seyDesign Releases DEViANT Pro For RapidWeaver

I love creating websites in RapidWeaver (one of my all time favorite apps) so anytime a new theme is released I have to check it out. Top notch theme developer seyDesign released DEViANT Pro theme today and it's a beauty! Among the RapidWeaver crowd (there are more of us than you think) seyDesign is known for creating beautiful, light-weight and fast loading themes and DEViANT Pro is no different. Check out the screen shots below. I really like the optional "Wood Fence" background. There are also dark and light gradient background options as well as the standard RapidWeaver 4 theme variations. Check out the DEViANT Pro preview over at seyDesigns.

Review: Art Text 2

If you find yourself needing to create beautiful, professional looking graphics check out our comprehensive, brand-spanking new review of Art Text 2 in AYAAW's review section. We highlight Art Text 2's new features as well as it's strengths and weaknesses. Read more about this powerful and fantastic app after the jump.

MyWeather Mobile Update Provides Enhancements

In case you missed it, AYAAW reviewed two of the top paid iPhone weather apps last week. Check out our full iPhone weather app Smack Down in the reviews section. We came to the conclusion

that both apps, MyWeather Mobile and Fizz Weather were worthy apps and that each had its own strengths and weaknesses. After publishing the article we were contacted by the fine folks responsible for bringing us these wonderful apps and were told of some upcoming enhancements for each.

The developers of Fizz Weather, Fizz Software, informed us that they are working with their weather provider to bring higher quality radar to Fizz Weather. If you recall, that was my biggest and pretty much only gripe with Fizz Weather. I'm looking forward to this.

The developers of MyWeather Mobile, MyWeather, LLC also informed us that enhancements were in the works that addressed some of its shortcomings. After approval, on Tuesday MyWeather Mobile moved to version 1.1 which includes a more detailed current weather screen. To access the screen you click on a little right-pointing arrow located next to each of the cities you have MyWeather Mobile set to gather weather info. The top portion of the screen flips to reveal the following:

Wind Chill/Heat Index
Dew Point
Humidity
Precip. Today
Wind
Pressure

Another new feature is the ability of the Trend screens to be viewed in landscape mode. This makes for much nicer viewing as you can tap on the timeline located at the bottom of the screen and see what the wind speed and direction, precipitation amount and temperature and sky conditions will be at any given time over the next 36 hours.

The new additions are certainly welcomed and bring MyWeather Mobile closer to Fizz Weather in terms of actual, readable weather data. Fizz Weather still gets our vote in this regard, however and we're eagerly awaiting its upcoming radar.

BeLight Software Releases Art Text 2

Yesterday, BeLight Software announced the immediate availability of version 2 of it's Art Text graphics application. Art Text 2 can be used for creating headings, web graphics, buttons and logos with an ease not found in other software. According to BeLight, the new version features a new Template Gallery with over 200 ready made buttons, headings, icons. Multiple layers support and redesigned interface turn Art Text 2 into flexible tool to create complex graphics. 120 new vector icons and over 190 supplied textures were added. Pricing starts at $39.95, upgrade is free for people who purchased version 1 starting July 1st, 2008 and costs only $19.95 for those who purchased earlier:

"We are thankful to all Art Text users who found version 1 useful and wrote us feedbacks and suggestions about improving the program. When working on version 2 we tried to account on most of those wishes and nevertheless keep the software easy to use, so that two clicks are enough to bring joy to any user!"- says Pavel Skurtul, Art Text Product Manager.

Other Art Text version 2 changes:
- 120 new vector icons added;
- Redesigned program interface;
- Merge layers using one of the 11 blend modes;
- Texture library with over 190 supplied textures added;
- Multi layers support added, each layer has its own properties;
- Library of Shading materials grew to 245 surface materials in total;
- Template Gallery with 200+ editable button, heading, icon and logo templates becomes available.

Art Text 1 is a fantastic app that put the power of higher end graphics programs into a smaller, lighter-weight package that's easy to use and create fantastic looking graphics. We here at AYAAW can't wait to put version 2 though it's paces. Check back for a complete review in the next couple of weeks.

