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| 03-24-11 / 12:19 AM : Motorola : web based OS ? (cjed) |
| Motorola is rumored to be developing a web-based OS (in the same way as WebOS - that uses WebKit), to avoid Android licensing and related patents problems. This could then explain why they acquired 280 North. |
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| 03-23-11 / 03:23 AM : iPhone : Fairlight / Wifi Midi controller (cjed) |
| The iPhone/iPad Fairlight applicaiton can be controlled (besides using the virtual keyboard or step editing in the sequencer) from a Midi keyboard using either Wifi (thanks to CoreMidi network feature - CoreMidi is available since iOS 4.2) or USB (iPhone camera connection kit required, and also self-powered USB Midi interface). Setting up a Wifi CoreMidi network is easy : - on the mac create a Wifi network (for example by using integrated Airport on mac mini - allows direct computer to computer networking) using Networking preferences. - enable Wifi on the iPhone/iPad and connect to the Airport network. -launch Audio and Midi Utility, click on Network icon in the Midi configuration window, create a new session (plus button). - launch Fairlight application on the iPhone. The device is then listed in Directory area of Midi Network Settings on the mac (below My Sessions area). Click on Connect (except if green light). Latency is low and allows playing from a Midi controller. Note : turn off automatic idle on the iPhone. |
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| 03-23-11 / 03:00 AM : Best Service: Evolution Series World Percussion (cjed) |
 Best Service presents Evolution Series World Percussion, the largest world percussions samples library (220 Gb, 24 bits/48 Khz), provided on an external 2,5" USB2 hard drive (599 euros). Instruments are available in stereo or 5.1, and midi grooves are included. We can listen to demos. |
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| 03-23-11 / 02:48 AM : FM8 1.1.1 / Massive 1.2.1 updates (cjed) |
| Native Instruments provides (though Service Center or online User area) 1.1.1 update to FM8 and 1.2.1 update to Massive, that bring 64 bits support and enhancements/fixes. |
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| 03-23-11 / 02:33 AM : OSX 10.6.7 update available / flickering (cjed) |
| The long awaited MacOSX 10.6.7 update is finally available through Software Update (313 Mb). It notably enhances graphics stability and fixes flickering problems on recent macs when using some external displays. |
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| 03-23-11 / 02:15 AM : Cappuccino editors : Askshell / Notapipe (cjed) |
 Besides Atlas (whose related announces from Motorola are due soon) we find a new IDE made using Cappuccino, Askshell (free access). It only manages javascript code editing (no Objective-J), however it provides a javascript MVC framework (and comprehensive documentation) that reminds ruby / rails and allows fast application development (required as it does not include an interface builder contrary to Atlas). Test of applications is also available directly from the editor.We can also try notapipe (provided as subscription), a generic purpose text editor, less evolved however that manages collaborative work. |
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| 03-23-11 / 01:12 AM : Fierfox 4 available (cjed) |
It manages WebGL (see demos here - 40 to 26 fps on a 2010 mac mini depending on number of displayed elements, and full options ebabled -, and init of the webgl context), a new HTML5 parser that allows inline SVG and MathML (that is svg and math tags instead of generic purpose object tag), HTML5 audio and video tags, WebM video format, CSS3 (including CSS gradients, backgrounds, CSS Transitions - with -moz prefix -, WOFF), App Cache, IndexDDB, and Web Workers. Support for websocket is included, however it is disabled by default (contrary to Chrome and Safari 5 where it is enabled) for security concerns. The CP2JavaWS demo is close as fast as with Safari (except refresh page fault), however the transitory display bug (value in first row first column cell) is still here (tested with Cappuccino 0.8, so to verify with latest 0.9). |
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| 03-19-11 / 04:56 PM : Nanosaur II free (cjed) |
| Nanosaur II is free at the Mac App Store for a limited time. To remember it offers a 3D mode. |
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| 03-19-11 / 12:20 AM : AppStore : Fairlight available (cjed) |
| Fairlight application is available at AppStore (7,99 euros, for iPhone and iPad). A Pro version (update through in-app purchase, priced 31,99 euros) adds CMI III version sounds, editing of instruments, Midifile import/export, audio import (as samples). The standard version also allows remote playing of instruments using a Midi keyboard, if the later is plugged to a computer that is connected to the same Wifi network as the iPhone/iPad (for example a mac mini that provides Airport network), since iOS 4 now supports CoreMidi (and its network feature). |
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| 03-16-11 / 11:54 PM : Consequences / musical instruments makers (cjed) |
