Wu spent a good amount of time with me and Quicken Essentials for Mac and I was impressed with what a saw. A powerful registry with deep customization, a pie chart with amazing drill-down capabilities, a spending cloud much like “tag clouds” found on many of todays web pages, category reports with incredible filtering, and with support for 12,000 financial institutions for automatic downloading of your data for near-zero user entry (compared to the Windows 2010 version of just 4,500); Quicken Essentials is definitely on the right track.
Wu told me, “We do care about the Mac,” during our conversation and from what I saw that rainy Friday afternoon, it’s obvious Intuit is at least making an attempt to correct its ills of the past. Wu was transparent about some missing features, such as the inability to track historical data for investments, but he stressed that Intuit is, “Looking at bringing those features back,” upon reviewing customer requests. One of my requests was the ability to sync data with Mint.com and Wu said Intuit would like to do that. Nice.
Previous Quicken users, be it Windows or Mac, will be able to easily import their data to Quicken Essentials for Mac.
And now, for Intuit’s take on the release:
For those who manage their money on a Mac, Quicken Essentials for Mac now available from Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq: INTU). Built from the ground up with the look and feel Mac users expect from their products, QEM, as it’s known, provides a simple and easy way to handle the essentials of money management.
QEM launches a new era for Quicken on the Mac. It marks Intuit’s first Mac-native application for Quicken, that is, a product developed specifically to run on a Mac operating system, instead of adapting a product originally designed for a PC. QEM’s features serve a broad array of essential customer needs, focusing on quick set-up, ease-of-use, and Mac-like intuitiveness in design and workflow. The redesign reflects the influence of the Mint.com product team and its deep experience with Apple products.
“Quicken Essentials for Mac is the first Quicken product to take full advantage of the Mac operating system and development platform,” said Aaron Patzer, vice president and general manager of Intuit’s Personal Finance Group. “We’re bringing a completely new Quicken experience to Mac users, helping them answer essential money questions – what do I spend, what do I earn, where do I stand on my budgets, what is my net worth, and where can I do better?”
Making Money Management Easier on a Mac
Infusing Quicken with the intuitiveness of the Mac, QEM makes financial management easier, featuring:
· Easier set up; faster to use: QEM offers the unique Mac look-and-feel, easy navigation, and all the keyboard shortcuts users expect on Mac. Setup only takes 10 minutes. Users simply search for their bank, and synch using their online credentials.
· Broad banking support; no data entry: QEM currently imports data from 12,000 financial institutions, with support from 18,000 expected by year end. This is nearly quadruple the previous support of banks, credit unions, credit card companies, brokerage houses and lending institutions. All of that means less data entry.
· Improved categorization; better understanding: QEM “learns” the most popular categories from users, improving categorization over time. This means users spend less time organizing transactions, and more time understanding where their money goes, and how to save and do more with their money.
· Easy conversion: The converter feature easily transfers historical data from past Quicken for Mac (2005, 2006 and 2007), Quicken for Windows (2007, 2008 and 2009), and Microsoft Money.
“We plan to continue using these new design and usability elements and bring them into additional personal finance products,” said Patzer. “The combination of Quicken products and the talent of the Mint.com product team brings the best of both worlds to customers.”
Mac users can join the Quicken Inner Circle user community to provide product feedback that will be used to determine future features and development priorities.
Pricing and Availability
Quicken Essentials for the Mac is $69 and is available for purchase or download directly from Intuit at www.quicken.com and at retailers.
Intuit continues to support Quicken Mac 2007 for those users who rely on features that have not been added to QEM, including:
Stock lot accounting and other high-level investment tracking: QEM will show basic investment information, including net worth and changes in value. Detailed reporting similar to past Quicken Products is expected to be included in future versions
Bill Pay: Because only 6 percent of Quicken users rely on this service, it wasn’t added in the Essentials version of Quicken for Mac
Integration with TurboTax™: The Essentials version is designed for day-to-day financial management, and may include more robust features, such as integration with tax products, in the future.
equinux today released VPN Tracker 6.1 – a new update to its market-leading IPsec-based VPN client for Mac OS X. VPN Tracker 6.1 supports the SonicWALL TZ 100 and TZ 200, the latest additions of the TZSeries UTM appliances that are aimed at small to mid-sized businesses. VPN Tracker now includes Mode Config support for additional VPN gateways and has greater interoperability with a range of other devices, thereby making it simpler to configure and administrate Macs in a virtual private network.
