Frovil Heavy Industries has just released an updated version for their nifty Apple application called Spotlaser. If this is your first time to encounter this app, what it basically does is that it makes file-searching much easier by creating Smart Folders and using a more advanced search engine.

With a user-friendly user interface, Spotlaser will search through your entire Mac for the files you need. You just have to type in the file/s' name, content, metadata, or any combination of the three at the search bar. And the great thing about it is that it's absolutely free!

As for system requirements, you're gonna need Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or later for you to run Spotlaser. Further information about Spotlaser can be found in Frovil's site, which you can access via the read link below.

Download: Spotlaser v1.3.1

Been having speed issues with Safari, eh? Yep, we know how annoying it is when you wait forever for the pages to load. So to help you out in that department, we're gonna tell you guys about the wonder that is Safari Speed 2.1.

Now a lot of you are probably using Safari Speed 2 already so we probably don't have to delve into that whole thing. But suffice to say, a lot of users have been complaining about some of that OS's features that slow down your computer's speed. To fix that, here's v2.1 which will help you load pages faster and customize your interface easier (to mention a few). Here are some more of the things you can expect in Safari Speed 2.1:

• faster page loading
• allows you to disable favorite icons and cache
• turn on and off Safari's debug menu
• PDF support
• easily switch interface between metal and aqua
• combines the features of previous applications
• support for multiple localizations
  

SafariSpeed 2.1 is actually a free upgrade for licensed users of SafariSpeed 2. And because SafariSpeed 2 is a shareware, you will be allowed to use it 11 times before they require you to register. Registration for SafariSpeed costs US$ 8 and can be paid via Scifience's online store.

Download: [Safari Speed 2.1 Trial Version]

This one's official guys: Apple (as in Steve Jobs Apple) and Apple Corps (The Beatles' Apple) has finally settled on an agreement regarding the use of the name "Apple" and apple logos.

According to Apple Insider, the new agreement states that Jobs' Apple will own all Apple-related trademarks and will license some of those trademarks back to Apple Corps for continued use. This puts the trademark lawsuit between the two Apples to end but not without legal consequences of course.

Both parties will have to pay certain legal costs, but Apple will be able to continue using its name and logos on iTunes. Steve Jobs says,

We love the Beatles, and it has been painful being at odds with them over these trademarks. It feels great to resolve this in a positive manner, and in a way that should remove the potential of further disagreements in the future.

Further terms of settlement weren't disclosed, but if the two Apples will continue to see each other eye to eye, there's a huge probability that Beatles songs will show up on iTunes. Man, this Apple vs. Apple case has been going on for way too long now, we heard Adam & Eve's apple are throwing hissy fits because the companies' apples are more popular now. Kidding aside, it's nice to know that they've finally settled this long-running matter. So, all together now, "..all you need is love...pamparam papam..."

Hailed as the application that could give QuickTime Pro a run for its money, Eric Brunstad's iRecord is a free recording application for Mac OS X that allows you to record videos and capture images. And did we mention that it's free?

Here are a few how-to's:

• Recording videos - just click the red button, end of discussion. Hehe, seriously though, that's all you need to do! To end recording, just press the red button again and the recorded footage will show up on your desktop.
• Capturing images - Drag the picture displayed in the window to the desktop, a TIFF image will be saved and will show up on your desktop.
  

Real easy, right? Oh and you're not obliged or anything, but for the kind souls out there who happen to like and appreciate this app, you can donate to good old Eric so he can continue working on iRecord and other projects that they'll host on Mind Sprocket.

Download: [iRecord v1.0]

We have just heard news that Mike Verdone has once again updated his Wii application called WiiToMidi, which, as the name implies, allows users to convert signals from a Wii controller to MIDI signals.

WiiToMidi is a Cocoa application for Mac OS X that uses the DarwiinRemote WiiRemote framework to decode Wii controller signals. It also supports the Nunchuk controller. If this is your first time to encounter this app, then we strongly suggest you head on to Mike Verdone's website (click on the "Read" link below) to read the FAQ and other whatnots.

And as usual, make sure you read the all-important readme for more vital info on WiiToMidi. Got that? Good. Alright then go on and download WiiToMidi below. Have fun! Note: The download below also includes the source code.

Download: [WiiToMidi v0.4.1]

As much as everyone seems to be raving about the recent unveiling of the iPhone, there will inevitably be haters, analysts, and critics for it (as with every new product released in the market). We've given you a rundown of different analyses about how the iPhone will fare in the mobile market and because we here in QJ believe in democracy, we'll let this guy give his piece on the iPhone's future.

Fellas, meet John Dvorak, a Marketwatch Technology columnist who gives his opinion on the whole iPhone mania on his CNBC stint. He says that the features of the iPhone goes against the trend that the mobile market is currently seeing, which is why he apparently doesn't see what the fuss is all about. Dvorak also said that while some people think that Apple is an all-powerful and successful company (what with the moolah they constantly rake in), he believes that "Apple can do wrong and this is it [iPhone]."

But before the claws come out on Dvorak, let's try to keep in mind that this is just his opinion and that everyone's entitled to one, right? So anyhoo, just check out the vid below and hear for yourself what Dvorak has to say about the iPhone. (Kudos to getamac for posting this!)