| As we know, most musical instruments makers are from there (Yamaha, Roland, Korg - whose founder's died yesterday, despite not being tied), and at harmony-central's forums we find a map that shows consequences up to US and Canada east coasts. About Roland factories (that were hit in 1995), they are now located mainly 100-200 km south-west from Tokyo (Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Matsumoto). We can however expect the RD-300NX, due to this month, to be delayed. UPDATE : Roland, through a statement at its site, expressed its support for victims, and indeed confirmed that its factories and offices weren't damaged (and there is no casualties among its employees), and that they are continuing normal operations. They are however investigating impact on their business. Steve Jobs also made a statement (Apple still had setted up a donations program at iTune Store) to its Apple Store employees there (that served as communication points for many people) |
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| 03-16-11 / 12:55 AM : IE9 : not really HTML5 ready (cjed) |
| Microsoft finally released IE9. However, contrary to what they stated, it provides few HTML5 features, and is closer to 5 years-old Safari/WebKit or 2 years-old Firefox. Canvas accelerating through Direct2D (that then replaces VML), and SVG support, will finally help leveraging Rich Desktop Applications, and make development of abstraction-based frameworks (like Cappuccino) easier. |
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| 03-16-11 / 12:42 AM : Wallaby : experimental HTML5 by Adobe (cjed) |
| While Adobe confirmed that Flash and HTML5 are orthogonal (use same native APIs to manage medias, and Flash is based on a single embedded node whereas an HTML5 page consists of many DOM elements), the new Flash to HTML5 converter, Wallaby, somewhat announces the end of Adobe's plugin, whose purpose is to keep its user base. Moreover first tests show very poor conversion results, even with basic interfaces, as the tool was aimed at converting animations/ads rather than Flex/RDA interfaces. Adobe also provides Edge, an HTML5 animations design tool, its first move to migrate its authoring tools to HTML5. Adobe then does not have yet an answer to HTML5 for RDA (the same with Microsoft, that is moving to HTML5 instead of Silverlight), and tools migration (as with Microsoft's ones - Expression Suite) will take time. A Firefox representative used same argumentation as Apple. |
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| 03-10-11 / 12:42 AM : XCode 4 available at Mac AppStore (cjed) |
| Apple provides the final version of XCode 4 at the Mac App Store, priced 4,99$ (4 Gb download). Mac Dev Tools were previously available for free, however the new version brings a graphical Git client, to compare with Tower (50$). |
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| 03-10-11 / 12:38 AM : Safari 5.0.4 update (cjed) |
| A 5.0.4 minor update to Safari is available. |
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| 03-08-11 / 10:35 PM : Steinberg : Cubase 6 demo (cjed) |
| Steinberg provides a demo version of Cubase 6. A MySteinberg account and USB-eLicenser key are required to download the license (30 days). |
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| 03-06-11 / 01:52 AM : Out of this World soon on iPhone/iPad (cjed) |
| During Game Developer Conference, DotEmu (that did the iPhone port of R-Type) announced iPhone/ iPad (Universal binary) version of famous Out of this World, in collaboration with Erich Chahi, its creator. |
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| 03-06-11 / 01:34 AM : Imperfect Sample: Fazioli Concert Grand (cjed) |
| Imperfect Samples provides Fazioli Ebony Concert Grand Piano : Fazioli ten foot Grand Piano was created by the makers of world's most expensive grand pianos, and is considered by many to be the Elite of all grands. Stunning audio demos are available. The Pro version (perspective 1 - 2 inches from the soundboard - with 12 velocity layers, perspective 2 - close-miked near the strings - with 8 velocity layers, 19 Gb - 8 Gb download) is priced 133$. The Complete version brings a third perspective (2 metres away from the piano - Wet, Room) and Picked Strings, and is priced 195$ (33 Gb - 13 Gb download). The library requires full version of Kontkat 4 (not player), EXS24, or the Imperfect Samples Player (AU and VST plugins). We can also find Hohner White Baby Grand Piano : warm and intimate sound that sits between a full size grand and an upright. The Pro version (perspective 1 with 16 velocity layers, perspective 2 with 9 velocity layers, 16 Gb - 7 Gb download) is priced 133$. |
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| 03-05-11 / 11:45 PM : UVI Grand Piano at Mac AppStore (cjed) |
| UVI Grand Piano was released to the AppStore at 30$ only, and provides a Steinway D that takes 400 Mb of disk size due to lossless compression. It is available as standalone player only, however audio can be sent to a sequencer by using Sounflower (and Midi thanks to MacOSX's IAC bus) as stated in the documentation. We can listen to demos here and read comments about timbral homogeneity and velocity response curve (the latest 1.0.1 update brings a velocity curve editing parameter, that however is reported to not completely fix the response). |