“SonicWall and VPN Tracker have worked hand in hand since VPN Tracker’s inception,” says equinux CEO Till Schadde. “We are proud to announce that VPN Tracker now supports the high quality entry-level VPN gateways of the SonicWALL TZ Series. This is yet another milestone in the great partnership with SonicWALL.”
“We are pleased to present Mac users with our new TZ Series UTM appliances in combination with VPN Tracker, as together they provide a robust solution for a successful VPN installation,” said Dave Parry, Director of Engineering at SonicWALL.
Easier Configuration and Improved Interoperability
VPN Tracker 6.1 simplifies configuration via Mode Config for D-Link devices and includes new configuration guides for the D-Link DFL-800 and DFL-200 VPN firewall solutions. It also contains device profiles and configuration guides for all Fireware XTM based WatchGuard VPN gateways, including for the first time, the Firebox X Edge e-Series. To simplify setup for those using an AVM FRITZ!Box, an updated configuration assistant is now available from the VPN Tracker website.
VPN Tracker 6 has been optimized for businesses, consultants and mobile Mac users. With the fully customizable Secure Desktop, users can easily perform routine tasks, including accessing file servers, checking emails, and using any application, file or script, without having to worry about connecting and disconnecting VPN connections. In addition to its IPsec-based VPN connections, VPN Tracker 6 also provides access to any existing Mac OS X PPTP or L2TP VPN connections from within the same user interface. VPN Tracker 6 supports the new Internet protocol IPv6 and 64-bit mode in Mac OS X Snow Leopard. VPN connections are now more secure than ever with the addition of the latest security standards – including the SHA-2 family of hash algorithms, Diffie-Hellman (DH) groups 14-18 (up to 8192 bit), and the integration of Snow Leopard’s new Mac OS X Service Management framework.
VPN Tracker 6 has been optimized for businesses, consultants and mobile Mac users. With the fully customizable Secure Desktop, users can easily perform routine tasks, including accessing file servers, checking emails and using any application, file or script, without having to worry about connecting and disconnecting VPN connections. In addition to its IPsec-based VPN connections, VPN Tracker 6 also provides access to any existing Mac OS X PPTP or L2TP VPN connections from within the same user interface. VPN Tracker 6 supports the new Internet protocol IPv6 and 64-bit mode in Mac OS X Snow Leopard. VPN connections are now more secure than ever with the addition of the latest security standards – including the SHA-2 family of hash algorithms, Diffie-Hellman (DH) groups 14-18 (up to 8192 bit), and the integration of Snow Leopard’s new Mac OS X Service Management framework.
Pricing and Availability
VPN Tracker 6.1 licenses are currently available from €79 (incl. VAT) / $99 USD. Existing VPN Tracker customers can upgrade to the latest version 6.1 for a discounted price by visiting http://my.equinux.com.
A VPN Tracker Business Pack is also available to suit professional needs. This package includes 1 VPN Tracker Professional license in addition to 5 Player licenses and offers savings of 20% in comparison with the purchase of single licenses at the regular price.
FileMaker, Inc. today announced the Bento 3 Contact and Customer Manager, a customized set of three new templates that make it easy for Mac users to organize all their contacts and customer details in one place – the perfect solution to a very popular New Year’s resolution. The Bento 3 Contact and Customer Manager includes a free 30-day trial of the popular Bento 3 personal database for Mac, plus three professionally designed, ready-to-use templates including customer and client contacts, sales receipts, and sales opportunities.
The Bento 3 Contact and Customer Manager also works with Bento for iPhone and iPod touch, so customers can organize their contacts and business activities on an iPhone or iPod touch and then synchronize the information to their Mac.
