that started 30 years ago with Breakout game). |
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| 01-03-07 / 09:15 PM : Dodge That Anvil (cjed) |
| Dodge That Anvil is a little funny game involving a rabbit that must retreive vegetables while avoiding stuff falling from sky... A demo can be downloaded here. |
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| 01-03-07 / 09:11 PM : Otto Matic 3.0.5 UB (cjed) |
| Pangea Software provides an UB update to Otto Matic. That is here. |
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| 01-03-07 / 09:08 PM : The Intertainer : Microsoft and patents (cjed) |
| Apple, Google et Napster would be sued by an unknown company (Intertainer, financed by Microsoft and Intel !) for having used a patent about "digital entertainment" distribution over internet (that is music, movies, games, all). The patent was issued in 2005, so many years after the ITMS... The goal is obvious... but it will not prevent Microsoft from looking ridiculus in less than a week during the january Macworld (tuesday, 9) and the inevitable VISTA / Leopard comparison. |
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| 01-03-07 / 08:52 PM : WriteRoom : vintage text editor (cjed) |
 WriteRoom is a little text editor alla TextEdit that allows to enter text in full screen (green on black by default), and would improve productivity and focusness (we can switch between the two modes). That is here. |
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| 01-03-07 / 12:23 AM : Crysis : second trailer (cjed) |
 Here is the second trailer of Crysis (uses the CryTech engine 2) released a month ago.This game will be the sequel to FarCry. |
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| 01-03-07 / 12:13 AM : Armado review (cjed) |
| At macobserver we can read a review of Armado. Honestly the demo leads to the feeling that the game is repetitive, less various than Pangea Bugdom games that it tried to immitate. |
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| 01-03-07 / 12:05 AM : Falling Leaf Project Alky (cjed) |
| Falling Leaf announces the development of Project Alky, a new virtualization solution for OSX like WINE but aimed at games performance (as Cider). We can watch a video of the game Prey running inside it here. |
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| 01-02-07 / 11:53 PM : Lugaru 2 multiplayer mode (cjed) |
 As reported by IMG, on the Wolfire blog we learn that the development of the multiplayer mode of Lugaru 2 is going well. We can also listen to music excerpts from the soundtrack in an older news. |
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| 01-02-07 / 10:49 PM : Welcome to 2007 (cjed) |
 That is with Apple's words "The first 30 years were just the begining. Welcome to 2007" that I wish to all visitors here an happy new year. Apple seems commited to do the best for 2007, and finally celebrate these 30 years (the anniversary was in fact last spring). |
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