iLounge

Parallels has updated the iOS companion application for its recently released Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac adding support for remote control of the Parallels host Mac in the same manner as remotely controlling virtual machines. The new version also adds audio support, allowing users to play back music and audio remotely from the host Mac or other virtual machine, and iOS clipboard support for copying and pasting text between the iOS device and the remote computer. Additional improvements in the update include better support for external displays and keyboards, the ability to limit connections to Wi-Fi only, and a number of general stability, performance and usability improvements. Parallels Mobile is a universal app requiring iOS 4.0 or later and is currently available from the App Store for an introductory price of $5, reduced from the normal price of $20. The app requires Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac or later; remote control of the host Mac requires Parallels Desktop 7.

Apple has released an update to iMovie ‘11 for Mac OS X adding support for opening projects imported from iMovie for iOS. Originally debuted with the launch of the iPhone 4 last year, iMovie for iOS was more recently updated to a universal app to add support for the iPad 2. Although iMovie projects could be exported via iTunes and used with the iOS version of iMovie on other devices, one significant limitation has been the inability of these project files to be imported and used in the desktop version of iMovie. In addition to adding support for iMovie for iOS project, iMovie 9.0.4 for Mac OS X also fixes issues related to audio adjustments and performance issues when working with large quantities of video clips or large iPhoto libraries. The iMovie 9.0.4 update requires iMovie ‘11 and can be downloaded directly from Apple Support or via the Mac OS X Software Update tool.

Update (07/18/2011): Apple has posted a support article detailing how to import projects from iMovie for iOS to iMovie ‘11.

Following last week’s discovery that iOS 4 devices have been keeping location records, AppleScript developer Peter Burkimsher has released a utility to make use of this data for geotagging photos. iPhoneGeotag is an open-source AppleScript for Mac iPhoto users that reads the location data file from an iOS device backup and uses matching timestamps to apply geotag information to a user’s iPhoto library. The script is open-source under the Apache 2.0 license and can be freely viewed and modified; location data is not transmitted outside of the user’s own computer and the script does not even require an Internet connection. iPhoneGeotag is free and can be downloaded from the developer’s site.

SuperSync, a iTunes library synchronization and management tool, has been updated to version 4.0. SuperSync allows users to view, merge, and synchronize iTunes libraries over local networks or over the Internet, among other features. Version 4.0 offers users a brand new interface that allows for easier navigation of multiple libraries, improved networking speeds, a duplicate inspector that lets users compare tracks that are or may be duplicates, an iTunes import feature for importing music from another library or from a backup, Smart Playlist export, and built-in Internet search. SuperSync 4.0 is a free upgrade for all current users while new licenses range from $29 for a two-license pack to $49 for a ten-license pack; it is available now for Mac OS X and Windows.

Popular open-source DVD to MPEG-4 converter Handbrake has been updated to version 0.9.5, its first update in over a year. The new version offers a long list of improvements, including new presets for the iPad, iPhone 4, and second-generation Apple TV, support for SSA subtitles, automatic discovery of VLC in the Applications folder (necessary for ripping encrypted DVDs), AC3 encoding support, universal audio downmix support, a peak framerate option, and more. Notably, 0.9.5 drops support for legacy PowerPC-based Macs; a complete list of changes is available here. Handbrake 0.9.5 is available now as a free download for Mac OS X 10.5 or later, Windows 2000 or later, and Linux.

Following Apple’s release of the beta version of FaceTime video calling software for the Mac, a number of iLounge readers reported problems using their Macs to call certain iPhone 4 users, even when those iPhones were on Wi-Fi networks and capable of making outgoing FaceTime calls. After testing with iPhone 4, iPod touch, and Mac hardware, it turns out that a simple but pesky bug is to blame for the problem: the Mac FaceTime application’s handling of telephone numbers with periods, as in 212.555.1212 versus the more traditional use of dashes in 212-555-1212.

Unlike the iPod touch 4G and iPhone 4, which automatically translate your Contacts’ phone numbers in the 212.555.1212 format into 2125551212 for calling purposes, the beta Mac FaceTime software appears to improperly treat the periods as additional characters when trying to initiate calls, resulting in an instant statement by the FaceTime software that the person you’re trying to reach is not available. Yet the same person will remain reachable at the same number using a different FaceTime device such as an iPhone 4 or an iPod touch 4G, and will also be capable of calling you.