With the Bento 3 Contact and Customer Manager, users can store and organize extensive details such as completed and upcoming calls, as well as meetings and to-do items for each contact linked from iCal Events and iCal Tasks. They can also keep date-and-time stamped notes from meetings and conversations and attach documents, spreadsheets, images and e-mails to any contact record. The Bento 3 Contact and Customer Manager lets users track sales opportunities including product or service, units, amount and probability of close. All of this detailed information can be located quickly using iTunes-style searching.
“Customers and prospects can tell if you are organized – or not. By tracking notes from past meetings and conversations, upcoming to-do items, completed phone calls, and important e-mails you’ll be ready when your customers are.” said Ryan Rosenberg, vice president, marketing and services, FileMaker, Inc. “With the Bento 3 Contact and Customer Manager, we’re providing an easy and affordable way for customers to get instant access to complete contact and customer details-fully integrated with iCal Tasks and iCal Events-so they have a central hub of information that lets them stay more organized and productive.”
The Contact and Customer Manager is designed to work with Bento 3, which has received rave reviews from the media including a recent 2009 Editor’s Pick award from Macworld. Bento 3 adds useful new features such as Grid View, integration with iPhoto, sharing data with others on a local network and securing data with 128-bit AES encryption.
Turtle Beach, a pioneer in digital audio and gaming headphone technology, today announced the latest addition to its Audio Advantage product line, the Amigo II and Micro II USB audio adapters. Designed for Mac and PC, the Amigo II and Micro II are inexpensive, easy to use and deliver a rich audio experience in a package that’s about the size of a USB memory stick.
The Amigo II USB sound card adds a stereo output and mic input to a Mac or PC. Because it uses a USB digital connection, the Amigo isolates the audio signal from the noisy electronics inside a PC or laptop to provide higher-quality sound. The stereo output can be used for connecting powered speakers, headphones or an external recording device and the microphone input can be used for connecting an external microphone or the boom mic on a headset. This makes Amigo ideal for converting a standard analog headset into is USB headset for voice communications programs such as Ventrilo™ and Skype™.
The Micro II USB sound card adds a stereo line output and an optical digital audio output to a Mac or PC. The stereo output can be used for connecting powered speakers, headphones or an external recording device. The S/PDIF digital optical output connects a notebook or desktop PC to home theater systems, allowing pass through of 5.1 channel Dolby® Digital or DTS surround sound. This makes it ideal for enjoying DVD or streaming digital movies on your notebook while listening to immersive Dolby surround sound on your home theater system.
“The Amigo II and Micro II each offer significant benefits for PC and laptop users who want improved sound quality without a lot of hassle, at a price that’s hard to beat. They’re both incredibly simple to use. Just plug them into a USB port and you’re ready to go.” said Peter Ronick, Director of Marketing.
Both the Amigo II and Micro II work with Mac or Windows PCs without the need for external power adapters, special drivers or software. The devices will be available in January from major US retailers as well as the Turtle Beach web site at www.turtlebeach.com. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for each model is $24.95. Turtle Beach products are distributed in Europe by Mad Catz® Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ www.madcatz.com.)
Turtle Beach (www.turtlebeach.com) designs and markets high-quality audio peripherals for PC and video game platforms, including its growing line of Ear Force gaming headphones and headsets for XBOX, PS3™ and Nintendo® game consoles and for personal computer games. Turtle Beach, with headquarters in Elmsford, New York, is a brand of Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc., which has been at the forefront of music and audio technology for more than three decades and is recognized as a pioneer of today’s PC audio industry.
SyncMate is offered at two versions, Free and Expert, and provides all users with even more synchronization possibilities than before. SyncMate Free Edition enables you to sync Address Book and iCal entries in your Mac with their analogues in supported devices and back up these data to Online Storage Account. Google Contacts and Google Calendar synchronization is also available.
Additionally to sync features, SyncMate Free Edition provides you with opportunity to read your SMS right from Mac OS X computer, share Internet between Mac and Windows Mobile devices and visually analyze detailed information of the Windows Mobile devices connected (battery state or memory usage).