Realmac Software Announces LittleSnapper

Realmac Software, makers of the amazing RapidWeaver, announced their latest creation LittleSnapper at last weeks Paris Apple Expo. LittleSnapper appears to be a screenshot application that can also take snapshots of entire web pages, even those that extend past the bottom of your screen. Beyond that LittleSnapper will also store your screenshots with a workflow that seems to be similar to the now familiar iTunes or iPhoto system of cataloging. According to Realmac, LittleSnapper's cataloging ability features tools to add comments to screenshots, annotate with shapes and text, add ratings and tags, group into collections via drag and drop and build Smart Collections based on information from your library.

LittleSnapper also features the ability to share screenshots via a one-click publishing tool, take shots of individual webpage elements and according to the Realmac blog it will integrate with your favorite image editing application. The one-click publishing thing really appeals to me. I love and use Skitch daily so I'm hoping it works similarly.

RealMac hasn't posted a downloadable demo yet nor have they announced a release date or pricing, although they do state it will be available late this year. This is very intriguing to me on a number of levels. Firstly, I seem to really like and collect screenshot taking apps. I do use them when building websites but have absolutely no need for as many as I have. Secondly, it's being developed by Realmac so you know it's going to be good. Lastly, I really like and collect screenshot taking apps. Whoops! I listed that that twice. I must only have two levels. ;-)

I can't wait and am giddy with anticipation at being able to take screenshots. Er, wait a second. I can already do that with any number of apps. I'm still giddy anyway because one can never have too many screen shooting apps, can they?

Joe Henry

Mudbug Software Releases Webify Beta

Mudbug Software announced on Wednesday the immediate availability of Webify beta. Webify is a basic image editor aimed at simplifying the process of producing quality, web-ready images for use on the web.

Webify's Effects panel includes options to:

• Flip images horizontally or vertically
• Rotate an image on its X or Y axis (this is very cool)
• Apply a Sepia Effect
• Adjust Exposure, Gamma, Saturation, Sharpness, Contrast and Brightness

Webify also includes a crop tool and you can save your image as a GIF, JPEG, JPEG 2000, PNG, PhotoShop, PDF or Tiff formated image.

I've been playing with Webify for a couple of days and find it to be a very capable little image editor that's lightweight and easy to use. It launches immediately and I find myself launching PhotoShop Elements 6 less and less for images I'm using on the web. It really is a great little app and the developer has stated that the final 1.0 full version will also include a reflection option as well as additional batch processing features. Developers will also appreciate a public SDK included in with the final version that will allow the creation of plug-ins that add functionality to Webify.

To experience all this image editing goodness you'll need to fork over $10. Mudbug is only offering the beta as a paid beta but in return you get the app for $10 rather than $20 when the final version is released. Webify is a nice app and does exactly what it's intended to do. Gary Byrd, Webify's developer and RapidWeaver theme developer extraordinaire, is good people so don't hesitate to jump on this deal. If launching PhotoShop just to do a couple minor edits on a web-bound image has got you down give Webify a try. You'll be glad you did.

Joe Henry

Apple Issues iPhone 3G Power Adapter

Apple today issued a recall for certain iPhone 3g Power Adapters. The adapters came with new iPhones and could be purchased separately as an accessory. The recall includes iPhone 3G's that were purchased in the US, Mexico, Canada, Japan and several Latin American countries. Here is the text of the recall notice:

CUPERTINO, California—September 19, 2008—Apple® today announced that under certain conditions the new ultracompact Apple USB power adapter’s metal prongs can break off and remain in a power outlet, creating the risk of electric shock.

Apple has received reports of detached prongs involving a very small percentage of the adapters sold, but no injuries have been reported.

Customer safety is always Apple’s top priority so it has voluntarily decided to exchange every ultracompact power adapter for a new redesigned adapter, free of charge. For more details on the exchange program please visit www.apple.com/support/usbadapter/exchangeprogram.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

iPhone 3G users can get replacements by filling out this web-based Exchange Program form or by requesting one at an Apple store starting October 10th.. You'll need your iPhone serial number which can be found on your iPhone under Settings>General or by plugging the phone into your Mac and opening iTunes to your iPhone screen. Apple states:

Users with ultracompact power adapters should immediately stop using them until they exchange them for a new, redesigned ultracompact adapter.

In the meantime, they should charge their iPhone 3G by connecting it to their computer with the USB cable that came with their iPhone or by using a standard-sized Apple USB Power Adapter (with fold up prongs) or with a third party adapter designed to work with the iPhone, such as a car charger.

For more information see this Apple support article.