Until Apple updates the Mac FaceTime software to properly handle telephone numbers entered with periods as separators, use the Mac’s Address Book application to swap the periods in phone numbers for more conventional dashes, which FaceTime for the Mac handles without complaint. Calls that previously seemed impossible due to instant rejection will suddenly go through without complaint.

Erica Sadun of TUAW has released what is described as an “extremely alpha” version of AirPlayer, a new Mac application designed to allow for video streaming from an iOS 4.2 device to a Mac. According to Sadun’s post announcing the software, the application was made by reverse engineering AirPlay, and creates and advertises a custom Bonjour AirPlay service that pretends to be an Apple TV. The post notes that users do not need a jailbroken device to use the software; it is unclear what Mac system software and specs are required for it to run. AirPlayer version 0.01 is available now as a free download from Erica Sadun’s personal website.

Netputing has released version 1.7 of its AirPrint Hacktivator for Mac OS X, a free utility that allows printing from an iOS device to any shared printer over Wi-Fi. According to the utility’s release notes, the new version was rewritten to modify only one file, which is backed up prior to installation. After installing the software and turning it on, users simply need to remove and add back the printers they would like to share with their iOS devices. AirPrint Hacktivator for Mac OS X is available now as a free download from Netputing’s website.

During its Back to the Mac special event today, Apple announced the release of FaceTime for the Mac. Currently in Beta, the new standalone application allows Mac users running OS X 10.6.4 or later to FaceTime video chat with iPhone 4 and fourth-generation iPod touch users. The software integrates with the Mac’s built-in Address Book, and automatically rotates the image on the Mac end when an iPhone or iPod touch user rotates their device on the other end of a call. Notably, the screen aspect ratios of the iPhone and iPod touch are different than those of some Macs, leading to black bars on certain Mac models when performing full screen FaceTime chats.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs said during the event that there are now over 19 million mobile FaceTime users, meaning that the company has sold at least 19 million iPhone 4 and iPod touch 4G units. In addition to the new software, Apple also announced downloads of over 7 billion apps from the App Store, before announcing a new App Store for Mac which the company plans to launch within 90 days. FaceTime for the Mac Beta is available now as a free download from Apple’s website.

Elgato has released Turbo.264 HD Software Edition for Mac. Described by the company as a software version of its Turbo.264 HD encoder hardware, the Software Edition allows users to instantly edit HD camcorder clips without the need to prior conversion, offers support for a wide range of video formats, and fast file conversion, following Apple’s specifications for H.264 videos and using custom video de-interlacing, with presets for the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. Elgato’s new Turbo.264 HD Software Edition requires a Mac with an Intel Core processor, at least 512MB of RAM, Quicktime 7.6 or later, and Mac OS X 10.5.6 or later, and sells for $50.

Elgato has unveiled its new EyeTV HD digital video recorder solution for Mac. Interfacing with the computer via USB, the EyeTV HD features component video and stereo audio inputs, with a break-out cable for standard definition composite and S-Video input. The box is designed to connect to an existing satellite or cable set-top box, with an IR blaster for control via the EyeTV 3 software. It records in H.264-formatted video, and has a unique dual-format capture mode that can record iPad- and iPhone-formatted video simultaneously. Other features include the ability to stream live TV to an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch over Wi-Fi or 3G using the $5 EyeTV app, and one year of free program guide data from TV Guide; renewals cost $20 per year. Elgato’s EyeTV HD DVR for Mac requires a computer with a 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor or better, 2GB of RAM, and Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later, and sells for $200.

Equinux has released its SongGenie 2 music library utility software for Mac OS X. SongGenie helps users manage their digital music libraries by identifying unknown song titles, completing missing track information fields, and cleaning up song information listings. New features in version 2 of SongGenie include song lyrics search, genre organization, song information editing, a new song information rating system and status indicator, new sorting options, the ability to play back songs inside the app, and album art quality ratings. SongGenie 2 is available now as a direct download for $30 or €25 and requires Mac OS X 10.5 or later; registered users can upgrade to SongGenie 2 for a discount using the equinux License Manager.