SyncMate Expert Edition provides all users with a full access to all synchronization features. Sync iTunes&Video, iPhoto, Safari and Firefox Bookmarks, Entourage and mail Notes, ToDo’s, Mail and even separate folders between your Mac and Windows Mobile devices, create, send or delete SMS right on your Mac computer.
With Expert Edition all users can install any .cab files to Windows Mobile devices right from Mac computer.
SyncMate Expert enables you to analyze Nokia S40 devices Calls history directly on your computer. You can also back up ToDo’s, Safari Bookmarks, Entourage and Mail notes to your Online Storage Account with Expert Edition.
SyncMate Expert allows synchronizing To Do’s, Safari bookmarks, Entourage and Mail notes and separate folders between two or more Mac computers.
And of course all features of SyncMate Free Edition are available at Expert Edition.
SyncMate installation is very easy. There is no need to unlock device in order to install SyncMate. Mac can be connected to Windows Mobile device via USB or Wi-Fi, Mac to Nokia connection is available via Bluetooth, and you can sync your Mac with another Mac via Ethernet.
SyncMate Compatibility.
SyncMate is compatible with Mac OS X platform (Mac OS X 10.4 and higher, Mac OS X 10.5). Device compatibility: Windows Mobile Pocket 5, Windows Mobile Smartphone 5; Windows Mobile 6 Standard, Windows Mobile 6 Classic and Windows Mobile 6 Professional; Windows Mobile 6.1, Windows Mobile 6.5; Nokia S40 devices.
Additional information about SyncMate, along with detailed technical documentation, online help, changelog, upgrade policy as well as free installation package can be found at: http://www.sync-mac.com/
You can download SyncMate 2.0 here http://mac.eltima.com/download/syncmate.dmg
Newer Technology, Inc. today announced miniStack(r), its award-winning powered hub storage solution that features up to four different interfaces – FireWire 800, 400, USB 2.0, and eSATA – offers FireWire 400 device connectivity, additional port flexibility, and expanded storage capacity up to 1.5TB to the newest Mac mini, iMac, and MacBook Pro models.
Plug and Play FireWire 400 Devices with New Macs
The NewerTech miniStack solves the dilemma of how to use existing FireWire 400 devices with the new Mac mini, iMac, and MacBook Pro 17″ models, which only come equipped with FireWire 800 and USB 2.0 interfaces. Each miniStack model features a unique ergonomic rear and side powered hub port configuration with up to three FireWire 400 (one uplink and two additional) and four USB 2.0 (one uplink and three additional) ports. With its port flexibility and with all interface connection cables included, miniStack eliminates the hassle and expense of buying extra cables or adapters and enables a new Mac owner to Plug and Play multiple digital devices, such as scanners, printers, memory card readers, digital cameras, and iPods, into one centralized hub simultaneously and clutter-free.
Big Performance From A Small Footprint
Designed to mirror the size and appearance of the Mac mini, miniStack is also an ideal space-saving desktop hub for use with the new iMac and MacBook Pro 17″ models. Its compact 6.5″W x 6.5″L x 1.5″H size houses a single Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive up to 1.5TB for data intensive uses such as Audio/Video editing, digital photography, MP3 music libraries, and high-speed back-up. Built for high performance, miniStack offers storage and retrieval of up to 1.5 million JPEG photos, 526,000 MP3 songs, or 750 DVD quality movies with data transfer rates up to 150MB/s.
Compliments Macs, PCs, Networks, Entertainment Systems
With its interface flexibility and 2.6lb bare weight, miniStack is the ideal portable external hard drive storage solution to move among multiple Macintosh computers and laptops and virtually any Windows(r) or Linux(r)-based computer with a USB or FireWire port. miniStack can also be added to an Airport Extreme(r) wireless network via USB to wirelessly share files, perform Time Machine backups, and share other devices like printers. Plus, miniStack is A/V rated for high-performance home entertainment systems and sharing content with Apple TV(r).
Maximum Features In A Mini Footprint
* Provides storage and retrieval of up to 1.5 million JPEG photos, 526,000 MP3 songs, or 750 DVD quality movies with data transfer rates up to 150MB/s.