We know most of you guys probably still are on the whole iPhone mania, but while that's awesome and all, let's try and switch our attention for a bit to the updates the Apple site has been getting lately.

Of course the iPhone section is there already, but did you guys also notice that they've added a Science section to their site? Oh yes indeedy!

Apple hasn't exactly been big on that industry, but apparently they are now because the Science section packs in a whole lotta info on why Apple is THE ideal tool for your "scientific" needs and why Mac OS X is THE ultimate platform for discovery.

The new Science section also includes all the applications and various tools and utilities that Apple currently offers to cater to the needs that scientific research and computation entail. You'll also see testimonies from medical universities on why they chose Mac. Here's one from Scott Thorn Barrows of the University of Chicago Medical Center: "Our profession is overwhelmingly Macintosh. ItÂ?s just so much easier to use. ItÂ?s more dependable. ItÂ?s more intuitive. Its faster and itÂ?s just more elegant."

But why take Scott's word for it? Head on to the Apple Science section and see for yourself. Just click on the read link below and you're good to go.

After all the rumors and speculations about the much-awaited iPhone, we now have a whole bunch of confirmed details about this upcoming revolutionary telecommunications gadget.

During the recently held Macworld Conference and Expo, Steve Jobs divulged details on the widescreen iPod-donning phone including its "multi-touch" feature, internet-browsing capabilities, wireless connectivity, and tons more! So let's not waste any time with all the chitchatty yadda yadda, here's an outline of some of the iPhone's features:

• widescreen iPod - browse through music, audiobooks, videos, TV shows, and movies on a 3.5-inch widescreen display. You can also use the Cover Flow feature to browse through music via the album covers.
  
• User Interface
  
• QWERTY keyboard and intelligent Multi-touch display - control is literally all in your hands, no need for a stylus, ignores unintended touches
• Internet device - built-in Google and Yahoo! search, Safari web browser, Google maps, iTunes, Widgets,
  
• Connectivity - quad-band GSM, EDGE, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)

More info and pictures await in the Full Article!

First of all, I just have to say...OH.MY.GOD. No wait, make that oh.my.effing.god! Can this be true? The Beatles are finally gonna have their songs on iTunes store after the whole Apple vs. Apple fiasco?

And not only that, Apple (as in the computer company) is allegedly in negotiation with Britain's EMI group. Apple wants to gain them rights to come out with a Beatles edition iPod, much like the U2-inspired edition that Apple currently has.

As we told you guys in an earlier article, The Beatles remains as one of the very few bands that haven't taken a bite of Steve Jobs' apple. Bob Seger and Metallica have already given in, and so has the Red Hot Chili Peppers. To date, iPod users have resorted to downloading their fave Beatles tunes off Limewire or other download services. Is all that about to change now?

Being a Beatlemaniac myself, I couldn't be more psyched about this but then again, these are all still mere speculation. And when Apple was contacted regarding the matter, the company's spokesman merely said that the company does not comment on "rumor and speculation."

But the latest buzz is that Apple is "close" to reaching an agreement with EMI to become The Beatles' exclusive online music store for a limited window of time. Oh, and that's not all, Apple is also said to be wooing EMI to let them use a a Beatles song for a company ad. Trivia: Nike was the only company to ever have used a Beatles song for an ad - "Revolution" - back in 1987, for which the company was sued by the Fab Four.

During that whole controversy, the Beatles was reported to have commented that they "don't sing jingles to peddle sneakers, beer, pantyhose, or anything else." Perhaps mp3 players then? Hahaha. I dunno 'bout the rest of you guys, but if Apple does come out with a Beatles-edition iPod, not even George and John's rise from the grave will stop me from getting one.

Her Majesty's a pretty nice girl but she doesn't have a lot to say
Her Majesty's a pretty nice girl but she changes from day to day
I want to tell her that I love her a lot, but I gotta get a bellyful of wine
Her Majesty's a pretty nice girl, someday I'm gonna make her mine...

Now while our admiration for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth doesn't go as far as what John Lennon and Paul McCartney had in mind in their song, "Her Majesty," it's still might fancy (or should we say fon-sei *Brit accent*) to get noticed by the Queen for your creativity and achievement.

Such is the honor that Jonathan Ive received when the Queen honored him as a Commander of the British Empire during the Queen's New Year Honours. If you have no idea who Jonathan Ive is, he's the one responsible for that wheel scroll thing on your iPods and the sleek design of your iMacs.

A primer on Jonathan Ive for those who don't know him: born in the UK in February 1967, he studied industrial design at Newcastle Polytechnic and started working for Apple in 1992. However, it wasn't until way back in 1998 when Steve Jobs adopted his iMac design that he reached his famous status.

After this, he has taken on designing various products for Apple but his best known design yet is without a doubt, the iPod. This skyrocketed his career in Apple, with Jobs propelling his career even further to become Senior VP of Industrial Design at the company. Prior to the Queen's CBE, he was also hailed as Designer of the Year by the Design Museum London in 2003 and has been given the title of Royal Designer for Industry by The Royal Society of Arts.