A new graphics tablet from Wacom Technology (800/922-6613,
http://www.wacom.com
): The $3,999
PL500 Pen-Tablet System
features a 15-inch diagonal screen, full 24-bit color with 1,024-by-768-pixel resolution, and a DVI-to-DVI connection for sharper, crisper images.
Processor upgrades from Newer Technology (316/943-0222,
http://www.newertech.com
): A 500MHz G4
Maxpowr
upgrade with a 1MB L2 cache running at 250MHz sells for $799. The company also revived three G3 upgrade cards that it
had stopped shipping due to financial woes earlier in 2000.
New animation software from BeatWare (650/556-7900,
http://www.beatware.com
):
EZ Motion
creates animated graphics for small office and home office users. The $99 software includes a library of templates.
A new system utility from Power On Software (800/344-9160,
http://www.poweronsoftware.com
):
Rewind
lets users recover from file overwrites, software conflicts, and unknown viruses. Pricing was unavailable at press time.
New games from Aspyr Media (888/212-7797,
http://www.aspyr.com
): The game publisher has brought
Deus Ex
and
The Sims
to the Mac. Both games sell for $50.
UPDATED
A Photoshop plug-in from Vivid Details (800/948-4843,
http://www.vividdetails.com
):
Test Strip 3.0
features automated photo enhancement, greater layout selection, and movable gels that let you preview images. The product sells for $149. Test Strip 2.0 users can upgrade for $50.
ANNOUNCED
A graphics chip from Nvidia (408/615-2500,
http://www.nvidia.com
) for non-PC platforms: The
GeForce2 MX
features Digital Vibrance Control to make images crisper, as well as new TwinView display architecture. In addition to its traditional Wintel clientele, Nvidia plans to target the Mac and mobile markets with its graphics processor.
l Cutbacks at Scansoft (800/654-1187,
http://www.scansoft.com
): The maker of software including
TextBridge,
OmniPage, and the
Kai
products closed its West Coast office and cut
20 percent of its workforce.
Note: When you purchase something after clicking links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Read ouraffiliate link policyfor more details.