* Up to 1.5TB storage capacity with energy efficient and Enterprise class hard drive models available
* Up to 32MB of data cache
* 7200RPM hard drive
* Oxford bridge chipset
* FireWire 800, FireWire 400, USB 2.0, and/or eSATA bootable
* 6.5″W x 6.5″L x 1.5″H size
* 2.6lbs bare case weight
* External AutoSwitching 100~240v 50/60Hz 3 amp UL listed power adapter
* Auto-Power on/off automatically with computer
* Intelligent thermal monitoring for minimal fan power consumption and Whisper Quiet operation
* All supported interface connection cables included plus a FireWire 800-400 interconnecting cable (9-6 pin cable).
* Kensington security slot
* $200 retail value disk utility software bundle
* Three year solution warranty
Two Models Up To 1.5TB Starting At $104.99
The NewerTech miniStack is available in two models priced starting from $104.99, the “dual interface” miniStack v2.5 which features three FireWire 400 and three USB 2.0 ports and comes in 10 pre-configured 7200RPM solutions from 80GB to 1.5TB; and the “quad interface” miniStack v3 which offers one eSATA, two FireWire 800, one FireWire 400, and three USB 2.0 ports and comes in nine pre-configured 7200RPM solutions from 160GB to 1.5TB. Both models are available immediately from NewerTech’s exclusive distributor, Other World Computing, at www.macsales.com, as well as through the retail channel.
MacPractice, Inc., the leading Macintosh practice management and clinical application developer, announces the release of MacPractice DDS 3.6, the first complete Mac solution for a dental practice with an all-new innovative MacPractice Chart (restorative dental charting) and enhanced MacPractice DR (digital radiography and photo).
MacPractice Chart graphically displays preexisting conditions, treatment plans, and treatment performed with just a click. Another click flips the screen to display the patient ledger with charges and payments. MacPractice is currently used by health care providers in 13 countries. MacPractice Chart supports US and International tooth numbering.
In version 3.6, MacPractice DR sports a new interface and uses an enhanced device driver developed by MacPractice for SuniRay digital sensors, which deliver exceptionally high image quality with maximum diagnostic capabilities. SuniRay’s ergonomic design and rounded corners ensure easy positioning and optimal patient comfort. The unique design of its reinforced cable attachment and hardened outer casing makes SuniRay incredibly durable and reliable. According to MacPractice DR users, the quality of digital x-rays acquired by from SuniRay CMOS sensors on the Mac are at least as good as those acquired on the PC, if not better.
MacPractice DR directly interfaces or bridges to digital panorama and cephalometric equipment. New bridging technology in MacPractice 3.6 works with PC applications in a virtual machine and also directly with a PC.
“At last there is a complete dental practice management and clinical solution for dentists who prefer to use a Mac, and MacPractice is proud to be the company to deliver it,” states Mark Hollis, MacPractice’s President.
Physicians, dentists, chiropractors and eye doctors are encouraged to view QuickTime demo movies of MacPractice after registering at MacPractice.com.
Mark/Space, a mobile to desktop synchronization software company, announced today the release of The Missing Sync(tm) for Windows Mobile version 4.0.4 with enhanced sync support for Microsoft Entourage 2008. The award-winning Missing Sync for Windows Mobile is the most trusted sync software for Mac users with Windows Mobile smartphones like the HTC Touch, Motorola Q9 and Palm Treo Pro.
The latest release of The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile offers full Entourage support so that users can sync directly with Entourage 2008 and 2004. Benefits include synchronization of Entourage contacts, calendar events and tasks with categories. This update also offers improved device mounting.
Other features of The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile include syncing music, photos, video, files, and much more with support for iCal, Address Book, iPhoto and iTunes.
Pricing, Availability and System Requirements
The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile is available immediately as an electronic download from the Mark/Space Online Store for $39.95. It will also be available on CD for $49.95. This update is available free to owners of The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile 4.0. Owners of earlier versions may upgrade for $29.95.
The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile requires Mac OS X 10.4.9 or later, or Mac OS X 10.5 or later and a device running Windows Mobile 2002 (also called Pocket PC 2002), Windows Mobile 2003, Windows Mobile 5 or Windows Mobile 6.