Elgato has announced its next-generation EyeTV Hybrid TV tuner stick for HDTV and analog TV. Hailed by the company as “America’s smallest TV tuner stick,” the new EyeTV Hybrid features an ultra-compact enclosure, a matte aluminum finish, a built-in USB connector, an analog/ATSC tuner, S-Video, Composite video, antenna, and stereo audio inputs, an IR remote control sensor for use with the included remote control, and included EyeTV 3 software for Mac. Notably, the new model does not offer the built-in FM radio tuner of the previous model. The next-generation Elgato EyeTV Hybrid is available now and sells for $150.

Fire Core has released version 4.1 of its aTV Flash software utility package for the Apple TV. aTV Flash allows users to install a number of different software packages—including the Couch Surfer Pro web browser, a RSS feed reader, and support for a much broader set of media formats—on their Apple TV units using a USB flash drive. New in version 4.1 is full 5.1 surround sound support for nearly all media types, including DVD (VIDEO_TS) files, faster web browsing and enhanced Remote app support for the Couch Surfer Pro browser, “much improved” media playback, and compatibility with Apple TV Software 3.0.2. aTV Flash 4.1 is available now for Mac or Windows, requires a 256MB or larger USB flash drive, and sells for $50 with a year of software updates included.

Developer Sébastien Stormacq has released iTweetMyTunes, a new iTunes companion application for Mac OS X. iTweetMyTunes lets users post the currently playing iTunes track to their Twitter accounts. The application can post updates to Twitter automatically, doing so every three minutes by default or by a user-chosen time interval, or manually. iTweetMyTunes is available as a free download and requires Mac OS X; Stormacq is accepting donations from users who download and enjoy using the application.

Elgato has introduced its new EyeTV One TV tuner for Mac and Windows. The EyeTV One connects to the computer via USB and allows users to watch and record HDTV channels broadcast over-the-air for free. Features include a coaxial plug for connecting an antenna, a flexible USB extender, included EyeTV 3 software, which offers the ability to stream video to the iPhone and iPod touch via the company’s EyeTV app or the Live3G web app, and more. The Elgato EyeTV One TV tuner works only in North America and is available now for $120.

Popular open-source DVD to MPEG-4 converter Handbrake has been updated to version 0.9.4. The new version offers a host of improvements, including speed, size, and quality improvements taken from the x264 project, support for 64-bit and parallel builds for added speed improvements on 64-bit capable machines, support for soft subtitles, a live preview feature, better input support, constant quality encoding which varies size to meet a given quality level, a new custom anamorphic mode, and more. Handbrake 0.9.4 is available now as a free download for Mac OS X 10.5 or later, Windows XP or later, and Linux.

iSkysoft has released version 2.0 of its iMedia Converter application for Mac OS X. The all-in-one DVD and video converter can rip DVDs to a variety of formats, including iTunes-, iPod-, iPhone-, and Apple TV-compatible MP4 files, and also offers video conversion for a host of formats, audio extraction from DVD and video files, including to M4R iPhone ringtones, video editing features, batch conversion, 5.1 audio output support, and more. iSkysoft’s iMedia Converter 2.0 for Mac requires an Intel Mac running OS X 10.5 or later, and sells for $49.

Ecamm Network has released PhoneView 2.3, a Mac-only companion application for the iPhone and iPod touch. PhoneView gives iPhone and iPod touch users access to iTunes media, photos, notes, contacts, SMS messages, and call history data stored on their devices, and opens the devices for data storage and file transfer purposes. New in version 2.3 is the ability to display, playback, and export Visual Voicemail messages, automatic archiving of Voicemail messages, support for MMS, including photo and video message display and archiving, and more. PhoneView requires Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later and sells for $19.95; a free 7-day demo version is also available.

Roxio has introduced Popcorn 4, the latest version of its desktop DVD and video conversion application for Mac OS X. New in Popcorn 4 is support for AVCHD and AVCHD-Lite and Flash video, the ability to extract a video segment or audio track from a DVD-Video or high-definition video file, support for the Turbo.264 HD hardware accelerator, a preview mode allowing users to see how a converted file will look on their device before performing a full conversion, and more. Popcorn 4 requires Mac OS X 10.5 or later and is available now for $50.