Analyst: Microsoft to buy BlackBerry: “Smartphone company ‘massive strategic fit for Microsoft’

Microsoft may have its eye on Research in Motion (RIM), makers of the BlackBerry range of handsets, says one analyst.

(Via Macworld UK.)

Speed Download adds AFP integration and more: " Chicago, Illinois - Yazsoft is proud to announce the immediate availability of Speed Download 5.0.7 and Speed Download Lite 1.0.4. Developed exclusively for Mac OS X, Speed Download is an easy to use, powerful and reliable download manager. Speed Download sets a higher standard for download manager innovation, and is expressly designed to be a central, unified hub for almost all downloading and file transfer activities. This new update continues to Read more [...]

Houdini Manages Hidden Files on Your Mac [Featured Mac Download]: " Mac OS X only: You already know the command-line method for revealing hidden files on your Mac, but you have to Google the correct command every time—but free application Houdini saves you the trouble. Fire up Houdini to toggle hidden file visibility on and off, move, copy, open, or delete hidden files or folders on your Mac. Just from the few Mac users who have trouble trying out my todo.txt command line tool because of the Read more [...]

OpenOffice.org 3.0 Final on a Server Near You [OpenOffice.org]: "If our first look at OpenOffice.org 3.0 has you salivating for the official download of this free Microsoft Office replacement, the final release has already been pushed to a mirror near you (like this one). Expect an official release announcement on Monday. [via] (Via Lifehacker.) Read more [...]

Yahoo Calendar Beta on Track to Challenge Google Cal [Screencasts]: " Tester invites started going out to the dramatically-overhauled new Yahoo Calendar beta, and we were one of the lucky ones to give it a spin. The new look and feel brings YCal into 2008 (finally!) with a dynamic interface including drag and drop events, Flickr integration, multiple calendar subscriptions and—gasp!—a built-in to-do list. For too long, YCal has looked like it was stuck in 1998, even though it launched Read more [...]

Apple to Launch an $800 Laptop?: “The Inquisitr claims that some Apple retailers have already been given price lists for Apple’s upcoming laptops and that there are 12 price points ranging from $800 to $3100. Current laptops are said to have only have 8 retail price points: 3 Macbo…”

(Via MacRumors.)

13″ Aluminum MacBook Pictured on Invitation?: “
Apple has invited media to a special ‘notebook’ event on Tuesday, October 14th. BoingBoing analyzed the laptop pictured on the invitation and concluded that it was likely a picture of the rumored 13′ Aluminum MacBook.

It’s ha…”

(Via MacRumors.)

1Password Makes Syncing Painless and Free: "Agile Web Solutions today announced the release of 1Password 2.9, which makes it simple to keep passwords in sync across all your Macs. Before this release, this was only possible using MobileMe. Now, many additional sync options are available. This update is free to all paid 1Password customers. 1Password is the most popular password manager for Mac OS X and iPhone. (Via MacMegasite.) Read more [...]

Apple confirms 14 October notebook launch: “New Apple notebooks seem set for launch next week

Apple on Thursday contacted US media members to invite them to an event on 14 October at the company’s headquarters.

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(Via Macworld UK.)

Firefox for Mobile alpha release due next week: “Mozilla will next week unveil the alpha release of its mobile Firefox browser, codenamed Fennec.

By this time next week, Mozilla will have unveiled the alpha release of its mobile Firefox browser, codenamed Fennec.

(Via Macworld UK.)

iTunes playlist sharing – online and legal: “SonicSwap makes iTunes collections a shareable commodity

A new service called SonicSwap offers iTunes playlist sharing, playback and social nertworking features to iTunes users for the first time.

(Via Macworld UK.)

Free app helps you customize Genre album art in iTunes: "From developer Victor Shcherbakov comes iGenres, a free application that lets you change the images associated with the Genres on iTunes simply and easily. There is even a Flickr Group just for iTunes Genres from which you can gather images and inspiration. iGenres is offered as freeware. (Via MacMerc.) Read more [...]

Woz says the iPod is dying: “Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak raises some public attention

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak found himself at the centre of a storm on strength of comments made during an interview this week.

(Via Macworld UK.)

How will Android compare to the iPhone?: “iPhone vs. Android in feature face-off

Google’s Android is as an open-source operating system meant to give smart phone manufacturers a powerful platform on which to base their phones. It’s even been touted as a challenger to Apple’s iPhone OS.

(Via Macworld UK.)

BlackBerry iPhone killer ‘Storm’ breaks on Vodafone: “BlackBerry prepares for battle

Vodafone and Verizon Wireless will sell Research In Motion’s iPhone competing BlackBerry Storm smartphone from next month, the companies said Wednesday.

(Via Macworld UK.)