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| 03-05-11 / 06:08 PM : IE6 countdown (cjed) |
| Microsoft praises companies to left IE6 and migrate to IE9, and provides a map that shows remaining IE6 users geographical distribution. |
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| 03-05-11 / 06:03 PM : Tower Git client / demo (cjed) |
| Then final version of Tower, a native Git client is available (priced 49$). A demo version (30 days) is downloadable. XCode 4 (free) also manages Git repositories connections. |
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| 03-05-11 / 05:57 PM : Strata Design 3D SE at Mac AppStore (cjed) |
| We can find at the Mac App Store Strata Design 3D SE, priced 49,99$ (Mac OSX 10.6.6 required). It includes most of Strata Design 3D CX features (modeling, texturing, lighting and rendering modules) : Raydiosity rendering engine (, Google's 3D Warehouse import, opacity, reflectivity, specularity, bump maps, 3D primitives, extrusion and lathe tools, bezier modeling tools, text tools, options for "cartoonish" or photo-realistic rendering, OpenGL for fast previewing. This version was provided for 0,99$ only late September during its release. |
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| 03-03-11 / 11:54 PM : WebGL 1.0 / WebCL (cjed) |
| Khronos Group announced during GDC the final WebGL 1.0 specification, and launch of WebCL, that will bring similar features as OpenCL however to javascript applications. |
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| 03-02-11 / 11:47 PM : iPad 2 : HD movie / GarageBand (cjed) |
| The new iPad 2, expected March, 11 (US store only), onboards a dual core A5 processor (1 Ghz) - up to two times faster - and a video chipset that is up to 9 times faster than the previous one. It is also 33 percent thinner and 15 percent lighter, and its magnetic cover can serves as a stand. Finally it features an HD camera (720p), and GarageBand application is available. It is priced 499$ (16Gb Wifi). |
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| 03-01-11 / 10:58 PM : ValhallaRoom /ValhallaShimmer (cjed) |
| Valhalla DSP (we remind Valhalla rom cards for D-50) announced a new reverberation plugin, ValhallaRoom. They previously released ValhallaShimmer (50$, demo version available). |
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| 03-01-11 / 10:52 PM : Fairlight emulator for iPhone/iPad (cjed) |
| Fairlight announced the upcoming release of and iPhone and iPad application that brings CMI Series IIx emulation, including Series IIx samples library (and later Series III's one, and support for custom samples). We can watch a video here. |
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| 03-01-11 / 10:37 PM : JavaFX 2.0/Flash 3D: WebKit/HTML5 like (cjed) |
| While Adobe is trying (or pretends to in order to keep its user base) to save Flash by announcing upcoming support for harware accelerated 3D (while still migrating its core engine to HTML5), Oracle presents expected new features in next Java FX 2.0 : bindings APIs, Sequence, Observable List, and Observable Map APIs, Hardware Accelerated Graphics, High Performance Animated Transitions, CSS Animations, WebView Scene Graph Node, Low Latency Audio, Full Screen Video, etc. As with Adobe, it is then all about catching up with WebKit / HTML5 (CSS Effects, tags audio et video, Canvas, WebGL), Native Host/Cappuccino and Cocoa (WebView, bindings). We may then ask about justification for two additional proprietary implementations of these features, since WebKit has become the defacto standard (and was the source of inspiration for the specification) , and Adobe still started some months ago to migrate Flash's low level layers to these foundations. Even Google finally discontinued O3D and focused to WebGL. |
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| 03-01-11 / 10:08 PM : Microsoft / AppStore (cjed) |
| Microsoft, after having for a long time used common words as trademarks (Windows, Internet Explorer, Word, etc.), is trying to reuse AppStore name for its own store, and states that it sounds generic.
From macnn's article we find interesting points, and this conclusion : Disputes over generic usage have been a staple of trademark in the past few decades as certain products, such as Coke, Kleenex, and Xerox, have been commonly associated with the type of product rather than a particular brand. Apple can't prevent common, non-commercial use but can try to prevent other companies from making similar references. We also remind an old Painter like application on System 6/7 (mac), that was named Expression, and whose version 3 (available on MacOSX and Windows) seems free since the company (Creature House) was bought by Microsoft in 2004. Development of the application has then been halted, and Microsoft reused the name for its design toos suite for Silverlight based applications's client side (user interface). |
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