RELEASED Voice-recognition software from MacSpeech (603/672-9100, www.macspeech.com ): iListen lets users dictate documents and use voice commands to control applications and edit scripts. The software sells for $99 without a headset and $139 with one. Version 1.1 should ship in early 2001, priced at $129, or $169 with a headset.
A Palm OS version of FileMaker from FileMaker (800/325-2747, www.filemaker.com ): FileMaker Mobile lets users synchronize data between FileMaker Pro databases and Palm OS-based handhelds. It sells for $49.
Mac OS X drivers from Newer Technology (316/943-0222, www.newertech.com ): The Newer MaxPowrX drivers allow Newer G3 ZIF and PCI upgrades to support the OS X public beta in the Power Mac G3, 7500, 8500, 9500, 7600, 8600, and 9600 models. The drivers work only with Newer upgrade cards and the OS X beta.
UPDATED Kiplinger TaxCut Deluxe from Block Financial (818/779-7223, www.taxcut.com ): The Tax Year 2000 Edition adds enhanced planning features, a streamlined interview process, and a new navigation tool. The software sells for $20.
Virtual Ink’s mimio (877/696-4646, www.mimio.com ): mimio 1.5 is new companion software for the electronic whiteboard. It adds plug-in support and the capability to export mimio files to QuickTime. Version 1.5, which will ship in the first quarter of 2001, is free to current mimio owners. The electronic whiteboard costs $599.
Virtual PC from Connectix (800/950-5880, www.connectix.com ): Virtual PC 4.0 for Windows 98 offers faster performance than version 3 and the ability to run multiple operating systems. It sells for $199; users can upgrade from previous versions for $79.
ANNOUNCED A bankruptcy filing by Lernout & Hauspie (781/203-5000, www.lhsl.com ): The Belgian parent company of speech-recognition-software maker Dragon Systems filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States. Dragon announced in February 2000 that it would not make a Mac OS 9 version of its NaturallySpeaking software and that it would wait until OS X’s release to decide if it would continue to develop for the Mac.