iBank 3.5, an update to the personal finance manager, prepares the way for a forthcoming iPhone app from developer IGG Software by expanding mobile syncing capabilities.
Expanded syncing capabilities aren’t the only additions to iBank. Version 3.5 adds more than 30 enhancements and fixes, the company says. Those changes include improved launch, search, and transaction entry speeds; more support for Neat Receipts to drag-and-drop scanned PDFs; improved support for multi-currency transfers; and the ability to reconcile both sides of a transfer independently. iBank 3.5 also tackles check-printing set-up bugs and ensures that hidden accounts and categories no longer appear in category pop-ups, among other fixes.
The software runs on OS X 10.5. Existing iBank 3 users can upgrade to the new 3.5 version for free; iBank costs $60, though a free trial is available from IGG Software.—Philip Michaels
VMware updates Fusion virtualization program
VMware Fusion is now at version 2.0.5. The latest update to the virtualization software for Intel-based Macs reduces CPU usage when the virtual machine is idle; includes MacFUSE 2.0.3 to mount virtual disks as volumes in the Finder; adds experimental support for Mac OS X 10.6 “Snow Leopard,” and more. It’s a free upgrade for any VMware Fusion 1.x or 2.x user.—Peter Cohen
Slideshow 9.5 adds Flash Video export capabilities
Apimac has released Slideshow 9.5, an update to its slideshow and presentation software for multimedia files. The program lets you create a slideshow containing images, movies, and audio files that you can upload to the Web, e-mail or put on CD-ROM and DVD.
New to this release is the ability to export any created slideshow to a Flash Video (FLV) file. Some user interface improvements have also been made. It’s a free update for registered customers; the full package costs $35.—PC
FlightAlert ready for QuarkXPress 8
FlightAlert XT, which performs on-the-fly error checking for QuarkXPress, is now available in a QuarkXPress 8-compatible version from XChange UK and ThePowerXChange.com.
The $139 FlightAlert XT 8 combines on-the-fly error checking with a “Collect for Output” engine. According to its developers, FlightAlert XT scans QuarkXPress documents for key problems, running in the background as users work in the page-layout program. Users set FlightAlert to scan on Open, Close, Save, Save As, Save Page as EPS, and Collect for Output commands.—PM
Locr intros photo uploading program
On Wednesday, Locr released Locr DropBox 1.0, a photo uploading program for its online geotagging service. Users can drag and drop photos in JPEG, RAW, or TIFF format onto DropBox and they’ll be automatically uploaded to the Locr site in a new or existing album.
The application sends the description, keywords, and the photo’s coordinates along with it—you can also set those attributes after uploading, if you choose.
DropBox is free and requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later as well as a Locr account.—Dan Moren