To purchase, upgrade or learn more about The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile, please visit http://www.markspace.com.
III, a wireless Router for Macintosh computers. This Router establishes a
mobile internet connection through a mobile network operator and uses WLAN
and Ethernet to distribute this connection to the network.
Within mobile networks GlobeSurfer III supports download speeds with up to
7.2 Mbit/s and upload speeds with up to 5.7 Mbit/s. It can be used worlwide.
“The Router uses a webinterface for configuration and offers a setup wizard
for an easy start.”, states Jan Fuellemann, PR spokesperson at nova media.
“GlobeSurfer III supports all relevant encryptions and features a
preconfigured firewall. An expert mode allows a user-defined configuration.”
The built-in USB 2.0 port supports external drives and printers to be
connected to the router and accessed by all computers in the local network.
In addition, a standard telephone can be hooked up to the router to make and
receive calls using the mobile network. To boost the signal strenght in
areas with difficult reception, an external antenna can be attached.
Within a local network GlobeSurfer III supports WLAN connections with up to
54 Mbit/s and Ethernet connections with up to 1000 Mbit/s.
GlobeSurfer III is available today from nova media for Euro 285.00 plus VAT
if applicable and shipping costs. It requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or higher.
Callpod, Inc., an emerging leader in the mobile electronics industry introduces the Drone™, a plug and play VOIP and Bluetooth stereo USB adapter for PC’s and Mac computers. In the past year, Callpod, introduced several innovative award-winning products including the Chargepod®, a well-received 6-in-1 portable gadget charging solution, the Dragon V2 Class 1 Bluetooth headset and Phoenix Mobile Conferencing System, a Class 1 Bluetooth mobile conferencing system. The Drone, which was created from die-cast zinc and high impact polycarbonate for strength and durability, seamlessly switches between Bluetooth headsets and headphones and can connect to any PC or Mac computer via USB port. It has an operating range of 100 meters. Its combined features surpass any other Bluetooth USB adapter ever created.
Skype™ and VoIP Calling
The Drone is perfect for use with Skype and other VoIP users using a Bluetooth headset that don’t like to be tethered to their laptop, Mac or PC. The Drone allows users to roam around at home or at the office freely up to 100 meters away.
Listening to Music on Bluetooth Stereo Headphones
In addition the Drone allows music lovers the luxury of listening to their favorite songs without being attached to a wire. It allows multi-taskers to take on chores, play video games or just sit and relax. The drone can Cleary and efficiently stream and control music via iTunes, CD, Windows Media Player or any other computer based audio sources using the same 100 meter range.
High-Speed Data Transfer & Printing to Bluetooth Printers
The Drone also has advanced features to support data transfer for use with Bluetooth printers and other peripheral devices. For example users can transfer data to and from their computer via the iPhone, Palm Treo or any other Bluetooth cell phone or PDA. It can be used with Bluetooth photo printers and cameras, enabling the user to transfer and print and transfer photos. In addition users can transfer data from PC to PC or Mac to Mac etc. Again, the Drone™ transmits this data up to a range of 100 meters allowing the user to have their Bluetooth peripheral devices in a separate room.
“The Drone was designed to surpass anything in this category ever created. We wanted the Drone to be strong, elegant and easy to use. We did not want to put the burden on the consumer of dealing with complicated CD ROMs and computer settings. You simply plug in the Drone and it’s ready to go.” said Darren Guccione, Callpod CEO and co-founder. “Whether you listen to music, make phone calls via Skye or want to print utilizing a range of 100 meters, the Drone is the simple answer.”
Drone to Dragon V2 Power
The Dragon V2 can be used with the Drone, which allows users to freely roam around the home or office up to 100 meters or 328 feet. Dragon V2 headset was designed for Bluetooth mobile phones, PDAs VOIP products and computers. It gives users the powerful combination of unparalleled range and superior sound quality. Dragon V2 can connect to a PC for Skype® calls and allows users to switch between the PC and mobile phone with a press of a button.
Pricing
The Drone is currently available for $49.95. For more information please visit www.callpod.com.